Recent content from Kim Hyatt
Brainerd co-op gets $11M from USDA to connect 600 rural homes with high-speed internet
The move means fast internet will extend to less populated areas in Crow Wing and Morrison counties.
There's little evidence mail service has improved in Minnesota as holidays approach
The Postal Service has been plagued by financial and staffing issues. Service reports show mail is being delivered on time less often than a year ago.
8-year-old boy hospitalized after falling off Nisswa ski lift
First responders treated the child on scene before airlifting him for additional care.
Animal Humane Society prepared to rescue 300 animals. When agents returned, only 64 were alive.
A couple from Hines, Minn., is accused of burning many of the animals at what they claimed to be a rescue facility.
This playground for the wealthy is being overtaken by giant storage buildings. Some call it 'Tin City.'
The hottest housing market in the state demands secondary dwellings for expensive toys.
Probation for judge accused of bias by ex-deputy and newly elected state Rep. Bidal Duran
District Judge Eric Schieferdecker is on a form of probation for two years, but terms of the agreement are confidential.
Couple who claimed to run dog and cat rescue charged with felony neglect and torture
"Shovels-full of ashes and bones were found," charges say.
ACLU sues Otter Tail County, sheriff and jail staff for depriving inmate of food, water for days
The lawsuit claims officials covered up mistreatment and falsified documents.
Red Lake police officer Jesse Branch remembered as public servant, cowboy, lover of pranks
Branch, who dedicated 17 years to public safety in Red Lake Nation, died Nov. 27 after colliding with another vehicle while responding to a call for service.
Twin Cities businessman sues city of East Gull Lake over his controversial helicopter
"The opposition is all about spite," the helicopter owner said.
Funerals set for Red Lake police officer, tribal member killed in double-fatal car crash
Jesse Branch grew up in Bemidji and served 17 years in law enforcement on Red Lake Nation.
On-duty Red Lake tribal police officer one of two killed in two-vehicle crash
The same police department lost another officer in July 2021, when Ryan Bialke was shot to death.
Stolen handgun reported to Moorhead police. It was found in student's bag at school.
Capt. Deric Swenson said that the incident began as a report of a stolen firearm.
Facing 'unprecedented' felony charges, Minnesota election judge is out of that job
The Hubbard County judge allegedly let 11 unregistered voters cast ballots Nov. 5.
Felony charges: Hubbard County election judge allowed 11 unregistered voters to cast ballots
Timothy Scouton of Nevis is charged with two counts: One accuses the election judge of accepting votes of unregistered voters, the other neglect of duty.
Hubbard County to fill vacancy following county attorney's death
Jonathan Frieden oversaw the prosecutors office in Park Rapids for seven years.
For Alexandria's Thompson, basketball runs in his DNA
Chase Thompson officially signed his scholarship acceptance and financial package documents to play basketball at Clemson on Wednesday at Alexandria Area High School along with 17 other student-athletes committing to college teams on the first day of the NCAA's early signing period.
Hubbard County Attorney Jonathan Frieden, 43, dies of cancer
The young, accomplished attorney and proud "girl dad" from Park Rapids will be remembered at a service Thursday.
Voters in Detroit Lakes approve sales tax for $17.3M beachfront pavilion project
The ballot question passage came down to a margin of 618 votes to raze the beloved existing structure and replace it with a larger one.
Ex-deputy Bidal Duran wins tight northern Minnesota House race against homeless advocate Reed Olson
Duran got 850 more votes than Olson to maintain GOP control of the seat.
Former Minnesota GOP Chair Carnahan wins Nisswa mayoral race
Carnahan, who's had years of legal troubles, said with a lot of door knocking, she "won people over."
GOP Rep. Michelle Fischbach easily wins re-election in western Minnesota
The Seventh Congressional District has become reliably conservative in recent elections.
Brainerd man who set off statewide Amber Alert faces murder, kidnapping and arson charges
The charges also include first-degree criminal sexual conduct.
Amber Alert leads to arrest of Brainerd man who allegedly killed 1, kidnapped woman and four kids
The suspect was identified as Chad Aanerud, who has a lengthy criminal history in Crow Wing County.
Detroit Lakes woman is suspect in death of her missionary husband killed in Africa
Jackie Shroyer, 44, has been arrested in connection with Beau Shroyer's death.
Anonymous donor pays overdue bill for Fergus Falls house where town's first Black resident lived
An online fundraiser, created to pay off the $10,000 bill, caught the notice of the donor.
Missionary from Detroit Lakes killed in 'act of violence' in Africa
Beau Shroyer, 44, was killed Friday and leaves behind his wife and five children.
Lynx fandom extends beyond Minnesota's borders
Edith Rylander, 89, of Davidson, N.C., can finally watch Lynx games now that they are being broadcast across the country.
How one Sacramento woman adopted the Lynx 14 years ago and never looked back
Alberta Herrera, 70, frequently heads to Minneapolis to see the team play.
Meet a Lynx season ticket holder who drives nearly 500 miles round-trip for every home game
The superfan from Sioux Falls hasn't missed a single home game in four years.
Lynx star Napheesa Collier advocates for reproductive rights while chasing WNBA title
"So many of our rights feel like they're getting rolled back," the Minnesota Lynx star said Friday before Game 4 of the WNBA finals.
Complaint against Rep. Josh Heintzeman over allegations of pressuring police chief for support gets dismissed
Pequot Lakes Chief Mike Davis said he felt intimidated by Heintzeman, a Republican lawmaker from neighboring Nisswa who is seeking a fifth term from the Brainerd-area district.
With injuries piling up, one Minnesota high school ends varsity football season early
Only eight upperclassmen were available to play, the Wadena-Deer Creek head coach said.
Leech Lake Band changes gambling rules, pushing charities out of the equation
"Our priority is our tribal government, our priority is our community," said Leonard Fineday, the band's secretary and treasurer.
Overdose likely cause of couple's death in Brainerd Lakes area vacation home
The family vacation home is in Mission Township in Crow Wing County.
Here's how $4.6M in federal grants will assist public safety on four Minnesota reservations
"Tribes know best how to reduce crime and substance abuse on their lands," said U.S. Sen. Tina Smith.
Pilot crashes fire suppression plane in northern Minnesota lake
Eyewitnesses helped rescue the pilot who survived.
Car plows into crowd at chainsaw carving event in northern Minnesota, one seriously injured
The vehicle struck four adults.
Pequot Lakes police chief says Rep. Josh Heintzeman pressured him for support
Heintzeman, a Republican legislator from Nisswa, is accused of violating the Fair Campaign Practices Act. He denies the accusations.
State House race pits former sheriff's deputy against Bemidji homeless shelter director
GOP candidate Bidal Duran faces DFLer Reed Olson in his second bid for the seat that Olson lost to incumbent Rep. Matt Grossell in 2022.
Violent altercation led to abrupt closure of BernBaum's in downtown Fargo
Co-owner Andrea Baumgardner said the closure was due to "personnel reasons."
40 years after toxic waste destroyed a Cass Lake neighborhood, EPA promises action
The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe wants to redevelop the area, but it's hindered by contaminated groundwater and soil.
Moorhead police share most detailed information to date on unsolved homicide of NDSU student 10 years ago
The department also is reviewing evidence previously collected in the death of Tom Bearson to utilize advances in DNA technology.
Park Rapids mayor resigns, vacancy declared
The council in the northwestern Minnesota city will likely operate with one less member until November election.
Employee accused of stealing, reselling $40K in outdoor gear, guns from Walker, Minn., store
Prosecutors say Kelsey Marie Rutland used gift cards at Reeds, her former employer, to carry out 40 fraudulent purchases, including 18 firearms.
Coin toss determines winner in tied Mille Lacs County primary ballot recount
There were six other tight races in Minnesota's primary, including a Sunday liquor sale ballot question in Newfolden that passed by just three votes.
Flags at half-staff in Red Lake following death of Hereditary Chief James Loud
Services are being held Wednesday and Thursday.
Recounts called for two primary races in Bemidji and Mille Lacs County
Both recounts are open to the public.
Park Rapids OKs public charter school in local church, will welcome students Sept. 3
First-year enrollment projection is around 85 students.
Cass Lake man charged with killing brother in chokehold on Leech Lake Reservation
"He's already dead," the man reportedly told Leech Lake Tribal Police Officers when they arrived.
In greater Minnesota, annual state aid is often considered 'lifeblood.' So why doesn't everyone get it?
Local government aid (LGA) is largely driven by a city's property tax base. So cities with high tax bases compared to their needs get little to nothing, even in rural Minnesota.
Wildfire smoke sets off air-quality alert for northern Minnesota
Smoky conditions will last until at least Monday.
Former Minnesota GOP Chair Jennifer Carnahan is running for mayor of Nisswa
She moved north two years ago after she was ousted as party chair and entangled in legal troubles.
'A special Minnesota thing': Wild rice harvest season returns
But it's not quite ready. "The manoomin makes its own schedule," said one tribal official.
Becker County man charged with murder, manslaughter in weekend trailer park shooting
He was smoking a cigarette with a woman when a man he didn't know approached the vehicle and allegedly broke the window and struck him.
Minnesota's longest-running art and book festival? It's happening Saturday in Hackensack
The town's population is 10 times greater on Saturday for the Northwoods Art & Book Festival.
Minnesota Court of Appeals: Walker softball coach is protected by immunity in injury lawsuit
A girl sustained a permanent bump on her forehead after a teammate accidentally hit her with a softball bat during practice.
Akeley, Minn., man charged with shooting friend, who was airlifted to Fargo in critical condition
A disagreement over text messages escalated into an altercation and gunfire.
Northern Minnesota man charged with killing neighbor's dog, baiting bear, overkilling deer
His father and two brothers also face charges for killing a wolf and bear.
What happened to all the leeches in Leech Lake?
The bloodsucking invertebrates appear to be on the decline in their namesake lake.
Fond du Lac Band becomes first Minnesota tribe to join legal fight against social media giants
A growing legal battle in Indian Country takes aim at Facebook, Instagram Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube.
Minnesota state bird to get its due at National Loon Center in Crosslake
With groundbreaking expected this fall, millions more in federal funding and community donations are needed.
Duluth woman accused of stealing $1K of gas in drive-offs from stations in Cass County
She was arrested Monday and charged Wednesday, according to the Sheriff's Office.
Watch unicyclists play flaming puck hockey at Unicon in Bemidji
The No. 1 rule? Keep the blazing ball low to the ground to avoid hitting players and spectators.
Black bear busts into Itasca State Park cabin after man leaves bananas out overnight
Note: Never leave a banana on the counter in your cabin. Definitely don't leave out two.
Unicon, the Olympics of unicycling, kicks off in Bemidji
Unicon last took place in Minnesota 30 years ago. Here's what you need to know.
Crookston reels from back-to-back fatal police shootings
Few small towns have had two or more fatal police shootings in the past quarter century, much less 45 days apart by the same officer.
New era of leadership begins for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
Virgil Wind is the band's first new chief executive in more than two decades.
The Pequot Lakes bobber water tower was sinking into disrepair. Residents rallied to keep it afloat.
"When people think of Pequot, they think of the bobber."
Crookston officer who killed man in homeless shelter ID'd as same officer who killed man in May
Nick Fladland killed Christopher Ryan Junkin at the Care and Share shelter on June 30. Chief says he was on leave 16 days.
Moorhead couple accused of murder in 3-year-old boy's beating death
The boy was in their care when he suffered injuries caused by an assault, an autopsy revealed.
'Sacred responsibility': After 20 years, Bemidji Veterans Home opens with a long wait list
Some 300 veterans are on the wait-list for the 72-bed care facility.
Nisswa saves its turtle races as pressure grows from new Minnesota law, conservation groups
A new law bans commercial harvesting, trapping of turtles. Beloved turtle races pivot to keep tradition alive.
As murderer sentenced, Brainerd horse trainer remembered for her ethereal spirit
The 2021 case of deadly mistaken identity reached its legal conclusion in Crow Wing County.
Minnesota's most lake-rich county cracks down on large, loud vacation rental homes
Another county tries to balance NIMBYs with VRBOs as neighbors are hoping a new ordinance will bring some reprieve after years of parties, but some vacation homeowners say the regulations are an overreach.