Monday, November 24, 2025

A Winter Storm Watch goes into effect at 3pm Tuesday until 12pm Wednesday. RAIN WILL TRANSITION TO SNOW TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING, WITH ACCUMULATING SNOW FALLING THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING. GUSTY WINDS ALONGSIDE FALLING SNOW WILL LEAD TO REDUCED VISIBILITY DUE TO BLOWING SNOW. A potent upper level wave will move across the area on Tuesday, with rain initially becoming snow as the lower atmosphere cools underneath strengthening forcing for ascent. Rain early on will transition to snow generally from west to east as the atmosphere cools, becoming all snow by Tuesday evening. Snow rates could exceed 0.5 inches per hour at times leading to quick accumulations favoring central Minnesota. Winds will increase as the system moves through, with gusts as high as 35-40mph late Tuesday into early Wednesday leading to reduced visibility and blowing snow. Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations between 2 and 4 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning commutes.

One person is under arrest after a shooting and assault early Sunday morning in St. Cloud. According to a press release from the St. Cloud Police Department, it happened at about 4:20 at a home on the 800 block of 8th Avenue South. They say a 44-year-old was shot twice by a roommate. Another roommate, 55 years old, was assaulted by the suspect when they tried to intervene. The 31-year-old suspect tried to flee on foot, but was quickly arrested and booked into the Stearns County jail where he is awaiting formal charges. The handgun believed to have been used in the shooting was found at the scene. Everyone who was hurt is expected to recover. The investigation is ongoing.

The Benton County Sheriff's office is investigating the discovery of some human remains. Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to the 1500 block of East St. Germain Street in Minden Township at around 9:15 p.m. Wednesday. A St. Cloud Police officer responded to the scene first and determined the location of the body was in Minden Township, making it the sheriff's jurisdiction. Deputies secured the scene and obtained a search warrant for the property. Special agents with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension were called in to help with the investigation. The sheriff's office says the condition of the remains indicates the person had been there for some time. The location is a wooded area known in the past to be a homeless encampment. The body was taken to the Midwest Medical Examiner's Office for identification and a cause and manner of death. No other information has been released.

One person was flown to a Twin Cities hospital following a fire at a Staples apartment complex on Wednesday night. According to a press release from Staples Fire Department, firefighters were called to the Staples Hi-Rise Apartments around 9:30 p.m. and were advised that smoke was showing on the second floor of the 60-unit complex. A victim was located in the second-floor apartment where the fire originated. The victim was first taken by ambulance to Lakewood Health System before being flown to a Twin Cities metro hospital. The fire was contained to that one apartment, but other surrounding units sustained minor smoke damage. Several tenants were displaced due to the smoke and are receiving services from the Red Cross. The fire remains under investigation.

The State Fire Marshal and the Department of Natural Resources stated over the weekend that this week there is an increase risk of fires outside and inside. Still with the recent warmer temps and lower humidity levels, falling leaves and temps in the 50s there has been increase of wildfires in central and north central Minnesota especially around Morrison, Stearns, Benton and Todd Counties until wetter and colder temps come in later this week. Also with Thanksgiving Thursday the State Fire Marshal reminds those of indoor and outdoor cooking safety rules, fireplaces, wood stoves and other items could also be a factor in fires. Since November 10th firefighters around the state have responded to over two dozen indoor or outdoor fires including the fire at an apartment building under construction in Little Falls, an apartment fire in Staples, and two house fires near the Twin Cities Metro Area. Just a reminder to put safety first this week. 

Residents in State Senate District 13 will have a fresh face representing them after the next election. Senator Jeff Howe, a Republican from Rockville, announced this week that he will not seek another term. Howe has served for 13 years, first in the Minnesota House and then in the upper chamber. In a press release, he called the legislative career a “deeply rewarding journey that has been the most educational experience of my life.” Howe cites public safety and veterans’ support measures as the most important legislation he worked on in St. Paul. Howe says he is looking forward to spending more time with his wife, children, and grandchildren once he steps aside after the 2026 session. Senate District 13 covers the eastern half of Stearns County except for St. Cloud, St. Augusta, and Waite Park. It also trickles over to east Sartell and Sauk Rapids in Benton County. Howe is one of many politicians including Senator Tina Smith, State Representative Ron Kresha and others who announced they are not seeking reelection next year in 2026.

Authorities in Iowa have confirmed another search was carried out this week in Minnesota, as part of the investigation into the disappearance of TV news anchor Jodi Huisentruit in 1995. Acting Mason City Police Chief Mike McKelvey confirmed to FindJodi that officers were in rural Winsted, Minn., at a property that had previously been searched, but was being rechecked after a house was torn down. "Law enforcement used a specially-trained dog to examine the area reference a possible lead regarding Jodi’s case," McKelvey said. "In the areas where the dog showed interest, machinery was used to dig and excavate the site to look for evidence related to our case. Nothing at all was found. "This tip did not pan out, but we felt it was important to examine the site since the house was recently removed. Again, nothing was found." Huisentruit, was a 27-year-old originally from Long Prairie, Minn and failed to show up to work at KIMT-TV in Mason City, Iowa, where she anchored the morning news program, on June 27, 1995. No clues have ever been found to find a suspect or the whereabouts of Huisentruit as Mason City Police continue to hear from many possible tips.

Wednesday has become one of the nights with the most DWI arrests in Minnesota. Since 2021 the night before Thanksgiving has seen almost 20% (18.8%) of yearly DUI and DWI arrests also an uptick in previous years for other arrests for impaired substances while driving. In the past two years Wisconsin and other states have also seen an uptick in DWI arrests on Thanksgiving Eve. Please Don't Drink and Drive and extra law enforcement will be out this Wednesday night watching for impaired drivers. 

The Pierz City Council meets Monday at 7pm at Pierz City Hall.

Birth Announcement: Nathan and Morgan Girtz of Pierz, had a baby boy born November 15th.

Death Notices: Marilyn E. Mueller, age 94 of Little Falls. Corrine "Reni" Mary Stroschein, age 76 of Little Falls and Long Prairie. 

Weather: increasing clouds today high 48, rain after midnight, low 35. Rain showers in the morning Tuesday then snow in afternoon as a Winter Storm Watch goes into effect at 3pm snow likely Tuesday night, temps rising to 41 then dropping to 28 by evening, 2-4 inches of snow possible by Wednesday morning. Wednesday cloudy and snow showers before noon, gusty winds over 30-40mph with blowing and drifting snow, temps steady around 27, dropping to 12 Wednesday night with clearing skies. Thanksgiving Day Sunny and cold, high 21, low around 6 above. Friday cloudy and cold, high 24 snow develops Friday into into Saturday, lows Friday night around 11, high on Saturday near 26. 

Sports: Green Bay beat the Vikings 23-6 on Sunday at Lambeau Field. Vikings fall to 4-7 on the season as they also lose a lot of ground in the division as Packers, Lions win in OT over Giants and Bears win by 3 over the Steelers. Chiefs win in OT over Colts, Dallas comes back to beat Eagles and last night the Rams rout the Bucs 34-7 on SNF.  Vikings are at Seattle on Sunday at 3:05pm on AM960 KLTF.  Tonight Carolina vs. San Francisco on MNF at 6pm on AM960 KLTF. Northwestern 38-35 over Gophers Saturday in football. High School Football Prep Bowl winners Minneota, Orono, Jackson County Central and Edina won Friday. Hills-Beaver Creek, Annandale and Spring Lake Park won titles on Saturday. Brainerd-Little Falls girls hockey 2-0 win over Duluth Central Saturday, Luvurne beat Little Falls 2-1 Saturday in boys hockey. Lindy Dancers another 1st place finish this time in Varsity and JV Kick Saturday at their dance invite in Little Falls. Girls Basketball on Tuesday has Pierz at Swanville live at 7pm on 94ROCKS KFML and fallsradio.com.