DEED Seeks Community Grant Reviewers

Ekta Prakash, Director of DEED’s Office of Public Engagement provided notice this week that the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is looking for about 100 community members to serve as grant reviewers for competitive workforce development grants. 

Community reviewers play a vital role in shaping funding decisions. By bringing lived experience, cultural insight, and awareness of the challenges job seekers face, reviewers help ensure DEED’s grants are fair, equitable, and responsive to real community needs.

DEED is seeking individuals from diverse backgrounds, with interest in workforce development, training, small business growth, financial education, or related areas. Reviewers should be able to dedicate 20 to 30 hours over two to three weeks, reading eight to ten grant proposals, typically 12 to 15 pages each.

All reviewers will complete a short online training, and those who finish the process may be eligible for a small stipend.

DEED has used community reviewers in programs like Pathways to Prosperity, Drive for 5, childcare development, and small business initiatives. Their voices have helped reduce employment disparities and strengthen communities across Minnesota.

If you’re ready to contribute, or if you know someone who would be a great fit, please apply to become a community reviewer today.

For more information, visit DEED online or email elizabeth.mariani@state.mn.us.

DEED is hoping to make grantmaking more inclusive, equitable, and impactful for Minnesota.

West Nile Virus Increases in Minnesota

West Nile Virus has increased in Minnesota. The Minnesota Department of Health has confirmed 20 cases of West Nile virus so far in 2025, including two deaths. Health officials are urging Minnesotans to take precautions, especially as late summer is the highest-risk time for transmission.

West Nile is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Most people have no symptoms or only mild, flu-like illness. But in rare cases, less than one percent, it can cause dangerous conditions such as encephalitis or meningitis (inflammation of the brain or surrounding tissues). Older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and those who spend a lot of time outdoors face the greatest risk.

Cases have been reported across Minnesota, with the highest risk in the agricultural regions of western and central parts of the state. Neighboring states, including Iowa and the Dakotas, are also seeing increased activity.

To protect yourself, use EPA-registered repellents with up to 30 percent DEET, wear long sleeves and pants, treat clothing with permethrin, avoid outdoor activity at dusk and dawn, and keep screens on windows and doors in good repair.

For more information, visit the Minnesota Department of Health website.

MN DNR Updates Upcoming Hunting Season

Walk-In Access areas open Monday, Sept. 1 and run through May 31, 2026. With the purchase of a $3 validation, hunters and outdoor enthusiasts can access more than 30,000 acres of private land at over 280 sites across western, central, and southern Minnesota. Over 20,000 acres are open for bird watching, nature photography, and other compatible uses. Find maps and site details on the DNR website at mndnr.gov/walkin.

Hunters are reminded the deer lottery application deadline is Thursday, Sept. 4. Firearm and muzzleloader hunters who want to harvest antlerless deer in a lottery area must buy their license by that date to be entered automatically. Special hunt applications are also due Sept. 4. Details are in the 2025 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Handbook and online at mndnr.gov/hunting/deer.

Minnesota’s waterfowl seasons are around the corner. Early teal season runs Sept. 6 through Sept. 10, followed by the early goose season Sept. 6 through 21. Hunters should be aware of wild rice beds, as rice harvest may be underway and plants are easily damaged this time of year.

Waterfowl hunting regulations, including dates for ducks, geese, and youth hunting weekends, are available wherever licenses are sold and at mndnr.gov/hunting/waterfowl. Hunters aged 16 and older need a federal duck stamp, which costs $30 and is available online through the DNR license system.

For more details about hunting seasons and resources for new hunters, visit mndnr.gov.

Warroad/Roseau Highway 11 Construction Update

By Graham Scher – R & J Broadcasting | August 27, 2025

Roseau County, Minn – Construction continues this week on Highway 11. An update on what happened last week on Highway 11, starting with the bridge project in Warroad, Piers were cast and the curing period began. Crews began setting beams as well late in the week. Next week, beam setting will continue and is planned to wrap up by the end of this week.

Continuing with project updates, the Roundabout project at Cedar Ave/313 and Highway 11, Crews have completed grading for Hwy 313. Crews are finishing up storm sewer installation. Curb and gutter placement has begun being placed on Highway 313 as well. Next week, concrete will be poured on Hwy 313. Curb and gutter will be placed on the north side of Highway 11. Highway 313 motorists will detour using Gladys, Main St. and CR 74. Highway 11 east, west and south legs of the roundabout are open to traffic. Motorists are encouraged to use additional caution in the work zone.

Construction on Highway 11 in Roseau continues. This week, crews completed concrete work as well as final grading and cleanup work. The project is ready for pavement to begin. Beginning next week, during paving operations, motorists should only use the detour of Center St. W between Highway 89, and 11th Avenue. East of the Roseau River bridge: pavement will be milled down and paving will follow. Highway 11 from 11th Ave to 3rd Ave will be closed during paving operation. Paving on the west of the Roseau River bridge will be completed after the east side.

Warroad Man Facing Criminal Charges

By Graham Scher – R & J Broadcasting | August 26, 2025

Warroad, Minn – 39-year-old Andrew B Grengs of Warroad is facing serious charges after a trespassing incident in Fargo August 19th. Grengs has been charged with felony criminal trespass and misdemeanor physical obstruction of government function. Police discovered Grengs inside a families home lying on their couch at 12:33am.

Police immediately detained Grengs and launched an investigation. According to court filings, he resisted instructions at the scene, leading to the obstruction charge. The incident did not involve any reported injuries, and no property damage has been disclosed in court records. The felony trespass charge carries a potential prison sentence and fine if Grengs is convicted.

Minnesota Bear Hunting Opens September

Minnesota DNR Press Release | August 22, 2025

Minnesota’s bear hunting season opens Monday, September 1st, and the Department of Natural Resources is reminding hunters to avoid shooting bears that are part of ongoing research.

About 50 black bears across the state are fitted with radio collars and large, colorful ear tags. Most of these bears are female and live around Chippewa National Forest, Camp Ripley, Brainerd-Baxter, and Duluth, though they often range well beyond those areas.

DNR bear research scientist Andrew Tri says the collared bears provide critical long-term data on food supplies, habitat use, reproduction, denning, and how bears interact with people. Replacing them with new bears every year can’t match the value of data collected over many seasons.

The collars themselves can be hard to see, they’re usually black and blend with the bear’s coat, but the large ear tags should be visible, especially on trail cameras or when a bear visits a bait site. While it’s legal to take a collared bear, the DNR asks hunters to pause for a clear look at the bear’s head before harvesting.

If a collared bear is taken, hunters are asked to check for a small implanted heart monitor, about the size of a paper clip, and turn it in along with the collar. Hunters may also encounter bears with very small tags; these are not collared but are still part of research, and the DNR asks that they be reported.

Anyone who harvests a collared or tagged bear should contact the DNR’s Wildlife Research Office in Grand Rapids at 218-328-8879 or 218-328-8874 to coordinate return of the research equipment.

Photos of tagged bears and more research information can be found on the Minnesota DNR’s bear management webpage at mndnr.gov/hunting/bear.

Farm Bill Update

It’s been over seven years since congress last passed a full Farm Bill, and producers across the region are eagerly waiting for a new one. Neil Rockstad of the American Sugarbeet Growers Association tells us where things are at with the Farm Bill heading out of August recess, and what still needs to happen. 

Rockstad talks more about the items that came out of reconciliation, and what has had the biggest effect on agriculture in our region. 

Rockstad says one thing that needs to come out of the next farm bill is more assurances for producers. 

Rockstad was a guest on the Farm and Field Show, which airs this afternoon from 2:00 to 5:00 on KRJB 106.5 FM.

New SWAP for 2025 – 2035

By Graham Scher – R & J Broadcasting | August 20, 2025

Warroad, Minn – State Wildlife Action Plans (SWAP) are developed by all states to provide conservation planning for Species in Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) and are required by the Federal Government to access annually appropriated State Wildlife Grants. State Wildlife Grants provide funding to states to support their SGCN wildlife and habitat conservation efforts. Per Congressional mandate, SWAPs must be updated every ten years.

The first Minnesota SWAP was created in 2005. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ Nongame Wildlife Program collaborated with over 250 individuals and more than 50 organizations to develop Minnesota’s Wildlife Action Plan. In 2015 the plan was updated to its second version, Minnesota’s Wildlife Action Plan 2015-2025.

To develop Minnesota’s Wildlife Action Plan 2025-2035: Conserving Habitats and Biodiversity, the Nongame Wildlife Program held workshops across the state, meeting with hundreds of natural resources managers, wildlife biologists, conservation educators, outreach program leaders and communication professionals. The program has spent three years writing, researching and holding additional workshops about the revised Plan.

The program is now in the final phases of the required revision process for the next ten-year plan, due for submission to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Oct. 1, 2025.

State Fair Tradition Continues in 2025

By Graham Scher – R & J Broadcasting | August 20, 2025

Saint Paul, MINN. – A Minnesota State Fair tradition returned Tuesday morning. The Department of Natural Resources outdoor fish pond and indoor fish tanks will be filled at the State Fair building. The DNR says approximately three dozen species of native fish will be added to the pond this year. They include sunfish and lake sturgeon. The DNR’s live fish exhibit began back in 1905. The Minnesota State Fair opens Thursday and runs through Labor Day.

There are also new exhibits set to open at the fair this year. Listen live on KQ92 and KRWB to hear the latest news from the State Fair. Listen during the 5pm news Wednesday, 92.5 FM and kq92.com, to hear a number of new exhibits coming to the fair in 2025.

Buoys Placed on Lake of the Woods

By Dan DeMolee – R & J Broadcasting | August 19th, 2025

Baudette, MINN. – Lake of the Woods demands the utmost respect year around. Recently wave buoys were placed on the lake by Lake of the Woods Tourism to provide a new safety measure to anglers, charter captains, and recreational boaters to make smart, safe decisions. Joe Henry, Executive Director of Lake of the Woods Tourism explains:

The buoys have been placed at strategic locations, notes Henry.

They are easily identifiable by their distinctive color and size.

He explained how to navigate the program.

After an exhaustive search for funding it was decided that the Lake of the Woods Tourism would step up to the challenge. Additionally a  thank you goes out to the Hennum Family and the Jerry L. Hennum Memorial Fund for significant contributions to this project. Jerry was a longtime resort owner, Lake of the Woods Tourism board member, charter captain, and a leader at both the South Shore and the NW Angle.