Tuesday, January 27, 2026
The Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office has received several calls from community members regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in the area. At this time, the Sheriff would like to provide clarification regarding the Sheriff’s Office’s involvement. Today 1/26/2026 at 11am, the Sheriff’s Office was asked to assist an Homeland Security Investigation team with the execution of two federal arrest warrants in downtown Brainerd. Deputies provided assistance during that arrest as requested. Four subjects were arrested without incident. The Sheriff’s Office does not have information regarding where or when Homeland Security may be conducting operations elsewhere in the county or state. Those activities are
managed independently by Homeland Security. The Sheriff’s Office remains committed to transparency and to serving the safety needs of the community.
After meeting with President Donald Trump by telephone, Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey reported progress was made as the President announced that some Federal Agents will be leaving Minnesota today and The Border Czar Tom Homan will replace Border Chief Gregory Bovino. Both sides reported they were on a "similar wavelength" but the Governor asked for all agent to be removed which did not happen, The President said he was unhappy on the way his administration was portrayed. This all comes from the shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti on Saturday in Minneapolis which is sill being investigated by federal authorities which the State would like some say in the investigation also in this case.
A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle last night in Staples at the intersection of westbound Highway along with Highway 210. Just after 9pm, Susan Horstmann, age 55 of Staples was on Highway 10 when she struck a pedestrian walking on the roadway near the intersection. The pedestrian was a 28 -year-old from New Richmond. No word was given on a condition of the person who was struck. The driver of the vehicle was not hurt.
At a special meeting held on Monday, the Brainerd Public School Board unanimously selected five semi finalists to interview for the school district’s superintendent position. The semi-finalists are: Brian Masterson, Superintendent, Hinckley-Finlayson Schools, MN; Charlie Campbell, Associate Director, Minnesota State High School League, Campbell has longtime ties to Brainerd schools as the former athletic/activities director. Chip Rankin, Superintendent, Minnewaska Area Schools, MN; Dr. James Wagner, Superintendent, Le Sueur/Henderson School District, MN; Dr. Mike Neubeck, Interim Superintendent, Jackson County Central Public Schools, MN. The semi-finalists were selected from a pool of 20 applicants based on criteria established by the school board, as well as survey input provided by Brainerd staff and members of the public. The school board has scheduled interviews for the semi-finalists beginning at noon on Monday, February 2, and Tuesday, February 3, 2026. All interviews will be held at the Washington Educational Services Building at 804 Oak Street and are open to the public. To ensure a level playing field for all candidates the interviews will not be livestreamed; however, recordings of those selected to move on to a second round as finalists will be posted on the district website.
A St. Cloud man has been arrested and will be extradited to Louisiana to face charges that he solicited a minor. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension notified the St. Cloud Police Department that 32-year-old Jeffrey Ronnei of St. Cloud had a nationwide warrant issued by the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office in Louisiana. Ronnei was wanted on suspicion of Computer-Aided Solicitation of a Minor and Indecent Behavior With Juveniles. The SCPD's Community Response Team made a traffic stop in the 200 block of County Road 120 in Sartell just after 7:00 a.m. on Friday, January 16th. They arrested Ronnei without incident. According to the affidavit for arrest filed in Stearns County District Court, the grandmother of a 13-year-old girl found a hidden cell phone in the girl's room containing conversations with men on Snapchat. The affidavit says one of the men in those conversations was Ronnei. He is accused of sending photos exposing himself and masturbating. Ronnei is also accused of soliciting the girl for nude photos of herself. Authorities say forensics requests linked Ronnei to the Snapchat account on the phone and his email address. According to court filings, Ronnei has waived extradition and will be brought to Louisiana to face the charges.
Today, a proclamation event will be held for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities as all 33 schools in the system will receive the designation as a Beyond the Yellow Ribbon organization. “It is deeply meaningful to see all of our Minnesota State colleges and universities become part of the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon network together,” said Army Brig. Gen. Joseph Sharkey, commanding general of the 34th Infantry Division. “The Minnesota National Guard is extremely thankful for their support to the service and sacrifices of our veterans, service members, and their families.” The Minnesota State system office earned the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon designation in 2010. As of 2025, 18 of the 33 Minnesota State colleges and universities had been recognized as individual Beyond the Yellow Ribbon organizations. Now, with the upcoming proclamation event, the remainder of the institutions of higher learning within the system will also join the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon network, marking a major accomplishment for Minnesota State. “We are proud that all 33 colleges and universities within the Minnesota State system have earned the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon designation,” said Scott Olson, Minnesota State chancellor. “It is our honor to provide a supportive work environment for our active military and veteran employees, and their families.” Minnesota State also offers a wide range of resources and services designed to support military-connected students as they transition from military service to higher education. Every Minnesota State college and university has a dedicated Veteran and Military Resource Center that serves as a central point of connection, advocacy, and support for veterans, service members, and their families. In addition, credit may be awarded for military courses and occupations based on official military transcripts, helping students progress more quickly toward their academic goals.
Join KLTF Party Line today at Mary of Lourdes Middle School for Catholic Schools Week. Hear the program with students and faculty on what Mary of Lourdes Elementary and Middle School have planned this week. The program airs live at 10:05 on AM960 KLTF and fallsradio.com.
Death Notices: Kieran Kloss, age 16 of Royalton. Jason Gruber, age 53 of Pierz. Shirley Boser, age 84 of Pierz.
Weather: flurries and snow showers this morning, temps stay steady around 6 above, winds Northwest of 15-30mph, wind chills well below zero. Clearing tonight low -10 below zero, wind chills near -25. Wednesday sunny and cold, high 5 above, low -13 below zero, but less wind. Thursday again sunny and cold high 4 above zero while lows Thursday around -11 below zero. Friday sunny still chilly high of 8 above.
Sports: Washington is hiring Vikings Defensive Back coach Daronte Jones as their new Defensive Coordinator. High School Boys Basketball tonight Milaca at Pierz 7:15pm on 94ROCKS KFML and also Albany at Little Falls tonight 7:15pm on Q92 WYRQ and both streamed at fallsradio.com.