The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development announced more than $91 million in awards under the Public Facilities Authority.
A large portion of the funding is dedicated to replacing nearly 1,000 lead service lines in 15 cities across the state.
Crosby is receiving $309,000 in funding to replace 34 lead lines with copper, and Thief River Falls will also receive more than $930,710 in funding to replace 75 lead lines.
“The [Authority’s] work in keeping our water clean, drinkable and accessible is an investment in Minnesota’s health, environment and economy,” stated Minnesota PFA Executive Director Steve Walter in a Dec. 10 news release.
“By providing crucial financing and technical assistance to communities that might not have access to it otherwise, the MPFA encourages economic growth and protects the health of Minnesotan communities, creating the infrastructure for long-term prosperity.”
The Public Facilities Authority aims to help cities replace aging infrastructure and make system improvements to protect public health and improve water quality.
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Plus: Bemidji is the clay target state champion; and check out KAXE's fireworks guide, The 4th Up North. -
Megan Buffington/KAXEThe second round of severe thunderstorms on June 29, 2026, knocked out power for even more people than the first round did, with strong winds, large hail and heavy rain. -
The National Weather Service in Duluth issued an upgraded alert of a "destructive" thunderstorm June 29, 2026, but the storm passed through much calmer than expected. -
Plus: A allegedly intoxicated driver lands an SUV onto a building with a resident inside in Naytahwaush
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Contributed/Mahnomen County Sheriff's OfficeThe sheriff’s office reported the 36-year-old driver from Moorhead was later apprehended after a short foot pursuit. -
Scott Rodgerson/UnsplashA portion of the highway was shut down and traffic diverted on June 28, 2026, following a two-vehicle collision in which both drivers died. -
Contributed/Bemidji High School Trap Team via FacebookThe Lumberjacks won their first state title in their eighth-straight tournament appearance. Proctor sophomore Laine Graves won the individual championship. -
Larissa Donovan/KAXEReports of funnel clouds, strong wind, large hail and power outages accompanied the well-defined “bow echo,” a storm system that often produces straight-line wind events. -
Students in Deer River are tending to a "pizza garden" this summer, with the hopes of hosting a pizza party using ingredients from the garden in September 2026.
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Plus: Tourism-based businesses brace for slower summer amid high gas prices and consumer costs; Little Fork River watershed plan open for comment; and fireworks galore in the Northland.
