Businesses negatively impacted by this year’s warm and snowless winter may be eligible for loans through the Small Business Administration.
Eighty-one counties in the state are currently covered by federal disaster declarations for drought conditions, exacerbated by the lack of snowfall in Minnesota. From December to February, Minnesota experienced the warmest meteorological winter on record.
Under the Economic Injury Disaster Loans program, businesses can borrow up to $2 million to cover their actual losses. They pay no interest on the loan for the first year and no more than 4% for the rest of the loan period.
A webinar hosted by the SBA will be at 10 a.m. Friday, March 15, to provide information about the disaster declaration, how to apply for a loan, and the use of loan proceeds. Business owners can learn more about eligibility, find an application and learn more about application deadlines for their county at the SBA's disaster assistance page.
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Seventy more stops, expanded hours and more vehicles in the fleet makes the free AV service available to more communities, including those on Leech Lake Reservation. -
Plus: Gov. Tim Walz has now signed four cannabis compacts with tribal nations, the latest being the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa; and the girls' state tennis tournament wrapped up with a few Northland consolation champions.
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Contributed/Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior ChippewaThe Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa is the fourth tribal nation to sign the intergovernmental contract that allows tribal cannabis businesses to operate off tribally regulated land. -
Larissa Donovan/KAXEMnDOT's plans for Highway 197, or Paul Bunyan Drive, in Bemidji include replacing three signalized intersections with roundabouts between 2026 and 2027. -
Contributed/Crosby-Ironton Rangers Facebook pageFifteen individual athletes from Northern Minnesota competed in the girls tennis singles and doubles state tournament Thursday and Friday in the Twin Cities. -
Larissa Donovan/KAXEPresident Donald Trump approved disaster relief for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe in response to the June 21, 2025, severe storms. -
Contributed/Minnesota DNRThe Lake Winnibigoshish Land Exchange Act, introduced by Rep. Pete Stauber, grants a land swap between the Chippewa National Forest and Bowen Lodge near Deer River. -
Plus: Bipartisan legislation for a land transfer in the Chippewa National Forest cleared a key Senate committee; and the Esko girls' soccer team will advance to the state semi-finals on Oct. 29, 2025.
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Contributed/City of HermantownThe Environmental Quality Board reviewed the petition and designated the Hermantown City Council as the responsible entity. It must either reject the petition or conduct further environmental review for the proposed data center. -
Larissa Donovan/KAXEFamilies and friends of Nevaeh Kingbird and Jeremy Jourdain will host a candlelight vigil at Paul Bunyan Park at 5 p.m. on Oct. 25, 2025.
