Minnesota added 13,200 jobs in June, the third consecutive month of strong gains following losses seen during Operation Metro Surge from January through March. Minnesota's unemployment rate held at 4.4%, while the U.S. rate ticked down one tenth of a percentage point to 4.2%, according to data released Thursday by the ...

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor, released Thursday, shows drought conditions changed little across Minnesota and Iowa during the past week, with some modest improvement. In Minnesota, nearly 23% of the state is free of drought or abnormal dryness. About 39% remains abnormally dry, while 25% is in moderate drought and ...

Three area school districts are receiving funding to strengthen early literacy instruction. The Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, through the Mitchel Perrizo Jr. Leaders are Readers Fund, has awarded a total of $45,000 in grants to Blue Earth Area, Maple River and United South Central School Districts. Each dis...

Blue Earth Area Schools has received more than $104,000 in grant funding over the past several years, according to Community Engagement and Workforce Coordinator Brenda Millman. Superintendent Mandy Fletcher told the board Monday night the grants have supported literacy programs, student mental health resources and oth...

Candidate filling is now open for this year's city and school board elections across the State. Residents interested in running for Mayor, City Council or School Board can file for office beginning today. The filing period remains open through Tuesday, July 28th. A number of mayoral, city council and school board seat...

Iowa Softball Class 1A-Region 6 Playoffs North Union 11, Bishop Garrigan 3 Amateur Baseball Blue Earth 13, Windom 2 Minnesota Lake 9, Janesville 1 Fairmont 10, Heron Lake 0

MN Legion Baseball Playoffs USC at St. James Truman at Mankato

Iowa Softball Class 1A-Region 6 Playoffs Bishop Garrigan at North Union (On 98.1 FM & kbew98country.com, 7pm) MN Jr. Legion Baseball Madelia at USC Amateur Baseball Blue Earth at Windom Minnesota Lake at Janesville Heron Lake at Fairmont

Iowa Baseball North Iowa 3, Eagle Grove 2 Iowa Softball North Union 18, Estherville Lincoln Central 4 Eagle Grove 22, North Iowa 2 MN Jr. Legion Baseball USC 1, St. James 0 St. Peter 5, Maple River 2 Amateur Baseball Fairmont 10, Lakefield 5 Fox Lake 15, Heron Lake 0

Iowa Softball Ft. Dodge St. Edmond at North Union North Iowa at Belmond-Klemme MN Legion Baseball St. James at USC Truman at Springfield