Snow, Savings and Self-Driving Food

Heavy snowfall with a red warning closes schools in Skellefteå, Region Västerbotten must save hundreds of millions of kronor, and Skellefteå municipality is investigating its preschools and schools as the number of children decreases. In addition, self-driving food deliveries are being tested in Tavelsjö, and dairy farmers are receiving less payment for unusually rich milk.

Red warning for snow – schools close in Skellefteå

A municipality is a local authority responsible for, for example, schools and elder care. Skellefteå municipality has announced that grades 5–9 will have homework at home or distance teaching on Friday, and that upper secondary school and adult education will have distance learning. The preschool classes, grades 1–4 and the after-school centres stay open, and all preschools are to stay open as usual. Notice regarding adapted compulsory school and upper secondary school will come later.

SMHI (the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute) has issued a red warning for Skellefteå from 18.00 Thursday to 23.00 on Friday, and between 50 and 80 centimetres of snow may fall. Trafikverket, which is responsible for the state roads, has stationed snowploughs at the emergency services' premises in Skellefteå during the storm. SVT Nyheter Västerbotten Norran

Self-driving food deliveries tested in Tavelsjö

The Swedish Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI) is leading a project to develop driverless transport solutions. This week, the self-driving ground robot Themis delivered goods between the grocery store and the care home in Tavelsjö. According to the project leader, the test is meant to see whether municipalities' needs for home delivery of food can be met.

Driverless transports are still only in the testing phase, held back among other things by the lack of legislation. According to the project leader, the technology exists and works, but “it is probably a couple of years before we are ready”. The ground robot can be controlled in several different ways, but can also drive entirely on its own. SVT Nyheter Västerbotten

600 fewer children – Skellefteå investigates its schools

The number of children in Skellefteå’s municipal preschools has decreased by almost 600 in just four years. Between 2022 and 2026, the number fell from 3,409 to 2,811, a decrease of 17.5 percent – or five full preschools with six departments each. According to the municipality’s population forecast, the number of children is expected to decline further: by 2038, the number of primary-school-aged children is projected to decrease by more than 1,600, equivalent to 19 percent.

The education authority has now initiated an investigation to explore how preschools, primary schools and upper secondary schools can be organised as the student base shrinks. Norran

Region Västerbotten must save 400 million SEK

A region is responsible for, among other things, healthcare services. Region Västerbotten is to save 300 million kronor during 2027 and 2028, but according to the regional director, approximately 400 million kronor are needed to get through next year. Northvolt's bankruptcy is estimated to have cost the region hundreds of millions of kronor in lost tax revenue. According to the chair of the regional executive board, the amount is approximately 200 million kronor, and the county is seeing the biggest population decline following Northvolt's closure.

Despite the 50 öre tax increase, the economy has deteriorated, partly due to increased inflation, costly construction projects and Northvolt's bankruptcy. How the new minority government consisting of S and V will make the savings remains unclear. SVT Nyheter Västerbotten

Record-high milk fat content means lower payments for farmers

Dairy cows in Norrbotten and Västerbotten are currently producing unusually fat-rich milk. On a farm 20 kilometres outside Vilhelmina, the fat content is over 5 percent, which means less milk and less money in the farm's accounts. The farm has 70 young cattle and 60 dairy cows. According to Norrmejeri's chair, the average fat content has increased from 4.3 to 4.7 percent among the 254 milk suppliers in Västerbotten, Norrbotten, Ångermanland and Jämtland.

Demand for protein and whey is high, while fat is less sought after. When there is plenty of butter and cream, prices can be pushed down, which can hurt farmers. SVT Nyheter Västerbotten

AIK's nightmare in Gävle – conceded 10 goals

AIK lost to Brynäs in Gävle on Thursday and conceded 10 goals. The team had not lost by a double-digit margin since its return to the top division in 2006. The team's third-choice goaltender was substituted after conceding six goals on nine shots, and according to him himself, “the rebounds just go in and you can't do anything about it”.

One of the few bright spots for AIK was a young talent who was behind all four of the team's goals – two goals and two assists, which was a personal record. He himself did not think it made any difference: “Honestly, I couldn't care less.” Norran Norran

In brief

• Police are seeking witnesses after five serious burglaries in houses north of the Skellefteälven river, including on Morö Backe and in Hedensbyn, in incidents dating from 10 November onward. SVT Nyheter Västerbotten
• There were major problems with email accounts in Outlook and Microsoft Teams for customers worldwide on Thursday evening, including in Sweden. Norran
• Region Västerbotten began influenza and covid-19 vaccinations last week, and during the first week, 45 percent more people were vaccinated than during the same week last year – approximately 13 000 people. SVT Nyheter Västerbotten
• SkyKraft, which is planning an aviation fuel factory at Näsudden in Skelleftehamn, is moving on to the project planning phase after both owners approved the investment; Skellefteå municipal council (the municipality’s highest decision-making body) approved Skellefteå Kraft’s investment of 240 million kronor. Norran
• A property at Tenorvägen 36 in Skellefteå changed hands in October 2026 for 3 270 000 kronor; the townhouse was built in 1969 and has a floor area of 164 square metres. Norran
• Enable Consulting i Skellefteå AB was registered with Bolagsverket (the government agency that registers companies) on 11 November 2026 and will provide project management services to the manufacturing and construction industries. Norran
• Trappa upp, a nightclub, is opening in the former premises of First floor at Guldtorget in Skellefteå, with its premiere this weekend, and the age limit will initially be 20. Norran