Latest News
Cyber Attacks On Minnesota Water Systems
Investigators believe Iran may have been behind the coordinated cyberattack targeting multiple municipal water systems across Minnesota earlier this week, according to a new report by The New York Times. Federal and state officials told the newspaper that the attacks were “probably” the work of Iranian hackers. More than 30 community water systems across the state were targeted by cyber criminals on July 26 and 27, impacting automated controls and online capabilities. The news comes as tensions between the two countries have remained high since late February, when the war in Iran started, with the nations continuing to trade missile strikes on Thursday. However, the newspaper reports that officials have not definitively determined who was responsible for the attack, and that their preliminary assessment could change as more data is collected and information is learned. Officials also said hackers could be posing as Iranians in an effort to increase tensions between the two warring countries. Minnesota IT Services (MNIT) shared this statement on Thursday: “We are not attributing this activity to a specific actor at this time. Attribution requires careful analysis of technical evidence alongside broader national and international threat intelligence, and our federal partners are best positioned to lead that work. We understand the public interest in knowing who may be responsible, but we will not speculate while the investigation continues. Federal partners should address questions about any potential attribution.” MNIT is also working with federal, state, local, Tribal, and private partners to investigate the widespread incident. To date, there is no indication that the cyberattacks impacted the quality of the water in the cities that were targeted.
Drought
Parts of Minnesota saw some much needed rain overnight, though it will likely not reverse the course of a drought that is spreading throughout the state. According to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, roughly 95% of the state is dealing with some sort of dry spell. Areas of severe drought doubled in the last week, going from 17% to 35%, and 41% of the state is now under a moderate drought. The northeastern part of the state is mostly under a severe drought as the area continues to be devastated by wildfires. Parts of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness reopened on Thursday to overnight camping after it was closed for more than two weeks because of the flames. This time last year, only 7% of the state was experiencing drought conditions, the DNR says. Today’s rain is not expected to make much of a dent in the drought conditions, however, as real recovery requires repeated rounds of rain over several weeks or months. Next week is expected to be drier-than-average in Minnesota.
Highway Ten Study
The Minnesota Department of Transportation is studying 30 miles of Highway 10 between St. Cloud and Little Falls. An upcoming public meeting will specifically address needed improvements for the highway in the city of Royalton MnDOT is inviting businesses to an open house-style meeting from 2:00-4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12th. Members of the community and driving public are asked to attend between 4:00-6:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at Royalton Middle/High School at 120 Hawthorn Street. There is no formal presentation, but you'll see the potential improvements, understand the impacts, and can share feedback. The study looks to address ongoing access, mobility, and safety issues. Some of those issues include numerous at-grade crossings, hard left turns, and traffic signals in Royalton and Little Falls that lead to traffic flow issues. Additional public meetings will be held in the Little Rock Lake and St. Cloud areas this fall before the study is completed this winter. For more information, visit the MnDOT Hwy 10 Study St. Cloud to Little Falls project page.
Semi/Car Crash
A truck driver was hurt when the rig he was driving rolled early Wednesday morning on the interstate. The Minnesota State Patrol says the incident happened at about 3:45 a.m. on Interstate 94 near Sauk Centre in Stearns County. Twenty-six-year-old Bryam Cabrera of Chaska was traveling west when the truck left the road and rolled, landing onto the eastbound lane. A car being driven by 66-year-old Fred Peterson of Brooten was traveling eastbound and struck the semi. Cabrera was taken to Sauk Centre Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Peterson and a passenger in his car were not hurt.
Upcoming Local Events & KEYL/KXDL Events
FREE CONCERT - The Barnstorming Tour of America
A FREE CONCERT will be held Saturday, September 5th at the Dale and Marie Katterhagen farm (27504 350th Street, Browerville) at 1:00pm. The Barnstorming Tour of America featuring Jeff Corle (...
Long Prairie Fire Department Annual Corn & Chicken Feed
The Long Prairie Fire Department is holding their Annual Sweet Corn & Chicken Feed on Thursday, August 13th from 4-7pm - Drive thru. Chicken provided by Smoke-N-Motion. Free will donation, yo...
Organizing a Grey Eagle Area Rec Club
There will be an organizational meeting for the Grey Eagle Rec Club being held on Tuesday, August 4th at 7:00pm at the Grey Eagle City Hall. All are welcome to attend, looking for active memb...
Pulled Pork and Corn Feed - St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church
St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church will be holding a Pulled Pork and Corn Feed on Friday, August 7th from 4:30 - 7:00pm at the Swanville Lions Park. Serving: pulled pork on a bun, hot do...
Long Prairie Lions Senior Picnic
The Long Prairie Lions will be holding their Senior Picnic on Monday, August 10 at Lions Park Lake Charlotte. Come and enjoy some food, fellowship and see your friends! Social 4:15pm, M...
Arts in the Park - Eagle Bend
FREE Annual Arts in the Park will be held on Sunday, August 9th beginning at 12:00pm, Nelson Park , 401 3rd Ave, Eagle Bend MN. Arts, crafts, vendors, food, kids activities, Live Music starin...
Night out at the Movies
Todd County Health and Human Services and the Long Prairie Police Department are joining this year for a collaborated summer Community Event, Night Out at the Movies! The Free, Safe, Family F...
Community Clothing Closet - Zion Lutheran Church in Browerville
Zion Lutheran Church (1021 Park Ave N) in Browerville MN has been busy creating a Community Clothes Closet at the church. They have been collecting clothing for men, women, juniors and children and...
Arts in the Park - Eagle Bend
The FREE Annual Arts in the Park will be held Sunday, August 9th beginning at 12:00pm, Nelson Park (401 3rd Ave NW) Eagle Bend with music at 1:00pm. Arts, music, crafts, vendors, food, kids a...
KEYL/KXDL
If your non-profit group or organization has an event coming up that you would like publicized, send the information to KEYL/KXDL PO Box 187 Long Prairie, MN 56347 or you can drop it off Monday thr...
Exciting News!!! You can now, not only hear Hometown Radio KEYL on AM 1400, but you can also listen to us on FM 103.1.
