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We’ve all heard the old African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child,” but it turns out the same applies to common mergansers. That’s right, these large diving ducks, …
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Marshall Helmberger
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7/10/25
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REGIONAL—The Department of Natural Resources is once again proposing reducing the state’s walleye bag limit from the current six, to four. Agency officials say it’s a response to …
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Marshall Helmberger
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7/10/25
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ELY — A pair of ornithologists highlighted their years-long effort to catalog breeding bird species in Minnesota at a Tuesday Group meeting here earlier this month. Gerald Niemi, a retired UMD …
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Stephanie Ukkola
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7/10/25
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ISABELLA LAKE— You can see forest succession in action here in the aftermath of the Pagami Creek fire, which reset the forest’s clock across more than 90,000 acres back in 2011. While the …
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Marshall Helmberger
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7/2/25
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REGIONAL— The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has approved a $200,000 joint grant proposal spearheaded by the Howard Wagoner Trails Club, the Prospector ATV Club, and the city of …
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7/2/25
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REGIONAL— The U.S. Forest Service has responded to questions posed by the Timberjay last week for its story on proposed camping fee increases for visitors to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area …
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7/2/25
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REGIONAL— Campers in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness can expect to see less maintenance of portages and campsites this summer as the Forest Service cuts back on seasonal wilderness …
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Marshall Helmberger
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6/26/25
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LOST LAKE— Minnesota is home to almost 50 species of orchids and the Lost Lake Peatland, part of the state’s Scientific and Natural Area program, is home to several of them. And you …
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Marshall Helmberger
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6/26/25
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Springtime on the island is always busy. There’s boat and docks to be put in and downed trees and other debris from the winter to be hauled out. The cabin is always a mess because I …
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April Wamhoff
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6/26/25
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LAKE VERMILION— A team of researchers was in the area late last week hoping that sampling of lake sediments will allow them to piece together the historic trends of walleye numbers in 15 of the …
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Marshall Helmberger
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6/18/25
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GREENWOOD TWP- Natural shorelines are essential for preserving a lake’s water quality, and lakeshore owners in our area got a chance to learn some easy and low-cost ways to preserve or …
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Jodi Summit
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6/18/25
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THE BOUNDARY WATERS— One of the hallmarks of a federal wilderness is a landscape governed by natural, rather than man-made processes. Here, in the 1.1-million-acre Boundary Waters Canoe Area …
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Marshall Helmberger
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6/12/25
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REGIONAL— Residents of the North Country can expect to see more smoky skies this summer if the seasonal forecast offered by Environment Canada on Tuesday holds true. A highly active spring fire …
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Marshall Helmberger
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6/12/25
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REGIONAL— The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is seeking volunteers to help monitor the loon population in several counties in northern Minnesota, including Cook, Itasca, and Lake …
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6/12/25
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In my experience, it’s a warm morning in mid-May when one of our largest warblers announces it is back here in the North Country, with its explosive “teacher-teacher-teacher!” …
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Marshall Helmberger
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6/5/25
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REGIONAL— It appears the North Country is heading back into drought status after one of the driest months of May in several years, a pattern that appears to be continuing at least for the first …
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Marshall Helmberger
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6/5/25
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CRANE LAKE— The public is invited to attend the grand opening of the Crane Lake Visitor Center, set for this Friday, June 6, from 1:30-5:30 p.m. The event will include a variety of …
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6/5/25
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For many plants that reside on the forest floor here in the North Country, that period between the thawing of the ground and the bursting of the leaves of the overstory is focused on reproduction. …
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Marshall Helmberger
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5/29/25
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LAKE VERMILION-Red Lowen was never concerned that a change in ownership of the annual City Auto Glass walleye tournament to Safelite would mean less of a commitment to funding worthwhile causes …
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5/29/25
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Calling your dog and having them completely ignore you is one of the most frustrating situations dog owners face. Whether they’re off chasing a squirrel, checking out a new scent, or just busy …
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Nicole Wiebusch
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5/29/25
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COOK- The old Northwoods Bait and Tackle served its purpose. But for Paula and Dave Dundas, it was never going to be big enough to hold their dreams. “Well, that’s for dang sure. …
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David Colburn
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5/22/25
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ELY— When it comes to messaging, timing is key— and it couldn’t have been better for the Ely Climate Group’s presentation here last Wednesday on the human health impacts of …
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Marshall Helmberger
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5/22/25
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REGIONAL—With the weather forecast looking prime for the Memorial Day weekend, you may be thinking about a last-minute reservation at a public campground in the area. It’s probably too …
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Marshall Helmberger
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5/22/25
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REGIONAL— An unprecedented heat wave sent thermometers soaring across northern Minnesota earlier this week, crushing previous high temperature records by double digits in some cases. It was the …
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Marshall Helmberger
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5/15/25
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REGIONAL— The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is inviting people to share their thoughts on a draft update of the state’s long-range plan for muskie. “Public input, …
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5/15/25
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