The flu season is off to slow start in Minnesota this year. The state Health Department is recommending Minnesotans get the flu vaccine before the holidays. The Department of Health’s Jeff Sanders is the state influenza surveillance coordinator and he says the flu shot can prevent serious illness
State health officials are reporting 19 flu-related hospitalizations so far this season. Sanders noted that there were around eight thousand hospitalizations last flu season in Minnesota.
The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry recovered over 163-thousand dollars for agricultural workers after violations by a Moorhead-based company.
Officials say the settlement with R.D. Offutt Company Farms, which operates potato farms, includes over 82-thousand dollars for earned sick and safe time. All recovered funds will go to workers.
The company also faces 80 thousand in penalties for failing to provide written employment statements to migrant workers.
An investigation revealed that workers were unable to access their ESST benefits during the audit period, which spanned from January 1st to December 31st, 2024.
By Graham Scher – R & J Broadcasting | November 19, 2025
Grygla, MINN. – The Minnesota Department of Health has awarded six recipients for their work in rural communities.
Four individuals earned awards for their outstanding work in rural healthcare including Nicole Kiesow of Grygla. Nicole is a part of the Resource Staff as the Librarian & Education Enhancement Tutor for Grace Christian Academy.
Others awarded include Rick Ash of United Hospital District in Fairmont, Dr. Joseph Corser of Sanford Bemidji and Bagley, and Dr. Ray Christensen from the University of Minnesota Medical School.
Two organizations also received team awards: the Nicotine-Free Greater Mankato Coalition and Elevate in Perham.
MDH recognized these individuals in stating these leaders strengthen local families in need and local economies.
Garden Valley Technologies in Thief River Falls will be launching another round of their voluntary Discounted Capital Buyout Program, and members are now able to apply. Garden Valley CEO and General manager Tim Brinkman says this round of buyouts will be similar to their 2023 buyouts.
Brinkman says there have been some changes made to this year’s buyout program, and he explains how it will work.
The application period is open through Friday, November 21, and Brinkman explains how you can apply to be entered into the buyout program pool.
You can find more information on the application at Garden Valley Tech’s website.
Give to the Max Day is today, and the Northern Minnesota Robotics Conference (NMRC) is asking that you consider a donation to them in celebration. NMRC Representative Natasha Olsonawski says all the proceeds raised from Give to the Max Day will go toward a project that benefits every team in the NMRC.
Olsanawski also explains how you can donate.
Again, you can donate by going to their website, nmrconference.org, or the NMRC Give to the Max donation page.
The University of Minnesota Extension will be co-hosting an open house later this week in Thief River Falls, to showcase a Farm-Scale Deep Winter Greenhouse supported by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and Minnesota Extension. Marcus Langevin of Tintah Beach Farms in Thief River Falls tells us more about this project, which has been years in the making.
Now that the project is complete, Langevin tells us how they plan to use the greenhouse, and the crops grown because of it.
Langevin Invites you to an Open House on Saturday if you would like to see this greenhouse in Person.
Again, to RSVP go to z.umn.edu/TintahBeachOpenHouse. You can also see more information about the greenhouse by going to z.umn.edu/deepwintergreenhouse.
The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources has awarded a $550,000 grant to Lake of the Woods County. The purpose is to fund a Phase II investigation into erosion on Pine and Curry Islands and other nearby barrier islands on Lake of the Woods. Anthony Pirkl, Lake of the Woods Public works director explains what the project aims to accomplish.
Pirkl shared his thoughts on the anticipated time frame for the investigation to last.
The next stop would be funding solutions to repair the erosion.
Once approved, funding would need to be sought for necessary repairs.
Pine and Curry islands were designated as a Scientific and Natural Area in 1983 in an effort to protect the sensitive habitat. Pirkl explains.
Lake of the Woods Public Works Director Anthony Pirkl.
By Graham Scher – R & J Broadcasting | November 17, 2025
Warroad, MINN. – Warroad City Council met in regular session last Monday. Mayor Tom Goldsmith presided over the meeting. The council motioned to approve Bridget Lindner to represent Warroad on the Northwest Regional Library Foundation Board. Mayor Goldsmith explained her role as a volunteer for the NWRL and how important it is for the city to have a volunteer like this.
Warroad librarian Kelly Benjamin and the Warroad Library Board expressed their belief and confidence that Lindner will do an excellent job in the role. They also stated it had been several years since the Board was able to find an individual capable and willing to serve on this board in the volunteer role. Benjamin concluded by saying they are lucky to have Lindner accept the role.
A rise in coyote sightings in northwest Minnesota has prompted warnings from local authorities.
The Wilkin County Sheriff’s Office says it has received several reports of coyotes spotted in Breckenridge, particularly near the Bois de Sioux Golf Course.
Officials say the animals have been approaching residents and their pets, raising safety concerns. The department advises residents to secure garbage containers and remove wildlife feeders to help deter coyotes.
Pet owners are also urged to closely supervise small dogs and cats while outdoors, as coyotes have been known to attack and kill small animals. Authorities continue to monitor the situation and encourage the public to report any additional sightings.
The race for Minnesota’s 7th District Congressional District now has two democrats. State Representative Heather Keeler of Moorhead is a candidate for the nomination. She’ll ask the party for its support to challenge Republican Representative Michelle Fischbach.
Keeler also talked about the lack of affordable healthcare, and how that is one of the issues that brought her into the race:
Keeler says homelessness and access to mental health services are other concerns. She was elected to the legislature in 2020. The other Democrat in the race is Erik Osberg of Wadena as known previously. Osberg spoke with us earlier this week. That full story from Erik Osberg is available at kq92.com.
The 7th district runs from the northwestern corner of the state to the southwest. Fischbach was first elected to a two-year term in 2020 and took office in Washington in 2021, defeating long-time Congressman Collin Peterson.