Several Northern Minnesotans began their terms on state boards covering a variety of issues after appointment by Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.
Joining the new Board of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson are Shawna Bullen-Fairbanks of Bemidji, Ziigwan Frazer of Grand Rapids, and Jasmine Clark of Duluth.
Frazer and Clark are both adults who were in the foster care system as youths. Bullen-Fairbanks is a youth recently in the foster care system and last year, she testified for the bill creating the office.
The board makes recommendations to the ombudsperson and oversees their work.
Joining the Governor's Advisory Council on Climate Change are Peter Aube of Bemidji and Mindy Granley and Bethany Owen of Duluth. Aube is a retired forester and also the chair of the Minnesota Forest Resources Council.
Aitkin County Administrator Jessica Seibert will join the board for the Center for Rural Policy and Development as a regional county government representative.
And Myrna Peterson of Grand Rapids was reappointed to the Governor's Council on Connected and Automated Vehicles, serving another four-year term. Peterson was a driving force behind the GoMarti automated vehicle program in Grand Rapids and also serves on the Minnesota Council for Disability.
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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. -
During the Phenology Report for the week of Jan. 20, 2026, Staff Phenologist John Latimer remarks on winter porcupines, woodpecker behavior, and aspen flower buds. -
Contributed/Jimmy Emerson via FlickrPermits are needed to visit the Boundary Waters in May through September. The Superior National Forest encourages planning your backcountry trip and only reserving permits you can use. -
Contributed/US House Clerk YouTube screenshotThe area is located in the Rainy River Watershed, next to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, and contains deposits of copper, nickel and cobalt. -
Contributed/Jennifer CarnahanThe Nisswa City Council advised its attorney in December 2025 to draft a resolution censuring Mayor Jennifer Carnahan, which passed unanimously on Jan. 20, 2026. -
The Jan. 28, 2026, meeting will give the public an opportunity to provide feedback on the DNR's proposed changes to the Public Waters Inventory list as part of a statewide update effort. -
Nicole Neri/Minnesota ReformerKlobuchar’s candidacy has relieved some Democratic donors and operatives anxious that the fraud scandal that tanked Tim Walz’s reelection campaign would cost them control of state government. -
Contributed/Nicole Neri / Minnesota ReformerCiting the killing of Renee Good by federal agent Jonathan Ross, the “ICE Out” day organizers say the general strike is intended to be a day of nonviolent reflection. -
In this episode, Charlie Mitchell and Heidi Holtan are inspired by the feisty nature of red squirrels and learn about woodpeckers.Send us a voice memo through Speak Pipe! -
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.
