News

Minnesotans along the North Shore were expecting a serious snowstorm, and a serious snowstorm they received. Hovland, north of Grand Marais, saw the highest numbers at nearly 40 inches of snow. Many communities along Lake Superior had 20-30 inches of snow. But even the Twin Cities metro saw upwards of seven inches of snow Wednesday. North of Brainerd had over 3 inches of snow but Little Falls barely anything to coat the ground. Temps will be colder with lows Saturday and Sunday dropping below zero for the first time in weeks in the northern half of the state which includes Morrison County Sunday. 

Minnesota’s new legislative session is underway, and lawmakers are expected to take a fresh look at fraud prevention efforts following high-profile cases. Fraudsters posing as phony service providers have plagued Minnesota’s social safety net programs. Either through legislative action or executive orders, the state has made moves to prevent future taxpayer dollars from being stolen. But there are calls for additional solutions that have support from legislators in both parties. Mark Haveman, executive director of the nonpartisan Minnesota Center for Fiscal Excellence, suggested it’s worth monitoring how recent efforts play out – but agrees policymakers shouldn’t stop looking. A key debate that remains unresolved is whether the state should create a new Office of Inspector General. That bill gained traction last session but ultimately faded following concerns it would be redundant. Minnesota’s fraud scandals have resulted in political finger-pointing, but Haveman said he feels there’s a specific area where lawmakers from both parties have fallen short, and that’s updating antiquated IT systems within human service programs. As the situation continues to garner news headlines, Haveman said, it’s understandable to think that lawmakers have to respond in a way that resonates with taxpayers. “I understand citizens’ frustration,” he said. “I understand the fact that there are providers there who have been operating as they should and doing good work for the state of Minnesota that are feeling the effects of the actions that have had to be taken.” As for this session, House Republicans are vocal about renewing talks on the Office of Inspector General. Meanwhile, Rep. Steve Elkins, D-Bloomington, said he’s been speaking with Minnesota Information Technology Services on what needs to be fixed, with hopes money can be found to make upgrades.

A busy weekend of many events, lots of Fish Frys Friday night Lindbergh Lions at VFW in Little Falls fundraiser is one of them, check with local establishments for details, Ice Fest is Saturday and Sunday on Green Prairie Fish Lake 10am both days, donations to help hungry children, there will be fireworks at 6pm Saturday night, full details at mnicefest.org. Swanville/Sobieski Lions Ice Fishing Contest 12-3pm Saturday on Long Lake near Swanville, $5 for fishing and raffle ticket, with raffle at 6pm at Lucky's on Saturday in Swanville. Franciscan Sisters Soup Supper Fund Raiser 4:30-7pm Saturday at the Convent. Little Falls FFA Breakfast 8:30-12:30pm Sunday at Falls Ballroom for Free Will Offering, St. Francis of Assisi Church south of Upsala, breakfast to help religious programs is 9-12:30pm for free will offering, also take out delivery outside the church for those unable to come in the facility is available on Sunday. St. Rita's Church of Hillman Quilt Bingo 1:30pm Sunday. Details on events can be found at fallsradio.com. 

Weather: Friday cloudy with flurries, high 25, breezy northwest winds 10-20mph, Friday night cloudy skies, low around 12, Saturday partly sunny, high near 20, clear Saturday night low 2 above. Sunday chilly with sunny skies, high near 18, low around 0. Monday sunny high 23, low around 10. Tuesday cloudy with highs around 36, rain/snow develops Tuesday night. 

Sports: High School Girls Basketball Foley at Little Falls Friday at 7:30pm on Q92 WYRQ. Girls Basketball Pierz at St. Cloud Cathedral Friday at 7:15pm on 94ROCKS KFML. Section 6A Boys Hockey Semi-Finals Little Falls vs. Sartell at the MAC in St. Cloud Saturday at 4pm in playoff action live on Q92 WYRQ and all games are also streamed online at fallsradio.com. The USA gets two gold medals Thursday including 24-year-old Alysa Liu winning gold in women's figure skating, and Team USA wins 2-1 in overtime over Canada to win the gold medal in Women's Hockcey. The Medal Count as of mid-afternoon Thursday at the Winter Olympics in Italy shows Norway at 34 total medals and USA moves up to 27 total in 2nd place now going into the weekend. the Olympics wrap up on Sunday in Milan with the closing ceremonies. Get a recap of high school sports Saturday morning at 9:05am with the wrap on AM960 KLTF and fallsradio.com.