The Federal government remains shut down as the Senate remains deadlocked over a continuing resolution to pay for the government.  The US House passed the continuing resolution back in September.  R&J News asked Minnesota 7th District Representative Michelle Fischbach if she thought the shutdown would go this long.

Fischbach talks about how Minnesota’s US Senators, Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, have voted on keeping the government open.

You can hear more from Representative Michelle Fischbach on the government shutdown and our full interview with Fischbach here:

Several areas across Minnesota need more rainfall this fall, according to Assistant State Climatologist Pete Boulay.

“It was a fairly dry October for most, except for northwestern Minnesota. Boulay said a few places here in the northwestern part of the state finished above normal for precipitation. That is about one inch below normal for the entire state for precipitation, as well. 

Boulay also commented that there weren’t any larger storms so that was pretty quiet.

Boulay says dry conditions are especially noticeable in parts of central, northern, and southwestern Minnesota.

After a busy fall, and summer season, programming at Itasca State Park will be taking a break for the month of November. Itasca State Park Naturalist Sandra Lichter tells us more.

While it will be a slow month program wise, Lichter says there will be opportunities for people to do some deer hunting in the park.

More information about park facilities and services can be seen on the Itasca State Park webpage on the Minnesota DNR website.

Tree cones and seed collectors across Minnesota can make an extra buck while also helping grow future forests. The Minnesota DNR is looking for tree seed and cone collectors to help grow the state’s forests. Seed and cone consultant Nicole Schafer says the state nursery grows about 7 million seedlings a year.

The DNR will pay $60 per bushel for jack pine, $80 per bushel for red pine and $200 per bushel for black spruce species. More info can be found on the DNR’s website.

Minnesotans have a reason to raise a pint today as today marks the return of Minnesota Beer Day, a celebration of the state’s brewing history and its craft beer scene.

Organizers say it’s not just about what’s in your glass, it’s about the people behind it. Bob Galligan with the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild says the day honors the small business owners who run local breweries and taprooms. 

November 1st was chosen to mark the founding of Minnesota’s Grain Belt Brewery back in 1850. To mark Minnesota Beer day, the Guild is offering a special pint glass at participating breweries.

By Graham Scher – October 31st

Badger, Minn – With the 2025 referendum voting coming up Tuesday November 4th, Dan Carpenter from Badger School was a guest on our school news segment and he explained the first 2 questions on the ballot for Badger School that will be answered on the referendum vote.

Carpenter also shared the third and final question and the importance for Badger School.

Absentee Ballot voting is open now through Tuesday November 4th. That was Dan Carpenter from Badger School.

Sports betting in Minnesota will get another shot coming up with the 2026 legislature. Republican Representative Nolan West will introduce his bill. Although he’s doubtful it will pass, he’s hoping it will at least get a hearing and discussion unlike last session.

West’s proposal allows the tribal governments to run the sports betting, with race tracks, other smaller tribes and the state share the revenue generated from the gambling.

Minnesota soybean farmers lost their top export market due to the trade war. This week, China has agreed to buy 25 million metric tons of soybeans from the US annually as part of an agreement reached by President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Minnesota Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach 7th District including Roseau County sat down with R&J News and gave us her reaction to the deal.

We’ll have more local news coming up from Michelle Fischbach and a deeper dive into the government shutdown and Fischbach’s thoughts next week.

You can hear our full interview with Michelle Fischbach here:

A reminder that Daylight Savings Time also referred to as DST is coming to an end this weekend, which statistically could mean a sharp rise in vehicle and deer collisions the coming week according to University of Minnesota Professor Raphael Stern.

Stern explains that deer are primarily active during dawn and dusk. When D-S-T ends, we fall back an hour, which Stern says brings dark earlier and changes our commuting hours, overlapping with sunset. 

He is urging motorists to drive a little slower than usual, particularly in areas where you commonly see deer, like parks, golf courses, and forests, to give you more reaction time in those areas where deer are hard to spot.

The FFA National Convention is now underway, and Minnesota FFA is well represented. One of those in attendance is Minnesota FFA State Secretary, and University of Minnesota Crookston student Dessa Terning, who tells us what part of the National Convention she’s most excited for. 

Terning tells us how the first half of her state officer term has gone, as well as what she’s looking forward to in the second half of her term.

The FFA National Convention runs through November 1 in Indianapolis. 

Audio from Red River Farm Network