Staff Directory 6370466

Kim Hyatt

Reporter | North Central Minnesota
Phone: 612-673-4751

Kim Hyatt reports on North Central Minnesota. She previously covered Hennepin County courts.


Hyatt grew up in Laporte, Minn. and graduated from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. She worked as an investigative reporter at The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead and the Owatonna People's Press where she was named New Journalist of the Year by the Minnesota Newspaper Association. Outside of work, she enjoys biking and basketball.
Recent content from Kim Hyatt
A crew lays down fiber-optic cable last year as part of an initiative bringing broadband internet to rural areas in Carver County.

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.
Mail carrier Dennis Nelson delivers Amazon packages to a home in northern Minnesota on Nov. 23, 2023.

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.
One of the 64 animals recovered alive from a purported rescue north of Bemidji earlier this month is now housed at a shelter. Many could be adopted so

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.
Boats and a camper are set up in Brad Nelson’s storage unit in Dean Eggena’s development outside of Crosslake on Dec. 8. Eggena's storage unit dev

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.
GOP candidate Bidal Duran meets with residents at a Beltrami County commissioner candidate forum at the fairground in Bemidji on Sept. 18.

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.
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A gavel rests on its sounding block with a several law books and a justice scale out of focus in the background.

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 Chase Gallinger, right, led fellow pallbearers carrying the casket of his friend and partner, Officer Jesse Branch, who died i

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.
In its answer to a lawsuit filed by helicopter owner Doug Schieffer in November, the City of East Gull Lake included photos of Schieffer's helicopter

Twin Cities businessman sues city of East Gull Lake over his controversial helicopter

"The opposition is all about spite," the helicopter owner said.
Red Lake tribal police officer Jesse Branch, 35, was one of two killed in a two-vehicle crash on Wednesday.

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.
Alan Lussier Jr.

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.
Police and school staff had been on the lookout for the student, who wasn't at school by the time Moorhead police alerted staff about the student poss

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.
Timothy Scouton, 64 of Nevis, Minn., stands accused in Hubbard County District Court of violating two of the state’s election laws: neglect of duty

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.
A Nevis, Minn., man serving as a head election judge is accused of allowing 11 unregistered voters to cast ballots on Election Day.

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 Attorney Jonathan Frieden, 43, died Saturday of cancer. He oversaw the prosecutor's office in northern Minnesota for seven years. Here

Hubbard County to fill vacancy following county attorney's death

Jonathan Frieden oversaw the prosecutors office in Park Rapids for seven years.
Chase Thompson, middle, poses for a photo with his grandparents, Bill and Judy French and Joyce and Richard Thompson (from left), after signing a lett

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, died Saturday of cancer. He oversaw the prosecutor's office in northern Minnesota for seven years. Here

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.
An aerial rending of the proposed $17.3 million pavilion project in Detroit Lakes. Voters approved a 0.5% sales tax to fund the project. Provided by R

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.
GOP candidate Bidal Duran meets with residents at a candidate forum in Bemidji on Sept. 18.

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.
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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."
U.S. Rep. Michelle Fischbach speaks at the Radisson Blue at the Mall of America Tuesday evening after winning re-election.

GOP Rep. Michelle Fischbach easily wins re-election in western Minnesota

The Seventh Congressional District has become reliably conservative in recent elections.
Investigators comb through the charred remains of a house that was burned down on Nikkole Dobson's property in Brainerd.

Brainerd man who set off statewide Amber Alert faces murder, kidnapping and arson charges

The charges also include first-degree criminal sexual conduct.
Investigators combed through the charred remains of a house that was burned down on Nikkole Dobson's property in Brainerd.

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.
The Honeycutt House, shown in August.

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.
Beau Shroyer, formerly of Detroit Lakes, Minn., was killed in an act of violence Friday while doing missionary work in Angola, Africa. His family move

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.
John and Edith Rylander, formerly of Grey Eagle, Minn., have been watching the Lynx in the WNBA playoff series from their new home at a senior living

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.
Sisters Linda and Alberta Herrera were all smiles after the Minnesota Lynx won Friday to force Game 5 in the WNBA playoff series against the New York

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.
R.J. Erickson of Sioux Falls hasn't missed a Lynx home game in Target Center in fours years. He said the thousands of miles he's driven to see the gam

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.
Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier warms up while wearing a VOTE shirt Friday before taking on the New York Liberty in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals

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.
An administrative law judge has dismissed a complaint against Rep. Josh Heintzeman who was accused of violating the Fair Campaign Practices Act by all

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.
The Wadena-Deer Creek football team is ending the season early because of a large number of injured players.

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.
Wyatt Knowles, 12, and his mom Alicia Knowles, paint the goalie net on Wednesday, Oct. 9 at the Walker Community Center. Hockey season starts next wee

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.
U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, chairs a Senate field hearing on investing in Tribal Nations Tuesday, June 28,

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 Mike Davis says Rep. Josh Heintzeman, R-Nisswa, tried pressuring and intimidating Davis for support, after the chief signed

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.
At left, GOP candidate Bidal Duran meets with residents at a Beltrami County commissioner candidate forum at the fairground in Bemidji, Minn., on Sept

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.
BernBaum's restaurant in downtown Fargo bridged Jewish and Icelandic cuisines.

Violent altercation led to abrupt closure of BernBaum's in downtown Fargo

Co-owner Andrea Baumgardner said the closure was due to "personnel reasons."
The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe hosted local, state and federal officials Thursday to acknowledge the 40th anniversary of St. Regis Paper Co. becoming a

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.
Tom Bearson was a standout basketball star at Sartell High School before attending North Dakota State University in Fargo. He disappeared Sept. 20, 20

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.
Ryan Leckner, pictured in his auction business office with Labrador Retriever Rosco, submitted his resignation as Park Rapids Mayor that was accepted

Park Rapids mayor resigns, vacancy declared

The council in the northwestern Minnesota city will likely operate with one less member until November election.
A former employee of Reeds in Walker, Minn., is accused of making 40 fraudulent purchases over the course of two years by using dormant and unused gif

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.
“I voted” stickers on a table at Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis on Aug. 13, 2024.

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.
“I voted” stickers on a table at Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis on Aug. 13, 2024.

Recounts called for two primary races in Bemidji and Mille Lacs County

Both recounts are open to the public.
Off Hwy. 71 at the north edge of Park Rapids is the new location of the Heartland Lakes Community School inside the Riverside United Methodist Church,

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.
Communities such as central Minnesota's Wahkon, rich with shoreline and beautiful homes, don't get LGA from the state because of their high property t

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.
Heavy smoke from Canadian wildfires blankets downtown St. Paul in June 2023.

Wildfire smoke sets off air-quality alert for northern Minnesota

Smoky conditions will last until at least Monday.
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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.
Dave Bismarck, land surveyor with Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Division of Resource Management, went out scouting wild rice beds at Leech Lake’s Steamb

'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.
The small community of Hackensack, just 14 miles south of Walker on Highway 371, is hosting the 29th annual Northwoods Art and Book Festival this Satu

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.
Daniel and Jessica Juelson, of Hines, Minn., reported their German shepard, Sysco, was shot Aug. 27, 2023. They found .22 caliber shell casings near h

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.
DNR large lake specialist Carl Pedersen pulled a horse leech out of the water with his bare hands.

What happened to all the leeches in Leech Lake?

The bloodsucking invertebrates appear to be on the decline in their namesake lake.
The U.S. surgeon general is demanding warning labels for social media platforms similar to those on cigarette packaging meant to discourage young peop

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.
A rendering of the National Loon Center in Crosslake looking east. Construction of the 15,000 square-foot facility is expected to break ground this fa

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.
Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk shared this image of the suspect's Toyota pickup truck. A 28-year-old Duluth woman is accused of filling the barrels wi

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.
At the Unicon unicycling convention in Bemidji, athletes competed in games of flaming puck hockey Tuesday night outside City Hall to a curious and ent

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.
Mike Roman's post on the popular Facebook page Itasca State Park through the lens got a lot of attention given his proximity to an unexpected guest.

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.
Kirsten Goldstein, a Minnesota native and Bemidji State University grad, poses in front of Paul Bunyan and Babe in downtown Bemidji to promote Unicon

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, a small college town and farming community, is reeling from two recent fatal police shootings. The shooting June 30 happened inside the Car

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.
Former Mille Lacs Band's District I Representative Virgil Wind is the new chief executive of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.

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 needs a $77,000 renovation after decades of disrepair. Residents and area businesses have donated nearly $57,000.

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 police officer Nick Fladland shot and killed Christopher Ryan Junkin, 44, of California, above, inside the Care and Share shelter June 30

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.
Bemidji Veterans Home staffer Tonya Moss takes a photo of resident and Navy veteran Richard Morine with his wife Barbara at a dedication ceremony for

'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.
Turtle racing is serious business with hundred of contestants and a medal at stake.

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.
Bethany Bernatsky worked in many areas of horse showing, training and performance. In this 2015 photo, she rides ambassador horse Conde for the Mediev

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.
Jane McLandress, pictured along the shore of her Lake Jewett home with dog Oskar on Tuesday, June 11. She used to live next to a noisy Airbnb until th

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.