Ontario Provincial Police reported on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025 three individuals were arrested for Controlled Drugs and Substances and Criminal Code offenses. At approximately 1:45 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle occupied by three individuals. During the stop, one passenger was found to have provided a false identity and was subsequently arrested for obstructing police.

A further investigation and search of the vehicle revealed a backpack containing a large quantity of suspected cocaine, along with various drug paraphernalia. As a result, three individuals, 38-year-old Andrew VanHeyst of Fort Frances, 27-year-old Adrianna Copenace of Couchiching First Nation, and 27-year-old Elizabeth Boshkaykin of Seine River First Nation were charged with multiple drug offenses. All have been released from custody and all are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on Nov. 3, 2025.

The state of Minnesota has a triple-A credit rating from all three major agencies for the fourth year in a row. Gov. Tim Walz says the top rating is a “testament to the strength of Minnesota’s economy and our commitment to responsible financial stewardship.”

Minnesota is one of just 16 states with the highest rating from Moody’s, S and P, and Fitch. State Management and Budget officials say the rating helps protect long-term investment and signals confidence int he state’s economy.

The top rating also reflects the state’s balanced budget approach and strong reserves, according to state finance officials. Minnesota entered the current biennium with a surplus, and lawmakers set aside billions for the state’s rainy day fund, a move that ratings agencies consider a safeguard against economic downturns.

Economic diversity also plays a role. Analysts note that Minnesota’s mix of industries, ranging from health care and technology to agriculture and manufacturing, creates a stable foundation for growth and resilience. State leaders say maintaining this rating ensures Minnesota remains competitive in attracting businesses and investors while keeping costs lower for taxpayers.

Voting season began in Minnesota on Friday last week for the November 4 local elections. There are 38 city and school district regular elections on ballots around the state in addition to 79 special elections. Voters can find out if there is an election in their area, view a sample ballot, and find their polling place at mnvotes.gov/pollfinder. Minnesota’s no-excuse absentee voting law allows for eligible voters to cast their ballot starting 46 days before the election. New this year for local elections, registered voters can request an absentee ballot online and the deadline for returning absentee ballots has changed to 5 p.m. on Election Day. For those voting in mail ballot only areas, ballots can still be returned until 8 p.m. on election day. Absentee and mail ballots can be returned by mail or hand-delivered to the voter’s local election office.

By Jon Michael Grussing – R & J Broadcasting | September 22, 2025

BAUDETTE, Minn. — Motorists in Baudette and Red Lake will encounter detours this week as construction projects get underway, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

In Baudette, Highway 172 will close at the railroad crossing near the intersection with Highway 11 beginning Monday, Sept. 22. Crews will replace the crossing surface, with work expected to finish by Sept. 26. Drivers will detour via Highway 11 and Lake of the Woods County Road 39.

In Red Lake, crews will begin replacing underground utilities on Highway 1 between Oman Drive and Main Avenue on Sept. 22. The project, led by Red Lake Nation, is expected to be completed by Sept. 27. Motorists will detour using Highway 89, Walking Shield Road and Reservation Highway 44.

By Jon Michael Grussing – R & J Broadcasting | September 19, 2025

Roseau, MINN. – We sat down with Roseau Fire Chief Leon Huot to talk about the upcoming barbecue they’ll be hosting this weekend, Saturday September 20th. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the banquet, and Chief Huot shared the details:

Chief Huot also let us know about pricing, where to purchase tickets, and where to stay updated with the Roseau Fire Department.

That’s Roseau Fire Chief Leon Huot, and the Roseau Fire Department’s annual barbecue is being held Saturday Sept. 20, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM or until the food runs out at Roseau’s Fire Hall.

The public is invited to an Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Hunter W. Larson, Andrew C. Mayfield and John P. Moes of Boys Scout Troup 151 Monday September 29th at 6pm at the Warroad American Legion Post #25, 410 Lake Street NE in Warroad. There will be a reception following the ceremony – RSVP by September 26th to 218-242-5308. All three were on “Community Conversation” listen to the full interview here

A New partnership will give Northwest Technical College Nursing graduates a clear, affordable path to a bachelor’s degree. Graduates from Northwest Technical College’s associate’s degree program in nursing have a new, flexible and affordable path to a bachelor’s degree, through Bemidji State University’s Operation LEAD. Officials at NTC were joined by BSU nursing administrators and academic leadership to officially enter the partnership at a signing ceremony yesterday in the college’s Nursing Simulation Lab. Operation LEAD creates a pathway for nursing students to “Learn to lead; Expand their knowledge; Advance their careers; and Discover new jobs” en route to accessible, affordable bachelor’s degrees from BSU. Operation LEAD participants who graduate from NTC are automatically admitted to the BSU nursing program, and all of their NTC credits will transfer. The program started as a partnership between BSU and Minnesota North College. In addition to NTC and Minnesota North, nursing programs at Alexandria Community & Technical College and Pine Technical & Community College are also participating.

This month is School Board Appreciation Month, a time to recognize the vital role that these individuals play in shaping the future of education. From setting district policies to overseeing budgets and ensuring every student had access to quality learning, school board members work behind the scenes to keep our schools running strong. Roseau School Superintendent Tom Jerome was on the Roseau School News Report on Tuesday and shared his thoughts.

Roseau school board members include Thor Didrickson, Neil Vatnsdahl, Jody Haugen, Pete Kvien, Heather Magnusson and David Simmons.