Latest News From Minnesota Daily News Dot Com

October 21, 2026

The Bemidji Area School Board voted 4-2 to send a letter to the Minnesota State High School League supporting a proposed amendment on sports participation based on biological sex. This action stems from a 2014 MSHSL vote that allowed transgender athletes to compete according to their gender identity. Board vice chair Jack Aakhus presented the measure to encourage participation in the amendment review process. Some board members opposed the letter, calling it unnecessary, while others expressed concern that it could promote discrimination against transgender students. Public comments highlighted that only a small number of athletes identified as trans and emphasized the potential harm to those students. The board's final vote reflected differing opinions on the amendment's implications and appropriateness. In a 6–3 ruling on June 30, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Title IX and the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause do not prohibit states from enforcing bans that restrict transgender women and girls from competing on female sports teams.

The Red Lake Political Education Committee is hosting a Candidate Fair today. The event offers an open invitation to meet state and local candidates, Red Lake School Board candidates, and Red Lake Housing Commissioner candidates. A meet-and-greet begins at 5:30 PM, followed by the main program from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Event Center in Redby. For assistance with voter registration information, polling locations, or sample ballots, voters can visit the official Minnesota Secretary of State's Office website.

A 27-year-old Bemidji man, Tavian Chayse Lyons Sr. was arrested last week in Bemidji while trying to escape from police. He faces five charges, including possessing a stolen handgun and drugs. An officer recognized Lyons and attempted to arrest him, but he resisted and fled. After a warning, the officer used a TASER to subdue him. A medical evaluation was requested due to an injury. Officers found a loaded gun, ammunition, and drugs in his possession. Lyons is prohibited from having firearms due to previous felonies. He is being held without bond in the Beltrami County Jail.

The Minnesota Basketball Coaches Association will induct five men into the MBCA Hall of Fame on October 24th. This Hall of Fame honors individuals who have significantly promoted high school basketball in Minnesota. One inductee is Dan Ninham, Head Boys Basketball Coach at Cass Lake-Bena High School since 1996. Under his leadership, the team won multiple championships and had a notable 2007 season, finishing as state runners-up. With a coaching record of 266-and-154, He is also in the Minnesota Lacrosse Hall of Fame. This years class will be inducted this Saturday.

Tyler Alexander Molitor of Bemidji faces four charges: first-degree burglary, stalking, making Terroristic threats, and harassment. On October 6, police responded to a call from the victim’s friend, who reported the victim was in danger. The victim, who knew Molitor, believed he entered her home without permission. After she confronted him, he sent her threatening texts, including statements about physically harming her.The complaint was filed on October 8 in Beltrami County District Court.

October 20, 2026

Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians Tribal Chairman Darrell G. Seki, Senior, has released an official statement clarifying that he is not retiring or stepping down. In a written letter to the Red Lake Tribal Council dated yesterday, Seki said , "I have informed the Red Lake Tribal Council, in writing, that I am not retiring or stepping down. I remain the duly elected Chairman of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, and I will continue to carry out the duties of this office that the people of Red Lake entrusted to me. Our Nation is going through a difficult time and our members are looking for steady leadership; we owe you, our membership, a Council that stands united in purpose. I look forward to continuing to work together for the good of the Red Lake Nation. We are strong, and we must stand as one" .

Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk announced that the Sheriff’s Department began removing navigational buoys and markers from local lakes and will continue this process in the coming weeks. Boaters, anglers, and hunters are advised to be cautious and know the lakes they plan to visit.

Representatives from the United Way of Bemidji Area and the United Way of Minnesota met to discuss the latest United for ALICE data, focusing on the financial struggles of working households. ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, identifying families just above the poverty line who are at risk of falling into poverty. The report showed that despite wage increases, the number of struggling families in Minnesota has risen. According to the Bemidji Pioneer, the presentation on October 7 highlighted local issues and trends affecting communities. Beni Westgor, Executive Director of the United Way of Minnesota, emphasized the ongoing affordability crisis that ALICE families face daily. The data indicated that in 2024, 35% of households in Minnesota lived below the ALICE threshold, affecting diverse groups, especially young adults and single mothers. For a family of four, the survival budget was estimated at $79,752, compared to the federal poverty line of $31,200.

Rental and construction numbers for September are in for the City of Bemidji. The city ended September with 3721 rental units, up two from August of this year, but down 15 from a year ago. Construction permits totaled $1.9 million in permits in September, with the majority of permits for residential windows and siding, or new roofs. The $1.9 million total for September is down nearly $8 million from 2025, when the vast majority of construction work after the June storm was still being done last fall. Year -to-date construction for this year remains high, though, with $45.9 million in permits, compared to $49.6 million a year ago.

The Prairie Woods and Cass County chapters of the Izaak Walton League of America are hosting an event called “The Water We Share: Minnesota’s Nitrate Pollution Problem” today from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Armory Arts & Events Center in Park Rapids. The Minnesota Well Owners Organization will conduct free well-water-testing for nitrates from 3pm to 5pm and 6:30pm to 8pm. The Central Sands region is experiencing high nitrate levels in water supplies.

October 19, 2026

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has taken over the family and children services on the Red Lake Nation to protect the safety and well-being of children and families. Their main goal is to ensure the safety of tribal members, especially vulnerable individuals. The facility has had several deaths in recent months, and rumors started to spread over the weekend that the Tribal Council has asked Chairman Darrell Seki Sr. to step down. Seki has indicated that he has not agreed to step down. Seki was first elected chairman in 2014 and won re-election to a fourth term in a runoff election in July of this year.

On Saturday, Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan held a rally at Bemidji State University ahead of the November 3 election. At the event, Flanagan discussed the stakes in this election, saying that she is fighting for Minnesotans. Michele Tafoya is fighting for Donald Trump. Tafoya was endorsed by Trump last week. Yesterday, she was on the Red Lake and Leech Lake Reservations. These events are part of Flanagan's 'Got Your Back Tour: Fighting for You, Not Donald Trump' tour.

The Minnesota Department of Human Rights announced that two Minnesota businesses discriminated against Native Americans by refusing to accept Tribal identification cards issued by the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Tribe and Red Lake Nation. Two individuals brought separate cases to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights where a Minnesota business refused to accept Tribal identification. MDHR completed neutral investigations of both cases and found probable cause that discrimination occurred. In the second case, MDHR’s investigation found that The Office Pub and Grill sports bar in Minneapolis refused to serve a customer using his Tribal ID to show proof of age. The bar denied services on three occasions, despite being shown a valid Red Lake Nation identification card that confirmed his age. Minnesota law explicitly states that: “If a Minnesota identification card is deemed an acceptable form of identification in Minnesota Statutes or Rules, a Tribal identification card is also an acceptable form of identification.”

The Bemidji Area School Board will meet at 6:30 p.m. tonight in the district office. They will review assessment results and class sizes above recommended limits. The board will also discuss a letter to the Minnesota State High School League about a bylaw amendment. An informal listening session starts at 5:45 p.m. at the district office.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation will inspect the Irvine Avenue Bridge over the railroad tracks tomorrow. The bridge will be closed during the inspection, which will last from 9 a.m. to early afternoon. Traffic will be rerouted to Park Avenue NW. For questions, contact the Bemidji Engineering Department at 218-333-1856. Most bridges are inspected once every 24 months. Field inspections typically utilize specialized equipment like "snooper" trucks and drones.

An "Our Voices, Our Future - Meet the Candidates" events will take place tonight from 5pm to 8pm at Cedar Lakes Casino Event Center. You can submit questions via the Leech Lake Band Facebook page and you are asked to keep the Seven Grandfather Teachings in mind. Election day is two weeks from tomorrow.

October 16, 2026

Northwoods Caregivers will hold the 27th Annual Senior Community Clean-Up Day on Saturday, October 24, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Seniors aged 60 and older and people with disabilities in Bemidji can register for free leaf raking by calling (218) 333-8265 and leaving their name, phone number, and address. Volunteers are needed and can sign up online at NorthwoodsCaregivers.org or by calling (218) 333-8266. Volunteers will receive gifts, breakfast, lunch gift cards, and door prize entries. Donations and sponsorships from local businesses are also being accepted to support the event.

United Way of Bemidji Area invites everyone to the 10th Annual Women United Tribute Awards on October 22, from 8:30 to 10:00 AM at the Beaux Arts Ballroom, Bemidji State University, with doors opening at 8:00 AM for coffee and socializing. The honorees are recognized for their contributions to the community and have used their skills to enhance the Bemidji area. Ashlea McMartin, LPCC, will be the keynote speaker, presenting her message, “We All Got Crowns.” For tickets and registration, visit www.unitedwaybemidji.org/women-united.

The Beltrami County Community Health Board will meet next Tuesday, and will also hold the Annual Opioid Community Meeting. The Steering Committee will provide an opportunity for members of the community, including those representing Municipalities, to come forward at this time. The meeting will be held at 6pm on Tuesday in the Beltrami County Board Room.

The Bemidji School Board will meet next Monday, and are expected to approve their application to fully join the Minnesota State High School League for the school year. This is an annual, mostly procedural, vote. The Bemidji School Board is also expected to approve sending a letter to the Minnesota State High School League regarding eligibility for participation in interscholastic sports. Several schools across the state have indicated that they will only renew their membership with the Minnesota State High School League, if the League changes their stance on allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls sports. Federal law requires transgender athletes to compete in sports based on their gender at birth.

Minnesota hosts a youth deer season for hunters aged 10-17 today through Sunday. This four-day event allows experienced deer hunters to mentor young participants, taking place during M-E-A break. The youth season started in 2004 and was expanded statewide in 2019, leading to an average harvest of 6,700 deer annually by this age group. A survey shows 80% of hunters support the youth season for fostering connections and recruitment.

Northwoods Caregivers will hold the 27th Annual Senior Community Clean-Up Day on Saturday, October 24, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Seniors aged 60 and older and people with disabilities in Bemidji can register for free leaf raking by calling (218) 333-8265 and leaving their name, phone number, and address. Volunteers are needed and can sign up online at NorthwoodsCaregivers.org or by calling (218) 333-8266. Volunteers will receive gifts, breakfast, lunch gift cards, and door prize entries. Donations and sponsorships from local businesses are also being accepted to support the event.

October 15, 2026

The Minnesota Department of Transportation announced yesterday that construction on Highway 71 from Turtle River to Tenstrike is now complete. Highway 71 was detoured beginning in June through early October using Beltrami County roads 23 and 29. The project included pavement reconstruction, southbound bypass lane at Turtle River Lake Road and entrance culvert replacements. The contractor has now completed final paving and is currently installing striping and signage. Motorists may still encounter crews on-site finishing final touches on the project.

During the Laporte School Board meeting this week, Superintendent A.J. Dombeck reported that the school district is facing an unexpected challenge with increased law enforcement presence at school. According to the Park Rapids Enterprise, he noted that there have been more drug-related issues than usual at the start of the year, but expressed hope that this would lead to a calmer environment moving forward. Dombeck plans to contact nearby school districts to see if they are experiencing similar issues.

You're invited to Bemidji CEC Theaters for Movie Days for the United Way on Saturday and Sunday with the film Minions and Monsters. Tickets cost $5, and all money goes to the United Way of the Bemidji Area. Showtimes are at 11:00 AM and 1:10 PM on both days. The movie features Minions in 1920's Hollywood as they become stars and face real monsters. Every ticket supports local families. Sponsors include Amity Graphics, First National Bank Bemidji, Kraus -Anderson, Northwoods Lumber Company, Paul Bunyan Communications, PrimeWest Health, and The Bemidji Pioneer. For more information, visit http://unitedwaybemidji.org.

Minnesota hosts a youth deer season for hunters aged 10-17 today through Sunday. This four-day event allows experienced deer hunters to mentor young participants, taking place during M-E-A break. The youth season started in 2004 and was expanded statewide in 2019, leading to an average harvest of 6,700 deer annually by this age group. A survey shows 80% of hunters support the youth season for fostering connections and recruitment.

One Hundred Women Who Care of the Leech Lake area held a fall giving event on October 5 at Tianna Country Club. Many women came together to support a local non-profit, raising $7,000 for Family Safety Network in just one hour. This organization was chosen through a voting process among three nominees, which also included Lake May Center and the Federal Dam Fire Department. Over the past four years, the group has raised a total of $107,000, aiding various local organizations such as the Akeley Women’s Shelter and Walker Area Food Shelf.

The Leech Lake Tribal Police and Child Welfare departments are hosting the "Every Voice, Every Step: Walking to End all Violence" event tonight from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM at the Facility Center in Cass Lake. The community gathering invites residents to walk in honor of those lost, raise awareness, foster healing, and work toward a safer, more peaceful future. The event features open prayer, guest speakers, and informational booths, along with beverages and a light meal provided by Cedar Lakes Casino. For questions call the LLTPD at 218-335-8277.