>>Celebration of Life for Fallen Victoria Firefighter Zumbusch-Wood
(Victoria, MN) — Flags in Minnesota are flying at half-staff until sunset this evening (Thurs) in honor of fallen Victoria firefighter Laura Zumbusch-Wood. Laura died on July 27th following a battle with kidney cancer at age 44. She spent 16 years as a volunteer firefighter for the City of Victoria. There’s a celebration of life for Zumbusch-Wood at 5:30 tonight in Chaska. She leaves behind her husband, Paul, and son, Zachary.
>>Search for Missing Hiker from Minnesota Suspended in Wyoming
(Basin, WY) — Authorities in Wyoming are suspending the search for a missing hiker from Minnesota. Crews have been looking for Grant Gardner of Lakeville since August 1st. Big Horn County Sheriff Ken Blackburn said in a statement, “Our teams have exhausted all resources and personnel over the last 20 days. With weather conditions and other factors updated in our search models, we have to face the reality that the most optimistic survival odds have run out.” Blackburn says they will rest and then begin search and recovery efforts as time and evidence allow. Garnder last contacted his wife by text after reaching the summit of a mountain in the area.
>>Meeker County Man Found Guilty in Attempted Murder Case
(Litchfield, MN) — A jury has found 26-year-old Tre Ertl of Litchfield guilty of attempted second-degree murder, first-degree aggravated robbery, and assault. The charges stem from a June 2024 attack on a man from Olivia. Prosecutors say Ertl and two others lured the victim to a rural area near Litchfield under the false promise of showing him a camper for sale. Once there, they stole his money, hit him with a car, beat him, and stabbed him.
Ertl will be sentenced in November.
>>Invasive Algae Found in Four Minnesota Lakes
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota DNR has confirmed starry stonewort, an invasive algae, in four lakes: Garfield Lake (Hubbard County), Gull Lake and Three Island Lake (Beltrami County), and Two Rivers Lake (Stearns County). The algae was discovered during the annual “Starry Trek” event in early August, where volunteers and staff search for aquatic invasive species. DNR specialists will now survey the lakes further and work with local groups to explore management options.
>>Wright County Woman Crowned 72nd Princess Kay of the Milky Way
(Falcon Heights, MN) — Malorie Thorson of Waverly in Wright County is the new Princess Kay of the Milky Way. The 20-year-old South Dakota State University student was crowned Wednesday night at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. She’ll represent nearly 1,800 Minnesota dairy farm families over the next year, making public appearances to help connect consumers with dairy farmers. Her first official duty? Sitting in a rotating cooler in the Dairy Building at the Minnesota State Fair, while her likeness is carved into a 90-pound block of butter.
>>First in Line at the Minnesota State Fair
(Falcon Heights, MN) — Scott Schwarz of Oak Grove and his son Nicholas of Big Lake were the first to enter the Minnesota State Fair this morning at 7 a.m.—after waiting in line for 24 hours. Scott says they’re excited to take in everything the fair has to offer. “It’s a lot of fun. People are so excited to be here. It’s kind of the glue that keeps us together—and one of the best things about Minnesota.” Both father and son say they’re especially looking forward to the food.
