>>Pressure Ridge Break Strands Anglers At Lake Of The Woods
(Lake of the Woods, MN) — About 50 anglers are safe after being stranded on the ice at Lake of the Woods on New Year’s Day. The Lake of the Woods Sheriff’s Office says a pressure ridge cracked open on the lake on Monday afternoon. A boat from a nearby resort was able to get the group to the south side of the pressure ridge and they were able to get to shore from there. No injuries were reported.
>>Man Who Died At Lake Of The Woods Identified
(Lake of the Woods, MN) — A man who died when a tracked vehicle broke through the ice at Lake of the Woods last week is being identified by authorities. First responders were called to an area near Flag Island on December 28th after the eight people were dropped into the icy water. Seven of the eight were able to get to safety. The body of 78-year-old John Frey of Wisconsin was recovered by searchers later in the day.
>>Walz Says Red Flag Law Will Save Lives
(St. Paul, MN) — Governor Tim Walz says a new extreme risk protection order law that went into effect on Monday will help save lives in Minnesota. Walz, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and members of law enforcement spoke about the law yesterday in St. Paul. Also known as a red flag law, the measure allows courts to issue a protective order to seize firearms from anyone found to be a danger to themselves and others.
>>Reinert Inaugurated As Mayor Of Duluth
(Duluth, MN) — Duluth has a new mayor. Roger Reinert was sworn in as the city’s 40th mayor in a ceremony yesterday afternoon. Reinert defeated former Mayor Emily Larson in November, vowing to focus on city services, housing and infrastructure.
>>Minnesota Schools Have To Provide Free Menstrual Products To Students
(Minneapolis, MN) — Minnesota schools are providing free menstrual products for students. Female legislators sponsored a bill, which is now in effect with the new year, to provide access to menstrual products for students in fourth grade through 12th grade. The executive director of the National Council of Jewish Women Minnesota says schools will receive state funding that amounts to about two-dollars per student.
>>Respiratory Virus Cases Climbing Following Holiday Season
(St. Paul, MN) — Respiratory virus cases are rising nationally following the holidays. Waste water data showed COVID-19 cases climbed in Minnesota the week before Christmas. However, Dr. Madeleine Gagnon of Gillette Children’s says Minnesota’s virus cases are less than last year’s. Medical personnel advise people to wash their hands often to limit the spread of germs.
>>Beargrease Sled Dog Race Canceled Due To Lack Of Snow
(Duluth, MN) — Organizers of the annual John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon in northern Minnesota have decided to cancel the event due to a lack of snow. The board of directors for the race announced the decision yesterday, saying they had been waiting for months for the weather to cooperate. They added that postponing the race proved unworkable because of uncertain conditions and conflicts with other scheduled races. The race was scheduled to start near Duluth on January 28th, with competitors traveling about 300 miles and winding up in Grand Portage.
>>Gunflint Mail Run Gets New Date
(Grand Marais, MN) — A sled dog race along the Gunflint Trail has a new date. Organizers of the Gunflint Mail Run plan to hold the event on February 10th. The 65-mile race north of Grand Marais was originally set for this Saturday, but had to be rescheduled due to warm temperatures and lack of snow.
(Bemidji, MN) Paul Bunyan Communications is encouraging 16 and 17 year old High school students to enter their Essay Contest for a chance to attend the 2024 Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. in early June.
Interested students need to submit a short essay of under 500 words on why they would like to attend the Youth Tour. Students must have a parent/guardian as a member of Paul Bunyan Communications Cooperative. More information can be found on the Paul Bunyan Communications website. The deadline for entries is Thursday, February 29.
Paul Bunyan Communications has participated in sending a local high school student to the Youth Tour since 1996.
