Latest News From Minnesota Daily News Dot Com

June 9, 2026

The U-S Small Business Administration (SBA) reminds eligible businesses and private nonprofit organizations in Minnesota that the deadline to apply for low-interest federal disaster loans is July 2. This applies to areas affected by severe storms and high winds on June 21, 2025, including Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Hubbard, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Pennington, and Roseau. The Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program offers loans to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and nonprofits with losses from the disaster. Loans may be used for working capital, and applicants do not need to show physical damage. Amounts can reach up to $2 million, with interest rates starting at 4% for businesses and 3.625% for nonprofits. To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster or call the Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955. The deadline to apply is July 2, but there is a 60-day grace period for applications.

A Swearing-In Ceremony is today at the Event Center in Redby for Red Lake Nation Secretary Robert L. May, Treasurer Vernelle, R. Lussier, and Redby Representative Harold E. Graves. All three won their contests in the Election on May 20th. The races for Chairman, Ponemah Representative, Red Lake Representative, and Little Rock Representative will be held in July.

The Beltrami County Assessor’s Office reminds homeowners in order to receive homestead classification the State of Minnesota requires the property to have an application on file with the county. Beltrami County is reviewing parcels classified as homestead and property owners may receive a letter from Beltrami County requesting an updated application. If you need assistance, the Assessor’s Office is happy to help, please contact the Beltrami County Assessor’s Office at 218-333-4113 or 218-333-4110.

Yesterday, the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State announced the certification of candidates for all federal and state offices for the August 11, State Primary Election. Lists of candidates who have filed for are available electronically from the Candidate Filing website, as well as MinnesotaDailyNews.com. Candidates for local offices that do not have primaries can file for office from July 14, until July 28, 2026. Requirements for candidates vary by the office type and political party affiliation. Minnesotans can find qualifications and filing instructions for each office in the updated Become a Candidate section of mnvotes.gov. Some petitions for minor party and independent candidates in the general election are still being processed. These will be complete by the close of business on June 16, at the latest. Minor party and independent candidates with successful petitions will advance directly to the November 3 General Election.

Fourteen Candidates filed for 4 Red Lake School Board Positions and will be on the Primary Ballot on August 11, 2026. Of those filing, eight candidates will advance to the November 3, 2026 General Election, and four will be elected to the Board and take office in early January 2027 to each serve four-year terms.

Those filing were:

Those currently on the Red Lake School Board are: Michael Barrett, Chris Jourdain, Tina Stately, Rob McClain, Jack Desjarlait, Tom Barrett and Nicole Desjarlait.

Last week, Minnesota’s Division of Emergency Communication Networks held meetings about Next Generation 911 (NG911), including one at BSU with several attendees from Beltrami County. The county aims to adopt new technologies for emergency communications, focusing on accurately processing calls and locating callers. Representatives from various departments participated in the discussions to help prepare for the future. The local meeting last week was held at the Sanford Center.

Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Government offices will be closed today for the MN Chippewa Tribe General Election. Regular office hours will resume at 8:00 AM tomorrow. Tribal Businesses and 24 Hour programs will remain on their regular schedule.

June 8, 2026

Last Thursday, at 7:01 PM, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office received reports of gunfire in Cass Lake. Deputies found people shooting at each other, resulting in a juvenile male being shot in the leg. He received emergency medical aid and was taken to Sanford Bemidji with non-life-threatening injuries. Several juveniles and adults were interviewed, and the investigation is ongoing. The Leech Lake Tribal Police, Leech Lake Ambulance, and MN State Patrol assisted at the scene.

Ride For The Troops was held over the weekend, a motorcycle ride that raises funds for Veterans. Each year, around $20,000 is raised for Veterans causes like donations to the Wounded Warrior Project, Veterans on the Lake, and local crisis grants. Financial support has also been given for veterans' cemeteries, paving stones, and veteran memorials in the greater Bemidji area. More than 200 motorcycles participated in yesterday's ride. You can donate right now at RideForTheTroops.com.

Friday, Leech Lake's Government Relations Board met with Reed Robinson, Director of Tribal Relations for the Forest Service. Over two days, the Division of Resource Management showed him projects in partnership with the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and the Chippewa National Forest. They discussed co-stewardship, community engagement, management challenges, and disaster recovery.

Construction is set to begin along CSAH 7, Division St W, today. The project will build a shared use trail from Bemidji High School to CSAH 11 and across to CSAH 14. Traffic will remain open, but drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes to avoid delays. Expect partial lane and shoulder closures, with completion by September 4th. Motorists should drive carefully in work zones. For details, contact the Beltrami County Highway Department at 333-8173.

State Representative Bidal Duran has filed for re-election to the Minnesota House of Representatives. He aims to lower taxes, stop government fraud, protect Second Amendment rights, and support working families. Currently in his first term, Duran emphasizes stronger oversight of taxpayer money and the rights of law-abiding citizens. He expressed that rising costs and government waste are challenging for families. Duran is a Bemidji resident, a U-S Marine Corps veteran, and has over ten years of law enforcement experience with the Bemidji Police Department, Hubbard County Sheriff's Office, and Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force.

In its fifth year, Bemidji’s D-Feet Hearing Loss Walk attracted over 160 participants, raising $8,000 for the Minnesota Lions Hearing Foundation. The funds will support hearing research and programs for communication disorders in Minnesota. Angie Scripture from the foundation highlighted how donations help projects like the Temporal Bone Lab and the Mobile Audiology Van, which offers free screenings.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has found zebra mussels in Little Boy Lake, in Cass County. A local invasive species specialist alerted the DNR after discovering a zebra mussel on a sampler at a private dock. During a follow-up search, a specialist found a live zebra mussel attached to a native mussel. Minnesota law requires people to clean their watercraft and equipment, drain all water and leave drain plugs out during transport, dispose of unwanted bait in the trash, and dry docks and lifts for 21 days before moving them to another water body.

Last month, Brian Huch from the Bemidji Launchpad told us that they are becoming the Northwest Minnesota Small Business Development Center. Greater Bemidji is now hosting the organization, which offers free consulting and support to help businesses start and grow. This change aims to enhance support for entrepreneurs in northwest Minnesota, in line with Greater Bemidji’s mission to promote regional development. Philip Knutson has been appointed director of the NWSBDC.

The Office of Cannabis Management hosted a listening tour last Thursday at the BSU Crying Wolf Room. The event aimed to overview the OCM's work and its regulation of the cannabis industry in Minnesota. It included an overview of the OCM’s role, a market update, and a Q&A session.

June 5, 2026

The 20th annual Ride For The Troops will be held this weekend. The event, which will honor the Minnesota National Guard's 34th Infantry Division "Red Bulls", who were deployed to Afghanistan in 2004 and 2005, and Iraq in 2003, 2006, 2009, and 2011, will be held at the Bemidji Eagles Club this weekend. A walleye dinner and concert with Rick Adams will be held tonight starting at 6pm. Tomorrow features a Car, Bike, Truck, and Trike Show at 11am, music with Fools Gold at 4pm, and Sean Wallin at 7:30pm. Sunday, a breakfast, open to everyone, starts at 9am, recognition and awards are at 10:30am, with the National Anthem at 10:55am. The 20th annual ride begins at 11am. Details, and registration for the ride can still be found at RideForTheTroops.com, while donations to Ride For The Troops can be made at the Eagles Club all weekend.

The Bemidji Community Food Shelf needs volunteers for planting at its farm on June 9 and 10 from 8 a.m. to noon at 1260 Exchange Ave. SE. Volunteers will help grow food like potatoes, carrots, and tomatoes. No experience is needed, and it’s suggested to bring gloves and garden tools. For more information, call (218) 444-6580 or email farm@bcfsmn.org.

Thirty-seven-year-old Beaux Michael Duvall Jr., from rural Ponsford, has been sentenced to 125 months in state prison on a felony first-degree drug charge in Becker County District Court. A felony fifth-degree drug charge and other charges, including felony second-degree assault and felony third-degree assault, were dropped in a plea deal. On February 19, 2024, police stopped Duvall for speeding and found over 25 grams of fentanyl and 2.5 grams of cocaine in his possession. Duvall was involved in a stabbing incident on July 31, 2024, where he injured another man. He must also pay a $50 fine and $75 in court fees.

Cass County Sheriff’s Deputy Cooper Severson received the Cass County Sheriff’s Office Life Saving Award for his actions during a medical emergency on April 5. Sheriff Bryan Welk highlighted the significance of Severson being nominated by fellow deputies who witnessed his efforts. During the incident, Severson took over CPR and helped with emergency medical care, including using a defibrillator. He also drove the ambulance to the hospital, allowing EMS staff to continue treatment. The victim regained a pulse and is recovering, showcasing Severson's dedication and professionalism as a newer deputy in the department.

June 4, 2026

The Beltrami County Sheriff's Office extends condolences to the family of Chaplain Derek Claypool, saying "we celebrate your life, your kindness, and the legacy you leave behind. Thank you for your service to the Sheriff’s Office and the residents of Beltrami County through some of our shared darkest moments. Peace be with your family during this difficult time."
Claypool passed away last Friday.

Two more candidates filed for Bemidji City Council, Kate Egelhof in Ward 2, and Misty Bray in Ward 4. So far, Ron Johnson has filed for the at-large position, as has Audry Thayer, and Grace Wilder. For Ward 2, Josh Peterson, and Kate Egelhof have filed. In Ward 4, Emelie Rivera, and Misty Bray have filed. The filing deadline was this past Tuesday. All seats are four year terms.

The Leech Lake Gidinawendimin Language & Culture Project is conducting a baseline survey for their project. This survey is for youth. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MSZZCVH. There is also a QR code that can be shared. The QR Code is on the Leech Lake Band Facebook page.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation announced that the Highway 197 improvement project in Bemidji will enter Stage 1B today, weather permitting. Traffic will shift to newly built temporary lanes, leading to lane closures, reduced speeds, and delays. Stage 1B includes full highway reconstruction and a new roundabout at the Menards intersection. A truck detour will stay in place, with more short-term detours planned later this summer. For detailed staging information and detour maps, please visit www.mndot.gov/d2/projects/hwy197-bemidji.

The northern part of a planned industrial park in Farden Township may be turned into residential lots. The Hubbard County Economic Development & Housing Redevelopment Authority (EDA-HRA) has decided to divide their 80-acre land into smaller lots. Currently, access to this land is provided by County State Aid Highway 9 and 315th Avenue, with a potential new road connecting to U-S Hwy. 2. Some land will still be owned by EDA-HRA to facilitate park access. The county is working with several partners, including BNSF Railway and the Minnesota Department of Transportation, to secure funding for closing two rail crossings and improving another. While BNSF plans for completion in 2032, MnDOT hopes to finish by 2027 following a recent fatality at the site.

The Park Rapids School District is becoming an associate member of the Freshwater Education District (FED). The school board approved this agreement on June 1. Superintendent Lance Bagstad mentioned that the district aims to fully join FED by the 2027-28 school year. Becoming an associate member will help access services provided by FED and allow the district to tap into $40,000 in student support aid, which it currently does not receive. The membership costs $300, and the agreement was approved unanimously, with one member absent.

TowBoatUS Leech Lake has opened in Minnesota for the boating season, offering services like on-water towing, jump starts, and fuel delivery for boaters and anglers. They also provide salvage and recovery services. The port is owned by Doug and Melanie Nelson, who also run TowBoatUS Lake of the Woods. They operate a 26-foot power catamaran and a 21-foot fishing boat. To request on-water assistance, boaters can call the BoatUS toll-free 24/7 Dispatch Center at 800-391-4869, download the free BoatUS App, which connects boaters to the closest local towing captain, call TowBoatUS Leech Lake directly at 218-434-0005 or call on VHF radio Ch.16.

June 3, 2026

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will launch a new electronic licensing system on June 9, starting with hunting and fishing licenses. This new system aims to improve the experience for users by offering flexible purchasing options such as a mobile app, online, or in-person. Users can also choose how to carry their licenses. License sales will pause from now through June 8, but fishing without a license will be allowed during this time. The second phase, which includes recreational vehicle and watercraft registration, will launch later.

The Bemidji City Council approved a trail project along Fifth Street NW that has been planned for over five years. This 8-foot wide paved trail will stretch from Irvine Avenue NW to the Jefferson Avenue NW roundabout and is set to start after the July 4 holiday, aiming for completion by September, depending on the weather. The project is funded by a $468,000 federal grant and a $200,000 state grant, with a total cost of about $1.1 million. The city will also use $382,000 in State Aid Construction funds and $50,000 from Construction Fund Reserves. The planning involved coordination for environmental documents and easements related to crossing a BNSF Railway.

A 30-year-old woman from Walker was injured on Monday in a two-car crash on Highway 371 in Cass County. The Minnesota State Patrol said the crash happened at 4:58 p.m. when a 2013 Chevrolet Suburban and a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee collided while both were heading south. The Jeep's driver, Dezmond Shanice Elai Smith-Leith, was taken to Cass Lake Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The Suburban's driver, Traci Li Campbell, had no injuries. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office and North Memorial Health helped at the scene.

The 100 Women-of-the-Heartland Who Care group recently donated over $9,200 to the Akeley-Nevis Food Shelf. The 100 Women-of-the-Heartland Who Care is a local giving circle in the Park Rapids and Nevis area. Members commit to donating $100 at three meetings a year, creating a $10,000+ collective donation for a single, chosen local non-profit or charity during each cycle.

The Leech Lake "Elders Feast" is this Saturday June 6. If you or someone you may know, needs a ride, please call the Transportation office no later than tomorrow morning at 218-508-7155. The Feast will take place at the Northern Lights Event Center. Registration runs from 10am to 2pm, with the Feast to follow.

The Midwest Flyer reports that the Red Lake Nation will return Darrin Smedsmo’s aircraft on today, and drop all charges against him. This decision follows the FAA's threat of civil action against the tribe unless they stop legal proceedings and release the plane. In October 2025, Smedsmo made an emergency landing in the tribe's territory after his Stinson 108 had an engine failure, leading to the seizure of his aircraft, based on a 1978 resolution about airspace control. The tribe now plans to revoke that resolution, admitting their mistake in taking the aircraft. Smedsmo intends to return to the reservation to give rides to Native American children.

Yesterday, the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe celebrated Mississippi River Day 2026, recognizing the importance of the Mississippi River to the Anishinaabe people and others who rely on it. The river and surrounding areas have historically provided food, transportation, and cultural connections. This day calls on community members and partners to honor the river's significance, learn about its history, protect its water quality and habitats, and engage in activities that celebrate and preserve it.

Beltrami County had an issue with 911 calls and diminished audio between the caller and dispatch yesterday. It appears to only have been a Verizon issue. The Dispatch Center reminds you that if you ever have issues calling 911, you can call 218-333-9111 option 2.