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.

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.

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.