Rainy River’s Winter Carnival begins this weekend, and runs Feb. 6 through Feb. 8, with three days of family-friendly winter events across the community. Friday includes public skating, a parent-versus-kids hockey game, and a meat draw with karaoke. Saturday features a pancake breakfast, family curling bonspiel, chili cookoff, and cornhole tournament. Sunday wraps with the Rick Bourre Memorial Ice Fishing Derby, winter games, and awards. Events take place at the Rainy River Rec and Legion Branch Fifty-Four. For full details, visit Rainy River Rec Page on Facebook.
The Grygla Chargers Robotics and Drones team 4149 wrapped up their season this week with a competition in Newfolden. The event followed last Friday’s Red River Valley Robotics Tournament, where the Chargers finished 38th out of 57 teams.
The Newfolden competition was a much smaller field, with just eight teams taking part. Grygla entered two teams into the final drone competition of the season, the Iron Skin and the Iron Wings. Both advanced through their 6 qualification matches, with the Iron Wings being eliminated in the semi-finals and the Iron Skin being eliminated in the finals.
To cap off the season, the Chargers’ 4149F Iron Wings team earned the Airmanship Award, for their outstanding skill, control, and professionalism while flying.
For a robotics and drone team like the Chargers, the award highlights technical ability and disciplined piloting for the Charger team.
Minnesota Speaker of the House Lisa Demuth brought her campaign for Governor to Crookston on Monday. The Republican spoke to supporters for about an hour about changes that need to happen in the state. Demuth tells R&J News how things would be different under her leadership as Governor, as opposed to current Governor Tim Walz.
She also talked about education and falling test scores in Minnesota.
Demuth also campaigned Monday in Moorhead and Bemidji. Early reports from DFL officials indicate strong turnout at Democratic-Farmer-Labor caucuses statewide, with party leaders estimating about 30,000 in-person attendees. Minnesota Republicans also held caucuses, though the GOP has not released a statewide attendance total. If GOP candidate Lisa Demuth secures the party endorsement, she would face incumbent U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, with no other DFL candidates currently in the race. KQ92 and KRWB will continue to follow and provide election coverage.
NORTHWEST MINNESOTA – As spring approaches, sucker fishing remains a popular tradition across Roseau and Lake of the Woods counties, drawing both recreational and commercial anglers to the region’s rivers and lakes. Now, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is proposing updates to its management of native rough fish (including the Catostomidae, or sucker family) that could change how and how much these fish are harvested.
The proposed rules would clarify distinctions between native rough fish and common carp, remove outdated restrictions on blocking fish migration, and set daily and possession limits for several species. Under the plan, anglers would be limited to 30 suckers and redhorse per day, while other species such as bowfin, freshwater drum, and carpsuckers would also face new caps.
“There is much we don’t know about native rough fish populations, but what we’re seeing is increased levels of angling and bowfishing interest and some evidence of population declines,” said Shannon Fisher, DNR fisheries populations monitoring and regulations manager.. “The proposed limits for these fish are intended to prevent overharvest and help ensure population viability and sustainability for future generations.”
The rules also address methods of harvest. Native rough fish and carp caught by angling or dip netting could still be returned to the water, while fish taken by spear, harpoon, or bow would not be allowed to be released. For commercial fishermen, the changes remove bowfin from the list of commercial species and adjust possession rules for several other rough fish.
The DNR is accepting public comments on the proposed changes through Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Written comments can be emailed to fisheries.rulemaking.comments.dnr@state.mn.us, with “Native Rough Fish Management” or “Native Rough Fish Limits” in the subject line depending on which rule is being addressed.
More information and proposed rule documents are available online at the Minnesota DNR’s Native Rough Fish Limits page. Residents can also request a public hearing if at least 50 valid requests are submitted.
By Mani Souphom – R & J Broadcasting, Inc. | Tuesday, February 3, 2026
ROSEAU, Minn. – The Roseau City Council voted unanimously Monday Feb. 3 during their regular meeting to terminate the city’s contract with Equity Builders on the Memorial Arena roof project, after determining the contractor was in breach of contract and unable to continue work.
City officials said Equity Builders notified the city it could not perform under the contract due to financial and compliance issues, including failure to pay subcontractors and lapses in required insurance and licensing. City Attorney Michelle Moran said the city received confirmation Jan. 30 that the contractor’s insurance had been canceled, prompting the city to issue a cease-and-desist order.
Moran told council members the contractor was in substantial default and legally prohibited from continuing work. She advised against a proposal to reassign the project to another roofing company tied to similar ownership, citing increased liability and legal risk to the city. “I’ve never seen anything quite like this,” Moran said during the meeting.
The city has withheld $100,000 in payment under the contract and has not paid more than the amount covered by the performance bond. City officials confirmed at least one subcontractor has filed a claim against the payment bond. Because the project involves a public facility, the law does not allow subcontractors to place a lien on the building.
City Development Coordinator Todd Peterson told council members the city has not received a finalized roof warranty from Equity Builders and has no record that required fees related to the roofing system were paid. The project was expected to include a one-year construction warranty, followed by a longer-term manufacturer’s warranty, pending inspection.
Concerns were also raised regarding the status of an inspection conducted in November 2025 by the manufacturer, Mule-Hide. City officials said a formal inspection report has not been provided to the city and may have been sent only to the contractor.
Todd Peterson said the city is now moving forward with a claim on the project’s performance bond, which is intended to cover the cost of completing the roof and addressing all contract requirements:
Council members expressed concern about whether the manufacturer’s warranty can still be secured and what steps would be required to obtain it. Peterson said the city is working to determine what documentation or corrective work may be needed to satisfy warranty requirements:
Peterson said the performance bond will leave the city whole and cover all obligations under the contract, including warranties. The council approved a resolution authorizing staff to formally sever ties with Equity Builders, pursue the performance bond and investigate how the project reached its current state.
The bonding company on the project is Old Republic, with Kraus-Anderson listed as the liability holder. City officials said they will continue to provide updates as the process moves forward. KQ92 and KRWB will continue to follow Roseau City Council meetings and updates.
Roseau’s Winterfest took place this past week in Roseau County and School Superintendent Tom Jerome shared his story of the coolest event that he experienced over the weekend.
Jerome also talked about why the kids involved had a great time with the basketball game.
That was Roseau School Superintendent Tom Jerome, as we continue to follow Roseau school news.
The Lake of the Woods Knowledge Bowl team participated in the all-school competition last week in Thief River Falls. The Bears team consists of Will Castle, Will Tange, Jacob Sopkowiak, and Vincent Quo. The gentlemen fluctuated between 7th and 13th place most of the day, and ended up finishing in 11th place for the competition.
Castle was asked what he enjoys most about being a part of the team and he said, “we are able to have fun while still performing and do well at the meets.”
Tange is confident that the team will place in the top ten at each meet for the remainder of the season.
The team now has a week off from meets, but will be preparing for their next meet in Bemidji where they will be competing against some new teams. The Knowledge Bowl senior high team is coached by Liz Tange.
New federal data shows Minnesota’s Medicaid program has a significantly lower improper payment rate than the national average.
A review by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services found Minnesota’s error rate at just over 2.1% compared to a national average of 6.1%.
State officials say the data was compiled before the Department of Human Services rolled out new anti-fraud measures last year, including audits of high-risk services and tighter oversight of providers.
Temporary Human Services Commissioner Shireen Gandhi says no level of error is acceptable, but the review shows Minnesota has strong internal controls that continue to improve.
The report comes as federal officials consider withholding up to $2 billion a year in Medicaid program integrity funding.
More information is available on the Minnesota Department of Human Services website.
Minnesota exports declined in the third quarter of 2025, with the impact falling heavily on northern Minnesota.
The Department of Employment and Economic Development reports exports of agricultural, mining, and manufactured goods totaled 5.7 billion dollars — down 14% from a year ago.
Much of the decline came from sharply lower mineral fuel and oil sales to Canada, Minnesota’s largest trading partner and a critical market for northern Minnesota’s mining, refining, and transportation sectors.
Machinery and vehicle exports — both tied to regional manufacturing jobs — also fell, while exports to Mexico and China dropped by more than twenty percent each.
State officials say tariffs and trade uncertainty continue to weigh on export-dependent regions.
More information is available on DEED’s website in the Export and Trade Statistics section.
By: Graham Scher – R&J Broadcasting Inc. February 2nd, 2026
Baudette, Minn – Mental health continues to be a tough obstacle that millions in our world today deal with in their own way. Lake of the Woods School provides some awareness about the importance of mental health and Brian Sather of Lake of the Woods school tells us about their annual Stick-it-to-Stigma hockey game that is all about mental health awareness.
Sather also talked about how important it is to students to have such a night focusing on a great cause.
Again, the annual Stick-it-to-Stigma mental health awareness hockey game is coming up February 12th at Lake of the Woods High School in Baudette.
