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Brainerd / Baxter

Your Community, More Completely.
Saturday, November 7, 2026 · Permanent link to this edition
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Saturday, November 7 (today): 8x8 exhibition closesSunday, November 8 (tomorrow): Garth Live! tribute at Gichi-ziibi Center for the ArtsWednesday, November 11 (4 days): Veterans Day; Operation Green Light endsThursday, November 12 (5 days): Weekly Storytime at Brainerd Public Library
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Today in Brainerd / Baxter

Brainerd's school operating levy failed by several thousand votes in unofficial results, KAXE reports. (unconfirmed)
KAXE reports DJ Dondelinger, Mark Lelwica and Randy Heidmann finished in the top three in the Brainerd School Board race.
Crow Wing County asks residents to show green lights for veterans through Wednesday, November 11.
The Crossing Arts Alliance 8x8 exhibition closes today, Saturday, November 7; pickup of won pieces ends today.
Highway 210 is open to four lanes between Pine Shores Road and South Sixth Street; 10th Avenue NE stays closed until mid-November.
Brainerd takes proposals from charter-mandated organizations until 4:30 p.m. Friday, December 4.
Crow Wing County takes comments on its 2027 aquatic invasive species plan until 5 p.m. Wednesday, November 25.

NEW: newly reported developments or upcoming opportunities. UPDATE: later substantive information on a covered story. ONGOING: continuing useful information. RESOLVED: the reported issue has ended. BACKGROUND: dated historical context, not a new development or confirmation of current availability. UNCONFIRMED: a story, continuing story or detail that could not be confirmed against its cited source on the edition date; the note under the headline says what is not confirmed. Today and countdown lines carry "(unconfirmed)" for the same reason. All local times are Central Daylight Time.

Schools & Youth

ONGOINGBrainerd

Brainerd schools build action plan after Forestview bullying review

Brainerd Public Schools is building an action plan from an independent review of bullying policies and practices at Forestview Middle School, the district announced October 13. The School Board has the report, and the district's legal counsel is reviewing it.

The review found that District Policy 514, Bullying Prohibition, meets Minnesota law and that practices at Forestview are reasonable, and it identified areas where the district can do better. "The review tells us our policy is sound, and it gives us clear work to do," Superintendent Chip Rankin said in the announcement.

Planned steps include staff training built around Forestview's own people and process, one system for tracking bullying reports, investigation training for building administrators, student handbook language stating that bullying has consequences, better family education on reporting bullying and a review of counselor and administrator staffing at Forestview. Anyone who is struggling can call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

ONGOINGBrainerd

Brainerd Public Schools asks for input on Brainerd 2.0 plan

Brainerd Public Schools is asking parents, students, staff and area residents to weigh in on "Brainerd 2.0," a proposed plan under Project True North to right-size the district for current enrollment, the district announced October 15. District officials say no final decisions have been made.

Participants can watch a short video on the plan and then respond in an online ThoughtExchange forum, which takes about 10 to 15 minutes; submissions are confidential. Feedback will be presented to the School Board ahead of its decision on Monday, December 14. The district did not give a closing date for the survey.

ONGOINGBrainerdUNCONFIRMED

Brainerd operating levy fails and three School Board candidates lead, KAXE reports

Not confirmed against the source as of November 7, 2026: whether the levy results are still unofficial (KAXE's report does not say whether its results are unofficial, and no official canvass result was found). Check the source before relying on it.

KAXE reported November 4 that Brainerd Public Schools' operating levy question, which would have increased annual funding by $5 million, failed by several thousand votes in the Tuesday, November 3 election. These are unofficial results, and KAXE did not give exact tallies.

In the School Board race, KAXE reported that DJ Dondelinger, Mark Lelwica and Randy Heidmann finished in the top three and will begin four-year terms in January. KAXE said the district has told the community that if the levy failed it would need to make budget cuts, which could mean closing at least one more school.

Arts, Culture & Events

ONGOINGBrainerd

Crossing Arts 8x8 exhibition closes today, November 7

The Crossing Arts Alliance's 8x8 exhibition is on display through today, Saturday, November 7, at the gallery, 711 Laurel Street, Brainerd. Purchased and won pieces can be picked up at the gallery through today.

Gallery hours today are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and closed Sunday and Monday.

ONGOING

Teen and tween studio nights are back for the school year

The Crossing Arts Alliance lists open studio nights for middle and high school students (grades 5 through 12). Registration and payment are not required.

The posted dates run from Thursday, September 17, 2026, through Thursday, May 20, 2027, with arrival from 3:30 to 4 p.m. and art projects and instruction from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

ONGOINGBrainerd

Brainerd Winter Wonderland lights display will end after the 2026 season

The Brainerd Noon Sertoma Club says this year will be the last for its drive-through Winter Wonderland holiday lights display, Mix 108 reported September 11.

Mix 108 reported the display traditionally opens on Thanksgiving and runs Thursdays through Saturdays until Christmas, then nightly from Christmas Eve through New Year's Eve. The station gave no specific 2026 dates.

ONGOINGBrainerd

Storytime and book clubs on the Brainerd Public Library calendar

Brainerd Public Library, 416 South 5th Street, holds Weekly Storytime at 11 a.m. Thursdays, next on Thursday, November 12.

The Brainerd Book Club for Adults meets at 1 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month in the library's Small Meeting Room, next on Wednesday, November 11. The Books Burgers and Brews Book Club meets at 6 p.m. on the fourth Monday of the month at the Brainerd Eagles Club, next on Monday, November 23; the library asks people to RSVP.

ONGOINGBrainerd

Garth Brooks tribute show comes to Gichi-ziibi Center for the Arts on Sunday, November 8

Garth Live!, a tribute to Garth Brooks, is on Central Lakes College's fall performing arts lineup for tomorrow, Sunday, November 8, at the Gichi-ziibi Center for the Arts, 602 South 5th Street, Brainerd. The college's announcement does not list a start time.

Single tickets are sold at clcperformingarts.com or through the box office at 218-855-8199, and a $1 service fee applies to each ticket. Discounts are available for seniors, youth, veterans and first responders, the college says.

AI in Your Community

BACKGROUND

Utility commission's 2024 AI recommendation to the City Council

Brainerd Public Utilities commissioners voted unanimously on June 25, 2024, to recommend to the City Council the League of Minnesota Cities language on the use of AI, according to the commission's minutes.

The minutes record a recommendation only; they do not show whether the City Council later adopted it.

Community: Brainerd. Status: Background on local AI policy; a recommendation, not a newly announced deployment. Record date: June 25, 2024.

BACKGROUNDCrow Wing County

Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office uses AI-powered license plate readers

The Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office uses Flock camera systems, which Lakeland News described in a June 26 report as AI-powered automatic license plate readers that send alerts to the agency operating them.

Operations Lieutenant Craig Katzenberger told Lakeland News the office receives alerts only for stolen vehicles, stolen license plates, missing persons and officer alerts. Photos not tied to an active investigation are kept for 30 days and then deleted automatically, the Sheriff's Office told Lakeland News.

Community: Crow Wing County, including Brainerd and Baxter. Status: Background on technology already in use; not a new deployment. Record date: June 26, 2026.

Community & Services

ONGOINGBaxter

Lakes Area Food Shelf in Baxter is open Tuesday through Thursday

The Lakes Area Food Shelf's Baxter location, 7837 Excelsior Road, is open Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesdays 1 to 6 p.m. and Thursdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It uses 20-minute shopping appointments, and shoppers are encouraged to shop twice a month.

Any household making less than 300% of the federal poverty level is eligible. The Baxter site may close if Brainerd schools close for bad weather.

ONGOINGCrow Wing County

Crow Wing County Landfill is now on weekday-only winter hours

Winter hours at the Crow Wing County Landfill took effect Sunday, November 1: the landfill is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the county says.

The landfill is at 15732 State Highway 210, just east of Brainerd.

ONGOINGCrow Wing County

Crow Wing County asks residents to show green lights for veterans through November 11

Crow Wing County is asking residents, businesses and organizations to display green lights from Wednesday, November 4, through Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11, as part of Operation Green Light for veterans.

Green lights will be displayed at the Historic Courthouse, 326 Laurel Street, Brainerd, during that period.

  • Publication date: November 2, 2026
  • Event dates: November 4 to 11, 2026
  • Source: Crow Wing County, Crow Wing County Shines a Light on Veterans with 2026 Operation Green Light
NEWBrainerd

Brainerd sets warm-low temperature records in early November

KAXE reported November 6 that Brainerd set new temperature records in early November. The city had a daily low of 55 degrees on Monday, November 2, the warmest November 2 low since the 52-degree record set in 1938.

Wednesday, November 4, was the city's warmest daily low for that date in more than a century, at 48 degrees, KAXE reported.

City, Roads & Planning

ONGOINGBrainerd

Highway 210 opens to four lanes through east Brainerd

Highway 210 (Washington Street) opened to two lanes in each direction between Pine Shores Road and South Sixth Street on Monday evening, October 26, MnDOT says. The multi-lane roundabouts at Crow Wing County Road 3 and C Street/Highway 25 are fully operational, and MnDOT asks drivers to watch for pedestrians.

Some closures remain. 10th Avenue NE stays closed until mid-November, and Gillis Avenue/13th Street SE is limited to right-in, right-out turns until the Highway 210 signal system is installed in early December.

Highway 25 between Highway 210 and 10th Avenue NE stays on its temporary connection until spring 2027. The downtown, bridge and west segments of Highway 210 are scheduled for 2027 work, MnDOT says; the schedule is subject to change.

ONGOINGCrow Wing County

Crow Wing County takes comments on 2027 aquatic invasive species plan through November 25

Crow Wing County Land Services is taking written comments on its proposed 2027 Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Plan until 5 p.m. Wednesday, November 25. The plan is posted at crowwing.gov/AIS. Comments can be emailed to landservices@crowwing.gov or mailed to Crow Wing County Land Services, 322 Laurel Street, Suite 15, Brainerd, MN 56401, Attn: AIS Plan Comments.

The county received a state allocation of $232,407 for 2027 and expects about $30,000 in rollover funds. The proposal includes 6,696 hours of watercraft inspections and decontaminations at 27 public landings, grants for prevention and treatment, and education. The County Board is scheduled to review the plan at its December 15 meeting.

ONGOINGBrainerd

Brainerd seeks proposals from charter-mandated organizations for 2027

The City of Brainerd is accepting proposals from organizations in three charter-mandated categories: community action programs and events, non-profit senior citizen organizations, and arboretum or green space organizations. The city says it will have $111,530 available for each organization in 2027.

Proposals are due by 4:30 p.m. Friday, December 4. The city's posting lists subcommittee review the week of December 7, possible interviews the week of December 14, council approval in February 2027 and a service start of April 1, 2027.

Still Developing

The latest confirmed movement, the open question and the next checkpoint.

OPENUNCONFIRMED

Highway 210 reconstruction

Not confirmed against the source as of November 7, 2026: the May through November 2027 timing for the downtown, bridge and west segments (MnDOT lists them as 2027 work without tying them to those months). Check the source before relying on it.

Highway 210 opened to four lanes between Pine Shores Road and South Sixth Street on October 26, with the roundabouts at County Road 3 and C Street/Highway 25 fully operational. The downtown, bridge and west segments are scheduled for May through November 2027.

Still unresolved: 10th Avenue NE reopening (mid-November), the Gillis Avenue/13th Street SE signal (early December) and the 2027 downtown, bridge and west segments.

Next checkpoint: MnDOT notices on the 10th Avenue NE reopening and the Highway 210 signal installation.

Four lanes opened October 26.

Sources: MnDOT; Drive 210
OPENUNCONFIRMED

Brainerd 2027 city levy

Not confirmed against the source as of November 7, 2026: the September 21 date of the council vote and that final adoption comes in December. Check the source before relying on it.

The City Council set a preliminary maximum levy increase of 9.9%, with possible reductions before final adoption in December.

Still unresolved: The final increase and related budget changes.

Next checkpoint: Budget revisions and the December final levy decision.

Preliminary maximum set September 21.

Source: Brainerd Dispatch reporting via Muck Rack
OPEN

Baxter 2027 budget and levy

Baxter says it typically holds a public informational meeting on the proposed budget and levy in early December, before final adoption.

Still unresolved: The levy, operating adjustments and enterprise-fund decisions.

Next checkpoint: Published budget figures, the December meeting and final adoption.

Source: Baxter budget process
OPENUNCONFIRMED

Remaining Brainerd school labor agreements

Not confirmed against the source as of November 7, 2026: all details; carried forward as last published and not rechecked. Check the source before relying on it.

The School Board ratified teacher, food-service and interpreter agreements.

Still unresolved: Agreements for educational assistants and nurses, which Brainerd Dispatch reported were still unsettled at the time.

Next checkpoint: Ratification or published terms of the remaining agreements.

Latest movement: September 21.

Source: Brainerd Dispatch, Brainerd teachers, school food workers reach contract agreement
OPENUNCONFIRMED

School operating referendum

Not confirmed against the source as of November 7, 2026: whether the results are still unofficial (KAXE does not say whether its results are unofficial, and no official canvass result was found). Check the source before relying on it.

Brainerd Public Schools' proposal asked voters on Tuesday, November 3 to authorize $5 million annually for 10 years, with funds first available for the 2027-2028 school year. KAXE reported early Wednesday, November 4, that the question failed by several thousand votes in unofficial results. The district has said that without the funding it would have to cut its budget, possibly by closing at least one more school.

Still unresolved: Certified results and the district's budget decisions in response.

Next checkpoint: Official canvass results and School Board action.

Sources: District referendum information; KAXE, Slate of 'common sense' candidates elected to Brainerd School Board; referendum fails
AWAITING RECORDSUNCONFIRMED

Utility commission

Not confirmed against the source as of November 7, 2026: the November 17 date of the commission's next meeting, because the commission's own meeting page still lists November 24. Check the source before relying on it.

Draft minutes of the commission's September 29 meeting, included in the packet for its October 27 meeting, show the commission voted to raise the power cost adjustment to $0.010885 per kWh effective with October 2026 billing, among other actions. The October 27 agenda listed those minutes for approval; the outcome of that meeting is not yet posted. The draft September 29 minutes say the commission agreed to move its November meeting to November 17, and the October 27 agenda ends with an adjournment to a special meeting on Tuesday, November 17.

Still unresolved: Approval of the September 29 minutes and the actions taken at the October 27 meeting.

Next checkpoint: Approved minutes or another official record of the October 27 meeting, and the November 17 special meeting.

Sources: Brainerd Public Utilities Commission, October 27, 2026 agenda packet (draft September 29 minutes); BPU commission records
OPENUNCONFIRMED

September 9 CC’s Bar case

Not confirmed against the source as of November 7, 2026: that the charges include threats. Check the source before relying on it.

The Brainerd Dispatch reported September 22 that a Brainerd man arrested September 9 after an alleged fight at CC’s Bar was charged with assault and threats. The charges are allegations.

Still unresolved: Later court proceedings and the outcome.

Next checkpoint: A dated court record or further local court report.

Charges reported September 22.

Source: Dispatch reporting cited September 27
OPENUNCONFIRMED

Brainerd Zipline Tour closure

Not confirmed against the source as of November 7, 2026: all details, including that the zipline tour will close permanently this winter; the cited page does not mention it. Check the source before relying on it.

The regional attraction is expected to close permanently this winter.

Still unresolved: The final operating date and future plans for the site or equipment.

Next checkpoint: An operator closing-date or site announcement.

The joint tourism bureau reported that the 2026 season will be the attraction’s last.

Source: Visit Brainerd & Baxter fall guide

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Ojibwe / Anishinaabemowin resources: The Ojibwe People’s Dictionary is a language resource. CogniLocal welcomes community contribution and review at editor@cognilocal.com. This edition is not represented as an Ojibwe translation.

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