BEMIDJI — The nonprofit Kids Count on Us Bemidji is inviting the community to join elected leaders at a forum centered on affordability.
The event at Beltrami Electric Cooperative, slated for 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 3, will feature stories from community members who will share their experiences with the affordability of health care and child care.
Elected leaders such as State Rep. Bidal Duran, Bemidji Mayor Jorge Prince, Beltrami County Commissioner Joe Gould and Bemidji council member Gwenia Fiskevold-Gould are expected to attend.
State representative candidate Reed Olson, who is also the executive director for the Nameless Coalition for the Homeless, and Greater Bemidji Executive Director Dave Hengel are also expected.
Social safety net programs are also on the forum's agenda, as is an interactive information session from the United Way of Bemidji Area on ALICE (assets-limited, income-constrained, employed) data.
Attendees are asked to register in advance.
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Contributed/Carlton County Board Meeting Recording / CivicMediaA motion was started at the Carlton County Committee of the Whole meeting July 7, 2026, for an interim ordinance on the development of data centers. -
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Contributed/Becker County Sheriff's Office Facebook PageThe storm caused damage to buildings, trees and power lines. Thousands experienced power outages due to the storm. -
Erin Bowman/KAXEThe nonprofit's new food shelf location in downtown Grand Rapids is closer to other services and more walkable compared to the current location off Highway 2 in LaPrairie. -
Chelsey Perkins/Datawrapper graphicThe location of the July 6, 2026, incident is an area commonly used as a swimming beach, and the woman was reportedly swimming at the time. -
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Contributed/Rock Ridge Public Schools via FacebookRock Ridge officials and the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office have previously said there was no indication any local students were victims or involved with the case. -
Scott Rodgerson/UnsplashThe Cass County Sheriff’s Office reported a 71-year-old from Pella, Iowa, was piloting the 1984 Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft at the time of the July 5, 2026, incident. -
Contributed/Canva Pro graphicAccording to a news release, the man was in the middle of the eastbound traffic lane as the driver was traveling east at the 13000 block of County Highway 16 on July 5, 2026. -
Canva Graphic/KAXEResponders were forced to evacuate the area because of severe thunderstorms moving into the region July 3, 2026.
