In 2008, Lake of the Woods was placed on Minnesota’s impaired waters list after decades of pollution left the lake struggling with algae blooms and high phosphorus levels.

Back in 2010, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, or MPCA, launched major studies to understand the problem. Scientists examined sediment core samples from the lake bottom, measuring how much legacy phosphorus pollution had built up over generations. They also studied how easily that phosphorus could re-enter the water — where it acts like fertilizer for algae.

For much of the 20th century, sewage and industrial waste flowed into the lake from the Rainy River, severely degrading water quality. Even after those discharges stopped, phosphorus trapped in the sediment continued cycling back into the water.

Cary Hernandez, MPCA project manager, said “It’s trending in the right direction. To go from 39 down to 32 in about 10 years? That’s significant. That tells us the system is responding. The lake is slowly working through what’s there.”

Through wastewater upgrades, better land use practices, industrial reductions, and long-term regulatory efforts on both sides of the border, the Lake of the Woods is slowly responding and recovering.

By Graham Scher – R & J Broadcasting, Inc.

A busy Warroad School Board meeting last week held several big announcements for the upcoming school year including starting before Labor Day for the next 2 years. Superintendent Dr. Shawn Yates also told us about a recent grant Warroad schools approved from the Department of Commerce that will help their modern transportation system. Dr. Yates tells us more.

Yates was asked how the school will plan to utilize the electric school buses with their transportation plan.

Yates said Warroad Schools expect to have the 2 electric school buses ready to go by the end of next school year.

The Warroad School Board meeting provided more exciting school news. More on that coming up later this week in future newscasts here on KQ92 and KRWB. 

Michelle Fischbach of Minnesota District 7 updated as a cosponsor on the Save America Act. This legislation has passed the House floor for the second time and is now in the Senate. The SAVE America Act will require proof of citizenship to register to vote and require a valid photo ID to vote in federal elections. It will also force states to establish programs to identify and remove non-citizens from existing voter rolls. 

The support for voter identification is overwhelming: 84% of Americans support requiring photo ID to vote, and 83% support providing proof of citizenship when registering to vote for the first time. 

I also sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi asking for the Department of Justice (DOJ) to take action against Governor Walz and Secretary of State Steve Simon, as they have refused to hand over Minnesota’s voter rolls. The DOJ originally requested these records in early January to ensure the state is complying with federal laws, like the Civil Rights Act of 1960, which are designed to prevent illegal voting and fraud.