The Hinckley-Finlayson school board unanimously selected two finalists for a second interview for the district's superintendent position after interviewing five candidates on March 30 and 31. According to a news release from the district, the finalists are Mike McNulty, who currently serves as the director of business operations at Rockford Area Schools, and Drew Goeldner, the chief financial officer at Country Services, Inc. The follow-up interviews are scheduled to start at

The CEO of the Mille Lacs Health System in Onamia said there’s “light at the end of the tunnel” after an issue with the Medicare and Medicaid billing system led to millions of dollars of withheld reimbursements since Jan. 1. In an interview on Monday, Andy Knutson explained that in July of 2025, the Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) turned on an edit designed to reduce fraud in the system. "We felt we were ready for the switch to flip in July," Knutson said. "W

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is restricting the open burning of vegetative debris starting Monday, March 30, due to increased wildfire risk. According to the DNR, the increased risks result from warm temperatures and dry conditions in parts of the state. The restrictions apply in Pine, Kanabec, Chisago, Isanti, and Mille Lacs counties. The DNR will not issue permits for open burning of brush or yard waste in those counties until restrictions are lifted. “Wild

Pine City's Art in the Park will kick off its season with music from the Pine City High School jazz band on May 22. With the summer concert series fast approaching, Adrienne Roubinek and Steve Wilson from the Pine City Arts Council joined WCMP for an interview on March 27 for a behind-the-scenes look at the nonprofit that's brought live music to Robinson Park since 1987. Roubinek has been part of the Pine City Arts Council since its inception in 1977, when the organization st

The Pine Center For the Arts will host an exhibition titled "The Sketchbook of Andrew Arellano, Onto the Next Page" through the month of April. Arellano, a self-taught artist, began drawing when he was eight years old. The gallery will feature his charcoal and pencil drawings; many of his works have been inspired by his wife, Amy. He's also inspired by the works of artists like Salvador Dali, Georgia O'Keefe, and MC Escher. According to a news release from the Pine Center Fro