Colin Bracewell didn’t get any chairs to turn for his blind audition on “The Voice” on Monday night, but the judges encouraged the Stillwater singer to keep trying.

Bracewell, dressed in a fuzzy pink cardigan and brown slacks, sang the Bee Gees’ classic “More than a Woman” in the nationwide singing competition on NBC. He ended the song by singing in falsetto.

“I wish you would have sung it in falsetto from the beginning,” Snoop Dogg said. “You put your own spin on it. But I started to hear all the things that you could do with your vocals towards the end, and then the clock ran out. This is just one day, and one day doesn’t make your career as long as you live to see the next day.”

Bracewell, 24, also sang several bars of opera at Snoop Dog’s request.

Niall Horan, who became famous as a member of the boy band One Direction, told Bracewell to continue to pursue his passion. He also told Bracewell that he loved his outfit.

“Colin, I’m so sorry, man,” Horan said. “Going in and out of head and chest voice is so difficult to do. Honestly, come back because I’m telling you a different song and a different mood with that tone. You’ll go places, no doubt.”

Bracewell’s older brother, Chad, also appeared on the show wearing a “Chad ‘The Merch Man’ Bracewell” T-shirt. Chad Bracewell, who has a rare genetic disorder and is on the autism spectrum, is a well-known fixture at Bracewell’s concerts, helping sell merchandise and chatting with fans.

“My brother inspires me to make the most of every opportunity,” Colin Bracewell said. “I can always count on him. Everyone knows him at my shows now, and he’s great. … My brother is an inspiration to chase this dream. If there’s some way that I can continue to do music, having my brother be there with me every step of the way, that would be the dream. I wouldn’t want anything else.”

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Chad Bracewell was invited to come out on stage and gave each of the judges — Horan, Snoop Dogg, Michael Bublé and Reba McEntire — one of his brother’s hats.

“This is better than my merch,” Bublé said.

@nbcthevoice

Colin Bracewell shines on #MoreThanAWoman by BeesGees! #TheVoice | @NBC and Peacock

♬ original sound – NBC’s The Voice

The Forest Lake School board and close to 100 school board members from districts across Minnesota are asking the state education department and the state governing body for high school athletics to comply with a Trump administration demand to bar transgender athletes from girls sports.

Forest Lake board members voted to send a letter to statewide leaders last week after a federal civil rights investigation found that Minnesota and the Minnesota State High School League had violated Title IX, federal law banning sex discrimination in education, “by allowing males to compete in female sports and occupy female intimate facilities.”

In a ruling released last Tuesday, the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services’ civil rights offices gave the league and the state of Minnesota 10 days to make changes or risk losing federal funding.

A group of close to 100 school board members from around 40 districts from across the state independently signed on to a similar letter on Monday, largely from smaller communities outside the Twin Cities metro, though a few signed on from Washington County Schools, Anoka Hennepin Schools, and other suburban communities.

Forest Lake School Board President Curt Rebelein introduced the letter to members at their Oct. 2 meeting, saying the district needed to push the state and league to act as noncompliance could risk continued funding.

“As recipients of federal financial assistance, failure to correct these violations directly threatens our schools’ ability to serve our students and communities,” Rebelein wrote in a letter, which also was signed by school board member Tessa Antonson.

“Protecting fairness in women’s sports is paramount,” the letter continues. “The federal determination highlights how permitting males to compete on female teams displaces female athletes from podiums, denies them advancement opportunities, and diminishes their visibility and recognition in competitions.”

4-3 vote by Forest Lake school board

A resolution to send the letter passed on a 4-3 vote of the school board, with opposed members raising concerns that it was not placed on the agenda and that they did not have enough time to review the letter.

Board member Gail Theisen voted against sending the letter because it came as a surprise and because school district attorneys hadn’t reviewed the language. Rebelein said he had his own attorneys review the letter and that he wanted to send it as soon as possible because federal officials had given state officials just a little over a week to comply.

As of Monday, the Minnesota Department of Education and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison had not released their plans on how they will react to demands from the administration of President Donald Trump.

In a statement last week, the department said it was reviewing the letter and “remains committed to ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive in a safe and supportive school community.”

Transgender athletes

It’s unclear just how many transgender athletes participate in Minnesota school sports. Federal officials said they found transgender athletes had participated in girls’ sports, including lacrosse skiing, track and field, volleyball and softball.

The Minnesota State High School League, which has allowed students to decide whether to participate in boys or girls sports based on their gender identity since 2014, had not publicly signaled its plans as of Monday.

MSHSL Executive Director Erich Martens couldn’t immediately be reached for comment Monday.

The recent Title IX investigation is the latest development in the Trump administration’s push to end transgender participation in girls’ sports. Trump issued an executive order on the issue earlier this year and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi threatened Minnesota officials with legal action if they did not comply.

The MSHSL following the order would likely violate the state Human Rights Act and the Equal Protection Clause of the state Constitution, which includes protections for different sexual orientations and gender identities. But the group said it would cooperate with a Title IX investigation.

The league also sought advice from Ellison, who later issued an opinion supporting their stance.

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A security guard at a St. Paul nightclub has been charged with first-degree assault after he allegedly punched a customer early Sunday morning, causing the man to fall and hit his head, inflicting grave injuries.

Jose Eucario Conejo Marquez, 28, of North St. Paul, was charged Monday in Ramsey County District Court.

The criminal complaint said the customer, a 33-year-old man, is on life support and not expected to survive.

The complaint gave the following details about the weekend incident at the North End nightclub:

The 33-year-old customer, who was on a first date at the Blues Saloon at 1638 Rice St., reportedly became jealous after multiple men made advances on his date. He became upset and was asked to leave the club.

Surveillance video showed that after the man was in the parking lot, he pointed at his date. At that time, the security guard stepped between them and punched the man in the head. Then, while the customer was leaning against a vehicle in the parking lot, the security guard allegedly punched him again.

The man fell and hit his head on the pavement, losing consciousness. His date asked for help. A security guard allegedly told her to pour water on her date and that he would be fine. Two men then carried the unconscious man to his pickup truck.

Ten minutes later, at about 2:20 a.m. Sunday, the man’s date flagged down police officers who were in the area investigating a hit-and-run. The officers found the 33-year-old slumped over inside a red Dodge Ram with Wisconsin license plates. The date said that the man had been unconscious about 10 minutes after getting punched by a security guard. Officers saw that the man had a small amount of blood coming from both nostrils. He was unresponsive and didn’t appear to be breathing. An officer began CPR and saw that the man had a faint pulse and shallow breathing.

Officers spoke to Marquez, who was back inside the Blues Saloon, after employees said that the security guard was allegedly the one who punched the man, according to the complaint.

Marquez allegedly told officers that the man was drunk and was being “belligerent.” He then allegedly said that he was frustrated with the man for fighting inside the bar and being verbally aggressive with his date.

Marquez allegedly admitted to punching the customer at least once.

The 33-year-old was taken to Regions Hospital, where he was diagnosed with a “devastating brain bleed.”

Marquez is in custody, and his first court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday.

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Summer’s ended, and now the slow changing of the seasons is underway in northeastern Minnesota. With the arrival of fall comes a riot of yellows, oranges, and reds as trees begin to change their colors in preparation for winter.

But don’t worry, you have a few weeks yet to appreciate the colors of autumn, so hop in the car and get ready for a drive.

Carlton

Jay Cooke State Park near Carlton is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and features a hiking, camping, a swinging bridge over the St. Louis River, a historic cemetery, and the views of the Thomson Dam gorge.

It also is home to more than 170 species of birds, and plenty of other wildlife, some of which may be visible from the car.

Jay Cooke State Park visitors walk across the swinging bridge over the St. Louis River on Thursday, April 25, 2024.Wyatt Buckner / Duluth Media Group

If you’re short on time, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources recommends parking at the historic River Inn and heading straight to the bridge, which is accessible. From there, visit Oldenburg Point to see the Civilian Conservation Corps facilities and stop to take in the view over the St. Louis River valley. On your way back, visit the Thomson Pioneer Cemetery, which dates back to the late 1800s.

Lutsen

Head out to Lutsen, and you can take a ride on the Summit Express Gondola in the Sawtooth Mountains to see the breathtaking fall colors.

The enclosed gondola cars take visitors to and from the top of Moose Mountain, 1,000 feet above Lake Superior. And if you’re lucky, you might glimpse eagles, pine martens, bears, wolves, or perhaps even a moose along the way. Tickets start at $35 per adult and $20 for children ages 6-12. Each gondola can accommodate a maximum of eight guests.

Jay Cooke State Park visitors walk across the swinging bridge over the St. Louis River on Thursday, April 25, 2024.Wyatt Buckner / Duluth Media Group

Two people ride the gondola through the fall colored trees in Lutsen on Monday, October 10, 2022.
At the top of the mountain, take in the sights from the observation deck, stop at the Summit Chalet for lunch or a snack, or take a hike down one of the many trails.

The gondola rides are available daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Oct. 19, 2025, and limited to two Saturdays — Oct. 25 and Nov. 1 — in late fall. Summit Chalet closes a half-hour prior to the gondola, so don’t be caught going hungry.

Duluth

Hiking enthusiasts need not stray too far from Duluth to catch a fabulous view from on high — Ely’s Peak offers both a challenging trail and a far-reaching view on a clear day.

From the Superior Hiking Trail trailhead, hikers are encouraged to follow the blue markings up to the peak. For a more detailed account that will clear up the various ways you can be led astray by other signs, former News Tribune reporter Adelle Whitefoot documented her August 21 hike.

The view from the top of Ely’s Peak overlooks the St. Louis River and Duluth’s Gary-New Duluth neighborhood.Adelle Whitefoot / Duluth News Tribune

For a closer view of the city itself during the fall, check out Enger Tower in Enger Park. The park overlooks the Blatnik Bridge and Garfield Avenue, and also provides a view of the Aerial Lift Bridge.

Folks look out from the top of Enger Tower at Enger Park in Duluth on Monday afternoon, July 1, 2024. Jed Carlson / Duluth Media Group