Theresa Bourke

From May 1 through July 31, the shelter served 111 guests, and 86 of them left shelter programming, while 25 are still enrolled.

Her visit came on the heels of the passage of the 21st Century Road to Housing Act, which Smith touts as potentially the most significant housing legislation passed by Congress in the last 30 years.

The sessions at Forestview Middle School on Aug. 25 and Sept. 2 come in conjunction with new device and cellphone policies at Brainerd Public Schools this year.

This week’s featured read is “Shield of Sparrows” by Devney Perry.

A new Minnesota law passed July 1, requires all school districts across the state to implement an anonymous threat reporting system by July 1, 2028.

School districts in Brainerd, Pequot Lakes and Walker-Hackensack-Akeley are all asking voters to approve additional funds for operational costs. This year, area schools are looking to reap the benefits of the Seasonal Tax Base Replacement Aid program, which is designed to help districts with large numbers of seasonal recreation properties, such as cabins and vacation homes. Because seasonal recreational properties are exempt from operating levy taxes and instead contribute to the state's general fund, the tax base replacement program allows eligible districts to receive additional state aid tied to operating levy revenue.

“We're doing the best we can, but we still have more to do,” Council President Mike O'Day said during a budget workshop on Monday, Aug. 31.

Staff from Crow Wing County, various nonprofits and other entities that support the recovery community came together for an appreciation event Monday, Aug. 31, at Kiwanis Park in Brainerd.

To end the summer, this week's featured reads are "The Guncle" and "The Guncle Abroad" by Steven Rowley.

Last year’s drive raised more than $15,000 and collected over 3,500 pounds of food.