By Mani Souphom – R & J Broadcasting, Inc. | Thursday, July 16, 2026

WARROAD, Minn. — At Monday night’s city council meeting, Warroad’s council unanimously authorized a signature on a lease agreement in the city’s lagoon area for a solar farm project. Mayor Tom Goldsmith shared more details on the agreement, and what it would entail:

Goldsmith expressed excitement for the opportunity being provided to the city, and talked about the timeline:

City Attorney Steve Anderson addressed the council regarding the legal protections built into the agreement. He explained that the developer would be required to procure a restoration bond to insure the restoration of the project site once the lease concludes. “It’s as good as having something in escrow,” Anderson noted. While some jurisdictions require county bonds for similar projects, he clarified that such requirements are not applicable in Warroad’s case.

While the exact megawatt capacity has not been fully finalized, similar utility-scale installations of this size generally generate tens of megawatts of clean energy. The developer has targeted a potential construction start date around 2028.

The Highway 11 reconstruction project between Roseau and Warroad has entered another major phase. The Minnesota Department of Transportation says Stage 4 is now underway on the west end of the project, with motorists now using the Stage 4 detour while crews begin milling operations in that area.

Construction has wrapped up on the east end, where paving operations are now complete. Crews have shifted their focus to milling operations now underway on the west side of the project. The overall project remains on schedule and is still expected to be finished in late September, weather permitting. 

MnDOT is reminding drivers to slow down, stay alert for workers and construction equipment, and follow all traffic control signs through the work zone. They’re also encouraging everyone to continue supporting businesses along the Highway 11 corridor by checking ahead for the best way to access them during construction.

Minnesota is extending a pause on enrolling new Medicaid providers in 12 high-risk services for at least another six months. The freeze began January 30th as the Department of Human Services revalidates nearly 5,600 existing providers. The revalidation is part of a corrective action plan required by federal officials to avoid losing over two billion dollars in Medicaid funding. 

Providers must document ownership, employees and business locations, then undergo unannounced on-site inspections. For more information, contact the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

By Graham Scher – R&J Broadcasting, Inc. | Wednesday, July 15, 2026

BAUDETTE, Minn — The Baudette City Council met in regular session Monday at the Government Center in Baudette, with much of the discussion focusing on the community’s splash pad project. As they move toward construction, some decisions still remain to be made. While some decisions still remain, city officials say they’re committed to getting the splash pad project underway before the end of this year. Councilwoman Liz Weigel says the council addressed several important items during Monday night’s meeting before turning its attention to the splash pad project.

As the project moves forward, Weigel says there will be a firm timeline to keep construction on track, with a hard deadline the city expects contractors to meet.

And once the splash pad is complete, Weigel says it will become a popular gathering place for local families and visitors alike, adding that she expects the community to fully embrace the new attraction and enjoy it for years to come.

View the full story at kq92.com.

By Mani Souphom – R & J Broadcasting, Inc. | Wednesday, July 15, 2026

WARROAD, Minn. — The new marina in Warroad, is nearing completion. City officials say all grading is finished, black dirt is in place and ready for seeding, and crews are striping the parking lot. A-Plus Concrete is finishing cement work for docks and ramps, with final completion inspection set for this week. 

While the project is wrapping up, boring for electrical work on docks and lighting still needs to be done, pushing full completion to late August. Warroad Mayor Tom Goldsmith shared what a soft opening for the public might look like:

The city says they don’t plan to do much this summer, but may allow some curious visitors in by late September. Recent rain caused some setbacks, including sloughing on the hillside and soft paving on the access road, but all damage has since been repaired. KQ92 and KRWB will continue to follow this story and updates on the marina.

By Graham Scher – R&J Broadcasting, Inc. | Wednesday, July 15, 2026

BADGER, Minn. — Badger-Greenbush-Middle River High School is celebrating a pair of national accomplishments from the FCCLA National Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. 

BGMR students Swayze Wiskow and Sascha Melby both earned Top Ten Presenter honors while competing against some of the nation’s best FCCLA members.

BGMR’s FCCLA program brings home another national award after reaching the national stage. Gator Nation is congratulating all of the BGMR FCCLA team on their hard work, professionalism and outstanding performances throughout the national competition.

Minnesota Senators Aric Putnum (DFL-St Cloud) and Rob Kupec (DFL-Moorhead) are in the midst of a tour across Northwest Minnesota, and made a stop in Ada on Tuesday, to discuss their roles on the Senate Ag Committee, and goals for 2027. When it comes to concerns raised by their constituents across the state, Kupec and Putnum says the universal message has been affordability. 

While affordability is the universal message from voters, the pair says there are a number of other concerns facing voters, and those in the Minnesota ag sector. 

While there was some chaos in St Paul during the 2026 Legislative session, Kupec and Putnum said they were able to accomplish some things in the Senate Ag Committee that will help farmers in Northwest Minnesota. 

When looking ahead to 2027, Kupec and Putnum say that one thing they’re prioritizing is a property tax relief bill. 

You can listen to the full interview with Senators Aric Putnum and Rob Kupec online at rjbroadcasting.com.

Several artists from northwest Minnesota are among the newest graduates of the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council’s Teaching Artist Roster Program. Alyssa Aune of Gatzke, Beau Bakken and Caylie Nicholson of Hallock, and Samantha Harrill of Warroad are part of a group of 14 artists who recently completed the training. 

They join a growing roster of 23 artists who are now available to lead residencies and workshops in schools, festivals, and community organizations across the region. Existing roster members also include Roseau artists Janet Johnson and Aliza Novacek-Olson, along with Greenbush artist Jolene Juhl.

The program prepares artists to work with students and community groups through hands-on instruction in visual arts, performing arts, writing, and other creative disciplines. Schools and organizations can apply for grant funding through the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council to bring these trained artists into their communities.