SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota voters have finalized the November matchups for attorney general, state auditor and secretary of state. Attorney General Keith Ellison won the DFL nomination and will face Republican Ron Schutz as he seeks a third term. In the open race for state auditor, Republican Scott Jensen will take on DFL nominee Zack Filipovich after current State Auditor Julie Blaha chose not to seek reelection. Secretary of State Steve Simon won the DFL nomination and will face Republican Tad Jude as he seeks a fourth term. 

MARSHALL, Minn. — Erik Osberg has secured the DFL nomination in Minnesota's 7th Congressional District after defeating Steve Carlson in Tuesday's primary election. Osberg will face Republican Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach in the November general election. Fischbach, who has represented the western Minnesota district since 2021, was unopposed in the Republican primary. 

MANKATO, Minn. — Republican Congressman Brad Finstad and Democrat Jake Johnson will face off in the November general election after winning their party nominations in Minnesota's 1st Congressional District. Finstad defeated Gregory Goetzman and Oliver Morlan in Tuesday's Republican primary, while Johnson, a Rochester-area high school teacher, won the DFL nomination over Alex Eaton. Finstad has represented the district since winning a special election in 2022. 

MARSHALL, Minn. — The Lyon County Fair shifts into high gear this week with the return of the PRCA Rodeo, live entertainment and the annual Demolition Derby.  The PRCA Rodeo takes place Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m. in the NextEra Energy Grandstand. Hosted by Barnes PRCA Rodeo, the event is expected to feature more than 200 contestants competing in bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, team roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing and bull riding. The Boot Scramble for children will also be held both nights.  Friday's rodeo will also include the Tough Enough To Wear Pink fundraiser, featuring a live auction [...]

MINNEOTA, Minn. — Voters in the Minneota Public School District approved both school building bond questions in Tuesday’s primary election.  Question 1 passed with 565 votes, or 59.79%, compared with 380 votes, or 40.21%, against. The $13.1 million bond will fund improvements to school facilities, including mechanical, electrical, exterior and interior maintenance, renovations and additional learning spaces.  Question 2 passed by a narrower margin, with 483 votes, or 51.27%, in favor and 459 votes, or 48.73%, opposed. The $9.61 million bond, which was contingent on approval of Question 1, will fund additional facility improvements, including classroom conversions, a multipurpose room, cafeteria and practice gym, restrooms and storage. 

MARSHALL, Minn. – Habitat for Humanity of West Central Minnesota has broken ground on a new home in Marshall, marking the start of a project that has been in the works for three years. Construction will take place on Brussels Court, with ground work expected to begin later this week. Habitat for Humanity of West Central Minnesota plans to build one home each year in Lyon County as part of its mission to provide affordable housing. A family has not yet been selected for the home. The organization is accepting applications from prospective homeowners who meet residency, income and other eligibility [...]

MARSHALL, Minn. — Motorists in Marshall should expect temporary turn lane closures as paving work is completed at two intersections.  On Friday, Aug. 7, South 4th Street will be paved between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. During that time, the right and left turn lanes from Minnesota Highway 23 onto South 4th Street will be closed. Access will be limited to local traffic, and through traffic should use an alternate route.  A second closure is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 10, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., when Canoga Park Drive will be paved. The right and left turn lanes from U.S. Highway 59 [...]

MORGAN, Minn. — U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will launch a series of listening sessions across the country to gather feedback from farmers as the agency develops a plan to modernize its agricultural data collection and reporting systems. Speaking at Farmfest near Redwood Falls, Rollins said declining participation in USDA surveys has reduced confidence in the agency's data. She said crop production survey response rates have fallen from 80% to 85% in the early 1990s to about 38% to 45% today, and the USDA wants to improve both the accuracy of its reports [...]

MARSHALL, Minn. — A tree-planting project along the Highway 19 construction corridor in Marshall is scheduled to begin Monday.  The Minnesota Department of Transportation says crews will plant trees from Legion Field Park to just east of Bruce Street. No detour is planned, but motorists should expect possible lane shifts and are asked to slow down and watch for workers.  The project is expected to continue through November. Hoffman and McNamara Company is the contractor for the $277,616 project, which is funded and coordinated separately from the ongoing Highway 19 reconstruction. 

AMIRET TWP, Minn. — A Tracy man was injured Tuesday afternoon after the ATV he was driving collided with a minivan at an intersection in Amiret Township.  The Lyon County Sheriff's Office says the crash was reported at about 4:57 p.m. Tuesday at the intersection of 190th Street and 330th Avenue.  Authorities say a 2014 John Deere Gator was traveling south on 330th Avenue and failed to stop at a stop sign before being struck on the passenger side by an eastbound 2012 Honda Odyssey.  The 30-year-old Tracy man driving the Gator suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was taken by Tracy Ambulance to Tracy [...]