Long Prairie Leader

Long Prairie Leader The Long Prairie Leader is a weekly newspaper located in Long Prairie, Minnesota. We have been in pu

Good luck to the Upsala Cardinals Boys Basketball team taking on Henning in the MSHSL State Boys Basketball Class A Quar...
03/26/2026

Good luck to the Upsala Cardinals Boys Basketball team taking on Henning in the MSHSL State Boys Basketball Class A Quarterfinals this morning! Tip off is at 11 a.m.

02/18/2026

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office received a cyber tip from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), which initiated an investigation into the possession of child sexual abuse material.As a result of the investigation, deputies obtained and executed a search warrant at a residence in the City of Osakis at 215 Main Street W. During the ex*****on of the search warrant, investigators located additional items of evidence. As a result, the resident of the home, Christopher Payne, 64, was placed under arrest without incident.Payne is currently being held at the Douglas County Jail on probable cause for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material; Minor under 14. The case will be referred to the Douglas County Attorney's Office for charging review.The Sheriff's Office was assisted in this investigation by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Douglas County SWAT Team, Osakis Police Department, and the Alexandria Police Department.This case remains an active investigation; no further information is available for release at this time.

First responders are in the process of clearing an apparent accident north of Long Prairie on US Highway 71. Please be c...
02/12/2026

First responders are in the process of clearing an apparent accident north of Long Prairie on US Highway 71. Please be careful around this scene and consider alternative routes into and out of town until this is cleared.

ICE in Long PrairieJason C. BrownPublisher/EditorNational headlines found their way to Long Prairie early Wednesday morn...
01/14/2026

ICE in Long Prairie

Jason C. Brown
Publisher/Editor

National headlines found their way to Long Prairie early Wednesday morning as ICE agents were identified and tracked throughout the community.
Several tracking and social media sites reported ICE activity within Long Prairie prompting the Long Prairie-Grey Eagle School District to address policies and procedures in light of the situation.
At the present time, it is not known if there have been any arrests made, why they are in town or what they are currently doing.
Agents have been observed patrolling and observing traffic near downtown and at several major employers in town including Long Prairie Packing, Dan’s Prize and Coborns.
The presence of ICE prompted calls across email and social media to patrol and observe their activity.
The Long Prairie Police Department and Todd County Sheriff’s Office were similarly as surprised at this development as the general public.
“We were not notified that they would be in town or the county,” Long Prairie Police Chief Ryan Hanson told the Leader.
However, the LPPD was able to make contact with the agents to ascertain the situation.
“I did speak with the group’s supervisor and asked that they sit down with myself and the sheriff so we could talk about notifying us that they are there, assisting them to attempt to find subjects that had warrants for crimes like assault or great, but that we weren’t going door to door asking for documents just because of someone’s color,” Hanson continued.
The ICE agents reportedly had to move this request up the chain of command.
While the presence of ICE may seem sudden, it was not entirely unexpected.
Hanson went on to explain how the LPPD and the Todd County Sheriff’s Office began having discussions after the shooting of U.S. citizen by an ICE agent in the Twin Cities.
Hanson said they did this so both departments would be on the same page if ICE were to come here as some posts on social media insinuated.
“We are on the same page and we have not changed how we are doing things,” Hanson said.
“We are not approaching and questioning people’s status because of their color or name,” Hanson said.
The presence of ICE agents also prompted the LPGE School District to send out messages via social media.
The LPGE School District posted the following:
“Dear LPGE Families and Staff,
“The school district is recommending that parents send their students to school. We are aware of a social media post circulating today that references the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in our community and recommends that students remain home from school.
“At this time, we have received no information indicating that their presence is connected in any way to our schools, our students, or our staff. There is no indication of any activity involving school campuses.
“Here is what you can continue to expect at our schools:
“Our schools remain safe, welcoming spaces for all students.
“School operations are continuing as scheduled.
“We continue to collaborate with our local law enforcement for the safety of our students
“School leadership remains in close communication and will share information directly with families and staff should circumstances change.
“As shared in previous district communications, student records are confidential and protected under federal law, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Staff are required to maintain the confidentiality of student information at all times.
“We also want to remind our community that social media is not an effective or reliable tool for sharing important information. In situations like this, misinformation can spread quickly and unintentionally create fear or confusion. The district will always communicate directly with families and staff when there is information that impacts our schools.
“If you or your child needs support, or if you see or hear information that concerns you, please contact your school office or the district directly so we can follow up as quickly as possible.
“Thank you for your continued partnership as we care for our students and one another.
Sincerely,
Daniel Ludvigson
Superintendent

01/14/2026

Dear LPGE Families and Staff,

The school district is recommending that parents send their students to school. We are aware of a social media post circulating today that references the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in our community and recommends that students remain home from school.

At this time, we have received no information indicating that their presence is connected in any way to our schools, our students, or our staff. There is no indication of any activity involving school campuses.

Here is what you can continue to expect at our schools:
Our schools remain safe, welcoming spaces for all students.
School operations are continuing as scheduled.
We continue to collaborate with our local law enforcement fo the safety of our students

School leadership remains in close communication and will share information directly with families and staff should circumstances change.

As shared in previous district communications, student records are confidential and protected under federal law, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Staff are required to maintain the confidentiality of student information at all times.

We also want to remind our community that social media is not an effective or reliable tool for sharing important information. In situations like this, misinformation can spread quickly and unintentionally create fear or confusion. The district will always communicate directly with families and staff when there is information that impacts our schools.

If you or your child needs support, or if you see or hear information that concerns you, please contact your school office or the district directly so we can follow up as quickly as possible.
Thank you for your continued partnership as we care for our students and one another.

Sincerely,

Daniel Ludvigson
Superintendent
----------------------------------------
Estimadas familias y personal de LPGE:

El distrito escolar recomienda que las familias envíen a sus estudiantes a la escuela. Estamos al tanto de una publicación en redes sociales que está circulando hoy y que hace referencia a la presencia de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (ICE, por sus siglas en inglés) en nuestra comunidad, además de recomendar que los estudiantes se queden en casa y no asistan a la escuela.

En este momento, no hemos recibido ninguna información que indique que dicha presencia esté relacionada de alguna manera con nuestras escuelas, nuestros estudiantes o nuestro personal. No existe ninguna indicación de actividad alguna en los planteles escolares.

Esto es lo que pueden seguir esperando en nuestras escuelas:
Nuestras escuelas continúan siendo espacios seguros y acogedores para todos los estudiantes.
Las actividades escolares continúan con normalidad, según lo programado.
Seguimos colaborando con las fuerzas del orden locales para garantizar la seguridad de nuestros estudiantes.
El liderazgo escolar se mantiene en comunicación constante y compartirá información directamente con las familias y el personal si la situación llegara a cambiar.

Tal como se ha comunicado previamente a nivel distrital, los expedientes estudiantiles son confidenciales y están protegidos por la ley federal, incluida la Ley de Derechos Educativos y Privacidad Familiar (FERPA). Todo el personal está obligado a mantener la confidencialidad de la información de los estudiantes en todo momento.

También queremos recordar a nuestra comunidad que las redes sociales no son una herramienta confiable ni adecuada para compartir información importante. En situaciones como esta, la desinformación puede difundirse rápidamente y generar miedo o confusión innecesarios. El distrito siempre se comunicará directamente con las familias y el personal cuando exista información que afecte a nuestras escuelas.

Si usted o su hijo(a) necesitan apoyo, o si ve u oye información que le cause preocupación, por favor comuníquese con la oficina de su escuela o con el distrito directamente para que podamos dar seguimiento lo antes posible.

Gracias por su continua colaboración mientras cuidamos de nuestros estudiantes y de toda nuestra comunidad escolar.

Atentamente,

Daniel Ludvigson
Superintendente
------------------------------------------
Chè Fanmi ak Anplwaye LPGE yo,

Nan moman sa a, distri lekòl la rekòmande pou elèv yo kontinye vini lekòl. Nou konnen gen yon mesaj k ap sikile sou rezo sosyal jodi a ki fè referans ak prezans Imigrasyon ak Kontwòl Ladwàn (ICE) nan kominote a, epi ki ankouraje elèv yo pou yo pa vini lekòl.

Nan moman sa a, nou pa resevwa okenn enfòmasyon ki montre prezans sa a gen okenn lyen ak lekòl nou yo, elèv nou yo, oswa anplwaye nou yo. Pa gen okenn endikasyon aktivite ki gen rapò ak lakou oswa bilding lekòl yo.

Men sa nou ka kontinye atann nan lekòl nou yo:
Lekòl nou yo rete espas ki an sekirite epi akeyan pou tout elèv.
Aktivite lekòl yo ap kontinye nòmalman, jan sa te planifye a.
Nou kontinye kolabore ak lapolis lokal pou sekirite elèv yo.
Direksyon lekòl yo rete an kominikasyon sere epi y ap pataje enfòmasyon dirèkteman ak fanmi ak anplwaye yo si gen nenpòt chanjman.

Jan sa te deja pataje nan kominikasyon distri a, dosye elèv yo se enfòmasyon konfidansyèl ki pwoteje pa lwa federal, tankou Lwa FERPA. Tout anplwaye yo oblije pwoteje enfòmasyon elèv yo epi respekte konfidansyalite a tout tan.

Nou vle raple kominote a tou ke rezo sosyal yo pa yon mwayen ki serye ni efikas pou pataje enfòmasyon enpòtan. Nan sitiyasyon konsa, fo enfòmasyon ka gaye rapidman epi lakòz laperèz oswa konfizyon san nesesite. Distri a ap toujou kominike dirèkteman ak fanmi ak anplwaye yo lè gen enfòmasyon ki afekte lekòl nou yo.

Si ou menm oswa pitit ou bezwen sipò, oswa si ou wè oswa tande enfòmasyon ki fè ou enkyete, tanpri kontakte biwo lekòl la oswa distri a dirèkteman pou nou ka suiv sitiyasyon an pi vit posib.
Mèsi pou patenarya kontinyèl nou pandan n ap pran swen elèv nou yo ak youn lòt.

Sensèman,

Daniel Ludvigson
Sipèentandan

01/14/2026

Dear Families and Community Members,

In light of recent events and public attention to situations occurring across Minnesota, the Long Prairie-Grey Eagle Public School District is taking additional steps to increase the safety and security of our school environments.

Beginning immediately and until further notice, we are adjusting building access procedures to enhance our ability to monitor who is entering and exiting our facilities. These measures are intended solely to support the safety of students and staff and to help minimize any potential disruptions.

At the elementary school:

Doors will open for student arrival at 7:15 a.m. At 8:05 AM the doors will remained locked throughout the school day.

All doors will be locked as soon as school starts except for door W5 that goes into the elementary office, so that we can monitor that door. E2 on the one-way side will be open starting at 5:30 for all after school activities.

We understand that this may be an inconvenience, and we truly appreciate your patience and cooperation as we implement these adjustments.

For our secondary building the door schedule has not changed but all entry will be routed through the front entrance.

Please know that we are committed to keeping families informed when there are changes that may directly impact their student’s learning or school experience. Our focus remains on providing a safe, supportive environment where all students can engage in a world-class education.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support.

Kind regards,

Daniel Ludvigson
Superintendent
Long Prairie-Grey Eagle Public School District

---------------------------------------------------------
Estimadas familias y miembros de la comunidad,

A la luz de los acontecimientos recientes y la atención pública sobre situaciones que están ocurriendo en distintas partes de Minnesota, el Distrito Escolar Público Long Prairie–Grey Eagle está tomando medidas adicionales para reforzar la seguridad en nuestros entornos escolares.

Con efecto inmediato y hasta nuevo aviso, ajustaremos los procedimientos de acceso a los edificios escolares para mejorar nuestra capacidad de supervisar quién entra y sale de nuestras instalaciones. Estas medidas tienen como único propósito apoyar la seguridad de los estudiantes y del personal, y ayudar a reducir posibles interrupciones.

En la escuela primaria:

Las puertas se abrirán para la llegada de los estudiantes a las 7:15 a.m.

Para garantizar la seguridad de nuestros estudiantes y del personal, todas las puertas de la escuela permanecerán cerradas una vez que comience la jornada escolar. La única excepción es la Puerta W5, que conduce a la oficina de la primaria, lo que nos permite monitorear a todos los visitantes.

Para las actividades después de la escuela, la Puerta E2 (en el lado de una sola vía) estará abierta a partir de las 5:30 PM. ¡Gracias por su cooperación para mantener nuestro campus seguro!

Entendemos que estos cambios pueden causar inconvenientes y agradecemos sinceramente su paciencia y cooperación mientras implementamos estos ajustes.

En el edificio de secundaria, el horario de acceso no ha cambiado; sin embargo, todas las entradas se realizarán únicamente por la entrada principal.

Queremos asegurarles que estamos comprometidos a mantener informadas a las familias cuando haya cambios que puedan afectar directamente la experiencia escolar o el aprendizaje de sus estudiantes. Nuestro enfoque continúa siendo brindar un entorno seguro y de apoyo donde todos los estudiantes puedan participar en una educación de alta calidad.

Gracias por su continuo apoyo y colaboración.

Atentamente,

----------------------------------------------------------------
Chè Fanmi ak Manm Kominote a,

An konsiderasyon evènman ki sot pase yo ak atansyon piblik sou sitiyasyon k ap pase nan diferan zòn nan Minnesota, Distri Lekòl Piblik Long Prairie–Grey Eagle ap pran mezi adisyonèl pou ranfòse sekirite nan lekòl nou yo.

Apati imedyatman e jiska yon lòt avi, nou pral ajiste pwosedi antre nan bilding lekòl yo pou ede nou pi byen kontwole kiyès k ap antre ak sòti nan etablisman nou yo. Mezi sa yo fèt sèlman pou sipòte sekirite elèv yo ak anplwaye yo, epi pou diminye nenpòt dezòd ki ta ka rive.

Nan lekòl primè a:

Pòt yo ap louvri pou arive elèv yo a 7:15 a.m.

Pou asire sekirite elèv nou yo ak anplwaye yo, tout pòt lekòl yo ap fèmen depi jounen lekòl la kòmanse. Sèl eksepsyon an se Pòt W5, ki mennen nan biwo lekòl primè a, sa ki pèmèt nou kontwole tout moun k ap vizite nou.

Pou aktivite apre lekòl yo, Pòt E2 (ki bò kote yon sèl sans lan) ap louvri apati 5:30 PM. Mèsi pou koperasyon nou pou n ede n kenbe lekòl la an sekirite!

Nou konprann chanjman sa yo ka lakòz kèk enkonvenyans, epi nou apresye anpil pasyans ak kolaborasyon nou pandan n ap mete nouvo pwosedi sa yo an plas.

Pou bilding segondè a, orè antre a pa chanje; sepandan, tout moun ap antre sèlman pa antre prensipal la.

Tanpri konnen nou angaje pou n kenbe fanmi yo enfòme lè gen chanjman ki ka afekte dirèkteman eksperyans lekòl oswa aprantisaj pitit yo. Prensipal objektif nou rete pou bay yon anviwònman ki an sekirite, ki bay sipò, kote tout elèv ka angaje yo nan yon edikasyon ki gen bon jan kalite.

Mèsi pou patenarya ak sipò kontinyèl nou.

Sensèman,

09/02/2025

Update: Thank you to everyone who shared this or contacted somebody. We have had more than enough response to get us through this little bind. Nice to see people stepping up and helping out!! We no longer have a need for additional short-term help at this point.

The Leader is in need of emergency and immediate help this morning and this afternoon. Possibly tomorrow as well. Paying $20/hour. Stop in to our office.

We'd like to thank everyone for their patience as we've been dealing with roofing issues. The Leader is tentatively sche...
08/08/2025

We'd like to thank everyone for their patience as we've been dealing with roofing issues. The Leader is tentatively scheduled to have its roof replaced on Aug. 18. Unfortunately, insurance denied our claim and we've been dealing with water issues since the beginning of July. While our roof is being replaced, the front of our building will be unaccessible due to the use of a crane and the construction crew. The replacement should only take a few days to complete. Please give the crew the space they need to efficiently complete this. This project will also include new flooring and ceiling in the Leader as they were both ruined by water damage along with flooring in the apartment above our office. This is a lot for a small business to take on, especially in today's climate. Therefore, we need your help. If you would like to help the Leader to meet these obstacles , the best thing you can do is subscribe and advertise. New subscribers can now get a subscription for half price, $20/year. New advertisers can also get on board with half price advertising, $6 per column inch. You can reach us at [email protected] and [email protected] to find out more. Thank you for your patience and grace as we've been navigating these trying past few weeks and move ahead with the challenges to come.

06/29/2025

Due to the recent storms and water damage experienced at the Leader office, our physical location will be closed until further notice. If you need to see us, please let us know and we will let you in. For the time being, we are discouraging walk-in traffic until we have done the necessary repairs to our building and office space. We will continue to operate normally with our regular printing schedule for the Leader, Anchor and El Lider along with our commercial printing. You may reach us at 320-732-2151. For news related items, email [email protected], for advertising, email advertising .com and for printing, email [email protected]. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this time of repairs.

Update to the 2nd degree murder charges announced earlier today.
06/10/2025

Update to the 2nd degree murder charges announced earlier today.

Fall sports may be over, but the memories can still live on. Get in touch with us for custom banners, posters and more f...
11/13/2024

Fall sports may be over, but the memories can still live on. Get in touch with us for custom banners, posters and more from this past fall season. Shoot us an email at [email protected] or call us at 320-732-2151. For photo reprints go to our website: www.lpleader.com and click on the Dotphoto photo reprint button.

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Long Prairie, MN
56347

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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+13207322151

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