MARSHALL — Haley Ammann-Ekstrom made a venture out from the Fairmont area to visit Park Side Elementary first graders on Thursday to share her new illustration book, along with bringing along a special guest — her baby calf. Students were able to spend an enjoyable afternoon outside in ...
MARSHALL — Organizations that provide crime victim services in Minnesota are bracing for a potential 20% cut in available state funding. “It is concerning. These are essential services,” said Carrie Buddy, executive director of New Horizons Crisis Center. Becci ten Bensel, executive director of WoMen’s Rural Advocacy Programs, said crime victim service programs across Minnesota learned in February that there would be about $12 million less in funds available through the Minnesota Office of Justice Programs in its next funding cycle. That’s about a 20% reduction in ...
ST. PAUL — In 2025, the Minnesota House had a rare 67-67 tie between Republicans and Democrats that resulted a delayed start to the legislative session. State Rep. Paul Torkelson, R-Hanska, has offered a novel method of preventing further ties. He recently proposed a bill to increase the number of house representatives from 134 to 135 and cut the state Senate from 67 members to 45 members. “The main motivation for this is avoiding ties in the future,” Torkelson said. “We’ve survived two ties, one in 1979 and the one in 2025 delayed action in the House for weeks. The ...
MANKATO – Dumont farmer Tom Frisch continues to embrace a greater role as a national farmer leader. In early February 2026, Frisch was reappointed by the USDA to serve a three-year term on the United Soybean Board (USB). “I’m honored to represent Minnesota on USB. We have a lot of work ahead of us in the years ahead to build markets and improve our farm economy, and I’m eager to contribute in any way I can,” said Frisch, a current director and past chair of the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC). In December 2025, Frisch, who will begin his second ...
MARSHALL — The table was set with colorful dishes at Boulder Creek Assisted Living. But the 11 guests who took their seats Thursday morning weren’t just there to have lunch. Before the start of the meal, Boulder Creek assisted living director Jan Mason went over a recipe and tips for ...
MARSHALL — It’s not always easy to for people in rural areas to get the kind of mental health care or other supports they need. The organizers of an upcoming regional conference in Marshall say that can also be a challenge for neurodivergent adults. On April 9, the National Alliance on Mental Illness Minnesota, in partnership with Southwest Minnesota State University and Prairie Winds Counseling, will host “Transforming Care: A Mental Health and Neurodiversity Conference.” In a news release, conference organizers said the event invites people in southwest Minnesota to get ...
