Annalise Braught

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.

Ed Bieber and his fiancée, Christie Barlament, operate Bieber's Underwater Recovery, which specializes in water recovery, cleanup and a little unofficial treasure hunting.

MnDOT will move into the next portion of the State Highway 197 reconstruction project on Friday, July 17. During this phase, Highway 71 lanes south of the intersection will be closed beginning Friday; this includes a detour for all traffic.

At least one person has been taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement who was working on a construction site at the SouthShore Hotel on Lake Bemidji on Thursday morning.

The 58th annual Watermark Art Festival continues from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 19, at Library Park and the Watermark Art Center.

Officials from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have confirmed that a total of seven undocumented immigrants from several different countries were arrested during a recent targeted operation in Bemidji.