Friday, January 2, 2026
Snow on New Years Day led to more than 80 vehicles crashed amid recent snowfall on Thursday, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. In St. Paul, SPPD officers responded to a seven-vehicle crash at the intersection of Lexington Parkway and Central Avenue, according to post by the department. That crash was caused by icy road conditions, according to the SPPD, who added that no injuries were reported. St. Paul Public Works crews responded to sand the icy intersection. Statewide however, the state troopers reported 82 crashes, including six with injures, four spinouts, 62 vehicles being off the road and one jackknifed semi. From Brainerd to St. Cloud between 7am-2pm yesterday there was many reports of spin outs and minor accidents reported from the snow. More light snow in the forecast tomorrow morning then possible freezing mix of precipitation on Sunday afternoon and evening that could lead to more slippery roadways in Minnesota.
A driver was hurt in a rollover in Stearns County on Wednesday afternoon. The Minnesota State Patrol says the incident happened at about 3:30 p.m. on Highway 71 near Belgrade. Thirty-four-year-old Stephanie Drummond of Sauk Centre was traveling north on the highway when she lost control of her vehicle, went into the ditch, and rolled. She was taken to Sauk Centre Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The Patrol says the road was snow and ice-covered at the time.
Here's a look at the more changes coming to Minnesota in 2026: The paid leave program was passed in 2023 by the DFL-controlled legislature. It offers 12 weeks of family leave per year, 12 weeks of medical leave, or 20 weeks for a combination of both. The plan covers a range of groups, including new parents, people who need medical care or those who provide care to a sick relative. Minnesota's minimum wage went up to $11.41 an hour starting in the new year for all employers. For workers under age 20, the 90-day training wage will also increase to $9.31. But in Minneapolis and St. Paul, employers have even higher minimum wage laws than the rest of the state. St. Paul requires large businesses to pay workers $15.97 an hour, small businesses to pay $15 and micro businesses to pay $13.25. In Minneapolis, both small and large businesses are required to pay employees $15.97 an hour. In the new year, Minnesota will also adopt changes to meal and rest break laws. For every four hours worked, employers must allow a paid rest break of at least 15 minutes. Employees working six or more consecutive hours are also entitled to an unpaid meal break of at least 30 minutes. To receive an absentee ballot for future elections in Minnesota, voters will need to provide both their Minnesota driver's licence or state ID card number and the last four digits of their Social Security Number. Getting out on the lake this summer will cost a bit more for boaters, as Minnesota adopted a watercraft surcharge on boats and other watercraft licenses to prevent the spread of invasive species. The surcharge was increased from $10.60 to between $14 and $62, depending on the size, type and use of the watercraft. The shotgun zone restricted deer hunters to using shotguns, muzzleloaders and handguns in southern Minnesota. As of Jan. 1, that's been repealed. Hunters in every part of the state are now allowed to use any legal firearm during the regular deer hunting season. Financial protection for vulnerable adults This law was created to protect vulnerable adults from exploitation and scams. It states: "A petitioner may petition the court for an order for protection against financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult seeking injunctive relief and any other equitable remedy the court deems appropriate.” A link to all the new laws is on Thursday news page click on archive under this page.
There was a lucky lottery winner in central Minnesota on New Year's Day. The Minnesota State Lottery says there was a winning ticket in the drawing for the game North 5. The ticket worth $68,674 was sold at the Holiday Station Store in Garrison.
Weekend events include the Winter Reading Challenge kicks off today at local libraries around Morrison County check with your library for information. Winter Candlelight Event at Morrison County Historical Society and Lindbergh State Park from 5-8pm Saturday all free of charge to attend. An Epiphany Breakfast will be Sunday at St. Mary's Church in Little Falls from 9-12:30pm all for a free will offering. There is also the monthly breakfast at the Little Falls Senior Center from 8am-12pm on Sunday. Details on events can be found at fallsradio.com and click on community calendar.
Death Notices: Duane Allen Bursey, age 54 of Clarissa former resident of Royalton. Douglas Robert Larsen (Doug), age 83 of Little Falls. Jason R. Bloom, age 44 of Little Falls.
Weather: partly sunny today, high near 12 wind chills near 0. Tonight snow after midnight, low 6 above, snow in the morning Saturday up to 1 inch, high 18, partly cloudy and cold at night, low -4 below zero. Sunday increasing clouds, high 27 some snow and freezing rain possible afternoon into the evening, less than 1 inch but slippery roads likely, Sunday night steady temps in the mid 20s with some freezing precipitation possible into Monday morning, cloudy some fog and mist Monday high near 30, low around 22.
Sports: New Years Day Bowl Games Oregon beat Texas Tech 23-0 in Orange Bowl, Indiana routed Alabama 38-3 in the Rose Bowl, Ole Miss upset Georgia 39-34 in the Sugar Bowl, winners advance to the College Football championship semi-finals next week. Many high school games and meets today in wrestling, boys and girls basketball and boys hockey as Little Falls at Prairie Centre in Long Prairie tonight at 7pm on Q92 WYRQ and fallsradio.com. More games on Saturday around the area get the latest Saturday at 9:05am on the Sports Wrap on AM960 KLTF. NFL final regular season weekend with games Saturday and Sunday on KLTF also Vikings host Green Bay to wrap it up Sunday at noon.