Latest News From Minnesota Daily News Dot Com
September 21, 2026
The Bemidji School Board will meet in special session today for a work session to discuss enrollment. As it's a work session, no action will take place. The special meeting begins at four:45P-M this afternoon at the District Offices on Minnesota Avenue.
Hubbard County Board is planning a nine.nine% levy increase for 2027, setting the preliminary levy at over twenty five million dollars which is a over two point three million dollars rise from 2026. County Administrator Jeff Cadwell mentioned to the Park Rapids Enterprise, that savings from the human services budget and unfilled sheriff's positions helped achieve this target. A projected reduction in the tax rate by two.five% is due to increased tax capacity, especially from utility assessments. Concerns were raised about potential revenue issues with Enbridge, and a tax break for second homes has affected county taxes. County officials are worried about future financial shifts from the state impacting budgets, particularly for human services. A truth-in-taxation hearing for Hubbard County is scheduled for December 3rd.
The Red Lake Tribal Council has issued an update following the federal resumption of child welfare and protection services at the Child Services Center in Red Lake. Council leadership states they are appointing interim supervisors to assist with the transition and work on alternative funding sources to prevent employment breaks for affected staff. For band members needing immediate assistance, several contact numbers are available: The Center's Main Line is: two one eight six seven nine two one two two. Mental Health Crisis Line at: two one eight six seven nine one two five zero or two one eight three six eight four nine one three. And Red Lake Law Enforcement at: two one eight six seven nine three three one three.
Sheriff Jason Riggs of Beltrami County announced the start of the Law Enforcement Scholarship Program for 2026. The MSA Board of Directors has created a fund for eighteen scholarships of two thousand dollars each. This initiative is supported by Minnesota's eighty seven elected Sheriffs to help students in peace officer skills courses or law enforcement degree programs. The scholarship deadline is November 30th, with awards announced in early 2027. Applications are available at the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is seeking public help for reforestation after damage from fires and wind. They are paying ninety five dollars per bushel for clean, ripe red pine cones collected now through October, as this year's crop is expected to be the best in over a decade. Collectors must register as suppliers before selling cones. The DNR aims to buy at least one thousand bushels to support their goal of planting nearly one million red pine seedlings annually.
The Hubbard County Board renewed health and dental insurance plans for employees. Human Resources staff reported a thirty nine.nine% increase in Medica health coverage due to high claims. To reduce this rate increase by two%, the benefits committee suggested removing three Essentia Choice Plans. Currently, employees have eight plans to choose from. Commissioner Char Christenson noted that premiums are shared equally between the county and employees, leading to monthly costs between one hundred forty eight dollars and about two hundred dollars for individual plans and about three hundred dollars to four hundred forty nine dollars for family plans, which were called unsustainable.
September 18, 2026
Voting in the November 3rd General Election in Minnesota starts today. There are three voting methods: By Mail: Voters can request a mail ballot at mnvotes.gov/absentee. Absentee ballots must be returned in-person by five p.m. on Election Day and by mail by eight p.m. Voters can track their ballots at mnvotes.gov/trackmyballot; Early In Person: Voting is available early at local election offices from today to November 2nd, with extended hours on specific dates; In-Person on Election Day: Voters can cast their ballots at local polling places until eight p.m. on November 3rd and can register to vote on Election Day. To be eligible to vote, a person must be eighteen or older by Election Day, a U.S. Citizen, a resident of Minnesota for at least twenty days, not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction, and not under a court order that revokes your right to vote. If you are eligible to vote, you can register to vote at mnvotes.gov/register.
The U.S. Forest Service has decided to keep open research stations in Grand Rapids and Ely, reversing an earlier plan to close them. This announcement was included in a list on the Forest Service's website as part of a national reorganization. The agency stated that these facilities will remain operational for various functions, including state office or service centers and important research. The Grand Rapids facility operates in a government-owned building on land leased from the University of Minnesota for just one dollars per year, which was praised by U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar.
A golf tournament held on September 11th at Castle Highlands Golf Course raised a record twenty five thousand dollars for the United Way of Bemidji Area. This was the 22nd Annual Beltrami Electric Touchstone Energy Open, which unites local businesses, golfers, and community members. Since its start in 2005, the tournament has raised over two hundred forty nine thousand dollars. The tournament included thirty six teams, with Affinity Aces taking first place, followed by Wesco and Team Echternach.
The Laporte School Board met and unanimously decided to certify its preliminary tax levy at the maximum allowed by the Minnesota Department of Education. Superintendent AJ Dombeck explained that the numbers are not final and will be updated later. The final levy will be set in December, where it can only be lowered or stay the same as the preliminary amount. The board scheduled a truth-in-taxation meeting for six p.m. on December 14th. They also rescinded a previous resignation of a special education teacher, approved contracts for staff, and conducted first readings of forty annual policies, deciding to hold a second reading in October.
The Bemidji Public Library will join the second annual Minnesota Libraries Read Together event today from four to six p.m. This statewide event, previously known as The Great North Star Read Together, aims to showcase the vital role of libraries in connecting people with information, learning, and community experiences. Attendees can bring their favorite book or choose one from the library.
The U.S. Forest Service has decided to keep open research stations in Grand Rapids and Ely, reversing an earlier plan to close them. This announcement was included in a list on the Forest Service's website as part of a national reorganization. The agency stated that these facilities will remain operational for various functions, including state office or service centers and important research. The Grand Rapids facility operates in a government-owned building on land leased from the University of Minnesota for just one dollars per year, which was praised by U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar.
A golf tournament held on September 11th at Castle Highlands Golf Course raised a record twenty five thousand dollars for the United Way of Bemidji Area. This was the 22nd Annual Beltrami Electric Touchstone Energy Open, which unites local businesses, golfers, and community members. Since its start in 2005, the tournament has raised over two hundred forty nine thousand dollars. The tournament included thirty six teams, with Affinity Aces taking first place, followed by Wesco and Team Echternach.
The Laporte School Board met and unanimously decided to certify its preliminary tax levy at the maximum allowed by the Minnesota Department of Education. Superintendent AJ Dombeck explained that the numbers are not final and will be updated later. The final levy will be set in December, where it can only be lowered or stay the same as the preliminary amount. The board scheduled a truth-in-taxation meeting for six p.m. on December 14th. They also rescinded a previous resignation of a special education teacher, approved contracts for staff, and conducted first readings of forty annual policies, deciding to hold a second reading in October.
The Bemidji Public Library will join the second annual Minnesota Libraries Read Together event today from four to six p.m. This statewide event, previously known as The Great North Star Read Together, aims to showcase the vital role of libraries in connecting people with information, learning, and community experiences. Attendees can bring their favorite book or choose one from the library.
September 17, 2026
Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk reports that the victim has been identified as a seventeen year old juvenile male of Walker. An autopsy with the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office has been completed and the death has been ruled a homicide by gunshot wound. The investigation is ongoing; no arrests have been made at this time. Cass County Sheriff’s Office is assisted by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Leech Lake Tribal Police and Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force. If you have information relevant to this case, Sheriff Bryan Welk asks the public to contact the Cass County Sheriff’s Office at two one eight five four seven one four two four.
The Bemidji Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating forty eight year old Timothy Nelson. Nelson was reported as missing yesterday by a family member. Nelson is believed to possibly be in a red Ford Taurus with Minnesota license plate M-W-A-six to seven-three. Nelson is five-feet-ten, one hundred sixty pounds, has short or shaved brown hair and green eyes. His clothing description, direction of travel, or destination are unknown. If you have any information regarding Nelson's whereabouts, call two one eight three three three nine one one one.
Tom Serratore, the longtime head coach of the Bemidji State men's hockey team will retire after the upcoming season, wrapping up twenty six years as head coach at Bemidji State. Associate head coach Travis Winter has been named as his successor. Serratore reflects on the values he learned from Coach Bob Peters and expresses pride in leading the program and building relationships over the years. He has achieved six regular-season championships, three conference tournament titles, and took the team to the Frozen Four in 2009. Winter, a former player for the Beavers, has been an assistant coach since 2014 and is praised for his professionalism and leadership, making him the right choice to continue the program's legacy.
The Walker City Council approved the preliminary tax levy for 2027, increasing it by five% from 2026, totaling over one million dollars. This budget will be finalized at a meeting on December 7th. The council also planned two city-wide garage sales in 2027, based on community interest from a survey with seventy four out of one hundred respondents in favor. The sales will be held in May and August.
Hubbard County officials are identifying maintenance needs in various areas, including court, probation, attorney, human services, and the old jail. Findings from a facility assessment by Jason Splett with ICS and Jonathan Loose with Wold Architects were shared with county commissioners on September 8th. They highlighted the age of mechanical components, the approaching end of the roof's lifespan, and the poor condition of HVAC systems and bathroom facilities, particularly in the probation area. The old jail is mainly used for storage and has had no maintenance in nearly twenty years, requiring significant budget allocations for repairs. Total budgets estimated are about five million dollars for addressing deferred maintenance over the next decade. There is potential for re-purposing the old jail or rebuilding it. Upcoming needs for the county attorney's office include additional space for staff and meetings, while court administration has a list of priorities for improving functionality and accessibility in courtrooms.
September 16, 2026
The Bemidji Planning Commission, which is made up of the City Council, voted on Monday night to pass a one-year moratorium on large data centers to be built in the city limits. The limit is for data centers ten thousand square feet and larger. The vote was six to one, with Ward Three Councilor Mark Dickinson voting against the measure. He said that limiting growth was not in Bemidji's best interest. State law limits a moratorium at twelve months. The goal of the planning board is to put limits on data centers based on size, what types of pollution it creates, such as noise, smells, smoke, or any other pollutants. You can watch the entire Planning Commission meeting from Monday night at the City's website.
A couple from Bemidji suffered non-life threatening injuries in a rollover crash near Park Rapids on Monday. David and Judy Perkins, both sixty two, were trying to pass a vehicle on U.S. Hwy. seventy one when their Hyundai Genesis hydroplaned in the rain. The car hit a power transformer and two parked vehicles before rolling over. David was taken to the hospital, and both were wearing seat belts.
Sanford Health and North Memorial Health announced their partnership two weeks ago, merging into one nonprofit health system called Sanford Health. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison visited Sanford Bemidji yesterday to observe the operations and hear from front line workers after reviewing the merger. Following this review, Sanford made commitments to prioritize the needs of patients, employees, and communities in Minnesota. Sanford Health, based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is the largest rural health system in the U.S., with locations throughout Minnesota.
Hubbard County is sending notices to people who may be affected by a data breach. They recommend that those impacted take steps to safeguard their information by regularly checking account statements and free credit reports for any unauthorized activity, and reporting any unusual findings to law enforcement. On July 1st, the county discovered that an email account from the county attorney’s office was sending spam. An investigation found that cybercriminals accessed emails in that account from June 22nd to July 1st.
The Leech Lake Band is holding two upcoming informational meetings exclusively for band members to discuss the Natural Resource Damage settlement related to the Saint Regis Superfund Site. The meetings are scheduled for September 21st, and September 22nd, running from five:30P-M to 7P-M each night at the Cedar Lakes Casino. Sessions will provide members an opportunity to learn more about the settlement, the natural resource damage claim, and what the agreement means for the Tribe.
Yesterday, Beltrami County Emergency Manager Chris Mueller met with Emergency Managers from Kandiyohi County and Grant County. They are part of the Association of Minnesota Emergency Managers Radar Gap Committee, which focuses on improving radar coverage to detect severe weather and snowfall. Minnesota has several significant radar gaps, with Beltrami County and Bemidji being among the worst. The committee is working with Climavision. Grant County recently had the installation of Climavision’s first radar in Wendell. Brainerd will get the second radar soon. Beltrami County is pursuing a radar site in Bemidji.
September 15, 2026
Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk reports that on Sunday, at seven:57A-M the Cass County Sheriff’s Office received a request for an ambulance from the Leech Lake Tribal Police in the area of John Moose Drive Northwest, in Pike Bay Township, in rural Cass Lake, for a male located possibly deceased. Medical crews and Officers arrive on scene and located a male, deceased in the yard of a residence. An investigation immediately was initiated. Assisting with the investigation is the Leech Lake Tribal Police, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and the State Patrol. An autopsy is scheduled with the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The Leech Lake Division of Resource Management is monitoring for Chronic Wasting Disease on the Reservation. Bring a deer head for testing and receive a twenty five dollars gift card valid at several local businesses. When bringing a deer head, leave four inches of neck meat, know where the deer was harvested, and remove antlers if desired. Visit the CWD Sampling Shed for your gift card. Email with questions at leechlakewildlife@llojibwe.net.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs has taken control of the Red Lake Family and Children's Services on the Red Lake Reservation. This follows a federal search warrant executed by the FBI and BIA agents last Thursday. The BIA emphasizes the safety and well-being of children and families, stating that staff are in place to ensure a smooth transition and continuity of services. The Red Lake Nation has confirmed it is addressing the matter and remains focused on protecting its children, sovereignty, and community going forward.
The Leech Lake Enrollment office will be closed today for training. The office will reopen tomorrow at eight AM.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources confirmed the presence of starry stonewort and zebra mussels in Six Mile Lake, near Bena, and zebra mussels in Little Wolf Lake, near Cass Lake. An angler reported zebra mussels found on plants in Little Wolf Lake, and DNR staff discovered more attached to native mussels nearby. A lake service provider reported finding zebra mussels on a boat lift in Six Mile Lake.
The 2026 inspection of the Cass County Jail by the Minnesota Department of Correction was positive, as reported by Jail Administrator Chris Thompson to the Walker Pilot Independent. He mentioned the facility is outdated, having been in operation for nearly forty years, which raises concerns about its condition. Issues noted in the inspection include deteriorating finishes like peeling tile and corroded showers, along with inadequate storage, leading to supplies being stored in hallways. The medical area lacks a dedicated examination room, limiting space for medical evaluations. The property room is also too small to handle inmate property effectively when the jail is at full capacity. While the facility has a multipurpose room for programs, it lacks a gymnasium and sufficient natural light, impacting the environment for inmates and staff. The report concludes that the existing jail cannot adequately accommodate the inmate population, though no violations of the Juvenile Justice Act were found. Beltrami and Itasca Counties have recently built, or are building, new jails.
