Recent content from Jp Lawrence
Colorado company eyes Glencoe expansion after nixing plans for AI data center in southern Minnesota
Revolve Labs said talks with Mountain Lake are on hold and focus is now on its existing site in Glencoe.
How a 40-ton grain elevator crossed over the Rapidan Dam
The 1949 journey of a grain elevator across fields, a river and up a hill looms large in local memory.
Mankato Kwik Trip employee was stabbed 43 times, murder charges say
The suspect told police that he went to the store with a knife and a lighter because "God is telling me," the charging document said.
Mankato gas station worker found dying of knife wound; one arrested
Police charged Michael Miller, 28, with second-degree murder.
Nebraska man on quest to visit every city in Minnesota completes southwest leg
Travel guide writer Seth Varner says he plans to visit all of Minnesota's 856 cities by the end of the year.
After backlash, developer withdraws gravel mine proposal near Mankato
Some 2,500 petitioners rallied against a quarry near a Blue Earth County park.
At sentencing for North Mankato murder, victim's family struggles with forgiveness
"I lost myself to drugs, and now there's a family that can't see their loved one," said Dominic Ellen, who was sentenced to nearly 22 years.
Former manager at rural Minn. grocery store pleads guilty to sexual assault of two teen employees
Kyle Brady Shelton managed a grocery where generations of teens in Redwood Falls worked.
Minnesota school district faces $700,000 budget shortfall, launches criminal investigation
Much of the budget deficit comes from escalating transportation costs.
Willmar forges ahead on municipal broadband
The $24.5 million Connect Willmar project aims to improve internet in the city, after a last-minute bid from Charter/Spectrum.
Lumberyard fire is yet another blow for a small Minnesota town
Clinton, on the state's western edge, also faces the closure of its elementary school, lost its grain elevator to a blaze, and lost the town cafe in a windstorm.
In rural Minnesota, immigrants prepare for the day they've long feared
In rural Minnesota, advocates and legal clinics prepare immigrants for family separation with things like Delegation of Parental Authority (DOPA) forms, amid the Trump administration's immigrant crackdown.
What's the smallest town in Minnesota with a mayor?
In tiny locales, populations are dynamic. One resident leaving can alter rankings.
Marshall man recounts harrowing tale of surviving Delta Flight 4819
"This is how I'm going to die," the passenger in 9B thought as the plane slid down the runway and overturned.
Murray County Central wants to move to four-day school weeks
The school day would be lengthened by 30 minutes in the effort to save money and retain staff.
Mankato's first restaurant week starts Monday, with specials on the menus
Special menus featured at 18 local eateries in an effort to give local eateries a boost during a slow time.
Mankato animal shelter seeks fresh start but needs $300k to regain footing
New leaders at the Blue Earth County Humane Society say they want to regain the public's trust.
Minnesota housing agency sues to keep mobile home park open in Marshall
Schierholz & Associates accused of threatening to shut down the park
University of Minnesota surgeon, known as 'father of orthopedics' in his native Philippines, dies at 94
Ramon Gustilo undertook more than 5,000 hip, knee and joint replacement surgeries and helped his home city, too.
Cottonwood woman runs onto frozen lake to save man and dog who fell through
Catie Dahl, a mother of four, held onto the man's hand until help arrived.
Vehicle crashes into Mankato elementary school, no students reported injured
All students have been evacuated.
Watch Blue Earth County bridge being demolished
The County Road 9 bridge was critically damaged from flooding of nearby Rapidan Dam.
Family sues DNR in wrongful death lawsuit after son's death in landslide at Mankato state park
Jack Loso, a 19-year-old college student, died while visiting Minneopa State Park on Dec. 2, 2023.
Jury mostly sides with mobile home park owners in lawsuit alleging negligence
The final argument by the Minnesota Attorney General's office, which filed the suit, was struck from the record after warnings about misstatements.
Teaching nursing to rural high schoolers? Virtual reality makes it possible
A new program is helping 13 school districts in Minnesota's south-central region provide nursing instruction.
Removal of failed Rapidan Dam near Mankato to begin in 2027
Surveying and mapping at the dam is set to take place throughout 2025.
Worthington's 'Padre Jim' Callahan, who founded clinic for all, dies at 74
He was a fierce advocate for refugees and migrants.
Walz presents $887 million infrastructure spending plan at dam battered by floods
No bonding bills were passed in 2024.
Mankato demolishes century-old Landmark Center in $93 million downtown revamp
As the city hopes for more convention business, the investment group behind a planned hotel complex eyes less ROI in favor of a catalyst for downtown.
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.
