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Friday, July 3, 2026
Independence Day falls on Saturday, July 4. The annual holiday recognizes the day in 1776 in which the Second Continental Congress voted to adopt the Declaration of Independence 250 years ago. Each year on July 4, the U.S. celebrates the anniversary of that historic event with fireworks, parades and other festivities. This year marks a special milestone: the Semiquincentennial, or America’s 250th birthday. Given that Independence Day is a national holiday, government offices and agencies, including post offices, as well as a majority of financial institutions will be closed on Saturday. But what about Friday? Is July 3, 2026, a federal holiday? As is the case with federal holidays that land on a weekend, the day is often observed on either Friday or Monday. Given that the Fourth of July falls on Saturday this year, Independence Day will be observed on Friday. A majority of credit unions and banks, including our local banks, Chase, Bank of America, M&T and Santander, will be open for business during standard operating hours on Friday, July 3. However, in observance of the Fourth of July holiday, some branches may have adjusted operating hours or close early ahead of Independence Day. To ensure your bank is open, confirm local hours ahead of going. All banks will be closed on Saturday July 4th. The Stock Market is closed Friday. The USPS will be open for business as usual on Friday. Mail pickup and delivery will occur as usual and branches will operate during normal hours. Post offices will be closed on Saturday, July 4, and there won’t be mail delivery. Parcel deliveries will also run a regular schedule on Friday and there will be 1 day and priority delivery on Saturday if need be but will be no UPS pickup or delivery service on Saturday, July 4 of regular parcel only priority and 1 day delivery in observance of Independence Day. UPS store locations will also be closed on Saturday. Federal agencies including court houses, Veterans Affair, Social Security, the IRS and other agencies are closed Friday. County and city offices, City Hall, Government Center are closed on Friday. Most stores are open Friday, offices and businesses may be closed so check ahead before you head out on Friday. Many items closed Saturday.
The judge in the case of a stabbing death in Cold Spring, has ruled that there is a reasonable basis to doubt 33-year-old Luke McLane's competency to proceed with the charges. A hearing has been scheduled for August 3rd to review the findings of the court-appointed forensic navigator. McLane is charged with one count of 2nd-degree murder in the stabbing death of a Catholic Charities group home employee. The charges are on hold until McLane's examination has been completed and his competency has been determined. McLane is accused of stabbing the man in the neck multiple times on Saturday at the home in the 400 block of 8th Avenue North in Cold Spring. Despite life-saving efforts, the victim died at the scene. A preliminary examination by the Midwest Medical Examiner's Office determined the victim's death was a homicide caused by multiple sharp force injuries.
A St. Cloud man faces five felony charges for allegedly pointing a handgun at a group of women inside a car. The incident happened in the early morning hours of June 2nd in South St. Cloud. According to the charges filed in Stearns County District Court, 18-year-old Abdihakin Khalif Salah was in a vehicle that cut off another car with five women inside. Salah is then accused of pointing a laser-guided handgun at the group inside the car. St. Cloud Police report that an officer who was patrolling the area in downtown was approached by a car carrying the women. Court records show two of the women were crying and screaming that a man had just pointed a gun at them near the area of 33rd Avenue South and West St. Germain Street. Two of the women recognized Salah, one of whom said she had seen Salah with a gun before. Officers later learned of a car crash involving the suspect's vehicle. As part of that follow-up investigation, police allege finding a 9mm handgun with an extended magazine and a purple laser pointer matching the victims' description of the weapon. Salah is charged with five counts of 2nd-degree assault with a gun. He's being held in the Stearns County Jail awaiting his first court appearance.
One person was hurt in a three-vehicle crash in Stearns County. The Minnesota State Patrol says the incident happened on Interstate 94 near Sauk Centre at about 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday. All three vehicles were traveling west when they collided. Twenty-eight-year-old Miguel Linton of Sauk Centre was taken to St. Cloud Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The drivers and the passengers in the other two vehicles were not hurt.
Saturday is the 4th of July and there will be a number of events over the next days. Friday Nisswa has there festivities and parade at 7pm Friday night and fireworks at dusk. Saturday 4th of July parade at Hillman is at 11am with events going on. Brainerd has their 4th of July parade at 6pm Saturday night, then events at the football field after and the big fireworks display at dusk. The little area of Pillsbury MN near Swanville has their parade Saturday at 2pm sharp. Sunday is Bowlus Fun Day, polka Mass at 10am, parade at 11:15am, water wars with fire departments at 2:30pm, bean bag tournament at 4pm, music all afternoon and at night and fireworks at dark Sunday in Bowlus. More events can be found at fallsradio.com.
Weather: Friday showers and thunderstorms in the morning, then partly sunny, high 83, thunderstorms possible again after 5pm Friday into Friday night some heavy rains. Friday night thunderstorms likely before 1am some could be severe, low 62. Saturday rain showers likely, isolated thunderstorms, high near 80, showers early Saturday night then clearing low around 60. Sunday sunny skies, high 84, clear Sunday night low around 63. Monday sunny skies, high 88, clear Monday night low 66. Tuesday sunny and hot still, high near 90 with thunderstorms Tuesday night low 65. Wednesday showers and storms possible, high 86.
Sports: Twins are at New York Yankees Friday night after Thursday off, game Friday at 6:05pm, Saturday and Sunday games have 12:35pm start times. Minnesota Lynx are at New York Friday at 6:30pm, Lynx then host Connecticut on Monday night. Team USA will face Belgium in the round of 16 on Monday, July 6th at 9pm winner will advance to the round of 8. There are no Victory League games this weekend so no game of the Week but KLTF will relive some great Baseball memories with a Class C Championship game from the past for the Sobieski Skis on Sunday at 1pm then the 1979 State Championship Game for Little Falls the legendary Jack Peck on the call starting around 4pm. Tune in to both games from the past this Sunday afternoon on AM960 KLTF and fallsradio.com the next Game of the Week will be July 12th between the Nisswa Lightning at the Pierz Lakers.
Thursday, July 2, 2026
The Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force issued a search warrant at a residence Wednesday on the 14000 block of 133rd Street in Little Falls on suspicion of distribution and...
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
A strong storm damaged numerous trees and knocked power out to thousands of people late Monday, June 29, in Crow Wing County. A tornado warning was issued shortly before 11 p.m....
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Another stormy day across central and north central Minnesota has heavy rains affected the Brainerd Lakes area with very heavy downpours as 1.89 inches of rain at the Brainerd Airport...
Monday, June 29, 2026
Little Falls Radio learned there is no bone builders at the Little Falls Senior Center Today. An Extreme Heat Warning is in effect across parts of central and southern Minnesota...
