Friday, August 21, 2026
Even though some of the state had rain Saturday through yesterday, since Saturday Little Falls Airport reported 1.64 inches of rain. A small corner of Minnesota has slipped into extreme drought, the first time any part of the state has reached that category in 2026. According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor report released Thursday, 0.71% of Minnesota is in extreme drought, the second-most severe of the monitor’s five categories. The affected area sits in west-central Minnesota along the North Dakota border between Moorhead and East Grand Forks. A week earlier, no part of the state was in extreme drought. The rest of the picture barely moved week to week, but conditions remain widespread. Severe drought now covers 44.86% of Minnesota, up from 44.78%. Three-quarters of the state, 75.20%, is in at least moderate drought, and 88.17% is abnormally dry or worse. Just 11.83% of Minnesota is drought-free. Central Minnesota, including Morrison, Stearns, Benton and Sherburne counties, falls inside the broad band of severe drought that stretches from the western border across the middle of the state and north toward the Iron Range. The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center says the drought is likely to persist into October. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has placed the Mississippi Headwaters watershed under its Drought Warning Response Phase, citing what state climatologists call a “storage drought,” a critical depletion of lake levels, soil moisture and groundwater. St. Cloud sits within the affected watershed. The city says it is working with the DNR for guidance. The Mississippi River remains a reliable source of drinking water for St. Cloud, but officials say conservation is a key part of the response. The city is encouraging residents to cut back on water use both indoors and out.
Another fatal motorcycle accident happened yesterday this time in Cass County. 30-year-old Roy Berger of Vadnais Heights was on Highway 371 in Shingobee Township when a semi-truck made a reported invasive move to the right and ended up causing Berger to strike the cable barrier with his motorcycle, this caused Berger to come off his cycle and reported was ran over by the rear of the semi-truck. Berger was dead at the scene when authorities arrived. The semi-truck driver, who is cooperating with the State Patrol, is from Pennsylvania and was not injured. This makes five motorcycle deaths in that past 7 days in Minnesota.
A Brainerd ice house business that fired an employee receiving cancer treatment has settled a discrimination lawsuit with the state of Minnesota. As a part of the settlement announced Wednesday, Glacier Ice House has agreed to pay the former employee $115,000 after an investigation by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights found the company violated the Minnesota Human Rights Act. In 2023, the employee took disability leave for cancer treatment, and during that leave, Glacier terminated their employment as a part of company-wide layoffs. However, the firm allowed other workers with disabilities to move to open jobs within the business. “This employee was not offered the same opportunity,” the Minnesota Department of Human Rights details in a news release.
The city of Clearwater is undergoing significant road construction in 2026 and 2027. Clearwater Mayor Andrea Lawrence-Wheeler and Clearwater City Administrator Annita Smythe stated that Road Construction projects in Clearwater along Interstate 94, Highway 24 and County Road 7 will continue through this year and into the fall of 2027. Lawrence-Wheeler says it is possible that some of the construction could linger into the spring of 2028. The project started in June of this year and will consist of 3 phases. Lawrence-Wheeler says 2 of the phases are fully funded while the other is not funded yet. She says they are actively seeking funding for the 3rd phase. Phase 1 is the bridge reconstruction, phase 2 is the south leg which includes County Road 7. Smythe says funding for the 3rd phase will come from grants, community support and earmarks from Wright County and the city of Clearwater. The work that is being done right now is on Highway 24 south of Interstate 94 and onto County Road 7. Lawrence-Wheeler says the project includes replacing the Highway 24 bridge over Interstate 94. She believes that project will have the most impact on drivers.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation is announcing some traffic changes as work continues on Highway 25 between Monticello and Buffalo. Highway 25 will reopen to traffic on Friday evening from the Wright County Road 37 roundabout to Monticello. Reduced speed and periodic lane closures should be expected through October. Highway 25 remains closed between County Road 37 and 35th Street through October. A temporary signal remains in place at County Road 37 and County Road 117 while Wright County constructs a roundabout at Highway 25 and County Road 113. Anderson Avenue remains closed at Highway 25 as crews reconstruct the connection prior to Labor Day weekend. And temporary striping remains until final pavement markings and rumble strips are set this fall. The $11.4-million project is improving ride quality, safety and drainage along seven miles of Highway 25.
Minnesota was selected as one of seven nationwide hubs to help develop technicians for the aerospace industry. NASA announced Thursday that the Minnesota State Transportation Center of Excellence will be the lone hub in the Midwest to help address the growing need for technical talent within the aerospace field. The three-year, $1.5 million initiative will enable Minnesota State to help prepare students for careers in aerospace. “We are thrilled that this funding further solidifies the role of Minnesota State as the backbone of the state’s workforce development system and bolsters our commitment to preparing students for successful and meaningful careers,” said Scott Olson, chancellor of Minnesota State. “Minnesota State is uniquely positioned to help students connect their talents and aspirations with high-wage, in-demand jobs while supporting Minnesota’s growing aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors.” The hub is intended to create a pathway from high school to develop job-ready aerospace technicians for NASA suppliers and beyond. According to a release, the training will include welding, precision machining, automation, robotics, avionics, nondestructive testing, and systems integration with employer demand.
Next week is Pierz Oktoberfest week in Pierz, the Parade is August 30th at 11am. Listen in the 6am hour on AM960 KLTF beginning Monday for Oktoberfest Medallion Hunt Clues, the one who turns in the medallion next week in Pierz will win $600 in Pierz Oktoberfest Bucks to be used back the participating businesses in Pierz. More details on the https://www.facebook.com/pierzoktoberfest/.
This weekend tonight is the Alter Server Appreciation feed 5-7pm at Holy Family Belle Prairie, all Haven of Mercy servers eat free, others free will offering put on by the Knights of Columbus 1804. Sunday is the 70th St. Francis of Assisi Fall Fest. Mass at 10am, roast beef dinner at 11am, silent auction with many items, food stands, games and grand raffle $5 ticket for top prize $1000 cash at 7pm all on Sunday south of Upsala, north of Albany on Highway 238. Check out events at fallsradio.com.
Death Notices: Merwyn "Mike" Kirgiss, age 91 of Little Falls. Linda L. Hiemenz age 70 of Buckman.
Weather: today partly cloudy skies, high near 80. Chance of showers and T-storms before midnight tonight, low around 55. Sunny and cooler Saturday, high 74 clear and 47 Saturday night. Sunday sunny skies, high near 80, low around 50. Monday sunny and warmer, high 83, storms Monday night low around 61. Tuesday sunny and warm, isolated T-storms possible, high 84, low around 53. Wednesday cloudy early then sunny and cooler, high near 80, low around 51. Thursday chance of rain, high near 78, low around 54.
Sports: Twins are in San Diego this weekend, games are 8:40pm tonight, 7:40pm Saturday and 3:10 on Sunday against the Padres. Lynx are at Washington tonight at 6:30pm then return home to take on Golden State at Target Center on Monday night. Vikings host Baltimore in preseason game #2 Sunday at noon. High School Tennis begins today for area girls teams Rocori at Little Falls and Pierz is at the Mora quad both have morning starts. The State Amateur Baseball Tournament begins with games in A, B and C Friday night. This weekend Aitkin vs. Cold Spring Rockies at 1:30pm Saturday, Pierz Lakers vs. Young America at 6:30pm Saturday both games in Jordan. Sunday 11am Foley vs. Cold Spring Springers, 1:30pm Buckman vs. Red Wing, 4pm Nisswa vs. Lesueur all in Jordan for 4B games. Also Sunday Pierz Brewers vs. Elrosa in a C game at 4pm in New Prague. Catch State baseball action this weekend on AM960 KLTF and fallsradio.com.