Northwest Minnesota has been able to avoid snowfall so far, but we won’t be able to avoid it forever. While we wait for snow, Tina Sanders of Safe Kids Grand Forks says now is a perfect time to put together a Winter Survival Kit, and she highlights some of the items you should include in it.
For more winter travel safety materials go to the Safe Kids Grand Forks website.
At Baudette City Council’s November meeting, Mayor Hancharyk and Councilman Nelson met with county officials and Sheriff Gary Fish regarding a new law enforcement coverage agreement. The city and county reached a proposed agreement for 30 hours of coverage per week, resulting in a 52% cost reduction compared to the previous arrangement.
“It’s less for less,” Nelson said, noting that the revised contract provides fewer hours at a lower cost. The 2026 sheriff’s contract will cover 30 hours of weekly patrol service, with open communication encouraged between city staff and the Lake of the Woods County Sheriff’s Office regarding ordinance enforcement.
The council approved the new one-year contract, replacing the previous three-year term
In closing, Mayor Hancharyk noted that the change will help the city’s budgeting efforts and ensure continued law enforcement coverage within the community.
KQ92 and KRWB will continue to follow Baudette City Council meetings and provide updates. For more details, visit kq92.com to see articles covering this story.
A string of gray wolf sightings in northern Minnesota is reigniting debate over whether the species should remain federally protected.
Republican Congressman Pete Stauber for District 8 including Lake of the Woods County is urging federal officials to remove the gray wolf from the Endangered Species List, arguing states need more authority to manage growing populations.
Minnesota wildlife officials estimate about 2,700 gray wolves currently roam the state. Residents have reported at least three wolf sightings in northern Minnesota this month alone.
However, the Voyageurs National Park Wolf Project estimates a 20-percent drop in the wolf population due to a mild winter and fewer deer in northern Minnesota.
The flu season is off to slow start in Minnesota this year. The state Health Department is recommending Minnesotans get the flu vaccine before the holidays. The Department of Health’s Jeff Sanders is the state influenza surveillance coordinator and he says the flu shot can prevent serious illness
State health officials are reporting 19 flu-related hospitalizations so far this season. Sanders noted that there were around eight thousand hospitalizations last flu season in Minnesota.
The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry recovered over 163-thousand dollars for agricultural workers after violations by a Moorhead-based company.
Officials say the settlement with R.D. Offutt Company Farms, which operates potato farms, includes over 82-thousand dollars for earned sick and safe time. All recovered funds will go to workers.
The company also faces 80 thousand in penalties for failing to provide written employment statements to migrant workers.
An investigation revealed that workers were unable to access their ESST benefits during the audit period, which spanned from January 1st to December 31st, 2024.
By Graham Scher – R & J Broadcasting | November 19, 2025
Grygla, MINN. – The Minnesota Department of Health has awarded six recipients for their work in rural communities.
Four individuals earned awards for their outstanding work in rural healthcare including Nicole Kiesow of Grygla. Nicole is a part of the Resource Staff as the Librarian & Education Enhancement Tutor for Grace Christian Academy.
Others awarded include Rick Ash of United Hospital District in Fairmont, Dr. Joseph Corser of Sanford Bemidji and Bagley, and Dr. Ray Christensen from the University of Minnesota Medical School.
Two organizations also received team awards: the Nicotine-Free Greater Mankato Coalition and Elevate in Perham.
MDH recognized these individuals in stating these leaders strengthen local families in need and local economies.
Garden Valley Technologies in Thief River Falls will be launching another round of their voluntary Discounted Capital Buyout Program, and members are now able to apply. Garden Valley CEO and General manager Tim Brinkman says this round of buyouts will be similar to their 2023 buyouts.
Brinkman says there have been some changes made to this year’s buyout program, and he explains how it will work.
The application period is open through Friday, November 21, and Brinkman explains how you can apply to be entered into the buyout program pool.
You can find more information on the application at Garden Valley Tech’s website.
Give to the Max Day is today, and the Northern Minnesota Robotics Conference (NMRC) is asking that you consider a donation to them in celebration. NMRC Representative Natasha Olsonawski says all the proceeds raised from Give to the Max Day will go toward a project that benefits every team in the NMRC.
Olsanawski also explains how you can donate.
Again, you can donate by going to their website, nmrconference.org, or the NMRC Give to the Max donation page.
The University of Minnesota Extension will be co-hosting an open house later this week in Thief River Falls, to showcase a Farm-Scale Deep Winter Greenhouse supported by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and Minnesota Extension. Marcus Langevin of Tintah Beach Farms in Thief River Falls tells us more about this project, which has been years in the making.
Now that the project is complete, Langevin tells us how they plan to use the greenhouse, and the crops grown because of it.
Langevin Invites you to an Open House on Saturday if you would like to see this greenhouse in Person.
Again, to RSVP go to z.umn.edu/TintahBeachOpenHouse. You can also see more information about the greenhouse by going to z.umn.edu/deepwintergreenhouse.
The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources has awarded a $550,000 grant to Lake of the Woods County. The purpose is to fund a Phase II investigation into erosion on Pine and Curry Islands and other nearby barrier islands on Lake of the Woods. Anthony Pirkl, Lake of the Woods Public works director explains what the project aims to accomplish.
Pirkl shared his thoughts on the anticipated time frame for the investigation to last.
The next stop would be funding solutions to repair the erosion.
Once approved, funding would need to be sought for necessary repairs.
Pine and Curry islands were designated as a Scientific and Natural Area in 1983 in an effort to protect the sensitive habitat. Pirkl explains.
Lake of the Woods Public Works Director Anthony Pirkl.