Babbitt

The agency announced its decision to require supplemental environmental review Oct. 8, 2026, for the copper-nickel project planned between Babbitt and Hoyt Lakes.

Cathy Hoheisel and Duane Lossing are running for Babbitt mayor. Glenn Anderson, Shyann Cersine, Claire High, Jacob Myers, Terrance Switajewski and Joseph White are running for City Council.

The action comes weeks after executive action by Gov. Tim Walz halted the mining company's efforts to establish a copper-nickel mine in the Rainy River Headwaters Watershed.

The Babbitt mine and Hoyt Lakes processing plant is expected to impact about 1,100 acres of wetlands, according to the company's permit application.

NorthMet, formerly owned by PolyMet and now controlled by NewRange Copper Nickel, is one of three proposed copper-nickel mines in Minnesota. A reworked project plan is now before the DNR.

St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay said the fire was one of at least a half-dozen blazes in the county as high winds, low humidity and drought conditions persisted.

Patrick McGowan joined four other conservation officers who were honored at a late February 2026 ceremony at Camp Ripley.

The mayor of Babbitt — a Republican — lost to DFLer Sen. Grant Hauschild in Senate District 3 by 703 votes in 2022.

Known as Worlds, the robotics competition in Houston will have 600 teams, including those from Pequot Lakes, Northeast Range/Ely and Warroad.

A recent study highlighted the economic impact of ATV riders in northeastern Minnesota. The information comes in the second light-snow winter in a row.