Data included is taken from the Minnesota Department of Health Daily reports. Because all data is preliminary, the change in number of cumulative positive cases and deaths from one day to the next may not equal the newly reported cases or deaths.
Covid-19 Coverage Newsletter
spotlight
When Kristi Larson first saw the Zamboni building in downtown Owatonna, she knew she had hit the jackpot.
spotlight
Thirty-seven Waseca County businesses have received $185,000 from the state’s latest COVID-19 relief funds.
spotlight
After a year of moving from distance learning to hybrid learning a couple times over, Faribault secondary students will return to the classroom after Spring Break.
spotlight
The Waseca County Public Health Department has begun hosting COVID-19 vaccination clinics for residents older than 65.
spotlight
Educators, police officers and health care workers walked into the Le Sueur County Courthouse one by one on Thursday to get their dose of protection against the coronavirus.
spotlight
Two weeks after moving to full in-person learning, Tri-City United High School is back to hybrid learning after COVID protocols have forced more than 100 students to quarantine.
spotlight
Two weeks after moving to full in-person learning, Tri-City United High School is back to hybrid learning after COVID protocols have forced more than 100 students to quarantine.
spotlight
Expect Faribault Public Schools to transition middle and high school students back into the classroom soon, but so far, school leaders haven’t announced a definite date.
spotlight
While the COVID-19 pandemic has had a crushing impact on Minnesota’s healthcare system, one silver lining is perhaps the long overdue expansion of telemedicine.
spotlight
While the COVID-19 pandemic has had a crushing impact on Minnesota’s healthcare system, one silver lining is perhaps the long overdue expansion of telemedicine.
spotlight
While the COVID-19 pandemic has had a crushing impact on Minnesota’s healthcare system, one silver lining is perhaps the long overdue expansion of telemedicine.
spotlight
Of the $216 million in economic relief state legislators authorized to help businesses and organizations impacted by the pandemic, Steele County received $715,000. But that money won’t cover anywhere near what local business say they need to get back on their feet.
spotlight
Some changes are afoot at Mayo Clinic Health System Waseca.
spotlight
For the second year in a row, the second largest event to take place at the Steele County Fairgrounds has canceled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The Waseca County Board has approved repairs and imp…
When enough doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are availa…
Kool & the Gang probably didn’t have vaccination…
spotlight
Kool & the Gang probably didn’t have vaccinations in mind when they released “Celebration” in 1980, but a crew of local musicians sure did when they performed a parody to the popular party song.
spotlight
Thursday’s COVID-19 data offers reasons to remain encouraged about the path of the pandemic and reasons for hope around the pace of vaccinations.
spotlight
Waseca Junior Senior High School’s Snow Week coronation was filled with smiles and laughter.
The St. Peter City Council Feb. 8 took action to mak…
Wednesday’s COVID-19 data continues to offer Minneso…
Minnesota’s COVID-19 numbers have settled into a goo…
In this Jan. 6, 2021, file photo people shelter in the House gallery as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol. Arguments begin Tuesday, Feb. 9, in the impeachment trial of Donald Trump on allegations that he incited the violent mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol on J…
spotlight
The Tri-City United One Act season may have ended earlier than years prior, but Director Elise Lundeen is proud of the students for making it as far as they did.
spotlight
The Tri-City United One Act season may have ended earlier than years prior, but Director Elise Lundeen is proud of the students for making it as far as they did.
Women in crisis situations have turned to Ruth’s Hou…
Minnesota’s latest COVID-19 data continues to show t…
Over the last two decades, things have continued to …
spotlight
Customers are starting to return to the Boat House Grill and Bar after it was closed for more than month.
spotlight
In an era when stage performances are far and few between, the Benson Family Singers can be found singing where it all began — in the kitchen.
spotlight
In an era when stage performances are far and few between, the Benson Family Singers can be found singing where it all began — in the kitchen.
The effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Minn…
Though they couldn’t be all together like in years p…
State health officials say they’re prepared to distr…
spotlight
Minnesota’s COVID-19 trend lines remain encouraging rolling into February. Hospitalizations, caseloads and daily death counts continue to improve, along with the pace of vaccinations.
spotlight
There wasn’t the usual mingling, speeches and comedian, but Lonsdale Annual Dinner-goers had the unique opportunity to take the party home with them this year.
spotlight
Minnesota’s COVID-19 trend lines continue to be mostly encouraging, and the pace of vaccinations is accelerating after a flat start.
St. Peter and Cleveland public schools are beginning…
Art instructor Kate Langlais has gotten the hang of …
January’s COVID-19 data continues to offer Minnesota…
spotlight
Tri-City United, Le Sueur-Henderson and Cleveland Public Schools are beginning in-person and hybrid learning this month after a stint of distance learning before winter break, but the COVID-19 response of the community determines if students can stay in school.
spotlight
The number of Minnesotans who’ve received at least the first dose of the two-shot COVID-19 vaccine is nearing a quarter-million.
spotlight
Waseca and Janesville have reopened their city facilities to the public again after closing them due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thursday’s COVID-19 data offered a mix of hopeful ne…
Kamala Harris is sworn in as vice president by Supre…
Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th president of the U…
spotlight
The city of St. Peter gave another boost to local small businesses with two new programs in December and January, giving out hundreds of thousands in loans and grants.
spotlight
Nicollet County Public Health has gotten started on vaccinating the local community for COVID-19, but it’s slow going to start.
spotlight
January’s COVID-19 data continues to show Minnesota on an encouraging path, with key metrics improving or at least holding relatively steady.
Waseca Public Health has been fielding calls from re…
In this March 30, 2020 file photo, My Pillow CEO Mik…
A U.S. magistrate is recommending that the lawsuit o…
spotlight
Minnesota’s newest COVID-19 numbers show the state holding steady on a relatively positive path. Key metrics, including new case growth and hospitalizations, continue to improve.
spotlight
Starting Thursday, a new vaccine pilot program will begin distributing the COVID-19 vaccines to adults 65 years of age or older, but not at the rate the governor says Minnesota needs.
spotlight
Starting Thursday, a new vaccine pilot program will begin distributing the COVID-19 vaccines to adults 65 years of age or older, but not at the rate the governor says Minnesota needs.
Starting Thursday, a new vaccine pilot program will …
It has been almost a year since Wagner’s Lunch and P…
Minnesota is launching a new pilot program to expedi…
spotlight
After working out a few remaining details at a Tuesday Board of Commissioners meeting, Rice County released application forms for its latest round of business assistance on Friday. The county received about $1.3 million to distribute.
spotlight
After working out a few remaining details at a Tuesday Board of Commissioners meeting, Rice County released application forms for its latest round of business assistance on Friday. The county received about $1.3 million to distribute.
spotlight
After working out a few remaining details at a Tuesday Board of Commissioners meeting, Rice County released application forms for its latest round of business assistance on Friday, Jan. 15. The county received about $1.3 million to distribute.
As Minnesota sees a loosening of COVID-19 restrictio…
As Minnesota sees a loosening of COVID-19 restrictio…
As Minnesota sees a loosening of COVID-19 restrictio…
spotlight
Minnesota continues to show relatively positive trend lines on a host of key COVID-19 metrics, including new cases and hospitalizations.
spotlight
Despite a pandemic limiting gathering opportunities, Trinity Lutheran Church has put together its most expansive Simpson Forum yet, calling in some other community churches for assistance.
spotlight
The beginning of the calendar year marks the middle of the school year, but that doesn’t mean St. Peter Public Schools and Cleveland Public School aren’t ready for a fresh start.
Minnesota’s newest COVID-19 data shows the state sta…
Waseca Public Schools returned to hybrid learning Ja…
Local governments have plenty to think about beyond …
spotlight
For Muna Hersi, a former refugee and an Owatonna parent, the possibility that her children may need to take a standardized test during the pandemic weighs heavy.
spotlight
For Muna Hersi, a former refugee and an Owatonna parent, the possibility that her children may need to take a standardized test during the pandemic weighs heavy.
spotlight
Tuesday’s COVID-19 data continues to show relatively stable, moderate growth in new cases and deaths. Minnesota officials, though, believe another surge is likely in the coming weeks following the year-end holidays.
Northfield Public Schools nurses, service providers …
Waseca County will continue to be impacted by COVID-…
Minnesota’s COVID-19 path remains hard to chart beca…
spotlight
Minnesota continues to recover from its recent COVID-19 wave, as health officials watch to see if cases surge following the Christmas and New Year’s holiday weekends.
spotlight
The Waseca County Public Health Department has begun its COVID-19 vaccinations with 50 local emergency responders on Jan. 6.
Those confronting COVID-19 on the frontlines are now getting their own frontline protection in Le Sueur County.
Vice President Mike Pence announces the election of …
Vice President Mike Pence, bottom left, talks as Hou…
People shelter in the House gallery as protesters tr…
People shelter in the House gallery as protesters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Vice President Mike Pence and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., top center, arrive along with other senators for a joint session of the House and Senate convenes to confirm the electoral votes cast in November's election, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. (A…
spotlight
English Learners students across Minnesota are expected to complete an annual test measuring their English proficiency, and so far, the state plans to resume the assessments as normal during the pandemic.
Vice President Mike Pence and Senate Majority Leader…
Waseca County businesses that have been impacted by …
Gov. Tim Walz announced Wednesday that he’ll loosen …
spotlight
2020 was a year Northfielders would like to forget for many reasons.
spotlight
Steele County officials will begin 2021 focusing on the same issue that consumed them for most of 2020: the COVID-19 pandemic.
spotlight
Nicollet County Health and Human Services has received its first shipment of COVID-19 vaccine and is working with community partners and the state health department to start vaccinating priority populations.
After a heated election that failed to significantly…
1. Waseca Officer Arik Matson injured in the line of duty
After a heated election that failed to significantly…
spotlight
After a heated election that failed to significantly alter its composition, Minnesota’s Legislature returns to work Tuesday with a budget to write and plenty of other pressing issues to tackle.
spotlight
After a heated election that failed to significantly alter its composition, Minnesota’s Legislature returned to work Tuesday with a budget to write and plenty of other pressing issues to tackle.
spotlight
It’s a new year, but hallways at Faribault Public Schools lack the usual clamor of students returning to classes after winter break.
The coming week of the COVID-19 pandemic in Minnesot…
It goes without saying that students are tired of COVID-19.
It goes without saying that students are tired of COVID-19.
spotlight
It’s a new year, but hallways at Faribault Public Schools lack the usual clamor of students returning to classes after winter break.
spotlight
The coming week of the COVID-19 pandemic in Minnesota may bring important updates to key metrics and the state’s response to the coronavirus.
spotlight
It goes without saying that students are tired of COVID-19.
It goes without saying that students are tired of COVID-19.
It of course depends on one’s own perspective and ex…
1. Dartts Park homicide
spotlight
Minnesota is seeing signs of improvement heading into the new year, after two months of spikes in new cases, hospitalizations and deaths. But even as vaccinations begin and case counts slowly recede, officials still caution the pandemic is not over yet.
spotlight
Does it spread more easily? Make people sicker? Mean that treatments and vaccines won't work? Questions are multiplying as fast as new variants of the coronavirus, especially the one moving through England and now popping up in the U.S. and other countries.
spotlight
Does it spread more easily? Make people sicker? Mean that treatments and vaccines won’t work? Questions are multiplying as fast as new variants of the coronavirus, especially the one moving through England and now popping up in the U.S. and other countries.
Minnesota officials on Wednesday reported 66 new COV…
The Medford City Council has approved a 2.4% propert…
spotlight
The Medford City Council has approved a 2.4% property tax levy increase for 2021.
spotlight
Minnesota’s COVID-19 data continues to offer a mix of hope and uncertainty. New daily case counts fell below 1,000 for the first time since early October, but that came on very low testing, making it difficult to draw any conclusions about the pandemic’s path.
spotlight
After waiting for it to thaw, Steele County Public Health Director Amy Caron received the department’s first dose of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine in a video on Monday.
After waiting for it to thaw, Steele County Public H…
Minnesota officials on Monday reported another 13 CO…
As frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, n…
spotlight
As frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses throughout the state — and nation — may have few opportunities to do something special for themselves.
spotlight
The final weekend of 2020 brings a continued mix of hopeful and grim developments in the COVID-19 pandemic in Minnesota.
spotlight
The rate of COVID-19 cases at Northfield Hospital & Clinics has dropped significantly from a few weeks ago as staff prepare to be vaccinated for protection against the virus.
Local businesses leaders say though COVID-19 has had…
Steele County officials expect to receive $732,425 f…
Two Owatonna restaurant owners shared their stories …
spotlight
The weather outside is frightful, but Deb Mortensen the Owatonna mail carrier remains ever so delightful.
Minnesotans in nursing homes are beginning to take steps to safety. At the St. Cloud VA Community Living Center, residents and staff began receiving the COVID-19 vaccine Tuesday, Dec. 22.
spotlight
Staff at the Mayo Clinic Health System in Owatonna and Faribault began receiving their COVID-19 vaccines on Wednesday.
After a tumultuous November that saw COVID-19 case r…
At the same time, other key COVID-19 metrics continu…
The first COVID-19 vaccines were administered at the…
spotlight
Park and Hilltop Elementary kicked off holiday break by reuniting students and teachers after two months of distance learning.
spotlight
As frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses throughout the state — and nation — may have few opportunities to do something special for themselves.
spotlight
A local church conducted a survey to see how the pandemic has impacted religious beliefs and practices in the community.
River’s Edge Hospital received its first allocation …
Minnesota officials on Tuesday reported another 24 C…
The St. Peter School District is prepared to start b…
spotlight
It’s a new year, but hallways at Faribault Public Schools lack the usual clamor of students returning to classes after winter break.
spotlight
The coming week of the COVID-19 pandemic in Minnesota may bring important updates to key metrics and the state’s response to the coronavirus.
spotlight
It goes without saying that students are tired of COVID-19.
It goes without saying that students are tired of COVID-19.
It of course depends on one’s own perspective and ex…
1. Dartts Park homicide
spotlight
Minnesota is seeing signs of improvement heading into the new year, after two months of spikes in new cases, hospitalizations and deaths. But even as vaccinations begin and case counts slowly recede, officials still caution the pandemic is not over yet.
spotlight
Does it spread more easily? Make people sicker? Mean that treatments and vaccines won't work? Questions are multiplying as fast as new variants of the coronavirus, especially the one moving through England and now popping up in the U.S. and other countries.
spotlight
Does it spread more easily? Make people sicker? Mean that treatments and vaccines won’t work? Questions are multiplying as fast as new variants of the coronavirus, especially the one moving through England and now popping up in the U.S. and other countries.
Minnesota officials on Wednesday reported 66 new COV…
The Medford City Council has approved a 2.4% propert…
spotlight
The Medford City Council has approved a 2.4% property tax levy increase for 2021.
spotlight
Minnesota’s COVID-19 data continues to offer a mix of hope and uncertainty. New daily case counts fell below 1,000 for the first time since early October, but that came on very low testing, making it difficult to draw any conclusions about the pandemic’s path.
spotlight
After waiting for it to thaw, Steele County Public Health Director Amy Caron received the department’s first dose of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine in a video on Monday.
After waiting for it to thaw, Steele County Public H…
Minnesota officials on Monday reported another 13 CO…
As frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, n…
spotlight
As frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses throughout the state — and nation — may have few opportunities to do something special for themselves.
spotlight
The final weekend of 2020 brings a continued mix of hopeful and grim developments in the COVID-19 pandemic in Minnesota.
spotlight
The rate of COVID-19 cases at Northfield Hospital & Clinics has dropped significantly from a few weeks ago as staff prepare to be vaccinated for protection against the virus.
Local businesses leaders say though COVID-19 has had…
Steele County officials expect to receive $732,425 f…
Two Owatonna restaurant owners shared their stories …
spotlight
The weather outside is frightful, but Deb Mortensen the Owatonna mail carrier remains ever so delightful.
Minnesotans in nursing homes are beginning to take steps to safety. At the St. Cloud VA Community Living Center, residents and staff began receiving the COVID-19 vaccine Tuesday, Dec. 22.
spotlight
Staff at the Mayo Clinic Health System in Owatonna and Faribault began receiving their COVID-19 vaccines on Wednesday.
After a tumultuous November that saw COVID-19 case r…
At the same time, other key COVID-19 metrics continu…
The first COVID-19 vaccines were administered at the…
spotlight
Park and Hilltop Elementary kicked off holiday break by reuniting students and teachers after two months of distance learning.
spotlight
As frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, nurses throughout the state — and nation — may have few opportunities to do something special for themselves.
spotlight
A local church conducted a survey to see how the pandemic has impacted religious beliefs and practices in the community.
River’s Edge Hospital received its first allocation …
Minnesota officials on Tuesday reported another 24 C…
The St. Peter School District is prepared to start b…