News

While federal prosecutors sought a 50-year prison sentence, a judge Thursday morning gave the central figure in the $300 million Feeding Our Future meal fraud case over 40 years in prison. Aimee Bock, the former executive director of the nonprofit, was convicted last year of masterminding the largest COVID-era fraud case in the U.S., according to officials. U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel handed down the 500-month (41.6 years) sentence at a packed federal courthouse in downtown Minneapolis Thursday morning. Bock was also ordered to pay $242 million in restitution. Minutes before Judge Brasel issued the sentence, Bock herself spoke to the court, crying, apologizing to the court and the public, saying, "I wish I could do it all over," and that she never intended for things to get out of hand. "The fraud in these public programs has gotten to epic proportions. The judge sent the message that this will not be tolerated and it will be dealt with seriously," said Joe Thompson, former U.S. attorney for Minnesota.

The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities has named Kimberly Lynch to serve as interim president of Central Lakes College. The appointment becomes effective July 1, 2026. Dr. Lynch brings years of experience and leadership to the colleges and the system office,” Minnesota State Chancellor Scott Olson said in a news release. “She is a strategic thinker with a passion for helping faculty and staff to bring innovation to the forefront to help students succeed, and I am confident she will be a steady and effective leader for Central Lakes College during this year of transition.” Lynch has broad higher education experience both in leadership positions as well as in the classroom. Her focus on technology and how human beings can successfully weave technology into their work has been a cornerstone of her leadership across Minnesota State for more than a decade and brings that to the Brainerd Lakes area. 

Thousands of travelers are hitting the roadways for the Memorial Day Holiday Weekend, reminder to please watch speeds, no drinking and driving, texting and driving, distracted driving, seatbelt and alcohol enforcement will be going through the entire weekend according to the Minnesota State Patrol and the Morrison County Sheriff's Office. 

Erik Sogge from Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery spoke on KLTF Thursday reminding those that the cemetery now stands at over 11,000 graves or cremation vaults, flowers can be put on the graves though there are some protocols questions call 616-2527. The Memorial Day Observance program will be held on Sunday with music at 1:30pm, and program at 2pm. There will speakers including an update on the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum. The Committal building will be open to come and see the portraits by Charles Kapsner that are inside the building. Please remember that with over 1,000 people there Sunday you are encouraged to carpool, bring your lawn chair or umbrella to be at the event on Sunday. 

There are many graduations tonight for the class of 2026, Little Falls graduates tonight at the gym at 7pm, Pierz will be in the MAC tonight for graduation at 7pm, Swanville announced they will be in the auditorium this year and not at the football field because of rain in the forecast tonight 7pm at the auditorium, Upsala is at 7pm tonight at the main gym. Many others will graduate for the senior class tonight, some will graduate on Saturday afternoon also with more next week on the 28th and 29th of May like Royalton and Holdingford. Congratulations to the Class of 2026 from Little Falls Radio. 

Weather: today, partly cloudy then rain showers in the afternoon, cooler and breezy, high 58, rain likely tonight up to 1 inch of rain, low 43. Saturday partly cloudy skies, high 65, clear Saturday low 43. Sunday sunny skies, warmer, high 78, isolated T-storms possible by evening, low 50. Monday sunny and warm, high 86, with isolated T-storms in the afternoon, clearing Monday night low 54. Tuesday through Thursday continued warm, highs in the 80s and lows in the 50s, with a chance of T-storms Wednesday and Thursday. 

Sports: Twins are in Boston this weekend, tonight at 6:10pm, Saturday at 3:10pm and Sunday at 12:35pm. Minnesota Lynx beat Toronto last night 100-72 with 5 in double figures, they are at Chicago on Saturday at noon. Nascar Driver Kyle Busch has died at age 41, no cause of death has been released only that Busch withdrew from this weekend's Coca Cola 600, siting a severe illness. Softball scores Thursday Little Falls beat Detroit Lakes 11-1 moves on to Tuesday, St. Cloud Cathedral routed Pierz 13-0, Swanville beat Brandon Evansville 11-2, Parkers Prairie beat Upsala 15-5. Foley beat Eden Valley Watkins 2-1. Holdingford 5-4 in 9 innings over Pequot Lakes. Get the latest updates on baseball, softball, golf and track on the Saturday Morning Sports Wrap Saturday at 9:05am on AM960 KLTF. Victory League has games this weekend also including Game of the Week Buckman at Sobieski Monday at 1:30pm on KLTF.