ROSEAU — Gov. Tim Walz announced the appointment of Assistant Roseau County Attorney Michael Grover as a district court Judge.
He will assume the bench in Roseau County upon the retirement of Judge Donna K. Dixon.
“Roseau County and the Ninth Judicial District will be well served by Michael Grover, a familiar face to both the community and the justice system he has helped advance for more than two decades,” stated Walz in a news release.
“His confidence and commitment to treatment courts and justice innovation not only yield improved outcomes for litigants but also foster greater public trust in the justice system.”
Grover was one of three candidates nominated by the Commission of Judicial Selection to fill the expected vacancy in the 9th District, which included Bemidji City Attorney Katie Nolting and Thief River Falls public defender Max Schafer-Lacoursiere.
Minnesota's 9th District includes much of Northern Minnesota, encompassing Aitkin, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca, Kittson, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake and Roseau counties.
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Contributed/Staples-Motley School DistrictStaples-Motley is asking voters to approve $55 million in new bonds that would replace old debt, thereby not increasing taxes. The money would be used to update both schools. -
Contributed/Minnesota House Public Information ServicesJohn Tobias, 58, of rural Park Rapids, was arraigned Feb. 25, 2026, after allegedly threatening an attack on the state Capitol. -
Contributed/C-SPAN YouTubeGov. Tim Walz describes the move as a "campaign of retribution." -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEVoters will decide on Aitkin's latest attempt to build a new elementary school on April 14, 2026. The new ask is about one-third less than the November 2025 referendum. -
Megan Buffington/KAXEMt. Itasca is hosting Snojam, a snowboarding event, as well as the Redwing Central Division Championships of Ski Jumping Feb. 28-March 1, 2026, in Coleraine. -
The free test kits from the Beltrami County Soil and Water Conservation District check for bacteria, nitrates, lead, arsenic and manganese in private wells. -
Lorie Shaull/ContributedThe DNR adopted new rules in January 2026, changing the previously closed portion of the bass fishing season to catch-and-release, meaning fishing for the species is open year-round. -
Plus: Early voting opens Friday for Aitkin, Staples-Motley referendums; year-round bass season now in place; Beltrami County, Red Lake residents eligible for free well water test kits; boys swimming and diving state meet starts Thursday. -
Chelsey Perkins/KAXEThe state of Minnesota and Fleet Farm filed a settlement in federal court Feb. 24, 2026, in a lawsuit accusing the retailer of enabling straw purchases of firearms. -
Contributed/Hibbing Boys JV & Varsity SwimmingStudent-athletes from 10 rural Northern Minnesota schools will compete at the state swimming and diving meet Feb. 26-28, 2026, in Minneapolis.
