A school-aged, unvaccinated child died at a local hospital in West Texas where they had been receiving treatment for measles – marking the second death of a minor in the state linked to the ongoing outbreak.
US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said Sunday on X that he was in Gaines County, the epicenter of the outbreak, to meet with families in the community. He said he had spoken to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to offer continued support and that teams from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention teams had been sent back to the state. Kennedy noted in his post on X that “the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles is the MMR vaccine,” and added that the HHS is partnering with Texas health officials to better combat the measles outbreak in the state and has deployed teams from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to the area. Source also said that Kennedy planned to attend the child’s funeral on Sunday.
Aaron Davis, vice president of UMC Health System in Lubbock, Texas, told CNN in a statement: “We are deeply saddened to report that a school-aged child who was recently diagnosed with measles has passed away. The child was receiving treatment for complications of measles while hospitalized. It is important to note that the child was not vaccinated against measles and had no known underlying health conditions.”
Texas’ first measles death linked to the ongoing outbreak was in an unvaccinated school-aged child in February, with another death in New Mexico remaining under investigation. The measles outbreak – now spanning Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and possibly Kansas – reached at least 569 cases Friday, according to data obtained from state health departments.
In Texas, health department data shows that nearly all outbreak-related cases were in unvaccinated people, and 70% were among children and teens. Many of those cases have broken out in West Texas, with Gaines County accounting for nearly 66% of cases. In Lubbock County, which accounts for nearly 7% of the confirmed cases in Texas, UMC Health has started offering drive-up measles screenings at both of its 24/7 urgent care centers.
As of Friday, New Mexico has reported 54 cases, and Oklahoma reported 10 cases (eight confirmed and two probable). Cases in Kansas, which the state health department said may be linked to the outbreak, reached 24 as of Wednesday.
Life-threatening weather conditions continued across multiple states on Sunday, with the threat of severe flooding in Memphis, Tennessee and Little Rock, Arkansas, and tornado watches in Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia and Florida (per ABC News.)
Areas that had been previously affected by high winds and heavy rains since midweek saw additional inclement weather from the same relentless storm system that caused widespread power outages and voluntary evacuations. At least 18 people in multiple states have died from weather-related causes since Wednesday. NPR reported that the severe storms continued throughout the South and Midwest on Sunday,with powerful tornadoes from Mississippi to Kentucky.
In a video message posted on X, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear warned residents Sunday morning that the state was in for another day or more of bad weather: “Please, everybody be careful, We’ve tragically lost two individuals, two Kentuckians, two children of God already, and we don’t want to lose any more.” WLKY reported that one of the fatalities was 9-year-old Gabriel Andrews, who was swept away by floodwaters as he walked to his school bus stop in Frankfort Friday morning
The Tennessee Department of Health confirmed that 10 people had died in storms in that state ,with half of the deaths in Tennessee occurred in McNairy County. The McNairy County Emergency Management Agency said in a social media post that an EF3 tornado in the southwestern Tennessee county on Thursday damaged 332 buildings, destroying 108 of them.
According to the National Weather Service, parts of Kentucky, Arkansas and Tennessee had received more than a foot of rain, while areas of Illinois, Mississippi and Missouri saw more than 10 inches. More than 54,000 customers in Arkansas had no power early Sunday afternoon, while thousands were also in the dark in Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama and Texas, according to the website PowerOutage.us.
The NWS said in a Sunday forecast that the storm system — along with the threats of heavy rainfall and flash flooding — will move east into the Southeastern U.S. throughout the day, and forecasters also warned that flooding could continue for several days in the affected areas even after the heavy rains have dissipated.
Russell Brand has addressed the rape and sexual assault allegations made against him. On Friday, April 4, London’s Metropolitan Police charged the 49-year-old actor and comedian with one count of rape, one count of indecent assault, one count of oral rape and two counts of sexual assault (per a news release).
The charges, which are related to four separate women dating back to 1999, and follows an investigation that started in 2023. According to Deadline, Brand allegedly “raped a woman in Bournemouth in 1999, indecently assaulted a woman in 2001 in Westminster, London, orally raped and sexually assaulted a woman in Westminster in 2004, and between 2004 and 2005 sexually assaulted a woman, also in Westminster.”
Brand was previously accused of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse by four women in September 2023, and was sued by another woman a few months later. He also denied those allegations at the time.
After news broke of the new charges against him, Russell released a new video on X denying the allegations: “We’re very fortunate in a way to live in a time when there’s so little trust in the British government. We’re very fortunate, I suppose, that this is happening at a time where we know that the law has become a kind of weapon to be used against people, institutions and sometimes entire nations that will not accept and tolerate levels of corruption around precedent, and I’m speaking particularly to those of you in the UK,” he started off the minute and a half-long video. “How do you feel about your legal system right now? How do you feel about some of the high profile cases that are not being pursued or prosecuted?”
“When I was young and single, before I had my wife and family, I was a fool, I was a fool before I lived in the light of the lord. I was a drug addict, sex addict and an imbecile,” he continued. “But what I never was a rapist. I’ve never engaged in non-consensual activity. I pray that you can see that by looking in my eyes.” He then concluded the video by thanking those who have supported him.
Prosecutors have filed a new and third indictment against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. The additional counts relate to an individual identified as Victim-2, bringing the total number of counts facing Combs to five.
The new indictment against Combs adds an additional charge of sex trafficking and an additional charge of transportation to engage in prostitution, with Combs potentially receiving additional prison time if convicted .In addition to the extra counts, federal prosecutors updated the language of the racketeering conspiracy charge Combs faces, clarifying that “Combs kidnapped and carried and displayed a firearm to female victim, and that the defendant dangled a female victim over an apartment balcony.”
Combs’ legal team issued this response to the superseding indictment: “These are not new allegations or new accusers. These are the same individuals, former long-term girlfriends, who were involved in consensual relationships. This was their private sex life, defined by consent, not coercion.”
Combs was arrested last year after being charged in a sprawling sex trafficking indictment. He has denied all allegations and pleaded not guilty to both previous indictments. Prosecutors said the additional counts and the updated language should not affect the schedule, as they want Combs to be arraigned on the new indictment during the final pretrial conference later this month. His trial is set to start May 5.
Wednesday, April 9, is Kindergarten Round-Up Day at Highland Elementary School in Crookston. After the regular school day, Highland sets up time for incoming Kindergarteners and their parents to explore the school, meet some teachers, and start the registration process for the fall. In years past, this has happened at Washington Elementary, so this is something new for Highland Principal Chris Trostad.“This is my first time at Highland School offering Kindergarten Round-Up. Normally, Denice Oliver has offered this at Washington School, so we are going to continue with kind of the same program they had in the past, which she did an awesome job at.”
Who should plan on attending the Kindergarten Round-Up on Wednesday, April 9, and what do they need to bring with them? “If you have a child that is going to be five years old by September 1, 2025, we definitely want you to come, along with your child. The program is going to be from 3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., with registration beginning at about 3:30 p.m.,” says Trostad. “It’s some real simple registration and information. We do need parents to bring birth certificates with them if possible.”
At 3:45 p.m., there will be a short presentation for the parents and children, and then the children will go with teachers to explore the school, and parents hear from different school personnel.“We will have a short presentation, and then we will split. The children will go with next year’s Kindergarten teachers, who might not be their exact teachers,” says Trostad. “So we split the children up, they go back to the classroom for about a half an hour and they are going to get a chance to explore the Kindergarten classroom, kind of learn about what Kindergarten entails, they get a free Kindergarten tool kit, and then after that, I think they are going to do a school bus ride on public school buses.”
What kind of information will parents be receiving during Kindergarten Round-Up? “During the presentation, the school nurse, the superintendent, and I will all be there to talk and explain a few things, and parents will be able to ask questions while the kids are in the classrooms with the teachers,” says Trostad. “We look forward toregistering for Kindergarten for next year. The kids love to come and see the building and it relieves a lot of anxiety knowing where they are going to be and kind of how it looks, and things like that before the school year starts.”
Kindergarten Round-Up is on Wednesday, April 9. Doors to Highland School open at 3:30 p.m. to start registration. If you have a child turning five years old by September 1, 2025, you are encouraged to attend. If you have any questions, please call Highland School. at 218-281-5600
The Crookston City Council will meet on Monday, April 7, at 5:30 p.m. in the Crookston City Hall Council Chambers.
The consent agenda includes the approval of minutes from the March 17 meeting and bills and disbursements of $1,079,899.32. The council will be asked to accept a gift of real property described as Luckow’s Landing, a donation from the Crookston Baseball Association of $25,000. $15,000 for the American Legion Baseball program and $10,000 for the Park and Rec Baseball programs, and another donation of $6,000 from the Crookston Baseball Association for scoreboard wrapping. The council will also declare the Thief River Falls Times as the official newspaper, to approve the 2025 gas fitters license for Bears Home Solutions and cement mason licenses for Geatz Concrete and Willard Swenby. The council will also be asked to approve the resolution of an updated clean-up policy, to appoint Alexander Tappe to the Planning Commission, approval of partial payment five for the campground improvement project, and award the Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) project to Neo Electrical Solutions.
The regular agenda includes the approval of the Crookston Blue Line Club lease agreement and memorandum for the 2025-27 seasons and the Crookston Sports Center Concession and advertising lease with the Blue Line Club for the years 2025-2030. The council will be asked to approve the 2024 travel expenses for council member Kristie Jerde, approve the Waste Management contract for garbage services, and a discussion regarding the Tri-Cities meeting on April 29 in Thief River Falls.
The meeting will wrap up with the department head and council member reports.
There won’t be a Ways and Means Committee meeting because of a lack of agenda items.
The week of April 7 – 11, 2025,is designated Minnesota Severe Weather Awareness Week. Severe Weather Awareness Week is a public education campaign promoted by the National Weather Service, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, and local Emergency Management Agencies. Each day of the week features a different weather hazard, and two statewide tornado drills will be conducted on Thursday, April 10th.
Weather Alerts and Warnings are Monday’s topic. Several different types of watches and warnings may be issued for an area. Remember that watches mean that conditions are favorable for the development of severe weather or tornadoes, and warnings mean that severe weather or tornadoes are occurring, likely to occur, or are imminent. Advisories and special weather statements may come from the National Weather Service for storms that will impact an area but don’t quite meet warning criteria. Thunderstorms are considered severe when they have one-inch hail or winds higher than 58mph.
Severe weather, including hail and lightning, is covered on Tuesday. Hail develops during thunderstorms when a strong updraft is featured, especially in supercell thunderstorms. Hail causes nearly a billion dollars in damage annually and can range from pea size to over the size of softballs. Lightning kills around 100 people each year, more than tornadoes. If you are outdoors and encounter lightning, remember the saying, “When thunder roars, go indoors.” Lightning can strike ten miles from a storm and can strike even when it isn’t raining.
Wednesday’s topic is flooding. Minnesota floods kill more people than other weather events. Flooding deaths occur at night 75% of the time, and of those deaths, half die in vehicles. As little as six inches of rapidly flowing water can knock you off your feet. Never drive through flooded roadways; a foot of water will float most vehicles. Turn around, don’t drown!
Minnesota’s state-wide tornado drill will take place on Thursday. Outdoor warning sirens and NOAA Weather Radios across the state will be sounded at 1:45 PM and 6:45 PM. The two drills are intended to allow workplaces and schools an opportunity to test their severe weather plans. The second drill is to allow second-shift workers and families at home an opportunity to test their plans. In accordance with the Association of Minnesota Emergency Manager’s best practice guidelines, outdoor warning sirens in Polk County are used for tornadoes and intense thunderstorms with expected winds in excess of 70mph. There is never an “all clear” activation for sirens. So don’t forget! The statewide tornado drills are Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 1:45 P.M. and 6:45 P.M. Please take this opportunity to review emergency plans and procedures, and conduct emergency drills at work and at home.
Friday is dedicated to heat-related emergencies. During the summer months, even here in Minnesota, temperatures can soar to near or over 100 degrees. Combined with high humidity, these temperatures can create dangerous conditions. To avoid heat-related ailments, drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids, avoid strenuous activity during the hottest time of day, check on the elderly, wear lightweight, loose clothing, and never leave children or pets in vehicles. Even on warm days, vehicles act like a greenhouse, and temperatures can rise to lethal levels in minutes.
The University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles Softball team salvaged a split in Sunday’s doubleheader at Winona State, as they bounced back from an 11-0 loss in Game 1 with a 2-1 win in Game 2.
GAME ONE –
FIRST INNING Riley Blake (FR, Las Vegas, NV) got the start at pitcher for UMC. She struggled early on, as the Warriors rattled off four early hits, including a two RBI singles and an RBI-double. Down 3-0 with two outs, Sydney McMurdle (FR, Twin Falls, ID) was called upon to finish the top of the inning. McMurdle helped UMC survive the half inning, leaving two Warriors on base. UMC’s offense was unable to get going in the bottom of the inning, as a strikeout and two groundouts brought a quick close to the first.
SECOND INNING Winona State loaded the bases early, and Tiegan Mancuso added the fourth run of the day for the Warriors on a sac fly. With two outs, the Warriors loaded the bases again, with two more runs coming on a walk and an RBI-single. An error from third base spurred another Warrior run to make it 7-0. The top of the inning finished on a pop out, with UMC in a deep deficit. Just like the first inning, it was three straight Golden Eagle outs to keep it 7-0.
THIRD INNING The Golden Eagles got two early outs with a runner on second, who was brought in on an RBI-single to center field. A ground out kept the score 8-0. UMC was again retired 1-2-3 to end the inning down 8.
FOURTH INNING It was another inconsistent inning for the Golden Eagles, as a 2 RBI-double put the Warriors up 10-0 with 2 outs. Winona State tacked on one more run on a single from Dana Jones. A strikeout on the next at-bat gave UMC a chance to close the gap, An error from the Warriors helped UMC’s Whitney Curry (SR, Lincolin, NE) advance to first, but she was left there after the other Golden Eagle batters were retired.
FIFTH INNING Gabrielle Gomez (FR, Lakewood, CA) was called into the circle for UMC, allowing just one walk and no hits in the top of the inning. UMC’s offense remained stagnant, and their solid bat contact resulted in two ground outs and a flyout, sealing an 11-0 win for Winona State.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
WSU
3
4
1
3
0
–
–
11
12
1
UMC
0
0
0
0
0
–
–
0
0
1
For UMC- n/a
Pitching
IP
H
R
ER
BB
K
Jayda Berg (W) – WSU
5
0
0
0
0
3
Sydney McMurdle – UMC
3.1
8
8
7
4
1
Riley Blake (L) – UMC
0.2
4
3
3
1
1
Gabrielle Gomez – UMC
1.0
0
0
0
1
0
GAME TWO –
FIRST INNING UMC went to Delaney Pinner (FR, Winkler, MB) at pitcher to open game 2. She and the Golden Eagles quickly secured the first two outs, but not before two Warriors got on base. A flyout ended the top of the inning. UMC’s offensive showed some life early on despite two early outs. Ranya French (SO, La Salle, MB) reached base on an error, and Emilee Haglidone (JR, Lincolin, NE) was walked moments later. They would both be left on base after a UMC strikeout, keeping the score at 0-0.
SECOND INNING Penner threw two srtikeouts in the top of the second to keep the score even. Winona State pitcher Izzy Howe walked two Golden Eagles but threw two strikeouts, with the inning coming to a close after UMC’s Jocelyn Hernandez (FR, Tracy, CA) was caught stealing third.
THIRD INNING Winona State had runners on the corners with one out, but two Penner strikeouts saved UMC from surrendering a run. UMC’s Whitney Curry was walked and advanced to second after a Rayna French single, but two foul outs left them on base and kept the score tied at 0.
FOURTH INNING It was another quick top of the inning, as Winona state managed just one hit before the half-inning ending groundout at first base. UMC had little success offensively in the bottom inning, as all three Golden Eagle batters struck out.
FIFTH INNING Penner walked Winona State’s Sam Keller, who would make it to third after a sac bunt and a passed ball. Keller would score the first run of the game after a single through the left from Alyssa Woelful. Two Warriors were left on base, but they ended the top of the inning up 1-0. When UMC took over, Riley Blake made it to second on a wild pitch. Another wild pitch sent Whitney Curry to second and pushed Blake to third. A passed ball allowed each runner to advance again, putting Curry on third and sending Blake home for the tying run. French then singled to bring Curry home and give UMC a 2-1 lead with one out. Winona State decided to switch pitchers, as Howe went to the dugout in favor of Jayda Berg. UMC managed to get one more hit before the final two outs were recorded in the inning, but they would enter the 6th up a run.
SIXTH INNING Winona State’s batters were each retired by strikeout, and UMC’s offense did not last much longer. An Irelyn Spencer (R-SO, Rapid City, SD) single was the only sign of life for the Golden Eagles, who would hold onto their 2-1 lead heading into the 7th inning.
SEVENTH INNING After two quick outs, Winona State had runners on first and second. UMC sent Evie Stuck (SR, Papillion, NE) to the circle to close the game. She walked the first batter to load the bases before throwing the final strikeout to seal a 2-1 win.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
WSU
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
9
1
UMC
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
2
4
0
For UMC- Rayna French – 2 of 3, 1 RBI Emilee Haggadone – 1 of 2 Irelyn Spencer – 1 of 1
