News

Sunday marked one year since the former Minnesota State Rep. and Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark, and their dog Gilbert were shot and killed in their Brooklyn Park home. On the anniversary of the shooting that rocked the state and the country, Minnesota lawmakers released statements honoring the Hortmans.  In a social media post, the Minnesota DFL and Governor Tim Walz remembered the Hortmans as "kind, hopeful, and dedicated."  "Melissa was our friend, our leader, and the greatest Speaker of the House in Minnesota's history," DFL lawmakers wrote in the post. "She — along with Mark and their dog Gilbert — all lived lives defined by their service to others."  The Minnesota House Republican Caucus also paid tribute to the Hortman family in a social media statement. "Today, we honor their lives, their legacy of public service, and the lasting impact they had on our state," GOP representatives wrote in the post. "We continue to pray for their children, loved ones, former colleagues, and all those carrying the weight of this tragedy."  On June 14, 2025, the tragedy also struck State Sen. John Hoffman's family. The senator and his wife, Yvette, were shot and gravely injured by the same man who shot and killed the Hortmans.  A year later, Sen. Hofmann says his family is "still healing."  In a social media post, Sen. Hoffman reflected on that day one year ago, when both he and his wife were taken to a hospital in critical condition after being shot multiple times. Hoffman and his wife has recovered by said the healing process will take much more time. The shooter Vance Boelter recently pleaded guilty to the deaths of the Hortmann's and shooting the Hoffman's and will be sentenced too two life in prison sentences. 

The Sauk Rapids Fire Department has ruled that a fire that broke out at the Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School yesterday afternoon was an accident. The department was notified of a fire on the school’s east gymnasium roof at 4:30pm on Thursday, June 11. Upon arrival, firefighters extinguished the fire before it could cause further damage. All staff and students present in the building at the time were evacuated safely. Due to the fire, the school will be closed this weekend for air quality monitoring. Summer school activities are also canceled for Friday. No groups or organizations will have access to the building during this time. The department is assessing the extent of the roof damage and any potential water damage to the building’s interior.

The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for help as it investigates a reported altercation at Warner Lake Park. In a post on X Friday morning, the office said deputies responded June 6th to a physical and verbal altercation near the park’s volleyball courts. Investigators are asking anyone who recorded video of the incident to contact the Sheriff’s Office and ask for Deputy Grant Garber. No one has been arrested, and the case remains active. Deputies have continued working it in recent days, including seeking additional statements. Lt. Keith Simon said the incident was a verbal altercation that included allegations of a brief physical fight. No weapons were found, and that the video of the incident did not show a gun. Deputies took statements, he said, and the allegations of a brief physical fight were not substantiated. Anyone with video or information is asked to contact the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office and speak with Deputy Grant Garber.

Congratulations to Kermit and Betty Eastman who celebrated their 80th wedding anniversary on Saturday, June 6, 2026, in St. Cloud. The couple married in 1946, shortly after Kermit returned from serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II. They met in Thief River Falls and moved to St. Cloud in 1959 so Kermit could pursue a career in education  For Betty and Kermit Eastman, 80 years of marriage started with a chance meeting across the street. Betty Swan and her family moved to Thief River Falls, Minnesota, for her sophomore year of high school. It was there that she met Kermit, who lived across the street. Their relationship was interrupted when Kermit left to serve in the Navy during World War II. He served aboard the USS Mullany from 1943 to 1945, and survived a kamikaze attack and were forced to abandon ship on April 6, 1945, as part of the staging invasion force at Okinawa. Twenty-one crew members were killed but the ship was later recovered and managed to limp to Pearl Harbor for repairs. The family has grown to include their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren in those 80 years.

The Little Falls City Council meets Monday at 7:30pm at City Hall Council Chambers.

National News: Today is Flag Day. The Second Continental Congress adopted the U.S. Flag on June 14th, 1777. Though many questions on who was behind the U.S. Flag, and if Betsy Ross was the seamstress who created the first Flag it is still an important part of the United States today which will celebrate 250 years on July 4th. Raise the Flag proud on Flag Day Sunday and everyday. Also June 14th is the birthdate of the United States Army turning 251 years old, established on June 14th, 1775. Thank you all you have served in the United States Army on the Army's birthday.

Entertainment News: Gene Shalit, an American journalist known for his film reviews on the "Today" show, along with his bowties, bushy brows and mustache, has died. He was 100. His family confirmed the news with NBC News on Friday, saying the journalist “passed away peacefully today after 100 years of an amazing life. "Shalit was an on-air critic for "Today" for more than 40 years. He joined “Today” as a contributor in 1970 and became arts editor in 1973, later settling in for his segment, “Critic’s Corner." When he left the show in 2010, he was one of the last high-profile film critics on a major network. Other celebrity deaths recently, actor Ronnie Schell has died at age 94 he played Gomer Pyle's friend Duke on Gomer Pyle USMC and appeared on and later directed over 35 TV shows in his career spanning the 1960s through the 1990s. Margaret Kerry died at age 97, she worked for Walt Disney productions for many years and her likeness and dancing moves were used as Tinker Bell in Peter Pan, she also appeared on television shows in the 1950s and 1960s.

**Death Notices: Daniel Sommers, age 63 of Little Falls. 

 

Weather: Monday sunny skies, isolated T-storms after 4pm, high 72, showers and T-storms possible Monday night low around 48. Sunny Tuesday, high near 70 and breezy, Tuesday night partly cloudy, low around 50. Wednesday showers likely with possible thunderstorms, high 68, showers ending Wednesday night low around 48. Thursday sunny skies, isolated showers between 4-7pm, high 71, low around 52. Friday isolated AM and PM showers, partly sunny otherwise high 74, low around 50.

Sports: The New York Knicks are NBA Champions for first time since 1973 with a 94-90 win over San Antonio Saturday night to win the series 4 games to 1 in NBA Finals. Twins beat St. Louis Friday night 9-8 thanks to Clemens, Buxton, Lewis and Lee all hitting homeruns. Twins hit 3 more homers Saturday by Buxton, Lewis and Keaschell but Cardinals hit 4 homeruns to win 9-6 over Twins Saturday. Twins get big hits to take the lead in the bottom of the 8th and beat the Cardinals 5-4 to take the the series Sunday. The Twins (33-40) are at Texas 7:05pm Monday. Team USA won 4-1 over Paraguay in World Cup Soccer Friday. Las Vegas beat the Lynx 100-97 on Saturday night. State Baseball Tournament wraps up Monday at Target Field with St. Cloud Cathedral in 2A Championship. On Friday Rocori won consolation title in Class AAA. Ogilvie lost in consolation in Class A. Sunday in the Victory League Pierz Bulldogs beat Royalton 10-5 in the Game of the Week Sunday on KLTF. The next game of the week is scheduled Sunday June 21st Pierz Brewers at Randall at 1:30pm on AM960 KLTF.