Brainerd’s jobless rate dropped to 14.2 percent in April, down from 16.7 percent in March.  It’s been a continual drop since January’s high of 18 percent, which is expected as seasonal employment begins.  Brainerd continues to have the highest jobless rate in the state, for cities wi...

The road construction work, which will cause a detour to Essentia Health St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd, begins May 25.  The detour from Washington Street is to North Third Street to Ivy Street. The city of Brainerd reports the detour will be in place until the pavement is replaced o...

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — Republican presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty is calling for fundamental changes in Social Security and other entitlement programs during a visit to senior-rich Florida. The former Minnesota governor said Tuesday that entitlement programs are not sustainable. Pawlenty sa...

  ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Mark Dayton vetoed the entire budget from the Republican-controlled Legislature on Tuesday, guaranteeing that he will have to call a special session. The Democratic governor struck down eight spending bills and a tax bill about 12 hours after lawmakers adjourned ...

Weighing in on the conflict of interest issue at the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport, the Crow Wing County Board Tuesday voted to request the Airport Commission to appoint a neutral independent third party to privately examine the records and issue an opinion to the Airport Commission as to whether ...

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is bringing his newly-minted campaign for the Republican presidential nomination to South Florida. Pawlenty plans a Facebook town hall meeting Tuesday followed by a session with reporters. Both events are at the swank Biltmore Hotel in C...

Christopher Spieker, commander, Carl Sydney Hanson American Legion Post No. 255 of Brainerd, announced two Brainerd High School junior boys have been selected to attend the 63rd annual American Legion Boys State to be conducted June 12-18 on the campus of Southwest Minnesota State University in Mars...

CROSBY— Cuyuna Regional Medical Center  held its quarterly emergency medical service training last week at Heartwood Senior Living.  The event was a part of EMS Appreciation Week. In addition to the training, Rob Almendinger, CRMC ambulance director also recognized CRMC ambulance staff, ...

Baxter woman hurt after her vehicle hits tree BAXTER — A 27-year-old Baxter woman was injured after the vehicle she was driving went off the road and hit a tree Sunday on College Road and Conifer Drive in Baxter, reported the Baxter Police Department. Brittani Joy Brown was taken ...

NISSWA — The Nisswa area planned a night to kick off the summer season with Lucky Ladies Night 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.Thursday presented by Grand View Lodge. Participants may pick up an “invitation” punch card and gift bag at the Nisswa Chamber building in downtown Nisswa.  Participants may get ...