Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz issued an executive order to activate the National Guard Tuesday after the city of St. Paul became the target of a cyberattack. According to the governor's office, the order took effect immediately. “We are committed to working alongside the City of Saint Paul to restore cybersecurity as quickly as possible,” said Governor Walz in a statement. “The Minnesota National Guard’s cyber forces will collaborate with city, state, and federal officials to resolve the situation and mitigate lasting impacts. Above all, we are committed to protecting the safety and security of the people of Saint Paul.” Officials said the "magnitude and complexity" of the attack exceeded the city's response capacity, necessitating cyber protection support from the Guard. The attack also prompted the city to declare a state of emergency. At a press conference, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter stated that the city has "limited" data on residents who are not employed by the city and asked those who are to remain vigilant about their personal data. He added that the attack is contained to city systems. On its website, the city said the attack had temporarily impacted access to most of its internal systems and online services. However, emergency services like 911 and some city services do remain online.
A coordinated ground search for missing Brainerd woman Cory Degeest kicked off Monday morning, July 28, in southeast Brainerd. More than 70 volunteers from across Minnesota converged on southeast Brainerd to assist in locating Degeest. The staging area for the search was at Pine and Walnut streets. The search ended around 2 p.m. Monday and did not locate Degeest.
Degeest, 61, was reported missing on Sunday, July 13. She is described as a white female; 5 feet, 1 inch tall; weighing approximately 190 pounds; with sandy brown hair and blue eyes. She was last seen walking on Beech Street in Brainerd about two weeks prior to her reported disappearance. Authorities remain concerned for her well-being partially due to pre-existing chronic medical conditions. Police Chief John Davis said the search efforts Monday were primarily focused on undeveloped land parcels in southeast Brainerd. “We were able to identify an individual who saw her walking down the road away from her residence in southeast Brainerd,” Davis said. “That then led us to focus on southeast Brainerd and considering she has some chronic medical problems, that increases the possibilities that if she was out walking, that maybe there was an inability for her to return home, possibly due to some of these chronic medical condition.
Minnesota deer hunters have a handful of new regulations for the fall firearms season, with tags going on sale starting Friday, August 1st.This season, the Department of Natural Resources has simplified the process for hunters with the new statewide firearms license. To reduce confusion, there is now just one license needed for both the statewide firearms and the late southeast season. Another important change is related to chronic wasting disease testing. Self-service stations will be available in CWD management and surveillance zones during the opening weekend and CWD special hunts. Because of the expanding footprint of CWD, the DNR will prioritize collecting data in three new areas. Be aware of bag limit changes and the antlerless lottery deadline for the 2025 deer season. While 103 deer permit areas have kept the same bag limits as last year, two have lowered the harvest of antlerless deer, in the hopes of increasing the local populations. Twenty-five DPAs have increased bag limits this year. Mild winter conditions allowed the deer population to rebound for a second straight year in central and western Minnesota, leading to the increased bag limits this season. Harvest designations remain conservative in northern Minnesota, where deer populations are still in recovery from back-to-back harsh winters. DNR acting big game program coordinator Paul Burr stated, “We love getting ready for deer season each year. Many hunters prepare for time out in the forests and fields like it’s a major holiday. We’re reminding hunters to closely review the new hunting regulations and all the details that apply to them, so they’re ready to enjoy deer seasons.” Deer season details for each deer permit area and electronic copies of the 2025 more details are available at the website https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/ Printed copies will be available in mid-August wherever licenses are sold.
Governor Tim Walz was out at Apple Jack Orchards in Delano Monday to sign the new Agriculture Finance and Policy bill into law. The governor joined orchard owners Mary and Ray Mithun, along with state lawmakers and members of the ag industry to celebrate getting the legislation across the finish line. “Minnesota farmers are indispensable – they drive our economy and feed families around the world,” he said. “In a difficult budget year, I am proud that we put partisan politics aside to deliver this bill. This legislation ensures that our farmers continue to have the resources they need to thrive.” The governor emphasized it’s not just about throwing money at an issue, but rather building something that lasts. “From funding for emergency preparedness response to livestock protection and expansions in broadband development, this bill is a critical step forward in building a resilient future for Minnesota agriculture,” Walz added. The funding package includes $1.5 million for dealing with agriculture emergencies like that Avian Influenza. The state’s also putting money toward mental health outreach and farm safety programs specifically for areas in greater Minnesota. Local food systems are getting some love too, with new funding for a Local Food Purchasing Assistance program that helps keep more Minnesota-grown food on tables. Dairy farmers are getting a share of the funding headed to the First District Dairy Association and money for upgrading dairy wastewater infrastructure. The bill also includes help for new farmers through Farm Down Payment Assistance, plus grants that agricultural organizations can apply for and funding for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the Minnesota Board of Animal Health.
The Morrison County Historical Society invites the public to a reception celebrating our current temporary exhibit, The River Connects Us, a photographic display that explores life and culture on the Mississippi River, from the Lake Itasca headwaters to the Gulf of Mexico. The reception will be from 11:00 – 1:00, Saturday, August 16, at the Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Memorial Museum. As the exhibit’s principal photographer Peter Mutschler notes: “The Mississippi River is the backbone of the United States. Its waters carry our grain, our ore, our history, our dreams. Creations of music, art, and stories are deposited on the flood plains of Old Muddy. These images explore the unique and sometimes hidden culture that flows from this Great River, from the headwaters in Northern Minnesota to the delta south of New Orleans. The poetry provides a sensitive and sometimes powerful reflection inspired by the images.” Each image is accompanied by poetry written by Stillwater-based author and poet Tom Gillaspy. These vibrant and colorful photos will be on exhibit at the Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Memorial Museum through Labor Day weekend. For more information on the Weyerhaeuser Museum, visit our website, www.morrisoncountyhistory.org. More about The River Connects Us can be found at their website, www.theriverconnectsus.org.
AM960 KLTF Party Line is live from the Crow Wing County Fair this morning, Ron will be joined with Minnesota Broadcasters Hall of Fame Engineer Mark Persons also with the Brainerd VFW, join them at 10:05am as it can be heard live on AM960 KLTF and also online at fallsradio.com.
Death Notices- Wayne K. Richner, age 61 of Little Falls.
Weather- Air Quality Alert until 11pm tonight, areas of smoke at times today with sunny skies, high 77, clear at night and cooler, low 50. Thursday sunny skies, high 75, clear skies Thursday night, low 53. Friday sunny skies, high near 78, low around 58. Saturday sunny skies, high near 78, low around 61, a bit more humid, Sunday chance of T-storms returns, high near 70, low around 60.
Sports- Boston scored early runs to beat the Twins 8-5 last night at Target Field. The Twins also placed Byron Buxton on the 10 day disabled injury list. The Twins wrap up series with Boston today, pregame at 11:30am on Q92 WYRQ. The Minnesota Lynx host the defending WNBA Champion New York Liberty in a finals rematch Wednesday night at 7pm. Listen this weekend to coverage of some games in Region 9C and also District 4B playoffs for the Victory League live on AM960 KLTF and fallsradio.com.