Columbus
98.1 - Minnesota New Country
Kids Can Take Class To Learn How To Stay Home Alone
WAITE PARK (WJON News) -- Kids can take part in a special class to gain skills for when they have to stay home by themselves. The Waite Park Police Department's Home Alone Safety Class will teach kids ages 9-12 a variety of topics such as preparing to stay home alone, online safety, basic first aid, fire and severe weather safety, and more.
Body Recovered from River in Sherburne County
ELK RIVER (WJON News) -- Sherburne County authorities say the body of a missing father has been recovered from the Mississippi River in the Elk River area. Sheriff's deputies say Wright County Water Patrol located 41-year-old Cody Jay Pope in the water Sunday morning near the Oliver Kelley Farm. Pope...
What You Need To Know Before Coming To Pierz Freedom Fest!
It's hard to believe that this weekend is the 11th annual Pierz Freedom Fest at the Genola Ball Fields. Headlining this year's festival is Chase Rice, with supporting acts of Phil Vassar, Lauren Watkins, and Mason Dixon Line. Here's what you need to know before you arrive at Freedom Fest.
The Oldest Bus Driver In The World Lives In Minnesota
Roger….I’ll remember that name forever. Roger was the name of my bus driver when I was in high school. I don’t remember when he started as our bus driver, but he drove bus for my brother and me; and was still driving bus for my brother’s children throughout their school years. Everybody loved him.
Get Ready For Another Round Of Construction On I-94 Next Week
If you are growing sick of the color orange, I'm sorry to tell you that more orange is coming to a roadway near you. A two-and-a-half-year road project will begin next Monday, July 22, and won't end until 2027. The area affected by the road construction? The road between Monticello and Albertville.
Two Hurt in Crash Involving Motorcycle, Pickup in Benton County
ST. CLOUD (WJON News) -- Two people on a motorcycle were hurt in a crash with a pickup. The Minnesota State Patrol says both vehicles were traveling on 35th Avenue Northeast to go north on Highway 23 when they collided at about 1:00 p.m. Sunday. Twenty-five-year-old Derrick Lamont of Onamia...
Gas Prices Fall in Minnesota, Rise Nationally
UNDATED (WJON News) -- Average gasoline prices in Minnesota have fallen 4.0 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.30 per gallon. The national average price of gasoline has risen 2.5 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.49 per gallon. The national average price of diesel has...
There Will Be So Much To Do This Week in Sauk Centre
A week of fun has kicked off in Sauk Centre, as their “Margaritaville on Main Street” is underway. On Wednesday, starting at 11, Bear Trap Crazy Days will feature an all-day Happy Hour with $3 rails and taps. Then at 6 in Sinclair Lewis Park, South Meats North Food Truck will begin serving ahead of the weekly free concert, this week features Dana and the Bottlerockets.
Law Enforcement in Rice and Foley Looking for New PAL’s
For many parents, finding things for their kids to do during the summer is an ongoing challenge. And for a lot of those parents, they would like to be able to have their kids learn from the activity in some way. For those in the Rice community, you’ve got an...
Mike Conway One of Six Candidates for St. Cloud Mayor
ST. CLOUD (WJON News) -- For the first time in decades there is an open race for mayor in St. Cloud. Council member Mike Conway is one of six people vying for the job. He has lived in St. Cloud since 1991 and he has worked for Wolters Kluwer for the past 23 years. He says his job has allowed him to travel to 49 of the 50 states so he's seen firsthand what other cities are doing well, and what we could be doing.
George Strait Salutes Law Enforcement After Trump Rally Shooting [Watch]
During his sold-out show in Detroit, Mich. on Saturday (July 13), George Strait appeared to reference the alleged assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump. Just hours after a gunman opened fire at a Trump campaign rally, injuring the former president and killing a spectactor, Strait took the stage at Detroit's Ford Field on a bill that also included Chris Stapleton.
Miranda Lambert Shuts Down More Rowdy Fans Mid-Show [Watch]
Miranda Lambert doesn't mess around with the code of conduct she expects from fans at her shows. For the second time this month, the singer paused a show to call out a rowdy fan. This time, it was during her headlining set at the 2024 Under the Big Sky Festival in Whitefish, Mont. on Saturday night (July 13.)
Jelly Roll’s Son Makes a Rare Public Appearance at Kid’s Choice Awards [Photos]
It was family night for Jelly Roll and his two children -- Bailee Ann DeFord and Noah Buddy DeFord -- at the 2024 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards on Saturday night (July 13.) Jelly -- who was a nominee at presenter at the awards show, and also got slimed onstage -- walked the red carpet with his 16-year-old daughter Bailee and seven-year-old son Noah. The family matched in denim outfits, and little Noah gave a sweet thumbs up and a big smile to cameras on the carpet.
Severe Storms Are Possible in Minnesota Sunday Night
UNDATED (WJON News) -- Morning showers and thunderstorms move out leaving behind hot and humid conditions Sunday afternoon. Thunderstorms should develop upstream in the Dakotas Sunday evening and track into western Minnesota tonight into Monday morning. Storms could be strong to severe. The primary concern is damaging wind gusts and...
Gorecki Guest House Celebrating 15 Years Of Helping Families
ST. CLOUD (WJON News) -- CentraCare's Gorecki Guest House is celebrating 15 years of helping people have an affordable place to stay when a loved one is in the hospital. The house opened in 2009 and provides short-term lodging to people who have someone close in the St. Cloud Hospital. It has helped over 40,000 people from all over Minnesota, the United States, and 14 countries from around the world.
Cody Johnson Speaks Out After Trump Campaign Rally Shooting [Watch]
Just minutes after former president Donald Trump was injured in a shooting at his campaign rally on Saturday evening (July 13), Cody Johnson took the stage for a performance in Chicago, Ill. The singer had thoughts to share on the incident, which bloodied Trump's face and left at least one...
Historic St. Paul Attraction Open To Public For A Limited Time
ST. PAUL (WJON News) -- People can take in the unique panoramic views of a historic St. Paul attraction for a limited two-day open house. The Highland Park Water Tower observation deck will be open for viewing on July 20th and 21st. Located off of Snelling Avenue and Ford Parkway...
Hormel Releases New SPAM Flavor
AUSTIN (WJON News) -- A popular lunch meat has added a new flavor to its brand. SPAM has released its latest variety, Korean BBQ. Hormel Foods says the new flavor is sweet and spicy featuring a blend of umami and Korean-inspired spices and is a tribute to SPAM's popularity in Korean culture and the growing trend of Korean BBQ on menus across the country.
Severe Thunderstorms Race Across Much of Minnesota Saturday
ST. CLOUD (WJON News) -- A line of severe thunderstorms raced across parts of Minnesota Saturday night into early Sunday morning. The severe storms developed in northwestern Minnesota, bringing hail, damaging winds, frequent cloud-to-ground lightning, and flash flooding as they worked their way into central Minnesota. Small hail, gusty winds,...
98.1 - Minnesota New Country
32K+
Posts
69M+
Views
98.1 Minnesotas New Country plays the best country music and delivers the latest local news, information and features for Minnesota. Live and local on-air, online and through our free mobile app.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.