Latest News From Minnesota Daily News Dot Com

July 31, 2026

The Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival is underway. The action heats up today, starting with team practice sessions at 3:00 PM, followed by the Parade of Teams and Opening Ceremony at 6:00 PM. Spectators can line the waterfront to watch the Dondelinger GM Sprint Cup Races kick off at 7:00 PM, capped off with live music from the Empty Cooler Band at the Dragon’s Den. The excitement continues all day tomorrow, with the main dragon boat races cutting across Lake Bemidji, alongside a full food court, family activities, and entertainment along the shore. For a complete schedule of events, visit http://bemidjidragonboat.com.

Public schools in Minnesota are spreading the word about a constitutional amendment on the November ballot that could increase school funding. This amendment would allow voters to approve a boost in the revenue from the "Permanent School Fund," created over a century ago from timber and minerals sales. Schools are using social media and newsletters to inform the public and plan to speak at City Council meetings, Chamber of Commerce events, and back-to-school gatherings. The fund has grown significantly, increasing from $658 million in 2010 to $2.3 billion in 2025, with districts receiving annual funding from it. If the amendment passes, the distribution to schools would rise from the current 2% to 2.5% to 4.5% of the fund's average market value, potentially increasing per-pupil funding by about 40%.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is seeking a new design for the State Parks and Trails license plate after 10 years. Artists, who must be Minnesota residents, can submit designs celebrating the North Shore and Lake Superior agate. Each license plate costs $60, contributing over $16 million toward the maintenance of state parks and trails. Submissions are open from September 15 to October 31. A DNR panel will select finalists, and the top three designs will be voted on by the public in December.

The Bemidji Area Community Band’s 2026 season includes three concerts so far, each with unique themes. The first concert, directed by Ryan Webber on June 14, celebrated sports and games. On June 28, conductor Katrina Stewart led a patriotic concert ahead of the Fourth of July. Webber returned on July 19 to explore the “6-7” meme theme. The next concert on Sunday will feature audience favorites, including a medley titled “James Horner Movie Magic” and Frank Ticheli’s “Joy” conducted by guest Maggy Rusche. The concert will close with John Wasson's “Curtain Call. ” The performance starts at 7 p.m. on Sunday on the lawn south of Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex. If it rains, the concert will move indoors at Bangsberg.

The Beltrami County Highway Division will be holding an informational meeting regarding the reconstruction of Beltrami County State Aid Highway 42 (Lakewood Dr NW) on August 26th, 2026, at 6PM at the Northern Town Hall located at 445 Town Hall Rd NW, Bemidji, MN. Representatives from the Beltrami County Highway Division will give a brief overview of the construction plans. Members of the public who utilize CSAH 42 are encouraged to attend. No official action will be taken at this meeting. Information on the upcoming construction will be provided and questions will be taken. The area being reconstructed is CSAH 42 from CSAH 15 (Irvine Ave NW) to CSAH 21 (Bemidji Ave N.)

Peacemaker Resources, together with the Boys and Girls Club of the Leech Lake Area, invites the community to support local youth through upcoming events. A Family Fun Gathering in Cass Lake on July 22 attracted nearly 100 attendees and featured local resources and activities, along with a meal. The next event is set for August 5 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Walker Area Community Center, where community members can enjoy food and activities. The final event is planned for later in August. More information is available at http://PeacemakerResources.org.

The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe District Three Office is hosting its annual Elder Picnic on Tuesday, August 4. The celebration will take place under the big tent at Cedar Lakes Casino and Hotel from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM. Elders can look forward to door prizes, food, live entertainment, and plenty of activities, including Bingo 20/20, a karaoke contest, and a contest for the best summer outfit. For more information, contact Toni at 218-513-7804 or Kari at 218-368-0116.

July 30, 2026

The annual Sanford Health Taco Fest for the United Way takes place today, until 7:00 PM. Hosted inside the Dragon Boat Festival Tent at the Lake Bemidji Waterfront, the event features fresh tacos served on fry bread, corn, or flour tortillas with all the trimmings, alongside a beverage and dessert. Presented by Lueken’s Village Foods, meals are available for $12, with 100% of the proceeds directly supporting the United Way of Bemidji Area. Live music will also be featured throughout Taco Fest, and again tonight with Sarah Kelley performing from 7:30pm to 10pm. The action heats up then on Friday, starting with team practice sessions at 3:00 PM, followed by the colorful Parade of Teams and Opening Ceremony at 6:00 PM. Spectators can line the waterfront to watch the thrilling Dondelinger GM Sprint Cup Races kick off at 7:00 PM, capped off with live music from the Empty Cooler Band at the Dragon’s Den. The excitement continues all day Saturday, with the main dragon boat races cutting across Lake Bemidji, alongside a full food court, family activities, and entertainment along the shore. For a complete schedule of events, visit http://bemidjidragonboat.com.

Red Lake Nation received the No Child Left Inside grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. This grant will support youth outdoor education, including hunter's education, wildlife knowledge, fishing, and boating activities. The grant provides up to $25,000 and will be available until June 2027, offering lifelong certifications. Community involvement in outdoor activities will be encouraged, with updates and registration available on the Red Lake Conservation Facebook page.

Voters across the Leech Lake Nation are getting ready for the primary election, with early voting currently underway ahead of the August 11th deadline. Polling locations and hours vary across counties. In Cass County, early voting is available at locations including the Leech Lake Reservation Tribal Headquarters in Cass Lake, the Cass County Courthouse in Walker, and various city halls. Beltrami County voters can cast their ballots at the Auditor-Treasurer's Office in Bemidji, with select evening hours scheduled at community centers in Little Rock, Ponemah, Red Lake, and Redby. Additional polling locations are also open in Itasca and Hennepin counties. Band members with questions can contact LLBO Government Relations at 218-335-8200.

Young adults in Beltrami and Cass counties have a unique opportunity to earn while they learn. BI-CAP YouthBuild is currently recruiting participants for its upcoming September 2026 and March 2027 orientation cohorts. The pre-apprenticeship program is open to individuals ages 16 to 24, allowing participants to earn an hourly wage while working toward a high school diploma, GED, or adult diploma. Students receive hands-on training and classroom instruction in fields like construction, nursing, and child development, while gaining valuable career and life skills. Applications and eligibility forms are due this week, by July 31st, to be considered for the September orientation. You can pick up forms at the BI-CAP office on Mill Street in Bemidji or visit http://bicap.org for more information.

Park Rapids area patients can now use an Essentia Health pharmacy inside Hugo’s Family Marketplace. It connects to patients' electronic medical records for better prescription management. Services offered include local delivery, immunizations, and medication management consultations. The pharmacy is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

July 29, 2026

During a recent Bemidji City Council work session, three plans for managing the Sanford Center were discussed as the current contract with ASM Global approaches its expiration in March 2027. The council is considering options beyond merely renewing the contract due to ongoing budget issues and limited control over operations. The proposed options include: renewing the contract with ASM Global or hiring a new management company, having the city take direct management of the center, or a hybrid model where the city manages some aspects while outsourcing others. Council members raised concerns about the budget deficit tied to the center and expressed a desire to retain current staff, while others noted that new hires might be necessary. Mayor Jorge Prince focused on creating a sustainable long-term approach and noted that local government could have better budget control. He also mentioned the potential of implementing a hospitality tax to generate additional revenue. City Manager Rich Spiczka echoed these concerns, hoping to avoid past mistakes and keep funds local. He compared the situation to Mankato, which saw higher event success. There was no action taken during this meeting, and discussions will continue in future sessions.

The Nevis School Board has approved policy changes for the 2026-27 school year. Each student will receive a personal device: iPads for elementary students and Chromebooks for high schoolers, which they will keep for the entire year. If a device is damaged, the student will be billed. Superintendent Renae Seykora noted this will encourage careful handling. Additionally, sixth graders cannot ride fan buses to postseason sports events due to MSHSL rules. High school seniors must now take a “career investigations” course to help them prepare for their future, focusing on job descriptions, resumes, and interview skills.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Minnesota State Patrol remind WE Fest attendees that parking is not allowed along Highway 59 before noon on August 3. Vehicles arriving before this time will be removed. After noon, cars can park on the shoulder but at the owner's risk. Guests must stay in their vehicles and cannot set up camps or grills outside. The area will be monitored by State Patrol and WE Fest Security.

The Minnesota DNR warns that hot summer weather is harming fish in the state. They report over 200 fish deaths due to warm water and low oxygen. Minnesotans are asked to report fish kills online, and to protect shoreline vegetation and reduce runoff. Anglers should handle fish carefully during extreme heat.

The 7th Annual United Way Fishing Tournament was a success, thanks to presenting sponsor Lueken’s Village Foods and other supporters. In the Walleye category, first place went to Scott Weaver and Andrew Bautch, while the Bass category was won by Tyler and Adam Winkka. The Deerwood Bank Big Walleye Award was given for a 32.25-inch catch, and the Keg N’ Cork Big Bass Award was for a 21.5-inch catch, with the Winkka team donating their $500 prize back to United Way. More information at https://UnitedWayBemidji.org.

You can show appreciation for your favorite local businesses in the Bemidji Pioneer's 2026 Best of the Best contest. Nominations are open until August 12. You can nominate businesses in various categories, such as Health & Beauty and Food & Beverage. Visit http://bestofthemidwest.com/bemidji to nominate, vote, and see last year’s winners.

July 28, 2026

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is seeking public input on a draft update of the Leech Lake fisheries management plan. The last update was in 2021, and the new plan aims to reflect current public values regarding lake management. This plan builds on previous successes by updating goals and actions to maintain a healthy fishery. Key focuses include balancing predator-prey relationships, especially between adult walleye and perch populations, and expanding management for species like muskellunge, northern pike, sunfish, and crappie. The updated plan will guide fish population management for the next ten years, with potential evaluations in five years. The public can obtain the draft online and submit comments via an online form at http://mndnr.gov/leechlake, emailing walker.fisheries@state.mn.us, calling 218-552-2330, or mailing comments to 07316 State 371 NW, Walker, Minnesota 56484, until August 20.

A repeated domestic assault offender, 46-year-old Allen Cloud of Red Lake, was sentenced to over three years in prison. Chief U-S District Judge Eric Tostrud sentenced him to 41 months after Cloud pleaded guilty to domestic assault causing significant harm. He had a history of at least five prior convictions for domestic violence against the same victim.

TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) is launching its “royalty” for 2025, recognizing members who have lost the most weight by reaching their goal weight. Dorothy Limanen of Eveleth lost 99.75 pounds and Dennis Bachand of Bemidji lost 112.8 pounds, making them the 2025 Minnesota Queen and King, honored at an event last May. TOPS offers group support, health education, and recognition to help members manage their weight. In Minnesota, the adult obesity rate is 32.3%, and TOPS members lost a total of 7,096 pounds in 2025. Weekly meetings, held both in-person and online, are essential for support, starting with weigh-ins and sharing, followed by health programs and recognition. Visitors can attend a first meeting for free.

Kickstands went up for the 2026 Bike MS Ride Across Minnesota yesterday. This five-day ride started in Menahga, goes through Park Rapids, Wadena, and Pequot Lakes, and returns to Menahga, covering a total of 277 miles. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) organizes this event to raise funds and awareness for multiple sclerosis, which affects around 1 million people in the U-S There are about 270 riders participating, and many local volunteers have helped to make the event possible.

A driver was injured in a two-vehicle crash in Hubbard County. The Minnesota State Patrol reported the accident happened at around 2:20 p.m. on State Hwy. 34. Ahna Schilling, 22, driving a Chevrolet Equinox, was injured and taken to CHI St. Joseph’s Health. Thomas Jacobson, 66, in the GMC Sierra, was uninjured. Meanwhile, a driver was airlifted to St. Cloud after a rollover accident on July 19 in Lake Emma Township. The Hubbard County Sheriff’s Office reported that Kenneth Danks, 60, lost control of his SUV and rolled it after hitting an approach. There was no suspicion of alcohol use, and Danks was treated on-site before transport.

Bemidji State University is currently seeking applicants for a full-time Retention and Recruitment Specialist for its Ojibwe Teacher Training Program. The position focuses on statewide outreach, student success support, and building partnerships with tribal communities and schools. Applicants should have a background in education, student affairs, or Indigenous studies, with knowledge of Ojibwe educational pathways. Fluency in the Ojibwe language is preferred. The closing date to apply is Wednesday, August 19, 2026, just after midnight.

July 27, 2026

A couple of severe weather cells rolled through northern Minnesota on Friday evening. A tornado was spotted and confirmed near Debs, and moved east-northeast to the Tenstrike and Kelliher areas. Comments to the Beltrami County Emergency Management's Facebook page show up to three inches of rain, numerous reports of snapped off, damaged, or uprooted trees, one roof was severely damaged because of the volume of water, and lots of reports of hail damage to roofs, buildings, and gardens. Beltrami County Emergency Management would still like your storm damage reports. Just comment on their Facebook post about the storm from Friday. Meanwhile, Reed Timmer, a renowned meteorologist and storm chaser, was in Minnesota Friday chasing the storms. He posted several videos of tornadoes in the area including one near Clearbrook, and saying, "Severe wind with some embedded tornado potential just hammered Bemidji, Minnesota". Timmer spent the night Friday at Ruttgers. He went to Wisconsin then for the rest of the weekend. Follow Timmer on X at https://x.com/ReedTimmerUSA.

Investigators arrested 20 people during a law enforcement operation in Bemidji and nearby areas last week. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension's Violent Crime Reduction Unit led this operation with the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force, Bemidji Police Department, Leech Lake and Red Lake tribal police departments, the Hubbard, Cass and Beltrami County sheriff’s offices, the FBI’s Headwaters Safe Trails Task Force and the BCA Bemidji Regional Office. This effort, which occurred on July 22-23, targeted offenders wanted for firearms violations, shootings, and drug offenses. Some were arrested on outstanding warrants, and law enforcement recovered four illegal firearms, a gun silencer, ammunition, and small amounts of drugs. All of those arrested were booked into either the Cass County Jail, the Hubbard County Jail or the Red Lake Detention Center pending formal charges.

All Pints North is moving from Duluth to Bemidji for its 15th annual event next summer. The Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild announced that the beer festival will take place at Paul Bunyan Park in Bemidji after wrapping up in Duluth's Bayfront Festival Park this August. The event is scheduled for July 31, 2027, and will celebrate Minnesota craft breweries, live music, great food, local businesses, artists, and attract many visitors. Although changing locations after 14 years, the guild promises that the festival's spirit, featuring breweries and a celebration of summer, will remain the same. The festival in Duluth on August 1 will act as a send-off and celebration for its previous venue. Next years event in Bemidji will be held a week before the Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival.

United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen announced that a federal jury found Michaela Karon McKinney guilty on three counts related to a fentanyl trafficking operation in Greater Minnesota, specifically Bemidji. The trial, held in Minneapolis, concluded with a guilty verdict on conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and possessing a firearm in relation to drug trafficking. In 2023, investigators identified La’Veal O. Allen as a key distributor in the fentanyl network. McKinney assisted in multiple drug distribution trips, during one of which she helped facilitate the sale of over 180 grams of powder fentanyl and nearly 500 fentanyl pills. She was arrested after driving Allen to a drug sale. A search revealed a loaded firearm and her young son in her vehicle. McKinney faces a minimum of 10 years in prison. Her co-defendants have also pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. The Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force led the investigation to target drug trafficking in the area.