The Minnesota Incident Command Center reports that a wildfire in Carlton County is almost entirely contained. Over the weekend, crews were mopping up the 82-acre fire near Barnum—infrared flights located more hot spots in the western portion of this wildfire.
Officials say the type of vegetation in the area is slowing down progress, particularly the composition of peat soil that provides a long-term fuel source for a wildfire. Thirty-seven crew members with 19 pieces of equipment have worked on this fire since Sept. 4.
All evacuation orders and road closures have been lifted. The MNICS says aircraft may be brought in to assist with the wildfire suppression efforts, and if drones are detected in the area, air operations supporting the fire will stop. The cause of this fire is still under investigation.
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Plus: Health coverage affordability is top of mind for many Minnesotans; new nonprofit sets sights on Grand Rapids downtown branding process; and KAXE compiled a food resources list. -
Uncertainty around SNAP benefits has brought a lot of attention to food insecurity. Nonprofits have to figure out how to meet growing needs, now and into the future. -
The enrollment start date for people who get their coverage through MNsure, Minnesota's insurance exchange through the Affordable Care Act, is Nov. 1, 2025. -
The announcement from GoodNeighbor Properties follows recent action by the Bemidji City Council to prepare the site for development, including the demolition of three buildings. -
Providers and Democratic legislators reacted with alarm given the prospect of unpaid caregivers and vulnerable Minnesotans shut out of lifesaving services. -
The much discussed federal subsidy, whose Dec. 31, 2025, expiration strikes at the heart of the budget stalemate that led to the federal shutdown, is “only part of the answer” for mind-boggling health insurance hikes. -
Like all of Minnesota, Leech Lake is vulnerable to a variety of natural hazards such as tornadoes, windstorms, severe winter storms, flooding, drought and extreme temperatures. -
Plus: A winter-hardy cover crop is being explored as a sustainable jet fuel source; and the Esko girls finished 4th place at the state soccer tournament.
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When our neighbors are in need of food, organizations and volunteers across Northern Minnesota step up. Food shelves, community meals and soup kitchens aim to the fill the gaps. -
With a significant reduction in staff hours, Grand Rapids librarians must figure out how to maintain services and expectations with less time to do so.
Two fatal accidents were reported in northeastern Minnesota Saturday.
A 22-year-old was killed in a train crash early Saturday morning near Highway 210 in Carlton County. The Sheriff's office reports Brock Hascall of Wright was southbound on Lammi Road when his vehicle was struck by the westbound Burlington Northern Santa Fe train.
He was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported and the incident remains under investigation.
A separate fatal crash in St. Louis County killed three 23-year-olds.
The victims were Darren Tenney of New Richmond, Wisconsin, Joseph Trowbridge of Woodbury and Madison Warren of Oakdale. The crash was around 3 a.m. on Highway 8 near Floodwood.
As drought conditions continue to expand in Minnesota, some areas of the state are now experiencing exceptional drought conditions for the first time since 2021. At this time, the US Drought Monitor classifies more than half of the state in severe, extreme, or exceptional drought, with the rest of the state in moderate drought or abnormally dry conditions.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources encourages all to monitor their water use, with some watersheds in southern Minnesota entering drought-restrictive phases, which requires public water suppliers to implement significant water conservation measures to reduce consumption.
Over the past seven weeks, the DNR has also suspended 107 surface water appropriation permits for non-domestic use across the state in response to the expanding drought conditions.
