Wildfires grow exponentially; Mississippi River gains land protection

Destructive storms with wind gusts over 100 miles per hour knocked out power for tens of thousands of northwestern Minnesotans in and around Bemidji on Saturday, June 21.

Plus: Extreme heat and possible severe weather could be in store for much of the Northland over the weekend; Carlos Hernandez was narrowly elected Bois Forte chairman in a special election on June 17, 2025; the Minnesota DNR and Brainerd Lakes Area Master Naturalists will hold an AIS workshop; Eveleth received a $200K grant to upgrade a city playground; Beltrami County will begin work on a new shared-use trail near Bemidji High School; and MnDOT crews are making progress on planned construction near Hackensack and Wadena.

Following the shooting attack that left Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark dead on June 14, 2025, their adult children issued a statement urging residents to honor their parents' memories by giving back.

Plus: MnDOT will host a listening session at the Fosston High School Gymnasium on June 23, 2025, ahead of planned construction on Highway 2; the Minnesota DNR is seeking a wide range of perspectives for fisheries input groups on Lake Winnie and Rainy Lake; and animal experts urge pet owners to remain vigilant during bouts of Canadian wildfire smoke.

And: Heintzeman, other Northern Minnesotans on water stewardship task force; federal cuts could hurt one of Greater Minnesota’s leading industries; local women elected officials feature in Beltrami County panel; and St. Louis County crafting new traffic safety plan.

The Beltrami County Historical Society will present “Women Elected to Lead: Voices from Local Government” on Saturday in Bemidji.

St. Louis County is building a new safety action plan for county roads outside Duluth. The public can share safety concerns and suggestions.

The charge stems from an assault, apparently stemming from a $100 debt, that left another man dead in Beltrami County on June 15, 2025.

The Minnesota DNR is looking for local or statewide anglers, local business and resort owners and others with a stake in activities on Lake Winnibigoshish or Rainy Lake.

Emergency officials are still assessing damage after two tornadoes on Monday and are warning of unlicensed or uninsured contractors trying to take advantage of those needing repairs.