KWOA 730 AM News Radio

MINNESOTA - The Minnesota House voted 68 to 66 this afternoon to pass the bill that allows a union drive to licensed and unlicensed day care providers so they can collectively bargain with the state – a measure most local child care providers opposed. Reps. Joe Schomacker and Rod Hamilton voted against the bill. It's part of an effort by two service worker unions to organize personal care workers. The bill sets up possible unionization votes among child-care providers who get state subsidies, and separately among care attendants to the elderly and disabled.

The USDA has confirmed that porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) has been identified in the United States for the first time through testing at the National Veterinary Services Laboratory. It has been rumored to have appeared in Iowa and Minnesota but sources can only confirm it in the Iowa hog population.

This year's finalists for the title of Princess Kay of the Milky Way have been named. The 12 young women from dairy farm backgrounds were selected at the conclusion of a three-day event for county dairy princesses held in St. Joseph. The finalists include:

JACKSON – A 5-year-old child was killed Saturday in rural Jackson County when he ran out in front of a vehicle on CSAH 4 at the south end of Loon Lake in Minneota Township. Yomi Alexis Castillo, was struck by a 2011 Ford Explorer, driven by Marjorie Svoboda of rural Jackson, at approximately 11:22 a.m. The child was transported by ambulance to Lakes Regional Healthcare Hospital in Spirit Lake, Iowa, where he died of his injuries. He is the son of Hose and Sandra Dominguez of Worthington.

WORTHINGTON — Nobles County Parks Director Jerry Braun said campgrounds at Fury’s Island and Maka Oicu opened Sunday, just in time for the Memorial Day weekend. Tree debris had littered the park following the April ice storm, creating a delay in the parks’ opening.

JACKSON - Flooding rains, large hail and even reports of tornados kept people in some parts of the region on the run late Friday afternoon and evening. Two tornado touchdowns were reported in Jackson County: one near Wilder and another about three miles north of Lakefield. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

After a late-night session Wednesday, the House Agriculture Committee voted to approve a $940 billion farm bill, a day after the Senate passed its version. The vote was 36 to 10, with mostly Democrats voting against the bill after nine hours of debate.

Four Minnesota West Lady Jay Softball Players have earned postseason honors from the Minnesota College Athletic Conference

Minnesota West had two players earn First Team All-Southern Division Honors this season in sophomores Alayna Hall and Steph Behrens.

JACKSON – A 32-year-old rural Jackson man was killed Monday when he crashed his motorcycle on CSAH 4 in Round Lake Township.

According to information released by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Jason Clair Libengood was operating a 600 Yamaha on CSAH 4 near the intersection of State Highway 264 at approximately 10:30 p.m. Monday when he failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway. He entered the south ditch, struck a sign and was thrown from the motorcycle.

Libengood was transported to Sanford Worthington Hospital, where he died from his injuries.

On Monday, Worthington Trojan Senior Jon Vorwald signed a letter of commitment to continue his basketball career at Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, South Dakota.

Vorwald, who has played on the varsity level since his sophomore season and a 2-year starter for the Trojans, averaged 9.5 points and 4 assists and drew 11 charges in 18 games his senior season. He also earned All-Conference honors in the Southwest Conference this season.

MINNESOTA – In a 37-30 vote, the same-sex marriage bill was passed today by the Minnesota Senate after more than four hours of debate. District 22 Sen. Bill Weber voted against the bill. Gov. Mark Dayton has already vowed to sign the measure if it made it past both the House and Senate. The House passed the measure Thursday on a 75 to 59 vote.