Recent content from Jp Lawrence
Events to mark Martin Luther King Day scheduled in the Twin Cities, Duluth, Mankato, St. Cloud
A new documentary in Mankato features archival audio of the civil rights leader's speech there in 1961.
Mankato's historic Ardent Mills plant shuts down
The facility is known for the massive mural on its 135-foot-tall grain silos.
Man now dead after apparent homicide of romantic partner in Blue Earth County
Deputies are investigating the death of a 64-year-old man and a woman, 57, as a murder-suicide.
Minnesota farmhand sentenced to 30 years for killing his 79-year-old boss
Travis Bauer was in deep debt and stood to receive money from the Vietnam War veteran he shot dead.
Mounds View mermaid gets a makeover — and a little coverup of her bullet holes
The fiberglass mermaid statue visible from afar had faded and taken a few arrows and bullets. A New Ulm crew that repaired Blue Earth's Jolly Green Giant is fixing it.
Volunteers raise $45K for Redwood Falls' first police dog
The money was raised via raffles and gifts from local people and organized by a group focused on K9 support for police.
Battered Rapidan bridge has to go before spring floods, county says
The likelihood is high that the bridge could be "critically damaged" if hit by more flooding, Blue Earth County officials warn.
18 years ago, federal agents raided this Minnesota meatpacking town; residents fear Round 2
A generation after a seismic immigration raid, residents of Worthington see the raid's long shadow, but also change, in their community.
A tradition revived: Horse riders honor 38 Dakota men hanged in 1862 in Mankato
Two groups, leaving from South Dakota and Nebraska, traveled hundreds of miles for a reconciliation ceremony.
Charges filed against Mankato man in 'execution style' killing
The early Saturday slaying happened after a deal for marijuana cartridges went south, according to charges.
This southwest Minnesota town aims to build a world-record nutcracker
The 65-foot-tall nutcracker would have a working jaw.
GOP lawmaker calls for Mankato prof to resign after comment about UnitedHealthcare CEO's killer
U.S. Rep. Brad Finstad called for the tenured Minnesota State Mankato professor's resignation; the university does not endorse the professor's comment, its president says.
Albert Lea man sentenced to 25 years for 2-year-old's murder
Austin Michael Navarro was also sentenced for assaulting his newborn son.
Ardent Mills talks shutdown plans in meeting with Mankato
The company discussed preserving the mill's massive mural, holding job fairs.
Minnesota State Mankato to receive $2 million from Japanese electric motor manufacturer
The money from Nidec Corp. will go toward a center for the business school.
Mankato reopening dog pound after ending contract with animal shelter
The city is stepping in after ending its contract with the Blue Earth Nicollet County Humane Society shelter.
Mankato Brewery, known for inventive beers, to close after 12 years
"Our journey as a brewery is coming to an end," said owner Tim Tupy, whose Boomchickapop Popcorn Ale was a big hit.
Pearl Harbor survivor who taught at Minnesota State Mankato dies at 101: 'This guy's a hero'
Charles Sehe, who died last month at 101, was the last Minnesota survivor to have served on the USS Nevada during the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.
Mankato teen sentenced to 15 years for fatal February shooting
The shooter and victim, both teenagers, had had an ongoing dispute.
Family blames DNR for negligence after son's landslide death a year ago near Mankato
Jack Loso, a student at Minnesota State Mankato, was just 19 when he died at Minneopa State Park. His family wants justice.
Mankato officials, police meet with Muslims after mosque scare
A recent suspected arson triggered fears of anti-Muslim targeting.
Mankato limits cannabis retailers to four, sets strict zoning rules
City officials said they are pursuing a "middle ground" approach, but others may see them as restrictive.
Those murals painted on Mankato grain silos? The owner is shutting down operations there
The company is working with Mankato on the fate of the mural on its trademark silos.
Former hospital turned apartment complex receives $2.2 million in refinancing
The Redwood Falls property aims to address the housing shortage in southwest Minnesota.
Former Redwood Falls grocery store manager accused of sexual assault of another teen employee
Police said another victim has come forward.
Willmar's largest landlord sues city
Suite Liv'n lawsuit alleges the city hoped to shut the company down.
Vacant mall in New Ulm burns, no injuries reported
No injuries reported, but cause under investigation
Charges: Suspect in girlfriend's murder told police, 'There's a dead body upstairs'
Police say a dispute between a housesitter and his girlfriend ended in violence in southwest Minnesota.
Police, Mankato mosque at odds over reported arson attempt
The Islamic Center of Mankato said a man held a lighter to brush near the building.
Colonel's last heroic act: Ensuring Minnesota Guard honored for Afghan mission
Family members, fellow soldiers, remember Jacob Helgestad, a colonel in the Minnesota National Guard who led a dangerous and chaotic 12-day mission as the U.S. pulled out of Afghanistan.
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Convicted mayors of Waseca, Good Thunder win re-election
Both Randy Zimmerman and Robert John Anderson, who had pleaded guilty to misdemeanors, said they put faith in voters to decide.
Anxiety and optimism in Mankato as Democrats gather in Walz territory
Activists and campaign staff gathered to watch early election results in the Minnesota city where Walz taught high school and coached football.
Mankato animal shelter 'soft closed' after blowout with board
The board chair of the animal shelter BENCHS acknowledges a meddlesome work culture after many staff resignations and vows change.
Company with Glencoe crypto mining operation has plans to move away from residents, transition to AI
Revolve Labs has proposed an "operation change" as part of a multimillion-dollar expansion.
Teen charged in Willmar drive-by shooting
Carsten Ronald Tallman, 18, faces five felony charges after wounding another teen.
Iowa man completes decadelong quest to visit every Pizza Ranch
Jason Halkias' stop in Sioux Center, Iowa, is his 224th.
Proposed nightclub draws opposition in Willmar
Diamante Night Club in rural Minnesota wants to move, but some neighbors foresee conflict with nearby businesses and an apartment complex with low-income residents.
Shooting victim had greeted the stranger who pulled into his west central Minnesota driveway
In addition to seriously wounding the Lake Lillian man, the suspect is accused of firing multiple shots from a Minneapolis apartment balcony and killing another man in Willmar.
Minnesota farmhand deeply in debt found guilty in death of 79-year-old boss
Travis Bauer helped Dennis Weitzenkamp "farm his land for many years and was considered part of the family," according to court filings.
Battling for purple-district votes in southern Minnesota, both candidates say they have the secret
Republican Erica Schwartz and incumbent Jeff Brand battle for the purple St. Peter-area seat, which could swing control of the Minnesota House.
Crypto company looking into new facilities in Glencoe
The proposal to add an AI data center is in its preliminary stages and could cost up to $60 million and employ 10 people.
Edina veteran accused of setting up ambush of police needs mental care, not incarceration, supporters say
Christopher Covert, who allegedly planned to ambush and kill police in Redwood Falls, struggled mentally after an Afghanistan deployment, say friends and family.
Nine students injured as school bus hit by pickup in southwestern Minnesota
The school bus driver failed to yield at an intersection, the Redwood County Sheriff's Office says.
Minnesota town rallies around football coach with Stage 4 cancer
Only days before football teams could begin practice, Mountain Lake coach Tim Kirk was diagnosed with Stage 4 gallbladder cancer. He's fighting the battle with the team and the town behind him.
Gov. Tim Walz pops up in Mankato, gives pep talk to high school team he once coached
The Minnesota governor and vice presidential nominee was back home in Mankato on Friday night for a crosstown rivalry football game. It's one of a series of Midwestern stops for Walz as the Harris campaign works to win over male voters.
Mayors of Waseca, Good Thunder will continue to run after pleading guilty to misdemeanors
The two mayors, both up for re-election, in separate cases admitted to perjury and a financial conflict of interest.
One for The Jug: In Mankato, a football rivalry will add a new chapter
The Kato Jug is the prize when Mankato West and Mankato East meet. It's been 18 games since East won it, but the Cougars, with a 5-1 record, stand a good chance going into Friday's game at Blakeslee Stadium.
Fans flock as Rapidan Dam Store reopens after flooding
The family-owned restaurant, feared lost after flooding, is seen as a staple of the community.
Man faces five charges of attempted murder after shootout with cops in rural Minnesota
Aerial police drones pivotal in standoff between Kasey Paul Willander and deputies.
Redwood Falls police say Edina man armed with rifle set up ambush to kill them
Edina police requested an extreme risk protection order on Christopher Mark Covert, 27, using a recently passed red-flag gun law.
In Tim Walz's home city, opposing groups watch him debate on the national stage
Parties in Mankato highlight chasm over how Minnesotans view Walz.
Former Minnesota principal's claims of retaliation over LGBTQ advocacy are dismissed
Mary Kay Thomas sued the Marshall school board in 2021 over claims of discrimination after she advocated for LGBTQ rights.
In southwestern Minnesota, the dream of a Buddhist temple collapses
Dozens in the Lao community in and around the small city of Jackson had pinned their hopes on a woman's quixotic quest to rehabilitate a derelict motel.
Proposal for Minnesota crypto mining operation pulled after public opposition
Windom residents feared noise pollution from data facility proposed by Revolve Labs.
Marshall woman accused of bilking family company and spending money at casino
Rikki Lee Kor, 49, is accused of writing more than 50 forged checks.
FEMA deadline for Minnesota flood aid is extended
Oct. 27 is new deadline to apply for individual assistance grants.
Clarkfield man charged with stealing great-uncle's shotgun prior to shootout with law enforcement
Kasey Paul Willander, 27, faces a felony charge of burglary while possessing a weapon.
State IDs man shot by law enforcement in western Minnesota siege
Kasey Paul Willander, 27, is expected to survive his injuries after authorities say he exchanged fire with officers.
Waseca women's prison has been on lockdown for two weeks
Nine inmates have been hospitalized for drug use, and two employees were sent to the hospital for drug exposure.
Man in shootout with deputies in western Minnesota had raised his family's concern
Kasey Paul Willander, 27, was shot by SWAT teams after firing at officers at home in rural Clarkfield.
A multistate, decade-long Pizza Ranch odyssey is man's slice of heaven
Jason Halkias is on a crusade to visit every Pizza Ranch restaurant in the United States. He'll get one step closer to his goal when he makes his 44th and final Minnesota stop in Willmar.
Bar brawl in Montevideo leads to attempted murder charge, five arrests
The fight over Labor Day weekend at Inn Like Flinn's bar left three people hospitalized with knife wounds.
Charges: New Ulm schoolteacher sent, received child pornography
New Ulm school officials says charges against Daniel John Janke, 54, do not involve children from the district where he taught. He is still on the district's payroll but a spokesman says he hasn't actively worked there since April.
Axel Steuer, who guided Gustavus Adolphus College through 1998 tornado, dies at 81
Axel Steuer, an American "success story," came to the U.S. as a refugee from Germany in 1952.
Minnesota tribe sees hemp as helping solve housing shortage on its reservation
Hempcrete, a construction material that uses hemp stalks, can provide an ecofriendly solution to housing for the Lower Sioux Indian Community.
Charges: Manager of Redwood Falls grocery store accused of preying on teen workers
Kyle Brady Shelton of Redwood Falls faces four felony charges.
Proposed crypto mining operation runs into public opposition in Windom
The crypto company says it has plans to mitigate noise, but residents say they remain skeptical.
Deadline for federal flood aid looms
Misconceptions about applying for grant money preventing eligible Minnesotans from applying.
Football players coached by Tim Walz took the DNC stage Wednesday; here's how it happened
"It was unreal, like pinch me now."
Former Walz students star at Mankato West High School watch party for his DNC speech
Some of the governor's former students were at the event.
Man dies in grain bin in southwest Minnesota
Officials identified the 61-year-old man on Wednesday.
Walz knows his way around farms, but his support in ag country continues to wane
The Minnesota governor has long been a fixture in the state's agriculture scene, but as governor he has drawn rural opposition over a tossed-off slogan years ago and his handling of the 2020 civil unrest.
Train derailment closes down Willmar railroad crossing
No one hurt but crossing to be closed until Friday.
'Just got the tingles': Mankato, where Tim Walz taught and coached, reacts to his political ascent
"We in Mankato knew he was a good guy, because our kids told us."
Teams surveying tornado damage in several southern Minnesota communities
South-central Minnesota was hardest hit by the Monday evening storms.
