News

Report: MN home insurance rate rose more than any other state in first half of 2026

Minnesota News October 2, 2026

Minnesota home insurance rates rose steeply in the first six months of 2026, up 13% from the end of 2025, according to a report from insurance comparison website Insurify. Minnesotans continue to see the biggest rate increase in the country, with some counties seeing a spike of 20% in just six months. The increase of $457 brought the state’s average annual insurance premium to $3,987 as of June. In 2023, the state had insurance rates below the national average; rates have surged since then and now exceed the national average by over 30%, driven by hail and thunderstorms. Home ...

A promise for SMSU's future

Local News October 1, 2026

MARSHALL — David Jones knew that the job of Southwest Minnesota State University president was a high-pressure one. But the pressure had a positive side, Jones told the crowd gathered on campus Thursday afternoon. “I want to say something about this job that may sound a little unusual. I ...

SMSU homecoming, gun show, cemetery tour this weekend

Local News October 1, 2026

MARSHALL — There’s a busy weekend ahead in Marshall. Southwest Minnesota State University’s annual homecoming celebration will feature events like a parade, a Mustang football game and a free downtown concert. Besides the festivities, there will be other events going on, like the Marshall Gun Show, and a pair of living history tours at the Marshall Cemetery. Homecoming activities have been going on this week at the SMSU campus, but some of the main events will be Saturday. The day will start out with a 5K and 10K race at the SMSU Track and Field Complex. Alumni reunion events ...

Swings in the bond market shake stock markets worldwide, as AI optimism supports Wall Street

National News October 1, 2026

NEW YORK (AP) — More swings in the bond market rattled stock markets around the world on Thursday. On Wall Street, the moves were relatively modest after U.S. bond yields cranked higher but then gave back the gains later in the day. The S&P 500 rose 0.2% and snapped a three-day losing streak. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 21 points, or less than 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite inched up by less than 0.1%. The moves were more dramatic in Europe, where stock indexes tumbled 1.7% in London, 1.6% in Paris and 1% in Frankfurt. They were hurt by sharp moves for bond yields on ...

Nine Marshall music students explore Europe

Local News October 1, 2026

MARSHALL — For part of their summer vacation, a group of Marshall High School students got to perform at 11 places in five European countries, explore where Mozart lived, visit the Louvre and see the mountains of Switzerland. In July, the nine music students — Nathan Larsen, Ethan ...

Granite Falls fire displaces building residents

Local News October 1, 2026

GRANITE FALLS — Two residents of a house were displaced by a fire Wednesday night, the Granite Falls Fire Department said. In a news release posted to social media, the fire department said it was dispatched to a structure fire on the 500 block of Prentice Street at 9:25 p.m. The department began fighting the fire, and mutual aid was requested. Firefighters did not find any people in the building on their arrival, but a pet was reported as unaccounted for, the release said. Granite Falls Fire Chief Jeremy LeBlanc said the structure was a single-family home. At this point, the home ...