>>More Boundary Waters Campsites Reopening as Wildfire Crews Make Progress
(Ely, MN) – More of the Boundary Waters is reopening as crews continue battling wildfires in northeastern Minnesota. The Superior National Forest says that by Thursday, more than 15 hundred of roughly two-thousand campsites will be open, representing 73 percent of the wilderness. The July Lightning fires have burned more than 73-thousand acres in the U.S. and Canada. The Camp Fire is now 84 percent contained, while Bear Trap Fire is 41 percent contained. More than 760 personnel remain assigned to the incident.
>>St. Louis County Jail Inmate Dies After Medical Emergency
(Duluth, MN) — The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating the death of an inmate at the St. Louis County Jail in Duluth. Correctional officers were alerted to a medical emergency in the inmate’s cell around 1:10 Saturday morning. Officers began CPR and used an AED, but the inmate never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office requested an independent BCA investigation. The inmate’s name has not been released pending the investigation and notification of family members.
>>Sanctuary State Protest Planned for Minneapolis
(Minneapolis) – The Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee (MIRAC) is holding a rally outside the Downtown Minneapolis offices of Senator Amy Klobuchar tonight. The rally is called “Know Before You Vote: Demand a Sanctuary State.” MIRAC is asking all Minnesota gubernatorial candidates to respond to their sanctuary state demands, which include banning collaboration between local law enforcement and ICE, keeping ICE out of sensitive locations like hospitals and schools, and prosecuting agents who violate the law. The group wants all candidates to respond before tomorrow’s primary. The group says Republican Kendall Qualls has said Minnesota should never be a sanctuary state, and Senator Klobuchar did not respond.
>>Moorhead Police Say Missing Woman Believed to Be Safe
(Moorhead, MN) — Moorhead police say new evidence suggests a missing 35-year-old woman is safe and may be in the Los Angeles area. Investigators say financial transactions linked to Stephanie St. Clair have been occurring consistently there and require a PIN, indicating the person using the card is authorized or familiar with it. Detectives have also obtained video showing a person believed to be St. Clair at a gas station. The FBI is helping verify the information. St. Clair was reported missing by a public housing employee in late July.
>>Other States Eye Minnesota’s Tribal Cannabis Model
(Undated) – Minnesota’s approach to tribal cannabis sales is drawing interest from other states. Minnesota is the only state allowing tribes to operate dispensaries off reservation land through agreements with the state. Seven tribally owned stores have opened off reservations since the compacts began in 2025. State officials say Virginia has drawn from Minnesota’s regulations, while Wisconsin could consider a similar framework if it legalizes cannabis. Tribal leaders say the growing industry is creating jobs and could eventually help fund scholarships and other community programs.
>>Minnesota’s Largest Solar Facility Expanding Near Sherco Plant
(Becker, MN) — Minnesota’s largest solar facility continues to grow near Xcel Energy’s retiring Sherco coal plant in Becker. Xcel recently completed the third phase of Sherco Solar, bringing total capacity to more than 700 megawatts from roughly 1.7 million solar panels. A proposed fourth phase would expand the facility enough to power nearly 200-thousand homes by 2029. Xcel says the project would also create hundreds of union construction jobs and generate millions of dollars in local economic benefits.
>>Duluth Considering Ban on New Vacation Rentals in Single-Family Homes
(Duluth, MN) — Duluth officials are considering a ban on new short-term vacation rentals in single-family homes as the city’s one-year licensing moratorium nears its end. Supporters say the change would preserve housing for residents and address safety concerns, particularly in older homes. Existing licensed rentals could continue operating until the property is sold or its use changes. Owner-occupied home shares and certain accessory dwelling units would still be eligible for permits. City officials are expected to introduce an ordinance outlining the changes.
>>World-First Iron Research Furnace Unveiled in Coleraine
(Coleraine, MN) – The University of Minnesota is launching new technology aimed at keeping Minnesota’s Iron Range competitive as the steel industry evolves. The Natural Resources Research Institute has installed what it calls a world-first Direct Reduced Iron Simulator at its Coleraine laboratory. Researchers will use the furnace to test Minnesota and other iron ores for lower-carbon steel production, including steel made with electric arc furnaces. Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation contributed 600-thousand dollars toward the project, which also received support from the University of Minnesota and U.S. Department of Energy.
>>FarmFest Water Testing Numbers Reported
(St. Paul, MN) – The numbers are in from last week’s FarmFest. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture reports that more than 125 farm families had their water tested for nitrates during the three-day event. The MDA held an onsite clinic for free testing of water samples. The MDA says five of the samples tested above the health standard. Nitrate contamination is one of the most common threats to rural drinking water.
