Local News in Cook County
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Hear from Grand Marais mayor and city council candidates
The Nov. 3 general election ballot includes a race for Grand Marais mayor and three candidates running for two Grand Marais City Council seats. WTIP spoke individually with each candidate about issues facing Grand Marais, including housing, short-term rentals, city services,…
Cook County sheriff candidates weigh in on issues ahead of election
As part of WTIP’s 2026 election coverage, WTIP hosted a live candidate forum on Tuesday, Sept. 29, featuring the two candidates running for the Cook County sheriff’s race. The Nov. 3 general election will include a contested race for Cook County Sheriff between Ben Hallberg and…
County considers changes to recycling program, approves Colvill fire truck loan
Cook County is stepping back from a proposal to hire a consultant to review its recycling operations and will instead begin by asking residents, businesses, and organizations what they want from recycling services in the county. Planning and Zoning Administrator Neva Maxwell…
Grand Marais expands parking ban, reviews remaining 2026 priorities
The Grand Marais City Council passed a parking ordinance Sept. 16, expanding a ban on overnight parking along Highway 61 to year-round enforcement. Previously, the overnight parking restriction was enforced only during the winter to allow snowplows to clear the roadway. Mayor…
County Board sets preliminary levy at 11.98%
Service agreements, a loan request from the Colvill Fire Department for a fire truck, and the 2027 budget were among the agenda items discussed at the Sept. 22 Cook County Board of Commissioners meeting. At the meeting, the commissioners approved setting the 2027 preliminary levy…
Cook County Soil & Water candidates discuss district priorities
WTIP spoke with the two candidates running for the Cook County Soil & Water Conservation District as part of the station’s 2026 coverage ahead of the Nov. 3 general election. Stan Tull is running unopposed in District 2, while Gail Gieseke is running unopposed in District 4. WTIP…
District 3 county commissioner candidates weigh in on issues as Election Day nears
On Monday, Sept. 21, WTIP hosted the first of three candidate forums as part of the station’s 2026 coverage ahead of the Nov. 3 general election. Monday night’s candidate forum featured the two candidates, Dave Mills (incumbent) and Roger Westerlind, running for the Cook County…
WTIP to broadcast three candidate forums ahead of November election
As part of WTIP’s 2026 election coverage, the station will host three candidate forums over the next week featuring candidates in two Cook County commissioner races and the Cook County sheriff’s race. Each forum will be one hour and will be moderated by WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins. The…
Grand Marais approves preliminary 4.81% levy increase
The Grand Marais City Council voted to approve a preliminary property tax levy of $1,196,167, a 4.81% increase. Mayor Tracy Benson made the motion to approve the preliminary levy. It passed 4-0. Council member Craig Schulte was absent. The preliminary levy is not the city’s final…
Twin Metals loses state mineral lease in northeastern Minnesota
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources notified Twin Metals Minnesota that a state mineral lease, MM-9455-N, will be canceled effective Nov. 10, 2026. The lease requires a company to be actively engaged in mining ore under the lease and to pay the state at least $100,000…
West End Townships: September meetings
Tofte Township: The Tofte Town Board met on Sept. 10. WTIP spoke with Craig Horak, a supervisor on the Tofte Town Board. Audio from the September interview following the meeting is below. WTIP Community Radio · Tofte Township – Supervisor Craig Horak Schroeder Township: The…