Farmer out standing in his field. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for its new Farm to Food Security Grant program, a state-funded initiative designed to increase access to locally grown food for Minnesotans experiencing food insecurity. Established by the Minnesota Legislature in 2025, the program is modeled after the former federal Local Food Purchase Assistance Program. It supports projects that purchase Minnesota-grown foods, including produce, meats, and other minimally processed or processed foods made with at least one primary ingredient that is 80% grown or raised in the state, and distribute them within Minnesota. Eligible [...]

The Minnesota Department of Human Rights has reached a settlement with a Minnesota-based transportation company after finding the company discriminated against and fired an employee because of his race and national origin. The department is not naming the company or the employee to protect the individual’s identity during what it described as a time of heightened threats toward immigrants. Under the agreement, the company will pay the former employee $180,000 and implement changes to strengthen its anti-discrimination policies and reporting procedures. The company must enhance anti-harassment training, improve reporting protocols, and log and share discrimination complaints with the department. An investigation [...]

SAINT PAUL, MN — The Minnesota Historical Society has awarded $2 million in grants to eight communities across the state through its Commemorative Statues, Memorials, and Historic Preservation (CSMHP) program, with Marshall receiving the second largest share. The City of Marshall was awarded $498,000 to hire qualified professionals to replace the existing bandshell at Liberty Park with a new design that meets modern codes and community needs. In Fairmont, Fairmont Opera House, Inc. received $168,000 to prepare construction documents for preserving the 1901 Fairmont Opera House, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Other grant recipients include 5501 [...]

SAINT PAUL, MN — The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities has appointed David Jones as president of Southwest Minnesota State University, effectiveimmediately. Minnesota State Chancellor Scott Olson said Jones’ background in enrollment management and student affairs aligns with the university’s current needs.  “We are facing challenging budget times in higher education and David brings an extensive background in enrollment growth and student affairs that will serve the Southwest Minnesota State University community well at this moment,” Olson said. “He cares deeply about institutions in greater Minnesota and has a strong vision for what SMSU can be [...]

RUTHTON — Three Ruthton residents have been charged following a narcotics search that uncovered more than 50 grams of liquid methamphetamine and a deceased woman, according to Pipestone County District Court records. Dwayne Timothy Janssen, 64, faces a first-degree controlled substance charge. 49-year-old Peggy Sue Leeson and 48-year-old David Allen Johnson were each charged with fifth-degree controlled substance crime. All three appeared in court on Friday. Court documents state the Pipestone County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on February 11th at a rental home occupied by four people. Investigators allegedly found a bottle containing more than 50 grams of liquid [...]

SAINT PAUL, MN — The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says the FBI has declined to share information related to several recent shootings under investigation. In a statement released Feb. 16, Superintendent Drew Evans said the Federal Bureau of Investigation formally notified the BCA on Feb. 13 that it will not provide access to information or evidence it collected in the Jan. 24 shooting death of Alex Pretti. The BCA also reiterated requests for information, evidence access and cooperation in its investigations into the Jan. 7 shooting death of Renee Good and the Jan. 14 shooting of Julio Sosa-Celis. It remains [...]

MARSHALL, MN — The Marshall Police Department responded to more calls in 2025 than any year in its history, according to Director of Public Safety Jim Marshall. “In 2025, we actually, in my over 30 years in law enforcement, our Marshall Police Department responded to the most calls that we’ve ever in one year, and that was 13,123 calls for the year,” Marshall said. He called it a “busy year” for the department, noting officers have worked to navigate rising call volumes with existing staffing. Investigators followed up on 922 criminal cases in 2025 and made 466 arrests. The department recorded [...]

IVANHOE, MN — The Lincoln County Corn and Soybean Growers Association held its annual meeting and scholarship auction this month at the Ivanhoe VFW, drawing approximately 150 attendees. The evening included a meal, the annual meeting and the scholarship auction. No new members were elected, and the current board will remain in place for another year. A total of $29,500 was raised to support 21 scholarship recipients, including 14 students from the RTR school district, six from Minneota and one from Elkton. The event was supported by 121 sponsors, along with 67 sponsors contributing specifically to the scholarship auction. Lincoln County [...]