Residents reject city's $60 million referendum to improve parks and trails

Prior Lake voters rejected the city's $60 million referendum plan to improve local parks and trails at Tuesday’s election. Around 58% of voters chose "no" on the referendum, which would have been spent on improvements to Prior Lake's aging parks, major improvements at Spring Lake and Lakefront parks, and expansion of the trails system.

Food-relief organizations ramp up efforts to combat potential SNAP cuts

Scott County food-relief organizations launched a unified landing page on food-insecurity resources as a potential end to supplemental food programs looms.

Winter clothing donations being gathered by PL Junior Optimists

Members of the Prior Lake Junior Optimist Club are hosting a winter clothing drive through Wednesday, Nov. 19. Clothing items most in need include: winter mittens, thermal socks, sweatpants and long-sleeved T-shirts.

Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools projecting $2 million deficit by 2028

Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools could face a nearly $2 million deficit by fiscal year 2028 if they do not significantly cut expenditures. Lisa Rider, district director of business services, said in a memo the district could enter statutory operating debt – when a district ends with a general fund balance after fixed costs of less than 2.5% of expenditures – forcing PLSAS to create a special operating plan that must be approved by the state.

'Teacher of Year' honors awarded to 12 PLSAS educators for 2025-26

Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools (PLSAS) has announced the 2025–26 "Teachers of the Year," as selected by their fellow educators and recognized for their dedication, passion and positive impact on students, colleagues and the school community.

"Thousands of local newspapers have gone out of business in the last 10 years, leaving whole communities without a source of community news. Without journalists to present the community the facts, we live in a desert and resort to information we find agreeable from untrustworthy online sources.  Without facts, the Republic is in peril.  Our liberty depends upon the citizen to guide the government and our lives. Without the unvarnished facts, how are we to do that?”

Lakers volleyball back at state for first time since 2017 after sweeping sections

The Prior Lake volleyball team punched their ticket to the state tournament for the first time in eight years after an impressive postseason run that saw the Lakers dominate their section opponents without dropping a single set.

Entering section play with an 18–10 record and the No. 2 seed, Prior Lake cruised past Shakopee (3–0) in the opening round and followed with another sweep over Eden Prairie (3–0) in the semifinals.

Girls' soccer team finishes third in state; season capped with awards, honors

The Prior Lake girls soccer team wrapped up its 2025 state tournament run in historic fashion last week, earning the Class AAA third-place trophy and closing the program’s most successful season to date. The team also earned the Academic Gold All-State Award for maintaining a combined GPA of 3.75 or higher — the highest academic distinction awarded to Minnesota high-school soccer teams.

Prior Lake’s upset bid falls just short in season-ending loss to Minnetonka

Prior Lake’s upset bid came up just shy Friday at Minnetonka High School as the Lakers dropped a 14–7 thriller in the Class 6A second round  — a much stronger showing for Prior Lake than in the teams’ regular-season meeting earlier this fall. The loss ends the Lakers’ season with a 5–5 overall record.

• Albrecht Poss Foundation

• Bob and Lisa Conzemius

• Den and Sandy Gardner

• Pat and Norma Klein

• Lakefront Music Fest

• McKnight Foundation

• Prior Lake Lions Club

• Prior Lake Optimist Club

• Prior Lake Rotary Club

• Prior Lake Rotary Foundation