HACKENSACK, Minn. — October 17, 2026 (Minnesota Nice News)
Minnesota news from across nice region of Minnesota for the week, summarized and linked to the outlet that reported it. Pour a cup of coffee and grab a bar. This goes quick. Every story in the Memo links to its original source. Click through and give those reporters a little Minnesota nice.
Round dances, walleyes and an undefeated football team. Pretty good week, if you ask us.
From Minnesota Nice News
A Fila Brasileiro in the Minnesota North Woods: Meet Ginger
BEMIDJI, Minn. — Oct. 10, 2026 (Minnesota Nice News) Meet Ginger, a 125-pound Fila Brasileiro who jogs the back roads near Cass Lake and works as a trained service dog. The story covers the Brazilian farm breed’s famous camel’s pace and how she handles a 20-below winter in booties and a scarf.
Big River Scoop gives a gluten-free date a real ice cream cone option
BEMIDJI, Minn. — Oct. 10, 2026 (Minnesota Nice News) Big River Scoop in downtown Bemidji serves 24 flavors with gluten-free sugar cones and dairy-free choices, right across from Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. The shop is run by the Occupational Development Center, a nonprofit that employs people with disabilities.
Statewide
Duluth and Superior celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day
Dozens of young people marched to Duluth City Hall on Oct. 12, where the mayors of Duluth and Superior read proclamations, the Aerial Lift Bridge was lit and the day closed with a round dance, Northern News Now reports. Duluth closed city offices for the holiday, and Mayor Roger Reinert noted it is one of 27 Minnesota cities, out of 857, that officially recognize the day.
Source: Northern News Now
Bemidji, Brainerd and Moorhead join in
Bemidji lined up a gathering at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center with a blessing, a traditional bison roast meal and a jingle dress teaching, MPR News reports. Brainerd planned a celebration at the Gichi-ziibi Center for the Arts, and Moorhead hosted a lunch and learn and an evening powwow at Moorhead High School.
Source: MPR News
Minnesota United hosts Native American Heritage Night
Minnesota United held its fourth Native American Heritage Night on Oct. 10 against the Houston Dynamo, with T-shirts and a scarf designed by Hunkpapa Lakota artist Willard Malebear, MPR News reports. Guest chefs from Indigena by Owamni served elk and mushroom tostadas.
Source: MPR News
The Vikings start 5-0
The Vikings beat the Saints 23-13 in New Orleans on Oct. 11 to improve to 5-0 and hold first place in the NFC North. Aaron Jones ran for 113 yards and a touchdown, and Justin Jefferson caught a touchdown pass.
Source: New Orleans Saints game recap
Lakes Country
Rainy River Chili Bowl winners weigh 33.21 pounds
The winning team at the Rainy River Chili Bowl tournament brought in a five-fish bag weighing 33.21 pounds, according to the Oct. 14 Lake of the Woods Tourism report collected by Fishrapper. Out on the big lake, walleyes moved closer to shore, and jigging with a minnow produced along the south shore.
Source: Fishrapper
Winnie walleyes go shallow
Fishing guide Jeff Sundin found Lake Winnibigoshish walleyes in shallow water around 53 to 54 degrees on Oct. 16, feeding among minnows and small perch. Wiggle worming outfished the old jig and minnow, and most walleyes ran 16 to 17 inches.
Source: Fishrapper
Community
Northern counties team up on a resilience plan
Eight counties across the Arrowhead and Headwaters regions are building a long-term plan to help communities get ready for storms, drought, wildfires and floods, MPR News reports. Bemidji State University joined the effort, led by the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission, and the final draft is due by June 2029.
Source: MPR News
Moorhead’s 11th Street underpass opens
Moorhead was set to reopen Center Avenue and 11th Street on Oct. 15 after nearly three years of work on two underpasses that carry traffic beneath BNSF Railway lines, KFGO reports. The $171 million project ends the wait for freight trains, including for ambulances and fire trucks.
Source: KFGO
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