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The United States has made significant strides toward a potential resolution to the nearly four-year war in Ukraine, with multiple U.S. officials confirming this week that Kyiv has agreed to the broad terms of a U.S.-brokered proposal. While a final deal is not yet complete, negotiations have accelerated across Geneva and Abu Dhabi as American officials shuttle between Ukrainian and Russian delegations.
A senior U.S. official told both ABC News and CBS News that Ukraine had “agreed to a peace deal,” adding, that “there are some minor details to be sorted out but they have agreed to a peace deal.” According to officials familiar with the process, the understanding was reached during weekend talks in Geneva rather than in the United Arab Emirates, where follow-up discussions are now taking place.
Talks in Switzerland were led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll. During the Geneva sessions, the U.S. presented Ukraine with a revised peace plan — pared down from 28 provisions to 19 — after removing proposed clauses involving wartime amnesty and limits on the size of Ukraine’s future armed forces. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later said further refinement would still be needed.
Following the Geneva meetings, Rubio returned to Washington while Driscoll flew to Abu Dhabi for a previously undisclosed session with a Russian delegation. Additional sources confirmed that Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine’s intelligence chief, was also in the UAE, meeting with U.S. officials and potentially preparing for contact with Russian counterparts.
A group of senior Army leaders — including Gen. Randy George, Gen. Chris Donahue, Sgt. Maj. Michael Weimer and Lt. Gen. Curtis Buzzard — accompanied Driscoll on the Ukraine trip, though they have not taken part in the high-level peace negotiations.
Lt. Col. Jeffrey Tolbert, speaking for the U.S. Army, said Tuesday that “Late Monday and throughout Tuesday, Secretary Driscoll and team have been in discussions with the Russian delegation to achieve a lasting peace in Ukraine,” noting that the talks appeared to be progressing. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed that optimism, saying a handful of “delicate, but not insurmountable” issues still needed resolution.
Moscow has not publicly confirmed its presence in Abu Dhabi. Russian officials had earlier stated they were still waiting to see the revisions made in Geneva. On Tuesday, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters that while Russia “appreciates the U.S.’ position,” it would not comment in detail until Washington updated Moscow on consultations with Kyiv and European partners.
Lavrov emphasized that Russia expected the new proposal to align with principles shaped during Trump and Putin’s meeting in Alaska in August, stating that the “key proposals of Trump’s plan are based on understandings reached in Anchorage,” and warning that “If there will be no spirit and letter of Anchorage on the key understandings that we have fixated, then it will be a different situation in principle.”
Ukraine’s national security adviser, Rustem Umerov, confirmed that negotiators had reached a shared understanding of the plan’s “core terms,” with consultations involving the U.S., European partners and Ukrainian officials continuing. He said Kyiv now hopes to arrange a visit for Zelenskyy to the United States “at the earliest suitable date in November” to complete the deal with President Trump.
Despite the momentum, the White House says no Zelenskyy–Trump meeting has been scheduled. Russia has offered no direct comment on whether it accepts the emerging terms.
Editorial credit: photoibo / Shutterstock.com
Virginia authorities have intensified their search for Union High School head football coach Travis Turner, who vanished last week just as investigators prepared to question him in a child exploitation probe. Turner, 46, is now the subject of ten felony warrants — five for possession of child pornography and five for using a computer to solicit a minor — issued Monday and publicly announced Tuesday by the Virginia State Police.
Police say they first attempted to reach Turner at his Appalachia home on Thursday as part of an ongoing inquiry, but learned he had already disappeared. Troopers were not seeking to arrest him at that time, officials emphasized. He was formally reported missing the following day, triggering a regional manhunt that now includes drones, K-9 teams and search-and-rescue units operating across several jurisdictions. Authorities describe Turner as a fugitive and say their primary goal is “locating Turner safely.”
The case has rattled the far southwest Virginia community, where Union High School — with roughly 660 students — has been preparing for a deep postseason run. Turner, the long-time coach of the undefeated Bears, went missing just as the team was gearing up for its playoff opener. The squad won that game and the following weekend’s matchup without him, advancing to the Region 2D final scheduled for Saturday. Assistant coach Jay Edwards has stepped in as interim coach during Turner’s absence.
State Police spokesperson Robin Lawson confirmed Tuesday that the investigation is active and “additional charges are pending.” Officials have not said whether any potential victims are connected to the school. A newly surfaced video believed to be Turner’s last public appearance — an on-field interview after Union’s Nov. 15 playoff win — showed him discussing his players’ resilience. “I thought our kids adjusted, played hard and overcame some adversity,” he said. “There was no panic. We just continued the course and played football.”
Wise County Public Schools, which earlier placed an unnamed staff member on administrative leave pending the review of an external allegation, has now acknowledged that charges have been filed against that employee. Superintendent Mike Goforth said, “The individual remains on leave and is not permitted on school property or to have contact with students,” adding that the division is cooperating with law enforcement but cannot provide further comment because it is a personnel matter.
Turner, who also teaches physical education, was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt, sweatpants and glasses, according to police. His disappearance has prompted emotional appeals from those close to him. In a statement provided by the family’s attorney, Adrian Collins, loved ones urged the public to avoid rushing to judgment. “We remain prayerful for his safe return and for everyone affected by the circumstances surrounding his disappearance,” Collins said. “Any allegations should be addressed through the proper legal process — not through speculation or rumor.”
Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact Virginia State Police Division 4 at 276-484-9483 or email questions@vsp.virginia.gov.
Editorial credit: DCStockPhotography / Shutterstock.com
Sting will headline a NFL Super Bowl-branded concert on Feb. 6 at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco – the NFL’s hospitality provider, On Location. The concert takes place two days before the Super Bowl kicks off at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Feb. 8, where Bad Bunny is set to perform the halftime show. Sting previously performed at the Super Bowl halftime show in 2003, coheadlining the event with Shania Twain and No Doubt.
According to the On Location website, Sting’s set will be part of the broader Super Bowl LX Studio 60 event, described as “a weekend of unforgettable music entertainment at one of San Francisco’s most iconic venues”.
The promoter’s website promises “meet and greet opportunities with NFL legends and current players,” with a second night of Studio 60 festivities will occur in the same location the following evening on Feb. 7, though no performers have been announced for night 2.
The news comes in the wake of intense criticism of the Super Bowl halftime show, which has elicited harsh reactions from conservative political figures. Despite the controversy, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell defended the decision to hire Bad Bunny last week, opining that he’s “confident it’s going to be a great show” in February: “I’m not sure we’ve ever selected an artist where we didn’t have some blowback or criticism,” Goodell said. “I think it’s going to be exciting and a united moment.”
Editorial credit: stedalle / Shutterstock.com
NBC has revealed the star-studded lineup of performers for the annual tree-lighting celebration ‘2025 Christmas in Rockefeller Center.’ The annual two-hour event will air live on Wednesday, December 3rd, at 8 pm ET on NBC and simulcast on Peacock.
The network previously announced in a press release that Reba McEntire will host this year’s ‘Christmas in Rockefeller Center’ for the first time; with NBC “Today” anchors Savannah Guthrie, Craig Melvin and Al Roker joining the tree lighting special.
In addition to hosting, McEntire, 70, will perform throughout the evening alongside an all-star lineup of musical guests, including Marc Anthony, Halle Bailey, Michael Bublé, Kristin Chenoweth, Laufey, New Edition, Brad Paisley, Carly Pearce, the Radio City Rockettes, and Gwen Stefani. In addition, the Radio City Rockettes, celebrating their 100th anniversary this year, will perform.
Christmas in Rockefeller Center celebrates the holiday season and the annual lighting of one of the world’s most famous trees in the heart of New York City – a tradition that spans over nine decades. The 93rd annual holiday event at Rockefeller Center will lead up to the lighting of the tree, dressed up with over 50,000 multicolored LED lights and topped with its traditional Swarovski star.
Jen Neal, executive vp of live events and specials at NBCUniversal Entertainment, in a statement: “The lighting of the tree at Rockefeller Center is one of the great traditions that New York has to offer, and we couldn’t be more proud to once again share that excitement with audiences all over the country. We’re so looking forward to seeing Reba bring her infectious energy to the telecast and create an unforgettable holiday moment.”
Editorial credit: lazyllama / Shutterstock.com
KROX’s 61st Annual Shopping Spree drawing was held on Monday, November 17. This year’s winner was Lori Solheim, whose name was drawn from Proulx Refrigeration in Crookston. She receives gift certificates from the 22 participating businesses.
Consolation winners won $10 gift certificates from the place they registered. The consolation winners are below.
B & E Meats—Tammy Obie
Brandner Printing and Office Supplies—Haily Erdmann
Brost Chevrolet—Josh Legg
Christian Brothers Ford—Penny Blokzyl
Christian Motors/Fertile—Tanner West
Crooks Club and Bottle Shop—Josh Bissell
Crookston Eagles 873—Kathy Borkowski
Scobey’s Pub and Grub—Joan Darco
Diamonds and Design and The Diamond Boutique/Thief River Falls—Rhonda Mack
Erickson Embroidery and Design/Second Street Boutique—Mike Elwood
HN Quality Plumbing—Terry Moser
Hugo’s Family Marketplace—Angie Peltier
Local Ace Store, Crookston—Becky Jamesgaard
Matt’s True Value—Richard Diaz
Mireault’s Home Furnishings/Fosston—Brian Brandt
Ness Café of Erskine—Susan Nelson
Opdahl’s Donuts/Fertile—Judy Shue
Opticare—Valerie Brown
Proulx Refrigeration and Heating —Lori Solheim
Purdy’s Shoe Store—Jerry Seim
St. Michel Furniture/ East Grand Forks—Ken Kiefat
Willow and Ivy—Rebecca Stadem
The Crookston Housing and Economic Development Authority met at the Valley Technology Park in Crookston on Tuesday morning.
BROADWAY VILLAS PROJECT MOVING FORWARD
The CHEDA board approved five agenda items that all helped move the Broadway Villas project forward. The Broadway Villas are townhomes that will be built behind Casey’s, off of Broadway.
The board approved the allocation of funds to the project. The board also approved applying for the State Housing Tax Credit program, hiring a civil engineer and architect for the project. The board approved moving forward, utilizing $150,000 from a state grant and $150,000 from the community development fund. “We applied for a Tier 2 Cities Grant for $100,000, and we were awarded that, which is pretty exciting because it was pretty competitive. We just sold our house over on Eickhof, so we have about $540,000 there,” said CHEDA Executive Director Kari Kirschbaum. “With the grants that we have, and the $30,000 worth of grants for pre-development to help us to pay for engineers or architects that we might need to get all of our ducks in a row to get going on that project.”
CHEDA aims to construct three townhomes over the next 18 months.
CROOKSTON CONNECTED EVENT SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY 29, 2026
The board approved Kirschbaum’s request to use $5,000 to organize the Crookston Connected event, which will be held at the Crookston Inn and Convention Center. The event will be on Thursday, January 29, from 4:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Kirschbaum said the event is designed for the community to meet and greet City Council members, learn about opportunities for involvement, and gather information about the city, school district, county commission, and other key community organizations. “Open it up and have different tables for each of our council people to introduce themselves, talk about their ward. We’ll have a table talking about what it takes to be a council person. What do you have to do? When do we have to register? What does it take to be a county commissioner, school board member, just getting information out to people who are interested in civic matters, but don’t know where to go,” said Kirschbaum. “So we’ll just give them kind of a one-stop shop with all the ideas on that. Additionally, we’ll have tables for the Highway to Corridor project, childcare initiatives, and children’s finance. We’re hoping to make headway here. Also, we’ll have one for the Broadway Villas. We have a lot of ideas, but we’re just starting to bring them all together.”
FISCAL SPONSORSHIP FOR 4H2, INC APPROVED
4H2, which is CHEDA Board member Brian LaPlante’s business, requested that CHEDA serve as a fiscal sponsor/host for a grant they will receive to research the feasibility of growing sweet sorghum in Minnesota, which would be used to produce ethanol. Sweet sorghum is a variety of sorghum grass grown for its sugary, juicy stalks, which are processed int a syrup similar to molasses. The high sugar content makes it a source for producing ethanal, and the fibrous plant material can be used for other bioenergy and industrial products.
Since LaPlante is on the board, he had to abstain from voting. He also had to leave the room, and the board had to give unanimous approval to approve the agenda item.
LaPlante provided an overview of the project, stating that 4H2 will be collaborating with AURI, White Earth Technical and Community College, and the grant they are receiving will be up to $150,000. After LaPlante left the room, the board unanimously approved CHEDA as the fiscal host, and it will actually make money in the process because it will receive a 15 percent administrative fee for serving as the grant fiscal host.
“Yeah, this is great research. It’s to look at sorghum, and it’s a use for ethanol. It’s research to see how much sorghum we can grow. They’re doing a GIS across the state to see where we can grow it, to use as an alternative source to corn or an additional source to corn,” said Kirschbaum. “It’s just a pass-through, so we’re a physical sponsor, and we’ll receive 15% as an administration fee at the EDA level for the paperwork and handling of that. So we’re looking forward to it. It should be a good business, and it should be really beneficial and find another crop to raise up in our area.”
What other ways could this help grow Crookston and the northwest region of Minnesota? “We’ve even looked at what type of facility would have to be built if we can begin to create the ethanol here. We’re even looking at our future zoning maps, and we were looking at expanding our industrial park, and that was one of the reasons that we were looking at expanding, is businesses like this,” said Kirschbaum. “As Ag continues to innovate, as you look at North Star Lime, you look at this innovation with sorghum. So many things are happening in the ag business, and our farmers are some of the most inventive people I’ve ever met in my life.”
INDUSTRIAL PARK UPDATE
There has been considerable interest in the Industrial Park now that the City is moving forward with installing infrastructure. “Northern Minnesota Railroad is looking at applying for another railroad spur grant, Farmers Union has purchased the old Ag Innovation Campus, and they’re looking at what they can do to expand. They’re going to be putting in some organic fertilizer there,” said Kirschbaum. “We’ve got other people requesting access to the rail. Now that people know the infrastructure is being installed, we’re getting a lot of action. I have five interviews this week with different businesses that we found through SLP, which has been helping us market the industrial park at various shows around the country. And so I’ve got five interviews this week with some people to see if they’re interested in the industrial park. Some of them are also site selectors, and they have clients looking for businesses. We have a lot of stuff going on, and I’m excited about it.”
Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07) joined House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (MN-06), Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01), and Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) in sending a letter to U.S. Attorney David Rosen, demanding he open an investigation into reports that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has let Minnesota taxpayer dollars be funneled to Al-Shabaab terrorists through a series of fraudulent scams.
“It is outrageous and disgusting that law-abiding Minnesotan taxpayer dollars have allegedly been siphoned through fraud schemes to fund terrorist organizations under the Walz administration,” said Fischbach. “Minnesotans deserve accountability, transparency, and leaders who will stand up for the people they serve.”
The letter is below-
As temperatures fall and ice begins forming on ponds, small lakes, and other waterways across the state, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds parents and guardians to talk with their kids about the importance of safety on the ice and around the water. It’s especially important with many children at home over Thanksgiving break.
Falling into the water this time of year, whether through thin ice or into open water, can turn tragic quickly. It has the potential to incapacitate even the strongest swimmers, so it’s up to parents and guardians to teach their kids about the dangers of cold water, and ensure they’re properly supervised anytime they’re around water. Already this season, a DNR conservation officer and other rescue personnel saved two teenagers who fell through thin ice in northern Minnesota.
“Kids tend to be curious about the water, but they might not understand the dangers,” said Capt. Adam Block, boating law administrator for the DNR. “Every type of waterway can be dangerous this time of year, from small neighborhood ponds all the way to our largest lakes and rivers.”
Wearing a foam-filled life jacket is the best way to stay safe around cold water or survive an unexpected fall in. Foam is better than inflatable life jackets this time of year, since the latter might not fully inflate in cold water. In addition, Block recommends people carry a phone in case they need to call for help, let others know where they’re going and when they plan to return, and plan for how to deal with an unforeseen incident.
For more information about surviving a fall into cold water, visit the DNR cold water dangers webpage (mndnr.gov/safety/boatwater/cold-water.html).
The Crookston Pirate Boys Hockey team opens the 2025-26 season on the road at Hallock to take on the Kittson County Central Bearcats in a Section 8A matchup. The game is scheduled for a 6:00 p.m. start with the RiverView Health pre-game show on KROX Radio at 5:30 p.m.
FIRST PERIOD
SECOND PERIOD
THIRD PERIOD
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Final |
| Crookston | ||||
| Kittson Co. Central |
1st Period
2nd Period
3rd Period
| Goalie | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | OT | Total |
| – Crox |