News across Itasca County

Years after storms, clean-up crews meticulously separate the sentimental from the wreckage
Across the country, lost-and-found networks seek to reunite objects with disaster survivors. The work can take years. In some cases, it's impossible to pick up all the pieces.

The U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve is low. Here's why you should care
The U.S. has tapped into its strategic oil reserve to help drive down rising gasoline prices in the wake of the war with Iran. Can oil from Venezuela help fill it back up?

$100 million in teen pregnancy prevention funds remain unused. What happened?
With days left to go in the 2026 fiscal year, lawmakers push the health department to spend the money Congress allocated to prevent teen pregnancy. An NPR exclusive.

Trump's state dinner for Xi features sea bass and a long list of tech titans
A tech-heavy guest list, the fashion choices of those on it, who sat where and what was on the menu marked the softer — often and glitzier — details of diplomacy as Donald Trump threw a Thursday night state dinner honoring China's leader Xi Jinping.

In one of their last votes before November, Senate GOP blocks effort to end Iran war
The vote on a war powers resolution introduced by Democrats came at a moment when some Republicans have begun to distance themselves from President Trump over the ongoing conflict.

'Bad Boy For Life' investigates the culture that enabled Sean Combs' alleged abuse
Rolling Stone reporter Cheyenne Roundtree says rumors of abuse followed the media mogul for years. Her book examines how Combs remained so powerful, despite decades of warning signs and allegations.

Mahershala Ali stars as a devout father of three, making ends meet as a hitman
It's not easy, killing people and raising a family. The new action-thriller Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother reaffirms the power of faith — and delights in outrageous juxtapositions.

RFK Jr.'s ethics filing reveals book deals worth millions of dollars
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s annual financial disclosure reveals he has received two lucrative book advances and free flights from a friend while in office.

Mortgage rates have just surpassed 7% for the first time in well over a year
Rates have climbed more than a full percentage point since the U.S. war against Iran started.

The economic squeeze is pushing up poverty rates for older adults
Despite lower poverty overall, the rate for seniors has been steadily rising in recent years. A new AARP survey sheds light on how those over 50 are struggling in the crucial time before retirement.

'Empire' asks: When a child dies, who pays the price?
Set in the same universe as Tahir's Ember in Ashes series, Empire picks up right where the last book, 'Heir' left off — with S'rsha attached to the very monster she sought to destroy.

Trump rolls out the red carpet for Xi as high-stakes summit begins
On Thursday, the two leaders will hold meetings where Trump and Xi are expected to talk about artificial intelligence, rare earths, trade and geopolitics such as Iran and Taiwan.