Tuesday, June 24, 2025

National News- President Donald Trump on Monday said the “12 day war” between Israel and Iran was set to end in a ceasefire, holding out the expected deal as validation for his strategic gamble of ordering U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites. “It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE,” Trump posted on social media. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran would stop its attacks if Israel would. It’s unclear what role Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s leader, played in the talks. He had said on social media earlier Monday that Iran would not surrender. Israel has not publicly confirmed that it has agreed to end hostilities. A ceasefire, if it culminates as Trump laid out, would be welcome news for the region and the world. But the situation in the Middle East remains far from stable and it's unclear how longer-term dynamics might be affected. The Israeli and U.S. bombing of Iran certainly has slowed Iran’s ability to enrich nuclear material but it might also have steeled Tehran’s resolve to breakout toward a bomb. This comes after Iran launched missile attacks Monday on a U.S. military base in Qatar, retaliating for the American bombing of its nuclear sites and escalating tensions in the volatile region. Shortly after the attack, the Gulf nation of Bahrain that is home to the U.S. 5th Fleet headquarters temporarily suspended flights in its airspace, which is similar to what Qatar did shortly before it was hit. Qatar condemned the attack on Al Udeid Air Base attack, but said it successfully intercepted the missiles and no casualties were reported. It said its airspace is now safe. Iran said the attack in Qatar matched the number of bombs dropped by the United States on its nuclear sites over the weekend, signaling its likely desire to de-escalate. Iran also said it targeted the base because it was outside of populated areas. Iran announced the attack on state television as martial music played. A caption on screen called it “a mighty and successful response" to "America’s aggression.” The Ain al-Assad base housing U.S. troops in western Iraq was also targeted, according to an Iraqi security official who was not authorized to comment publicly gave his information on condition of anonymity.

Local News- The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office reports that on 6-21-2025 at approximately 8:35 pm, their office received a report of a motorcycle accident with injuries on 173rd Street, approximately three miles northeast of Little Falls, MN in Belle Prairie Township. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the driver of the motorcycle, 42-year-old Paul Wilczek of Little Falls, MN was traveling west on 173rd Street when he struck a deer with his motorcycle. Wilczek sustained injuries and was transported to St. Gabriel’s Hospital by Mayo Clinic Ambulance. He was later airlifted by Life Link III to St. Cloud Hospital. His current condition is unknown. This case is still under investigation.

One man is hurt and another has been arrested after a stabbing at a north St. Cloud apartment building. St. Cloud Police were dispatched to 2052 15th Street North at around 11:25 a.m. Sunday.  Officers arrived to find a 44-year-old man inside the apartment unit with multiple stab wounds. He was brought to St. Cloud Hospital, where he is listed in stable condition. The investigation led officers to arrest the man's roommate, 28-year-old Markus Lewis. Lewis was booked into the Stearns County Jail pending formal charges. Authorities say they recovered a knife at the scene, which they believe was used in the attack. The police are unclear of a motive in the stabbing at this time. 

Three people were hurt near Hewitt in Todd County back on Friday around 5:51pm. 22-year-old Mary Cordle of Hewitt and 19-year-old Mason Meyer of Clarissa collided in the northbound lane of Highway 71. Both drivers and Meyer's 20-year-old passenger from Bertha were all taken to Wadena Hospital for treatment. 

Several people were hurt in a four-vehicle crash in Wright County. The Sheriff's Office says the incident happened yesterday (Sunday) just before 3:00 p.m. at the intersection of County Road 3 southwest and 30th Street Southwest in Cokato Township. A 17-year-old boy from Cokato had serious injuries and was taken to an area hospital. Forty-year-old Erin Holker of Dassel also had serious injuries and was taken to the hospital. A passenger in her vehicle, a 13-year-old girl, suffered serious injuries and was taken to a hospital. In the third vehicle was 92-year-old Lowell Peterson of Blaine and his passenger, 70-year-old Susan Peterson of Blaine, both suffered injuries that required them to be taken to the hospital. The driver of the fourth vehicle was 35-year-old Jacob Aho of Cokato, who was not hurt.

 A teenager was hurt in a crash near Elrosa late Monday morning. The Minnesota State Patrol says at about 11:50 a.m., a car driven by 17-year-old Katie Derichs of Elrosa, and a pickup being driven by 73-year-old Michael Roelike of Glenwood were both going south on Highway 71 when they collided. Derichs was taken to Sauk Centre Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Roelike was not hurt in the crash.

 A garage and everything inside were destroyed in an early morning fire in Holdingford. The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office received a call around 12:30 a.m. Friday, reporting a garage fire at 120 Gertrude Street. The caller said the garage was burning near a home and a parked vehicle. Firefighters arrived to find the 20×30-foot detached garage fully engulfed in flames. The homeowner, 69-year-old Daniel Fielder, was able to get out of his nearby house without getting hurt. The garage contained an SUV, a lawnmower, and tools, all considered a total loss. Holdingford Fire and Rescue extinguished the blaze, but the structure was completely destroyed. The cause remains under investigation.

St. Cloud State University students will be ponying up over $500 more this year, on average, to attend the school. Communications spokesperson Zach Dwyer writes the tuition hike resulted from a series of meetings that took place throughout the spring, involving everyone on campus. The discussions took input from administration, faculty, and students to arrive at the 6.5% bump. Dwyer reveals the change brings tuition to $9,384 for the full year. He says the number helps SCSU “strive for budget sustainability, ensuring SCSU remains a transformative source of education in the region.” The proposal was then put before the Minnesota State Board of Trustees, where it was approved. Tuition is a significant contributor to SCSU’s bottom line. State appropriations for the Minnesota State system totaled over $1.7 billion this year from the legislature, of which St. Cloud State gets a portion of that. Lawmakers also helped out SCSU through facilities improvements. The Herb Brooks National Hockey Center will be getting a new refrigeration unit before the 2026-2027 season. Even with the bump, Dwyer adds that SCSU remains one of the most affordable four-year universities in the state.

Purva Watten President and CEO of Little Falls Chamber and Tourism spoke on KLTF yesterday. She mentioned for their summer events a golf tournament July 14th, Clay Target event August 12th and the charm ride with a chance for those 18 and younger to win a bike in August. Watten mentioned that there are only a few vendor spots for the Arts and Crafts Fair so call today at 320-632-5155 if you want a spot. This year they have partnered with the city of Little Falls to close off 1st Street Northeast and Southeast a few blocks around the downtown area to make it easier to walk the area, and some the vendors will be on the road itself this year so a reminder to motorists you will have to take a detour around the area this year. The Arts and Crafts Fair will be September 6th and 7th this year both days in Little Falls.

Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union (MMFCU) in partnership with Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines), is pleased to announce that the Initiative Foundation will receive a $20,000 grant from the Member Impact Fund. MMFCU has been a proud partner of the Initiative Foundation for decades. Together, they have been dedicated to improving their community through small business development initiatives. This award helps the Initiative Foundation deliver technical assistance, small business coaching, training, and a 12-week business bootcamp known as Enterprise Academy. This will continue to build a vibrant economy in Central Minnesota by financing, expanding, and launching locally owned small businesses. MMFCU works with these same businesses and refers them to the Initiative Foundation for support FHLB Des Moines provides funding solutions to more than 1,200 members to support mortgage lending, economic development and affordable housing in the communities they serve. The Member Impact Fund provides FHLB Des Moines members up to $3 for every $1 in matching grant donations to strengthen the ability of not-for-profits or government entities to support the needs of their communities. This matching grant program from FHLB Des Moines will results in awarding $20 million in funding to support economic and community development in Minnesota. “This year, MMFCU was able to apply for matching grant funds from FHLB to impact the communities we serve to support the basic needs of housing and food, as well as, the growth of local businesses which are at the heart of local economies,” said Bob Gerads, MMFCU President/CEO. “MMFCU believes that when we invest in our communities, we grow together.” Recipient organizations were selected based on the needs for grant funding to support capacity-building or working capital necessary to strengthen their ability to serve community development needs including job training, affordable housing, financial literacy, food banks and youth programs. This member matching grant program is part of FHLB Des Moines’ ongoing mission to offer a variety of funding options through its members.

Death Notices- Roger E. Paulsen of Little Falls. 

Weather- today sunny and 75 degrees, tonight, increasing clouds rain before daybreak tomorrow, low 51. Wednesday showers and thunderstorms early, then cloudy and cool, high 68 with redeveloping showers and some storms in the afternoon and evening, with low around 58. Thursday more showers and thunderstorms expected midday and then some strong storms at night, high 72, more humid at night, low around 60. Friday sunny and becoming humid, high near 81, low around 62. 

Sports- Seattle routs the Twins last night 11-2 to start their 4 game series. Twins continue series with Seattle Tuesday night, pregame at 6pm on Q92 WYRQ. The Minnesota Lynx are at Washington tonight in the WNBA at 7pm then at Atlanta Friday night at 6:30pm this week. Little Falls beats Foley 9-0 yesterday in American Legion Baseball and will host Pierz tonight at 6pm in Little Falls.