CASS LAKE — Members of Minnesota Chippewa Tribe bands cast ballots Tuesday for general elections across Northern Minnesota.
Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Chairman Faron Jackson was victorious in his reelection bid, garnering more than 60% of the vote. Leon Staples Jr. also won more than 60% of the vote in the race for District III, which had no incumbent.
White Earth Nation Chairman Michael Fairbanks secured another four-year term after receiving more than 55% of the vote after a challenge from Eugene “Umsy” Tibbets. In this District III race, Laura Lee Erickson won over half the vote against incumbent Cheryl “Annie” Jackson.
Carolyn Beaulieu won over half of the vote for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe District I representative race against Valerie Harrington-Wind in a non-incumbent race, according to unofficial results.
The Bois Forte Band of Chippewa Chairperson Catherine Chavers received six more votes than opponent Hannah Lehti-Chosa, with 502 total ballots cast. The race was equally tight in the District I representative race, where Perry Drift received five more votes than Edward Villebrun.
The Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa committeeperson race saw 197 total ballots cast, with over half going to incumbent Marie Spry.
According to unofficial results, Bruce M. Savage defeated incumbent Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa chairman Kevin DuPuis. In District I, incumbent committeeperson Wally Dupuis secured another term over challenger Michelle DeBolt, and Earl Otis garnered 60% of the vote against incumbent District 3 committee person Roger Smith Sr.
The Red Lake Nation is not part of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe due to its unique status as a sovereign tribal entity. It will have its runoff election for Little Rock and Redby district representatives on July 10.
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Contributed/Wesley Tingey via UnsplashJordan Zempel, 35, of Apple Valley, faces a third-degree criminal sexual conduct charge for sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl. -
Megan Buffington/KAXEDaniel Dale of Hoyt Lakes made his first court appearance May 19, 2026, on the upgraded felony charge. He remains in custody in the St. Louis County Jail. -
Contributed/Minnesota Incident Command SystemAccurate mapping of the fire perimeter led to the fire size increasing to 356 acres. The wildfire destroyed 34 structures and was caused by a power line. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEThe fire, which began May 16, 2026, burned around 1,666 acres in Crow Wing County. The DNR asks residents and others in the area with information to contact them. -
contributed/Julie CrabbGet to know the volunteers behind the mic on KAXE. This week, we find out more from the longtime "Green Cheese" and "The Dark Side of Love" host and volunteer Julie Crabb. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEAbout a half-inch of rain fell across the area overnight into Tuesday, and crews are expected to return to work on securing and improving the fire lines again. -
And: A rural Orr man was arrested for allegedly shooting a firefighting plane; the Legislature passed a bonding bill; and filings open for public office Tuesday. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEIn their final hours before the session ended, lawmakers passed a county hospital bailout, an infrastructure bill and small cuts to car tab fees and property taxes. -
Contributed/Ellen Schmidt / MinnPost / CatchLight Local / Report for AmericaHere’s what made it into the Legislature's infrastructure package and what lawmakers and others had to say about it May 17, 2026. -
Malachy Koons/KAXEThe KAXE Music Team on new music from Jobi Riccio, Genesis Owusu, Aldous Harding, Helado Tropical, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Angine de Poitrine and Brooklyn Funk Essentials. Our Pick from '76 is Dolly Parton's "All I Can Do."
