Rock Ridge Public Schools

Rock Ridge officials and the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office have previously said there was no indication any local students were victims or involved with the case.

The School Board unanimously passed its budget, leaving a little more than $136,000 of cash flow available in its general fund.

It was the team's sixth-straight state tournament. Singles and duos from Rock Ridge and other rural Northland schools also hit the courts in tourney action.

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.

Factoring in Virginia and Eveleth-Gilbert's histories, it's still the first appearance for the area since 2001. Brainerd, Sebeka, Red Lake Falls, Esko and Barnum will also compete.

The Wolverines also have five students competing in the individual tournament, with other Northland entries from Cloquet, Thief River Falls and Crookston.

The qualifiers span 27 Northern Minnesota teams and all 13 categories. Over 30 are repeat qualifiers, including five medalists and one reigning champion.

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.