Top Stories
Contributed
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University of Minnesota Press and Kao Kalia Yang
In the new picture book “The Blue House I Loved” Minnesota author Kao Kalia Yang shares vivid memories of childhood and place. Illustrated by artist and architect Jen Shin.
Larissa Donovan
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KAXE
In addition to her music, Queen Esther is a well-known playwright, actor and essayist, and her skill for storytelling that ties history to the present day is on full display on her sixth solo album Blackbirding. Seamlessly blending country, jazz and blues in a style she calls Black country soul, Blackbirding explores the Civil War battle at Gettysburg to tell a story of the fight for freedom that continues to this day. -MK
Latest Stories
Electric buses bring cleaner, quieter rides to students in rural MN
Minnesota now has just 19 electric school buses, but more than 20 districts are waiting on deliveries, some by the 2026-2027 school year.
Sheriff defends ICE using duplicate license plates in Brainerd area enforcement
Crow Wing County's Eric Klang said agents worked out of the sheriff's office while temporarily stationed in the lakes area, asking him for guidance on "what's off limits."
Longville community mourns death of local official; Hibbing, union work out labor dispute
Plus: Community members show up to Nevis council in support of Wild Tiger Skate Park; House 2A Rep. Bidal Duran announces reelection plans; and the latest for Northland winter athletes.
Sheriff defends ICE using duplicate license plates in Brainerd area enforcement
Crow Wing County's Eric Klang said agents worked out of the sheriff's office while temporarily stationed in the lakes area, asking him for guidance on "what's off limits."
Beltrami County authorities seek missing 31-year-old man
Corey Adam Bryant was last seen in Bemidji on Dec. 19, 2025, but was last in touch with family in January 2026.
Border Czar Homan announces end to Operation Metro Surge; Deer River votes down 4-day school week
Plus: Northern, MN to become Northern MN's newest city; and 14 Northland athletes competed in the Alpine Ski state tournament Feb. 10, 2026.
MN musicians step up for mutual aid amid ICE surge on 'Music for Good'
Bryan Odeen and Brandon Hepola, two of the organizers of a new benefit album for a Minnesota mutual aid group, joined "Headwaters" to talk about the project.
Walz proposes $10 million for Minnesota businesses affected by ICE surge
Minneapolis businesses are estimated to have lost $10 to $20 million in sales each week of Operation Metro Surge, which began in December 2025.
Northern, MN, wins judge approval to be Northern MN's newest city
An administrative law judge ruled in favor of the township's petition to become a city while denying Bemidji's counterpetition to redraw its boundary around Lake Bemidji.
Deer River rejects 4-day week, setting up $2M budget cuts
The School Board voted down the alternative schedule 4-2. In the coming months, the district will have to figure out how else to cut 12% of its budget.
Alpine: Brainerd's Grillo 3rd, DL's Bristlin 5th at state
Three rural Northern Minnesotans placed at the state alpine ski meet in Biwabik on Feb. 10, 2026.
The Setlist: Where to hear live music Feb. 14, 2026
KAXE's weekly list of concerts near you features Sam Miltich & The Clearwater Hot Club, In Stereo, Sugar on the Roof and Grand Holler.
When our neighbors are in need of food, organizations and volunteers across Northern Minnesota step up. Food shelves, community meals and soup kitchens aim to the fill the gaps.
With The Setlist, KAXE's Music Team curates the best live music to catch each week across Northern Minnesota and beyond.
In the Phenology Report for the week of Feb. 3, 2026, Staff Phenologist John Latimer remarks on groundhog hibernation and the aggressive spirit of muskrats and shrews.
Contributed
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iNaturalist user csledge (Chantel)
Contributed
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Bonnie Lundorff via the KAXE - KBXE Season Watch Facebook group
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KAXE/KBXE is the oldest rural community radio station in the U.S. and an independent NPR affiliate.
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