Friday, May 15, 2026
A message from Little Falls Community High School: Today, the Little Falls Community High School was placed in a Hold due to a student behavioral issue that required intervention from local law enforcement. During the Hold, students remained in their classrooms, and movement throughout the building was temporarily restricted. This was done to ensure the safety and privacy of everyone involved while the situation was handled. School administration and law enforcement responded quickly and addressed the situation appropriately. At no time was there an ongoing threat to students or staff. We are incredibly proud of our students and staff for their cooperation and professionalism during this time. Thank you to our local law enforcement partners for their continued support in keeping our schools safe.
Dry, windy weather over the next 48 hours is sparking a red flag warning and a fire weather watch. The red flag warning is in effect across much of central Minnesota today (Thursday) until 4:00 p.m. today, including Morrison, Benton and Stearns counties. The National Weather Service issued the warning as dry conditions and gusty winds create dangerous fire weather. The area will see winds out of the south with gusts of up to 35 miles an hour, and the relative humidity is forecast to drop to around 25%. Another Red Flag Warning is in effect Friday from 11am-9pm gusty west winds around 30 miles an hour and relative humidity below 20% will further dry out an already parched portion of the state. Forecasters warn that the combination of low humidity, warm temperatures, and strong winds means any fires that break out will spread rapidly, and they’re advising against any outdoor burning.
The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a building fire. The department received multiple calls regarding a fire at 10:34 p.m. last night at an abandoned farm site on County Road 136 in St. Augusta. Upon arrival, the St. Augusta Fire Department found a shed engulfed in flames on the west side of the property. Firefighters extinguished the blaze before it could spread to other structures. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
A child suffered minor injuries after they were struck while crossing a Sauk Rapids street on their bike. Police Chief Perry Beise says a 16-year-old driver was heading north on Benton Drive just after 7pm when the driver came upon a crosswalk at 10th Street North. Beise says the driver slowed to allow three bicyclists to cross. Once the cyclists were across the road, the driver continued northbound and struck a 12-year-old bicyclist who was following behind the group. The 12-year-old child suffered scratches and scrapes from the road and was taken by ambulance to St. Cloud Hospital for observation and treatment of injuries.
Minnesota legislators and Governor Tim Walz announced a bipartisan budget agreement Wednesday that includes hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for Hennepin County Medical Center, a key sticking point during end-of-session negotiations at the Capitol. According to lawmakers involved in the negotiations, the agreement includes $205 million in one-time funding for Hennepin Healthcare this year, along with another $500 million through 2031. The package would bring the total investment to roughly $705 million over the next five years. The one-page supplemental budget agreement was signed by Walz, House Speaker Lisa Demuth, Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy and House DFL Leader Zack Stephenson. Lawmakers still must finalize bill language and pass the measures through both chambers before the legislature adjourns on May 18. Also included in the agreement are several other bipartisan priorities, including Republican-backed reductions to auto tab fees, $125 million in property tax relief for counties and a $1.2 billion bonding bill for infrastructure projects across Minnesota. DFL Rep. Esther Agbaje, one of the lead authors of the bill, praised the agreement in a statement posted to Facebook Wednesday night.
Weather: Red Flag Warning until 4pm Thursday, Red Flag Warning 11am-9pm Friday. Friday sunny and windy, high 81, wind gusts 15-35mph, clear skies Friday night breezy, low 49. Saturday sunny and not as windy, high 73, clear Saturday night low 43. Sunday partly sunny, morning showers, then PM showers and T-storms some strong with gusty winds, high 72, wind gusts 20-35mph in the afternoon. Sunday night rain showers likely, low 48. Monday rain showers likely high 74, Monday night rain ending low near 40. Tuesday sunny and breezy, high 60, low around 37, Wednesday sunny high 66, low near 40.
Sports: Due to possible bad weather Sunday, the Victory League Game of the Week will now be Saturday at 3pm between Pierz Lakers at Buckman again Saturday at 3pm on AM960 KLTF. The Twins open a series Friday with Milwaukee Brewers at Target Field games will be at 6:10 Friday and Saturday and 1:10 on Sunday. The Minnesota Timberwolves host San Antonio in game 6 of the NBA playoffs Friday at 8:30pm, the Wolves are down 3-2 and need to win to force a game 7 on Sunday.