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Our No. 7 and No. 8 stories of the year examine budget issues faced by school districts across the state that led to contract disputes and classroom cuts, plus Babbitt's helium deposit gains economic ground in Northern MN.

Our No. 7 and No. 8 stories of year cover the proliferation of automatic license plate readers as a law enforcement tool in Northern MN, and spring wildfires that destroyed thousands of acres and hundreds of structures.

Plus: A Minneapolis-based attorney announced his bid for the Republican nomination in the 2026 Governor's race; and the Minnesota DNR says winter is the best time to prune oaks to prevent oak wilt.

Plus: The sale of MN Power's parent company ALLETE to private equity firms closed Monday; Northern MN DFL party official Cyndi Martin resigns one year after criminal vehicular homicide charge; and traffic on the Highway 6 bridge near Big Falls will be reduced to single lane through spring.

Plus: With the entire staff that administers the Low Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program laid off, state advocates are concerned what that could mean for MN utility payers; and the Brainerd Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce will host a Republican candidate forum April 8 ahead of the special Senate District 6 primary election.

Plus: Bemidji State University announces addition of esports beginning in 2026; and car seat inspections will take place in Virginia this week.

And: Staffers from Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith's office held a roundtable discussion on issues at the Bemidji Post Office Tuesday, and the State Emblems Redesign Commission unanimously selected a new state seal depicting a loon and other Minnesota staples.

Plus: Bemidji School Board approves $1M+ in cuts; and the state's Department of Human Services is hosting in-person and virtual workshops on its second draft of proposed child care licensing standards.

This week in Northern Minnesota there's an electric vehicle demonstration in Bemidji, Native American dance performance in Brainerd and an open house with pizza in Pine River.

Events this week include an open mic and artist reception in Bemidji, a foraging class in Gonvick and Hwy. 53 and Hwy. 371 construction meetings in Virginia and Hackensack.

She’s also the only candidate in the race to have donations from lobbyists. At least seven have donated a total of over $7,000 to Keri Heintzeman.

Plus: Minnesota Attorney General joins settlement with Valvoline over unfair labor practices; candidates seeking municipal or school board office in Northern Minnesota begin to file; Aug. 6 is National Night Out with dozens of communities participating; and registration is now open for United Way of 1,000 Lakes' Itascamazing Race in Grand Rapids.

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Our No. 1 and No. 2 stories of year follow the wide-ranging local impacts of sometimes swift and surprising decisions in Washington, D.C., and a severe natural disaster changes the landscape in the Bemidji area.

Our No. 9 and No. 10 stories of year include an unusual strike over whether a wide range of Essentia Health providers can form a union and the controversial sale of an MN utility company.

Plus a wildfire burns near Barnum, FEMA awards climate resilience funding to project in Redby and road closures are scheduled today and tomorrow on state highways.

Plus: A bill that would benefit school districts with a high percentage of cabin properties with state subsidies moves forward through the legislative budget process.

Events this week include an indoor market in Pine River, a classic movie in Bigfork and a lutefisk supper in Lake George.

In total, Northlanders earned 47 medals in Class 1A at the 2025 state track and field meet.

Plus: Minnesota Department of Education releases MCA test scores; Brainerd begins treating ash trees for emerald ash borer; a detour on Hwy 169 ramps in Virginia will be Sept. 3-6; MnDOT will host a public meeting on the Hwy 169 corridor through Hibbing; and Aitkin County CARE is seeking volunteer drivers for a new sobriety court transportation service.