Sports
Brainerd wrestler Easton Dircks advances to state finals at 152 pounds
Dircks wins two matches to reach championship bout, while Ari Halbert reaches semifinals in girls bracket
Area Girls Basketball: Hornets Fall in Semifinals
Lake Region's run ends in state tournament loss to St. Francis
Central Lakes College Raiders advance to postseason with win over Itasca
Raiders defeat Vikings 87-55 in Region 13A play-in game
Lifestyle
Brainerd Dispatch Republishes 1976 Front Page for America's 250th
Daily republication of historic front pages leading up to the nation's Bicentennial in 2026
Brainerd School Board to Discuss Membership in Paul Bunyan Education Co-op
The board will hold a workshop to review the co-op's audit and consider options for the district's involvement.
Mille Lacs Lake yellow perch limit reduced to five
New regulation takes effect on February 9, 2026 and will last through November 30, 2026.
Crime
Brainerd man sentenced to life for rural murder
Aanerud will serve life in prison for killing in Brainerd area
ICE Agent Accidentally Fires Gun in Hotel Room, Hits Neighboring Bed
Retired Border Patrol veteran rehired under Kristi Noem's controversial ICE recruitment program had gun mishap in Minnesota hotel.
Man Sentenced to Life for Rural Brainerd Murder
Chad Aaron Aanerud pleads guilty to shooting death of Lyle Maske and abduction of pregnant woman and her children
Politics
Residents Oppose Annexation Into Brainerd
Crow Wing County Board hears from residents against plan to annex Riverside Drive area into city limits
Hunters and Anglers Resist Trump Administration's Attacks on Public Lands
Pelican Lake gathering highlights growing opposition to administration's policies from outdoor enthusiasts
Crow Wing County Commissioners Divided on Sheriff's ICE Cooperation
Residents raise concerns about legality of sheriff's agreement with federal immigration authorities
