Swatara, MN Events and More

Five Thunderhawks commit to college athletics

GRAND RAPIDS — Dozens of students, staff, and families gathered inside the Grand Rapids High School atrium on Wednesday to celebrate a number of student-athletes committing to college athletic programs to continue their pursuits following high school graduation. Five of Grand Rapids’ best: Senior multi-sport athletes Logan Wourms, Ethan Morgan, Sophie Carlson, Ava Limberg, and Quinn Cargill signed their letters of intent to continue playing the sports they’ve committed to at the schools they chose. Grand Rapids High School athletic director Dale Christy complimented the five for their athletic and academic accomplishments, and for being good representatives of the school and community. Each student had the opportunity to answer several questions about their plans and experiences while at high school, and had their respective coaches offer what set each of them apart. Logan Wourms, State University of New York at Cobleskill - Lacrosse A defenseman and a midfielder for Grand Rapids, Wourms committed to play college lacrosse at SUNY at Cobleskill where he’ll suit up for the Fighting Tigers. While playing lacrosse, he said he is interested in the canine training program offered at the school. He said that was a factor in him choosing Cobleskill, along with the coach’s

islands.com

Goodbye Lake Superior, So Long Lake Minnetonka: This Minnesota Gem Is A Freshwater Fishing Paradise

It's not for nothing that Minnesota has been dubbed the "Land of 10,000 Lakes." The North Star State is a fisherman's oasis, with places like Duluth offering access to Lake Superior, while folks in the Twin Cities can escape to Lake Minnetonka. Still, as serene as their natural beauty may be, summer crowding can be an issue. However, if you prefer a secluded fishing retreat off the beaten path and away from Minnesota's major cities, then say goodbye to these two destinations and hello to Little Jessie Lake. This body of water is located in Itasca County, in what is referred to as "Up North" by locals.

Minnesota · 2d

state.mn.us

Report bear den locations in Brainerd, Grand Rapids, Duluth areas

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is asking hunters and other recreationists spending time outdoors this fall to report the locations of bear dens they encounter in and around the Brainerd, Grand Rapids and Duluth areas. Bear researchers with the DNR and University of Minnesota Duluth hope to fit additional bears with GPS tracking collars this winter.

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News8000com WKBT News 8

Central Iowa man canoes from Grand Rapids to Gulf of Mexico with dog Jade

The Brief

Grand Rapids, MN · 5h

Grand Rapids Herald Review

Fothergill and Jordan win Redfish Cup Championship

PORT ARANSAS, Texas — Grand Rapids native and world-class angler Easton Fothergill and his partner Clark Jordan took home the top prize of $37,000 after winning the 2026 Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship. They finished second in last year’s Redfish Cup, and earned a redeeming victory Nov. 6-8 with a three-day total weight of 42 pounds even - 4.1 pounds ahead of second place Mike Lauer and Jesse Craddock out on Aransas Bay, Port Aransas, Texas. Fothergill and Jordan’s haul after Day 1 saw them just outside the lead by less than a pound. They overtook the tournament lead after Day 2 and extended it through the end of Day 3. Following the win, Fothergill wrote the story of the team’s redemption himself. Redemption on Redfish Easton Fothergill I had a great time fishing the Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship at Port Aransas, Texas, and winning the event alongside Clark Jordan was an incredible experience. Clark and I finished second at last year’s event, so to take home the trophy this time felt really good. After last year’s finish, with my competitive nature, I wanted redemption. I wanted to come back and get another shot at it, so to do that

Grand Rapids, MN · 18h

myklgr.com

14 Counties Eligible For Disaster Assistance

(Atlanta, GA) – The U.S. Small Business Administration is making available low-interest federal disaster loans for eligible small businesses and private nonprofit organizations impacted by drought. The 14 counties are Benton, Cass, Crow Wing, Douglas, Lincoln, Lyon, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Otter Tail, Pipestone, Stearns, Todd, Wadena and Yellow Medicine. The businesses hurt by the drought can apply for up to $2 million dollar loan with interest rates as low as 4%. Loans can last up to 30 years and there is no interest or required payments during the first 12 months following disbursement. Businesses can apply online at sba.gov/disaster.

Yellow Medicine County, MN · 3d

Grand Rapids Herald Review

Itasca County Board sets 2027 legislative priorities, approves jail medical contract

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. — The Itasca County Board of Commissioners finalized its 2027 legislative priorities, approved a $646,753 contract for jail medical services, and recognized local deputies for statewide honors during its regular meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 10. Legislative Priorities Commissioners solidified a seven-point legislative agenda ahead of the 2027 session, focusing on local infrastructure, energy regulations, and rural funding. The finalized list includes: Supporting efforts for double-lane completion on Highway 169.Increasing Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) reimbursements, with an emphasis on lakeshore property.Securing Emergency Medical Services (EMS) funding.Lifting the state nuclear moratorium and updating energy transition rules to include biomass as carbon neutral.Addressing recent legislative impacts on new business economic development and investment.Reforming the state funding process for recreation enforcement.Updating current sulfate standards. During the discussion, Commissioner Corey Smith pointed to the nuclear moratorium and energy transition policies, noting that state regulations have been tough on businesses and require legislative change. Commissioner Casey Venema agreed, calling the current regulatory climate “ridiculous.” Venema also emphasized keeping Highway 169 on the list and suggested looking into pedestrian safety improvements at the crossing near Four Seasons Market. The board voted to accept a $646,753 bid from Advanced Correctional Healthcare (ACH) to

Itasca County, MN · 1d

Grand Rapids Herald Review

Grand Rapids City Council receives critical updates during Monday’s worksession

GRAND RAPIDS — During the Monday, Nov. 9 Grand Rapids City Council worksession, the council received critical updates on two important local topics: property assessments and the replacement of an aging and near-expired water treatment facility. Itasca County Assessor William Hillback gave a comprehensive presentation on the landscape of the local Estimated Market Value (EMV) and how the market has changed in the last eight years, and what to expect next year. Hillback emphasized that the property assessor’s role is responsible only for the valuations of the property, and Minnesota state statute and the guidance or mandates from the Minnesota Department of Revenue (DOR) dictate the methods used to determine property values. The DOR receives all the data collected from the local assessment and makes suggestions or mandates to the local assessors based upon local economic factors. The market conditions have led to some citizens buying and renting in the smaller surrounding towns as a result. Hillback indicated that property values have risen sharply since 2018, while sales have declined. Real estate data showed that the median home sale price in 2018 was $160,000, and was $269,900 in 2025. He feels that non-waterfront properties are likely to see more stabilized

Grand Rapids, MN · 2d

kaxe.org

Coconut pike delight is the Early Bird Fishing Guide's 'Recipe for a Good Day'

GRAND RAPIDS — Early Bird Fishing Guide Jeff Sundin is not only a fan of catching northern pike in area lakes like Winnibigoshish; he loves to cook pike, too. On his regular KAXE Morning Show segment, Sundin delighted us with the story behind his favorite pike recipe — but not before giving us important details about the species' management.

Grand Rapids Herald Review

Itasca basketball teams lock in first wins of 2026-27

GRAND RAPIDS — Minnesota North College-Itasca’s men’s and women’s basketball teams are back on the court this season and both recently picked up their first wins of 2026-27. Men’s coach Tim Wagner said this is his first season coaching in the MCAC and it’s an entirely new coaching staff and roster suiting up for the Vikings this season. They’ll be led by captain Dante Adams, who transferred from North Dakota this season, and Wagner said his first impression is that it’s a quick and talented team. “We’ve got a skilled offensive team that can really score in transition. We can always play five good basketball players that can pass, dribble, and shoot. We’re undersized defensively, but we’ve got good individual defenders with the quickness to keep their man in front.” The Vikings are four games into the season and are now 1-3 after picking up the first win of the year on Monday in Grand Rapids. They had four players score in double figures as they took down Leech Lake Tribal College by 28 points for a 95-67 victory. Khalil Hudgins led Itasca with 17 points on 8 of 10 shooting. Jaden Linsday and Yessef Aikens each scored 15. Linsday

Grand Rapids Herald Review

City Council finalizes local election

GRAND RAPIDS — To open its meeting on Monday, Nov. 9, the Grand Rapids City Council adopted a resolution finalizing the municipal races held during last Tuesday’s midterm elections. The resolution canvasses and declares the results from the election, which determined Grand Rapids Mayor Tasha Connelly was reelected as mayor with 3,599 total votes. Dale Adams (2,899), and Tom Sutherland (2,770) were both elected to council seats. The city council adopted the resolution declaring the election results in a unanimous roll call vote. During Positive Happenings, Mayor Connelly highlighted the Grand Rapids High School football team, who just won the Section 7AAAA Championship and will play in the state quarterfinals this Friday in Brainerd. Connelly also said that Rob Mattei of the economic development authority (GREDA) notified the city council that the city of Grand Rapids received several large census tracts as federal Qualified Opportunity Zones in southern Grand Rapids, designated by the U.S. Department of Treasury. The hope is that the designation draws interest with lucrative economic opportunities and tax incentives to spur development and redevelopment for two areas inside Grand Rapids, effective Jan. 1, 2027, through 2036. COUNCIL REPORTS Molly MacGregor went as an alternate to the Grand

Grand Rapids, MN · 2d

kaxe.org

Aitkin, Clearbrook-Gonvick, Brainerd end state football tourney droughts

Three state tournament droughts are ending, a team proves itself in a new class and a 9-Player rematch. There are lots of storylines to follow for Northern Minnesota competing in the state football tournament this year. Aitkin will play in its first state tournament since 1982. In their second-ever appearance,...

Aitkin, MN · 3d

kaxe.org

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Crosslake construction and demolition landfill fined $20,000 by MPCA for solid waste violations

CROSSLAKE — Crosslake Construction Demolition Debris Facility, Inc. agreed to pay a $20,000 fine for violating its solid waste permit and state requirements. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, or MPCA, fined the construction and demolition debris landfill after finding several unacceptable materials at the facility during four inspections between 2020 and 2022. The materials included furniture, electronics and cleaning solvents.

Crosslake, MN · 3d

Main Street Dollars

UnitedHealthcare and Humana Medicare Advantage members lose M Health Fairview, White River, Fred Hutch and St. Vincent hospitals in four states on Jan. 1

Four hospital systems in four states have told Medicare Advantage members that they will be out of network on Jan. 1, 2027. M Health Fairview in Minnesota, White River Health in Arkansas and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Washington are leaving UnitedHealthcare’s Medicare Advantage plans. St. Vincent Health in Colorado is leaving Humana’s. The timing […]

Minnesota · 2d

FOX 21 Online

Cromwell-Wright football shakes off quarterfinal woes, Cook County falls

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. (KQDS-TV)- In their last two trips to state, Cromwell-Wright football has been unable to get past the 9-man quarterfinals. That all changed on Thursday when the Cardinals defeated Clearbrook-Gonvick 24-20 to secure a spot in the semifinals. Braham Jordan scored the late go-ahead touchdown to put Cromwell-Wright...

Cromwell, MN · 1d

Grand Rapids Herald Review

Midco plans $20 million fiber investment in central, northeastern Minnesota

Midco plans to invest more than $20 million over several years to expand high-speed fiber internet service to approximately 14,700 homes and businesses across central and northeastern Minnesota, including several communities in and around Itasca County. The project will replace portions of the company's existing hybrid fiber-coaxial network with fiber-to-the-premises technology. The planned upgrades will cover approximately 400 miles of network infrastructure. Communities included in the project include Bovey, Coleraine, Floodwood, Hill City, McGregor and several others. Portions of Grand Lake, Greenway and Canosia townships are also included. Midco President and Chief Operating Officer Ben Dold said the investment reflects the company's long-term commitment to the region and will provide improved connectivity for residents, businesses and local institutions. Work is already underway in McGregor, where Midco is completing approximately five miles of fiber construction during 2026. The project is expected to serve about 277 locations. The company is also upgrading network facilities acquired from SCI Broadband, including installing new equipment and transitioning network systems. Midco expects to have completed upgrades to approximately half of the acquired service area by the end of 2026. Broader construction is expected to continue in phases beginning in 2027 and extending over several years. Specific

Itasca County, MN · 15h

Grand Rapids Herald Review

Declining kindergarten enrollment, sub pay top agenda at Grand Rapids School Board meeting

GRAND RAPIDS — Declining kindergarten numbers and a push to raise substitute teacher pay topped the agenda as the Grand Rapids Area School Board met for its regular meeting on Monday, Nov. 10. Director of Business Services Alex Kaczor and Superintendent Matt Grose opened with an Enrollment Indicator Report detailing current district trends. Total enrollment across ISD 318 stands at 3,874 students. While total headcounts match figures from two decades ago, district leaders pointed to a sharp drop in incoming kindergarteners as a growing concern, with this year's class sitting at just 198 students. Grose noted that smaller incoming classes bring financial and staffing consequences that the district will begin navigating as early as this spring. Demographics across Minnesota show families having fewer children, though nearby districts are reporting similar drops. ISD 318 has scaled back from 73 elementary sections in 2022 to 60 this year. Kaczor also pointed to the district’s massive geography—the third largest in Minnesota—as a unique factor alongside state funding rules, which set basic funding at $7,863 per pupil for FY27. Debate over substitute teacher pay The board also took up a proposal from Kacie Maeder to increase pay for substitute teachers to stay competitive with

Grand Rapids, MN · 3d

lptv.org