Friday, March 6, 2026
A Winter Weather Advisory goes into effect at 3pm today until 9am tomorrow morning. Rain showers this afternoon with start to mix with sleet, freezing rain and snow before midnight, though only around 1-2 inches of slushy snow, the freezing precipitation could lead to very slippery roads and icy spots into Saturday morning. North winds will also pick up 10-25mph and temps will drop into the mid 20s by early Saturday morning. The Advisory continues all the way to the northwestern border of the state where more snow and wind is expected into Saturday. Could be slow going.
A Little Falls man has been found guilty of second-degree felony murder and first-degree manslaughter in the July 2023 death of a 14-month-old girl in his care. A jury convicted Erik Adrian Blanco following a trial lasting more than a week. Jurors found that Blanco abused his position of authority over the child and that the toddler was particularly vulnerable due to her age, leaving her unable to seek help or defend herself. On July 6th, 2023, Little Falls police responded to a home where the toddler in Blanco’s care was found unresponsive and not breathing. Officers observed bruising on the child’s face and marks on her neck and behind her ears. She was taken to the hospital, where she died. An autopsy determined the death was caused by blunt force trauma, injuries from a lack of oxygen such as choking, smothering or strangulation, numerous hemorrhages, and a skull fracture. The case was prosecuted by the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office following a referral from Morrison County Attorney Brian Middendorf. The Little Falls Police Department, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Morrison County Sheriff’s Office, and Minnesota State Patrol all assisted in the investigation.
Governor Tim Walz has ordered all United States and Minnesota flags fly at half-staff immediately at state buildings to honor Sgt. First Class Nicole M. Amor, who was killed Sunday in Kuwait. Amor, of White Bear Lake, was one of six U.S. soldiers killed in a retaliatory drone strike during the early stages of the war with Iran. She was assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command when the strike occurred. According to the Associated Press, Amor was just days away from returning home to her husband and two children. Flags will remains at half staff on state buildings until Amor's interment takes place.
Another sure sign of spring, many counties including Stearns County Highway Department says, Seasonal Road Restrictions start on Friday. Effective at 12:01 a.m. March 6th, posted axle weight limits control vehicle weights on posted roads. All restriction limits are gross axle weights, and no overweight permits will be issued to vehicles that exceed the posted limits. Limits on any single axle are no more than five tons on any unpaved street or highway, or ten tons on a paved street or highway, unless posted otherwise between the dates set by the Transportation Commissioner. Restrictions are in place until further notice. County officials say cooperation and compliance with the legal posted limits is needed to minimize unnecessary damage to our roads. Statewide seasonal load limit restrictions can be found here.
A pedestrian has been taken to the hospital after being struck by a semi in Wright County. The Minnesota State Patrol says the incident happened at about 6:00 a.m. on Thursday along Highway 55 in Annandale. Forty-five-year-old James Smith of Annandale was walking westbound along Highway 55 when he was struck by a westbound semi at Commercial Drive. Smith was taken to St. Cloud Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the semi, 52-year-old Frank Warden of Maple Lake, was not hurt. The Minnesota State Patrol was assisted by the Wright County Sheriff's Office, Annandale Fire and Police, and Allina Health EMS.
So far this year, health officials say there have been 12 cases of measles reported in Minnesota, with the most recent cases in Hennepin, Wright and Anoka counties. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, cases have been associated with travel, domestically and internationally. Measles is serious and highly contagious. Health officials say it spreads through coughing, sneezing, or being in the same room as someone with the disease. It spreads quickly in any setting where unvaccinated people are together and getting sick can lead to hospitalization. Nationally there has been nearly 1,200 cases of Measles reported since the first part of February which is nearly half of the number reported (2,281) all of last year.
The Morrison County Dairy Princess Coronation and Banquet is March 14th at the Falls Ballroom in Little Falls at 7:30pm with tickets at the door and it was also announced that the Crow Wing County Dairy Princess Banquet will be 7pm March 21 at the Pierz Ballroom. Tickets are available for $18 adults and $12 children under 12 until March 7, or $20 at the door and may be purchased from any of the following candidates or by calling 218-831-3376. Junior Dairy Princess candidates are Clare Caughey, Gianna Caughey, Adeline Pickar, and Catherine Wehseler. The Crow Wing County Dairy Ambassador candidates are Kayla Fleischhacker, Elsie Souhrada, and McKenna Thesing. Dairy princess candidates must live and work on a dairy farm or dairy heifer facility or lease animals from a dairy farm. Dairy ambassadors do not have to live on a dairy farm but, like the princesses, must have a passion for promoting the dairy industry.
NATIONAL NEWS: President Donald Trump says he’s replacing his embattled Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and will nominate in her place Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin. Trump made the announcement on social media on Thursday, two days after Noem faced a grilling on Capitol Hill from GOP members as well as Democrats. Trump says he’ll make Noem a “Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas,” a new security initiative that he said would focus on the Western Hemisphere. The former South Dakota governor was also criticized over the way her department has spent billions of dollars allocated to it by Congress. The change of positions is expected to take place by March 31st.
Death Notices: Frank Fussy "King Cat age 85, passed away in Staples. Ronald "Ronnie" Rinkel, age 89 of Hillman. Willard Henry Doucette, age 94 of Little Falls.
Weather: today rain likely, light in the morning, steadier in the afternoon, high 49. Winter Weather Advisory tonight, rain changing to sleet, freezing rain and snow before midnight, little ice accumulation possible then 1-2 inches of snow by morning, low 26 and turning breezy. Saturday cloudy in the morning, some afternoon sun is possible, high 43, windy conditions also on Saturday, Saturday clear skies, low 38 and windy. Sunday sunny and mild, a bit breezy, high near 60, low around 40. Monday sunny skies, a bit cooler, high near 50, rain and snow Monday night, low 27. Tuesday snow and wind, high 36, low around 25.
Sports: Willmar ended the Little Falls girls basketball season last night 55-41 in the section title game Willmar advances to State next week. In boys basketball playoffs, Upsala, Swanville, Browerville and Holdingford all won first round games and move on to Saturday while Royalton, Foley, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle had their season end on Thursday night. Boys basketball playoffs on Saturday Pierz vs. Moose-Lake Willow River at 4pm in Duluth on 94ROCKS KFML and streamed at fallsradio.com. Congratulations to the Brainerd/Little Falls 15U Girls Hockey team for advancing to the state tournament next weekend March 13th-15th in Minnetonka. The Girls will have a send off next Thursday, March 12th at 9am at the Essentia Health Sports Center in Brainerd.