The Red River Watershed Management Board (RRWMB) recently received a funding request from the North Dakota Agricultural Weather Network, so that they could continue to expand their weather network offerings in the Red River Valley. RRWMB Director Rob Sip tells us more. 

Sip says a decision was not made at their last meeting, and that they will continue to have discussions with NDAWN. 

NDAWN consists of over 200 weather stations located across North Dakota, Minnesota, and other border regions.

By: Graham Scher | R&J Broadcasting Inc.

BAUDETTE, Minn — The Baudette City Council met in regular session last week and continued its work on the city’s 2027 budget. Council members are reviewing projected revenues and expenses while deciding how to fund city services and address other needs in the coming year. Nelson explains how the council reached its decision on the proposed levy percentage and what factors went into that discussion. 

A major part of the budget discussion is infrastructure, including the condition and maintenance of Baudette’s streets. Councilman Cole Nelson says the city is looking at the road and street work that needs to be done as part of its 2027 planning and an update on one other Baudette department project.

The 2027 budget remains part of the council’s ongoing work as members determine which projects and expenses can be included while keeping the city’s finances on track. The council will continue reviewing the budget before it is finalized.

Often after a storm or severe weather event, you often hear the term “powergrid” and how it was impacted, but what is it, and how does it work? During the Farm and Field Show, R&J Ag Reporter Nick Revier caught up with Minnkota CEO Matt McLennon who answered this question. 

While they’re always trying to find a way to expand the powergrid, and make that long term investment, McLennon says there’s always one concern that comes up. 

By: Graham Scher | R&J Broadcasting Inc.

SPRAGUE, Manitoba — The Ross L. Gray School in Sprague, Manitoba Canada has resumed classes for the 2026-2027 school year. Principal Jared Baines was on school news this week and outlined some of the early days at Ross L. Gray.

Principal Baines also talked about the upcoming Terry Fox Day at the school and that Ross L. Gray ranks quite high as far as raising funds for schools their size in the province of Manitoba.

Listen for the Ross L. Gray school news every Thursday morning at 8:35am on the KQ92/KRWB morning show.

The United States and Canada are currently in the midst of a trade war, and local producers are left wondering whether this ongoing feud will have lasting effects. Jacob Shapiro is a  Geopolitical analyst and he says that he can’t believe that we’ve gotten to a point where Canada and the US are feuding over trade. 

Shapiro also spoke on whether there could be a long term effect of trade between the two countries in a post Trump United States.

For more agricultural news and programming, go to the Farm News webpage at rjbroadcasting.com.

By: Graham Scher | R&J Broadcasting Inc.

BAUDETTE, Minn — The Baudette City Council met in regular session this week to continue work on the city’s 2027 budget plan. The city has spent the past year working through financial challenges and reviewing spending. Councilman Cole Nelson says putting the budget together involves looking closely at each department and deciding what the city needs to keep, what can be adjusted and what ultimately receives council approval.

As part of the process, the council also discussed the city’s proposed tax levy for 2027. Nelson explains how the council reached its decision on the proposed levy percentage and what factors went into that discussion.

Infrastructure is also part of the 2027 plan, with funding being considered for road maintenance, street work, and areas where curb and gutter improvements are needed. Nelson says the city is looking at those projects as it works to plan for both immediate maintenance and longer-term needs.

Stay tuned next week for more from Baudette City council on what projects are coming up in 2027.

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council has a new exhibit on display at its gallery inside Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls.

“Self-Taught Artists, Self-Told Stories” features 110 pieces of folk art from 27 artists, with most of those artists from northwest Minnesota.

The exhibit includes a wide variety of work, including Indigenous beadwork, paintings, wood carvings, pottery, fiber art, quilting, weaving, metalwork, music and other traditional crafts.

Roseau fiber artist Aliza Novacek-Olson says folk art can help people better understand the past. “Folk art is a way of connecting to the past on a deeper level. It helps us understand not only the purpose behind an object, but also the social and cultural practices of the people who made and used it.”

Betsy Saurdiff of Grygla spoke on her quilt at the exhibit, saying, ”This crazy quilt incorporates fabric scraps, including material from my mother’s wedding dress and my grandmother’s fanciest Sunday dress. I studied and used many embroidery stitches, fascinated by the different techniques.”

The exhibit also features a wall dedicated to Middle River musician and radio host Cathy Erickson and her music career.

The exhibit will be on display through November. The gallery is open weekdays 8-4:30 at Northland or take the virtual walkthrough of the exhibit available through the NWMAC YouTube page. The video is also available on their website NWArtsCouncil.org under the exhibits tab on the top of the homepage.

Good news for drivers traveling through the Highway 11 project between Roseau and Warroad.

Mainline paving is now complete, and the detour has been lifted, meaning traffic can return to the mainline through the project area.

Crews will spend this week finishing up shoulder paving, with pavement striping scheduled for next week across the entire project.

MnDOT says the project remains on schedule and is expected to be completed sometime this month.

For more details and the latest project information, you can visit MnDOT’s official Warroad-Roseau project page.

September is Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month. About 845 Minnesotans died by suicide last year. Erich Mische, CEO of Suicide Awareness Voices of Education, says Minnesota has made progress, but there are still troubling trends.

Mische says suicide rates are increasing among young people, while firearm-related suicide deaths also continue to rise. Mische says a combination of circumstances can play a role.

Mische says those factors can include housing, employment, finances, substance abuse and mental illness.

Prevention advocates say recognizing warning signs, starting conversations and connecting people with help can make a difference before a crisis escalates. Help is available through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Education is a focus for both major-party candidates for Minnesota governor, with Republican Lisa Demuth and DFL candidate Amy Klobuchar having recently outlined competing proposals aimed at student achievement.

Demuth’s “Education Comeback Plan” calls for an emphasis on reading, math and science, along with greater oversight of school spending. Her plan also includes additional funding for school safety at public and private schools. Demuth argues Minnesota is spending more per student while academic performance has declined and says she wants to reduce state education mandates and focus more on core academic subjects.

Klobuchar’s education plan also emphasizes reading and math. She is proposing evidence-based instruction, additional tutoring for students who fall behind and increased attention to student attendance. Her plan would also require parent-teacher meetings when students are struggling in reading or math.

Klobuchar is additionally proposing a statewide ban on cellphones and other personal mobile devices in K-12 classrooms, with exceptions for emergencies and medical needs, along with limits on classroom screen time.

Both candidates have made improving student achievement a part of their education platforms, while proposing different approaches to how schools should address academic performance, spending and classroom policies.