Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Minnesota Department of Transportation announced there will be numerous road work projects on 2026. One will be continuing work on the Highway 10 project upgrades from Rice to Little Falls and also additions north of Staples to Perham. Highway 71 in Todd, Stearns and Kandiyohi Counties. There is also projects expected in parts of Crow Wing and Mille Lacs County all starting if weather permits late this month. You are encouraged as always to slow down in work zones. Fines double and some cities have ordinances that have increased fines if caught speeding in works zones. 

Nearly 66,000 Minnesotans were granted a permit to legally carry a gun in 2025. That number is higher than in 2024, but consistent with the numbers for 2022 and 2023. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension released the 2025 Permit to Carry Report on Tuesday. Minnesota sheriffs reported to the BCA that 75,782 permits were applied for and that they issued 65,961 permits in 2025. There were 261 permits suspended, 49 revoked, 1,331 voided, and 751 denied last year. Nine permits were revoked because the person was the subject of an Extreme Risk Protection Order. Minnesota sheriffs reported that individuals with permits committed 5,647 crimes in 2025. This is the highest number since the state's Personal Protection Act was enacted in 2003, but the percentage of permit holders who committed a crime was still just one percent, consistent with recent years. Just over 55 percent were DWIs or other traffic offenses. Twenty-four percent were from the 'other' category, which includes less serious offenses such as city ordinance violations and DNR violations.

A 42-year-old Hugo woman is being charged after investigators say she made threatening and harassing phone calls to House Speaker and Representative Lisa Demuth. According to the criminal complaint, starting in January, Rachel Welsch called Demuth’s office, saying she wanted to meet her “wherever you are” and that she should be “wondering when we are going to come.” She also demanded federal agents leave the state, said she was going to find Demuth, angrily voiced concerns about cuts to federal funding and called her a “racist piece of [expletive].” Demuth is biracial. The Minnesota State Patrol, who are in charge of security for state lawmakers, went to Welsch’s home, and she allegedly admitted to making the calls, but court documents indicate she continued leaving increasingly violent and threatening messages with two thinly veiled threats of a shooting. One reportedly said while Demuth was out campaigning for governor, Welsch was taking target practice, adding that she was getting really good, that Demuth was “going to fall,” and that she [Welsch] would be there “at the end of that barrel.” Another said there is no bulletproof glass between the two of them, and Welsch said she would send Demuth a picture of a piece of paper to show off her marksmanship. Demuth is a Republican Representative from Cold Spring. Separately, Republican Patti Anderson, who represents the area where Welsch lives, also reported receiving threats. Welsch is charged with one count of threats of violence. She remains free on bail. Her next court date is April 7th.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is seeking public input on its fisheries management plan for nearly 200 lakes, including several around the St. Cloud area. Local lakes include Long and Peavy in Morrison County; Cedar, Kings, and Long Lakes in Stearns County; and French, Pulaski, and Upper Maple Lakes in Wright County. The DNR encourages people with thoughts on the future management of a lake with a scheduled plan update to call or email the area fisheries office for that water body before March 31st. Area fisheries teams will consider the public’s observations and comments as they develop updates for each management plan. DNR officials shared questions to consider: “What kind of fishing experience am I looking for?” “Are there fish habitat concerns I’d like to share?” “What kinds of fish do I like to catch?” “Do I like catching big fish or a lot of fish?” “Do I have concerns about the fishery’s draw or popularity among anglers or other social concerns?” The DNR is also interested in comments from organizations or their representatives, including outdoors groups, conservation organizations, lake associations and local governments. Based on initial comments received and other considerations, area fisheries managers might request additional public feedback later in the summer or fall before completing the update to a particular plan. If you wish to give your feedback, go the DNR website or contact your local DNR Conservation officer.