Mille Lacs Lake, located in central Minnesota, is the state's second-largest inland lake, covering over 132,000 acres across Mille Lacs, Aitkin, and Crow Wing counties. Renowned as a premier fishing destination, it is world-famous for its high walleye catch rates, as well as trophy-sized smallmouth bass, muskellunge, and northern pike. Beyond recreation, the lake—known as Misi-zaaga'igan (Grand Lake) in Ojibwe—is a site of profound cultural and historical significance. It has been home to the Dakota and Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe for centuries, with archaeological evidence of human settlement dating back to 3000 BCE. Today, the lake serves as a year-round hub for outdoor enthusiasts, bustling with ice fishing villages in the winter and supporting diverse ecosystems protected by landmarks like Mille Lacs Kathio State Park.

In late 2025, Waymo issued a voluntary software recall for over 3,000 autonomous vehicles following a series of incidents where its robotaxis illegally passed stopped school buses. The Austin Independent School District in Texas documented at least 20 violations since the start of the 2025 school year, providing video evidence of vehicles driving past buses with red lights flashing and stop arms extended—sometimes while children were still in the road. In some cases, the vehicles reportedly slowed down initially before deciding to proceed. While Waymo stated that it updated its software on November 17 to fix the logic error, local officials claimed that additional violations occurred even after the update was deployed. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has since opened an investigation into the matter, demanding detailed answers from Waymo by early 2026.

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While Uber and Lyft remain the leaders in global availability and price, Waymo has carved out a niche as a premium, driverless alternative in select cities like San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. As of late 2025, Waymo rides are typically 30% to 40% more expensive than standard rideshare options, though the lack of a tipping requirement can narrow that gap for some users. The trade-off for the higher price is a consistent, private experience—cleaner vehicles, total control over the climate and music, and the elimination of "human variables" like awkward conversations or erratic driving. However, Uber and Lyft still hold the edge in speed and flexibility, as human drivers can handle complex maneuvers (like highway merges or difficult drop-off spots) more aggressively than Waymo’s conservative autonomous software.

NativeCare, the tribally owned cannabis dispensary of the Red Lake Nation, holds a historic place in the state's industry as the first to sell legal adult-use recreational cannabis in Minnesota. Launched on August 1, 2023, the dispensary is located on sovereign tribal land in Red Lake and has built a reputation for high-quality, sustainably grown products, including flower, concentrates, and edibles. Rooted in Indigenous values and community wellness, NativeCare utilizes advanced indoor vertical cultivation to ensure purity and potency. As of December 2025, following a landmark cooperative agreement with the state, the dispensary is expanding its reach beyond reservation borders, with new locations opening in Thief River Falls and West St. Paul, making its premium, toxin-free cannabis accessible to the broader Minnesota market.

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Located in the heart of northern Minnesota, Bemidji is a vibrant regional hub known as the "First City on the Mississippi." It earned this nickname because the Mississippi River flows from its source at nearby Lake Itasca directly into Lake Bemidji before continuing its 2,300-mile journey south. The city is perhaps most famous for its 18-foot statues of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, which have stood on the lakeshore since 1937 as icons of the region's deep logging history.

Beyond its "tall tales," Bemidji is a cultural crossroads; its name is derived from the Ojibwe word Bemidjigamaag ("lake with crossing waters"), and the city serves as a central service point for the three surrounding Indigenous nations: Red Lake, Leech Lake, and White Earth. Today, it is home to Bemidji State University and serves as a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering world-class fishing, miles of snowmobile trails, and a renowned curling scene.

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The Freelancers Union serves as a vital support system for self-employed people by focusing on advocacy, benefits, and community. It actively lobbies for policy changes, such as the "Freelance Isn't Free" law, to win legal protections, particularly against non-payment. Additionally, the Union uses its collective power to offer portable benefits—like curated options for health, dental, and liability insurance, as well as retirement plans—that remain with the independent worker across different gigs. Finally, it provides valuable resources, educational guides, legal assistance, and networking opportunities through local meetups, helping freelancers manage their careers and feel less isolated.

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Book at BLA Rides today call or text 646-877-0010

The Nisswa City Hall serves as the central administrative hub for the City of Nisswa, Minnesota, housing the administrative offices for various city departments, including the City Administrator, Parks & Recreation, Planning & Zoning, Police, and Public Works. Located at 5442 City Hall Street in downtown Nisswa, the building is the main venue for local governance, including City Council meetings.

While Nisswa is historically significant for its Native American roots, its logging and railroad industries, and its evolution into a popular tourism destination near Gull Lake, the City Hall facility is primarily focused on the current municipal operations and future development of the growing Brainerd Lakes Area community. It plays a crucial role in managing the city's affairs, which includes developing and executing plans to preserve the established aesthetic of downtown Main Street while anticipating the community's future infrastructure needs.

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Ten Mile Lake, located just northwest of Hackensack, is a regional gem and one of the deepest natural lakes entirely within Minnesota's borders, plunging to a maximum depth of 208 feet. Spanning over 5,000 acres, it is famous for its exceptionally clear and clean water, fed by fresh underground springs, which leads to high water clarity. This deep, cold environment makes it an excellent habitat for a diverse fish community, including Walleye, Northern Pike, and unique cold-water species like Lake Whitefish and Cisco. Ten Mile Lake is a highly popular destination for fishing, boating, and enjoying pristine Northwoods scenery, often considered one of the state's most ecologically significant lakes.

Hackensack, Minnesota, is a charming Northwoods city renowned as the "Home of Paul Bunyan's Sweetheart, Lucette," whose seventeen-foot-tall statue welcomes visitors on the shore of Birch Lake. Despite its small permanent population, the town is a bustling, four-season vacation destination, famous for being surrounded by over 100 lakes within a ten-mile radius. It serves as a major hub for fishing, boating, and snowmobiling, with the long, paved Paul Bunyan State Trail running directly through its center, making it a gateway to the region's vast outdoor recreation opportunities.

Blarides.com remains 35th on a Google search for Brainerd taxi just beneath grab a cab

BLA Rides parked at Whiteline after having decals installed beautifully by Dylan White right on the Brainerd international raceway grounds.