Local and Regional News, Tuesday 3/24/2026
Minnesota lawmakers continue their work at the Capitol, with a lighter week for veterans-related legislation. Both Veterans committees did not meet last week, resulting in fewer bills being heard compared to the previous week.
One bill moving forward would allow veterans of the Korean and Vietnam War eras to receive high school diplomas if they left school early to serve. That proposal cleared its first committee and now heads to the Agriculture and Veterans Committee.
Another bill would extend limited benefits to veterans of the Secret War in Laos and create an application process for eligibility. That measure also advanced and is now headed to the Transportation Committee.
Looking ahead, the House Veterans and Military Affairs Division is set to meet Wednesday with several bills and a presentation on the agenda. Meanwhile, key legislative deadlines arrive this week, meaning many bills that haven’t cleared committees could soon fall off the table.
Essentia Health is offering a series of free virtual classes focused on advance care planning over the next few months.
The sessions are designed to help adults think through future health care decisions, including creating an advance directive, also known as a living will. Topics include choosing a health care agent, reflecting on personal values, and outlining goals for treatment.
Upcoming classes are scheduled from noon to 1 p.m. on March 24th, April 16th, and May 12th, and are open to the public. April 16th also marks National Healthcare Decisions Day, a nationwide effort to encourage people to document and discuss their health care wishes.
If you’re unable to attend live, a pre-recorded webinar is also available online. Organizers say having these conversations ahead of time can help ensure your wishes are honored and ease the burden on loved ones during medical emergencies.
Farmers across Northern Minnesota are being urged to stay alert as a growing weed problem becomes even more difficult to manage. According to the University of Minnesota Extension, waterhemp—already considered one of the region’s most troublesome weeds—is now showing resistance to even more herbicides, including glufosinate, one of the last effective options.
Experts say resistance has been found in multiple populations across Minnesota and Wisconsin, with some weeds now resistant to as many as six different herbicide types.
Agronomists recommend starting with strong pre-emergent herbicides at full rates, applying post treatments when weeds are under three inches tall, and mixing herbicide modes of action to slow resistance. They also stress that non-chemical methods—like cover crops, cultivation, and narrow row spacing—are becoming increasingly important.
More information and a full discussion can be found through the University of Minnesota Extension’s Strategic Farming program.
The Minnesota D-N-R’s 2026 moose population estimate shows there are four-thousand-470 animals in the state. Wildlife research manager Seth Goreham (GOR’-um) says they finished the flying survey of northeastern Minnesota in January. He says the latest numbers suggest the moose population has stabilized over the last five or six years. The 2025 survey showed four-thousand-75 moose. Goreham says there are new infrared cameras on the planes that can detect moose in deep foliage.
The Gitchi-Gami State Trail is getting national recognition. The popular North Shore trail has been named one of the “Best Recreational Trails in the U.S.” by USA Today and is currently sitting in third place in a nationwide voting contest. The paved, ADA-accessible trail stretches along Lake Superior and currently features more than 36 miles of completed segments, with plans to eventually expand to 86 miles connecting Two Harbors to Grand Marais.
The trail offers scenic views of landmarks like the Temperance River Gorge and Beaver Bay, while also linking communities, state parks, and local attractions along Minnesota’s North Shore.
Voting for the national contest continues through April 6th, and supporters can cast a vote once per day online. Organizers say the recognition highlights years of collaboration to create a safe, accessible outdoor space for residents and visitors alike.