The University of Minnesota Extension Office has several big events coming up in 2026, and Extension Educator and 4-H Youth Development leader Kelsey Berger was a guest on our Community Conversation program and she updated us on their meeting last week and what important topics she talked about with the children.

Berger also shared that the Marshall County extension educator reached out to her to spread the word about an ice fishing day camp the 4-H office is putting on. Berger explains

That was Kelsey Berger, 4-H Youth Development Coordinator for the University of Minnesota Extension in Roseau County.

Lake of the Woods School 390 has announced its Senior High Student of the Month for January 2026, recognizing a senior who’s making an impact both in and out of the classroom.

The Senior High Student of the Month is Lily Ayers. Lily is involved in a wide range of extracurricular activities with the bears, including band, choir, and softball, and she consistently earns a spot on the A Honor Roll.

Teachers say Lily stands out for her dedication, positive attitude, and commitment to excellence in the classroom and with her peers.

Lily is the daughter of Anna Sanchez and Dylan Harcharyk. Congratulations to Lily Ayers on being named Lake of the Woods School’s Student of the Month for January 2026.

Badger High School will be filled with music, laughter, and dancing this Friday, February 6th, as the Badger Family, Career and Community Leaders of America host their annual Daddy Daughter Dance.

The event takes place in the Badger High School cafeteria Friday February 6th taking place from 6:30 to 8pm. 

The fun-filled evening creates lasting memories for families in the community. For just five dollars per family, attendees can enjoy the night of dancing, great music, and plenty of food and drinks, along with a few special treats sprinkled throughout the evening.

It’s an affordable, heartwarming way to kick off the weekend and celebrate quality time together at Badger High School Friday February 6th from 6:30 to 8pm.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the White Earth Nation have reached a formal agreement on natural resource management within the White Earth State Forest.

During a ceremony at the State Capitol on Tuesday, Governor Tim Walz and leaders of the White Earth Nation signed a memorandum of understanding outlining a long-term framework for managing land, water, fish, and wildlife in the forest. While the DNR and the White Earth Nation have worked cooperatively on forest management for many years, this marks the first time the partnership has been formally documented.

White Earth Nation Tribal Chairman Michael Fairbanks said the agreement represents an important step toward restoring Tribal cultural, historical, and environmental values. He noted that the MOU establishes a collaborative management approach that supports Tribal stewardship of ancestral homelands and decision-making rooted in cultural responsibility.

The agreement outlines coordination in several key areas, including aquatic invasive species prevention, fisheries, forestry, land management, water resources, wildlife, and wild rice.

With extreme cold settling in across the Northland, Minnesota Power is reminding customers they’re not alone when it comes to staying warm — or keeping energy bills under control.

Minnesota Power representatives Amy Rutledge and Crystal Pelkey joined us this week to talk about resources available during the winter months. Rutledge says winter reliability and customer protection are top priorities, especially during dangerously cold temperatures.

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Minnesota Power also offers affordability programs for seniors and customers with disabilities, along with free home energy audits.

Pelkey says one of the biggest causes of high heating bills is heat loss inside the home.

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Simple steps like plastic window coverings, door sweeps, LED lighting, and unplugging unused appliances can all help lower energy use.

Customers can also track their energy usage online.

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Minnesota Power says this winter has seen fewer major outages, but crews remain ready to respond quickly when needed.

For more information on energy assistance programs, rebates, or bill help, visit mnpower.com, or call 218-355-2843 to speak with an energy specialist.

Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach of District 7 met with USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to discuss the economic crisis facing American sugarbeet farmers. Fischbach is trying to  advocate for Northwestern Minnesota’s fair share of the $1 billion in supplemental economic relief recently announced by the USDA.

The meeting focused on the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program, an initiative designed to help row crop farmers recover from market disruptions.

Fischbach said “Our sugarbeet farmers are facing collapsing prices and skyrocketing input costs, with loss ratios averaging $500 per acre and exceeding $800 in some regions, this is an industry in crisis”.

The Congresswoman announced she will continue to work closely with the USDA and the Trump Administration to ensure that the final distribution of these funds reflects the depth of the economic hardship facing the industry. She remains committed to securing a long-term solution that protects domestic producers from volatile global markets and foreign competition.

Congratulations to Warroad Seniors Kendan Curtis and Linnea Harren, who have been selected as Warroad’s Triple A Award winners.

The Minnesota State High School League’s Triple A Award recognizes students who excel in academics, arts, and athletics, and Kendan and Linnea represent the best of those three areas.

Both seniors demonstrate strong leadership in the classroom, dedication to their sports and activities, and commitment to their teams, all while setting a positive example for their peers. Both their hard work and balance of school, sports, and fine arts have been noticed and awarded for excellence.

Once again, congratulations to Kendan Curtis and Linnea Harren on this well-deserved honor of the Triple A Award.

The Grygla Chargers Robotics and Drones team 4149 wrapped up their season this week with a competition in Newfolden. The event followed last Friday’s Red River Valley Robotics Tournament, where the Chargers finished 38th out of 57 teams.

The Newfolden competition was a much smaller field, with just eight teams taking part. Grygla entered two teams into the final drone competition of the season, the Iron Skin and the Iron Wings. Both advanced through their 6 qualification matches, with the Iron Wings being eliminated in the semi-finals and the Iron Skin being eliminated in the finals.

To cap off the season, the Chargers’ 4149F Iron Wings team earned the Airmanship Award, for their outstanding skill, control, and professionalism while flying.

For a robotics and drone team like the Chargers, the award highlights technical ability and disciplined piloting for the Charger team.

Minnesota Speaker of the House Lisa Demuth brought her campaign for Governor to Crookston on Monday. The Republican spoke to supporters for about an hour about changes that need to happen in the state.  Demuth tells R&J News how things would be different under her leadership as Governor, as opposed to current Governor Tim Walz.

She also talked about education and falling test scores in Minnesota.

Demuth also campaigned Monday in Moorhead and Bemidji. Early reports from DFL officials indicate strong turnout at Democratic-Farmer-Labor caucuses statewide, with party leaders estimating about 30,000 in-person attendees. Minnesota Republicans also held caucuses, though the GOP has not released a statewide attendance total. If GOP candidate Lisa Demuth secures the party endorsement, she would face incumbent U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, with no other DFL candidates currently in the race. KQ92 and KRWB will continue to follow and provide election coverage.

Roseau’s Winterfest took place this past week in Roseau County and School Superintendent Tom Jerome shared his story of the coolest event that he experienced over the weekend.

Jerome also talked about why the kids involved had a great time with the basketball game.

That was Roseau School Superintendent Tom Jerome, as we continue to follow Roseau school news.