SAINT PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has verified that all evidentiary breath tests previously questioned due to operator data entry errors remain accurate.  The issue stemmed from incorrect alcohol concentration values entered by some law enforcement operators when replacing dry gas cylinders used in the state’s DataMaster (DMT) breath-testing instruments. The mistakes raised concerns about the validity of several hundred DWI cases statewide.  Following an internal review, BCA laboratory scientists recalculated each affected test using the correct cylinder values and confirmed that all control and breath tests fell within established accuracy margins. Notifications of the verified results are being sent to [...]

SAINT PAUL, Minn. — More than 440,000 Minnesotans will continue receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits after a court on Friday ordered the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to use its contingency funds to keep the program running during the federal government shutdown. The temporary restraining order, issued in response to a lawsuit co-led by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, requires the USDA to draw from over $5 billion in contingency funds to continue SNAP payments nationwide. The ruling affects roughly 42 million Americans who rely on the program, including 180,000 children, 67,000 seniors, and 52,000 people with disabilities in [...]

LYON COUNTY — With Halloween, the end of daylight saving time, and the fall hunting season all approaching, Lyon County Sheriff Eric Wallen is reminding residents to stay alert and safe in the coming days. As children prepare to head out for trick-or-treating, Wallen encouraged families to practice caution and respect for others. “Be respectful of our neighbors and everyone’s property and be cautious walking down the streets,” he said. “When we come to intersections, make sure you stop, look both ways, and walk across the streets. Don’t cut across people’s yards.” Wallen also suggested that parents make sure kids are [...]

MARSHALL — No injuries were reported after a two-vehicle collision on Tuesday, according to the Marshall Police Department. At 1:47 Tuesday afternoon, a 2005 Chevy Equinox was traveling eastbound on C Street and traveling through the intersection when a 2023 GMC Acadia was traveling on East Lyon Street, and attempted to turn onto Main Street when the vehicles collided.  The driver of the Chevy, a 74-year-old Marshall man, was not injured.  The driver of the GMC, an 80-year-old Clarkfield woman, and her passenger, an 81-year-old Clarkfield man, were not injured. 

MARSHALL — A Marshall woman was hospitalized after a two-vehicle collision on Tuesday, according to the Marshall Police Department. At 9:49 Tuesday morning, a 2023 Ford F150 was traveling eastbound on East College Drive, and a 2008 GMC Yukon was traveling southbound on State Highway 23 when the vehicles collided in the intersection.   The driver of the GMC, a 25-year-old woman from Marshall, sustained possible injuries and was taken to Avera Hospital in Marshall. Her passengers, two juvenile males, were not injured.  The driver of the Ford, a 34-year-old man from Echo, was not injured. He was cited for failure [...]

COTTONWOOD, Minn. — The American Red Cross is holding a blood drive today, Wednesday, Oct. 29, at the Community Building, 142 West Main Street in Cottonwood. Donations will be accepted from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m.  Donors can give a standard whole blood donation, which takes about an hour, or a Power Red donation, which collects red cells while returning plasma and platelets to the donor. Power Red donors must meet specific eligibility requirements and have type A Negative, B Negative, or O blood.  Eligible donors must be at least 17 years old (16 with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds, [...]

WASHINGTON—Millions of Americans are set to lose access to federal food assistance as the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that no Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will go out on November 1 due to the ongoing government shutdown.  The USDA posted a notice saying it will not use roughly $5 billion in contingency funds to keep the program running, stating bluntly, “the well has run dry.” SNAP helps about one in eight Americans afford groceries, and the funding halt raises concerns for families and food shelves nationwide.  Some states have pledged to continue benefits on their own, but the USDA [...]

MILROY, Minn.—The American Red Cross is hosting a community blood drive today, Monday, Oct. 27, at Milroy School, 103 Prospect Street, from 2 to 7 p.m.  Donors can give a standard whole blood donation or a Power Red donation, which collects red blood cells while returning most plasma and platelets to the donor. Power Red donors must meet specific eligibility requirements and have type A negative, B negative, or O blood.  Anyone age 17 or older — or 16 with parental consent — in good health and weighing at least 110 pounds is eligible to donate.  As an added incentive, those [...]

MARSHALL, Minn.—The Marshall City Council will meet tomorrow, Tuesday, October 28 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.  The meeting will begin with the recognition of Quentin Brunsvold, followed by a public hearing on vacating a right-of-way along 500 Pleasant Street in Eastman’s Addition.  Among the consent items, the council will consider approving snow removal service contracts for the Tall Grass Liquor and MERIT Center, two raffle permits for local organizations, and authorization to apply for a Polling Place Accessibility Grant. Other items include approval to serve alcohol at the Red Baron Arena for a December hockey event, and authorization to declare [...]

ST PAUL, Minn.—Governor Tim Walz will visit a food shelf in Eagan today to announce $4 million in one-time emergency funding to support food shelves and Tribal nations across Minnesota. The funding comes as a federal government shutdown threatens grocery benefits for 440,000 Minnesotans who rely on programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP).  Joining Walz at the event will be The Open Door Executive Director Jason Viana, The Food Group’s Director of Advocacy and Community Engagement Rachel Holmes, Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families Commissioner Tikki Brown, and Children’s Cabinet Executive [...]