Government & Politics

Minnesota’s local elected offices are legally nonpartisan. In this contributed essay, Majority in the Middle's Executive Director Shannon Watson looks at what that means for voters, candidates and local government.

The Mesabi Metallics plant, which will source iron from the company's mine in Nashwauk, may begin producing steel as early as 2030.

The cash infusion suggests at least some big-money Republicans see glimmers of hope here in MN, where Dems have been weighed down by embarrassing stories about social services fraud.

The Bemidji Pioneer, Brainerd Dispatch and Park Rapids Enterprise are among the media partners participating in the Northern Minnesota candidate debate series.

Small businesses and private nonprofits may apply for up to $2 million in low-interest loan funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration before April 26, 2027.

The mining company celebrated a $770 million federal loan and the production of its first concentrate at a blast event Sept. 17, 2026. Two days earlier, it announced the "next phase of investment" at an Itasca County Board meeting.

All county cameras have been removed as of Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026. Cameras under city jurisdiction may remain.

The tax used to fund civic center improvements will end Dec. 31, 2026.

The Bemidji Planning Board voted 6-1 to prohibit new developments of data centers greater than 10,000 square feet during its meeting Sept. 14, 2026.

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.