Annalise Braught

A normally quiet neighborhood was disrupted on Thursday afternoon when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained at least several construction workers at the Villas at Vista North in Bemidji.

"Over a Barrel" opens at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 18, at the Chief Theater in downtown Bemidji. Shows continue at 7:30 p.m. June 19-20 and 25-27, with 2 p.m. matinees on Sunday, June 21, and Wednesday, June 24.

Annalise is the editor and a photographer at the Bemidji Pioneer. She is a Mass Communication graduate from Bemidji State University and has a Supervisory Management degree from Northwest Technical College. Her favorite pastime is exploring the great outdoors and capturing its natural beauty on camera. Contact Annalise at

The number of people detained is unknown; whith one reported to be from Inver Grove Heights

A total of 19 new pieces were installed by dedicated board members and volunteers in early June as part of this year’s Bemidji Sculpture Walk, marking its 27th year of beautifying downtown.

When people ask me what it was like for me as the newspaper editor when the June 21, 2025, storm hit Bemidji — the worst in documented history — my answer is a little different from what one would likely expect.

Carnival rides, games, fair food and a whole lot of bingo kicked off the Bemidji Jaycees' 82nd Annual Water Carnival on Wednesday as Merriam's Midway got underway.

Youngsters rolled along in dozens of decked-out wagons, scooters, bikes and more during the traditional Kiddie Parade as the Bemidji Jaycees' 82nd Annual Water Carnival continued on Saturday morning.

As dusk fell over Lake Bemidji, the Red, White and Boom fireworks lit up the sky as the Bemidji Jaycees' 82nd Annual Water Carnival commemorated America's 250th birthday on Saturday.

Rounding out five days of fun summer traditions, the Grand Parade rolled through downtown Bemidji on Sunday to conclude the Bemidji Jaycees' 82nd Annual Water Carnival.