Up North Report

Plus: Northern, MN to become Northern MN’s newest city; and 14 Northland athletes competed in the Alpine Ski state tournament Feb. 10, 2026.

Plus: St. Louis County seeks resident input on updates to its hazard mitigation plan; and United Way of 1000 Lakes is accepting Volunteer of the Year nominations.

And: Republican Dr. Scott Jensen suspends his campaign for governor to run for state auditor; Rep. Spencer Igo is running for reelection; the Public Utilities Commission delays transmission line meetings; and ICE being watched for sharing health information.

The number of four-day school week school districts in Northern Minnesota and across the country keeps growing. Communities are fiercely loyal, but researchers say there are still lots of unknowns.

Plus: the Minnesota State Patrol recently honored troopers and citizens for their heroic actions; and high school Nordic skiiers will soon compete in Biwabik.

Plus: Deer River School District considers moving to a four-day school week; and Cass County is taking comments its environmental assessment of a development near Gull Lake.

Plus: DFL, GOP host precinct caucuses across Minnesota; Bemidji State University leaders to tour Brainerd/Baxter, Grand Rapids, Iron Range; and Northland student-athletes to race at state alpine skiing tournament.

Plus: Republican state rep. Ben Davis to seek reelection in 6A; the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame will stay in Eveleth; Northland students will soon perform in state tournaments; and Canada’s Border Services Agency is seeking feedback on a new remote border entry program.

And: Judge denies injunction to pause Operation Metro Surge; MN Congressional Republicans introduce MN Voter Integrity Act; and Sen. Tina Smith endorses Peggy Flanagan.

Plus: Two deans were removed from their positions at Bemidji State University; the Bagley City Council is no longer considering disbanding its police force; and the DNR is seeking 200 summer interns.

Plus: Caucus Night is coming on Tuesday — here’s what to expect.

And: Protestors gather outside union meeting with Rep. Stauber; and Dan Horoshak, Roger Skraba announce state House campaigns.

Plus: Itasca County Sheriff Joe Dasovich is joining Cass County in abandoning a previous 287(g) agreement with ICE.

And: Alleged Lutsen Lodge arsonist sues insurance company for denying claim; and a new book series helps schools elevate Native American teachings.

Plus: Prosecutors are declining to move forward with a case after alleging a federal officer was assaulted in Virginia; and hundreds gathered at a vigil Jan. 24, 2025, outside the Crow Wing County Jail.

Lead service lines are a pervasive issue in Minnesota. The state has a goal to replace them by 2033, but Hibbing Public Utilities aims to do it in two to three years.

Plus: Co-owner of The Pines in Grand Rapids Kyle Lussier was nominated for a James Beard award; the Minnesota DNR will accept comment on adjusting Aitkin County’s public waters through Feb. 27; and MnDOT announced more than $76 million in transportation grants.

Plus: Nisswa City Council votes to censure Mayor Jennifer Carnahan and strip her of committee posts; and a general strike against ICE presence in Minnesota is Friday.

And: The Baxter City Council opposes MnDOT’s plans for the Highway 371/210 intersection; and Rock Ridge hosts the first-ever high school broadcast in Ojibwe.

Plus: AG Keith Ellison remains committed to running for reelection; two candidates launch campaigns for MN House from the Arrowhead; and the U.S. Forest Service will maintain its closure order to reduce human-bear encounters in the BWCA.

Plus: A new pilot program to improve medical response time launched in northern St. Louis County; DNR plans to reduce statewide walleye possession limit; and the Bemidji State Beavers and Minnesota State Mavericks will face off at the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Museum Women’s Face-Off Classic in Grand Rapids.

Three warehouses in Hibbing store over 3 million feet of core from over 20,000 holes drilled throughout Minnesota, keeping a “natural record” of the state’s geology.

Plus: A northwestern MN egg cooperative aims for price stabilization, local resilience; and a Superior National Forest trail will close to allow sled dogs to haul materials.

Plus: Hundreds turn out for Mesabi Metallics environmental permits meeting.

Plus: Bemidji Mayor Jorge Prince wins national disaster leadership award.