Breaking News

Giving blood

American Red Cross collections specialist Bobby Baxter wraps Synnova Olson’s left arm with red gauze after her blood donation at an American Red Cross blood drive on Tuesday afternoon at the Best Western in Fairmont. Another blood drive will be from noon to 6 p.m. today, Wednesday, Sept. 2, at Best Western. To schedule a blood donation, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733-2767.

Stats

High Monday — 86 Low Monday — 65 High Aug. 31, 2025 — 78 Low Aug. 31, 2025 — 54 Total moisture in August — 3.39 Moisture this year — 17.05 Tuesday’s sunset — 7:53 p.m. Wednesday’s sunrise — 6:43 a.m.

Smiles at school

Havyn Hartke, Myla Christians and Hazel Christians race each other during recess on the first day of school on Monday afternoon, at the Fairmont Christian School courtyard. The weather on Monday afternoon was pleasant with mostly clear skies and a calm breeze. The weather in the area for the rest of the week is expected to be mostly warm and humid with some clouds and a chance of rain most days.

Bears should have their NFC North title tested, with Lions, Packers, Vikings all poised for rebounds

The Chicago Bears were one of the best stories in the NFL last season under new coach Ben Johnson, with the development of quarterback Caleb Williams, an impeccable turnover margin, and the team's steely late-game resolve serving as driving forces behind their first division title in seven years. Consider, though, just how close the Bears came to missing the playoffs again. Their NFL-record seven wins after trailing in the last two minutes of regulation included a stunner over the Minnesota Vikings, whose go-ahead touchdown with 50 seconds left was washed out by a kickoff coverage ...