Larissa Donovan

An ordinance for a one-year moratorium on data center developments is on its way to the Bemidji Planning Board, with another opportunity for public comment on Sept. 14, 2026.

Plus: Sanford Health and North Memorial Health sign 10-year agreement with state AG for a merger; and the Beargrease sled dog race returns to "out-and-back" format for 2027 event.

Plus: Wildfire-affected areas in and around the Boundary Waters continue to reopen; lake associations are seeing impacts from new boating laws; and Grand Itasca Clinic is changing its name.

Right after the back-to-school traffic rush on Sept. 8, 2026, MnDOT crews will implement a detour while rebuilding the north side of the Highway 71 intersection.

Plus: District judges in Crow Wing County request deputy presence at hearings, highway construction project moves forward in Bemidji

Plus: Essentia Health, nurses' union reach labor agreement for Deer River hospital; DNR finds "gaps" in review for Hermantown data center; and the fall color finder map is now live.

The Bemidji City Council voted to pursue in-house management of the Sanford Center rather than renew a contract with Legends Global, slated to expire in March 2027.

Because of low free-and-reduced lunch numbers, the Fosston Public Schools district no longer qualifies for a fresh fruits and vegetables program for elementary students.

Ways To Subscribe Plus: Fosston Schools accept garden bounties to fill gap from lost program. More from KAXE News

The FBI confirmed in an email that federal agents from the FBI and the Bureau of Indian Affairs executed a search warrant at Ombimindwaa on Sept. 10, 2026.