Latest News From Minnesota Daily News Dot Com
May 14, 2026
State Representative Bidal Duran, R-Bemidji, announced that his bill, HF 3522, passed the Minnesota House unanimously. This bill strengthens support for veterans, National Guard members, military families, and veterans of the Secret War in Laos. It introduces stricter accountability for veterans-related grants, including requirements for reporting, grant scoring based on service to veterans, and the ability to withhold funds from grantees involved in fraud or failing to provide services. The bill also updates cemetery eligibility, establishes the Commanders Task Force, updates active service pay, and clarifies emergency procedures for temporary veterans home closures. The bill will now be considered by the Senate.
Joan Miller will teach a Medicare 101 class at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20, at the Bemidji Senior Center. The class is free, and Miller will answer questions about Medicare. For more information, call (218) 751-8836.
Beltrami County's Child Care Assistance Program is accepting applications to help eligible families. Interested individuals must apply and submit required documents. Income limits vary by household size, from $46,022 for two-member households to $89,336 for six-member households. To apply, visit mnbenefits.mn.gov or call 218-333-8300.
Planning is underway for the 2nd Annual Nature Neighbors Day, inviting families to connect with nature in the Northwoods. This year's theme, "The Year of the Tree — Rooting for Bemidji," comes after last year's successful event featuring the Okee Dokee Brothers. The festival acknowledges recent storms that affected local forests by using fallen branches as a stepping stone for community growth. New for 2026, a morning workshop for parents and educators will explore natural rhythms and resilience through outdoor learning for a $10 registration fee. Following the workshop, the community celebration will include nature-themed crafts, live music, local food trucks, and a tree sapling giveaway to help restore Bemidji's tree line. The initiative aims to highlight the benefits of outdoor time and strengthen community ties. The event is being put on by the Apple Blossom Village, Lakeland PBS, Bemidji Early Childhood Collaborative, Pine Pals, and the Mississippi Headwaters Audubon Society.
A multi-agency fire response was initiated around noon on yesterday for a grass fire south of Itasca State Park in Becker County. Firefighters from Park Rapids, Lake George, and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources were on-site throughout the day.
The Cohasset City Council approved a resolution to display Minnesota’s former 1983 state flag at City Hall as a historical symbol during a meeting on May 11. This date is recognized as Minnesota Statheood Day, marking the state's admission to the Union in 1858. The resolution also connects to the national “America250” observance of the U-S 250th anniversary, promoting the display of historical artifacts. It acknowledges the importance of past symbols in linking communities and references a U-S Supreme Court case about local governments' authority over flag displays. Meanwhile, the Nevis Lions Club is gathering signatures in a petition to restore the former flag as the flag that flies in the city. The petition highlights the 1983 state flag as a symbol of unity and states that municipalities can choose their flag version.
The Laporte School Board met this week in what the Park Rapids Enterprise says was an 11 minute meeting. The Board accepted resignations from fifth grade teacher Sylvia Johannes, junior high baseball coach Tim Formo, middle school history teacher Carol Quinn, night custodians Wendi Tysver and Dennis Clark, and bus driver Joel Hamilton. Johannes is moving to the Bemidji School District, while Quinn is retiring.
May 13, 2026
A 16-year-old boy from Bemidji, accused of shooting three people, including his parents, after they took away his cellphone privileges, appeared in court this week. The incident occurred last Thursday at an apartment complex on Itasca Loop Northwest. Police found the victims on the ground with injuries: the mother shot in the abdomen and the other two shot in the leg. They were taken to the hospital. The boy turned himself in two hours later, stating he acted out of anger from the phone ban. He admitted to hiding the gun, which he got without his parents' knowledge, and police later recovered it from under leaves. He was charged with one count of first-degree assault, two counts of second-degree assault and one count of possessing a firearm while under the age of 18. His name, which was erroneously released last week, is now being withheld as he is a juvenile.
A grass fire last Thursday burned a quarter acre near Leech Lake in Cass County. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office responded at 3:08 p.m. in Turtle Lake Township. Fire crews worked until about 5 p.m. to control the fire. The cause is unknown, and there were no reported injuries. North Memorial Health assisted at the scene.
Charles Ryan Riley, 35, from St. Cloud, faces charges of felony theft by swindling and felony false representation. The police report states that on December 22, they received a complaint about payment for unfinished services. Margaret Haugen hired Riley, who runs “Charlie the Fence Guy, LLC,” to build a fence at her home. He d $25,000 for the project and requested a $23,000 down payment, which was withdrawn the next day. Haugen noted she communicated with Riley through Facebook Messenger. As of December 22, the fence was not built, and she had not received a refund or any response from him. An initial court date is set for June 29.
Red Lake Nation will hold a groundbreaking this Friday on a new solar array being built near Blackduck. The solar array is being built by Red Lake Nation as a long-term Tribal energy asset. Funding for the project includes support from the Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribal Electrification Program. The groundbreaking is at 10am at 8521 Highway 1 NE. A community social will be held at the Red Lake Community Center. Meanwhile, Red Lake's "Freedom To Drive" event, which showcases EV vehicles and an EV Charging Station will be held at Seven Clans Red Lake on May 28th. The event aims to showcase renewable energy upgrades in Red Lake. The event runs from 4pm to 8pm May 28th.
The Bemidji Early Childhood Office held a WHEELS event last night at JW Smith Elementary. The events was aimed to let kids see and touch a police car and emergency vehicles. More than 25 vehicles were present last night.
We are a week away from the primary election on the Red Lake Reservation. All polls next Wednesday are open from 8am to 8pm. In person absentee voting is now available every day in the Chiefs Room at the Red Lake Nation Government Center. Polling places are at the Little Rock Community Center, Red Lake Community Center, Redby Community Center, and the Ponemah Boys and Girls Club. Off Reservation absentee in person voting is available Monday, May 18th at the Red Lake Embassy in Minneapolis, as well as in Bemidji.
The Cass County Sheriff’s Office is offering boat and water safety courses in Walker and Hackensack on June 27 at Walker-Hackensack-Akeley School. The class starts with classroom instruction, followed by a riding test after lunch. Students under 12 can attend but won't be certified until they're older. The fee is $5, and registration can be done through W-H-A Community Education.
May 12, 2026
The Minnesota Department of Transportation will start construction on Highway 71 from Turtle River to Tenstrike on June 1, with detours for thru-traffic until October. An open house will be held on May 19 at Turtle River Town Hall from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for questions and information. Highway 71 will be closed from Beltrami County roads 23 to 29 during construction, expected to finish by October, weather permitting. Access to local homes and businesses will remain, but restrictions may occur. Knife River Materials is the main contractor for the $8.8 million project, which includes pavement reconstruction, a new bypass lane, and culvert replacements.
Beltrami Electric Cooperative is joining GreenTouch™, a volunteer event led by Minnesota’s Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives, on May 14, 2026, at Lake Bemidji State Park. They are seeking volunteers to help preserve and beautify Minnesota’s parks through outdoor cleanup and improvement projects. Participation is encouraged from individuals, families, student groups, and organizations. Interested volunteers can sign up by calling Beltrami Electric Cooperative at 218-444-2540.
The Beltrami County Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party will have a light supper and social hour at 5 p.m. tomorrow at the Ponemah Boys and Girls Club. Anyone interested is invited to attend this event and the regular Beltrami County Executive Committee meeting at 6 p.m. The Beltrami County DFL is run by volunteers.
The Region 2 Arts Council Board of Directors awarded $86,000 in Arts and Cultural Heritage Funds to several area nonprofits after reviewing 25 applications. Organizations could submit up to two proposals, and 17 projects received funding to support arts activities in Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Lake of the Woods, and Mahnomen counties. The grant recipients include Heartland Arts, which received $6,000 for the annual Art Leap 2026 tour. Red Lake Middle School was awarded $6,000 to engage artists for a music project with seventh graders. Lake of the Woods School Community Education received $6,000 for a free Musical Theater Camp. Other recipients included Bemidji Performing Arts Academy, Clearwater County Historical Society, the Hope House, Northern Light Opera Company and CREATE in Park Rapids received funds for various theater and art workshops. Bemidji Senior Center and Bemidji High School also received funding for workshops and field trips related to art.
In 1962, President Kennedy designated May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week containing this date as National Police Week. This week honors law enforcement officers who have died while serving to protect others. Beltrami County’s Law Enforcement Memorial Service will occur at 5:30 PM on Thursday, at the Courthouse Pavilion in Bemidji. If it rains, the service will be moved to Bemidji Fire Station 1.
The Parkinson's Support Group will meet at 2 p.m. tomorrow at Sanford Health Windsong. Attendees should bring information to share. Meetings occur monthly on the second Wednesday. Call 218-760-8266 for more info.
Former Minnesota Sen. Justin Eichorn plans to plead guilty this week to a federal charge related to an underage sex sting from last March, changing his earlier not guilty plea. Eichorn, a Republican from Grand Rapids, had previously argued that he was unfairly targeted due to his public position. He was arrested after allegedly trying to meet with an undercover officer who posed as a 17-year-old girl offering sex work. During his arrest, police found two cellphones, a condom, and nearly $130 in cash in his truck.
May 11, 2026
More information, and names of those involved, have been released in an officer involved shooting in Max, Minnesota in Itasca County last week. Deputies from the Itasca County Sheriff’s Office were called to a home on Davidson Road on May 4 to arrest 18-year-old Elias Harper due to an outstanding warrant. When deputies found Harper, he resisted arrest, leading to a struggle during which a deputy's firearm accidentally discharged, injuring Deputy Michael Cowan in the thigh. He was treated at Essentia Health and released the next day, expected to fully recover. Harper suffered minor injuries from the struggle and was later taken into custody. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is investigating the incident, classifying it as a conflict case, not an officer-involved shooting. Body camera footage from deputies is still being reviewed.
The Beltrami County GOP meeting is tonight, at 6:30 p.m. at the Paul Bunyan Mall. Coffee and treats will be served at 6 p.m. Everyone is welcome. For more information, visit beltramigop.net or call Doug Henry at 218-760-1624.
The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for parts of central and northeast Minnesota effective Saturday. This warning affected Aitkin, Carlton, Cass, Crow Wing, Pine, and St. Louis counties due to a high risk of fire spreading rapidly. Residents still should use caution when burning in these areas and should check that any recent fires are fully out. The DNR will not issue permits for large burning and advises against campfires. Caution is urged during activities that can create sparks or heat near vegetation. A fire over the weekend east of Lake Bemidji State Park and New Bass Road Northeast was contained by DNR Fire Crews on Saturday night. No evacuations were ordered because of that fire, which started in a blowdown area from last June's storm.
The United Way of Bemidji Area will hold its 2nd Annual Kids Fishing Tournament on June 14, from 8 AM to 12 PM. It is open to youth ages 0 to 15 and will take place on public lakes in Beltrami County with adult supervision. Participants will compete for the biggest fish in three categories: walleye, bass, and bluegill. Trophies and prize drawings will be awarded, and fun categories will feature bonus prizes. The registration fee is $50 per youth angler, with half supporting local organizations. All participants must register in advance and follow fishing regulations. An all-ages tournament will also occur on July 25-26, 2026.
Bemidji State University held its commencement ceremonies for the graduating class of 2026 on May 8 at the Sanford Center. The Sunderman College of Creativity, Enterprise & Place had its ceremony at 10 a.m., followed by the College of Sciences and Health at 1 p.m. Meadow Karp, a student speaker for the Sunderman College, emphasized the importance of reflecting on personal experiences and encouraged graduates to take up space, noting they earned their place there. Elise Monson, representing the College of Sciences and Health, spoke about the value of curiosity and taking on challenges, which help shape one's character. BSU President John L. Hoffman asked graduates to think about their legacy and the positive impact they can have. He highlighted a significant $8.1 million gift to the university's college and urged students to respect the land's legacy. The class included: 96 graduate degrees, 706 bachelor of science degrees, 97 bachelor of arts degrees, 41 bachelor of applied science degrees, 6 bachelor of music degrees, 5 bachelor of fine arts degrees, and 22 associate’s degrees.
May 8, 2026
At about 4:40pm yesterday afternoon, Bemidji Police Officers arrived at an apartment on Itasca Loop NW and found three adults who had been shot. They provided first aid and learned that the suspect is 16 years old. The victims were taken to Sanford hospital for serious injuries, and the hospital was locked down while police searched for the suspect. At 6:40pm, the suspect surrendered peacefully. Anyone with information about this case can report it anonymously to Crime Stoppers of Minnesota at CrimeStoppersMn.org, by calling 800-222-TIPS.
The director of Minnesota's Murdered Indigenous Relatives Office, Guadalupe Lopez, has been fired less than a year after starting the role. Lopez, from the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, was appointed in July 2025 and expressed challenges faced by Indigenous people in state systems, citing a lack of cultural understanding. Her dismissal came shortly after National Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Day. Previously, Lopez had over 25 years of experience dealing with domestic violence and related issues. The office, created in 2021, is now looking for its fourth director.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is reminding anglers and boaters to follow state laws to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species as the walleye fishing season opens. Most people already practice the steps to clean, drain, and dispose of potential invasive species every time they leave a body of water. DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen appreciates the collaborations with various groups and emphasizes Minnesotans' collective responsibility for lake health. DNR Invasive Species Program Supervisor Kelly Pennington highlights that everyone must take prevention steps, regardless of the presence of officers or inspectors. All anglers and boaters must clean their watercraft, drain all water and leave drain plugs out, dispose of unwanted bait in the trash, never release animals or plants into waters, and dry equipment for 21 days before moving it to another body of water.
The Junior Hip Hop team from Park Rapids Just for Kix finished in fifth place at the JFK national competition on April 30 in Rochester. The team, consisting of seventh- to 12th-graders, was one of 22 teams in their category and qualified for the finals. Director Kaitlin Popanda praised their hard work and determination during their routine "Millionaire’s Club. " Although they did not advance to finals, they left feeling accomplished and proud. The competition featured 7,000 dancers and was an unforgettable experience for the team.
Bemidji State University and NTC, Bemidji's Technical College, are preparing for their annual Commencement ceremonies today at the Sanford Center in Bemidji. BSU will have two ceremonies: at 10 a.m. for Sunderman College graduates and at 1 p.m. for College of Sciences and Health graduates. NTC’s ceremony is at 4 p.m. Brent Larson will deliver the BSU commencement address, accepting the Distinguished Minnesotan Award on behalf of the late R. Allen Sunderman, who contributed significantly to BSU through an $8.1 million gift. The IMPACT Award at NTC will be given to Karla Eischens, recognizing her contributions to health and wellbeing in Northern Minnesota. Eischens has had a prominent career at Sanford Health, advancing in various roles and overseeing major projects, including the development of new health services. BSU typically has more than 1000 graduates, while NTC typically has over 200 graduates. Oak Hills Christian College will hold graduation tomorrow, while Red Lake Nation College will hold graduation on Thursday, May 14th. Leech Lake College on May 16th.
First City Lions will have a yard and bake sale tomorrow from 8am to 3pm at the Eckles Community Center. Proceeds will support local charities. Northern Minnesota's Women's Expo is tomorrow from 10am to 3pm at the Sanford Center. The Bemidji Eagles Club will hold a Donation Rummage Sale tomorrow at the Eagles Club from 9am to 3pm.
