Stories from surrounding communities, closest first.
www.riverfallsjournal.com · Stillwater, MN
Nearby: Stillwater, MNKenneth O'Shea, age 73, of Houlton, WI, passed away peacefully on November 6, 2026 surrounded by loved ones. He was born September 29, 1953 to Lorin Clovis and Gertrude Marie (Polansky) O'Shea in Stillwater, MN.Fondly known as KENNYFIXIT, Ken found passion and fulfillment in helping others. He spent much of his time wrenching on vehicles, repairing anything from electric hair clippers to scuba diving equipment, wiring circuits, or building tools and structures. Whether it was changing brake pads, replacing injectors, installing the electrical in an entire building, resolving IT woes, building a computer from scratch, or pulling a car out of a ditch mid-winter storm, Kenny could be counted on to help fix it and to impart knowledge along the way. During his career as an R&D Technician at 3M in Maplewood, MN, Ken contributed to the development of many well-known products, and was often consulted for his broad expertise and skill set.
www.riverfallsjournal.com · Hammond, WI
Nearby: Hammond, WIUW-River Falls graduate Ronald Owen stands near the Kinnickinnic River in downtown River Falls in August. Owen, a U.S. Navy, Wisconsin National Guard and U.S. Army veteran, recently began a new career as a geographic information systems (GIS) analyst for the Southwest Florida Water Management District. UWRF photo. Ronald Owen has had to chart a new course more than once in his life. After graduating from St. Croix Central High School in Hammond in 2009, Owen enlisted in the U.S. Navy, working as a Navy corpsman at medical centers in Virginia and California and serving two deployments to Afghanistan. His path then took some twists and turns before he earned his bachelor’s degree in geography from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in May and began a new career in late August as a geographic information systems (GIS) analyst for the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
Post-Bulletin · St Paul, MN
Nearby: St Paul, MNST. PAUL — During the postgame press conference, Fillmore Central head coach Travis Malley was visibly emotional while talking about his players. Malley, who took over as the Falcons’ head coach in 2014, has been present for all four of the volleyball program’s state berths. He served as an assistant coach when the Falcons finished as Class 1A state runners-up in 2013 and as head coach during their state tournament streak over the past three seasons. The bond his players share with him and with each other was evident despite a heartbreaking loss in the Class 1A state semifinals on Friday afternoon at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul. “I just love how much he cares for us,” junior setter Hannah Vaalemoen said. “There's not a single person on the team that he wouldn't do anything for. If you ask him to do something, he will always say yes. It’s such a privilege to have him care for us, and it's not even like a coach. He's like a dad to us. … I'll go to Travis for anything.” The No.
Atlanta Black Star · St Paul, MN
Nearby: St Paul, MNLionel Richie has spent much of 2026 giving his fans reasons to worry. Now the legendary singer is giving them something else to talk about. This time, it is not another trip to the hospital. The 77-year-old returned to the stage this week for the first time following a series of health issues. For months, every new performance raised questions about whether the beloved crooner was pushing himself too hard. But Richie apparently wasn’t ready to trade his microphone for a rocking chair. He looked energized and ready to remind everyone why he remains an entertainment fixture after five decades during his Nov. 11 performance. Richie made his triumphant return during his “Lionel Richie — King of Hearts” residency at Wynn Las Vegas. Before launching into his familiar catalog of hits, the former Commodores frontman grabbed the microphone. “I’m back!” he repeatedly shouted into the mic. “I don’t know where I was, but I’m back. I’m doing just fine.
Post-Bulletin · St Paul, MN
Nearby: St Paul, MNST. PAUL — Stewartville is no stranger to Cretin-Derham Hall. For three straight years, the schools have met in the Class 3A girls volleyball state tournament, the Tigers prevailing each time. In 2024, they faced off in the state quarterfinals and the Tigers won in four sets. They played again in the Class 3A third-place game last year. That time, Stewartville found victory in five sets. Wednesday’s match — this one in the state Class 3A quarterfinals — combined factors from both previous meetings with Stewartville winning a five-set marathon 25-16, 25-18, 20-25, 22-25, 15-12 at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul. The No. 5-seeded and No. 8-ranked Tigers advance to the state semifinals Friday for the third consecutive year. The Tigers are at state for the third straight season and the 27th time overall. Cretin-Derham Hall (25-8) was the No. 4 seed and ranked fifth in the state. “Crazy game,” Stewartville third-year head coach Sammy Pedersen said.
Hmong Times · St Paul, MN
Nearby: St Paul, MNBy Kim Yang The sights, sounds, and traditions of Hmong culture will once again fill downtown St. Paul as the Minnesota Hmong New Year celebration returns November 28-29, 2026, bringing together families, performers, community leaders, and visitors for one of the region’s most anticipated cultural celebrations. Hosted by the United Hmong Family, the annual event at the Saint Paul RiverCentre and Roy Wilkins Auditorium is more than a holiday gathering. It is a celebration of cultural identity, family connections, and the traditions that have united generations of Hmong people. This year’s festivities promise an expanded lineup of cultural performances, traditional competitions, and special programming designed to showcase both established performers and emerging talent. For Mee Vang, President of the United Hmong Family, the upcoming celebration represents an exciting opportunity to strengthen the event’s cultural programming while welcoming participants from beyond Minnesota.
MinnPost · St Paul, MN
Nearby: St Paul, MNWASHINGTON – Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has helped his party enjoy a fantastic midterm, with Democrats flipping at least seven Republican U.S. Senate seats and coming into the new Congress with a strong majority. But Schumer’s electoral victories aren’t good enough for Sen.-elect Peggy Flanagan, who during a press call on Wednesday said she prefers someone else to lead Senate Democrats. “I am tremendously grateful for Chuck Schumer’s leadership, but I think it’s time for new leadership,” Flanagan said. Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, DFL candidate for US Senate, gives a victory speech during a DFL election night party at InterContinental Hotel in St. Paul, Minn. on Nov. 3, 2026.
Altoona Mirror · Minneapolis, MN
Nearby: Minneapolis, MNNeil Rudel's Commentary Change in the wind: Campbell hinting at roster movement Minnesota (5-4) at Penn State (5-4): FS1, 7 p.m. By Neil Rudel November 13, 2026 5 min read Minnesota quarterback Drake Lindsey (5) throws a pass against Mississippi State in the first half during an NCAA college football game in Minneapolis, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Craig Lassig) Trending This is the time of year when you're going to start hearing the word "retention." With the college football season winding down -- at least for the Nittany Lions -- the focus will quickly shift to how many players and who will be transferring out and into the program. The portal opens on Jan. 4 and runs for 10 days, and you'd have to be naive to think commitments won't be made well in advance of January. Though he's tried to stay true to living in the moment and not look that far down the road, Matt Campbell has dropped a couple hints lately about the inevitable roster movement.
Post-Bulletin · Minneapolis, MN
Nearby: Minneapolis, MNROCHESTER — Expectations are always sky high for the Caledonia football team and the Warriors are living up to those lofty standards this season. The Warriors made perhaps their biggest statement this season as they overwhelmed Cannon Falls 63-12 on Thursday in a Class 2A state quarterfinal game at Rochester Mayo High School. The Warriors, the top-ranked overall team in the state in Class 2A, will now face Hawley in the state semifinals at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. “It’s always a goal, growing up watching all these guys playing in the Bank and you always want to get to that point,” Caledonia running back/linebacker Bodie Knutson said. The Warriors now remain on task in a quest for their 12th football state championship. They have earned state berths in 16 of the past 21 seasons. The current batch of Caledonia players grew up watching the Warriors have a tremendous amount of success and they have the same desire and goals.
Pine and Lakes Echo Journal · Minneapolis, MN
Nearby: Minneapolis, MNBones Hyland scored 24 points on 7-for-10 shooting off the bench, and the Minnesota Timberwolves cruised to a 133-94 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night in Minneapolis. LaMelo Ball added 22 points and nine assists for Minnesota, which won its fifth game in a row despite the injury absence of star guard Anthony Edwards. Ayo Dosunmu scored 18 points on 8-for-15 shooting, and Jaden McDaniels recorded 16 points and nine rebounds. Zaccharie Risacher scored 22 points off the bench to lead Dallas, whose three-game winning streak ended. Naji Marshall finished with 13 points off the bench, and Cooper Flagg scored 12 points and pulled down seven rebounds. Minnesota shot 57.8% (52 of 90) from the field and 46.9% (15 of 32) from 3-point range. Dallas shot 37.2% (35 of 94) overall and 27.1% (13 of 48) from beyond the arc. The Timberwolves dominated the Mavericks in the paint, outscoring them 74-42. They led by as many as 44 points in the second half.
Sahan Journal · Minneapolis, MN
Nearby: Minneapolis, MNDuring Operation Metro Surge earlier this year, Jeanneth stopped going to work over fears she would be detained by federal immigration officers. She lost her job cleaning houses. Her husband was detained. With three children to provide for, she turned to selling Ecuadorian soups on the streets near Powderhorn Park in south Minneapolis. “My only option for feeding my children, buying medicine and doing what I need to do is to work as I am working now,” she said in Spanish through an interpreter. Sahan Journal is not identifying Jeanneth by her full name due to her immigration status. But now Jeanneth is trying to pay off a citation for more than $200 she received from the city for not having a license. “I’m trying to figure out what I can do everyday since I’m just really not able to pay that money,” she said. Minneapolis has seen an increase in unlicensed street vendors since 2023, with some selling items near parks, highways and on road medians.
MinnPost · Minneapolis, MN
Nearby: Minneapolis, MNMember pre-sale is NOW OPEN for MinnPost Social: Election Wrap, a happy hour event on Monday, November 16, from 5:30-7 p.m. at The Haralson Room at Minneapolis Cider Company in Minneapolis. Join MinnPost newsroom staff for a post-election conversation about what happens next and why it matters. We’ll share a nuanced analysis of the results for Congress and the Minnesota Legislature, including how they compare to what we heard over the last several months covering the campaign trail. Washington correspondent Ana Radelat and Greater Minnesota reporter Brian Arola will share their insights and answer your questions. Executive editor Elizabeth Dunbar will moderate the conversation. This lively session is part of our MinnPost Social event series, presented by RBC Wealth Management and Great River Energy, in which MinnPost journalists share insights with audience members in a casual atmosphere that includes hosted light appetizers and a cash bar.
