Albert Lea Tribune

09/01/2025

A former Albert Lea middle school teacher who pleaded guilty to sending naked photos to a child will serve five years of probation and 90 days in jail, which can be spent on work release, according to online court records.

A former Albert Lea middle school teacher who pleaded guilty to sending naked photos to a child will serve five years of probation and 90 days in jail, which can be spent on work release, according to online court records. Gerardo Noe Guerrero, 32, pleaded guilty in May to two counts of distributing...

08/30/2025

Mural artists and married couple Alejandro and Shelby Castañón recently moved to Albert Lea and said they are hoping to bring their art to the southern Minnesota area.

08/29/2025

The overall percentage of Albert Lea school district students who met standards in the 2025 Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment tests in math and reading decreased for the third year in a row, according to data released Friday from the Minnesota Department of Education.

08/29/2025

Several representatives from the Freeborn County community gathered on Thursday for the Age-Friendly Freeborn County community meeting at the Albert Lea Fire Rescue station. Some topics discussed included senior ride services, meal programs, safety assistance and recreational activities.

Several representatives from the Freeborn County community gathered on Thursday for the Age-Friendly Freeborn County community meeting at the Albert Lea Fire Rescue station. Some topics discussed included senior ride services, meal programs, safety assistance and recreational activities. Christine T...

08/28/2025

The city of Albert Lea is seeking to demolish a series of blighted, abandoned buildings formerly owned by Merrick’s of Minnesota along West Front Street.

The city of Albert Lea is seeking to demolish a series of blighted abandoned buildings formerly owned by Merrick’s of Minnesota along West Front Street. During its work session Monday, the Albert Lea City Council discussed removing the buildings and turning the space into a potential park that wou...

08/27/2025

Our September/October issue of the Tribune is here! We've got copies at the Tribune and more are being distributed around town!

08/27/2025

An Iowa man on Wednesday was sentenced to a stayed 364-day jail term and one year of probation for reportedly shooting a gun at his sister’s car in April as she attempted to leave a house in Albert Lea with her son following an argument.

An Iowa man on Wednesday was sentenced to a stayed 364-day jail term and one year of probation for reportedly shooting a gun at his sister’s car in April as she attempted to leave a house in Albert Lea with her son following an argument. Jacob Allen Dale, 21, of Clarinda, Iowa, pleaded guilty in [...

08/26/2025

The Albert Lea City Council opted to stick with two cannabis dispensaries — at least for now.
With its two cannabis microbusiness slots already filled, the council on Monday voted to deny the registration for Benjamin Kapple of Mountain Sight Vision LLC, who had been granted a license by the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management Aug. 7.

The Albert Lea City Council opted to stick with two cannabis dispensaries — at least for now. With its two cannabis microbusiness slots already filled, the council on Monday voted to deny the registration for Benjamin Kapple of Mountain Sight Vision LLC, who had been granted a license by the Minne...

08/26/2025

The Albert Lea City Council on Monday approved three changes to the city’s charter, including one change that allows the council to appoint a replacement in the event of a vacancy on the council during a member’s term.

The Albert Lea City Council on Monday approved three changes to the city’s charter, including one change that allows the council to appoint a replacement in the event of a vacancy on the council during a member’s term. The Charter Commission met in July and recommended the change, along with two...

08/25/2025

Celebrated musician Denny Charnecki and Musicians Against Cancer founder Todd Utpadel will perform their show, “Night of the Classics,” at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 30 at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center.

Celebrated musician Denny Charnecki and Musicians Against Cancer founder Todd Utpadel will perform their show, “Night of the Classics,” at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 30 at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center. A portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to the Blooming Prairie Cancer Group’...

08/25/2025

Advanced Family Dental is using advances in technology to provide more complex dentistry services to the community that previously were only available in bigger cities.

Advanced Family Dental is using advances in technology to provide more complex dentistry services to the community that previously were only available in bigger cities. As it approaches its 15th year in Albert Lea, the business is shifting its focus to these more complex cosmetic and restorative cas...

08/25/2025

It's back to school for Glenville-Emmons, Lake Mills and Northwood Kensett students! Send us your first-day-of-school photos at [email protected]. We will have a special page in the paper Saturday with your photos. Please include names of the students pictured.