Ely MN

The public can learn more about ongoing projects in the forest on Thursday, April 23, 2026.

Defending champions Pequot Lakes will be joined by Northeast Range/Ely, Bemidji, Brainerd, Cloquet, Thief River Falls and Warroad at the state robotics tournament in May 2026.

The county and MnDOT will exchange federal funds in a "highly unusual" move, so the county can keep using labor agreements. But three projects will have to be delayed a year.

Ely joins the wave of Northern Minnesota school districts trying out a four-day week to address budget constraints. The Rock Ridge School Board didn't rule out making the move in the future.

The fires will help reduce overgrown vegetation and protect local communities from wildfires.

MnDOT is planning major road construction in Bemidji, Brainerd, Proctor, Ely, Warroad and Wadena, plus other projects across the Northland for summer 2026.

The U.S. Forest Service will close its decades-old Grand Rapids research office as part of a national reorganization. The lab produces world-renowned work on woods and water.

The office is one of 47 research and development facilities closing amid a major reorganization of the agency. The Superior and Chippewa offices and their staffing are not impacted.

“Area Voices” hit the road to visit the annual five-day Ely Film Festival. Andrew Dziengel talked with the festival’s director and program director.

Jessalyn Sabin currently serves as the academic dean for career and technical education and the campus director at the Eveleth campus, positions she has held since 2021.