MARSHALL — Southwest Minnesota lawmakers Sen. Gary Dahms and Rep. Chris Swedzinski are reflecting on their years of public service and thanking constituents as they prepare to leave the Minnesota Legislature. In a joint message to residents, Dahms, a Republican from Redwood Falls, and Swedzinski, a Republican from Ghent, said it has been a privilege to represent southwestern Minnesota and advocate for the region's communities. The legislators noted that a series of town hall meetings held throughout their districts since 2011 concluded with meetings on May 27. Neither lawmaker is seeking re-election. “We are so thankful for the constituents who attended [...]

The Minnesota Department of Revenue is notifying homeowners about a one-time increase of nearly 15% to 2025 Homestead Credit Refunds, following tax legislation approved by the Minnesota Legislature and signed by Gov. Tim Walz in May. Homeowners who have already filed for a 2025 Homestead Credit Refund do not need to take any action. The department will automatically adjust eligible returns and add the increase to refunds. Taxpayers should not amend their returns, and no notification letters will be sent. The Department of Revenue is updating its online filing system to reflect the increase. Homeowners who file before mid-July will have [...]

As wildlife becomes more active across Minnesota during the summer months, experts with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are encouraging residents to take steps to reduce conflicts with animals. Minnesota DNR Wildlife Damage Specialist Brandon Kaiser said proactive measures can help improve safety, reduce stress, and prevent costly damage. "Taking steps to mitigate wildlife conflict can help alleviate stress. It can increase safety. Sometimes it's a financial benefit, sometimes it's a loss to your crops or physical damage to your property, especially in commercial agriculture," Kaiser said. Kaiser noted that hunting and trapping remain important tools for managing wildlife [...]

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Individual event tickets for WWE's SummerSlam 2026 at U.S. Bank Stadium go on sale today, Monday, June 8, at 10 a.m.  through Ticketmaster. The two-night event will be held Aug. 1-2 in Minneapolis and marks the first WWE stadium event ever hosted in the city. It is also the first WWE Premium Live Event in Minneapolis since TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs in 2019. Organizers expect SummerSlam, one of WWE's largest annual events, to draw thousands of visitors to the Twin Cities and provide a significant economic boost to the region. WWE and Minnesota Sports and Events also [...]

SAINT PAUL, Minn. — The infamous Corpse Flower known as Horace has fully bloomed at the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, drawing visitors eager to experience one of the world's rarest—and smelliest—plants. Horace, which first bloomed in 2024 after arriving at Como in 2019, opened Sunday and is expected to remain in bloom for only a few days. Native to Indonesia, the Corpse Flower is known for emitting a powerful odor resembling rotting flesh. "It's a terrible smell, honestly, been compared to hot, stinky garbage," said horticulturalist Jennifer Love. "The plant has a strategy of trying to attract pollinators that would [...]

MARSHALL — Community members are invited to take part in “The Declaration of Independence and Liberty, Then and Now: A Community Conversation” on Tuesday at the Lyon County Museum in Marshall. The event is presented by the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Lyon County Museum, Braver Angels of Minnesota, and the Minnesota Historical Society as part of a statewide series commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Participants will engage in a facilitated discussion focused on the principles of the Declaration of Independence, shared civic values, and visions for the nation’s future. Organizers say the [...]

PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP, Minn. — A 76-year-old woman reported missing Sunday evening was found safe following a large-scale search in Lac qui Parle County.  According to the Lac qui Parle County Sheriff's Office, dispatch received a 911 call at approximately 5:59 p.m. on June 7 reporting that the woman had left her residence on foot in the 1200 block of U.S. Highway 75 in Providence Township and had been missing for about two hours.  Multiple agencies responded to assist in the search, including the Yellow Medicine County Sheriff's Office, Big Stone County Sheriff's Office, Minnesota State Patrol, Canby Fire Department and Canby Ambulance. K-9 [...]

BIRD ISLAND, Minn. — A rural Bird Island man suffered serious injuries Saturday afternoon following a two-vehicle crash in Renville County. According to the Renville County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded at approximately 2:11 p.m. on June 6 to the intersection of County Road 3 and 830th Avenue in Melville Township, about two miles northwest of Bird Island, after receiving a report of a side-by-side colliding with a water truck. A preliminary investigation found that a water truck operated by M.J. Electric and driven by 55-year-old Matthew Tucker of North Branch was traveling north on County Road 3 when a side-by-side driven [...]

BENSON, Minn. — A dispute over the future of K-9 Red has come to an end after the Swift County Board unanimously approved the sale of the police dog to his longtime handler, former deputy Steven Henriksen. The issue surfaced after Henriksen submitted his resignation from the Swift County Sheriff’s Office in May. In his resignation letter, he requested that Red be retired and allowed to remain with him, noting the strong bond developed through years of training and service together. Henriksen asked county commissioners to approve the transfer of Red and the dog’s equipment for $1. In a statement, Sheriff [...]

RENVILLE COUNTY — A Clements man suffered life-threatening injuries in a motorcycle crash Sunday evening in Renville County.  The Renville County Sheriff’s Office says deputies responded at about 6:07 p.m. on May 24 to Renville County Road 1 near Renville County Road 15 in Beaver Falls Township, about three miles north of Redwood Falls.  Authorities say a preliminary investigation found 66-year-old Chad Corbett of Clements was traveling southbound on a motorcycle when he lost control and crashed.  Corbett was taken by ambulance to a hospital in Redwood Falls before being transferred to a hospital in St. Cloud, where he remains under treatment.  Assistance [...]