Dayton to speak with tribal leaders Wednesday in Bemidji as part of state tour

BEMIDJI -- Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton will visit with local tribal leaders Wednesday at the Northwest Indian Development Center in Bemidji.

Dayton's meeting, focusing on strategies to close educational disparities, is part of a tour of the state's 87 counties in 86 days. Along with Beltrami County, Dayton is also stopping through Clearwater, Hubbard and Becker counties this week.

Before arriving in Bemidji on Wednesday afternoon, Dayton will discuss rural health care issues with local officials and staff at St. Joseph's Hospital in Park Rapids. On Thursday, Dayton is scheduled to travel to Itasca State Park to kick off a year of water action at the headwaters of the Mississippi River and then he’ll travel to Detroit Lakes to speak about water concerns.