Minnesota DNR Selects Bear Hunter Licenses

Minnesota DNR Release – Bear hunters who entered the license lottery should be on the lookout for selection on the Minnesota DNR website. Check to see if you have been selected on the DNR website or you can keep an eye on your mail for notification you may have received from the DNR. 

If you were selected, there is a deadline of this coming Friday, August 1, which is a deadline to purchase that license. any lottery winners that have been selected but do not claim theirs will become available to any eligible person on Wednesday, August 6th at Noon.

Bemidji State University Set to Begin Deer Survey this Fall at Fond Du Lac Reservation

By Graham Scher – R & J Broadcasting | July 24, 2025

Cloquet, MINN. – Starting this fall, a team of Bemidji State University researchers will perform the first formal survey of deer populations on Minnesota’s Fond Du Lac Reservation. The work is part of exploratory research being done by the Fond Du Lac band of Lake Superior Chippewa for its initiative to restore elk to the region’s environment. The study is funded by a 1.4 million dollar grant from Minnesota’s environment and natural resources trust fund, enshrined in the state’s constitution to support projects meant to protect, conserve, preserve and enhance Minnesota’s natural resources. BSU graduate researchers will be led by Dr. Jacob Haus, Associate professor of biology.

Roseau County Fair Board Updates

By Graham Scher – R & J Broadcasting | July 24, 2025

Roseau, MINN. – KQ92 was live at the Roseau county fair yesterday and we were able to talk with several county fair board members including Richard Magnusson who had this to say about the fair

And longtime Roseau county fair board member Pat Novacek who talked at length of the fair this year.

Novacek also talked about what has improved at the fair safety wise and how safety for all continues to be a priority at the fair.

Reminder to keep yourself and those around you safe while at the fair the rest of the week.

Sugarbeet Growing Season Update

By Graham Scher – R & J Broadcasting | July 23, 2025

Red River Vally, MINN. –The Sugarbeet Growing Season continues to progress in the Red River Valley, and sample pulling is expected to start soon for American Crystal Sugar. R&J Ag Reporter Nick Revier had the opportunity to catch up with Joe Hastings of American Crystal Sugar, who tells us how the Red River Valley Sugarbeet Crop is looking.

While there isn’t a lot of Root Rot being reported, Hastings says there is a significant amount of Cercospora being reported.

American Crystal Sugar will begin pulling samples during “week zero” which begins Monday July 28th. For more agricultural news, go to the Farm News webpage at rjbroadcasting.com.

Red Lake County Cooperative Falls Victim to Wire Fraud

By Graham Scher – R & J Broadcasting | July 22, 2025

Polk County, MINN. – By Graham Scher A Great Falls, Montana, Woman pleaded guilty Wednesday to theft for stealing over $500,000 from Red Lake County Cooperative Inc., by wire fraud. 56-year-old Stephanie Nipp gave an Alford plea to the crime, maintaining innocence, but acknowledging that enough evidence to be found guilty in court. Alford pleas are often given by someone who wants the benefit of a plea agreement, however none is filed in Nipp’s case.

The prosecution filed a notice of intention to seek an aggravated sentence. Nipp faces a maximum of 20 years for the crime, though depending on criminal history, recommends 21-68 months. She was arrested in January and placed on 5 million bond, later reduced to 1 million.

Governor Walz Announces Second Rollout of Credit Initiative

By Graham Scher – R & J Broadcasting | July 17, 2025

Minneapolis, MINN. – Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced $33 million for small businesses across Minnesota during a roundtable at the University of Minnesota on July 15.

Roughly 200 small businesses across the state are set to receive a share of $33 million — the second rollout of the federally funded $97 million Small Business Credit Initiative . The roundtable, held Tuesday at the McNamara Alumni Center, featured several small business owners and Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Matt Varilek.

The state received the first $29.5 million in 2022 when the U.S. Department of the Treasury approved the $97 million for small businesses; its continued rollout is expected to span several years.

Walz said Tuesday that the state isn’t aware of any major changes in the small business credit funding coming from the federal government, but said “we do need to be concerned.” He said he was briefed Tuesday morning on the potential costs to the state and counties from President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” signed July 4.

Walz said a second special session for the Minnesota Legislature may be needed to address federal funding shifts, but at this point, it’s “premature.” He said Minnesota is in a “strong financial position,” with a rainy day fund holding roughly $3 billion.

St. Mary’s Students Return from Mission Trip to Jamaica

By Graham Scher – R & J Broadcasting | July 18, 2025

Warroad, MINN. – St Mary’s Catholic Church in Warroad sent 20 students and adults along with the lead parish from Ada on a mission trip to Jamaica last week. 26 total went on the trip and KQ92 and KRWB News was able to sit down with some travelers including Tammi Moes, religious education coordinator at St. Mary’s shares her thoughts on the trip.

We also spoke with 4 Warroad high school boys about their experiences. Junior, Parker Moes

Senior JP Moes

Junior Connor Lien

And Sophomore Henry Harren

You can see pictures from the trip on St. Mary’s Catholic Church – Warroad, Facebook page. More information to come on a presentation by the students who went on the trip which will be held in September.

Badger FCCLA Brings Home Awards from National Conference

By Graham Scher – R & J Broadcasting | July 17, 2025

Badger, MINN. – Badger FCCLA returned from the National Conference in Orlando, FL from last week with a few awards. KQ92 and KRWB News spoke with Gretchen Lee, Badger FCCLA advisor, as well as 3 students from the event. Lee shared her thoughts from the conference.

Emily Burkel presented a category in Nutrition & Wellness level 3.

Bethanie VonEnde chose a Chapter Service Project

And Paige Rybakowski for National Programs in Action

Avearah Hanson was one of the top 10 presentations in Nutrition & Wellness level 2.

Congratulations again to the Badger FCCLA Program for their awards.

Baudette City Council Meeting 7-14-2025

By Graham Scher – R & J Broadcasting | July 16, 2025

Baudette, MINN. – Baudette City Council met in regular session Monday night at Baudette City Hall. Important discussions were had about the rest of summer plans in Baudette and what events are coming up. R&J News spoke with Mayor Dylan Hancharyk who talked about the new face being sworn in to fill the vacant seat at the table after Steve Johnson retired from the council last month.

Liz Weigel was sworn in and participated in her first city council meeting Monday evening.

Mayor Hancharyk also discussed other items on the agenda:

The signs will be placed on the East and West sides of the city but exact locations haven’t been determined just yet. 

Other items that were discussed was approval for the annual summer reading program kid concert, and an ordinance and resolution that was approved accepting bond award for the Timber Mill Splash Pad.

KQ92 and KRWB Radio will continue to cover and follow Baudette City Council meetings, and updates from the City of Baudette.

Woods Fishing Tournament Recap from Owner and Winners

By Graham Scher – R & J Broadcasting | July 14, 2025

Warroad, MINN. – The 26th annual Woods Outdoor Sporting Goods Fishing Tournament was held on Saturday at Lake of the Woods. The owner of The Woods Nick Marvin shared his thoughts on how this year’s tournament went

He also talked about the changes that were put in place for this year’s tournament

Fishing in their third Woods Outdoor Sporting Goods Fishing Tournament the team of Cody Schultz and Nate Obitz won 1st place. Obitz shared his thoughts after the tournament

Obitz also talked about how he and his fishing partner got into the sport

You can watch an archive of the awards ceremony from this year’s Woods Outdoor Sporting Goods Fishing Tournament on yourliveevent.com.