REGIONAL—MNsure health insurance enrollment dropped by more than 17,000 in May 2026 compared to May 2025. The dip in insurance coverage offered on MNsure — the state’s Affordable Care Act …

REGIONAL—Sales of Minnesota goods to foreign countries were eight percent lower in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same time last year, according to new trade data from the Minnesota …

TOWER— The deep rumble of heavy equipment, back-up alarms, pouring cement, and the sound of hammers have been echoing throughout this town of 430 residents this summer, in what is easily the …

REGIONAL— High winds and lightning associated with a strong line of thunderstorms that moved through the area Monday evening kept emergency responders busy in the aftermath. Lightning struck a …

John Thomas Kopp, 72, of Ely, formerly of Mandan and Grand Forks, N.D., passed away on Friday, June 26, 2026, at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, after a six-month battle with a rare type of liver …

Debra Ann Solberg Sherman, 71, of Babbitt, passed away on Friday, July 3, 2026, surrounded by her family. Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 16 at St. Pius X Catholic Church in …

Linda J. Trowbridge Ross, 77, longtime resident of Buhl, died on Monday, June 29, 2026, at her home with family by her side. A gathering of family and friends will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on …

S. James “Jim” Orcutt, 95, of Ely, passed away on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at Essentia Health in Duluth. He was loved by all and will be greatly missed. Rest in peace. He is survived by his …

COOK- A proposal to establish a cannabis cultivation facility in Linden Grove Township will go before the township board later this month, giving residents an opportunity to weigh in on a project its …

VIRGINIA- The Bois Forte Band of Chippewa has officially opened a new health and human services clinic in downtown Virginia, expanding access to health care and support services for tribal members …

REGIONAL— St. Louis County residents have long assumed that a drive through the North Country’s forests and back roads is theirs alone, free from the kind of surveillance that has become an …

COOK- When Master Gunnery Sgt. Kraig Aho retired from the U.S. Marine Corps on June 12, it brought to a close a military career that spanned nearly four decades, beginning with the Navy Reserve and …

VIRGINIA- The ISD 2142 School Board voted June 23 to renew North Woods boys basketball coach Jessica Trunnell for the 2026-27 season following renewed criticism from a parent and one board member, …

REGIONAL—A federal judge nullified six subpoenas issued by the U.S. Department of Justice back in January — during the height of Operation Metro Surge — as part of a criminal investigation into …

REGIONAL- Several new Minnesota laws took effect Wednesday, including changes that will eventually require anonymous school threat reporting systems statewide, strengthen oversight of teachers …

REGIONAL- Gov. Tim Walz on Tuesday launched Minnesota’s new Office of Public Service, a statewide initiative designed to expand volunteer opportunities while creating new pathways into public …

REGIONAL— Powerful back-to-back storms this week brought high winds that knocked out power across a broad swath of central and northeastern Minnesota, leaving thousands of customers without power, …

ELY— There were smiles and plenty of sunshine here as dozens of officials gathered on the city’s southwest corner last Thursday, to break ground on the Wilderness Escape. It’s a new 37-unit …

REGIONAL — Four years after a controversial confrontation on Lake Kabetogama left Ash River houseboat operator Justin Ebel twice tased by Voyageurs National Park law enforcement rangers, and more …

REGIONAL — Greenwood Township Supervisor Craig Gilbert, 56, of Tower, has been charged in Itasca County District Court following an altercation earlier this month in a parking lot at Wizard’s …

REGIONAL — The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office has completed its investigation into a fatal boating accident on Lake Vermilion that claimed the life of a fishing guide and resort owner in May. …

SOUDAN — The Breitung Town Board on June16 approved a request from the Minnesota North-Vermilion baseball team to hold practices and scrimmages at the Soudan Ballfield starting on Aug. 24. Coach …

REGIONAL — National reports detailing a decision by the National Park Service to redirect roughly $90 million in park fee revenue toward projects tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary …

ELY — The Ely School District stands to gain at least $250,000 in new annual funding following the 2026 Minnesota legislative session, lobbyist Jeff Anderson told the school board Monday, calling …

LAKE COUNTY — Silver Rapids Lodge has submitted a revised proposal to expand its White Iron Lake resort, scaling back its earlier plans after legal challenges forced the project to a halt. The new …