Latest News From Minnesota Daily News Dot Com

July 20, 2026

On July 16, 2026, around 6:59 p.m., the Itasca County Sheriff's Office received a report about a woman found in a ditch on County Road 39 near Deer River. The woman, identified as 37-year-old Rikki Skog from Deer River, was declared dead at the scene. She was last seen on July 15, 2026. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is helping with the investigation, which is considered suspicious and is ongoing. Anyone with information about Ms. Skog is urged to contact the Itasca County Sheriff's Office. More details will be shared as the investigation progresses.

A man from Red Lake, Leland Whitefeather Sr., 77, has been sentenced to 66 months in prison for sexually abusing three minors from 2009 to 2019. He was a caretaker for the victims and admitted to engaging in sexual acts with them at his home within the Red Lake Nation. After serving his sentence, he will be monitored as a sex offender for five years. Authorities stressed that protecting children is a top priority, and the FBI and local police are committed to tackling child sexual abuse.

The city of Bemidji has finished Stage 2 of the road construction on Middle School Drive, and the road reopened over the weekend. Stage 3 will start today, which includes building a new roundabout at the intersection near Hannah Avenue NW, Simonson's Gas Station, and Burger King. Access from State Highway 197 to Hannah Avenue NW will be closed until the end of August for the roundabout work. Detour routes are posted.

The Bemidji School Board will hold a special work session today at 4:45pm to meet with the JW Smith fundraising committee and also discuss the High School Cell Phone Procedures. Earlier this year, the Board decided to close JW Smith, but after citizen comment, the Board delayed the closure for a year to allow fundraising to raise the necessary funding to keep the school open. Since today's meeting is a work session, no action will be taken.

Sanford Health in Bemidji has expanded its breast cancer screening services by introducing a 3D mammography unit that will visit clinics in Bagley, Blackduck, Park Rapids, and Walker. The purpose of the mobile unit is to provide advanced screening technology to local communities and help remove obstacles that prevent women from getting necessary screenings. Nearly 100 women in the Bemidji area are affected by breast cancer each year, but many do not receive screenings due to issues like travel and costs. Patients can call 218-333-4624 to schedule a mammogram at clinics in Bagley, Blackduck, Park Rapids, and Walker. More information can be found at http://sanfordhealth.org. Meanwhile, T. Denny Sanford, the billionaire philanthropist who created Sanford Health, passed away over the weekend at the age of 90.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will activate Class IV burning restrictions starting at 12:01 p.m., today, for Cook, Koochiching, Lake and northern St. Louis counties, and also including the portions of the George Washington State Forest and Scenic State Park that extend into Itasca County. Restrictions apply to non-Tribal lands in the designated areas. These enhanced burning restrictions will help ensure public safety and protect natural resources. Under Class IV burning restrictions: Campfires or recreational fires are not allowed. No burning permits will be issued except for special exceptions issued by the state or federal agency having suppression responsibilities. Prescribed burning on private lands is prohibited. Fireworks may not be used outside of municipalities. Use of fireworks within a municipality remains under the municipality’s control. Welding, acetylene torches, or other devices with open flame are prohibited in proximity to combustible vegetation, except under special permits. Only gas or propane camp stoves may be used in the back country or at campsites. Charcoal fires are allowed, in a grill designed for that purpose, at occupied homes, cabins and resorts.

July 16, 2026

Unofficial Runoff numbers are in from yesterday's Red Lake Nation election. For Tribal Chairman, Incumbent Darrell Seki Sr. won with 1944 votes, to Floyd Buck Jordain's 1597 votes. That's nearly 55% to 45%. For Ponemah Representative, Incumbent Floyd Standingcloud wins with 320 votes, to Delwyn Holthusen's 248 votes. That's 56% to 44%. For Red Lake Representative, Clem May Sr. won with 887 votes, to David Desjarlait's 556 votes. That's 61% to 39%. And for Little Rock Representative, Lisa Beaulieu won with 360 votes, to Michelle Barrett-Cobenais' 253 votes. That's 59% to 41%. In all, 3541 people voted yesterday, with 558 absentee in person votes, 253 votes cast in Minneapolis, 148 votes cast in Bemidji, and 669 absentee by mail.

A pedestrian is in the hospital with life-threatening injuries following a collision with a Bemidji police squad car early Wednesday morning. According to Police Chief Mike Mastin, the incident occurred a few minutes after 1am on Wednesday at Irvine Avenue and 18th Street NW, as officer Robert Brogren was traveling northbound on Irvine Avenue. The State Patrol reports that the officer was not operating in emergency mode when he struck 36-year-old Michael Brown of Duluth, who was wearing black clothing while standing in the middle of the road. Officers on the scene provided immediate aid before Brown was transported to Sanford Bemidji Medical Center. One report indicated that the injured man may have been under the influence at the time. The Minnesota State Patrol is now leading the ongoing investigation into the crash.

The Laporte School Board met on July 13 with 15 action items. They approved a contract with district support staff and recalled 20 non-certified staff for the 2025-26 school year, including paraprofessionals and office staff. The board accepted a propane service from Northdale Oil for the 2026-27 school year, noting it offered lower bulk rates despite slightly higher transportation costs. Other actions included accepting s for milk, bread, and fire extinguishers, hiring snowplow services, and establishing filing dates for school board candidacy for upcoming elections. They approved a long-term facilities maintenance plan and contracts for mental health counseling and property leases. The next meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Monday, August 10.

The Nevis City Council is considering measures for safer streets near the school, but speed bumps may not be installed soon. During a meeting on July 13, the council looked at s for temporary speed bumps after a request from Superintendent Ranae Seykora. Although council members initially supported the idea, they decided to wait and asked the school district to share the cost. The cheapest option is a two-pack of rubber speed bumps available on Amazon for $120. The council ultimately voted to patrol the area more frequently instead of installing speed bumps right away. They also considered adding a radar speed sign for the new school year. Seykora said that the school district isn't allowed to pay for even half the cost, for something that would belong to the City.

MNDot announced that Stage 1C on the Highway 197 project will start tomorrow. It will close the southern leg of the intersection with Highway 197 and US Highway 71. East/West traffic on the temporary lanes of 197 will remain open during this leg. To get onto Highway 2 from this intersection, you will need to either go through town, or use the temporary East/West lanes of 197 to go east to the Airport, and make a U-Turn if going east on Highway 2. For more on this project, logon to Paskvan Podcasts on YouTube. MNDot's TJ Melcher and Leslie Seitz joined us yesterday morning for their weekly Roundabout Wednesday interview about the project.

July 15, 2026

Minnesota is facing a double-threat from the elements this week as a dangerous 'heat dome' settles over the state and wildfires rage in the north. Across the state, residents are dealing with a brutal stretch of extreme heat, with temperatures soaring into the 90s and heat index values pushing toward 100 degrees. The heat is hitting records in the Northland, where International Falls recently hit 98 degrees. Meanwhile, the situation in the Arrowhead region remains dire. For only the third time in history, the entire Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is under a full public closure as more than a dozen wildfires burn through the forest. Authorities are asking the public to stay out of the wilderness areas to ensure both personal and firefighter safety. With the extreme fire danger, a complete campfire ban is currently in effect for Cook County and surrounding areas. Things will cool off a few degrees in Northern Minnesota today, with highs in Bemidji expected to hit 87, but there is no significant rain in the forecast for the next three days.

Another successful day Casting with Cops. Around 90 fish were caught by Bemidji area boys and girls yesterday. The Bemidji Police Department holds Casting With Cops throughout the summer. The of the day yesterday, “A day fishing is better than a day of school!”

Xtravaganza 4.0 is a beach party hosted by the Red Lake Nation on July 23, 2026. Charter buses will pick up attendees from Minneapolis at 10:00 AM and from Duluth at 12:00 PM, with return times early the next morning. Pre-registration is encouraged via a QR code for food planning. The QR Code is available at the Red Lake Tribal Council Facebook Page. The free event will feature water activities, elder boat rides, music from DJ Rez Dawg, cultural exhibits, food, and performances by various artists, ending with a fireworks show. For bus seat inquiries, attendees can call 612-874-9588 for the Minneapolis bus. For the Duluth bus, call 218-624-4418.

The North Country Food Bank is partnering with the United Way of Bemidji Area and the Bemidji Community Food Shelf for a mobile food drop this Friday, July 17. The event runs from 10 a.m. to noon at the Sanford Center parking lot, or until supplies are gone. This drive-through pickup is open to everyone, though attendees will need to answer a few basic household questions. For more information, please contact Kristin Osowski at 218-399-7360.

The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe is offering families a summer trip to Valleyfair from August 5th through the 7th. Tickets are for LLBO households with at least one enrolled member. Limited transportation is available August 5 from select communities on a first-come, first-served basis; no transport is provided from Minneapolis. Participation is not guaranteed due to limited funding. Apply by 12:00 PM on July 29, 2026, at https://form.jotform.com/261894186663168. Guests 15 and younger need a chaperoned. Contact Jordan Kingbird at 218-335-8225 for details.

The United Way of Bemidji Area has several community events on the horizon. Anglers can participate in the 7th Annual Catch, Photo, & Release Fishing Tournament, which is held virtually through the FishDonkey app. On July 16, Women United hosts an Impact Breakfast at the BSU Beaux Arts Ballroom. Then, on Thursday, August 13, the Wine & Beer Tasting Social will take place at the Sanford Center, featuring vendors and live music. Finally, the annual Taco Fest remains a community staple to support the United Way, that will be held during the Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival. More information on all of these events is available at http://UnitedWayBemidji.org.

July 14, 2026

The National Weather Service announced a Red Flag Warning for 13 counties in northern Minnesota yesterday, due to high fire danger. The counties affected were Beltrami, Carlton, Cass, Clearwater, Cook, Hubbard, Itasca, Koochiching, Marshall, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Roseau, and St. Louis. Fires can spread rapidly because of high temperatures, strong winds, and low humidity. Residents should not burn anything and must ensure any previous fires are completely out. The DNR will halt open burning permits and advises against campfires. Caution is urged with activities that can create sparks or heat near plants. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has activated National Guard troops to fight wildfires near the northern border with Canada. The fires have burned over 800 acres in five days and remain uncontrolled. The entire Boundary Waters Canoe Area was evacuated yesterday.

The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage and urgently needs donors to help. Since late May, blood donations have sharply declined, leading to a shortage affecting patient care. To assist, donors of all blood types should book an appointment to give blood, platelets, or plasma. From now through July 31, donors will receive a Fandango Movie Ticket as a thank-you. More details are available at http://RedCrossBlood.org/July.

A 53-year-old woman from Bemidji, Sherilyn R. Strong, has been charged with felony, first-degree possession of fentanyl. The charge follows an incident on July 3, when a Hubbard County sheriff’s sergeant stopped a 2009 Honda Odyssey for not having a front license plate. The driver, Courtney A. Whitefeather, had a revoked license and an active DUI warrant. Passengers included Strong and others, with one having an active warrant as well. During a search of the vehicle, authorities found multiple micro baggies and a digital scale. Strong was found with fentanyl in her purse and concealed on her, totaling over 53 grams. An initial court appearance is set for yesterday.

The Akeley City Council has decided not to rent the dilapidated Akeley depot due to high liability risks. The Akeley Chamber of Commerce proposed a 50-year lease for $1 but lacked required insurance coverage of at least $1 million. The city would be at risk if someone were injured on the property. The depot, built around 1900, is used for storage, but councilor Dan Riggs suggested that funds would be better spent on other projects, like building a replica or improving nearby facilities. He motioned to get s for demolishing the depot, which passed unanimously.

Rocksan K. Orth, a 55-year-old from Laporte, faces felony domestic assault charges. On July 3, a sheriff’s deputy responded to a 911 hang-up call where a male requested to have a female removed from the home. The reporting party claimed Orth had pulled his hair and head-butted him. Although Orth denied any physical altercation, the deputy observed injuries including redness, swelling, and bleeding on the reporting party’s face. Orth has a history of prior convictions for domestic assault and other offenses. An initial court appearance is set for July 20.

An E-Bike rider, 30-year-old Devin Fletcher, of Onamia, was injured when his ebike was hit by a vehicle last Wednesday in Hubbard County. The Minnesota State Patrol reported the crash happened at 3:36 p.m. on U-S Hwy. 71. Fletcher sustained non-life threatening injuries and was taken to CHI St. Joseph’s Health. The driver of the vehicle, Kenneth Pritchett, 82, and his passenger, both from Park Rapids, were unharmed. Alcohol is suspected to be a factor.

Congratulations to Red Lake Nation Youth Council Chairperson, Kynsie May as she has been elected as UNITY Midwest Region Representative. May will continue to represent the Red Lake Nation Youth Council and will serve all Youth Council’s in the Midwest Region: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Iowa. May's top goal is to engage with Youth Council Members and Advisors to ensure the Midwest Region stays active.