Albert Lea Tribune

02/11/2026

LAKE MILLS — A family from Fertile, Iowa, last year purchased The Opera House in Lake Mills, a historic building located downtown. After months of renovation, the space is now available to book for weddings, graduation parties, showers and other events.

02/10/2026

Residents filled the Albert Lea City Council Chambers Monday night, sharing emotional stories of local residents afraid to leave their homes, children worried their friends will be taken because of Immigration and Customs Enforcement action and even business owners worried about the impact the actions will have on their work.

Residents filled the Albert Lea City Council Chambers, sharing emotional stories of residents afraid to leave their homes, children worried about their friends because of Immigration and Customs Enforcement action and business owners worried about the impact the activity will have on their work.

02/10/2026

The Albert Lea City Council on Monday approved the first reading of an amendment to the city’s ordinance surrounding cannabis and to***co, including a change that would increase the number of cannabis retail registrations in the city from two to four.

02/10/2026

Murray said he has known Herman for a while but was impressed at his resume of community service and the things he has done over the years, including as an individual within the community and as a police officer and school resource officer.

Former Freeborn County Commissioner Ted Herman was sworn in Monday night as the new Third Ward Albert Lea city councilor to fill a vacancy left after the departure of former Councilor Jason Howland.

02/09/2026

Update: The Big Freeze Medallion was found Monday only a few hours after the first clues were released.

The Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce released the first in a series of clues for the annual Big Freeze Medallion Hunt.

02/09/2026

A 59-year-old man was taken by helicopter to St. Marys Hospital in Rochester Friday night after he reportedly crashed a dirt bike into a snowbank in the driveway of a home just outside of Alden.

02/09/2026

The Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce this morning released the first in a series of clues for the annual Big Freeze Medallion Hunt.

The Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce released the first in a series of clues for the annual Big Freeze Medallion Hunt.

02/07/2026

Who hasn’t at one point dreamed of opening a business with their best friend? For Albert Lea residents Brooke Leedom and Mady Blanchard, this isn’t just a dream — it’s real life.

02/07/2026

“That little boy got dropped off to school by his mother, and at the end of the school day is not getting picked up by her. She’s gone, and they have no idea where she’s at. Documented or undocumented, that’s wrong.”

Woman at scene of ICE operation: ‘How is it OK?’

02/06/2026

Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Nick Golbuff was presented with a Minnesota State Patrol Commendation Award Thursday during a ceremony honoring the brave efforts of troopers, residents and other public servants who performed heroic acts, excelled in crisis or demonstrated the State Patrol’s core values over the past year.

Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Nick Golbuff was presented with a Minnesota State Patrol Commendation Award Thursday during a ceremony.

02/04/2026

Colin Minehart also spoke about his campaign for the District 23A House seat.

As the only candidate thus far in the DFL Party running for Minnesota governor in the 2026 election, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar received all of the support from Freeborn County DFLers Tuesday in the party caucuses at the Albert Lea Eagles Club.

02/04/2026

The majority of Freeborn County voters attending the GOP caucuses Tuesday night at Southwest Middle School selected Albert Lea's Peggy Bennett as their pick for governor in a straw poll.