REGIONAL— The heating season regularly strains budgets for many North Country families, but this year’s season is likely to be among the most painful in memory, as the cost of fuel oil is hitting …

VIRGINIA— Officials from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, or MPCA, heard concerns and skepticism here on Tuesday during an informational meeting to answer questions on its controversial new …

REGIONAL- A race for a single state Senate seat in northeastern Minnesota has become a nearly $1.3 million political battle, fueled largely by outside groups pouring money into efforts to defeat DFL …

REGIONAL- North Country families appear to be taking one of Minnesota’s hardest hits from gasoline prices driven higher by the war in Iran, with households in the Eighth Congressional District …

TOWER-SOUDAN- The community survey conducted this past month as part of Tower-Breitung’s new joint comprehensive planning process showed strong support (about two-thirds of those responding) for …

GREENWOOD TWP- The town board here, on Monday, approved bonding of $718,000 to pay for a new fire engine. The board had approved the purchase of the new vehicle last week but wanted more information …

REGIONAL- Millions of Americans who rely on Canadian and other international pharmacies for affordable prescription drugs will likely lose that access beginning Oct. 22 under new federal customs …

REGIONAL- HealthPartners and Essentia Health announced Tuesday that they plan to combine their organizations under the HealthPartners name, a move that would create one of the Upper Midwest’s …

REGIONAL— The Bois Forte and Grand Portage Chippewa bands announced Sept. 23 that they will formally request the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board to order a comprehensive study of the …

ORR- A Portage Township man accused of firing at and damaging a firefighting aircraft as it battled a wildfire near Buyck in May now faces federal charges in the case. A federal grand jury indicted …

GREENWOOD TWP- When the Greenwood Town Board discussed options for financing the fire department’s new engine earlier this month, an interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve was not on their …

COOK- The St. Louis County Board of Commissioners, Sheriff Gordon Ramsay and Arrowhead EMS took time at Tuesday's meeting in Cook to honor nearly three dozen emergency responders and 911 staff, …

REGIONAL — Two lifelong Iron Rangers are facing off this election season for a legislative seat that could determine which party controls the state House next year. GOP incumbent Cal Warwas is …

TOWER- Sen. Grant Hauschild was endorsed by mayors from across his district during events held in Tower and Rice Lake on Sept. 22. Hauschild is running for reelection for the area’s District 3 …

REGIONAL —The St. Louis County Board delayed a decision Tuesday on a petition to transfer 435 parcels from Greenwood Township to Goodwill Township after county staff acknowledged that some affected …

FALL LAKE TWP— Two years ago, the proposed redevelopment of Silver Rapids Lodge generated fierce opposition from neighbors and lawsuits by a local citizens group and the Department of Natural …

REGIONAL—The Department of Natural Resources has canceled one of 27 mineral leases it had previously issued to Franconia Minerals or other parties now part of the Twin Metals joint venture to build …

TOWER- Thirty years ago, Tower and Soudan were connected by one of the first segments of the planned 160-mile paved bike route, dubbed the Mesabi Trail. This week, the St. Louis and Lake Counties …

TOWER— The city council here adopted a preliminary levy of $470,921 for 2027, a six percent increase over the current year’s assessment. The need for city vehicle replacement— including a 4x4 …

ELY—The Ely City Council, following the recommendation of its budget committee, voted on Tuesday to increase the city’s tax levy for next year by $114,200, a 4.9 percent increase over the current …

ORR- The Orr City Council approved an eight-percent proposed levy increase Monday and accepted the resignation of Councilor Hannah Manick, creating a vacancy for the remainder of her term. According …

BABBITT- Babbitt City Council members approved a preliminary 2027 budget Tuesday that calls for a 7.5-percent increase in the city’s property tax levy. The $3,422,451 budget is supported in part by …

EMBARRASS— A supercell thunderstorm brought heavy rain, accumulating hail, and serious wind damage across a swath of Embarrass and Babbitt last Friday. Trees fell onto powerlines, which prompted …

ELY — At their first meeting since the start of the new school year, the Ely School Board discussed contaminated soil that is delaying ongoing construction, a slew of recent retirements and …

REGIONAL- With the school year now underway, it has become clearer that enrollment numbers aren’t going to be the fix for significant budget shortfalls faced by many area school districts, …