Friday, August 1, 2025
In a statement from the Minnesota Historical Society they announced they are laying off 7 percent of its workforce as part of changes to address what it said is a structural deficit. The historical society said 36 staff members some full-time, others, part-time or seasonal are losing their jobs. The organization said its revenue is not keeping pace with its expenses. In addition to the job cuts, the historical society said it’s limiting services. That includes changing access to its Gale Family Library at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul and limiting programming at the Charles Lindbergh House and Museum in Little Falls, Historic Forestville in Preston, and the Snake River Fur Post in Pine City. The society said affected employees have been given notice and separation packages. Visitors will now have free, self-guided experiences at those destinations and occasional special programming, starting on September 1 after many of the layoffs are completed to staff and programming at the sites including the Lindbergh House and Museum in Little Falls. The Unions of the Historical Society workers stated that the budget cuts are only in place for 2025-2026 fiscal year with the hopes of adding or returning staff and programs by the 2027 year.
Authorities are searching for a 16-year-old from Monticello who hasn’t been seen since June 27th. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says Evan Peters left his home that day and has since stopped communicating with his family. The BCA is classifying him as missing and endangered. Peters is an urban explorer who is known for going into abandoned buildings and tunnels. He could be anywhere, but officials believe he may be in the Twin Cities. He is described as 5’9″ tall, weighs 145 pounds, and has brown hair and brown eyes with tattoos on his hands and a radioactive symbol on his right shoulder. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Wright County Sheriff’s Office at 763-682-7600, or dial 911.
A pedestrian has died after being hit by a straight truck Wednesday night. The Minnesota State Patrol says the incident happened at about 7:20 p.m. in the City of Green Isle, southeast of Hutchinson. Authorities say a Peterbilt Straight Truck driven by 35-year-old Blaine Feil of Gaylord was turning east onto Highway 5 from Highway 25 when he hit 73-year-old Mary Ann Ott of Green Isle in the intersection, who was crossing Highway 5. Ott was killed in the crash, and Feil was not injured.
The Little Falls Police Department reported in the past week a number of traffic stops for speeding and equipment failures. They also received harassment complaints, shoplifting and suspicious activity. A reminder to continue to call the police department if you notice something suspicious at 320-616-5570.
Morrison County Sheriff Shawn Larsen wanted to congratulate Kristy Norton-Lapos on her new role as Office Support Supervisor at the Sheriff's Office. We are excited to see Kristy step into this leadership position and are confident that she will continue to make valuable contributions to our agency. Her dedication and professionalism have always been evident, and we know she will do amazing things in this new capacity.
The Little Falls Area Chamber and Tourism's August Employee of the Month is Wayne "Junior" Kelly with Touright Bicycle Shop. Wayne "Junior" Kelly: "I am truly shocked to be declared the employee of the month. I could never imagine a better first job. I have learned so many valuable work and life skills here at Touright." Supervisor David and Susan Sperstad: "We are thrilled that JR has been selected as August's Employee of the Month. He has been a great asset to Touright and certainly deserves the recognition! Thank you to the Little Falls Area Chamber for sponsoring this." You have heard Wayne's voice on AM960KLTF in the past few months as while working at Touright, Wayne was interning with Little Falls Radio's Alex Carmenaty before heading to college in Moorhead in the fall. Congratulations to Wayne Kelly the August Chamber Employee of the Month.
Events this weekend, a Pulled Pork and Corn Feed today 4:30-7pm at Swanville Lions Park for a free will donation. The Little Falls Theatre Company performs Anastasia tonight at 7pm, Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 2pm at the Little Falls High School Auditorium tickets at the door, more performances are scheduled also next weekend. Benton County Fair in Sauk Rapids through Sunday with at the grandstand tonight Tractor and Semi Truck pull, Demolition Derby Saturday night and rodeo on Sunday. Crow Wing County Fair in Brainerd through Saturday with large Kids Day Events starting at 10am on Saturday, live music both days and the Baja Races tonight and Saturday at the grandstand. St. Joseph's Parish Festival in Pierz is on Sunday, Mass at 10am, food and activities 11-5. Outside music, gun raffle, silent auction, hamburger stand, Old Bank Pizza and the raffle drawing at 4pm in Pierz. Get more details on events along with the 75th Anniversary of AM960 KLTF at fallsradio.com and click on the appropriate links.
Weather- Air Quality Alert remains in effect until 5pm Saturday for north central Minnesota and now extended to 6am Sunday for south central Minnesota. Sunny skies today, areas of smoke, high 76, clear night low around 53. Saturday sunny with areas of smoke, high 75, partly cloudy and warmer overnight low around 60. Sunday partly sunny, high 72 isolated PM showers, Sunday isolated evening showers, low 55. Monday showers at times, sunny otherwise, high 73, low around 57. Tuesday sunny skies, high 78, T-storms at night low around 64. Wednesday sunny and warmer, high 81, low around 62.
Sports- The Minnesota Twins are officially looking to the future as they swapped many players for prospects ahead of Thursday's deadline.The day started with Harrison Bader being sent to Philadelphia and then a massive trade that sent Carlos Correa back to the Houston Astros. Minnesota also traded pitchers Brock Stewart and Danny Coulombe to Los Angeles and Texas, respectively, and sent infielder Ty France and pitcher Louis Varland to Toronto. Willi Castro was traded out and sent to the Chicago Cubs and Griffin Jax was traded to Tampa Bay. The Twins entered the day 5½ games out of the last AL Wild Card spot, and have been active throughout the week. On Monday, Minnesota traded pitchers Chris Paddack and Randy Dobnak to Detroit for two prospects, and then on Wednesday, it sent closer Jhoan Duran to Philadelphia for a pitching prospect and a catching prospect. The Twins were trying to deal Joe Ryan to Boston but reportedly late that trade fell through meaning Ryan remains a Twin for now. The Twins at are Cleveland tonight with a whole different lineup, pregame at 5:30pm, Saturday at 2:30pm and Sunday Inside Twins begins at 11:30am on Q92 WYRQ. The Lynx are at Las Vegas in WNBA Saturday at 2pm. Vikings first preseason game is against Houston on August 9th, last night Chargers rout the Lions 34-7 in the Hall of Fame preseason game. Region 9C Playoffs begins tonight with Pierz Lakers vs. Aitkin at 6pm and St. Wendel vs. Upsala at 8:30pm both games on KLTF also Friday 4B playoffs begin with Foley vs. Avon at 7:30pm, updates will be given during Pierz game on KLTF Friday night. Saturday at 11am Pierz Brewers vs. Royalton, then Opole vs. Randall at 1:30pm live on AM960 KLTF. Then listen in for more playoff action Saturday night and Sunday, including Sobieski and Buckman games on Sunday from Avon on KLTF and fallsradio.com.