INTERNATIONAL FALLS — Two Northern Minnesota school districts and a city passed ballot questions in the Aug. 13 primary election.
A Sunday liquor license question passed by just three votes in Newfolden. The City Council can now issue licenses for retail liquor sales on Sundays.
International Falls School District voters passed two ballot questions. The first question was approved by 57% of voters, allowing the district to issue $13.95 million in bonds for school facility improvements, including a new career and technical education classroom, a new main office at the elementary school and upgrading pre-kindergarten classrooms to include physical therapy and special education spaces.
The second ballot question asked voters to approve $5 million in bonds to upgrade the football stadium and add locker rooms and storage space to the Bronco Ice Arena. It passed by 55 votes, with 51% of voters saying yes.
The Greenbush-Middle River School District passed an operating referendum, increasing the district’s levy by $925 per student for 10 years starting in 2025. The measure easily passed, with 63% of voters approving it.
Greenbush-based newspaper The Tribune reported the levy would increase revenue by $200,265. The district faces a $106,000 budget deficit, lowered from $534,000 following budget cuts.
Greenbush-Middle River will have three operating levies once the newest goes into effect, as an existing $506.05 per pupil levy was renewed for six years in 2021 and an additional six-year, $700 per pupil levy was passed during the same election.
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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. -
Contributed/U.S. Forest ServiceThe Eagle Mountain trail in the Superior National Forest will be closed to the public for two weeks in January 2026 for the safety of the dogs and Forest Service personnel. -
Chelsey Perkins/KAXEThe chickens are raised through rotational grazing, limiting harmful elements from reaching local waterways. The co-op is small and there's a waiting list, and Johnson said she likes it that way. -
Contributed/Pixabay via PexelsPermit conditions require a detailed plan to address visual impacts to neighboring properties, and engagement with the Leech Lake Band on economic and workforce development opportunities. -
Contributed/Adam Heikkila via iNaturalistDuring the Phenology Report for the week of Jan. 13, 2026, Staff Phenologist John Latimer remarks on mid-winter trees, otter slides, and a rabbit killed by an owl. -
Contributed/Jim AuneEvery Friday morning, we get to know one of our members on "What's for Breakfast." Last week, we talked with Jim Aune from Eveleth. -
Megan Buffington/KAXEOver 250 people attended the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's public meeting. Permits could be issued as soon as April, with the mine aiming to open in June. -
Plus: Hundreds turn out for Mesabi Metallics environmental permits meeting.
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Events this week include the Winter Rendezvous at Deep Portage Learning Center near Hackensack and a series of bird talks at Sax-Zim Bog near Meadowlands. -
Megan Buffington/KAXEThe agreement with the Department of Natural Resources ends the agency's enforcement action for that site, though monitoring will continue.
