>>Man Jailed in Renville County Dies on New Year’s Morning
(Olivia, MN) — The Renville County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a man who was being held in the county jail. Correctional staff discovered the man unresponsive and not breathing in his cell on Thursday morning. Life-saving measures were immediately initiated, and paramedics were called. The man was transported to Olivia Hospital & Clinic, where he died. His name is not being released. The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the official cause and manner of death.
>>Nearly 12,000 Minnesotans Apply for Paid Leave Since Program Launch
(St. Paul, MN) — The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) says nearly 12,000 Minnesotans have applied for Paid Leave since applications opened earlier this week. As of this morning, 11,883 applications have been submitted, and DEED has already completed reviews for 6,393 leaves. “Receiving nearly 12,000 early Paid Leave applications shows just how motivated people are to engage with this new program,” said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek.
>>Pole Shed Fire South of Fergus Falls
(Fergus Falls, MN) — Authorities are investigating a structure fire that destroyed a large pole shed about four miles south of Fergus Falls. A deputy on routine patrol spotted the blaze early Thursday and called for help. Crews from Fergus Falls, Dalton, and Wendell responded. No people or livestock were hurt. The building and its contents, including equipment, bales, and animal feed, are considered a total loss. The cause is under investigation but is believed to be non-suspicious.
>>St. Cloud Priest Facing Additional Charges
(St. Cloud, MN) — A St. Cloud Diocese priest may face an additional charge after being accused of sexually assaulting a woman he was counseling. Prosecutors have notified the court they intend to add a second count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct against 61-year-old Father Joseph Herzing, who is already charged with one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, stalking, and three counts of threats of violence. Authorities allege Herzing assaulted the woman at his St. Cloud home, choked her, and threatened to kill her. Prosecutors also seek a harsher sentence, citing aggravating factors and multiple instances of sexual contact. Herzing, ordained in 1999 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, was placed on leave by the diocese after charges were filed on November 26th.
>>Team USA Men’s and Women’s Hockey Loaded with Minnesotans
(Colorado Springs, CO) — Minnesota will be well-represented on the 2026 U-S Olympic men’s and women’s hockey teams next month in Italy. The men’s roster features the Minnesota Wild’s Brock Faber and Quinn Hughes, Matt Boldy, Lightning forward Jake Guentzel of Woodbury, Warroad native Brock Nelson of the Avalanche, and Stars goalie Jake Oettinger from Lakeville. The women’s team includes six members of the Minnesota Frost: Kendall Coyne Schofield, Lee Stecklein, Kelly Pannek, Grace Zumwinkle, Britta Curl, and Taylor Heise (HI-zee). Former Gopher Abbey Murphy also made the U-S Women’s National Team.
>>Team USA Plays Finland in World Juniors Quarterfinal
(St. Paul, MN) — Team U-S-A hockey takes on Finland later today in the quarterfinals of the World Junior Championship in St. Paul. The Americans lost their final preliminary game to Sweden 6-3 on Wednesday at Grand Casino Arena. The Fins fell to Canada 7-4 on New Year’s Eve on the U of M campus. The Canadians play Slovakia in another quarterfinal at Mariucci Arena tonight.
