The latest U.S. Drought Monitor report, released Thursday, shows drought conditions remain a concern across much of Minnesota, while Iowa experienced modest improvement during the past week. In Minnesota, just under 23% of the state is free from drought or abnormal dryness. More than 77% of Minnesota is experiencing s...

A Martin County West High School teacher has been named the 2026 Outstanding Agriculture Educator of the Year by the Minnesota Association of Agricultural Educators. Stephanie Wohlhuter received the honor for her leadership in civic, community, agriculture/agribusiness and professional activities. Wohlhuter will repres...

Minnesota exports got off to a slower start in 2026. According to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, first quarter exports totaled $5.8 billion, down 8% from the same period a year ago. The decline was largely driven by a sharp drop in mineral fuel and oil exports to Canada, which fell by...

The Fairmont City Council approved a new amendment to Section 2 of its City Charter on Monday. The change is meant to update old language and remove the possibility for misunderstandings surrounding the city's weak mayor-strong council system, which it has had since inception. Previously the charter laid out the counci...

Emergency crews responded Tuesday to a structure fire at an apartment building near South Stockman Street and Jay Street in Elmore. Initial reports indicated that a mother and child were trapped in a second floor apartment and were visible at a window as firefighters worked to reach them. The child and family pets wer...

Minnesota and Iowa corn and soybean crops remain in generally good condition, according to the latest USDA Crop Progress Report. Corn emergence in Minnesota reached 98% as of June 21st, slightly ahead of last year's 97% and just behind the five year average of 100%. Corn silking was reported at 1%, matching last year ...

A Fairmont Police Officer has been arrested and is facing criminal sexual conduct charges following a Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigation. Officer Dustin Wade Schwebke is awaiting formal charges of felony criminal sexual conduct, felony threats of violence, felony witness tampering and misdemeanor d...

A proposed high volage transmission line that would cross southern Minnesota continues to generate concerns among residents and local officials. Faribault County Commissioner Bill Groskreutz says a recent informational meeting at the Golden Bubble drew between 250 and 280 people interested in learning more about the Po...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is now accepting nominations for farmers and ranchers interested in serving on local Farm Service Agency County Committees. FSA Administrator Bill Beam says local producers play a vital role in helping shape how federal farm programs are administered in their communities. County comm...

The Blue Earth City Council on Monday approved a conditional use permit for a new child care center that will operate in the former Little Luke's building near St. Luke's. The permit allows Tri-Valley Head Start to use the facility during the summer months to provide child care services for children of migrant workers ...

Blue Earth Police Chief Tom Fletcher has released the incident analysis report for May. The report indicated that the police department responded to a total of 277 calls last month, with 23 of those being ordinance violations. During the month, the department also received 14 animal complaints, investigated 6 motor veh...

Construction activity is expected to begin soon on two major development projects in Blue Earth. During Monday's Blue Earth City Council meeting, City Engineer Ben Rosol provided updates on both the Riverside Heights development and the Linton Street Reconstruction Project. Rosol said Holtmeier Construction is preparin...

Corn and soybean crops across Minnesota and Iowa remain in good shape as the growing season moves into mid-June, according to the latest Crop Progress and Condition Report released Monday by the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. In Minnesota, corn emergence reached 97%, matching last year's pace and runn...

Two men are facing multiple felony charges after authorities say they burglarized a vacant rural Elmore residence twice in the same day. Faribault County Deputies first responded to a tripped alarm just before 4am on June 9th and found signs of forced entry. When a second alarm sounded shortly before midnight, deputie...

The 17th Annual KBEW/Darling Ingredients Jam the Food Shelf in June Event was held last Thursday, at the Cedar Inn Drive In on Highway 169 in Blue Earth. A total of $7,234 in cash and a record 893 food items were donated. A big thank you to everyone who donated and made this fundraiser for the Faribault County Food She...