And: Bemidji community urges Board to keep J.W. Smith open; and a Cuyuna rec area land dispute prompts road closure confusion, concerns.

Plus: An overnight shelter in Brainerd is again seeking city approval to operate year-round; and Paul Bunyan Communications is expanding in more locations in Aitkin, Hubbard, Itasca and St. Louis counties.

And: Lawmakers move to limit AI use in therapy; Sacred Bundle hosts first event in former Bemidji elementary school; and Grand Itasca redesignated Level III trauma hospital.

And: Bemidji’s Aircorps Aviation receives MN DEED grant; and Beltrami County seeks feedback for safer roads planning.

Plus: Bemidji Public Library to cut hours, staff; a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit by a former Rock Ridge School Board member; Northern Minnesota tribal leaders testified in the nation’s capital; and Minnesota Forest Industries’ Tom Radovich was appointed to the state’s Forest Resources Council.

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.