Local and Regional News, Wednesday 3/11/2026
The Canada Border Services Agency is reminding travelers heading north for March Break to plan ahead for a smoother trip across the border.
Officials say in 2025 the agency welcomed more than 82 million travelers, while also intercepting over 83 thousand kilograms of illegal drugs and seizing more than 17,700 weapons and firearms.
The agency encourages travelers to have documents ready, check border wait times, and consider crossing early in the morning to avoid delays. Drivers are also reminded to declare everything they’re bringing into Canada and keep receipts for items purchased abroad.
There are also some important reminders: do not bring cannabis across the border, even though it is legal in Canada, and travelers are encouraged to leave firearms and weapons at home.
Officials say the best way to speed up your crossing is to know the rules, be prepared, and answer officers honestly when you arrive at the border.
Farmers across the state are getting a closer look at crop disease risks through a new webinar from University of Minnesota Extension.
During the latest Strategic Farming: Let’s Talk Crops session, researchers discussed whether recent outbreaks of foliar diseases in corn—like Tar Spot and Southern Rust—could become more common in Minnesota.
Experts say tar spot is now established in many parts of the state, while southern rust spores can travel north during warm, humid summers and threaten yields if they arrive early enough in the growing season. Researchers emphasized that field scouting and properly timed fungicide applications remain the best tools for protecting yield potential.
The full webinar and other sessions in the Strategic Farming series are available online through the University of Minnesota Extension website and YouTube channel.
The International Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is reminding residents to submit nominations for the 2026 Annual Awards Gala.
Chamber Director JJ McBride says the community still has time to nominate outstanding individuals, businesses, and organizations.
McBride says nominations can be submitted online, by email, or by scanning QR codes posted around town.
The 2026 Awards Gala will take place April 23rd at the Thunderbird Lodge, celebrating businesses, nonprofits, and community members who help make the Borderland a great place to live.
Essentia Health says it continues to expand support for communities across the region, especially for patients who may otherwise struggle to access care. In its latest Community Benefit Report, the nonprofit health system says it provided more than 539 million dollars in community contributions during its most recent fiscal year, which ran from July 2024 through June 2025.
That total includes charity care, discounted services for uninsured patients, and care that is only partially reimbursed by government programs like Medicare and Medicaid.
Essentia CEO Dr. David Herman says the report highlights the organization’s mission to ensure patients can access quality care in the communities they call home.
The health system also plans several future investments, including new emergency departments in Virginia and Fosston, a new musculoskeletal center in the Brainerd Lakes area, and an expanded clinic and pharmacy in Cloquet.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is reminding campers that reservations for Minnesota state parks and recreation areas can now be made 120 days in advance, meaning early July camping dates are already open.
Officials say campers should first decide whether a state park, recreation area, or state forest best fits their trip. State parks typically offer modern amenities like showers, electric hookups, cabins, and naturalist programs, while state forests provide a more rustic experience and often don’t require reservations.
The D-N-R recommends booking early, especially for weekends and campsites with electricity, which tend to fill quickly.
Reservations can be made online at mndnr.gov, and visitors are reminded that overnight campers will also need a state park vehicle permit, which costs seven dollars daily or thirty-five dollars for a yearly pass.
The D-N-R also encourages campers to plan activities, pack essential gear, and arrive on time to avoid losing their reserved campsite.