Minnesota

Flood cleanup continues in northeast Minnesota. Rivers still rising across the state

Published

2 years ago

June 20, 2024

Flood cleanup continues in northeast Minnesota. Rivers still rising across the state

Crews continued working Thursday to repair dozens of roads and highways washed out across northeast Minnesota by runoff from torrential rain on Tuesday.

Rivers also continue to rise across the state. And more rain, possibly heavy at times, is in the forecast for the coming days.

More than a half-foot of rain fell on parts of northern Minnesota earlier this week. All of that water continues to swell rivers and creeks across the region.

Parts of the city of Cook, north of the Iron Range, were inundated Wednesday by floodwaters from the Little Fork River. The flooding forced some downtown businesses to close Thursday.

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The St. Louis County Board is holding an emergency meeting Thursday morning in Virginia in response to this week’s flooding. County officials said the board will likely approve a local disaster declaration. The county reported more than 40 roads closed due to flooding.

To the east, the Minnesota Department of Transportation said State Highway 1 remains closed between Ely and the North Shore due to a couple of washouts.

The Superior National Forest said some Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness entry points are inaccessible due to road washouts.

Officials issued an advisory for anyone traveling in the BWCA, saying visitors “should expect to encounter high and fast-moving water throughout the wilderness after recent rain events. Portage landings may be flooded, difficult to discern, and located near swift moving water. Consider the skills and abilities of your entire group when planning travel routes. If conditions exceed your group’s abilities, turn around and exit the wilderness. Remember to always wear your lifejacket.”

Rivers and waterfalls along the North Shore also are running high from the storm runoff, and state park officials urged visitors to use caution and watch for trail closures.

Southern Minnesota flooding

Flood warnings remain in place for stretches of the Minnesota, Mississippi, Crow and Cottonwood rivers in southern Minnesota.

The Crow River is forecast to crest at major flood stage in Delano this weekend. Earlier this week, the city said its public works employees “proactively placed portions of the floodwall outside of Bridge Avenue to reduce response time in case of an emergency.”

Along the Minnesota River, Highway 19 east of Henderson is closed due to water over the road. The Highway 41 crossing at Chaska is set to close Thursday morning.

All of that water will enter the Mississippi River at St. Paul, where a flood warning is also in effect. The National Weather Service says the river is forecast to crest next week in major flood stage, close to a level that would cause flooding at Harriet Island.

And there’s more heavy rain in the forecast over the coming days, which could cause flooding to worsen.

Find forecast updates on MPR Weather’s Updraft blog.

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Minnesota

Iran conflict: 250 Minnesota National Guard member serving in Middle East

Published

4 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Iran conflict: 250 Minnesota National Guard member serving in Middle East

(FOX 9) – The Minnesota National Guard tells FOX 9 there are currently 250 guard members on regularly scheduled deployment at the United States Central Command areas of responsibility as the United States leads strikes in Iran.

Guardsman in Middle East

What we know:

The Minnesota National Guard says the deployed airmen and soldiers are serving from Duluth’s 148th Fighter Wing, the Marshall-based 1-151 Artillery, and the Stillwater-based 34th Military Police Company.

What they’re saying:

“While their missions and duty locations vary, all are grateful for the strong support of those back home,” writes Army Maj. Andrea Tsuchiya, State Public Affairs Officer for the Minnesota National Guard.

What we don’t know:

The guard did not disclose the exact bases or countries where the soldiers and airmen are serving.

CENTCOM covers 21 countries including: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Yemen.

Pres. Trump says Iran operations likely to last 4 to 5 weeks

Big picture view:

In his first public remarks since the launch of the attack on Iran, President Trump said he expected operations to last four to five weeks, but he was prepared “to go far longer than that.”

The president also laid out his objective for the mission: to destroy Iran’s missile capabilities, to “annihilate” their navy, to ensure the country doesn’t obtain a nuclear weapon and that the regime “cannot continue to arm, fund and direct terrorist armies outside of their borders.”

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Minnesota

U.S.-Israeli strikes spark dueling rallies in Twin Cities

Published

16 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

U.S.-Israeli strikes spark dueling rallies in Twin Cities

Iranians in Minnesota react to Khamenei death

Iranians in the Twin Cities gathered in downtown Minneapolis on Sunday to celebrate major developments in the Middle East following the death of Supreme Leader Khamenei. While many Iranian-Americans expressed hope for regime change, anti-war protesters also took to the streets to condemn the military strikes, with some members of Minnesota’s DFL delegation calling the operation “unlawful” and “illegal.”

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Iranians in the Twin Cities gathered in downtown Minneapolis Sunday to celebrate major developments in the Middle East. Anti-war protesters also took the streets of Minneapolis Saturday.

Plus, Jewish communities say they are on high alert over concerns of potential retaliatory acts in major cities across the U.S.

‘Massive moment’

What we know:

Following a joint U.S. and Israeli military operation in Iran, Khamenei was killed in an attack, Iranian state media confirmed early Sunday.

What they’re saying:

Iranian community groups rallied at Nicollet Mall and 11th Street on Sunday to express hope for regime change.

Dozens of Iranian-Americans said they are celebrating the news.

“We are here to support Iranian people. Today, everybody is happy, very happy,” said Beheshteh Zargaran, an Iranian-American.

“Killed Khamenei, which was the supreme leader, and hopefully they will continue this action and help Iranians finally topple the Islamic regime,” said Faraz Samavat, an Iranian-American.

“That means a lot. We are fighting for almost half a century to destroy this cruel regime against people of Iran,” said Ali Mohammad, an Iranian-American.

Iranians in MN celebrate strikes by Pres. Trump

Iranians in the Twin Cities are gathering in downtown Minneapolis to celebrate major developments in the Middle East following a joint U.S. and Israeli military operation. Community groups rallied at Nicollet Mall and 11th Street to express hope for regime change after news that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, was killed in Saturday’s airstrikes.

The other side:

Protesters also took to the streets in the Twin Cities over the weekend condemning the strikes.

Some people are criticizing the military operation including members of Minnesota’s DFL delegation. Congresswoman Betty McCollum called the strikes “unlawful” and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar called the war “illegal and unjustified.”

Heightened security:

Jewish communities in Minnesota say they are also on high alert following security guidance across the country to prevent potential retaliatory violence.

“A heightened sense of vigilance making sure that everybody is aware of their surroundings and that all of the protective measures are in place,” said Steve Hunegs, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas.

There are currently no known specific threats against local Jewish communities.

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Minnesota

Here’s how much snow parts of Minnesota got on Saturday, Feb. 28

Published

1 day ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Here’s how much snow parts of Minnesota got on Saturday, Feb. 28

article

Storm reports in from Minnesota on Saturday, Feb. 28.

LANESBORO, Minn. (FOX 9) – Impressive snow totals were reported in parts of Minnesota after a narrow band of heavy snowfall worked its way across the state.