Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and DFL legislative leaders on Tuesday unveiled a proposal for a special legislative session focused on gun violence prevention, school safety, mental health resources and law enforcement support. The proposed session which has not officially been called would convene Monday, October 6th at 10 a.m. at the Minnesota State Capitol and conclude by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, October 12th. Lawmakers would be limited to considering a specific set of bills and appropriations aimed at improving public safety, according to the agreement. "This proposal meets the expectations that Minnesotans have for their elected leaders — that we respond to threats to public safety and take direct action on guns," Walz said in the news release. "We will not let this issue simply go away." The legislative agenda includes: A ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines; A ban on binary triggers; elimination of the ghost gun loophole; Strengthening Extreme Risk Protection Orders, including public education funding; Expanded school safety funding; Increased funding for mental health treatment; Enhanced firearm prohibitions for domestic abusers (HF 391); Higher criminal penalties for violent firearm offenses and police impersonation; Additional funding for the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension's Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management Team. The proposal was signed by Gov. Walz, Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy and DFL Caucus Leader Rep. Zack Stephenson. It was not signed by Speaker of the House Lisa Demuth or Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson. The proposal said that all budget targets must be agreed upon by Governor Walz and the four legislative leaders before the session. The total net budget impact is capped at $20 million per biennium. Under the agreement, legislative committees will draft the policy and budget language. If committees are unable to reach consensus, final language will be decided by the governor and legislative leaders. Once finalized, the bills must be passed without further amendments unless agreed upon by all signatories.
First responders responded a fatal crash involving a school bus in Andover Tuesday morning. The Anoka County Sheriff's Office confirms the incident, which happened near the intersection of 175th Avenue Northwest and Roanoke Street Northwest. A news release said the driver of a pickup truck pulling a trailer was headed northbound on Roanoke Street when it crossed the center line and struck the school bus head-on. First responders attempted lifesaving measures on the man driving the pickup, but he was declared dead at the accident scene. The bus involved is a contractor for the Anoka Hennepin Public School District. A district spokesperson says 5 students were on the bus at the time of the crash. One of those students was transported to the hospital for observation along with the female bus driver, but their injuries are not expected to be serious. Parents were called to the scene to pick up the remaining students. No names were released from the deceased or the students and bus driver involved.
The Minnesota Cold Weather Rule takes effect today, and Xcel Energy wants to ensure that residential customers who need assistance paying their energy bills this winter can get the help they need. Under the rule, residential customers are protected from service disconnection from Oct. 1 through the following April 30, if the disconnection would affect the customer’s primary heating source. Customers must immediately contact their utility and set up a payment plan if they receive a disconnection notice. “We want to remind customers that we are here for them if they need help with their bills,” Randy Cantu, senior director, Contact Center Operations at Xcel Energy. “We offer a variety of assistance options, including self-service channels, and encourage customers to reach out—whether online or by phone—to make payment arrangements if they’re having difficulty keeping up.” Income-eligible customers who contact Xcel Energy for Cold Weather Rule protection can establish plans to make monthly payments not to exceed 10 percent of household income and may qualify for additional energy efficiency and conservation programs. Xcel Energy will also provide contact information for local community energy assistance programs. Xcel Energy recently contacted customers with information about the Cold Weather Rule. For more information, customers can talk with one of our dedicated customer care agents or use our automated phone system by calling 1-800-895-4999. Customers also have the option go online and login to My Account by visiting xcelenergy.com/MyAccount. Additionally, customers can visit the Xcel Energy website for more information about the Cold Weather Rule and energy assistance options.
The City of Genola will hold a curbside Clean-Up Day for Residents and Businesses within City limits of Genola on Tuesday, October 7th , 2025. Items must be placed on the curbside before 7:00 a.m. The City of Genola is sponsoring this event. Residents can dispose of up to two (2) Appliances per household, or one (1) Television or Computer Monitor per Household. In addition, up to four (4) car tires, or two (2) truck tires are accepted per household in addition to refuse, and bulky garbage items. No Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) will be accepted. Residents of the City of Genola should take advantage of this convenient service to properly dispose of your unwanted items for free! Persons with questions may call Tammy at 320-630-0743.
The St. Cloud Regional Airport has a new name. The St. Cloud Regional Airport Authority announced Tuesday that they have rebranded it as St. Cloud Sky Central Airport. Chair Brian Myres says the old brand was dated from 20 to 30 years ago. Sky Central Airport is supported by about 140 people in roles that range from TSA security to firefighters, to military and medical personnel. Myres says $7 million in new development is expected at the airport in the next two years. Airport Director Bill Towle says passenger traffic on Allegiant flights was up about 19 percent last year, which was a record for the airport, and this year's numbers are equal to last year's. He says they continue to approach various airlines every year about adding new flights/destinations to the airport.
The Little Falls Area Chamber and Tourism's October Employee of the Month is Jeri Swanstrom with Coborn's. Jeri Swanstrom: "I'm overwhelmed. I'm not much for surprises, and this one caught me really off guard. I don't know exactly what to say, but thank you for such a great honor. I work with a great customer base and many wonderful teammates that could all receive this award. Thank you." Supervisor Eric Guck: "For the past 2 years, Jeri has made an impact on all her guests. Guests would wait in line just to be waited on by her. Jeri will have fun conversations with all her guests and, at the end, they all leave with a smile on their faces, including mine." Congratulation to Jeri the Employee of the Month.
Death Notices: Bernice Irene Huver, age 87 of Pierz. Barbara Sodergren, age 91 of Little Falls.
Weather: sunny skies today, high 83, clear night low around 62. Thursday sunny and warmer, high near 85, low around 66 and muggy Thursday night, Friday sunny, warm and humid high near 90, clear and muggy Friday night low around 70. Saturday sunny and warm, high near 90, showers and storms develop late in the day into Saturday night low around 62. Sunday showers and storms likely high 74, rain and cooler Sunday night low 47. Showers Monday cooler high 65, low around 48. Sunny Tuesday high near 66.
Sports: The Minnesota Wild have signed left wing Kirill Kaprizov to an NHL-record eight-year, $136 million contract extension through the 2033-34 season, general manager Bill Guerin announced Tuesday. The deal is the highest in NHL history in terms of total money and average annual value ($17 million), breaking the marks previously held by Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin ($124 million) and Edmonton Oilers standout Leon Draisaitl ($14 million AAV). Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier blasted WNBA leadership in her exit interview Tuesday, accusing league commissioner Cathy Engelbert of being "negligent" in her governance. Collier said the league has failed to sufficiently address issues with officiating, compensation for players and the state of the overall product. She also alleged that Engelbert told her in a private conversation that superstar Caitlin Clark and other young standouts "should be on their knees" in gratitude for the platform the league has given them. "Our leadership's answer to being held accountable is to suppress everyone's voices by handing out fines," Collier said. "I'm not concerned about a fine, I'm concerned about the future of our sport. At some point, everyone deserves to hear the truth from someone who I hope has earned the benefit of the doubt to fight for what is right and fair for our athletes and our fans. Collier and the Lynx were eliminated from the playoffs Sunday and she was injured in Game 3 late which caused Coach Cheryl Reeve to be ejected, and later fined and suspended for her outburst on the refs. Since here remarks, many players in the WNBA have backed Collier and her response to the league. High School Football Friday 2pm USA vs. Maple Lake from Upsala on Q92 WYRQ. Royalton at Osakis Friday at 7pm on Q92 WYRQ. Albany at Little Falls Friday 7pm on AM960 KLTF and St. Cloud Apollo at Pierz Friday at 7pm on 94ROCKS KFML all games streamed online at fallsradio.com.
Join AM960 KLTF next Wednesday for the 75th Anniversary Celebration at the Falls Ballroom. Come and see Up Front, Party Line and Polka World Today live on location that day from 9am-1pm, meet staff, there will be doughnuts, coffee, water and other refreshments on hand, get a chance to win a classic AM/FM Radio from KLTF and also see you wins the radios from participating businesses. Come and be part of the celebration Wednesday, October 8th at 9am-1pm at the Falls Ballroom.