Thursday, August 20, 2026
Mike Lindell says he will privately fund a statewide hand recount and audit of ballots cast in Minnesota's August 11 Republican primary for governor. Lindell, who lost the GOP primary, announced Wednesday that he plans to pursue a recount after alleging irregularities in election-night reporting data. Among the claims, Lindell said vote totals moved backward during reporting and that some counties reported more votes than ballots cast. He did not provide evidence in his announcement showing those alleged irregularities affected the certified results. "One of the few good election laws Minnesota does have, is that as a candidate, I have the right to completely audit and hand count every ballot in the state, and I am going to exercise that right to full extent of the law," Lindell said. Minnesota law allows candidates to request a recount under certain circumstances. It was not immediately clear Wednesday whether Lindell had formally filed a recount request. Lindell said he plans to fund the effort himself and allow observers throughout the recount process. He also said the recount is part of his broader push to eliminate electronic voting machines.
One person is dead another seriously hurt in a two-vehicle accident Wednesday afternoon around 3:45pm on Highway 95 in Mille Lacs County. 52-year-old Jason Ziebarth of St. Cloud apparently crossed the center line and struck another vehicle head-on. Ziebarth was taken to North Memorial Medical Center with critical life threatening injuries. The other driver 79-year-old Arden Rouse of Audubon and a passenger 74-year-old Janet Huntley of Audubon had non life threatening injuries and taken to St. Cloud Hospital. Another passenger 77 year old Linda Rouse was dead at the scene when authorities arrived. The State Patrol has reported that alcohol may have been a factor in the case against Ziebarth as they continue to investigate.
A Stearns County man faces felony charges after a large drug bust on Monday. The Central Minnesota Violent Offender Task Force has arrested 28-year-old Rodolfo Ramirez Jr. of Meire Grove on suspicion of 1st-degree drug possession. The task force was investigating the distribution of methamphetamine in central Minnesota when they made a traffic stop in Richmond. Authorities used a search warrant to search Ramirez' vehicle and allegedly found three-and-a-half pounds of methamphetamine inside. Ramirez was booked into the Stearns County Jail where he is being held for court. Stearns County prosecutors have charged Ramirez with one felony count of 1st-degree possession of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. According to the criminal complaint, Ramirez has a previous drug possession conviction in Stearns County from 2022.
The Sartell Police Department are reporting vandalism at Val Smith Park. Alicia Mages from Tri County Crimestoppers says several spots on the playground and pavilion were spray painted with words, symbols, and pictures. The Stearns County Sheriff's Office are also reporting property damage to the Kimball Golf Course. Mages says there was damage to putting green #1 and some golf carts. If you have information on any unsolved crimes in the Stearns, Benton or Sherburne County area please report information by calling Crimestoppers at 1-800-255-1301, online at tricountycrimestoppers.org and click on submit a tip or use the P3 mobile app and submit your information that way.
A man wanted on a Stearns County felony warrant is being held in Mexico while authorities work to return him to Minnesota. The U.S. Marshals Service and Mexican authorities took Matias Polster into custody Monday, August 17th, near Celaya, Mexico. He is being held pending legal extradition procedures that would bring him back to Stearns County. The warrant charges Polster with failure to register as a predatory offender, a felony. A Stearns County deputy assigned to the North Star Fugitive Task Force tracked Polster to the Celaya area. The task force is a multi-agency law enforcement team operating in the District of Minnesota under the direction of the U.S. Marshals Service, pairing federal deputies with local investigators to locate fugitives who have fled a jurisdiction. No timeline has been released for when Polster might be returned to Minnesota.
Minnesota's minimum wage will increase to $11.87 an hour for all employers statewide beginning Jan. 1, 2027, according to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. The increase reflects a 3.99% inflation adjustment required under state law. The state's 90-day training wage for workers younger than 20 will also increase, rising to $9.68 an hour on Jan. 1. The training wage adjustment likewise reflects the 3.99% increase. State officials noted that workers in Minneapolis and St. Paul may be subject to different minimum-wage rates. Both cities have local minimum-wage ordinances that require higher wage rates for work performed within their boundaries. Minnesota law requires employers to post state-mandated labor notices in areas where employees can easily view them. The Department of Labor and Industry said an updated minimum-wage poster reflecting the new rates will be available for download this fall. Employers are also required to provide employees with written notice of any change before it takes effect, including changes to pay rates. The new statewide minimum-wage rates take effect Jan. 1, 2027.
Upsala Area Schools will host their yearly open house August 26th from 4-8pm. There will be grade 7 orientation in the auditorium at 6pm. All students K through 12 are invited to come and see the items at the school. A reminder from Upsala Area School school starts for all students this year on September 1st.
There are events Thursday including a picnic at the Splash Pad Park with Wondertrek for the Kids, all free of charge from 4-7pm north of Little Falls on Prairie Drive. Linden Hill has their lumberjack fest event Thursday night with meal, games and other items on the agenda, advance tickets were to be asked for, but you can see if any remain by calling Linden Hill at 616-5580 that is Thursday from 5-8pm. Also join 94ROCKS Paladin live from Track Stop outside of Brainerd International Raceway and Jim Campbell Racing with his racing funny car heading into Nationals this weekend at BIR in Baxter, Paladin will be live 5-7pm Thursday on 94ROCKS KFML and online at fallsradio.com.
Death Notices: Russell Hohmann, age 37 of Rice. Lauris Dean Krogstad, age 88 of Little Falls. Carol Lovdahl, age 91 of Little Falls.
Weather: chance of showers and thunderstorms before noon, then sunny skies, high 83, slight chance of redeveloping T-storms after 4pm today, then clearing tonight low 52. Friday sunny skies, high 82, clear Friday night low around 50. Saturday sunny skies, high 78, clear Saturday night low near 50. Sunday sunny skies, high 81, clear Sunday night low 55. Sunny and warmer Monday, high 84, storms Monday night low around 60. Storms possible Tuesday high near 80, low around 54.
Sports: Kody Clemens had 2 hits and 3 RBIs to help the Twins get the sweep over the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday winning 6-4. Twins have Thursday off, at San Diego late Friday night. Minnesota Lynx pick up their 30th win of the season 77-66 last night over Golden State, Olivia Miles and Kayla McBride had 6 three pointers between the two and 20 points each in the win. Lynx wrap up the road trip Friday night at Washington. Vikings will host Baltimore on Saturday at noon at U.S. Bank Stadium. James Hershey spoke with new Little Falls Flyer Boys Hockey Coach Austin Fenske and you can hear that interview Saturday on the Sports Wrap at 9:05am on KLTF along with some tennis results from matches on Friday and preview the Class C and B Baseball Tournament and games this weekend on AM960 KLTF and fallsradio.com.