Thursday, January 22, 2026

An Extreme Cold Warning has been issued at 5pm Thursday to 11am Friday then an Extreme Cold Watch from 11am Friday to noon Saturday. There are a number of cold weather advisories issued through Sunday afternoon also due to bitter cold and strong winds in the extended forecast. The warning was issued for central Minnesota as temps will drop Thursday to -15 in the afternoon and -25 at night with winds gusting 25-35mph at times making wind chills in the afternoon Thursday around -20 to -25 and then Thursday night possible wind chills of -40 to -50 below zero into Friday. 

Light snow on Wednesday led to slippery roadways and accidents in central Minnesota. One person was injured in an accident in Villard Township of Todd County and taken to Staples Hospital. One person was injured in Sherburne County near Elk River and taken to an area hospital. The State Patrol responded to numerous accidents in southern Minnesota Wednesday due to slippery snow covered roadways. In all cases reported as of late Wednesday afternoon the injuries were all non life threatening.

The Pierz woman struck by a vehicle last week near the Pierz Post Office has died. According to Emblom Brenny Funeral Service, 85-year-old Janet "Jan" Brixius died from injuries after being struck by a vehicle near the Post Office last Tuesday afternoon, January 13th. A Celebration of Life is planned in February for Janet. 

Two 10th-graders from Northfield High School were involved in a crash on Monday, leaving one dead and another hospitalized with serious injuries.  According to the Dakota County Sheriff's Office, the crash happened at 3:23 p.m. when a semi and a 2012 Lexus CT collided at the intersection of 320th Street at Foliage Avenue, located about a mile northwest of Northfield. Two 16-year-old girls were found unresponsive in the Lexus. The driver, identified as Berlyn Berghuis, of Northfield, died at the scene. The teenage passenger was airlifted to a hospital with serious injuries. Northfield Police Chief Jeff Schroepfer said Tuesday that the 16-year-old who survived the crash remains in serious condition. "Preliminary information indicates the driver of a semi traveling westbound on 320th Street collided with a 2012 Lexus CT that attempted to turn east on 320th Street from Foliage Avenue," the sheriff's report says. The driver of the semi was not injured. 

Former NFL sideline reporter Michele Tafoya is running for Minnesota's open U.S. Senate seat as a Republican. Tafoya, who is 61, filed paperwork Tuesday and announced her campaign Wednesday, explaining in that her 30-year career as a sports broadcaster taught her "how leadership really works." "When leaders are prepared and accountable, teams succeed," she says. "When they aren't, people pay the price." Tafoya is seeking Democratic Senator Tina Smith's seat amid her retirement at the end of the year, as are DFLers Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Rep. Angie Craig. “For too long, hardworking people have been ripped off by criminals, corporations and career politicians, and the people doing everything right are the ones paying the biggest price,” Tafoya says. “Well, I’m not going to stay on the sidelines any longer.” Priorities highlighted in Tafoya's video include fighting corruption, ending fraud, supporting police, deporting criminals, keeping transgender athletes out of female sports, cutting taxes, and lowering the cost of groceries, prescription drugs, and mortgages and rent. When Tafoya retired from TV sports reporting in 2022, she got involved in politics for the first time, becoming the co-chair for Kendall Qualls' unsuccessful gubernatorial bid. She now hosts her own podcast on sports, culture, and politics. Others seeking the GOP nomination in 2026 include former state GOP chairman David Hann, former professional basketball player Royce White, and former Navy SEAL Adam Schwarze.

Death Notices: Linda Wimer, age 76 of Little Falls. 

Weather: Thursday sunny and cold, temps rise to 1 above before 9am then fall to -15 by late afternoon with winds gusting 20-35mph, wind chill factors of -20 to -35 by late afternoon. Extreme Cold Warning at 5pm Thursday to 11am Friday, extreme cold Thursday night, low -26 wind chills of -40 to -45 in many areas. Friday sunny and extreme cold, high -11, wind chills near -40 early winds will die down on Friday, very cold still Friday low -31, wind chills of -42. Saturday sunny and cold, high -5, low around -20 with lighter winds. Sunday increasing clouds, high 4 above, winds pick up with low of -18 and wind chills -25 to -35 Sunday night into Monday. Light snow but windy Monday still cold high of 8 above.

Sports: Minnesota Twins acquire infielder Tristan Gray from Boston Red Sox for a minor leaguer. Listen to Little Falls Radio on Thursday for the latest weather related announcements on what games will or will not be played and how that will effect the broadcast schedule due to the bitter cold and windy conditions.