A string of gray wolf sightings in northern Minnesota is reigniting debate over whether the species should remain federally protected.

Republican Congressman Pete Stauber for District 8 including Lake of the Woods County is urging federal officials to remove the gray wolf from the Endangered Species List, arguing states need more authority to manage growing populations.

Minnesota wildlife officials estimate about 2,700 gray wolves currently roam the state. Residents have reported at least three wolf sightings in northern Minnesota this month alone.

However, the Voyageurs National Park Wolf Project estimates a 20-percent drop in the wolf population due to a mild winter and fewer deer in northern Minnesota.

The flu season is off to slow start in Minnesota this year. The state Health Department is recommending Minnesotans get the flu vaccine before the holidays. The Department of Health’s Jeff Sanders is the state influenza surveillance coordinator and he says the flu shot can prevent serious illness

State health officials are reporting 19 flu-related hospitalizations so far this season. Sanders noted that there were around eight thousand hospitalizations last flu season in Minnesota.

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry recovered over 163-thousand dollars for agricultural workers after violations by a Moorhead-based company.

Officials say the settlement with R.D. Offutt Company Farms, which operates potato farms, includes over 82-thousand dollars for earned sick and safe time. All recovered funds will go to workers.

The company also faces 80 thousand in penalties for failing to provide written employment statements to migrant workers.

An investigation revealed that workers were unable to access their ESST benefits during the audit period, which spanned from January 1st to December 31st, 2024.