Plus: Blackduck considers disbanding its police force; spongy moth treatments are proposed in parts of Northern Minnesota; and the Detroit Lakes HS musicians have returned from their unexpected road trip.

Plus: Leech Lake Tribal College selects three finalists in president search; and four Northland teams are heading to the boys basketball state tournament.

Plus: the Bemidji City Council rejected Northern Township's wastewater connection request; and the Brainerd City Council selected its next Chief of Police.

And: A new bill would ban municipalities from signing nondisclosure agreements; Otter Tail Power Co. had above-average profits last two years; Mountain Iron-Buhl is girls basketball runner-up.

Planning and preparation for the 2026 spring wildfire season began shortly after the major blowdown storm in the Bemidji region, which saw an estimated 9 million trees downed or damaged.

And: A new bill in the Minnesota Legislature would allow small school districts to shrink their school board size.

Plus: Some aquatic invasive species prevention efforts to prepare for the impending open water season in Minnesota are already taking place.

Plus: The Cook County Sheriff is resigning in May 2026 to accept an early childhood education role; and Minnesota DEED awarded nearly $2 million to support Youthbuild programs.

Plus: the Minnesota Legislature is considering a ban on cryptocurrency kiosks as the FBI reports these ATMs are connected to $333 million in reported losses to fraud.

And: Park Rapids man faces third charge for threatening lawmakers; former state Sen. Justin Eichorn's trial pushed to June; Warroad boys win state hockey title, and Kelliher/Northome, Mountain Iron-Buhl and Rock Ridge to compete in girls basketball tourney.