Minnesota News

Paid Leave for Minnesota Workers Begins January 1

Some were curious if seasonal employees like teachers would be able to get paid leave for time periods they already planned to not work.

MOORHEAD, MN (KVRR) – Starting January 1st, Minnesota will be the 13th state in the U.S. to have a paid family and medical leave program. Paid leave allows for Minnesota workers to take 12 weeks of family leave and 12 weeks of medical leave – capped at 20 weeks in a single year in total. It’s only partial wage replacement…

Minnesota farmers and rural communities hit hard by rising energy prices

MINNESOTA (KVRR) — Minnesota farmers and rural communities have been hit hard again this year with an increase in their electricity bills. Minnesota Department of Commerce spoke with two Minnesota farmers who say they have turned to solar power for their daily energy. But many people say they are cutting costs by cutting back on medications or food. The deputy…

Local law enforcement clarify their roles when immigration officials are in the area

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Across social media, articles and videos of protests against ICE raids are captured on camera. Local law enforcement officials have been tied up in speculations that they are connected to aiding ICE agents. “I think there’s a lot of, kind of, misinformation out there. So when HSI does come into our area, if they come into…

Detroit Mountain Recreation Area awarded $800,000 for future expansion

DETROIT LAKES, Minn. (KVRR-KFGO/KDLM) – The Detroit Mountain Recreation Area is expanding, thanks to hundreds of thousands of dollars in state grant funding. The Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission approved an $821,700 grant to help the city acquire 32.6 acres on the south end of the recreation area for future development and improvements. The grant is part of…

Nationwide CodeRED cyberattack hits local counties

DETROIT LAKES, Minn. (KVRR-KFGO) – Several counties are warning residents about a cyberattack to the CodeRED emergency notification system. The Becker County Sheriff’s Office says it was a nationwide hack and data breach. Beltrami, Wadena and Wilkin Counties have issued similar notices to their residents. The CodeRED system sends time-sensitive alerts during severe weather, public safety threats and other emergencies….

State agencies push back on Xcel’s proposed gas price hikes amid ‘economic uncertainty’

ST. PAUL, Minn. (Minnesota Reformer) —  Xcel Energy gas customers are all but certain to see their rates increase next month. Minnesota utility regulators will meet Thursday to decide by how much and for how long. In October, Xcel asked the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission for permission to raise gas rates for the average residential customer by about $85 per year while…

Pet Connection: Meet Monticello

FARGO — Monticello is a charming tuxedo kitty who’s got the impeccable manners and built-in formalwear that makes him the perfect companion for all your holiday gatherings and beyond. He came in to Homeward Animal Shelter from the pound, and Homeward’s Heather Klefstad says that’s when they discovered he’s Feline Immunodeficiency Virus-positive, or FIV-positive for short. That means that his…

‘MyPillow’ founder Mike Lindell running for Minnesota governor

FILE – Mike Lindell, CEO of My Pillow, talks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at a news conference at Trump National Golf Club, Aug. 15, 2024, in Bedminster, N.J. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, File)SHAKOPEE, Minn. (KVRR-AP) — Mike Lindell, the fervent supporter of President Donald Trump known to TV viewers as the “MyPillow Guy,” officially entered…

MState expands online cannabis courses

MOORHEAD, Minn. — M State is expanding their cannabis certificate options for those looking to enter the emerging cannabis industry. The expansion is through the college’s partnership with Green Flower, a national leader in cannabis education. The original courses include cannabis policy, cultivation, and product development. The three new options add retail sales, law compliance, and medical marijuana specialist. The…