Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe

An ongoing Bemidji State University research project seeks to learn whether new fishing technology could be putting Leech Lake’s muskies at risk.

Nevaeh Kingbird, 15, was last seen October 2021. Jeremy Jourdain, 17, was last seen October 2016. Both cases remain unsolved as families find ways to cope and connect.

Leaders from Aitkin, St. Louis and Itasca counties and the Leech Land Band of Ojibwe named permitting reform, encouraging private-public partnerships and bolstering workforces as top economic development priorities.

The family of Dylon Oothoudt, the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and the Cass County Sheriff's Office hosted a press conference Oct. 7, 2026, as the homicide investigation continues.

Richard Fieldsend, Timothy Frits, Carrie Johnson, Lloyd Kongsjord, Scott Ramsdell and Pam Thompson are running for Deer River School Board.

Hannah Baird, Jolyn Donnell, Margaret Fairbanks, Terri Finn and Giniwgiizhig are running for Cass Lake-Bena School Board.

The Clean Water Legacy Partners Grants Program funds projects proposed by tribal entities, tribal governments and nonprofit organizations through the program.

Relatives confirmed that 17-year-old Dylon Oothoudt of Walker was the male found dead Sept. 13, 2026, in a Cass Lake yard. An autopsy ruled the death a homicide by gunshot wound.

Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe staff also found starry stonewort in Six Mile Lake, near the city of Cass Lake.

Officials found a male dead in the yard of a residence in Pike Bay Township on Sept. 13, 2026. The Cass County Sheriff's Office, Leech Lake Tribal Police and other agencies are investigating.