Local and Regional News, Friday 5/29/2026
A 28-year-old International Falls man has been federally indicted after authorities say he kidnapped a seven-year-old Minnesota girl and possessed graphic child sexual abuse material involving multiple children.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Joseph Andrew Bragg made his first federal court appearance Thursday, where a judge ordered him held in custody, calling the allegations “a parent’s worst nightmare.”
Investigators say Bragg allegedly abducted a Sherburne County girl in January after she got off her school bus, triggering an Amber Alert and a massive search effort. Authorities say the girl’s mother had previously received suspicious Facebook messages from Bragg offering child care services, which later helped investigators identify him as a suspect.
Police eventually stopped Bragg near the Iowa border and safely recovered the child.
Federal investigators say a further search uncovered alleged child sexual abuse material on Bragg’s phone involving multiple minors. The FBI now believes there could be additional victims connected to the investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI Tip Line at 1-800-CALL-FBI or online at tips.fbi.gov.
Treatment court continues changing lives across northern Minnesota, and one of the newest participants is already seeing major changes.
Twenty-one-year-old Austin Lara shared his story during a recent “Let’s Talk About It” interview, explaining how years of heavy drinking and two D-U-I arrests led him into the Ninth Judicial District Treatment Court program.
Lara says before entering the program in March, he was drinking heavily every day and struggling with stress, finances, and relationships. Now just a few months into sobriety, he says treatment court is helping him rebuild his life and stay focused on his goals and young family.
Lara says treatment court provides accountability, counseling, transportation assistance, and access to social services — resources he says are helping reduce stress and support long-term recovery.
Purple Pride is celebrating a major fundraising success after its annual bingo event brought in nearly 30-thousand dollars to support student programs at International Falls schools. Purple Pride member “Crazy” Terry Thompson says alumni donations helped make this year’s event one of the biggest yet.
After raffle sales and bingo proceeds were added in, the fundraiser netted more than 27-thousand dollars. Thompson says the money helps support co-curricular activities and transportation costs for students.
Purple Pride’s next major fundraiser will be its annual Fish Fry July 16th outside Falls High School. Thompson says the event continues to grow each year with strong community support.
A summer night of music, food, and fundraising is quickly approaching for the Koochiching Historical Museum. The museum’s fifth annual gala — themed “A Summer Night’s Social” — takes place June 12th at Thunderbird Lodge, and organizers say tickets are nearly sold out. Museum director Ashley Levigne says only about 19 tickets remain.
The 1950s-themed event will feature live music from the Holy Rockarollas, dinner, themed cocktails, raffles, and a celebrity silent auction — including a signed Captain America shield prop from the Marvel movies. Levigne says the fundraiser helps support museum improvements and preservation projects.
Doors open at 5 p.m. June 12th at Thunderbird Lodge. Tickets are 70 dollars and available through the Koochiching Historical Museum.