There will be an official groundbreaking for the Altru Sports Complex on Friday, June 27, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.The groundbreaking event will take place in the parking lot next to the Hugo’s Raceway (BMX Track). The event is open to the public.
Speaking at the event will be Grand Forks Mayor Brandon Bochenski along with representatives from the Park District, Altru Health System, McGough Construction and JLG ArchitectsMembers from the Grand Forks City Council have been invited to the event, a quorum may be present.
The City of Grand Forks’ Public Communications Office has issued this message about a bridge closure on Tuesday, June 24.
The Point Bridge on Minnesota Ave. in Grand Forks, ND will be closed on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 starting at 10 am. Crews will be performing a pavement and soil test.
The closure is expected to be in place until the afternoon of Tuesday, June 24th .
Overnight, Friday, June 20, devastating tornadoes and high winds tore through eastern North Dakota and northern Minnesota, leaving behind fatal destruction in communities such as Enderlin, ND, and widespread damage in Bemidji, MN. Homes were leveled, power lines toppled, and families forced to flee to community centers, fire halls, and churches for safety. Trained American Red Cross disaster responders mobilized early Saturday morning assessing needs, delivering critical support and comforting people affected by the storms.
“Our hearts are with the families, friends, and communities grieving the loss of three lives in Enderlin and everyone dealing with the aftermath of the storms,” said Brice Johnson, Regional CEO for the American Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region. “These disasters change lives in an instant. We’re working side by side with local community and tribal partners to make sure people have a safe place to stay, food, disaster resources and support they need to begin recovering.”
Red Cross shelters offer more than a place to sleep during disasters. They provide meals, water, health services (such as first aid, replacing medications and medical equipment), emotional support and help reconnecting with loved ones. Anyone affected can visit a shelter to access these resources—even if they don’t need overnight lodging.
In North Dakota, Red Cross disaster response teams are active in Enderlin, Jamestown, and Valley City, some of the heavily impacted areas with damage to numerous homes. Local Red Cross volunteers fanned out across communities providing water, snacks and resources as well as collecting preliminary information on the damage.
How to get help If you or someone you know needs shelter or support after these storms, call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or visit RedCross.org/Shelter. You can also download the Red Cross Emergency App for real-time alerts and shelter locations by texting “GETEMERGENCY” to 90999 or searching “Red Cross Emergency” in your app store.
How to Help This disaster response is expected to grow as teams continue assessments in rural areas. Red Cross teams will remain in affected communities for as long as help is needed. You can help people affected by disasters like severe storms, tornadoes and countless other crises across the country by making a donation to Red Cross Disaster Relief:
Earl Lewis James Reese (Jim) formally of Crookston died June 22nd , 2025 at his home in Lakewood Colorado. Jim was the son of Earl and Eileen Reese, he graduated from Central High, his art teacher Leroy Krause encouraged Jim to follow his passion to become a sculptor. In 1971 he moved to Colorado and worked in underground mining while continuing to exhibit his work in art fairs. With the encouragement of gallery owners Jim move into bronze sculptors in 1987. His Movement and emotion were the dominant elements in his sculptures. Awards for his art included Evergreen State Fair, Edmonds Art Festival and Artsplash Redmond WA.
Jim also loved the outdoors; he took many hikes in the mountains around his home, fishing was a great joy for him. He also enjoyed gardening tending his flowers. In later years he came back to the Crookston area to visit family and friends. You would find him walking the land around the Red River looking for Indian arrow heads. He would spend hours walking fields along the rivers looking for arrow heads, making shadow boxes to show case them.
Jim was very generous with his art pieces his siblings and his many nieces, nephews and others have beautiful pieces of his art work. These art pieces will forever hold loving memories of him.
Sadly, Jim passed away on June 22nd 2025, after a long battle of lung cancer. Jim was preceded in death by his parents Earl and Eileen Reese. He is survived by his brothers John Reese, Gene (Jane)Reese, Rick (Kathy)Reese, sisters Erllene (Wayne)Erickson and Elnora (Dennis)Shanahan, nieces, nephews and 2nd cousins.
After the United States entered the war between Israel and Iran by striking three Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend, the world is bracing for Iran’s response.
White House officials confirmed over the weekend that B-2 bombers dropped a number of Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs — known as “bunker busters” — during the U.S. mission over Iran. President Trump said on Sunday said that “Monumental Damage was done to all Nuclear sites in Iran,”
On Monday, Israel launched further assaults throughout Iran today, hitting airports in western, eastern and central Iran as well as notorious Evin Prison in the capital, Tehran. The Israel Defense Forces said Monday that Israeli warplanes had also struck six airports in Iran, “as part of the effort to expand air superiority over Iranian skies,” targeting runways, various aircraft and underground hangers.
Iran also launched a new wave of missiles at Israel on Monday, sending people to bomb shelters across the country. Dozens of missiles were reportedly launched at Israel, with impacts in at least two sites in the northern port city of Haifa and on a road in the southern city of Ashdod.
The Iranian foreign minister met with President Vladimir Putin today in Russia, with whom he said Iran will coordinate its response to U.S. and Israeli strikes.
For the latest developments on the conflict in the Middle East, head to your preferred news outlet: CBSNews, ABCNews, NBCNews, CNN.
Fred Smith, the visionary founder of FedEx Corp. who transformed the landscape of express shipping, has passed away at the age of 80, the company confirmed. Smith stepped down as CEO in 2022 but continued to serve as executive chairman.
Raj Subramaniam, FedEx’s CEO, in a statement: “Fred was more than just the pioneer of an industry and the founder of our great company. He was the heart and soul of FedEx – its PSP culture, values, integrity, and spirit. He was a mentor to many and a source of inspiration to all.”
Launched in 1973, FedEx set itself apart by delivering parcels and documents much faster than the traditional postal service. Smith, a Yale graduate from the class of 1966, joined the Marines after graduating from college where he served two tours in Vietnam. He left the service in 1969 as a captain, having been honored for his bravery and injuries sustained in combat. He based his business model on a concept he developed while still a student. The idea centered on a centralized air cargo network supported by a single hub, known today as the “hub and spokes” system.
Over the next 50 years, Smith led the company’s evolution into a global logistics powerhouse. By combining air and ground transportation in a seamless network, FedEx became a key player in the global economy and relied on by countless businesses.
In its early days, Federal Express operated 14 small planes out of Memphis International Airport, delivering packages to 25 cities across the U.S. Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, FedEx now handles around 17 million shipments on an average workday. The company was instrumental in pushing American businesses toward faster delivery models and reduced dependence on large-scale inventory and warehousing. The shift to time-sensitive logistics helped shape the modern supply chain.
Smith once explained to The Associated Press that he chose the name “Federal Express” because he wanted the startup to sound substantial and trustworthy—even though the company’s future was anything but guaranteed. He was aiming to secure a major shipping deal with the Federal Reserve Bank at the time, though that particular contract never materialized.
Smith largely stayed out of the spotlight, preferring to focus on his work and family life. He did, however, make a brief appearance in the 2000 film Cast Away, which starred Tom Hanks as a FedEx employee stranded on a remote island. Smith and his family quietly contributed to many causes, including a donation to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation which established a new scholarship program for children of Navy personnel pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee said that “Memphis has lost its most important citizen, Fred Smith. FedEx is the engine of our economy, and Fred Smith was its visionary founder. But more than that, he was a dedicated citizen who cared deeply about our city.”
Focus Features offered a first look at the ‘Neil Diamond tribute band’ drama film Song Sung Blue, starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson. Song Sung Blue is based on the 2008 documentary of the same name by director Greg Kohs.
Jackman and Hudson star as a pair of musicians who form a Neil Diamond tribute band; a photo shared on Instagram shows the duo in costume performing on stage. An official synopsis states it tells the true story of “two down-on-their-luck musicians” who find success in forming a Neil Diamond tribute band, “proving it’s never too late to find love and follow your dreams.”
The film, directed by Craig Brewer, also stars Michael Imperioli, Fisher Stevens, Jim Belushi, Ella Anderson, King Princess, Mustafa Shakir and Hudson Hilbert Hensley.
Writer-director Cregger also produces, alongside Roy Lee, Miri Yoon, J.D. Lifshitz and Raphael Margules. Michelle Morrissey and Josh Brolin serve as executive producers.
Julia Garner stars in the film as a teacher who arrives at school to find her entire class has gone missing overnight, and the mystery deepens as some parents cast suspicions on the teacher. An official synopsis reads: “When all but one child from the same class mysteriously vanish on the same night at exactly the same time, a community is left questioning who or what is behind their disappearance.” The film also stars Josh Brolin, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Cary Christopher, Benedict Wong and Amy Madigan.
‘Weapons’ premiers in theaters on Aug. 8; see the trailer – HERE.
