The staff at Lake Bemidji State Park have multiple events and programming planned throughout the rest of the month. Lake Bemidji State Park Lead Naturalist Christa Drake has the details.
Drake says they have also introduced a new activity at the park called Naturalist in a Nook.
More information about events and programs at Itasca State Park can be seen on the park’s webpage on the Minnesota DNR website.
Earlier this year President Donald Trump signed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”, which included legislation that will help agricultural producers in 2026. R&J Ag Reporter Nick Revier had the opportunity to catch up with Ag Country Farm Credit Service’s VP of Legislative Affairs Andy Martin, who talks more about the bill, and some of the legislation that will help farmers.
While there are some helpful items in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”, Martin says the bill did do some damage to the coalition that has typically helped pass a Farm Bill.
With the one year extension to the current farm bill , agricultural lobbyists will be hard at work trying to get a bill passed next year. That full story is available on kq92.com.
Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach for Minnesota District 7 including Roseau County announced Friday she is co-sponsoring the SNAP Data Transparency and Oversight Act, to root out waste, fraud, and abuse in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and ensure critical resources are preserved for vulnerable families.
Fischbach said “The sheer scale of incompetence and obstruction in Minnesota’s SNAP program is unacceptable. It’s time Governor Walz is held accountable for hurting the families that rely on this program”.
Congress has once again extended the 2018 Farm Bill for another year, and this is expected to have a major effect on the passage of future farm bills, and other ag legislation. National Federation of Farmer Cooperatives CEO Chuck Conner tells us what the extension could mean for a new farm bill in 2026, which would also coincide with the 2026 midterm election.
Ag legislation was split between Congress’s “Skinny Farm Bill” and President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” this past year, and Connor says this unconventional way of passing ag legislation also complicates things.
It’s no secret that the current environment in Congress is chaotic, and Connor tells us what this could mean for 2026, as well as how the environment is different from past years.
For more agricultural news go to the Farm News webpage at rjbroadcasting.com.
Audio from the Red River Farm Network
A DFL challenger has emerged for Minnesota State Senator Mark Johnson’s seat in St. Paul. Bjorn Solberg, a businessman from Halstad recently announced his run for the Senate District 1 seat. Solberg tells R&J News what he would bring to the Senate.
Solberg says he’s also interested in the mental health of farmers.
Solberg will challenge Senator Johnson in the upcoming 2026 election.
The State of Minnesota has been expanding its Agricultural Weather Network over the last couple years, and local agricultural producers are seeing the benefits of this investment. Stefan Bischof of the Minnesota Ag Weather Network says their partnership with the North Dakota Ag Weather Network (NDAWN) has helped Minnesota expand their network.
Bischof explains why the Minnesota Ag Weather Network (MAWN) is so valuable to Minnesota producers.
Bischof says MAWN also offers tools that can help producers with operations that have a wide geographical footprint.
You can learn more about the Minnesota Agricultural Weather Network by going to the Minnesota Department of Ag website at www.mda.state.mn.us/minnesota-ag-weather-network.
The Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission recently announced a 1.1 million dollar grant will go toward the Roseau River Water Trail.
The grant will specifically be funding two local parks, the Roseau City Park and Roseau River Rapids Park to enhance the trail system. Both parks have various outdoor activities accessible and
The grant is designed to provide all outdoor enthusiasts in Roseau county with improved infrastructure at the parks, as well as improved accessibility for personal watercrafts, fishing, camping, and birding, which aligns with the Roseau River Water Trail Masterplan’s goals.
New infrastructure that is being built includes a pavilion at the Roseau River Dam.
With the DNR’s nearly 16,000-acre land acquisition now complete, the next step is deciding how each parcel will be managed. That includes designating areas as wildlife management lands, scientific and natural areas, or additions to state forests.
DNR communications specialist Ingrid Johnson says these designations determine the mix of recreation, habitat protection, and conservation practices that will apply to each parcel.
Johnson says the significance of protecting such a large area is substantial — especially for species like moose and bear that rely on uninterrupted habitat.
The long-term vision, she says, includes supporting clean water, preserving habitat, and strengthening northern Minnesota’s $13.5-billion outdoor recreation economy.
She emphasized that the DNR works closely with local communities when adding or adjusting public lands.
The newly acquired land now belongs to all Minnesotans. More details — including public access information and finalized maps — will be released in the coming weeks on the Minnesota DNR website.
The American Medical Association and The Ad Council have started their annual “Get Your Flu Shot” campaign. This year’s campaign is called “No Time For Flu” Dr. Lase Ajyai (AH-JAH-YEE), a pediatrician and board chair elect of the American Medical Association, was asked when is the best time to get a flu shot.
Dr. Ajyai explains how flu vaccines are created.
Dr. Lase Ajyai of the American Medical Association.
The Northern Minnesota Robotics Conference (NMRC) will be holding its annual First Lego League event in Bemidji Friday. Travis Whittington of the Bemidji FIRST LEGO League says his teams are very excited to be able to host this event again this year.
Whittington says being able to host an event like this is great, as it also allows them to showcase robotics to the community, and other local students.
As with any NMRC event, Friday’s competition is free to attend and open to the public getting underway at 9:30 AM at the Sanford Center Ballroom in Bemidji. The event runs all afternoon with the final matches concluding round 5:30.