Minnesota News

Lawmakers push to redesign Minnesota state flag and seal

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota lawmakers are reconsidering an effort to redesign the state’s flag and seal, which proponents say are indistinct compared with other U.S. states and feature imagery that is offensive to Native Americans. The legislation, a joint effort by Democratic Reps. Mike Freiberg, of Golden Valley, and Peter Fischer, of Maplewood, would establish a 14-member redesign commission…

White House releases report on Native American voting rights

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Local, state and federal officials must do more to ensure Native Americans facing persistent, longstanding and deep-rooted barriers to voting have equal access to ballots, a White House report released Thursday said. Native Americans and Alaska Natives vote at lower rates than the national average but have been a key constituency in tight races and states with…

Minnesota man among three Muslim Americans suing over religious questioning

LOS ANGELES – Three Muslim Americans have filed a lawsuit alleging that U.S. border officers questioned them about their religious beliefs in violation of their constitutional rights when they returned from international travel. The three men from Minnesota, Texas and Arizona sued Department of Homeland Security officials in federal court in Los Angeles. The suit was filed in California because…

Planned Parenthood North Central receives $20 million

PIERRE, S.D. – Planned Parenthood North Central States has received $20 million from billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. It’s the largest donation in the organization’s history. North Central States operates 28 facilities in the Dakotas, Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska. Sarah Stoesz, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States, says the donation brings tremendous relief because costs of providing care are…

Pet Connection: Meet Fern

A critter so cute, she's practically bacon to be taken home with you.

We’re really hamming it up this morning on Pet Connection. Okay, we admit that was a totally tasteless joke. But we’re sow wild to introduce you to this pet, we just can’t help it. After all, she’s a total babe. Fern the potbellied pig is a first for our long-running pet adoption segment. She’s a dainty young lady of about…

No one hurt during house fire in Fergus Falls

FERGUS FALLS, Minn. (KVRR) – Quick work by fire crews limits fire damage to a Fergus Falls home to only $3,000. Crews responded to the 1500 block of West Fir Avenue around 11:00 Wednesday morning. The Fergus Falls Fire Department says flames were coming out an open door when firefighters arrived. The flames were confined in five minutes. Crews say…

Man found dead with gunshot wound in Breckenridge

BRECKENRIDGE, Minn. (KVRR) – A man is found dead in a Breckenridge home during a domestic violence investigation. Officers and deputies from the Wilkin County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 400 block of 8th Street North around 7:00 Wednesday morning. Breckenridge Police Chief Kris Karlgaard says there was an altercation between a husband and wife inside a home. Officers found…

Murder charges dropped in beating death of man in Hawley

Christopher GreywaterMOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) – Clay County prosecutors have dismissed 2nd degree murder charges against Christopher Greywater, the man charged in the death of Lucas Lacroix Smith. After Greywater’s trial ended with a hung jury, prosecutors requested additional evidence to be tested by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to clarify issues that were raised during the trial. Clay County…

Minnesota teacher asked to take down Ukrainian flag

BYRON, Minn. – A  teacher in southeastern Minnesota has been asked by high school administrators to remove a Ukrainian flag from her classroom, a flag her students asked her to display as a show of solidarity for the war-torn country. Byron Public Schools Superintendent Mike Neubeck says district lawyers are reviewing the school system’s policy covering what can be displayed…

Red River Watershed Management Board looks for project funding

The Red River Watershed Management Board and other groups gather to push funding for farmers, flooding prevention plans and water conservation projects.

MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) – The Red River Watershed Management Board and other groups gather to push funding for farmers, flooding prevention plans and water conservation projects. “We have about nine or 10 flood projects that we’re working on, and, so, we’re looking at about $47 million from the state of Minnesota Flood Hazard Mitigation Program,” Red River Watershed Management Board…