The president of the Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers is urging Congress to make the farm bill a top priority in 2026. Northwestern Minnesota farmer Kevin Leiser says farmers need certainty to plan for the year ahead. He says there needs to be an adequate safety net for growers.

Leiser who grows several crops in Northwest Minnesota says there needs to be an adequate safety net for growers dealing with low commodity prices and high input costs.

The Christmas tree season is officially underway in Minnesota. Austin Koons of Rum River Tree Farm says fresh snow on opening weekend helped bring more customers in. 

Christmas tree lot operators in Minnesota say it was a busy opening weekend. Koons is expecting strong sales this holiday season.

Koons expects strong sales this season and says prices are about the same as last year. There are around 60 Christmas tree farms in the state. There’s a list on the Minnesota Grown website.

Now that snow has officially arrived in the Red River Valley, it’s more important than ever for drivers to make sure they have a winter survival kit in their vehicle. Carma Hansen of Safe Kids Grand Forks says one item that you should have in your kit at all times is a shovel, but not for the reason you may think.

While protecting yourself from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning is important, it’s also important for you to stay warm when stranded in the ditch, and that’s why Tina Sanders of Safe Kids Grand Forks also recommends that you consistently keep your gas tank as full as possible.

More winter vehicle safety materials and information can be seen on the Safe Kids Grand Forks website at safekidsgf.com.

Arts Midwest announced John Davis of Warroad as the 2025 recipient of the Peter Capell Award for Midwestern Creativity & Entrepreneurship.

Established in 2022 to honor the legacy of longtime Arts Midwest Board member and former Board Chair, the Peter Capell Award for Midwestern Creativity & Entrepreneurship recognizes individuals whose work exemplifies entrepreneurial thinking, creative accomplishments, and a commitment to community.

For more than 35 years, Davis has been one of rural America’s most visionary arts leaders. His work has centered around weaving arts into the fabric of small communities, connecting economic impact with innovation.

Davis began his career founding the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center, where he launched programs like the Great American Think-Off, a national philosophy competition that continues to draw participants from across the country.

During his time as Executive Director of Lanesboro Arts, he spent nearly two decades reimagining the entire town as an Arts Campus. Under his guidance, Lanesboro became the first small town in the nation to adopt a citywide arts campus proclamation, was named one of the top 12 Small Town Artplaces in America and saw more than $3.3 million in investment in its downtown and creative infrastructure.

Most recently, as the first Executive & Artistic Director of Warroad RiverPlace in northern Minnesota, Davis has shepherded the development and activation of a 20,000 sq. ft. arts, culture, and event center—a $20 million project with a mission of bringing the community together through innovative access to arts and culture.

Across every chapter of his career, Davis has championed rural creativity, cross-sector collaboration, and the belief that small towns deserve big artistic ideas. In celebration of his efforts, he has received a $2,500 unrestricted cash award from Arts Midwest.

“John’s work using the arts and creativity as an economic engine in small towns and demonstrating the positive impact of these initiatives in our rural communities is a true example of the values, initiatives and results this award is meant to support,” says Peter Capell. 

This year’s award focused on individuals based in Minnesota. Details about next year’s award will be available in 2026.

Pete Stauber, Minnesota Eighth District Congressman including Lake of the Woods posted to his social media on Thanksgiving to express that he’s thankful for the largest tax cuts in U.S. history.

Stauber said on Facebook, “This year Republicans passed the biggest break for working-class Americans EVER. No taxes on tips or overtime, tax deductions for Social Security seniors, a doubled child tax credit, and boosts for small businesses.”

Minnesota Eighth District Congressman Pete Stauber.

Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach of District 7 including Roseau County announced that over $5.5 million in federal funding has been secured for two critical infrastructure projects in Minnesota’s Seventh Congressional District, including $1,500,000 for sanitary system improvements in Plummer and over 4 million for water and waste system improvements project.

Fischbach said “These investments will make a real difference for families and communities across District 7 Northern and Western Minnesota. Reliable water and waste management systems are essential for public health and quality of life.” Fischbach is proud to secure these resources that will strengthen these communities.

These funding investments will allow modernization of sanitary system and address aging infrastructure. The 4 million dollar investment will enhance water and waste management, supporting community growth.

Fischbach has championed local priorities through the federal appropriations process. The Congresswoman’s advocacy for these projects helped secure their inclusion in the Agriculture Appropriations bill.

Today is Free Parks Day, and the naturalists at Itasca State Park invite you to the park for some late fall fun. Itasca State Park Naturalist Sandra Lichter tells us more about Free Parks Day.

Lichter says one thing you can do during Free Parks Day is take a hike on their Candlelight Trail, which opened yesterday on Thanksgiving.

For more park information go to the Itasca State Park webpage on the Minnesota DNR website.