BEATTY TOWNSHIP — Authorities in St. Louis County found two people dead after a house fire in Beatty Township on Thursday, July 17.
Deputies with the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office and firefighters from Cook, Orr, Kinney-Great Scott and Greenwood were dispatched at 9:20 p.m., according to a news release. They arrived to find the house engulfed in flames.
The sheriff's office and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal's Office are actively investigating the fire. The names of the victims were withheld Friday pending family notification.
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Lorie ShaullThe office would be able to investigate any public or private entity that receives public dollars. It would also expand information-sharing between agencies and implement best anti-fraud practices. -
Contributed/Lorie Shaull via FlickrJack Lien has been exploring the area lakes ahead of opener on May 9, 2026, both to familiarize himself with them and to "study ... where the fishermen are going to get their boats and where they might find success.” -
Contributed/Canva Pro graphicA family member confirmed all three victims are in stable condition after they suffered gunshot wounds in Bemidji's Itasca Loop neighborhood on May 7, 2026. -
Megan Buffington/KAXEThe Bureau of Criminal Apprehension found Deputy Michael Cowan did not discharge his weapon, according to the sheriff's office. The incident is now being called a "conflict case." -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEMPCA meteorologists are predicting an active air quality season for 2026, comparable to 2024. A strong El Niño cycle is expected to bring warmer and drier conditions. -
Contributed/Ellen Schmidt / MinnPost / CatchLightDiscussions around Tamarack echo themes playing out for a Twin Metals’ copper-nickel proposal near the Boundary Waters, which in April cleared a key federal hurdle in the U.S. Senate. -
Megan Buffington/KAXEThe Itasca County Board plans to decide on May 19, 2026, whether to fly the previous Minnesota state flag, possibly in addition to the present flag. -
Megan Buffington/KAXEThe Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension identified Virginia Police Lt. Henry Trunk as the officer who fired his department-issued firearm. -
Contributed/Minnesota DNRA red flag warning means fires can spread quickly and grow out of control under the predicted weather conditions, including strong winds and low relative humidity. -
Contributed/Lake of the Woods School 390 via FacebookOver 30 Northlanders from more than 20 schools earned "Spotlight on the Arts" awards to have their work featured at the state festival May 9, 2026, at Wayzata High School.
