The Marine’s Toys for Tots organization is in the midst of their holiday campaign, and they are encouraging residents across the country to consider making a donation for a child in need. Col Ted Silvester of the Marines Toys for Tots Foundation says if you want to make a donation, consider purchasing a gift for an older child, as they are often overlooked when it comes to donations.

Silvester also explains why he feels it’s important for people to make a gift donation to child in need during the holidays. 

More information about the Toys for Tots Foundation can be seen on their website at www.toysfortots.org.

People hoping for a “real” winter in Minnesota are getting their wish this year. Pete Boulay with the State Climatology Office says December is off to a cool and snowy start and that pattern is expected to continue the entire month. Boulay added that we’ve had the earliest below-zero temperatures since 2014.

Boulay says there is a blanket of snow statewide which makes the average air temperature 11 degrees cooler. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is among those predicting colder-than-average temps and more snowfall than usual for our state.

A man ice fishing on Lake of the Woods was rescued Thursday after he found himself stuck on a thin patch of ice and surrounded by 400 feet of open water. The Lake of the Woods Sheriff’s Office says the man from Winsted, Minnesota, was on the lake ice with his portable fish house when he found himself becoming trapped.

It sparked an emergency response from multiple agencies around 1pm Thursday, with the Lake of the woods county sheriff’s office bringing its airboat to the lake, which deputies and fire and rescue personnel used to conduct a rescue at the Fred’s Beds access, northwest of Hackett. The man was brought safely to shore without any injury.

Lake of the Woods County Sheriff Gary Fish said “The sheriff’s office reminds all outdoor enthusiasts to exercise extreme caution when venturing onto early-season ice”.

If you’ve been out Christmas shopping during the holidays, it’s almost certain that you’ve seen the white drop box with the red Toys for Tots train on the front. But did you know that the United States Marine Corps has been collecting gifts for Toys for Tots for almost 80 years? Col Ted Silvester of the Marines Toys for Tots Foundation tells us more about the storied history of this Organization.

Silvester says Toys for Tots played a role in saving the Marine Corps after WWII.

If the Marines Toys for Tots sounds like an organization that you’d like to support, Silvester tells us how you can locate a toy drop box near you.

More information about the Toys for Tots Foundation can be seen on their website at www.toysfortots.org.

State officials are preparing to launch Minnesota’s new Paid Leave program. Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Matt Varilek says they began accepting early applications yesterday(Wed). 

Varilek says, “Any eligible Minnesota parent who welcomed a child in 2025 will be able to apply for leave to be used in 2026.” 

Varilek says parents have one year to use the 12 weeks of leave after the birth or adoption of a child. All other eligible Minnesotans can begin applying January 1st for paid leave in 2026.

Varilek says that DEED has been running beta tests for more than a month and that has resulted in a few refinements to make as the application period continues.

The state’s Energy Assistance Program is distributing funds to approved households after a month delay due to the government shutdown. Director Michael Schmitz with the Department of Commerce says Minnesota got about the same amount as last season.

He says energy providers were getting worried about being able to help people as it gets colder. Families earning about 71 thousand dollars are eligible for heating assistance. Schmitz says they’ve already received 90 thousand applications. There’s more information on the Department of Commerce website.

The Holiday season is officially here, and families will be traveling all around the country to celebrate the holidays with their friends and families. For families with young children who have to fly home for the holidays, it can often be difficult to transport their car seats. Carma Hansen of Safe Kids Grand Forks says they have a car seat loaner program that can make holiday travel easier.

Hansen says Safe Kids Grand Forks  also has alternative travel safety devices available to families looking for extra protection when flying.

For more information on the Car Seat Loaner Program contact by calling or go to the Safe Kids Grand Forks website.