Will livestreamed government proceedings be coming to your Facebook feed?
By Tim Walker House Public Information Services More citizen engagement in government affairs is a good thing, right? Rep. Jimmy Gordon (R-Isanti) thinks so. He sponsors HF3295 that would authorize a public body to live broadcast meetings subject to the Open Meeting Law using social media. Current law allows state governmental units to hold official meetings by “interactive technology,” but…
Read More‘Melissa Hortman State Office Building’ gets overwhelming committee approval
By Mike Cook House Public Information Services When House members and staff return to the renovated and expanded State Office Building, one well-loved legislator will not be there but her name could be. Amid some watery eyes and with a tinge of mournfulness permeating the room, a bill to call the structure the “Melissa Hortman…
Read MoreBill would extend in-state tuition to families relocating for full-time jobs
By Margaret Stevens House Public Information Services When a family relocates for a new job, the financial math can be complicated — especially when college-aged children are involved. At the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, in-state tuition runs $18,482, compared with $41,368 for out-of-state students, according to U.S. News & World Report. For some households,…
Read MoreNancy Miedtke, 62
Nancy Miedtke, 62, of Maple Grove, Minn., passed away suddenly on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, coming as a huge shock to her friends and loved ones. Nancy was such a vibrant human being with an extreme zest for life that radiated out from her and encompassed anyone who was blessed enough to be in her…
Read MoreJeffrey Thomasson, 61
Jeffrey Thomasson, 61, Hallock, Minn., passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, Jan. 29, at his home. Jeffrey Allen Thomasson was born on Aug. 29, 1964, in St. Louis, Mo., to parents John and Patricia (Mazanec) Thomasson. He grew up in Mountain, N.D., and graduated from Edinburgh High School. Jeff lived and worked in several areas including…
Read MoreFred Klein, 68
Fred Andrew Klein, age 68, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in his home in Kennedy, Minn. He was born in Denver, Colo., to Joan Esther Pickett and Ben Ray Klein on April 11, 1957. He was the oldest of three boys. He attended Upper Columbia Academy from 10th through 12th grade, and he…
Read MoreDoris Jensen, 92
Doris Ann (Schumacher) Jensen, 92, of Grand Forks, North Dakota, fell asleep in Jesus on January 24, 2026. Doris was born on December 18, 1933, near Drayton, North Dakota, to Melvin and Anna Schumacher. She was raised on the family farm and graduated from Drayton High School. She was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran…
Read MoreLayne D. Turner, 73
Layne D. Turner, 73, of Marshall, Minn., passed away peacefully with his wife at his side on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, at Prairie Home Hospice Mclaughlin House, Marshall. A private service will be held at a later date. Layne was born June 24, 1952, son of Burton and Dorothy (Rustad) Turner in Hallock, Minn. He…
Read MoreRobert “Bob” Lindstrom, 73
Robert Paul “Bob” Lindstrom of Strandquist, Minn., passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026. Bob had been undergoing treatment for several forms of cancer over the past 2½ years. He fought like the warrior he was, but the disease ultimately prevailed. Bob was born at Karlstad Hospital in Karlstad, Minn., on…
Read MoreJames Wallenberg, 89
James Edward Wallenberg was born on Dec. 2, 1936 to Ed and Pearl (Zahara) Wallenberg in Hallock, Minn. His expiration date on this earth was Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, in Thief River Falls, Minn. Jim graduated from Lancaster Public school in 1954. In October 1957 he married Marlene Peterson, with whom he had three sons.…
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