Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Ground Hog News: The groundhog known as Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow Monday morning. That means we could see six more weeks of winter, at least according to Groundhog Day lore. The was the fifth time in the last six years that Phil has seen his shadow, and the 20th time since 2000. Phil’s prediction comes on the heels of back-to-back winter storms, so it's no surprise that some in the crowd booed, unhappy with the furry seer's prognostication. Phil is not the best weather forecasters as since the beginning of the proclamation of the forecasting of the spring and winter end, Phil is about 39% accurate less than a coin flip, so as always we will wait and see if six more weeks of winter comes our way.
Two kids are safe after the ATV they were riding broke through the ice over the weekend. The Meeker County Sheriff's Office says they received a call about an ATV breaking through the ice on Belle Lake at 2:45 p.m. on Sunday. The incident took place near the lake access on 163rd Street in Ellsworth Township, southwest of Dassel. The Sheriff's Office says the juvenile driver of the ATV told them that while returning to shore, the front end of the ATV went through the ice, and the vehicle eventually sank all the way through. Both the driver and a juvenile passenger were able to make it to shore without injury.
A structure fire just west of Wadena claimed the lives of a man and a dog on Thursday. The Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office, along with several local fire departments, responded to the scene in rural Compton Township at approximately 7:40 p.m. that night. One man, later identified as 73-year-old David Hanes of Wadena, was found unresponsive at the scene. Lifesaving measures were administered, and Hanes was transported to Astera Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. A family dog was also found deceased inside the building. The residence was declared a total loss. The cause of the fire remains under investigation but is believed to be non-suspicious in nature.
A former St. Cloud man has been charged with raping a woman that he used to date. Stearns County prosecutors have charged 20-year-old Devone Johnson of Slidell, Louisiana, with 1st-degree criminal sexual conduct and 3rd-degree criminal sexual conduct. According to the charges, a woman told several people that she was at a residence with Johnson in November. The woman said she went to bed, and Johnson started kissing her. The victim said she told Johnson that she didn't want to have sex, but he climbed on top of her, held her down, and forced intercourse on her. Court records show the woman was crying and begging Johnson to stop. The charges allege Johnson admitted to another woman that he raped the victim. However, the court file shows Johnson denied to authorities that he had sex on Thanksgiving or the day before and that he only had consensual sex with the victim. Johnson has been booked into the Stearns County Jail.
The Sherburne County Sheriff's Office is asking for help with its investigation into a child abduction case in Zimmerman. The sheriff's office is working with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the FBI regarding the kidnapping and sexual assault of a 7-year-old girl. Investigators say the suspect, 28-year-old Joseph Bragg, had communicated with parents through social media, offering to provide nanny or daycare services. Authorities are asking anyone who hired Bragg as a nanny to contact them through the Minnesota BCA tipline. The tip line can be reached by calling (651) 793-2465. Bragg was arrested, and the girl was found alive hours after the January 21st abduction.
Cold Spring Republican House Speaker and Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Lisa Demuth and her running mate Ryan Wilson are hitting the road for an eight-city tour across the state Monday, one day before Tuesday’s precinct caucuses. The pair will start with a morning press conference at the State Capitol in St. Paul before visiting Moorhead, Crookston, Bemidji, Rochester, Mankato, New Ulm and Worthington throughout the day. Demuth plans to meet with voters and media in each community to discuss her platform focused on affordability for residents and businesses. “Just three months into my campaign, we’ve had hundreds of conversations with people who have told us they want a real change at the very top of their state government,” Demuth said in a statement. “We’ve shared our vision for making a stronger, better Minnesota. We’ve also listened to voters’ concerns and asked them for their input.” Demuth criticized her Democratic opponent, Senator Amy Klobuchar, saying her two decades in Washington would represent a continuation of current Governor Tim Walz’s policies. “Minnesotans we’ve spoken with have made it clear. They do not want a Walz third term,” Demuth said. “And that’s what Amy Klobuchar and her 20-year voting record in Washington D.C. would bring to Minnesota.” The tour comes as Republicans prepare for Tuesday evening’s precinct caucuses, which mark the beginning of the party’s endorsement process leading up to the November election. Tuesday is Caucus Tuesday in Minnesota with DFL and GOP Caucuses around the state in Morrison County, both parties will be either at the Little Falls Community Middle School and Little Falls Community High School at 7pm on Tuesday night.
The Royalton FFA stopped by KLTF Monday with many students preparing for state and national conventions in their future. The FFA is hosting their alumni breakfast this Sunday from 8am-12pm for a free will offering. Jordie's in Bowlus is catering the breakfast for alumni, supporters or anyone coming to eat that Sunday at the high school. There will be a silent auction at the event and all proceeds from the event on Sunday go to support Royalton FFA. This is also a way to give back to all alumni and supporters who have helped in supporting the program through the years and keep them going in 2026.
Entertainment News: celebrity deaths over the past weekend, Actress Catherine O'Hara of "Home Alone" and "Beetlejuice" died at age 71. Actor Demond Wilson of "Sanford and Son" died at age 79. Singer Chuck Negron of "3 Dog Night" fame with his mustache, died on Monday at age 83.
Death Notices: Dr. Charles Ehlin, age 87 of Sartell. Danna P. Laliberte, age 84 of Swanville. Mariella L. Stavish, age 92 of Flensburg. Jacob "Jack" Novotny, age 90 of Little Falls. Donald W. Blaisdell, age 89 of Little Falls.
Weather: mostly sunny today, high 16, light snow overnight low around 5 above. Wednesday partly sunny and warmer, high 23, low around 16 Wednesday night with rising temps into Thursday some fog toward morning. Thursday freezing drizzle or fog early then partial sun and high near 40, Thursday night freezing drizzle or freeze fog, low 24. Friday temps rise to near 34 before 10am then falling to 22 by 5pm windy conditions also through the afternoon. Friday night low 4 above, Saturday partly sunny high near 20.
Sports: last night in local sports, Pierz boys and girls basketball got close wins, Royalton beat Holdingford in girls basketball, Alexandria beat Little Falls 1-0 in boys hockey, Brainerd-Little Falls girls hockey win 4-2 over Fergus Falls. The girls hockey team found out they are seeded #5 in section playoffs and open playoffs at Roseau on Thursday night. Section Nordic Skiing is today for Little Falls, Brainerd and other area ski teams as they try to advance to state. Get local sports scores live each morning with Alex at 6, 7 and 8am on Q92 WYRQ and AM960 KLTF and online at fallsradio.com.