MINNESOTA - Democrat Jim Graves, who was expected to challenge U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann in the 6th District congressional race next year, dropped out of the race Friday following Bachmann's decision to not seek another term.

According to his campaign manager, Aaron Wells, Graves believed he had to run to restore effective representation to his community. When Bachmann dropped out of the race, Graves felt the greatest impediment to getting representation was eliminated and their goal was accomplished.

RUSHMORE – After a manure spill Wednesday in Nobles County, water samples taken from a gravel pit in Little Rock Township will be sent to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for analysis to determine if contamination exists. According to Nobles County Environmental Services Director Wayne Smith, the spill has been contained with a dirt berm and some round bales.

WORTHINGTON — The Worthington Area YMCA and City of Worthington Aquatics Center outdoor pool is undergoing minor repairs related to winter-weather related cracking and will open as soon as the repairs are finished and weather permits.

According to YMCA Aquatics Director Connie Carlson, there is no definite date set for the repairs to be finished, but further updates regarding the pool’s status will be announced as soon as possible.

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SLAYTON - When the Soyuz 35 spacecraft docked successfully at the International Space Station Tuesday, it brought a little bit of Murray County, Minnesota with it.

WORTHINGTON – With the last date for city residents to put tree debris out on the curb now past, the Worthington City Council Tuesday turned to scheduling the annual spring clean-up dates for the week of June 17 through June 21. Public Works Director Jim Eulberg coordinated the dates with Eric Joens of Schaap Sanitation, and said residents can start placing items on the curb June 10.

ST. PAUL - A pair of groups that challenged Minnesota rules for a state wolf hunting and trapping season has been dealt another blow in court.

The Minnesota Court of Appeals Tuesday dismissed a petition aiming to undo rules that allowed for a wolf hunting season, the first of which was held last November.

EMMETSBURG, Iowa - A two-year-old child is dead after a truck he was in somehow got knocked into gear and plunged into Five Island Lake near Emmetsburg, Iowa on Saturday.

The Palo Alto County Sheriff's Office says deputies were called to the scene around 9:30 p.m. and found a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado, owned by Lance Hanson of Emmetsburg, in the lake.

WORTHINGTON - In honor of Memorial Day, all city, county and state government offices will be closed Monday, including the law enforcement center at Prairie Justice Center. There will be no mail delivery, and the Nobles County Library will be closed. Area Financial institutes are all closed. Walmart will follow regular hours as will Hy-Vee, but the Hy-Vee pharmacy will close at 5 p.m. Monday. Fareway is open until 9 p.m. Saturday, but will be closed Sunday and Monday.

Schaap Sanitation will not make pick-ups Monday – those routes will be pick-up Tuesday.

ST. PAUL -- Gov. Mark Dayton vetoed two provisions of a bill funding outdoors and arts projects, saying a House committee ignored a citizen advisory panel. The vetoes eliminated $3 million to fight aquatic invasive species that was destined for tribal and local governments and $6.3 million to improve Twin Cities parks.

Dayton wrote to legislative leaders, that the decision was difficult because he supports the causes but had said he would veto projects the advisory committee did not recommend.

WORTHINGTON — The Worthington American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts will conduct services at the local cemeteries and host a program Monday at Chautauqua Park.

Services will be: 8:30 a.m., Memorial Gardens Cemetery; 9 a.m., St. Mary’s Cemetery; 9:30 a.m., Worthington Cemetery; 10:05 a.m., Freedom Shore Veterans Memorial Park.

The Rev. Joe Behnke from St. Matthew Lutheran Church will speak at the cemetery services and the program at 11 a.m. at Chautauqua Park. Behnke is a World War II enthusiast.