Local and Regional News, Wednesday 5/20/2026

Regional volunteers are being called on this summer to help feed local children through United Way of Northeastern Minnesota’s Meet Up and Chow Down program, which returns June 8th.
The free summer lunch program serves children ages 1 through 18 across northeastern Minnesota, but organizers say volunteer shortages are putting some locations at risk. Right now, coverage is especially needed in Babbitt and Cook.
United Way Community Impact Coordinator Michelle Lampton says the region has always stepped up in the past.
Lunches will be handed out Monday through Thursday from noon until 1 p.m. through September 3rd at locations including International Falls’ Backus Community Center, along with sites in Virginia, Hibbing, Chisholm, Hoyt Lakes, Nashwauk, Mountain Iron, and several other communities.
Volunteers also help distribute Summer Buddy Backpacks on Thursdays, providing children with meals for the weekend.
Anyone interested in helping can sign up online at UnitedWayNEMN.org slash volunteer.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Duluth has received national recognition from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
The cemetery earned the Operational Excellence Award after receiving perfect marks during consecutive federal inspections, becoming the first state veterans cemetery in the country to do so.
The review measured nearly 100 standards, including grounds maintenance, operations, and care for Veterans and families.
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs says the cemetery laid to rest 228 Veterans and family members during the last fiscal year.
And Minnesota housing advocates are applauding lawmakers after a new state housing package delivered 165 million dollars toward affordable housing efforts.
Most of the funding will support housing infrastructure bonds, while another 40 million dollars will help provide rental assistance.
Minnesota Housing Partnership Executive Director Anne Mavity says affordability pressures continue to strain families across the state, especially as housing shortages persist.
Advocates say Minnesota remains short more than 100-thousand affordable housing units statewide.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says multiple people of interest have been identified as investigators continue looking into the cause of the Flanders Fire in Crow Wing County.
The wildfire has burned more than 1,600 acres since Saturday and was reported 60 percent contained as of Tuesday. Officials say no injuries have been reported and evacuation orders have now been lifted.
The D-N-R says the fire started near the north shore of Flanders Lake between Breezy Point and Highway 6. Investigators are now asking anyone in the area, especially on the west side of the lake, to check trail cameras or home surveillance footage recorded between May 15th and May 17th.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the D-N-R.
Meanwhile, officials say the Stewart Trail Fire near Two Harbors is now fully contained after burning more than 350 acres.