Seven safety-net hospitals in Minnesota face possible closure, service reductions, or staff layoffs. These hospitals serve many low-income and uninsured patients. A report by the group Public Citizen describes this situation as a "big ugly threat. " The hospitals have lost money from 2022 to 2024, with over 20% of their patients being low-income. Financial issues stem from cuts in federal Medicaid spending that began in January and are projected to continue for the next ten years. The report highlights HCMC in Minneapolis and other hospitals across the state, including Range Regional Health Services in Hibbing, Lakewood Health System in Staples, Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin, St. Gabriel’s Hospital in Little Falls, Lakewood Health Center in Baudette and Mahnomen Health Center in Mahnomen.
The city of Bemidji began a stump removal project expected to last about three to four weeks. Some downtown businesses may face brief impacts as stumps are removed and sidewalk repairs are made, but traffic will not be hindered, and there will be no temporary closures or detours. Residents and business owners might experience temporary disruptions to sidewalks and streets, with limited access at times. The project aims to enhance safety, improve infrastructure, and support future landscaping in downtown Bemidji. The timeline may change based on the weather.
Legislation by State Representative Bidal Duran to enhance public safety and support law enforcement passed the Minnesota House. House File 3827 ensures local law enforcement agencies receive reimbursement for major investigation costs, easing budget strains. It strengthens protections for victims and witnesses, including relocation and safety services. The bill improves access to protection orders and modernizes crime data collection. Duran emphasizes that the bill addresses system gaps to support front line workers and improve community safety. The bill will now be considered by the Senate.
The picture for the 2026 midterm election is developing. The Beltrami County Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party held an endorsing convention in Redby for Minnesota Senate District 2. The 128 delegates endorsed Reed Olson for Minnesota House 2A, Emily Thabes for House 2B, and Dan Rogers for Senate District 2, all challenging incumbents. Bidal Duran, Matt Bliss, and Steve Green were previously endorsed by the Beltrami County GOP. Delegates also elected Curtiss Hunt as chair. People can volunteer by signing up at the DFL office. The state endorsing convention will be held between May 29 and 31 in Rochester.
Proposed cuts from the district office, transportation, facilities, and other programs will save Park Rapids Schools over $500,000 in the 2026-27 school year. The Park Rapids School Board approved Phase 2 of budget adjustments this week. Superintendent Lance Bagstad noted in the Park Rapids Enterprise that financial difficulties resulted in teacher layoffs during Phase 1 to address a potential $1.2 million deficit, mainly due to funding cuts and new costs from the State Legislature. The proposed cuts include: reducing district office staff (savings of $190,465), cutting transportation positions and a bus route (savings of $114,967), not filling a custodian position (savings of $56,724), and various cuts to elementary programs (savings of $87,500 and $65,000). Phase 2 savings total $514,656, adding to Phase 1 cuts for a total of $1,296,503. The motion for Phase 2 cuts passed 6-0.
A series of Community Forums are planned on the Red Lake Nation for the Home Electrification Project. A forum in Ponemah is set for tomorrow at noon at the Boys and Girls Club. The second is Monday from 10am to 11am and also 2pm to 3pm at the Redby Center. Next Tuesday, two more will be held at the New Red Lake Center from 10am to 11am and again from 2pm to 3pm. The final will be held next Wednesday at the New Little Rock Center from noon to 1pm. The project is funded by the US Department of the Interior Tribal Electrification Program.
April 21, 2026
The Bemidji School Board met last night and approved the tentative agreement with teachers for this year and next. Teachers had been working without a contract for this school year. The approved contract includes reductions in class days and also reductions in staff development days to save the district money. The district has been operating at a deficit for the last three years. Needing to cut $2.7 million further from the 2027 budget, the Board last night also approved 5-0 a plan to cut $1.61 million dollars worth of licensed teachers and licensed staff, which includes seven elementary positions, three special ed positions, 1.8 positions in K-through-8, and one position each in PE, Math, English, and Science across the district. Most of these positions were already vacant from teachers moving from the district or retiring. The Board must still cut another $1 million from next year's budget.
The Bemidji City Hall Facebook page will soon be archived as the city moves to a single page for updates on Parks & Trails, City Hall, and Public Works. To stay updated on important announcements and community information, follow the City of Bemidji, Minnesota Government page. Feel free to call city hall with any questions.
The Beltrami County Community Health Board and the Beltrami County Board will meet today. The Community Health Board will give their annual presentation to the County Board, beginning at 3:30pm. After that, the County Board will meet to reappoint the Veterans Service Officer, and further discuss budget priorities for 2027. State law limits Veterans Service Officers to a four year term. The Board is expected to give current Veterans Service Officers Shane Gustafson for another four year term. As for the budget for next year, the County Board is expecting to lose between $3 million and $5 million in state funding for 2027.
The Bemidji Police Department is warning of a new scam that's circulating. A text message claims to be from the State of Minnesota for Court-Ordered Mandatory Collections. The text includes a QR code to make the payment. If you received the message, you are urged to not scan the QR Code, or reply to the message. Also, be it known that neither the State of Minnesota, or the court system will ever send you a text message asking for money.
The Park Rapids Fire Department is seeking community support to raise $30,000 for a drone that will assist in rescues and emergency responses in Hubbard County. A GoFundMe page organized by Justin Dennis has raised $1,535, 6% of their goal, by Monday, April 20. Fire Chief Joe Carlson explained that the need for a drone arose after the sheriff’s office could not provide their drone during a recent vehicle crash incident, highlighting the necessity for their own program. Carlson believes a drone is essential, especially in high fire danger conditions, and is confident they can complete the fundraising.
Walker Police Officer Kent Cleveland received the Medal of Honor Award and the 2025 Police Officer of the Year Award from the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association on April 15 during a ceremony at the annual Minnesota Chiefs of Police Conference in St. Cloud. These awards celebrate Officer Cleveland’s bravery and dedication to public safety. His recognition is due to his actions on August 8, 2025, in response to reports of a man in boxer shorts acting erratically and carrying a knife while damaging vehicles.
April 20, 2026
On January 16th, Hubbard County Sheriff Cory Aukes reported a fraud case involving 76-year-old Vincent Bellomo from rural Nevis. A financial worker at Hubbard County Social Services alerted authorities after discovering Bellomo had received over $263,000 in benefits he was not eligible for. The benefits included various assistance programs, and the investigation revealed that Bellomo falsely claimed to have minimal assets, stating he had only $1.08 in his savings account while actually having over $77,000 in 2024. After removing $80,000 in 2025, Bellomo left the area and went to California. He was arrested by the Fontana Police on a warrant from Hubbard County and was brought back to face charges of Wrongfully Obtaining Public Assistance and Perjury. He remains in the Hubbard County Jail.
The Bemidji School Board will meet tonight at 6:30pm at the District Office Board Room. They will finalize the calendar for next school year. The calendar includes a reduction in student days, and a reduction in staff development days, which are required based on the proposed contract with teachers that will also be voted on tonight. An informal listening session is offered at 5:45pm tonight.
Last Thursday, at about 2:25pm, the Bemidji Fire Department responded to an explosion and fire on the 1500 block of Bixby Ave NW. Firefighters arrived to find a detached structure fully engulfed in flames. Shortly after, a large explosion occurred, affecting an adjacent building. A total of 28 firefighters and 9 pieces of equipment were on site for around 4 hours. Two garage buildings were completely destroyed, and one vehicle and home received moderate damage. The fire caused evacuations in the area, and power was later restored. No injuries were reported; the fire is believed to be accidental. The explosions were caused by propane cylinders experiencing a Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion. The Minnesota State Fire Marshals’ Office, Bemidji Ambulance Service, Beltrami County Sheriff's Office, Bemidji State University Public Safety, Bemidji Police Department, Minnesota State Patrol, Ottertail Power Company, and Minnesota Energy Resources assisted the Bemidji Fire Department at the scene.
(video from BSU Campus Security)
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has expanded the area subject to open burning restrictions of vegetative debris, beginning today, as warm and dry weather spreads throughout the state. Escaped fire from burning vegetative debris is the number one cause of wildfires in Minnesota, and burning restrictions help reduce wildfire risk. Additional counties in which burning restrictions apply: Beltrami North, Carlton, Clearwater, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau. Restrictions remain in place in these counties: Beltrami South, Cass, and Hubbard. The DNR will not issue permits for the open burning of brush or yard waste in these counties until restrictions are lifted.
According to the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Election Ordinance, the order of placement on the ballot is determined by a public lottery, held separately for Primary and General Elections. The lottery for the Leech Lake General Election is set for this afternoon, at 1:00 p.m. in the RTC Tribal Chambers. Go to the Leech Lake Band Of Ojibwe Facebook page for the results of the lottery.
April 17, 2026
Minnesota's severe weather season is approaching, and emergency agencies urge residents to prepare. This week is Severe Weather Awareness Week, focusing on daily themes to raise awareness about summer weather hazards and family safety. Today's theme is extreme heat. Winters in Minnesota are long and cold, while summers can also be extremely hot. High humidity with warm temperatures creates a dangerous heat index. Avoid outdoor activities during heat and never leave pets or children alone in cars, as they can heat up dangerously.
The City of Bemidji Rental Report is out for March. The city gained on rental permit, and two rental units since February. The city is still down 24 rental units from March of last year. Currently, there are 3717 rental units in the city limits. Construction permits numbers are also in for March. There was $3.8 million in construction done in March of this year, which is down $1.2 million from March of 2025. Year to date construction for 2026 is also down$1.5 million from 2025. As has been the case since the storm last June, most residential construction for March, was new roofs.
A structure fire in Bemidji yesterday led to an explosion and damaged multiple buildings. According to Lakeland News, law enforcement confirmed that no one was at home during the fire, and there were no injuries. First responders arrived around 2:30 PM to a burning house and garage on Bixby Avenue, prompting the evacuation of all homes on the block as they extinguished the flames.
The Minnesota Office of Higher Education has announced the opening of the Early Childhood and Family Education (ECFE) Teacher Shortage Grant Program Request for Proposals. This initiative aims to enhance the number of licensed teachers for young learners in Minnesota. The grant provides funding to postsecondary institutions that train early childhood teachers, focusing on increasing access for those from rural areas and students of color. Funds can be used for tuition relief, recruitment, and support services. Proposals are due by May 8, 2026, with up to $950,000 available in grants of up to $250,000 each for eligible institutions.
The Bemidji Area Arts Endowment online grant application opens on May 1 for nonprofits within a 30-mile radius of Bemidji. These organizations can apply for grants up to $1,500 for art-related projects that enhance the local community. The application period closes on June 1, and proposals can be submitted through the Northwest Minnesota Foundation’s website. The BAAE also offers a grant round for the Everett Wilimek Endowment for Orchestral String Studies, providing two $500 scholarships for young musicians aged 8 to 15, based on need. Applications will be reviewed by the BAAE Advisory Board, and recipients will be notified in July.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will not charge vehicle permit fees at all 73 state parks and recreation areas on Saturday, April 25. This Free Park Day is one of four days each year when no vehicle permit is needed. These days throughout the year allow people to explore state parks in each season. Ann Pierce, the director of the DNR’s Parks and Trails Division, highlights spring as a great time to enjoy nature’s beauty. Visitors should recreate responsibly to protect natural resources.
April 16, 2026
At 10:40am yesterday, the Bemidji Police Department responded to an upset student at Northwest Technical College who said, “I need a gun” and asked someone to “bring me a gun” while entering a classroom. Officers quickly found the student and used crisis intervention techniques to de-escalate the situation, confirming there was no physical threat. They secured the building and ended the lock-down. The student was taken to Sanford Bemidji Medical Center for a psychiatric evaluation. The incident is under active investigation with no further details available. The police were assisted by the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota State Patrol, and Bemidji State Public Safety.
Minnesota's severe weather season is approaching, and emergency agencies urge residents to prepare. This week is Severe Weather Awareness Week, focusing on daily themes to raise awareness about summer weather hazards and family safety. Today is Tornado Drill Day. Beltrami County will hold two state-wide tornado drills today, at 1:45pm and 6:45pm. Outdoor warning sirens will be activated during these drills. Sirens are used for tornado warnings and severe thunderstorms with winds over 70mph. They sound for about three minutes without an "all clear. " If the sirens keep sounding, a threat remains.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation is advising residents in northwestern Minnesota not to disturb aerial photography targets as aerial mapping begins. Landowners with targets on or near their property will be contacted directly. The mapping work is set to start in mid-April and is expected to finish by late May, focusing on Highway 1 from Busy Corner to Highway 71. This process requires clear observations after the spring thaw and before trees have leaves. Crews will mark reference points with large white "X" targets on paved areas and place temporary plastic or fabric "X" targets on unpaved areas. MnDOT asks landowners to avoid disturbing these targets and to call the District 2 survey office at 218-755-6509 if they need to be moved.
The Red Lake Band will hold another candidate forum tonight at the Little Rock Community Center for Chairmen and Secretary candidates. The public is welcome to attend and ask questions. A light meal will be served. The event starts at 6pm tonight.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency fined West Fraser Forest Products $24,750 for exceeding hazardous air pollutants at its Solway facility from January 2024 to January 2025. The company must submit a new permit application and a plan to comply with the current limits. In January 2026, West Fraser was fined $15,250 for late test submissions and exceeding pollution limits from March 2023 to November 2023.
Big Bog State Recreation Area will hold a "Wonders of the Night Sky" event on Saturday, April 18, from 9 to 10:30 p.m. Participants will explore constellations and learn how the night sky has guided people and animals for centuries. The event starts with a presentation at the Visitor Center, followed by a walk or drive to the beach for stargazing through telescopes. Light refreshments and a campfire for roasting marshmallows will be available. Attendees should dress for the weather and bring a chair and blanket. A valid Minnesota State Park vehicle permit is required to enter the park, costing $7 for a day or $35 for a year.
