Minnesota’s bear hunting season opens Monday, September 1st, and the Department of Natural Resources is reminding hunters to avoid shooting bears that are part of ongoing research.
About 50 black bears across the state are fitted with radio collars and large, colorful ear tags. Most of these bears are female and live around Chippewa National Forest, Camp Ripley, Brainerd-Baxter, and Duluth, though they often range well beyond those areas.
DNR bear research scientist Andrew Tri says the collared bears provide critical long-term data on food supplies, habitat use, reproduction, denning, and how bears interact with people. Replacing them with new bears every year can’t match the value of data collected over many seasons.
The collars themselves can be hard to see, they’re usually black and blend with the bear’s coat, but the large ear tags should be visible, especially on trail cameras or when a bear visits a bait site. While it’s legal to take a collared bear, the DNR asks hunters to pause for a clear look at the bear’s head before harvesting.
If a collared bear is taken, hunters are asked to check for a small implanted heart monitor, about the size of a paper clip, and turn it in along with the collar. Hunters may also encounter bears with very small tags; these are not collared but are still part of research, and the DNR asks that they be reported.
Anyone who harvests a collared or tagged bear should contact the DNR’s Wildlife Research Office in Grand Rapids at 218-328-8879 or 218-328-8874 to coordinate return of the research equipment.
Photos of tagged bears and more research information can be found on the Minnesota DNR’s bear management webpage at mndnr.gov/hunting/bear.
As Minnesota’s wild rice season opens August 15th, the Department of Natural Resources is reminding harvesters to wait until rice is ripe before heading out.
Wildlife lake specialist Ann Geisen says the state’s “green rice law” protects the resource for future years by making it illegal to take unripe grain — even during the season, which runs through September 30th. Ricers should make sure the grain falls easily from the stalk before harvesting.
A state license is required unless you’re under 18 and with a licensed harvester. Tribal band members with a valid Minnesota Tribal ID are considered licensed under state law.
Some areas are off-limits for harvest, including national parks, wildlife refuges, and American Indian reservations.
The DNR says rice conditions this year are highly variable, making scouting especially important. A wild rice outlook report will be posted August 14th at mndnr.gov/wildrice, along with regulations and tips.
Higher water levels should make most stands accessible by canoe.
And with early waterfowl season overlapping wild rice season, hunters are urged to watch for ricers nearby.More information can be found on the DNR’s Wild Rice Management webpage at mndnr.gov/wildlife/shallowlakes/wildrice.html
Private landowners in Minnesota with open lands, like former pastures or crop fields, can now apply for financial help to plant trees through the DNR’s Field to Forest Cost-Share Program.
The goal is to restore tree cover across the state. Selected projects can get up to 75 percent reimbursement for planting costs, plus a $500-per-acre incentive payment after planting is completed in spring 2026 to help with seedling care.
Forestry incentives coordinator Jennifer Teegarden says Minnesota has lost more than 15 million acres of forest since European settlement, most on private lands. This program helps restore those lost forests (and the environmental, economic, and habitat benefits they bring) by covering part of the planting and early care costs.
Reforesting open lands can slow runoff, prevent erosion, improve water retention, and rebuild healthy soils. Forests also provide wildlife habitat, help guard against drought and flooding, and for landowners, can boost property value, offer future timber income, and create recreation opportunities.
The program focuses on projects of three acres or more, not residential landscaping. Funding is first-come, first-served. Landowners can buy seedlings from private nurseries or the Minnesota State Forest Nursery.
Interested landowners should contact their local DNR stewardship forester by December 1st. Details are online at mndnr.gov/woodlands.
Funding comes from the U.S. Forest Service.
This has been a DNR update with KQ92 and KRWB, your local homegrown radio station.
By Mani Souphom – R & J Broadcasting | August 13, 2025
Baudette, MINN. – On Monday August 11, 2025 the City of Baudette held their regular monthly meeting. In attendance were Baudette Mayor Dylan Hancharyk, City Council Members Cole Nelson, Steve Theis, Jr., and Liz Weigel. After the pledge of allegiance, the council approved an agenda of procedural items before turning to a more notable matter: the revival of the Chamber of Commerce.
The city council began by briefly discussing a new business, Lake of the Woods Pizza, obtaining a liquor license. A unanimous vote was cast to approve the business’s liquor license application contingent on the business fulfilling their requirements with the state.
City clerk and treasurer Tina Rennemo raised a question regarding the city’s relationship with Border Bank of Baudette, and the request made by the bank to open another account under the city’s authorization for auditing purposes. Rennemo apprised the mayor and council of the city’s already thorough auditing processes, and the decision was made to continue operating this matter of business as usual, leaving room to discuss again if needed.
From there, Rennemo also handed out plans for the city’s 2026 budget, providing department heads an opportunity to plan for staff and infrastructure needs for the next year. Considerations would need to be made in determining wages that included evaluations, cost of living, and whether the City should move forward with flat rates or percentage based wages.
In regard to that budget, we caught up with Mayor Dylan Hancharyk after the meeting to ask about progress on the splash pad slated for groundbreaking later this year. Mayor Hancharyk provided this update:
Library director Kelli Pelland shared updates on Baudette’s Public Library programs, such as the success of storytime on the hill, kids concerts, “take and create” baskets, and equipment replacements. Pelland also stated the need to hire part time personnel at the library.
Fire chief Brad Levasseur informed the city of a joint training for ambulance and emergency services that would be taking place this Saturday, August 16. This training will take place behind Baudette’s Fire Hall, and its focus will be on securing and stabilizing emergency scenes.
From there, the council discussed placement of welcome signs for the city. While all appeared to be in support of the signs, determining a location that would best serve Baudette’s residents and not encumber local government has been a challenge.
“It’s great to have welcome signs, but dealing with easements, etc. – we don’t want to go down that road,” City Councilman Cole Nelson said, expressing concern.
The City Council moved on to the topic of its Chamber of Commerce. While Erica Anderson, the city’s liquor store manager, currently serves as the Chamber’s acting president, the Chamber is still missing key members that are required to ensure the Chamber is active and able to conduct official business.
Mayor Hancharyk also went on to explain the issues facing the City of Baudette’s declining Chamber of Commerce:
Beyond the concern of Chamber responsibilities going unmet in the City of Baudette, the community must contend with potential loss of funding. At this meeting, it was discussed that the Baudette Chamber of Commerce is currently holding onto more than $60,000 in funding accumulated from grants, donations, legacy projects, and membership fees. This funding could be at risk of audit and redistribution by the State of Minnesota if the City of Baudette’s Chamber of Commerce becomes defunct without abiding by legal dissolution requirements of a Chamber as stated in Minnesota State Statute 317A.
Mayor Hancharyk informed us of the roles needed to be filled within the Chamber to move forward. These key roles are required for the Chamber to assemble, send out membership letters, and prepare for 2026. Though the City of Baudette fully supports the return of a strong Chamber for residents of Baudette, they do not appoint members to the board:
To get involved or become a board member or officer in Baudette’s Chamber of Commerce, individuals only need to be employed by a Chamber member or business.
In a closing statement, Mayor Hancharyk wanted to make sure to applaud the efforts of United Way Northeast Minnesota for the installation of the new Born Learning Trail installed at Baudette’s Timber Mill Park on August 7, 2025:
Reporting from your communities, for your communities, this is your local homegrown radio KQ92 FM and KRWB AM.
By Mani Souphom – R & J Broadcasting | August 12, 2025
Warroad, MINN. — The Yellow Rose 5K and 10K races in Warroad, Minnesota, took place on Saturday, August 9, 2025. A virtual race was held for Fargo, North Dakota, on Friday, August 8, 2025.
Two hundred fifty-three participants finished this year’s Warroad race, marking the 21st year of the annual event hosted by local manufacturer Marvin Lumber and Cedar Company. Proceeds from registration for the Warroad Yellow Rose Race will be donated to the Warroad Childcare Center. In Fargo, proceeds from registration will benefit Youth Works across North Dakota.
According to Marvin’s Tour and Visitor Center team, the conception of the Yellow Rose Races can be traced back to Margaret “Peggy” Johnson, née Marvin, as early as 2002. Johnson reached out to the Road Runners Club of America to gather information on how to set up a 5K race or run, and the event was officially established in 2004 as part of Marvin’s Family Festival.
In the lead-up to the very first Yellow Rose 5K in 2004, Race Chairman Anthony Head urged the community to register, stating that if 100 people signed up, the 5K would become an annual event. The community responded enthusiastically, with over 1,500 attendees at the inaugural event, and Bill and Frank Marvin provided encouragement to participants at the water stand.
The Marvin “Family Festival” was held in 2004 to celebrate the centennial anniversary of George Marvin’s arrival in Warroad in 1904. The festival featured an all-employee picnic, games and food, the 5K race, and a fireworks display. While the festival was a one-time event, the 5K and all-employee picnic became annual traditions for the Marvin Company.
Proceeds from the very first Yellow Rose 5K were donated to the Warroad Food Shelf, with registrants receiving a commemorative T-shirt and small gifts provided by local businesses. The traditions of donating to charitable organizations and providing special souvenirs and tokens remain to this day.
Building on these strong community roots and decades of tradition, this year’s Yellow Rose races once again showcased impressive talent and spirit from runners across the region. Here are the 5K first-place results from the 2025 Warroad event by group:
Boys Age 7 and Under: Edison Harren Boys Ages 8-12: Tanner Marcotte Boys Ages 13-19: Tyson McKeever Men’s Overall: Cameron Heppner
Girls Age 7 and Under: Emerson Harren Girls Ages 8 -12: Brynn Knutson Girls Ages 13-19: Audrey Hayden Women’s Overall: Hannah Dumansky
The Yellow Rose Race continues to be a true family affair. This year, Cameron Heppner, grandson of Peggy Johnson, née Marvin, the race’s original visionary, took home the men’s overall title with an impressive 16:50.3 time. Meanwhile, brother and sister Emerson and Edison Harren claimed first place in the girls and boys 7-and-under divisions, respectively, showcasing the next generation of local talent. Their parents, Warroad native Gabriel Harren and his wife Katie Kalkman accompanied them throughout the race and to the finish line. With strong community ties and family legacies at its heart, the Yellow Rose Race remains a cherished tradition in Warroad and beyond.
To find the final race results, visit GSEtiming.com. We will continue to follow stories like this and bring updates from your community, here at your local homegrown radio station KQ92 at 92.5 FM and KRWB at 1410 AM and 102.9 FM.
Minnesota Department of Human Services Press Release | August 5, 2025
Minnesota – Minnesota’s Department of Human Services is taking swift and dramatic action to shut down a key housing program, and it could have serious consequences for rural Minnesotans, including those in Roseau and Lake of the Woods counties.
On Friday, July 31st, Minnesota DHS announced it is seeking federal approval to immediately terminate the Housing Stabilization Services program, which helps people on Medicaid find and keep stable housing. That includes people living with disabilities, mental illness, or those at risk of homelessness.
Temporary DHS Commissioner Shireen Gandhi said the program lacks sufficient guardrails to prevent fraud and that millions in taxpayer dollars may have been misused by providers who weren’t actually delivering care. So far, DHS has halted payments to 77 providers across the state due to credible allegations of fraud.
While the state says it plans to redesign and relaunch the benefit, this leaves many Minnesotans, particularly in smaller counties, in a tough spot. For residents in Roseau and Lake of the Woods Counties, where housing options and support services are already limited, the loss of this program could mean longer waitlists, less assistance, and increased housing instability for those who depend on these supports.
DHS says it’s notifying both providers and recipients, and will continue monitoring any services still operating during the shutdown process.
Local agencies are urging those impacted to reach out to their case managers or county human services offices to understand what options may still be available.
Minnesota DNR Release | July 29, 2025 – Prairie Chicken Hunt Applications ARE Open – Minnesota residents have until Friday, August 15, to apply for one of 125 permits for the 2025 prairie chicken hunting season. The season runs for nine days, beginning Saturday, September 27, in northwestern Minnesota. Selected hunters will be required to purchase a prairie chicken license before participating. Details and application information are available at mndnr.gov/hunting/prairiechicken.
For those looking to deer hunt this season – The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has released the 2025 deer hunting regulations, with licenses going on sale this Friday, August 1. One of the most significant changes this year is the elimination of the separate B season license. There is now a single statewide firearms license, valid for both the main season and the late southeast season—aimed at reducing confusion and simplifying the licensing process.
The DNR continues its response to chronic wasting disease (CWD), with self-service sampling stations available in management zones during the firearms opener, November 8 through 10, and during special hunts. Testing is mandatory during opening weekend in CWD zones for deer one year or older. Mail-in kits are also available, though hunters using older kits will need new shipping labels. More information is at mndnr.gov/deerhunt.
The Antlerless Lottery Deadline is also Approaching – Hunters in lottery-designated permit areas must purchase licenses by Thursday, September 4, to be entered for a chance to harvest antlerless deer. Bag limits have been adjusted in several areas—two DPAs lowered their limits, while 25 increased them, reflecting improved winter survival conditions in many parts of the state.
Key Deer Season Dates for 2025:
Archery: September 13–December 31
Youth and Early Antlerless: October 16–19
Firearms: Opens November 8
Muzzleloader: November 29–December 14
Late CWD Hunts: December 19–21
For full regulation details, maps, and permit area information, visit mndnr.gov/deerhunt.
MINNESOTA Department of Health Press Release – Minnesota health officials are tracking an increase in tularemia (TOO-LAH-REE-MEE-UH) also known as Rabbit Fever cases across the state, including the Twin Cities metro. Tularemia is a potentially serious illness that affects both people and animals. It’s caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis, which is commonly found in wildlife—especially rabbits, squirrels, beavers, muskrats, and other rodents.
The Minnesota Department of Health, Department of Natural Resources, and Board of Animal Health say outdoor cats are especially at risk. Pets often get infected by hunting small animals or through tick and fly bites. Signs of tularemia in animals include high fever, weakness, loss of appetite, ulcers, and swollen lymph nodes.
So far in 2025, five human cases have been confirmed. Two people were infected by tick bites, one by a stray cat, and one likely through mowing over a contaminated area. A fifth case is still under investigation. Tularemia isn’t spread from person to person but can be passed from animals to humans through bites, scratches, or direct contact with infected wildlife.
To reduce the risk: Keep cats indoors and prevent them from hunting, use tick prevention for pets, apply insect repellent for yourself, avoid handling sick or dead wild animals and check for rabbit nests or animal remains before mowing the lawn.
Tularemia symptoms in people include sudden fever, swollen lymph nodes, skin ulcers, chills, and body aches—usually appearing 3 to 5 days after exposure.
If you’re bitten or scratched by a sick animal, call your doctor and the Minnesota Department of Health at 651-201-5414. For pet-related concerns, contact your vet or Dr. Steve Kivisto at 612-790-8140.
Warroad, MINN. – Road construction also continues in Warroad along Highway 11, with paving and bridge work picking up speed this week.
Traffic control transitions are underway, so motorists are asked to slow down and stay alert in work zones. Paving will be completed on the east, west, and south parts of the new roundabout. Crews are also installing turf and signage and preparing to shift traffic onto the roundabout soon. On the bridge side of the project, crews are finishing the sheeting, removing old piers and piles, and beginning work on the new foundation.
July 28 through August 1, traffic will transition onto the new roundabout, with Highway 11 open to east-west travel and Cedar Avenue re-opening to the south. However, Highway 313 will close Monday morning, cutting off north-south travel from Highway 11—drivers will need to follow the detour. The temporary bypass will be removed, and work on Highway 313 will begin. On the bridge, crews will begin constructing the west abutment and pier caps.
This is part of a long-term project by MnDOT, Roseau County, and the City of Warroad to reconstruct Highway 11 and Cedar Avenue between County Road 5 and Lake Street. Construction is scheduled through 2026, including pavement resurfacing, storm sewer replacement, landscaping, and bridge work. The bridge will remain open during the winter months, and overall improvements aim to address safety, access, and aging infrastructure.
To get updates or learn more, visit mndot.gov. For real-time travel info across Minnesota, visit 511mn.org or download the 511 app on your phone.
Roseau, MINN. – Construction continues in Roseau along Highway 11. From July 28 to August 1, traffic configuration stays the same. Work continues on sidewalks west of the bridge, and crews will begin grading and preparing the area for paving. The existing storm sewer crossings will be removed, and lighting installation will move to the west side of the bridge.
The Roseau Highway 11 project includes resurfacing the roadway, upgrading sidewalks, removing outdated signals, improving the bridge, and updating lighting and utilities. Drivers should continue using the detour via Center Street West.
Once finished, the upgrades will mean a safer road, improved intersections, better drainage, and enhanced access for pedestrians. The project is on track to wrap up in early September, weather permitting.
To get updates or learn more, visit mndot.gov. For real-time travel info across Minnesota, visit 511mn.org or download the 511 app on your phone.
