Local and Regional News, Friday 4/10/2026

Communities along the border are coming together to celebrate the night sky.
Voyageurs National Park will mark International Dark Sky Week April 13th through the 20th with special events and a cross-border proclamation ceremony.
Leaders from Minnesota and Ontario will gather at the park’s headquarters Wednesday, April 15th at 2 p.m., highlighting a shared commitment to protecting some of North America’s darkest skies. The park is internationally recognized as a certified Dark Sky Park.
Throughout the week, evening programs will be held at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center, featuring telescope viewing and educational sessions on reducing light pollution. Visitors will have the chance to see planets, star clusters, and more.
International Dark Sky Week also includes a statewide proclamation from Tim Walz, encouraging residents to protect natural darkness for future generations. Organizers say it’s a unique opportunity to explore the night sky while learning how to preserve it.

A northern Minnesota fundraiser is set to return this summer, supporting hearing loss research and awareness.
The Minnesota Lions Hearing Foundation and the Bemidji Lions Club have announced the annual “Walk to D-Feet Hearing Loss” will take place Saturday, June 6th in Bemidji.
The two-mile walk begins at Diamond Point Park, traveling along Lake Bemidji to the Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statue and back. Organizers say the event raised more than eleven-thousand dollars last year.
Funds from the walk support research and education through the University of Minnesota Department of Otolaryngology.
Registration is now open, with check-in beginning at 8:30 that morning and the walk starting at 9:45. Participants can also enjoy lunch, games, and live music following the event.

A busy stretch of events and opportunities is ahead for the United Way of Northeastern Minnesota.
One of the organization’s biggest fundraisers, “Flavor of the North,” is set for April 23rd.

The event supports the Buddy Backpacks program and is already sold out, but organizers say local restaurants still have time to sign up before the April 15th deadline.

You can reach Elizabeth Kelly at 218-295-2424 or at elizabeth@unitedwaynemn.org.

Meanwhile, April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and United Way is highlighting the importance of community volunteers. A Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon is planned for June 4th, and applications for the Step Into School program open May 1st.

Those interested in getting involved can learn more online.

Elizabeth Kelly says volunteers are key to supporting programs and making a difference across the region.