Brainerd School District

The school district will need to make budget cuts in the wake of the referendum failure. A trifecta of "common sense" candidates elected to the Board will help the district navigate the challenge.

The Hibbing, Park Rapids and Wadena Deer-Creek boys teams and the Crosby-Ironton and Hermantown girls teams also qualified, along with over 30 more student-athletes from across the Northland.

Brainerd, Detroit Lakes and now Bemidji have passed similar letters of support, urging the Minnesota State High School League to review its bylaw on how trans kids compete in sports.

Minnesotans will vote on the permanent school fund amendment, and Northern Minnesotans will decide on local school and township questions in the 2026 midterm election.

DJ Dondelinger, Randy (RJ) Heidmann, Mark Lelwica, Connie Lyscio, Scott Parsons, Ed Shaw and Sarah Speer are running for Brainerd School Board.

The deaths of two Forestview Middle schoolers has sparked discussions about how the district handles bullying and the need to build community and address mental health challenges.

Almost 90 Northland students competed at the state golf tournament June 9-10, 2026, around the Twin Cities.

Six rural Northland teams competed in state softball tournament in Mankato on June 2-5, 2026. The Barnum girls were consolation runners-up.

Seven rural Northern Minnesota teams and nearly 90 student-athletes in total will compete Tuesday-Wednesday, June 9-10, 2026, on courses in and around the Twin Cities.

Area athletes to watch at the 2026 meet include Aitkin junior Ashley Asmus, Ely sophomore Violet Udovich and West Marshall seniors Emily Marquis and Markelle Pederson.