Latest News From Minnesota Daily News Dot Com

May 6, 2026

The Itasca County Sheriff has announced that the deputy involved in Monday's Officer Involved Shooting has been released from the hospital, and is expected to make a full recovery. They are not yet releasing the officer's name, or the name of the victim in the case, who was arrested on Monday afternoon. This incident remains under active investigation by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Last Thursday at 11:38am, Hubbard County Deputy Lund observed Dareine McCormick driving a silver Infinity despite knowing McCormick's driving status was canceled. When Deputy Lund tried to stop him, McCormick fled, leading to a pursuit that reached speeds over 100 mph for 16 miles. The chase ended when McCormick lost control and crashed into trees while trying to turn onto Pine Lake Forest Road. He ran into the woods but was quickly caught by deputies. After his vehicle caught fire, deputies extinguished it and found suspected methamphetamine inside. McCormick appeared to be under the influence but refused to give a blood sample. He was taken to Hubbard County Jail and charged with 1st Degree DUI (refusal to test), 5th Controlled Substance, and Fleeing a Peace Officer, all felonies.

Work has begun on the Highway 197 project in Bemidji. In conjunction with that project, the City of Bemidji will conduct a three stage project this summer as well. Stage #1 is between Gillette Drive NW and Highway 71. Stage #2 is construction of a roundabout at Target and Tires Plus. Stage #3 is another roundabout at Simonson's and Burger King. Also this week, the Council approved another roundabout to be built next year in front of the main entrance to the Middle School. More information about the MNDot project and the City's Project are available at the MNDot website, and also the City of Bemidji's Facebook Page. You can also find more information on this project, and other City business, by watching an interview with Mayor Jorge Prince at Paskvan Podcast on YouTube.

Beltrami County would like you to look at the blue and white address sign at the end of your driveway. Whether a plow took it out or a mower, it is important to have the blue and white E-911 address visible for first responders. If your sign is in need of replacement, please visit the Beltrami County website, or the County's Facebook page to report it. The County will repair or replace it as needed.

Local Letter Carriers and the Bemidji United Way are partnering for this Saturday's Stamp Out Hunger event. You can leave bags of non-perishable food items at your mailbox on Saturday, and letter carriers will collect the donations and distribute the food to the Bemidji Food Shelf. Community members are asked to simply leave a sturdy bag containing non-perishable, non-expired canned or boxed items, such as baby food, peanut butter, soups, cereals, laundry soap, dish soap, deodorant, personal care items and such, next to their mailbox prior to the time of regular mail delivery on Saturday. Donated items should be in non-breakable containers, such as boxes and cans.

The Cass County Probation Department's annual report highlights significant improvements in juvenile offenses. According to the Walker Pilot Independent, these offenses have decreased each of the last four years, from 331 in 2022 to 148 in 2025. The recidivism rate also fell dramatically from 73 percent in 2018 to 15 percent last year. School resource officer Brandon Goehring was placed in the Walker-Hackensack-Akeley School to serve as a role model and mentor for students. His presence has contributed to a noticeable decrease in physical altercations and other issues.

May 5, 2026

The Minnesota House passed HF 3522, a bill by State Representative Bidal Duran, R-Bemidji, to allow the state to act quickly if a veterans home becomes unsafe or is temporarily closed by federal regulators. Currently, the commissioner of veterans affairs cannot permanently close a veterans home without legislative approval. HF 3522 permits temporary closure after an involuntary termination notice from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services while maintaining the need for legislative action for permanent closure. The bill ensures that all residents are safely relocated before a temporary closure, with notifications sent to the governor and legislative leaders. The Senate will now consider the bill.

Representative Bidal Duran, R-Bemidji, passed the A18 Amendment to House File 1082, the Public Safety Budget Bill, during a House floor debate. This amendment enhances protections against doxxing by restricting the online sharing of personal information about law enforcement officers, correctional officers, and their families. It establishes a process for requesting the removal of such information and increases penalties if its release causes serious harm or death. Duran, a former sheriff’s deputy, shared that he experienced doxxing after a dangerous incident in 2018. The bill, including the amendment, will be effective starting August 1, 2026.

The Itasca County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call yesterday in Max, Minnesota, which led to an officer-involved shooting. An Itasca County deputy was injured and taken for medical care, but details about the injuries are not released. The suspect is in custody, and there is no threat to the public. Per standard protocol, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has been requested and will be conducting the investigation into the incident. The Itasca County Sheriff’s Office is cooperating with the BCA on that investigation.

The FedEx Ship Center at 1819 Division Street SW Bemidji will permanently close on June 27. You can still ship via FedEx by dropping off packages at Walgreens at the intersection of Paul Bunyan Drive and Irvine Avenue, and at most Dollar General Stores.

The Red Lake School ECFE will hold a Play and Learn event at the School tomorrow. Newborns to 5 year olds can play and explore in the Early Childhood classroom in order to get more accustomed to school. Parents can spend the time in an adult coffee bar at the school. With questions, call 218-679-3353 extension 1031.

Northern Minnesota's Women's Expo will take place on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sanford Center. The event will feature various vendors, interactive activities, and a pop-up thrift store. The entry fee is $5, with half of the proceeds going to the Village of Hope, which helps families experiencing homelessness.

Two people from Cass Lake were injured on Sunday after their vehicles crashed on Highway 2 in Cass County. The Minnesota State Patrol arrived at the scene at 1:06 p.m. A 2019 Honda Pilot, driven by 70-year-old Jane Frances Storlie, collided with a 2006 Chevrolet Equinox, which had pulled out in front of it. The Equinox's driver, 25-year-old Karina Lynn Dunn, was taken to Sanford Bemidji Medical Center, while Storlie self-transported for treatment. The road was dry during the incident.

Absentee Ballot Voting is now open for the upcoming Red Lake Nation Election. Any eligible Red Lake Nation voter may now cast your ballot in the Chiefs Room at the Red Lake Nation Government Center. Voting is open from 9am to 3pm seven days a week. With questions, call 218-679-1477.

May 4, 2026

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is increasing the area with open burning restrictions on vegetative debris due to warm and dry weather, which raises wildfire risk. From Saturday, May 2, at 8 a.m., new restrictions will include Cook and Lake counties. Current restrictions also remain in place for numerous counties, including Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Carlton, Cass, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Douglas, Grant, Hennepin, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Norman, Otter Tail, Pennington, Pine, Polk, Pope, Ramsey, Red Lake, Roseau, Sherburne, St. Louis, Stearns, Stevens, Todd, Traverse, Wadena, Washington, Wilkin, and Wright. The DNR will not provide permits for burning brush or yard waste in affected counties until the restrictions are lifted.

Bemidji State University has appointed Dr. Marci Maple and Dr. Travis Ricks as interim academic deans for the College of Sciences and Health and Sunderman College of Creativity, Enterprise and Place, respectively. Maple has been with the nursing faculty for 16 years, and Ricks has been part of the psychology faculty for 11 years. They will hold these positions until August 2027 and express their honor in being chosen for these roles.

Austin Claseman, a former teacher at Voyageurs Expeditionary School, has been sentenced to over three years in prison for possessing and sharing child sexual abuse material. This follows an investigation initiated by evidence from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in June 2025, which identified files of child sexual abuse material linked to Claseman's Kik account. A search warrant executed on June 16 last year revealed his involvement in a Kik group called "Teachers for Students," where he admitted to sharing pornography. Claseman was convicted on one count of disseminating and one count of possessing child sexual abuse material and was sentenced to 41 months, with credits for time served.

As work begins today on the Highway 197 project in Bemidji, work will soon begin in other areas around the region. The Minnesota Department of Transportation invites the public to an open house next Wednesday, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the McIntosh Community Center. This meeting will provide information about the planned 2029 improvements on Highway 2 between Fosston and Erskine, including resurfacing 11 miles and reconstructing intersections in McIntosh. Construction, estimated at $6.8 million, will occur in summer 2029, causing lane closures but maintaining access to homes and businesses. Benefits include safer intersections and better road quality. MnDOT is hosting weekly public meetings for the Highway 197 Bemidji corridor improvement project on Wednesdays at 10:00am, beginning May 20th. MnDOT is starting to build the temporary driving lanes between Highway 71 and L&M Fleet starting today.

The community is invited to the White Earth State of the Nation on Thursday, May 7, at the Shooting Star Casino Event Center in Mahnomen, Minn. Program exhibits will be available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The social hour starts at 9 a.m., with ceremonies beginning at 10 a.m., featuring a Welcome and State of the Nation Address by Chairman Michael Fairbanks, followed by a Financial Report by Secretary-Treasurer Michael J. LaRoque and remarks from other representatives. The event will also be live streamed on the White Earth YouTube channel. A meal will be served after the address.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) Office is hosting a remembrance ceremony for National Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives Day of Awareness. The office has collected over 250 names of missing or murdered Indigenous relatives from news reports and community submissions. At the ceremony, which is tomorrow in Minneapolis, community members, partner organizations, and state officials will read these names aloud to honor the families and communities affected. An MMIR remembrance walk was held in Bemidji yesterday.

The Leech Lake Division of Resource Management will hold their annual tree give-a-way on Thursday from 9am to 3pm. Stop into the office at 15756 State Highway 371 in Cass Lake. Seedlings will be pre-bundled, and each person will receive two each of Northern White Cedar, Red Pine, White Pine, White Spruce, Black Walnut, White Oak, Sugar Maple, and Jack Pine, while supplies last. With questions, call 218-335-7400.

May 1, 2026

Bemidji State University has received an $8.1 million gift from alumnus R. Allen Sunderman, establishing the Sunderman College of Creativity, Enterprise and Place. This is the largest estate gift in the university's 107-year history and will upgrade technology, create endowments, scholarship funds, and an innovation fund to support regional partnerships. President John L. Hoffman emphasized that the gift is focused on scholarships and technology for future students. The funds will establish an Office of Sponsored Programs, a regional innovation fund, and support scholarships for students in technology-related fields and those transferring from partner colleges. Sunderman, who graduated in 1975 and passed away in 2019, valued hard work and technology, believing in their potential to impact future generations. His previous contributions included a $200,000 gift to support technology solutions at BSU. The “For the North” campaign, a $25 million initiative, aims to support student success and facility upgrades, and Sunderman’s gift represents a commitment to enhancing the future of BSU and its community.

A tree planting ceremony for Bemidji State University’s "Replant Our Roots" project will take place on Monday, at 9:30 a.m. at David Park House on campus. Donors are invited to help plant three trees as part of reforestation after a storm damaged about 200 trees on campus. The event starts at 9 a.m. with coffee and paperwork, followed by instructions at 9:30 a.m., and tree planting and socializing from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

American Legion National Commander Dan Wiley visited Bagley on April 20, as part of his tour to promote the slogan "Better Together," encouraging veterans to collaborate for their mutual benefit and their communities. He emphasized that inclusive American Legion posts are generally more successful. During his visit, Wiley, escorted by the Bagley Volunteer Fire Department, held a one-hour social meet-and-greet event for attendees. His "Better Together" message aligns with the Legion's suicide prevention campaign, "Be the One," addressing the critical issue of veteran suicides, with about 17 veterans taking their lives daily. In 2022, suicide was the second leading cause of death among veterans under 45. Wiley, a Kansas native and former Air Force member, has traveled to numerous legions and will continue his tour in Georgia and Indiana.

A sign making gathering in preparation for the Missing Murdered Indigenous Women Walk was held last night. The Walk is Sunday. According to organizers, the sign making event created powerful, meaningful signs to honor and raise awareness for Missing Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives. With questions about the Walk, call 218-759-2022.

Community members are invited to the annual Indoor Garage Sale hosted by Beltrami Electric Cooperative tomorrow, from 8am to 2:30pm at 4111 Technology Drive NW in Bemidji. The event, which attracts over 1,500 shoppers, features a variety of items for sale. Proceeds from booth rentals, food sales, and a $1 admission fee support the United Way of Bemidji Area.

Please note that the trail that runs along Birchmont Beach Road NE will be closed between New Bass Road NE and Hazelwood Road NE. Logging operations have started that require temporary accesses and material that will block the trail. Logging is expected to take the next three to four weeks. This is an area that was heavily impacted by the June 21 Derecho.

April 30, 2026

Work continues on the rail corridor in Bemidji getting the site ready for the construction of the YMCA building, and subsequent construction of a new hotel and downtown shops and apartments. Steve Smith is the CEO of the YMCA of the Northern Sky, based in Fargo, with branches in Fergus Falls as well. They will be running the YMCA here in Bemidji. Listen to an inter with Steve Smith of the Y and Dave Hengle of Greater Bemidji at Paskvan Podcasts on YouTube.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation will end spring load restrictions in the Central frost zone on Friday, May 1. Restrictions have already ended in the South, Southeast, and Metro zones. Before increasing weights on routes, check with local agencies, as roadway signs indicate the load limits. Seasonal load limit zones and restricted routes are shown on the MnDOT load limits map, with details available at mndot.gov/loadlimits. Overweight permits will continue if all axle and group weights are legal. MnDOT will provide start and end dates via its automated message center at 1-800-723-6543 for the U-S and Canada, and 651-366-5400 for the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.

The Bemidji Fire Department will hold its first Women Explore Fire Day on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the main fire hall downtown. This free event aims to introduce women to the fire service with live demonstrations, station tours, and interaction with firefighters. It addresses recruitment challenges by dispelling myths and highlighting available roles. Activities include using extrication tools, climbing ladders, and participating in emergency medical scenarios. Registration starts at 9:30 a.m., with more info at womenexplorefire.com. You can also watch an interview with Bemidji Firefighter Alexis Joyce about the event at Paskvan Podcast on YouTube.

Minnesota legislators have updated the school bus stop law to improve safety. Previously, drivers only had to stop when a bus had its flashing red lights on and the stop arm extended. This left a loophole where some drivers could pass the bus when the stop arm wasn’t fully out. The new law requires drivers to stop at least 20 feet away from a school bus with flashing red lights, regardless of the position of the stop arm. This change aims to enhance safety for children getting on and off the bus. In 2025, there were 514 stop arm violations in one day. An Office of Transportation Safety program equipped about 8,000 buses with cameras, resulting in 2,063 citations for unsafe driving.

Scott Bruns of Walker is running for re-election as the Cass County District 4 commissioner, a position he has held since January 1, 2015, and he states it will be his final campaign. He expressed gratitude for the support from Cass County residents and his commitment to open communication and representation. Bruns highlighted achievements during his tenure, including efforts in emergency health services and balancing growth with conservation. He emphasized fiscal responsibility, noting the importance of taxpayer resources. A lifelong Cass County resident, he has served in various local roles and has a family of three children and seven grandchildren.

The Bemidji Police Department is warning of another scam going on around Bemidji aimed at business owners, falsely claiming mandatory compliance. The letter wants the business to purchase labor posters but these posters are free from federal and state departments of labor. The PD asks that you do not respond to these scams and do not scan the QR codes on the letter.