Fall colors are a must see this time of year in Minnesota, and Itasca State Park is one of the best locations in the state to witness these fall colors. Itasca Lead Naturalist Connie Cox gives us a fall color forecast, as some trees have begun to change for fall.
Cox also gives her best guess on how the next couple weeks will look like.
Cox reminds visitors that one tool that can make planning your trip to Itasca, or any other state park in Minnesota easier is the DNR’s Fall Color Finder.
Again, for more information on fall colors in Minnesota, or to take advantage of the Fall Color Finder, go to www.dnr.state.mn.us/fall_colors.
Minnesota’s fall turkey hunting season offers hunters a new challenge and another way to enjoy the outdoors. The season runs from Saturday, October 4, through Sunday, November 2.
Hunters may take one turkey of either sex during the season and can use a crossbow, bow, or shotgun while afield. Fall turkey licenses are available online at the Minnesota DNR website, by phone at 888-665-4236, or in person wherever DNR licenses are sold.
Additional information about fall turkey hunting, including tips and regulations, is available on the Minnesota DNR website, along with a recorded DNR outdoor skills webinar.
A motorcycle accident Monday afternoon in Perham has left a 65-year-old Detroit Lakes man dead.
The Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office says the man was heading west on Fort Thunder Road at around 2:45 p.m. Monday, Sep 29th, when he failed to stop at the intersection and struck a pickup as it was travelling on County Highway 125.
Life saving measures were administered by the person who reported the crash and by responders, but the motorcyclist was ultimately pronounced deceased. The 33-year-old Pelican Rapids man driving the pickup was not injured.
The Sheriff’s Office, Perham Ambulance, and Perham Fire Department responded to the scene.
The State Patrol is assisting with the investigation. The identities of both drivers are being withheld pending notification of family.
As fall hunting, fishing, and off-highway vehicle riding pick up across Minnesota, the Department of Natural Resources is reminding everyone to keep safety top of mind.
That means wearing a life jacket in a duck boat, taking care with every step in and out of a tree stand, practicing safe firearms handling, and wearing helmets and seatbelts when riding ATVs or other off-highway vehicles.
“These next couple months are the highlight of the year for many people,” said Col. Rodmen Smith of the DNR Enforcement Division. “But no trip is a success if it doesn’t end safely.”
So far this year, Minnesota has recorded zero hunting-related firearms fatalities, five boating deaths, on pace for a historic low, and 16 OHV-related fatalities, a drop from last year’s record 30 but still higher than some years past.
The DNR offers these reminders: Hunters should always handle firearms safely, wear blaze orange or pink, and use safety harnesses in tree stands. Anglers and waterfowl hunters should wear foam-filled life jackets, follow boat weight limits, and watch the weather. Off-highway vehicle riders should wear DOT-approved helmets, use seatbelts if equipped, stick to designated trails, and ride at safe speeds.
Even those not hunting should wear blaze clothing when using public lands, and dog owners should keep a close eye out during trapping season.
By Mani Souphom – R & J Broadcasting | September 30, 2025
WARROAD, Minn. – Warroad Public Schools has updated its attendance guidelines as the new school year gets underway. The district says missing just two days per month adds up to chronic absenteeism, which can impact academic performance, friendships, and even graduation rates.
Under the policy, excused absences include medical appointments with a provider’s note, school activities, religious observances, family emergencies, and pre-approved family vacations. Unexcused absences cover reasons such as oversleeping, transportation issues, personal errands, or absences not reported to the school.
The district has also clarified rules around illness. Parents may excuse up to three consecutive days, or a total of 10 days in a school year. Beyond that, a health care provider’s note will be required for the absence to be counted as excused.
School officials emphasize that consistent attendance supports both learning and student well-being. More information is available in the Warroad Schools handbook and on the district’s website.
September 30 is the Day of Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day. It is a time to reflect on the impacts of residential and boarding school systems, honor survivors, and commit to healing.
Although the day began in Canada, it holds significance in northern Minnesota, where tribal nations continue to address the lasting effects of displacement, forced assimilation, and cultural loss. The orange shirt has become a symbol of what was taken from Indigenous children and a reminder that every child matters.
Across the region, communities are observing the day with ceremonies, educational events, art projects, and the wearing of orange to show solidarity. Schools and local organizations are creating spaces to learn about history, acknowledge injustice, and support cultural recovery.
The Day of Truth and Reconciliation is not only about remembrance, but also about building a stronger future. It encourages action year-round—such as supporting tribal-led education, preserving Indigenous languages, and ensuring these histories are never forgotten.
For northern Minnesota, September 30 is both a moment of reflection and a call to walk together toward healing and understanding.
President Trump is acknowledging that farmers are going to be hurt by his tariffs for a little while on key trade partners like China. Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Tom Petersen says the president offered to give some tariff revenue to struggling farmers:
Petersen says Minnesota farmers want to know how a long “a while” is because they’re already hurting from losing China as their top export market.
Minnesota-based retailer Target is introducing a new self-checkout system designed to enhance accessibility for guests with disabilities. The company announced the nationwide rollout of what it calls a first-of-its-kind accessible self-checkout experience.
This innovative system is tailored to support guests who are blind or have low vision, as well as those with motor disabilities. It integrates seamlessly with Target’s existing self-checkout infrastructure. It includes a range of inclusive features, such as Braille labels, high-contrast button icons, a headphone jack with adjustable volume, a custom tactile controller, physical navigation buttons, and a dedicated information key.
Target says the new system reflects its ongoing commitment to creating a more inclusive shopping experience for all guests.
Minnesota health officials are launching “Be Cannabis Aware,” a new campaign aimed at educating young people under the age of 25 and their supporters about the risks of cannabis use, using clear, science-backed facts without judgment. Heidi Glesmann of the state Department of Health, explains the campaign’s objectives.
The new campaign website, BeCannabisAware.org, serves as a central resource for communities, educators, and families. It features downloadable materials for peer-to-peer conversations covering cannabis facts and dangers, coping strategies, navigating peer pressure, and support resources.
The campaign comes as recreational cannabis is now legal in Minnesota for adults 21 and older. State lawmakers directed health officials to focus on youth education, highlighting the potential harms cannabis can have on brain development, mental health, memory, decision-making, and driving.
Health Commissioner Dr. Brooke Cunningham says the goal is to provide accurate, science-based information without judgment, so families and communities can have open conversations. The campaign avoids scare tactics and instead encourages honest dialogue.
The new website, BeCannabisAware.org, offers fact sheets, videos, peer-to-peer conversation tools, and resources for parents, teachers, coaches, and mentors. Campaign materials will also appear on TikTok, Instagram, billboards, schools, and community events, aiming to meet youth where they are.
Focus groups with Minnesota youth helped shape the campaign, stressing the importance of relatable messaging, especially around stress and mental health.
Key messages include that cannabis remains illegal for anyone under 21, THC impacts brain development into a person’s 20s, regular use can cause dependence and withdrawal, and cannabis impairs judgment, mental health, and driving safety.
The Health Department says this campaign is part of a larger two-year project to learn how communities across Minnesota respond to cannabis messaging and to strengthen prevention efforts statewide.
The federal tax cuts are sending shockwaves through Minnesota farm fields. When Minnesota sure rates come out this week, more Minnesotans are expected to see rising costs in their premiums. Cindy VanDerpole is a breast cancer survivor and farmer, and says her previous health plans saved her and her family.
VanDerpole says the new cuts will be devastating for her family and other farmers across the state.
MN sure says if the enhanced tax credits do expire at the end of the year, 62 percent of their enrollees will see their costs go up in 2026.
