Friday, January 16, 2026
The Minnesota Department of Transportation earlier this week reported that the bridge work will continue off of Westbound Highway 10 at Haven Road on the south end of Little Falls now until at least March 31st. The announcement was that more time is needed to complete the work through the end of March and the detour will remain in place of taking Highway 10 to the Highway 27 exit into the city of Little Falls. The bridge was damaged by a truck with equipment on top of it that struck the bridge in mid-December prompting Mn DOT to close the bridge area until required repairs are completed. For information click here: 511mn.org.
President Donald Trump threatened to "institute the Insurrection Act" in Minneapolis Thursday morning to quell protests in opposition to federal immigration enforcement operations. "If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota don’t obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the Patriots of I.C.E., who are only trying to do their job, I will institute the INSURRECTION ACT, which many Presidents have done before me, and quickly put an end to the travesty that is taking place in that once great State. Thank you for you attention to this matter! President DJT," the president wrote. The Insurrection Act would allow Trump to send U.S. military troops into the state, as well as federalize the Minnesota National Guard. The announcement comes the day after a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot a man in the leg after claiming he was attacked by the suspect. Neighbors also reportedly hit the agent with a shovel and broom handle. In response to the shooting, protesters showed up at the scene in north Minneapolis, at times throwing snowballs at law enforcement as they were teargassed. Governor Walz posted a direct message to Trump and Minnesotans on Thursday morning, requesting that they stop fanning the flames. "I am making a direct appeal to the President: Let's turn the temperature down. Stop the campaign of retribution. This is not who we are. And an appeal to Minnesotans: I know this is scary. We can — we must — speak out loudly, urgently, but also peacefully. We cannot fan the flames of chaos. That's what he wants." It was also reported that the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota (ACLU) announced it filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of Minnesotans who claimed their rights have been violated by federal immigration officers. The lawsuit stems from recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations and subsequent protests in the Twin Cities in the wake of 37-year-old Renee Good's shooting death by a federal officer last week, and a second shooting of a man just one week later.
Governor Tim Walz released an infrastructure plan Thursday that he says will address public safety, transportation and affordable housing. In a press release, Walz's office provided a breakdown of where he recommends the funds from the proposed $907 million budget should go. According to Walz, 35% would be dedicated to preserving existing state infrastructure, 19% for water and transportation projects, 16% for public safety projects and 11% for affordable housing and local economic development. The remaining funds will be used for various projects, including environmental and outdoor recreation projects, the release says. Some of the projects the plan would address are the expansion of the Department of Corrections Rush City Education program and $47 million for Bemidji's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension office, Walz's office said. Walz's proposal recommends $149 million, including $41 million for security upgrades in and around the State Capitol. It also includes the renovation and expansion of the Bemidji BCA regional office. $50 million for Rural Finance Authority loans. $316 million for preserving state infrastructure for state agency and higher education facilities, including $150 million for improvements to Minnesota State and the University of Minnesota campuses. $172 million for water and transportation infrastructure, including $113 million for water infrastructure grants and loans. $99 million for affordable housing and economic development. $52 million for outdoor recreation and environmental protection, including $10 million for dam safety repairs and $9 million for grants to reduce flood risk.
A 62-year-old Walker man was injured Monday, Jan. 12, after his propane truck rolled on Highway 200 in Cass County. Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk said deputies responded to the crash at 10:47 a.m. in Shingobee Township, south of Walker. Welk said the propane truck was traveling eastbound on Highway 200 when a northbound car slid through the intersection. The propane driver took evasive action to avoid the car. The truck ended up rolling, landing back on its wheels. The driver of the propane truck suffered minor injuries. Welk said the propane truck started leaking propane and the Walker Fire Department had to use wet bandage to slow the leak on the truck and to allow another propane truck to offload the roughly 1,300 gallons of propane. Welk said it was a lucky day as no one was severely injured or killed. The Minnesota State Patrol assisted at the scene.
The Polish Echoes are having a Soup Luncheon on Sunday from 9:30am-1pm for a free will offering. There will be chicken noodle, baked potato and vegetable beef at Holy Family Fellowship Hall. All invited there will also be take out available if you wish to take some home. There is also a bake sale on Sunday too.
If you want a ticket to the 53rd Annual Pro Life Commemoration Dinner January 25th at the Falls Ballroom you need to make reservations by January 18th by calling Sue at 320-630-7045. The dinner will be on January 25th with social at 12pm, dinner 12:45pm and program at 1:45pm.
Death Notices: Rita A. Atkinson, age 94 of Little Falls.
Weather: Friday morning snow showers, high 23 early then falling to 6 above by evening with gusty Northwest winds 20-35mph, up to 1 inch of snow. Clearing skies Friday night low -4, wind chills -25. Saturday sunny and cold, high 3 above, low around -15 with wind chills near -25. Sunday snow likely 1-2 inches by afternoon, high 12, low around -8 below zero. Monday sunny and cold, high near 0, winds pick up to 25-35mph and bitterly cold wind chills. Monday night clear and cold -12, Tuesday partly sunny high of 10.
Sports: NFL Divisional Playoffs this weekend, games Buffalo at Denver Saturday 3:30pm, San Francisco at Seattle at 7:15pm Saturday, Houston at New England Sunday at 2pm and Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Sunday at 5:30pm on AM960 KLTF and fallsradio.com. Wild Hockey Saturday at Buffalo Sabres Saturday morning at 11:15am on Q92 WYRQ and fallsradio.com.