The Minnesota House has passed a measure to legalize same-sex marriage. The vote was 75 to 59.

The measure now goes to the Senate, which will take up the issue Monday.

Debate in the House got underway in the early afternoon, as thousands of supporters and opponents gathered outside the chamber. House Democratic leaders and the bill's supporters were confident it would pass. If it passes Monday in the Senate, Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton could be signing it into law by early next week and make Minnesota the 12th U.S. state to legalize gay marriage.

PIPESTONE - Celebrity chef and fiery reality TV personality Gordon Ramsey is bringing his series “Hotel Hell” to a historic resort in southwestern Minnesota later this month. Ramsay and his crew will be shooting at the Calumet Inn in Pipestone May 28 to June 1 for part of its second season.

The objective of the series is to whip struggling hotels back into shape under the direction of the painfully blunt Ramsay. People can try to book a room or a table for dinner — possibly prepared by Ramsay — by sending an email to hote...@gmail.com.

WORTHINGTON – At a request from Nobles County Public Works Director Steve Schnieder, the commissioners Tuesday voted unanimously not to charge the cities and townships in the county for the help received from the public works department in cleaning up debris from April’s ice storm.

Schnieder said his department has assisted with debris clean-up in eight communities without neglecting their usual tasks, because the wet weather has slowed them from getting to their normal spring routine. He didn’t feel it was fair that they offer help, then send the cities a bill.

DES MOINES, Iowa — Just days after signing a disaster declaration for five southwest Minnesota counties in the wake of an early April ice storm, President Barack Obama done the same for five Iowa counties damaged by severe weather.

The announcement Monday means the counties of Dickinson, Lyon, O’Brien, Osceola and Sioux will get federal funding under a public assistance program. Funding can be used for emergency repairs, essential government functions and grants for public schools.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The FBI believes authorities disrupted "a localized terror attack" in its planning stages when they arrested a man after converging on a western Minnesota mobile home that contained Molotov cocktails, suspected pipe bombs and firearms, the agency said Monday.

Buford Rogers, 24, of Montevideo, was arrested Friday and charged with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. He remained in federal custody Monday and it was not clear if he had an attorney.

WORTHINGTON – People planning to attend the first-ever event at the new Worthington Event Center need to purchase tickets by Tuesday, May 14. Community members are invited to attend the WEC’s grand opening gala May 18 and enjoy music by three local bands – Starfire, Sideline and Tommy Gunn.

WORTHINGTON – President Barack Obama today declared a major federal disaster for Cottonwood, Jackson, Murray, Nobles and Rock Counties following the April 9 ice and snow storm that ravaged the region.

The declaration includes two categories of aid – public assistance and hazard mitigation. The preliminary figures show the following projected costs and damages: debris removal $3.2 million; emergency protective measures $3.7 million; buildings and equipment $41,500; utilities $19 million and parks, recreational facilities and other facilities $60,550.

WORTHINGTON – Worthington Director of Public Safety Mike Cumiskey would like to remind people there is no open burning in the city of Worthington with the exception of recreational fires. Burning piles of branches does not qualify as recreational burning, Cumiskey said.

WORTHINGTON – Worthington Area YMCA CEO Andy Johnson Thursday presented 9-year-old Jaden Nickel with a check for $1,400 for the American Heart Association Healthy Heart Walk, which the Nickel family and supporters will participate in Saturday in the Twin Cities.

WORTHINGTON – Worthington Director of Public Safety Mike Cumiskey would like to remind people there is no open burning in the city of Worthington with the exception of recreational fires. Burning piles of branches does not qualify as recreational burning, Cumiskey said.

SIBLEY, Iowa – The Iowa State Appeal Board this week sustained the 2014 Osceola County Budget as it was adopted, but expects the Board of Commissioners to comply with budget and funding methods when certifying a 2015 budget.