The United South Central School Board is beginning its annual budget planning process, with early projections showing a potential shortfall for the upcoming school year. Superintendent Taylor Topinka says the district is currently projecting a deficit of about $200,000 for the 2026-27 school year, which begins in July....

The Kossuth County Board of Supervisors held a public hearing on the proposed property tax levy for the upcoming fiscal year during a special meeting Tuesday afternoon. The proposed rates for the upcoming budgeting year for residential property valued between $100,000 and $110,000, for both urban and rural would increa...

Producers in Faribault County have a limited window to enroll land in the federal Conservation Reserve Program's general sign up, now open through April 17th. Faribault County FSA Executive Director Nicki Miranowski says the general CRP sign up began March 9th and operates as a nationwide competitive bidding process. ...

The Fairmont City Council is weighing how to spend roughly $12 million in Local Option Sales Tax funds after a planned community center project was cancelled late last year. The money was originally set aside following a 2016 ballot measure, but with the project no longer moving forward, the city has been gathering pub...

Area producers are reminded of a couple important deadlines coming up in April. Faribault County FSA Executive Director Nicki Miranowski says the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program deadline is April 17th, with about 10$ of eligible producers still not enrolled. She says it's a quick and simple process that can be comple...

The deadline for candidates to file for the Republican or Democratic nominations for County Offices in Iowa was Friday at 5pm. In Kossuth County, there will be Republican primaries for all three seats up for election on the Board of Supervisors. Bruce Pfeffer and Mike Genrich are running in District 1, Gary Miller and...

The Blue Earth Area School Board recently held a lengthy discussion on addressing facility needs at the district's Pre-K through 7 building and the high school at their meeting last week. Representatives from Kraus Anderson and Baird were on hand to answer questions about potential solutions, including whether to renov...

The Blue Earth City Council approved several measures Monday night related to airport improvements and future water infrastructure projects. Approved was Resolution 2606, authorized a state airport bond grant agreement for the construction of a five unit T-hangar at the Blue Earth Municipal Airport. City Administrator ...

United South Central Schools is reaching out to the public this spring as it explores potential updates to its facilities. The district held its second community engagement meeting in February, drawing about 120 attendees. The meeting provided valuable insight on community needs, potential projects and the impacts on ...

The American Red Cross is encouraging residents across southern Minnesota to donate blood during March and April as part of Red Cross Month, highlighting the ongoing need for lifesaving blood products. Blood and platelet donors help patients who rely on transfusions every day. Last year alone, the Red Cross welcomed a...

The Fairmont City Council has approved changes to an employment offer for a candidate being considered for interim City Administrator. Council members met Monday to review requests from candidate Jason Baker, who asked for several adjustments to the initial offer the city made in February. The council agreed to provide...

Tri-Valley Opportunity Council is preparing to open a new Head Start Center in Blue Earth this summer through a partnership with St. Luke's Lutheran Care Center. The center will provide free early childhood education and family services for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and pregnant women, primarily serving families ...

A plea deal means almost a year in jail for a North Mankato man charged with 18 felony sex crimes. Fifty six year old Michael Allen Swanson was charged in July 2024 with 16 counts of first degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of second degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of third degree criminal sexual co...

Drought watches have been issued for northwest and southeast Iowa following a winter marked by a lack of rain and snow, according to the latest Water Summary Update. The DNR says Iowa experienced a notably dry winter, with worsening drought conditions expanding across much of the state through February. This deteriora...

The Faribault County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday and received an update from the Recorder's Office on a free service called Property Fraud Alert to help residents protect their property from fraud. Property fraud occurs when someone illegally transfers a property deed into their name and takes out loans or ot...