St. Louis County

The MN Department of Agriculture will treat 24 sites in Aitkin, Carlton, Itasca, Pine and St. Louis counties with nontoxic spray to slow the spread of the destructive pest.

The county waived fees associated with land use and septic permits to help property owners affected by the Brimson and Jenkins Creek wildfires.

In both instances, the roads will be closed at 6 a.m. on the first day and reopened by the end of the second day.

The site will operate 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday to Saturday and will stay open through the end of July 2025, though it may stay open longer if needed.

The lawsuit against the MN DOC commissioner argues the law would take away discretion from local providers to determine what’s best for the inmates and the situation.

Property owners may be eligible for property tax relief if the damage to their property totaled at least 50% of its value or if their property is homesteaded.

Plus: Extreme heat and possible severe weather could be in store for much of the Northland over the weekend; Carlos Hernandez was narrowly elected Bois Forte chairman in a special election on June 17, 2025; the Minnesota DNR and Brainerd Lakes Area Master Naturalists will hold an AIS workshop; Eveleth received a $200K grant to upgrade a city playground; Beltrami County will begin work on a new shared-use trail near Bemidji High School; and MnDOT crews are making progress on planned construction near Hackensack and Wadena.

St. Louis County is building a new safety action plan for county roads outside Duluth. The public can share safety concerns and suggestions.

The long-discussed visitor center makes one in each of the park's gateway communities, just in time for the 50th anniversary of Voyageurs' creation.

The Horse Creek Fire in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is fully contained, while 200 fire personnel continue to work on the 94%-contained Jenkins Creek Fire.