Minnesota News

First Ice Harvest Since 1971 Begins On Little Detroit Lake

volunteers are building a 24-foot-tall by 30-foot-wide ice palace

  DETROIT LAKES, Minn. — The sounds of saws roaring on Little Detroit Lake is the first sign of an ice harvest since 1971. “In the 30’s, it was the second largest industry in this county right behind the forestry industries,” said Becky Mitchell, Becker County Museum executive director. “They shipped ice all over the country to be used for refrigeration and box…

Homeless Students Displaced Due to Motel Shortage for Super Bowl LII

Ramsey County has a contract with motels in the school district that allow homeless students and their families to take shelter while still going to school

  ST. PAUL, Minn. — At least 2,000 students in the St. Paul Public School District are homeless and with the Super Bowl coming to town, many of them are being left out in the cold. Ramsey County has a contract with motels in the school district that allow homeless students and their families to take shelter while still going…

Protesters Chain Themselves to Wells Fargo Building in Downtown Duluth

Police and fire rescue squads responded to the scene

DULUTH, Minn. — Protesters delayed the opening of a downtown Duluth bank to draw attention to that bank’s investments with oil pipeline projects. Nearly 30 people gathered at the downtown Wells Fargo branch at about 9 this morning and at least three people chained themselves in front of the entrance. The group is trying to draw attention to the bank’s…

One Suspect in Fergus Falls Shooting Released from Jail

He is facing attempted murder, murder-conspiracy and assault charges

  FERGUS FALLS, Minn. — One of the men in custody for a drug-related shooting in Fergus Falls is out of jail. Derek Koch, 35, says he met his $250,000 bail after claiming he owns land in Dicky County. He is facing attempted murder, murder-conspiracy and assault charges. Authorities say Koch supplied the gun to three others in the November…

Investigators Release Possible Cause of Fire that Destroyed Jennie-O Turkey Barn in New York Mills

The barn was fully engulfed

  NEW YORK MILLS, Minn. — Investigators have released more details of a fire that destroyed a Jennie-O turkey barn in New York Mills. The Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office says the fire likely was started by a propane heater in the barn. Fire crews responded to the fire just after midnight. The barn was fully engulfed. There were no…

Farwell Woman Hurt in Rollover Crash in Douglas County

Crews were able to cut Tharp's seatbelt and rescue her from the vehicle

  DOUGLAS COUNTY, Minn. — Emergency dispatchers help rescue units find a victim of a rollover crash in Douglas County. The sheriff’s office says 23-year-old Tammy Tharp of Farwell, Minnesota, called the dispatch center saying she had been in a rollover crash and was hurt but could not get out of her car. Rescue crews could not find Tharp, so…

UND Aviation Student Takes Marriage Proposal to the Skies

his girlfriend said "yes"

  NEVIS, Minn. — Love is in the air…at least it is for one UND aviation student who took his marriage proposal to new heights. Gavin Becker and his family used a snow blower and carefully carved out the message “Marry Me” with a heart on the frozen Eight Crow Wing Lake near Nevis, Minnesota. The written proposal took nearly…

Moorhead Sam’s Club Closing, Jobs Terminated

They gave back to charities in town, asked about popular Moorhead products and were passionate about how they treat their employees

MOORHEAD, Minn. — Sixty-three Sam’s Club Stores are closing across the country, including the location in Moorhead. Moorhead Mayor, Del Rae Williams, says this particular location has had a big influence on the community. They gave back to charities in town, asked about popular Moorhead products and were passionate about how they treat their employees. She says the company told…

Bleeding Purple: Politicians Vow to Make Bridge Glow, Place Bets on Minnesota Vikings

MN Dot will light up the I-35W bridge friday and saturday

  ST. PAUL, Minn. — The I-35W bridge will glow purple Friday and Saturday nights in honor of the Minnesota Vikings. Governor Dayton has directed the MN DOT to light up the bridge before the team’s NFC semi-final game on Sunday. The Vikings will play the New Orleans Saints. The governor is also urging all Minnesotans to show their Purple…

Moorhead Police on Extra Patrols After Possible Snapchat Threat

authorities say the threat is not credible but they're still taking precautions

  MOORHEAD, Minn. — Moorhead Police took on extra patrols around Moorhead High School after a possible threat on a social media app was reported Wednesday. School district officials and the police department issued a release saying they had been told about the threat by multiple people who had seen it circulating on Snapchat. Authorities investigated the picture, which showed…