Latest News From Minnesota Daily News Dot Com

July 27, 2026

A couple of severe weather cells rolled through northern Minnesota on Friday evening. A tornado was spotted and confirmed near Debs, and moved east-northeast to the Tenstrike and Kelliher areas. Comments to the Beltrami County Emergency Management's Facebook page show up to three inches of rain, numerous reports of snapped off, damaged, or uprooted trees, one roof was severely damaged because of the volume of water, and lots of reports of hail damage to roofs, buildings, and gardens. Beltrami County Emergency Management would still like your storm damage reports. Just comment on their Facebook post about the storm from Friday. Meanwhile, Reed Timmer, a renowned meteorologist and storm chaser, was in Minnesota Friday chasing the storms. He posted several videos of tornadoes in the area including one near Clearbrook, and saying, "Severe wind with some embedded tornado potential just hammered Bemidji, Minnesota". Timmer spent the night Friday at Ruttgers. He went to Wisconsin then for the rest of the weekend. Follow Timmer on X at https://x.com/ReedTimmerUSA.

Investigators arrested 20 people during a law enforcement operation in Bemidji and nearby areas last week. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension's Violent Crime Reduction Unit led this operation with the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force, Bemidji Police Department, Leech Lake and Red Lake tribal police departments, the Hubbard, Cass and Beltrami County sheriff’s offices, the FBI’s Headwaters Safe Trails Task Force and the BCA Bemidji Regional Office. This effort, which occurred on July 22-23, targeted offenders wanted for firearms violations, shootings, and drug offenses. Some were arrested on outstanding warrants, and law enforcement recovered four illegal firearms, a gun silencer, ammunition, and small amounts of drugs. All of those arrested were booked into either the Cass County Jail, the Hubbard County Jail or the Red Lake Detention Center pending formal charges.

All Pints North is moving from Duluth to Bemidji for its 15th annual event next summer. The Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild announced that the beer festival will take place at Paul Bunyan Park in Bemidji after wrapping up in Duluth's Bayfront Festival Park this August. The event is scheduled for July 31, 2027, and will celebrate Minnesota craft breweries, live music, great food, local businesses, artists, and attract many visitors. Although changing locations after 14 years, the guild promises that the festival's spirit, featuring breweries and a celebration of summer, will remain the same. The festival in Duluth on August 1 will act as a send-off and celebration for its previous venue. Next years event in Bemidji will be held a week before the Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival.

United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen announced that a federal jury found Michaela Karon McKinney guilty on three counts related to a fentanyl trafficking operation in Greater Minnesota, specifically Bemidji. The trial, held in Minneapolis, concluded with a guilty verdict on conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and possessing a firearm in relation to drug trafficking. In 2023, investigators identified La’Veal O. Allen as a key distributor in the fentanyl network. McKinney assisted in multiple drug distribution trips, during one of which she helped facilitate the sale of over 180 grams of powder fentanyl and nearly 500 fentanyl pills. She was arrested after driving Allen to a drug sale. A search revealed a loaded firearm and her young son in her vehicle. McKinney faces a minimum of 10 years in prison. Her co-defendants have also pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. The Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force led the investigation to target drug trafficking in the area.

July 24, 2026

On Wednesday, at around 8:34 pm, the Bemidji Fire Department responded to a possible garage fire on the 400 block of Wood Ave in Nymore. When they arrived, they found an RV-style camper on fire and some debris outside. Firefighters used a 1 3/4” attack line to put out the fire quickly. It took a total of 15 firefighters and 5 pieces of equipment about one hour to manage the scene. The camper was a total loss, but the house and garage were undamaged. Two men suffered burn injuries, with one having major burns. The fire is under investigation and is believed to be accidental. Assisting at the scene were Bemidji Ambulance Service, Bemidji Police Department, and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal’s Office.

All 26 recent graduates from Bemidji State University’s nursing program passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for registered nurses on their first attempt this spring. BSU was one of two Minnesota universities with a 100% pass rate for the second quarter. Nicholle Bieberdorf, BSU’s senior nursing administrator, credited the success to the hard work of students, faculty expertise, and support from clinical partners. Over the past five years, nearly 95% of BSU’s nursing graduates passed the NCLEX on their first attempt, well above the statewide and national averages.

A man from Blackduck, 50-year-old Joey Lee, will be released on 10-years conditional probation after serving 90 days in Beltrami County Jail. His eight-year prison sentence was stayed for 10 years. Lee, 50, was arrested in October 2025 following allegations from a 12-year-old girl that he had sexually assaulted her repeatedly since she was 7 or 8. He was sentenced on two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct after three of five initial charges were dropped. Lee must adhere to 25 conditions during his probation, including completing outpatient treatment, undergoing polygraph tests, and having no unsupervised contact with minors. He is also prohibited from using social media, accessing the internet without treatment approval, and using alcohol or drugs.

On Tuesday, July 28th some Clearwater-Polk Electric members will experience an outage from 8:00 a.m.- 9:00 a.m. with-in the following township: Lake Hattie, Itasca, Rice, Lake Alice and Itasca State Park. This is a planned outage to complete the systems conversion from overhead to underground. For questions, please call Clearwater-Polk Electric at 888-694-3833.

Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival needs volunteers for its 20th annual event which runs from July 30 to August 1. People can find available volunteer opportunities by visiting http://bemidjidragonboat.com. The festival will have dragon boat races, entertainment, food, and fun, and it also helps raise funds for community organizations. The weekend starts with the Sanford Health and United Way Taco Fest on Thursday, Sprint Cup Races on Friday, and a full day of races on Saturday, followed by a Cornhole tournament.

With rising temperatures and little rainfall, the risk of fires is growing in Minnesota's lakes country. Nearly 47% of the state is experiencing some level of drought, especially in the Boundary Waters and north-central areas. Concerns are high due to limited resources for fire suppression. Additionally, last year's derecho leaves behind many dead branches and brush in Bemidji, making fires harder to control. To address this, measures include public awareness, increased staffing, and limiting burn permits. Various agencies are monitoring the situation closely. Meanwhile, over 1,000 emergency personnel are in the Superior National Forest to fight wildfires covering 63,696 acres.

July 23, 2026

We told you this earlier this summer, but two women from Bemidji, Denae Alamano and Ruth Sherman, received the Dennis Walter Memorial Award at the Minnesota Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster Conference for their exceptional efforts in helping the community recover from a severe storm in June 2025. MNVOAD is a group that helps with disaster recovery. Alamano and Sherman played key roles in coordinating support for individuals and families affected by the storm. They stayed informed about community needs and connected organizations with those requiring shelter, food, and repairs. Their leadership created an effective crisis cleanup system, and they advocated strongly for the community.

The Park Rapids School Board introduced Jamie Wothe as the new director of special education on July 20. Wothe takes over from Eva Pohl, who retired. Park Rapids Area Schools joined the Freshwater Education District (FED) as an associate member in June. FED, located in Wadena, serves 12 school districts and has a Level 4 special education program with 44 students. Wothe mentioned that their staff grows from 160 to nearly 500 during summer services. She expressed eagerness to collaborate with PAWN, having started site visits on July 1. Wothe stated that this year will focus on assessing how PAWN operates and hinted at possible changes, including a new name like Freshwater North, if a full merger occurs in the 2027-28 school year. Two program specialists will support PAWN districts in coordinating special education programs.

Dave Treinen, a member of the Menahga School Board, proposed a policy that restricts sports participation based on biological sex at birth. He was contacted by Christine Bronson from ISD First Aid, which is a network focused on improving education in Minnesota. ISD First Aid is seeking five school districts to back a petition that states biological males should only play male sports and biological females should only play female sports. Treinen mentioned he would sign the petition with the board's approval. Athletics-Activities Director John Hedstrom explained the process for changing the current Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) policy, which allows cross-gender participation. Board members discussed their support and awareness of ISD First Aid's agenda.

Wildfire smoke is becoming more common in Minnesota during summer, with 12 to 16 smoky days expected this year. Sarah Lacher of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency discussed the health risks of wildfire smoke, highlighting that it contains toxic gases and harmful particles known as PM2.5. These particles can reach deep into the lungs and cause inflammation and stress, leading to lung and heart diseases over time. Short- and long-term effects primarily impact the heart, lungs, and blood vessels, worsening symptoms for those with existing respiratory conditions, increasing hospitalizations, and raising cardiovascular mortality risk.

Cass County is asking for public feedback on an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for the Waterside Estates General Development Plan in Fairview Township. The proposed project covers approximately 115 acres and aims to create 68 residential lots, along with utilities and roads. The EAW's purpose is to provide information for future permitting decisions, not to approve or deny the project. It will help determine if further environmental studies are necessary and suggest ways to reduce any negative impacts. Comments can be submitted until August 20.

The Walker-Hackensack-Akeley School will hold a special election this fall with two questions on the ballot regarding a proposed operating referendum. Question 1 will not raise taxes and allow the district to receive $637,274 in new revenue from seasonal property owners. Question 2 would total $1,018,954 and modestly raise taxes, increasing costs for homeowners based on their property value. The board also approved administrative positions and several hires, accepted resignations, and authorized an audit engagement letter. They discussed long-term facility plans, co-op agreements for wrestling and girls soccer, and accepted donations. The next board meeting is on August 10.

July 22, 2026

Nearly four months have passed since a school board vote allowed J. W. Smith, one of Bemidji’s oldest elementary schools, to remain open. As the district starts another fiscal year, ideas for supporting the school’s operation have emerged, including forming a fundraising committee. The Bemidji Area Schools Board of Education held a work session to discuss this committee with a neutral stance. Superintendent Jeremy Olson explained that the committee was conceived as an informational item for board support, following talks with various local organizations. He emphasized the need for board backing before moving forward with forming the committee focused on fundraising for J. W. Smith. The potential closure of the school had been a heated topic due to a $3.5 million deficit. Bethany Wesley from the Northwest Minnesota Foundation shared that their involvement aims to harness community interest and energy sparked by the school’s potential closure. She noted that while the committee might help, it wouldn’t resolve all issues facing the district. The proposed committee would consist of school district members, Boys and Girls Club representatives, a city councilor, NWMF members, and community members, but not school board members. The initial goal would be to raise funds for capital projects, specifically addressing J. W. Smith’s $1.5 million maintenance needs. Board clerk Jenny Frenzel cautioned that fundraising won’t change declining enrollment, which is a key issue for the school’s future. Other board members echoed her concerns that there are no assurances the school will remain open, regardless of fundraising efforts.

Chip seal operations will start on Monday, July 27, 2026, on various county routes. This process involves applying a liquid emulsion to the roads, adding small rock, rolling it in, and finishing with another liquid emulsion to extend the road's life. Drivers may see wet oil and loose rocks during construction, so they should avoid driving into wet oil and follow pilot cars through the work zone. It is important to reduce speed to prevent vehicle damage from loose rock. The roads being seal coated include CSAH 7, CSAH 11, CSAH 15, CSAH 27, CSAH 29, CSAH 30, CSAH 31, CSAH 43, CSAH 22, CSAH 33, and CR 307. Motorists are urged to be cautious in work zones, and for more information, they can contact the Beltrami County Highway Department at 218-333-8173.

Vendors are urged to act quickly as the 42nd Annual Blackduck Woodcarvers Festival will be on Saturday, July 25. The vendor layout map is being finalized, and spots are limited. Interested vendors should register as soon as possible to secure their booth. The festival will run from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Blackduck Wayside Rest Park. Claim your spot now by commenting or sending a direct message to the Woodcarvers Festival Facebook page.