Wednesday, July 1, 2026
A strong storm damaged numerous trees and knocked power out to thousands of people late Monday, June 29, in Crow Wing County. A tornado warning was issued shortly before 11 p.m. Monday noting a storm capable of producing 70 mph wind gusts, golf-ball sized hail and tornadoes was moving toward Crow Wing County. The storm, which traveled west to east across the county, brought winds of 64 mph to the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport and numerous reports of tree damage in the area, including one in Mission Township in which a 100-foot tree and several smaller ones were felled and the branches speared into the ground. Along with tree damage, there were a few reports of property damage to homes and outbuildings along the storm's path. Clayton Barg, Crow Wing County emergency management director, said his office received reports of heavy wind damage in Crosby, Emily, Ross Lake Township and in the Ossipee Road area in Center and Lake Edward townships north of Merrifield. Off the northwest edge of Perch Lake on Ossipee Road in Center Township, a home had all the pine trees in its front yard overturned and its garage collapsed in by strong winds. On Perch Lake, a pontoon boat was flipped upside down in the water, with its pontoons in the air and the boat lift it was attached to overturned. Traveling east on Ossipee Road, groups of trees were leaning or snapped in half, with debris covering the roadway. Some driveways could only be identified by the blue house markers as they were covered with branches and trees. There were also reports of property damage near Emily, according to the National Weather Service in Duluth. Barg said they were also informed of farm equipment being damaged in the Ross Lake area. He said the county's damage assessment was ongoing as of Tuesday afternoon. Joe Moore, warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Duluth, said his office has been in close contact with Barg and received numerous Facebook messages and phone calls from weather spotters about the storm. At this time, Moore said weather service personnel were not planning to survey the storm damage at this time.
Stearns County prosecutors have charged a Cold Spring man with one count of 2nd-degree murder in the stabbing death of a group home worker. According to the criminal complaint, 33-year-old Luke McLane stabbed the man in the neck multiple times on Saturday at the home in the 400 block of 8th Avenue North in Cold Spring. The President/CEO of Catholic Charities says the victim in the case was an employee of Catholic Charities assigned to the home. His name has not been released. Law enforcement responded to the scene, where they found the man outside and on the ground with a severe injury to his neck. A witness was applying pressure to the wound when officers arrived. Despite life-saving efforts, the victim died at the scene. The charges allege McLane was standing on the deck yelling that he told the victim that he'd do it. Witnesses told authorities that McLane was seen on top of the victim and yelling that he was going to kill him. A witness said that when McLane got off the victim, they could see that he had suffered severe knife wounds to his neck.
Drivers who use a St. Cloud road connecting the Lake George neighborhood to Highway 23 should plan for delays over the next couple of weeks. The St. Cloud City Engineer’s Office says 15th Avenue South will be intermittently closed to through traffic in single-block intervals between Highway 23 and 8th Street South. The closures took effect on Tuesday. According to the City Engineer’s Office, the work will happen daily between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and is expected to last about two weeks. The closures are tied to planned water service replacement work in the area. Because the shutdowns move one block at a time, the affected stretch of road will shift throughout the project. Drivers are encouraged to seek alternate routes during the work hours.
The Minnesota Legislature got down to business this session, writing and passing laws to improve issues around public safety, education and environmental protections to name a few. A list of several laws that take effect in Minnesota on Wednesday, July 1. For the entire list the U.S. House website here https://www.house.mn.gov/. Some new laws include: Starting Wednesday, Minnesota schools will be required to adopt an anonymous threat reporting system that must include a 24-hour mobile application, website or toll-free hotline that can receive anonymous tips regarding dangerous, violent, threatening, harmful, or potentially harmful activity that occurs, or is threatened on, school property or relates to an enrolled student or school personnel. The law also appropriates $4 million in fiscal year 2027 in school grants to help districts develop, purchase, implement, operate and maintain those systems. July 1 also brings a teacher reporting requirement, which mandates local authorities notify the proper licensing board when a teacher is criminally charged with an offense that triggers automatic license denial, refusal to renew, or revocation without a right to a hearing, or with any other offense that requires the person to register as a predatory offender. The fund provides more than $130 million toward projects aimed at environmental protection, conservation, preservation and enhancement. The law states $102 million will support 108 projects, including land acquisition, data collection and research, environmental education, invasive species management and habitat restoration. Early childhood mental health was also on the docket last session, as the legislature approved a grant program to support specialized mental health care for kids 5 and under. The law mandates that funds go toward identifying concerns early through observation, screening and guidance; creating and providing training to early childhood professionals that includes evidence-based or evidence-informed clinical practices related to infant and early childhood mental health, and train-the-trainer models to build capacity for grantees to train their staff; and providing direct or reflective consultation to early education professionals. Kids who use social media platforms will now see a mental health warning each time they log in. The warning label includes warnings of potential health impacts from social media and provides resources to address those impacts. Under the new supplemental budget provision, $47.44 million will be spent on security programs and upgrades, as well as victim services, for judges and judicial staff. The money also supports staffing, overtime and extra security measures for people entering the State Capitol. July 1 also funds mandatory training for peace officers in de-escalation techniques, implicit bias and crisis management to improve community-police relations; legislator security protection from the State Patrol and other law enforcement agencies when they receive credible safety threats; a domestic violence task force; and trafficking prevention, among others.
Supreme Court News: The United States Supreme Court ruled Tuesday on the Trump administration's effort to limit birthright citizenship. The court, in a 6-3 decision, struck down President Donald Trump's executive order that would have undercut the concept that any person born on American soil is automatically a citizen. The majority opinion, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, affirmed that the executive order violates the 14th amendment of the Constitution, offering equal protections to all Americans. The Supreme Court also Tuesday has handed women a massive victory by upholding reality and federal law with a favorable ruling on two landmark cases in a single opinion. Women’s sports CAN be just for women. The phrasing there is important and I’ll explain why in a moment. In a landmark decision addressing laws in Idaho and West Virginia, the court upheld state protections reserving women's sports for women. The court held that state laws reserving girls’ and women’s sports for biological females do not violate Title IX or the equal protection clause. In other words, "sex" means biological sex, not a subjective identity that changes from person to person.
Kristyna Chantry is the July Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Employee of the Month. Chantry works at the Morrison County Attorney's Office. Thank you so much for this incredible honor. I am truly humbled to work among so many dedicated leaders, mentors, and colleagues in Morrison County. I could not succeed in this career without the support of my team at the County Attorney's Office. Collaborating with my fellow attorneys is essential, and our support staff is absolutely invaluable. I am deeply thankful to work alongside our incredible law enforcement community, other community justice partners, and the citizens I am privileged to serve. It is a distinct honor to work in the community where I grew up, and where I am now raising my two children. I want to thank my family for picking up the slack when my career demands more of me. I couldn't do this without my husband, Todd Chantry; my parents, Tom and Becky Zak; my sister, Allison Girtz; my sons, Zakary and Myles Stavish; and my son's father, Bryan Stavish. Working in this field carries a profound responsibility. Brian Middendorf (Supervisor) said that Kristyna is far too humble to brag about her own accomplishments, but I am happy to do it for her. Kristyna is a Little Falls native who put herself through law school while working a full-time job. Following law school, she was hired as a judge’s law clerk before coming to work in my office. Kristyna has been an employee of the Morrison County Attorney’s Office for the past six and a half years. Kristyna’s caseload is primarily adult felony prosecution and child protection cases, which can be incredibly difficult and stressful work. Yet, she finds time to help others in the office who need assistance and is always willing to lend a hand. During her tenure here, Kristyna has established herself as an invaluable member of the county attorney’s office. I have come to rely on her experience and judgment on the most serious matters facing this office. Every day, she provides high-quality legal services on behalf of the citizens of Morrison County and is deserving of this recognition.
Death Notices: Jesse J. James, age 92, Little Falls.
Weather: Wednesday slight chance of morning thunderstorms, then partly sunny, high 84. Chance of early evening T-storms Wednesday then clearing low around 61. Sunny and hot Thursday high near 90, showers and storms after midnight Thursday night low 64. Morning and late day thunderstorms likely Friday some with heavy rains and gusty winds, high around 86, low Friday around 63. Thunderstorms with locally heavy rains on the 4th of July Saturday high 81, more strong storms Saturday night low around 62. Sunny skies on Sunday less humid, high near 80, clear Sunday night low around 60. Showers possible Monday and Tuesday next week warmer again, high near 85, low around 65 degrees.
Sports: Twins wrap up series at Houston Wednesday night at 7:10pm then Twins are off Thursday and at New York Yankees on Friday. Team USA vs. Bosnia Wednesday night 7pm in the knockout out of the World Cup of Soccer. NBA's Lebron James has informed the LA Lakers that he will not be returning next season to their team and told them to fill his position as he will be looking elsewhere, Golden State has made interest in signing James. Little Falls VFW hosts Sauk Rapids Wednesday, Little Falls American Legion is at Pierz American Legion on Thursday night. Victory League Wednesday night Ft. Ripley at Pierz Lakers at 7:30pm after Wednesday there are no Victory League league (non exhibition) games until July 10th. The next KLTF Victory League Game of the Week is Nisswa at Pierz Lakers July 12th at 1:30pm on AM960 KLTF.