Wednesday, August 27, 2025

The 72nd Princess Kay of the Milky Way Malorie Thorson of Waverly in Wright County will be the guest today on KLTF Community Program around 8:45am on AM960 KLTF to discuss the night she was crowned and what she will be doing to promote the dairy industry in the next year. 

West Nile virus is on the rise in Minnesota. The state Department of Health says there have already been 20 cases this year, with two fatalities. The total number of cases is likely undercounted, as the average person who contracts the virus typically has no symptoms or only mild ones, similar to the flu. Under 1% of infections cause encephalitis, which leads to inflammation around the brain. Officials are releasing the figures as a matter of caution. They note West Nile cases ebb and flow due to a variety of factors. Heavy rain across Minnesota this year has proven to be perfect breeding conditions for mosquitoes, the primary transmitter of the virus. Unfortunately, there is no medical treatment for West Nile. Prevention usually lies in avoiding mosquitoes. Recommendations include wearing loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and full pants, using insect repellents that contain DEET, trying to schedule outdoor activities away from dusk and dawn, and ensuring the screens on your home windows are in good working order. MDH says cases have been identified in all corners of the state.

The city for the 2026 Governor's Fishing Opener has been chosen. The 78th Annual Governor's Fishing Opener will take place on the St. Croix River in Stillwater on May 8th of next year. It will be the first time Stillwater has hosted the opener. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) says the St. Croix River offers quality fishing for a variety of fish, including walleye, muskellunge, white bass, smallmouth bass, and more. 

The Minnesota Department of Transportation is reminding the community about two open house meetings to learn about a preliminary engineering study for Highway 10 in southeast St. Cloud and Haven Township. The study focuses on improving safety and access management along the corridor. MnDOT says the study builds on a 2023 corridor analysis that identified safety and access concerns at key intersections. The Minnesota Legislature has set aside funding to develop design alternatives for two key intersections, one at Highway 10 and 15th Avenue SE, and the other at Highway 10 and 12th Street SE. Additional safety improvements are also being considered at Highway 10 and 32nd Street SE. Both open house meetings will be on today. The first meeting will be at Harvester Square in East St. Cloud from Noon to 2:00 p.m. The second meeting will be from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Haven Town Hall. Some of the alternatives are a no-build option, a bridge across Highway 10, or a full interchange with bridge and on-and-off ramps. 

Sauk Rapids is once again asking lawmakers for over $6 million in state bonding money to pump more water to residents after two wells were shut down due to PFAS pollution. City Administrator Ross Olson said that the city had to close Wells Two and Three after tests in late 2022 showed they exceeded both the Minnesota Department of Health and federal EPA standards for PFAS concentrations. Ross explained the new well was meant to add to the city’s water infrastructure, not replace anything. That means Sauk Rapids is still two wells short, making it vulnerable in a drought due to the capacity crisis. Olson talked about how the city’s water infrastructure is complicated by its design. That’s why he says they need state help. The bonding request, similar to one that didn’t make it into last year’s bonding bill, would fund additional wells and the infrastructure needed to connect them to the water treatment plant. Olson expressed optimism about this year’s request, noting that the city has been selected for a legislative bonding committee tour in September. During the tour, he, the mayor, and a city engineer will present their case directly to lawmakers. Olson also plans to be actively involved in lobbying efforts when the legislative session begins, working to make sure state legislators understand Sauk Rapids’ water infrastructure needs. The city won’t know if its efforts are successful until the end of the 2026 Legislative session, which is set for May 18th.

A number of area schools in Morrison County (Little Falls, Upsala etc.) are having open houses this afternoon and evening for students to come and check out the facilities with parents talk to teachers and get items ready for the new school year that starts next week for students most on September 2nd.

Entertainment News: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are engaged. The pop superstar and the three-time Super Bowl champion took to social media to reveal they are engaged to be married.

Death Notices- LaVerne S. Hempeck, age 89 of Little Falls. Harold "Harry" Bednarek, age 85 of Champlin formerly of Harding. Frank Joseph Trutwin, age 84 of Royalton. 

Weather- Sunny skies and warmer temps today with highs around 80. Mainly clear skies at night low 55. Thursday sunny and cooler, high 72, low around 43 with East winds. Friday AM sprinkles, then sunny skies, high near 73, low around 52. Saturday 74 and 51, Sunday rain late day, high 76, low 54. Labor Day has a chance of showers otherwise partly sunny, high 76, low around 53. 

Sports- Twins get 4 in the 9th inning to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 7-5 last night to end their losing streak. The Twins finish the series with Toronto tonight at 5:30pm on Q92 WYRQ. Gopher Football team opens the college season Thursday at home against Buffalo. Lynx are home on Thursday night against Seattle. Listen to High School Football for Pierz Thursday and Little Falls on Friday night and also games from the Class B and C State Baseball tournament this weekend on 94ROCKS for Pierz, rest on AM960 KLTF.