Minnesotans can expect to see 12 to 16 days of wildfire smoke impacts and four to six days of high ozone levels this summer. That’s according to meteorologists from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Those conditions are similar to what Minnesota saw in 2024 and can lead to unhealthy air during air quality alerts. With a strong El Niño Southern Oscillation cycle, expect warmer and drier conditions this summer, punctuated with storms. Drought and below-average rainfall are expected to lead to more sunny days. This week's update from the U.S. Drought Monitor has 30 percent of Minnesota Abnormally Dry and eight percent in Moderate Drought. The National Weather Service says St. Cloud has officially had 5.42 inches of precipitation so far this year, which is nearly an inch below normal. The MPCA and the Minnesota Department of Health are reminding Minnesotans to be air aware – check the air quality forecast and limit your time outside during poor air quality days.
The driver of a dump truck escaped with minor injuries after the vehicle crashed and caught fire on Wednesday morning. The Meeker County Sheriff's Office says they received a call about a crash around 11:30 a.m. in the 62700 block of 205th Street in Greeleaf Township, about 5 miles south of Litchfield. The Sheriff's Office says when first responders arrived, they found a dump truck in the ditch fully engulfed in flames. The driver, 69-year-old Rickie Harrier of Hutchinson, was able to get out of the truck before it started on fire. Deputies learned Harrier had drifted onto the shoulder and then overcorrected, causing the dump truck to go into the ditch. Harrier received minor injuries and refused to go to the hospital. The dump truck is a total loss.
At least one person died in a two-vehicle crash near Paynesville. The Minnesota State Patrol says the incident happened at about 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday on Highway 55. A vehicle was traveling north on Kandiyohi County Road 2. Meanwhile, a semi was travelling west on Highway 55. They collided in the intersection. The two people in the passenger car were an 88-year-old man and an 85-year-old woman, both from Belgrade. Their names will be released later Thursday morning. The semi driver, 43-year-old Daniel Goodall of Belgrade, was not hurt. The Minnesota State Patrol was assisted by the Paynesville Fire and Police Departments, CentraCare Ambulance, and Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Officers First Responders.
A 72-year-old Merrifield man is facing attempted murder and assault charges after allegedly shooting his grandson on Sunday. Jonathan Berg is charged with attempted first-degree premeditated murder, first-degree assault–great bodily harm, second-degree assault–dangerous weapon–great bodily harm, second-degree assault–dangerous weapon, and threats of violence–reckless disregard of risk. According to the criminal complaint in the case, Berg is accused of shooting the victim in the buttocks and inner thighs with a 16-gauge shotgun with birdshot-type ammunition. The complaint says Berg and victim were involved in an altercation earlier in the day and the victim had struck Berg in the mouth .The victim and his mother, who is Berg’s daughter, both lived with Berg to help care for him. The complaint says Berg told the victim’s mother that he planned to shoot the victim when he returned home, and when the victim arrived at the home around 9 p.m., Berg shot him with the shotgun .Bail for Berg is set at $300,000 with conditions or $750,000 with no conditions. His next court hearing is an omnibus hearing scheduled for May 14.
The 34th annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is this Saturday. The National Association of Letter Carriers and the National Rural Letter Carriers Association organizes the annual event. Stamp Out Hunger supports Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf and Salvation Army Food Shelf. According to Hunger Solutions Minnesota, more than nine million Minnesotans visited a food shelf in 2025. To participate, leave a bag of nonperishable food next to your mailbox on Saturday, and your letter carrier will handle the rest. This is the largest one-day food drive in the United States.
Freedom and Heroes Fundraiser will be held at the Todd County Fair Grounds on Saturday, May 30th. Carnival games for kids 11:00am, Ninja Anywhere Course 11:00am - 3:00pm, Public Bike and Car ...
If your non-profit group or organization has an event coming up that you would like publicized, send the information to KEYL/KXDL PO Box 187 Long Prairie, MN 56347 or you can drop it off Monday thr...
Freedom and Heroes Fundraiser will be held at the Todd County Fair Grounds on Saturday, May 30th. Carnival games for kids 11:00am, Ninja Anywhere Course 11:00am - 3:00pm, Public Bike and Car ...
If your non-profit group or organization has an event coming up that you would like publicized, send the information to KEYL/KXDL PO Box 187 Long Prairie, MN 56347 or you can drop it off Monday thr...