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Contributed/Rock Ridge Public SchoolsRock Ridge's Ellie Dimberio was the singles consolation champion. In 1A, Pequot Lakes finished sixth, as did Staples-Motley's Madison and Kaylee Perius. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEThe secretary of state's office highlighted the number in its weekly early voting update on Oct. 30, 2026. Early voting locations are open through the weekend ahead of Election Day. -
Contributed/Adobe Stock via Minnesota News ConnectionFrom chatbots interacting with teens to social media sites being linked to gang activity, online threats are one of the many issues surfacing on the campaign trail. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEThere are tens of thousands of dollars spent in each Northern Minnesota state House and Senate race, with the funds largely coming from local donors and party units. So where does that money go? -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEAfter a legal settlement announced Oct. 28, 2026, the proposed Pine Island data center must go through an environmental assessment worksheet with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. -
Plus: DNR takes public comments on the scram mining project and historic building demolition at the former Hill Annex Mine State Park. -
Emma Krab/KAXEThe project proposed by Calumet Reclamation Co. would entail processing legacy stockpiles and tailings for hematite and involve demolishing some historic properties. -
The Hermantown City Council moved the meeting to Oct. 30, 2026, after originally scheduling it for Oct. 27, citing concerns about conflicts with early voting. Protests postponed the original Monday meeting. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEThe federal low-interest loans are for small businesses and nonprofits in the Minnesota Arrowhead damaged by 2026 summer wildfires. Applications close July 22, 2027. -
Plus: Federal loans available for businesses affected by Boundary Waters summer wildfires.
Megan Buffington covers North-Central Minnesota from the Brainerd lakes area. Originally from Pequot Lakes, she joined the KAXE newsroom in 2024. Megan previously covered the Arrowhead for KAXE. She is passionate about amplifying Northern Minnesota voices and educating communities through local reporting.
Stella Mayerhoff is a scientist-turned-journalist. She joined KAXE in July of 2026 as a Report for America corps member, and covers Minnesota’s headwaters region in partnership with the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk.
