The Minnesota Department of Human Services has launched a new fact-check webpage to combat misinformation about Medicaid fraud. Officials say false claims can undermine public trust and threaten access to care for vulnerable residents. Medicaid, also known as Medical Assistance, provides health coverage to more than 1.2 million Minnesotans. The new fact-check page is available through the state’s Medicaid program integrity website at mn.gov/dhs.

Warroad Riverplace has several concerts coming up over the next couple months hosted by the Northern Lights Concert Association and is set to host their second concert series at Warroad Riverplace, coming up Thursday February 19th at 7:30pm.

Headlining the show next week is acclaimed vocal duo Aria Nouveau.

Mitchell Johnson, President of the Northern Lights Concert Association, told us the concert series at Warroad Riverplace will continue to grow.

Johnson also told us how they find their artists and performers to headline shows.

Tickets are required for the concert, and those are $45 for the entire season, including upcoming shows The She Gees and The Suits.

Before the concert, you can enjoy a free artist reception from 5 to 7pm. No tickets required to attend the artist reception before the concert begins. 

Enjoy light refreshments, meet artist Nikki Besser, and experience her large-scale paper quilling artwork.You can get tickets on northernlightsconcerts.com and check out the event at warroadriverplace.org.

Local award-winning tattoo artist and Golden Dragon Tattoo Shop owner Somsak “Noy” Bounvongxay was detained by ICE officers Monday, Feb. 9 at his Fargo business. Bounvongxay was brought to the United States by his parents as a child, and later built a home and family in Warroad, where he remains closely connected to the community.

He now faces deportation to Laos while his legal status remains pending. His family says they filed a spousal petition five years ago that is still under review. Known for his charity tattoo drives and community involvement, supporters describe him as generous and deeply committed to both his craft and community. Bounvongxay’s detainment has sparked an outpouring of support, and his family has launched a GoFundMe to help cover legal, medical and living expenses.

The U.S. Senate is expected to vote on legislation this week that would lift the ban on copper mining in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. It’s already passed the House. Save the Boundary Waters Executive Director Ingrid Lyons says copper mining would be toxic and destroy the habitat and wildlife of the Boundary Waters.

Lyons says if it passes, things could move quickly.

The Senate only needs a simple majority to pass the legislation. Republican Congressman Pete Stauber is pushing for mining saying it would provide jobs and an economic boost to northern Minnesota. Lyons says if it happens, the impact on the Boundary Waters will be devastating.

Minnesota is advancing efforts to strengthen Medicaid anti-fraud systems. The Department of Human Services, working with Optum, has completed the first phase of a one-year project to develop an automated pre-payment review system for Medicaid claims. Over the past 90 days, Optum reviewed nearly four years of claims in 14 high-risk service areas, flagging items that need additional review before payment.

Officials say the work is not a measure of fraud but identifies areas where policy clarification or provider training may be needed. Over the next nine months, the state will refine the system to reduce fraud risk, improve efficiency, and investigate suspicious activity when necessary.

For more information on Minnesota’s Medicaid program integrity efforts, visit the state’s Medicaid program integrity webpage.

By Mani Souphom – R & J Broadcasting, Inc. | Tuesday, February 10, 2026

WARROAD, MINN. – The Warroad City Council held its regular meeting Monday, Feb. 9, approving a $10,000 GIS aerial mapping update to improve how the city tracks utilities and plans for growth. The cost will be split among the street, water, electric, and sewer departments. Council members said the update, which hasn’t been completed since the Hampton development, will help the city maintain accurate data for newer areas and could last five to six years.

Mayor Tom Goldsmith emphasized the city’s focus on preventative maintenance to ensure the quality and reliability of city infrastructure for residents.

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Council members also discussed the condition of aging lift station pumps, noting that replacing four smaller pumps could cost nearly $80,000. Dan Trosen from the Utility Department said the city is borrowing pumps from other stations to maintain service and that a full replacement plan has not yet been finalized.

Goldsmith added that the updated GIS data will help guide future growth and development in Warroad.

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Other business included the resignation of Police Officer Connor Adams, who will leave for Elk River, with his final shift set for Feb. 13. The city will conduct an exit interview.

The council unanimously approved reappointments to the Warroad Housing Authority Board, which oversees Young Manor, and also approved several special events, including the Yeti-fest on March 14 and multiple bingo events at the Hampton Inn.

KQ92 and KRWB will continue to provide updates on Warroad City Council meetings and city developments.

The Badger School is celebrating a strong showing in FCCLA competition, with several students qualifying for the State Leadership Conference this March. Advancing to state are Emily Burkel, Adysen Gregerson, Avearah Hanson, Ava Warne, and Delyla Carpenter.

In total, 67 students competed for a chance to move on, with only those earning a score of 50 or higher advancing to the state level. The competition doesn’t stop there—top performers at state will have an even bigger opportunity ahead.

The top two competitors in each category will qualify for the FCCLA National Leadership Conference, set for July in Washington, D.C. Congratulations to all the Badger students who earned their place and best of luck at state.

This week at Warroad High School, students are turning up the winter spirit with Frosty Week. 

All week long, students and staff are celebrating school pride with themed dress-up days, fun competitions, and the Frosty Dance for all high school students caps everything off this Valentines Day. The dance is Saturday from 9pm until midnight and just 15 dollars for a ticket.

The school will only accept eligible guests to register in the school’s front office in order to attend.

Again, Frosty Week continues with a dodgeball game, USA day, and the Frosty Dance for all high schoolers this Saturday from 9pm to Midnight at the high school.

Communities in Lake of the Woods and Roseau counties, as well as across greater Minnesota, are invited to apply for Child Care Economic Development Grants through the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).

A total of $1.425 million is available to help expand quality child care, support new providers, improve facilities, increase training, and address local shortages of child care services. Local governments and nonprofits may request up to $300,000. Applications are due by 4 p.m. Central Time on March 17, 2026.

The grants can be used for child care business startups or expansions, facility modifications, training, direct subsidies or incentives to retain employees, licensing improvements, and other regulatory requirements. Priority will be given to communities with documented shortages of child care providers, including rural areas, low-income communities, and populations such as Black, Indigenous and people of color individuals, persons with disabilities, veterans, and women. At least 50% of funds will be awarded to communities outside the seven-county metropolitan area.

DEED will host a virtual information session for prospective applicants on Wednesday, February 19, at 2:30 p.m. Central Time.

For more information, to view the request for proposals, and to register for the information session, visit the DEED Competitive Grants and Contracts page. Questions can be submitted by email to CCED.DEED@state.mn.us, or by phone at 651-259-7161.DEED is Minnesota’s principal economic development agency, supporting business growth, workforce development, international trade, and community development. Learn more at the DEED website or CareerForce.mn.gov.

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, the Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidate for governor, has been named Legislator of the Year by the Major County Sheriffs of America for her work on public safety legislation. Among the measures cited is the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act, now signed into law, which expands the federal Public Safety Officer Benefits program so that firefighters and other first responders who die or become permanently disabled from service-related cancers are eligible for survivor and disability benefits previously unavailable under federal law.

Klobuchar has also championed efforts to modernize the nation’s emergency communications systems, including backing grant support and upgrades for Next Generation 9-1-1 infrastructure — an interoperable, internet-protocol based system intended to allow emergency call centers to receive not just calls but texts, photos and video during emergencies, increasing resilience and response capabilities nationwide.

Her campaign says the recognition reflects a long record of bipartisan work on behalf of first responders, public safety and community support.

On the Republican side, Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth has emerged as a leading GOP contender for governor, topping early straw polls and campaigning on issues such as fraud prevention and law enforcement partnerships. She has pledged to seek and abide by her party’s endorsement ahead of the state convention later this as she builds her campaign to challenge Klobuchar in the general election.