Local and Regional News, Wednesday 4/15/2026

I had the chance yesterday to visit a Career Exploration class and talk about my work as a sports and news broadcaster with RJ Broadcasting in International Falls.

I shared my path through the University of Northwestern – St. Paul and how hands-on experience helped me get started in broadcasting.

I also explained that the job goes beyond being on the air—it includes writing, editing, and preparing content every day.

And while the hours can be long-

-it’s a career that’s always changing and never boring.

A Fort Frances woman is facing impaired driving charges following an incident over the weekend.
The Ontario Provincial Police say officers responded to a call for service on Sunday, April 12th, where they located an intoxicated female. Further investigation determined she had been operating a motor vehicle while impaired.
Thirty-year-old Michelle Copenace of Fort Frances has been charged with operation while impaired, as well as operating with a blood alcohol concentration over the legal limit.
She has since been released from custody and is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice at a later date.
Police are reminding the public to report suspected impaired drivers by calling 9-1-1, as they continue efforts to keep roads safe through enforcement and education.

American Rivers is sounding the alarm over one of Minnesota’s most treasured resources.
The organization has named the South Kawishiwi River, which flows through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, as the number three most endangered river in the country for 2026.
The designation comes amid concerns over proposed sulfide-ore copper mining near the river’s headwaters. Advocates warn that pollution from the project could harm water quality, wildlife habitat, and public health in one of North America’s most pristine freshwater systems.
The Environmental Protection Agency has identified this type of mining as the most toxic industry in the United States.
The Boundary Waters, which includes more than a thousand lakes and draws over 150-thousand visitors each year, also supports thousands of jobs tied to outdoor recreation.
Federal protections currently limit mining in the region, but those safeguards are now under review in Congress.
Conservation groups are urging the public to contact lawmakers and push for permanent protections to preserve the Boundary Waters for future generations.

International Dark Sky Week is underway at Voyageurs National Park, with special programming running April 14th through the 18th.
Education Specialist Jesse Gates says the park is home to some of the best night skies in the country—offering visitors a rare chance to truly experience the stars.

But Dark Sky Week is about more than just stargazing—it’s also about education and awareness. Officials say many people have never experienced truly dark skies due to light pollution.

Nightly programs will include indoor presentations followed by telescope viewing and guided stargazing—giving visitors a chance to connect with nature and see the night sky in a way that’s becoming increasingly rare.