News

Tuesday November 3rd (today) is Election Day and there are many elections on the Federal, State and Local level this year. U.S. Senate Race for Minnesota, Governor of Minnesota, All U.S. House Seats are up for election, There are local State House and State Senate races including Senate District 10 and 5 in Morrison County, State House Seats in 10A, 10B and 5B in Morrison County. County races for Commissioner and other offices, there are city races and local races also for mayor, city council, school board and some township elections also happening Tuesday. To see the ballot you vote for, where to vote or who is on the ballot for any race in Minnesota, go to this website here https://www.sos.mn.gov/elections-voting/election-day-voting/. A reminder if you vote in the city of Little Falls, Ward 1, which is the southeast and east portion of Little Falls and the first four blocks of northeast Little Falls votes at the Initiative Foundation, Ward 2 is the full north and remaining northeast portion of Little Falls votes at City Hall and Ward 3 the entire west side of Little Falls and also now the golf course area on the south end of Little Falls votes at Bethel Lutheran Church. Polling places are open today from 7am-8pm. For details in Little Falls call City Hall at 320-616-5500. AM960 KLTF will have state and national election coverage beginning tonight after the 5pm news from Salem Radio Network and from Learfield Radio after the polls close at 8pm. A reminder to check back after 5am tomorrow morning for the latest local, state and national results right here from fallsradio.com. 

Tim Sumner informed Little Falls Radio that the Annual Community Thanksgiving Meal will be on Thanksgiving Day from 11am-1pm at the Falls Ballroom put on by the Little Falls Area Ministerial Association in partnership with the Falls Ballroom. There is no charge for the meal, a free will donation can be given if so desired. Please come and take part in this annual community event. Tim said they need about 100 volunteers to help with this and if you can please call or text him at 320-632-2540. He wanted to thank the Ballroom, the Franciscan Sisters who are peeling potatoes, other groups helping to take part in the event. If you need a ride to the event, or more information again call Tim Sumner at 320-632-2540. Or if you would like to know about the Little Falls Area Ministerial Association or to donate to them reach out to Jason Swedeen 18892 205th Avenue Little Falls MN 56345. 

Minnesota Power has filed a request for a rate increase, reflecting the ongoing costs of preserving safe and reliable electric service to its 150,000 customers in Northeast Minnesota. Its last request for a rate increase was three years ago in 2023. Minnesota Power is asking the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) to approve a $134 million increase in revenue net of riders, or a 17.8% increase. For residential customers, the average monthly bill will increase by about $24 if the MPUC approves the full rate request. The MPUC recently released data showing that Minnesota has the eighth lowest residential monthly electric bills in the nation and that electric bills in the state have declined relative to inflation since 2018. Minnesota Power’s O&M costs from 2017 to 2027 have increased below the rate of inflation. However, changes in customers’ energy needs are exacerbating rate impacts for all customers. With two-thirds of Minnesota Power’s electric sales going to large industrial customers, the idling of the Minorca Mine and partial idling of the Hibbing Taconite mine impact the company’s energy sales but do not change the cost of operating, maintaining and repairing the electric grid that is shared among all customer classes. No other electric utility in the United States is as dependent on sales to companies in the cyclical mining and paper industries. The rate request filed today is not related to the recent approval of the proposed data center in Hermantown. This rate request addresses the current costs of operating, maintaining and improving the electric system that serves Minnesota Power customers. The MPUC is still reviewing the company’s electric service agreement proposed for the new data center. Once the proposed data center is operational, Minnesota Power expects all its customers to benefit from the addition of a new 24-7 large customer that is required by Minnesota state law to fully pay for the cost of its electric service. As part of the regulatory process, the MPUC will set an interim rate increase that will remain in effect until final rates are implemented. The company has requested a net interim rate increase beginning in January 2027 of 15%, or about $15 per month for residential customers. However, the company recently announced significant bill credits for its customers that will offset the interim rate increase by about 70 percent in 2027. In addition, if the approved final rate is lower than interim rates, the company will refund the difference to customers with interest. This is only the first step in a regulatory process likely to take a year or longer. 

The Annual Morrison County Chaplaincy Pizza Party fundraiser is November 29th at the Little Falls VFW. All you can eat pizza and pop you can drink for a donation of gently used or clean coats for the coat drive, for a free will donation to the Chaplaincy Program or just come and eat 11am-1pm all are welcome to come.

Weather: The Little Falls Airport reported 1.43 inches of rain Monday. Today drizzle, mist and fog, cloudy skies, high 55, falling temps with strong winds from the north in the afternoon, rain likely tonight some heavy and breezy, low around 44. Wednesday cloudy skies, rain showers likely, high 48, showers likely still Wednesday night low around 40. Thursday becoming partly sunny, shower early morning, high 44, clear and cooler Thursday night low 29. Friday sunny and cool, high 43, clear Friday night low 27. Sunny skies on Saturday high near 45, clear Saturday night low 32. Sunday partly sunny, high 48, Rain Sunday night low around 36, rain showers next Monday, high near 49.  

Sports: NFL: Chicago beat Seattle 34-17 last night on Monday Night Football, Bears 6-2. Vikings host Buffalo next Monday night 6pm on KLTF. Chicago has Tampa Bay Sunday night 6:30pm on KLTF. NBA: Timberwolves beat Milwaukee 112-100 last night at Houston Wednesday. NHL: Wild at Philadelphia tonight. VIKINGS: Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray suffered a hamstring injury on Sunday and is listed as uncertain right now if we will play next Monday against Buffalo. Detroit Lions Jake Campbell continues to recover after a serious neck injury Sunday, the Lions said that the prognosis seemed positive but would not elaborate any further. High School: Pine River-Backus beat Upsala 3-1 in volleyball last night, Browerville won 3-1 over Long Prairie-Grey Eagle. Pequot Lakes and Milaca were beaten by Minnewaska and Sauk Centre in playoff action. Good Luck to the runners this week at State Cross Country in Ham Lake Saturday. Good luck to the Football Teams in action this week in section championships including Pierz, Foley, Royalton and Upsala-Swanville. 

Minnesotans are bracing for another wet week as the calendar has turned to November as another round of soaking rains started this morning in parts of the state already and...

Saturday is Halloween. A reminder from law enforcement to watch for trick or treaters, pedestrians and kids are also reminded to please watch for vehicles out Saturday evening. If you...

Reminder that per the Morrison County Trail Ordinance, the Morrison County Soo Line Trail will be closed from November 1st through the 30th. For questions, please contact Morrison County Public Works at...

The Storm Prediction Center has put a marginal to slight risk of severe thunderstorms in eastern and southeastern Minnesota today. Showers and storms likely at times, and a line from...