Ruby's Pantry — a nonprofit organization that operated pop-up food pantries in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Iowa — announced on Tuesday that operations ended effectively immediately. Pop-up locations included Access Church in North Branch, New Hope Community Church in Isanti, Memorial Drive Bible Fellowship in Askov, and New Life Church of Foley. A statement from Ruby's Pantry reads, in part: "Over the past several months, we have been thoughtfully realigning the w

MnDOT announced its 2026 road construction projects on Tuesday, including multiple that will impact motorists in east-central Minnesota. The projects include: Striping and pavement marking along I-35 in Pine County, which is expected to wrap up by May. Resurfacing and updating over 10 miles of Highway 65, starting between Stanchfield and Cambridge after the Fourth of July. A second segment between Stanchfield to north of Braham will start in spring of 2027. The project is est

The CEO of the Mille Lacs Health System in Onamia said there’s “light at the end of the tunnel” after an issue with the Medicare and Medicaid billing system led to millions of dollars of withheld reimbursements since Jan. 1. In an interview on Monday, Andy Knutson explained that in July of 2025, the Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) turned on an edit designed to reduce fraud in the system. "We felt we were ready for the switch to flip in July," Knutson said. "W

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is restricting the open burning of vegetative debris starting Monday, March 30, due to increased wildfire risk. According to the DNR, the increased risks result from warm temperatures and dry conditions in parts of the state. The restrictions apply in Pine, Kanabec, Chisago, Isanti, and Mille Lacs counties. The DNR will not issue permits for open burning of brush or yard waste in those counties until restrictions are lifted. “Wild