Monday, January 12, 2026

The Minnesota Department of Transportation was informed of icy roadways on Highway 27 between Little Falls and Pierz and also Highway 25 from Pierz to Buckman this morning. Plows and crews have been called out to treat down those roadways but slick spots are expected if you head out early on this Monday. A coating of snow Friday into Saturday, windy conditions causing blowing snow Saturday into the evening and temps dropping into the single digits on Sunday has frosted up some areas causing icy conditions today. For the latest road conditions click on 511mn.org.

On Saturday, the Waite Park Police Department says it has looked into rumors of an officer-involved shooting in the city on Saturday morning, allegedly committed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Chief Anthony Reznicek writes in a press release the investigation is still ongoing, but as of 1:20pm there is no evidence that any shooting occurred. They also stated they have located and identified the person who made the initial complaint on social media. The accusations come three days after Renee Good was shot and killed in Minneapolis during an immigration sweep in the city. ICE activity has picked up in the area in recent days, and the City of St. Cloud is confirming that agents spoke informally with a police department sergeant while they were in their patrol car on Saturday. On Friday United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had been in St. Cloud. St. Cloud Mayor Jake Anderson and St. Cloud City Administrator Tracy Hodel said that this would not the first time that ICE agents were in St. Cloud as they have in the past several years. She stated that she was unaware of the recent incidents. St. Cloud Police Chief Jeff Oxton said ICE had reached out in advance about their presence in the St. Cloud but was not aware of any arrests or incidents recently. 

Hundreds of people were protesting in downtown Minneapolis outside a hotel they believe ICE agents are staying at Friday night. It comes amid a surge of more than 2,000 federal agents in the Twin Cities in recent days. On Wednesday, 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed by an ICE agent in South Minneapolis. People have been protesting in various locations since the shooting happened, including at the scene on Portland Avenue and at the Whipple Federal Building.  On Friday night, a sizeable crowd marched in downtown, stopping at the Canopy by Hilton on South 3rd Street. People shone flashlights at the hotel and banged on the windows. Meanwhile, others played drums, guitar, or banged on pots and pans. Many held signs up criticizing ICE and calling on federal agents to leave the city. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said that Good was attempting to move forward and flee and struck the Ice officer leading to the officers opening fire and called it an act of terrorism that is still being investigated. The Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has lashed out and disagreed with those results and he and the Governor are still planning to hold their investigation into the shooting.

On January 10, 2026, at about 1248pm, the Baxter Police Department received information regarding a social media post that indicated a possible threat to students at Forestview Middle School. During the investigation, officers identified a juvenile that was responsible for the social media posting. The juvenile was not taken into custody and remains in the custody of their parents. At no time did the Baxter Police Department identify an immediate threat and there is no known ongoing threat to students, staff, or facilities.
Officers are working closely with the Brainerd School Administration to ensure the continued safety of the students and staff. The safety of our school and community remains our highest priority. This remains an active investigation and has been referred to the Crow Wing County Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

Minnesota Department of Transportation is expected to update the progress on the bridge work that is being done south of Little Falls. Back on December 15th the bridge was struck by an equipment truck and it was reported that work had to be done on the bridge before it could reopen to traffic. The 511mn.org website said that the work is to be completed by January 14th this Wednesday but no report if that will be finalized by that time. The Department of Transportation is expected to update the progress either Monday or Tuesday on the work on Highway 10 at the Haven Road exit ramp south of Little Falls. 

One person was hurt in a single-car crash near St. Joseph early Saturday morning. The Minnesota State Patrol says the incident happened around 1:30 a.m. on Interstate 94. Authorities say a car being driven by 30-year-old Benjamin Herbst of Fargo, ND, was going west on I-94 when he went off the road and rolled the car, with it coming to rest on its wheels. Herbst was taken to the St. Cloud Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.