Local Government

Plus: Bemidji area residents comment in the second and final hearing in the administrative trial for the boundary dispute between Bemidji and Northern Township.

The second and final public comment evening for the boundary dispute trial heard a broad mix of comments from affected residents along Lake Bemidji.

After a lengthy public hearing and discussion, the City Council adopted its amended cannabis ordinance 4-1 to allow a business to move into the former Anderson Fabrics plant.

Plus: Last Blackduck cannabis ordinance hearing set for Monday, Oct. 6; and Bemidji's Great River Rescue has a new play area for dogs.

Plus: The Minnesota Department of Agriculture announced it has $11 million to expand its innovative irrigation program; MnDOT staff will host an open house in Cloquet ahead of a planned 2028 project Thursday, Oct. 2; and Kootasca Community Action is gathering gently used costumes for Grand Rapids and I-Falls trick-or-treaters.

Donated children's costumes will be distributed to low-income families this October, with an International Falls distribution slated for Oct. 9, 2025.

A similar hearing for Bemidji residents will be hosted at the Sanford Event Center on Oct. 8, 2025.

Plus: Weeks of hearings begin for Bemidji and Northern Township over wastewater issue; State and federal agencies are partnering to address emerald ash borer in the Chippewa National Forest; and work began Monday on Highway 64 between Laporte and Akeley.

Community centers have vital roles in Indigenous life, hosting birthday celebrations, funeral services, basketball games and bingo nights for these tight-knit communities.

The administrative trial over who will manage wastewater around Lake Bemidji began in July 2025, with hearings Sept. 29-Oct. 10, 2025, in Northern Township and Bemidji.