Grygla Public Schools has filed an election notice for three board seats in northern Minnesota’s Independent School District 447. The filing period runs July 14th through July 28th at 5 p.m., with the general election set for November 3rd. 

Candidates must be at least 21, district residents for 30 days, and pay a two-dollar filing fee. Winners will serve four-year terms. Affidavits of Candidacy are available from the School District Clerk at 114 Fiddland Avenue in Grygla.

Six months after launch, Minnesota’s Paid Leave program has approved benefits for 75,000 residents, paying out nearly 600 million dollars. The program, signed into law by Governor Walz in 2023, provides paid time off and job protection for workers bonding with a child, addressing their own health needs, or caring for family members. 

DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek says the program is operating smoothly and delivering on its promise. The average weekly benefit is one thousand eighty-three dollars. Officials say participants are broadly representative of the state’s workforce. More information is available at the Minnesota Paid Leave website.

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

ROSEAU, Minn. — A quarter-century vision is finally becoming a reality as construction on the new Roseau River pedestrian bridge enters its final week, with city officials announcing a July 8 ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the project’s completion.

The highly anticipated $1.6 million project, which is 99% complete according to Monday’s City Council meeting, establishes a critical walking and cycling link for the north side of the city, transforming local recreation and daily commuting. The ceremony is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. this Wednesday, with Community Development Coordinator Todd Peterson describing it as a “special event” requiring special notice.

Though not yet officially open, the bridge has already seen some unauthorized use. “Golf carts are already going over pedestrian bridge,” Peterson noted, while reminding residents that the structure is intended as a “non-motorized vehicle bridge.”

The roots of this project trace back to a 1999 State Transportation planning study, where community stakeholders identified an urgent need for a dedicated, non-motorized trail network. Decades ago, a pedestrian bridge crossed the Roseau Dam at this exact location, but it was low, disrupted river flow, and suffered frequent flood damage. The city spent the next 25 years building permanent flood protections to ensure a new bridge structure could be safely constructed at this location.

Funding for the $1.6 million structure was successfully secured through four separate State and Federal grants following the city’s initial application in 2020. Due to funding constraints, the city split the project into two distinct phases.

The upcoming July opening marks the completion of Phase One, which delivers the main bridge structure alongside new non-motorized trail connections to Main Avenue North and 3rd Avenue Northeast. Phase Two, scheduled for completion within the next two to three years, will extend the path directly to 4th Avenue Northeast and the Roseau Community School Campus. This final phase will also introduce specialized trail lighting to ensure maximum safety for evening commuters, students, and families.

The Special Olympics were held last week in the Twin Cities, and Fosston Native Brad Goss has returned home with some hardware after receiving a gold medal for winning their bracket. Goss spoke with R&J News and said that it felt really good to take home the gold, as they actually lost early in the tournament but rebounded. 

Goss says being able to participate in a tournament of this caliber was a great experience.

Minnesota is moving forward with a new initiative to provide behavioral health services to people before they’re released from jail or prison. Pending federal approval, eligible inmates at eight pilot sites, including the Red Lake Detention Center in northwest Minnesota, could receive Medicaid-covered mental health, substance use, and chronic health care services during the 60 days before release beginning in 2028. 

State officials say the program aims to reduce overdose deaths, improve public safety, and help people successfully transition back into their communities. Minnesota plans to expand the program statewide after evaluating the pilot.

The Warroad Fourth of July Celebration is still looking for volunteers ahead of this week’s festivities. Organizers say 38 volunteer shifts remain open for July 3rd and 4th. Students needing community service hours, local groups, businesses, and individual volunteers are all encouraged to sign up. 

Opportunities include staffing the information booth and monitoring inflatables at The Point, with a variety of shifts available. Some volunteer positions may also include paid opportunities, with details listed on the registration form. For more information or to sign up, visit the This is Warroad Facebook page.

By Jon Michael Grussing – R & J Broadcasting, Inc. | July 1, 2026

Families in Warroad will soon have a new place where children of all abilities can play together. Construction of a new all-inclusive playground is expected to be completed in August 2026, creating an accessible recreational space designed for children with and without disabilities. The playground will feature equipment and amenities that allow children of varying physical, sensory and developmental abilities to play side by side in a safe welcoming environment. Brita Comstock of All-In Warroad was on “Community Conversation” recently and talked about how the project came together

She also talked about similar playgrounds that organizers looked at.

Comstock says that there will be an opportunity for the community to get involved.

Once complete, the playground will become one of the area’s newest family attractions offering an accessible destination for residents and visitors alike as Warroad continues to invest in community amentities.

By: Graham Scher | R&J Broadcasting Inc.

LAKE OF THE WOODS, Minn — A new memoir rooted in the history of Lake of the Woods will be the focus of two upcoming community events in Warroad and Roseau. Author Jill D. Swenson will visit the area to discuss The Land of Everlasting Sky: A Memoir of Loss and Legacy on Lake of the Woods, a book that explores the region’s history through the story of the Ojibway medicine man known as “Everlasting Sky.” 

Joining her for both events will be Don Kakaygeesick, Everlasting Sky’s great-grandson, offering a unique local and family perspective on the story. The first conversation takes place Wednesday, July 9th at 6:30 p.m. at the Warroad Public Library, followed by a second event Monday, July 13th at 11 a.m. at the Roseau County Museum. 

Both programs are free and open to the public. Swenson, a Wisconsin author and former journalism professor, has spent years researching the history and legacy of the Lake of the Woods region. She’ll also lead a Swedish wheat weaving workshop at the Warroad Folk School on July 14th.

By: Graham Scher | R&J Broadcasting Inc.

CROOKSTON, Minn — University of Minnesota Extension is offering a hands-on farm equipment safety program next month aimed at helping new and inexperienced machinery operators build confidence behind the wheel.

The Drive & Thrive workshop will be held July 27 at the Northwest Research and Outreach Center in Crookston, with a second session on July 28 possible if enough people register.

Participants will receive one-on-one instruction operating a tractor with an implement and a pickup truck with a trailer. The training also covers safely hooking up equipment, backing trailers and implements, tractor controls, hazard awareness, basic maintenance, and practical farm safety skills. Group sessions will also include farm risk management and first aid basics.

The workshop is open to adults 18 and older, regardless of experience level. Registration is limited, and the cost is $35, which includes a meal.