U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar met with Minnesota farmers and agriculture leaders to discuss rising fertilizer costs and the growing pressure on producers. Klobuchar says tariffs, global conflict tied to the war with Iran, and market consolidation have created what she called a “perfect storm” of higher input costs and lower crop prices.

She’s promoting two bipartisan bills: the Fertilizer Transparency Act, which would require mandatory price reporting to improve market transparency, and the Homegrown Fertilizer Act, designed to expand domestic fertilizer production and storage. The Minnesota Corn Growers Association says fertilizer prices have jumped sharply in the past year, cutting into already thin margins, and Klobuchar says the proposals aim to stabilize prices and strengthen U.S. supply chains.

By Mani Souphom – R & J Broadcasting, Inc. | Tuesday, April 7, 2026

ROSEAU, Minn. – Roseau residents could see a lake return for the first time in more than a century. Mayor Dan Fabian travels to St. Paul this week with unanimous support from the Roseau City Council to testify before the Minnesota Legislature alongside the Roseau River Watershed Management Board in support of the Roseau Lake Rehabilitation Project.

On March 17, 2026, DFL Sen. Foung Hawj of Phalen, a suburb of St. Paul and chair of the Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy Committee, led a motion to pause funding for the project. The measure received bipartisan support, including backing from Republican Sen. Steve Green of Fosston, who cited concerns for nearby landowners.

Mayor Fabian expressed disappointment at the committee’s decision, recalling the outpouring of community support and years of dedication following the city of Roseau’s catastrophic 2002 flooding. Fabian stated that restoring the lake is a key component in protecting the area and its residents:

Fabian shared that he hopes his testimony in St. Paul, alongside the watershed board, will highlight the years of community support and dedication to the project, as well as the careful research and planning behind it. Engineers have conducted peer-reviewed studies confirming the project’s benefits for flood mitigation, wildlife habitat, and public recreation:

Historically, the Roseau Lake supported fish, waterfowl, and other wildlife while serving as a public recreation area. An 1847 report from the Hudson’s Bay Company described a marshy area nearly 10 miles long leading to the river channel. In 1914 local landowners drained it to create farmland, but persistent flooding made the land impossible to use. The effort eliminated the lake’s natural flood protection and wildlife habitat for more than 100 years, providing little to no lasting agricultural benefit.

The Roseau Lake Rehabilitation Project began in 2014 and has reached roughly 75% completion, with more than $10 million spent. The project has faced ongoing opposition, primarily from the Minnesota Coalition of Landowners. Without further funding, the project could be in jeopardy.

Funding for the project must still clear legislative deadlines this session. Committees must act favorably on major appropriation and finance bills by Friday, April 17 at 5 p.m., or the project risks being dropped from the budget for the year.

Members of the public who want to learn more about the Roseau Lake Rehabilitation Project can visit the Roseau River Watershed Management Board’s website. Residents with questions or opinions are encouraged to contact their state senators and representatives before the April 17 deadline.

KQ92 will continue to follow and provide updates on this story.

Minnesota Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach of Minnesota’s Seventh Congressional District is encouraging local high school students to take part in this year’s Congressional Art Competition.

The annual, nonpartisan contest gives young artists from across western Minnesota a chance to showcase their creativity and hard work.

Winning artwork will be displayed in district offices in Moorhead and Willmar, as well as in Washington, D.C. The first-place winner will receive a special honor—their piece will be showcased in the U.S. Capitol, where it will be viewed by members of Congress, staff, and visitors from around the world.

The deadline to submit entries is 5 p.m. Central Time on Monday, April 20th, 2026. For more information on how to participate, students can visit the congresswoman’s official website.

$90,000 is available for artists in Northern Minnesota who need immediate assistance or care, and have until May 3rd to apply for this emergency funding.

The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council (ARAC) received the funds to distribute through the Artist Emergency Relief Fund Network. Grants and Operations Coordinator Toni St. Godard says this funding is not quite as competitive and is easier to access than many traditional grants that often come with strict requirements.

The program provides grants of $500 or $1,000 to artists who have faced personal emergencies related to healthcare, housing, equipment, or legal issues since January 1, 2025.

Applications are open now through May 3rd on the ARAC website, a-r-a-council.org.

The City of Warroad is inviting residents and businesses to take part in the 22nd annual city-wide clean-up later this month. The free disposal event gives the community a chance to get rid of unwanted items like appliances, electronics and furniture. Collection runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 20th through the 23rd, and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 24th at the City Shop on Alma Avenue Southeast. Participants must bring a current city utility bill for proof of residency. Building materials, household chemicals and light bulbs will not be accepted. Residents must haul items to the site or arrange pickup through Trashmasters.

For more information, visit the City of Warroad website or the Warroad Municipal Utilities Facebook page.

The Roseau County Sheriff’s Office says an independent investigation has cleared D.A.R.E. Officer Logan Bender of any wrongdoing. 

The probe, conducted in conjunction with the Roseau County Attorney’s Office and outside investigators, examined allegations that Bender had improperly communicated with minors via social media.

Officials say the investigation found no criminal activity or policy violations. Sheriff Steven Gust says Bender voluntarily cooperated and that the matter is now closed.

By: Graham Scher | R&J Broadcasting Inc.

Warroad, Minn — As the season heads into Week 6, the Warroad F.R.E.D. robotics team is entering crunch time.

After weeks of designing, building, and refining, the team is now preparing to hit the road for their Week 6 competition in St. Cloud next week to put their robot to the test against some of the top teams in the region. Warroad Senior and F.R.E.D Team President Patrick Bane told us about their robot this year and how he would like to do, comparing it to the team’s 2023 win in the Great Northern Regional.

Junior designer and lead fabricator Everett Peterson told us some things they’ve done recently to their robot since their last competition and how the impact team has helped them advance.

We also caught up with F.R.E.D instructor Jeremy Culleton, who told us more about the IMPACT side of robotics and how it can help you get to State or even Worlds.

The Warroad F.R.E.D. robotics team will travel to St. Cloud next week, hoping their hard work pays off as they close out another season of competition.