Up North Report

And: Minnesota-based nonprofit says Big Tech fight reminiscent of Big Tobacco crackdown; and National Weather Service offering free weather spotter classes.

And: Central Lakes College President Hara Charlier is leaving the school; and a new report is concerned with the DNR’s plans for electronic licenses this spring.

Plus: Minnesota to select first youth poet laureate; Beltrami County seeks parks committee members; and Superior National Forest to begin prescribed fires.

And: Experts say AI could have a big impact on Minnesota’s labor force.

Plus: The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will accept comment on Minnesota Power’s proposed transmission line project; and the Minnesota Department of Health updated its guidelines for eating fish from Arrowhead lakes.

The cross-jurisdictional court includes the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and is intended to reduce recidivism among participants in a highly intensive, court-supervised treatment program.

Plus: The Grand Rapids Economic Development Agency will use state funds to demolish the former Itasca Farm Co-op.

Plus: St. Louis County to choose between local labor or risking federal funds.

Plus: Ruby’s Pantry will cease operations in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa; Hermantown will accept public comment on a study for the proposed Google data center through April 30; and the Soudan Mine State Park will offer underground mine tours beginning Memorial Day weekend.

Plus: Two local elementary schools meet their fates, with Bemidji’s J.W. Smith set to remain open for at least a year, while Greenhaven in Hibbing will close.

Plus: Minnesotans gathered in the thousands for “No Kings” rallies across the state; Aitkin Public Schools will soon have a new superintendent; Burning restrictions for areas of the state went into effect Monday; and 2 Northland teams placed at the state boys basketball tournament.

Greater Minnesota Housing Fund’s Nate Dorr discusses the next steps after a Beltrami County-specific housing study shows high demand for new housing builds across all categories.

Plus: MnDOT will host an open house Tuesday ahead of its 2026 construction season in Brainerd; and the Bemidji Public Library hosted a send-off Friday as it prepares to cut its staff and reduce its hours.

Plus: Eighth District Congressman Pete Stauber’s bill for Great Lakes restoration funding passed the House with bipartisan support; Minnesota will no longer recognize Cesar Chavez Day; and St. Louis County seeks public input on how to use opioid settlement funds.

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.

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