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The Blaine City Council voted 4-3 to advance a $7 million parking structure for the 105th development, approving a funding plan that relies on the Economic Development Authority levy. The split vote centered on funding, as money for the structure would come from the Economic Development Authority levy. In the past, the council has operated under a goal of avoiding taxpayer impact for the development. The 4-3 decision centers on financing, as the project would be funded through the Economic Development Authority levy. Council members have previously pledged to avoid taxpayer impact related to the development. ...

The Minnesota Special Olympics held its annual Anoka County Polar Plunge at Lakeside Commons Park on Saturday, Feb. 28. In cloudy conditions and temperatures in the 20s, many members of the community, as well as organizations such as school lacrosse teams and fitness gyms, braved the icy depths of Sunrise Lake to raise money for the Minnesota Special Olympics. Original Article

Estee Lauder announces layoff of 68 employees at Blaine Aveda facility Estee Lauder Companies, the owner of the brand Aveda, announced the layoff of 68 employees at their facility in Blaine at Pheasant Ridge Drive. The layoffs will start with a two-week period on April 24. The layoffs are expected to be permanent, according to a letter notifying the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. The affected employees are not represented by a union, the letter states, nor do they have bumping rights. The affected jobs are scattered around Warehouse, Distribution and Processing roles. ...

The Fridley City Council has issued a statement criticizing recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in the city, saying federal actions moved forward without local input or authority during what officials described as a surge in enforcement under Operation Metro Surge. In the statement, the council said the level of immigration enforcement created challenges beyond the city’s control and pledged to advocate to state and federal leaders to prevent similar disruptions in the future. ...

The Oak Grove City Council approved a $92,848 change order for the new City Hall and fire station Feb. 23 to meet Minnesota requirements, but not without criticism over the cost and the number of project revisions brought forward. City Engineer Chuck Schwartz said the changes were needed to comply with state law. The order includes modifications to water filtration, installation of a corrugated metal pipe beneath the concrete driveway serving the fire station and the addition of a hydrant on the south side of the driveway. ...

Bonners Ferry, Idaho, is home to about 2,900 people in the state’s northern panhandle, where mountains and lakes stretch across a quiet rural landscape. A sign near the edge of town, Holly Pennington said, welcomes visitors to “Trump Country.” But in early February, Pennington and about 25 friends in that small community gathered around tables with paper, markers and glue, determined to send a different message — one of solidarity. ...

In the city of Coon Rapids, while a council meeting was being held on the evening of February 17th, the city hall was also host to a vigil at which residents could come together and grieve the deaths of Renee Good, Alex Pretti and Victor Diaz. The vigil was hosted by Transformative Circle, who earlier in June 2025 had done something similar for the shooting death of Rep. Melissa Hortman in the same location. ...

The Fridley City Council on Feb. 23 unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance amendment establishing rental fees for new facilities at Commons Park. Parks and Recreation Director Mike Maher said the updated fee schedule will cover activity rooms in the park’s new recreation building, open-air shelters and a large-group bus permit program. The recreation building will include three activity rooms with a capacity of about 25 people each. Two rooms can be combined to accommodate up to 50 people. Maher said the spaces are suited for youth birthday parties, business meetings and small gatherings. ...

The Nowthen City Council voted 3-2 Feb. 10 to continue flying the current Minnesota state flag, rejecting a motion by Council Member Ken Glaser to remove both the current and former versions from city property. Mayor Shane Hybben and Council Members Mary Rainville and Dan Swenson voted against the motion. Glaser, who previously raised the issue in November 2025, argued the redesign process was partisan and said the city should not fly a state flag unless a bipartisan process produced a new design. ...

Lake George water customers will see a 7.5% rate increase in 2026 after the Oak Grove City Council unanimously approved the hike Feb. 9, along with a $200,000 interfund loan to support the utility’s finances. The loan, approved at 3% interest over 10 years, will come from the city’s Economic Development Authority fund. Council members postponed a proposed sewer rate increase pending additional information. According to the meeting packet, projections assume annual water rate increases of 7.5% for five years and sewer rate increases of 3% annually over the same period. Supplier costs for both utilities are projected to rise 3% annually. The five-year forecast runs from 2026 through 2030 for the water fund and 2023 through 2028 for the sewer fund. ...