The Minnesota Department of Transportation’s 28th annual Walk to School Day is set for Wednesday, Oct. 9.
The event, sponsored by Safe Routes to School, encourages students to try out the healthy habit.
Thirty Northern Minnesota schools across 18 communities are expected to participate, including the elementary and middle schools in Grand Rapids and Bigfork, the Detroit Lakes elementary schools and Laporte Elementary and Secondary.
A full list of participating schools can be found online.
State law requires public school students to learn safe walking and bicycling skills at the beginning of the school year, according to a MnDOT news release.
“Safe walking is a lifelong skill, and MnDOT has resources to help schools meet this new rule and help make Walk to School Day a success,” stated Kelly Korbin, MnDOT Safe Routes to School coordinator.
For students who don’t live near their school, there will be designated a drop-off location within a half-mile from the school and volunteers to help supervise the walk.
-
Contributed/Hibbing School DistrictThe March 4, 2026, vote would start the process of a closure, which would save the district an estimated $516,000. The Board will also give an update on contract negotiations with support staff. -
Larissa Donovan/KAXEThe school district must now advertise the planned closure for two weeks before hosting a public hearing on the decision, which would go into effect this spring. -
Contributed/Canva Pro graphicAuthorities reported alcohol is believed to have been a factor. The building was determined to be unstable and unsafe in the immediate area of the crash. -
Contributed/Staples Fire DepartmentThe Staples Fire Department responded to a report of smoke coming out of the building on the 400 block of Second Avenue Northeast, just before 8 a.m. Feb. 28, 2026.
