Tuesday, Aug. 12, brought some relief of Canadian wildfire smoke across much of Minnesota, but a new band is expected to move in across the northern region.
Northwest winds will bring another narrow band of ground-level smoke from wildfires in Canada into Northern Minnesota, prompting the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to extend its air quality alert through 11 p.m. Wednesday. Smoke will reach as far south as Detroit Lakes, Brainerd and Hinckley by the end of the day on Tuesday.
High pressure will move into the region on Wednesday and winds will become light. Ground-level smoke will stall and continue to impact the northern one-third of the state on Wednesday, the MPCA stated. The smoke should begin to disperse and air quality should improve by Wednesday evening.
Fine particle levels are expected to reach the orange air quality index category, a level considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, across Northern Minnesota. In the orange area, sensitive groups should limit prolonged or heavy exertion and time spent outdoors.
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Plus: An Orr man was charged with two felonies for shooting a firefighting plane; and the Bemidji Chamber of Commerce recognized area businesses at its annual luncheon almost a year after the derecho. -
Events this week include "The Sound of Music" in Mountain Iron, the grand opening of a Deer River dog park and a mural unveiling in Bemidji. -
Contributed/Canva Pro graphicMark Smith, 66, died Thursday, May 21, 2026, after hitting a deer near Hill City in southern Itasca County while riding a dirt bike. -
Charlie Mitchell/KAXECo-hosts Heidi Holtan and Charlie Mitchell ponder the advisability of Charlie waylaying wildlife.Send us a voice memo through Speak Pipe! -
Plus: Red Lake Nation residents cast ballots for the tribal council election; and bipartisan housing legislation made it across the finish line in the divided Legislature.
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Contributed/Max Nesterak / Minnesota ReformerFifteen people are charged with targeting over $90M across Medicaid programs aimed at helping the most vulnerable, including homeless people, children with autism and disabled people. -
As Bemidji Area Schools mediates with its bargaining units after a spring of budget cuts, Bemidji bus drivers and their supporters urged the Board for their support. -
Contributed/DSGW ArchitectureThe May 20, 2026, Tribal Council election resulted in four runoff elections set to take place in July and featured some very close contests in the sovereign nation. -
Ekaterina Bolovtsova via PexelsThe plea agreement for Cyndy Martin includes 364 days in jail, which is a downward departure from sentencing guidelines for the felony charge. -
Contributed/Nicole Neri | Minnesota ReformerAimee Bock, 41, was convicted for her role in the $242 million Feeding Our Future fraud scheme, which has so far led to 70 indictments and 60 convictions.
