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Contributed
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Wild Horses
Attendees get an exclusive first listen to the latest album from Wild Horses, "The In Between," and hear a band interview by Music Director Kari Hedlund in Grand Rapids, MN.
Malachy Koons
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KAXE
Music
This is a multi-part series on the impacts of incarceration — specifically the disproportionate rates of incarceration Native people face in the state, especially in Northern Minnesota.
KAXE's Larissa Donovan explored the underlying issues of the statistics through survey outreach, extensive research and in-person interviews.
KAXE's Larissa Donovan explored the underlying issues of the statistics through survey outreach, extensive research and in-person interviews.
Just last year Ezra Collective became the first jazz band to win "Group of the Year" at the Brit Awards, behind their critically acclaimed third album Dance, No One's Watching from 2024.
Not too long ago the thought of jazz returning to the forefront of popular music would have been laughed at, but hearing the London quintet's remarkable follow up Here Because of Hope it is clear why the band now shares an award with such names The Beatles and Radiohead.
Divided into three sections that mirror the historical movement of many Black Brits from Africa to the Caribbean to the UK, Ezra Collective's fusion of jazz with elements from each area paints a musical and historical through line that often needs no words to share its message.
Ezra Collective are at the peak of their powers on Here Because of Hope, playing music that is simultaneously educating and the perfect soundtrack to a house party, paving a way for jazz to shake off its stuffy and academic reputation. -MK
Read the full review on our Fresh Picks page.
Not too long ago the thought of jazz returning to the forefront of popular music would have been laughed at, but hearing the London quintet's remarkable follow up Here Because of Hope it is clear why the band now shares an award with such names The Beatles and Radiohead.
Divided into three sections that mirror the historical movement of many Black Brits from Africa to the Caribbean to the UK, Ezra Collective's fusion of jazz with elements from each area paints a musical and historical through line that often needs no words to share its message.
Ezra Collective are at the peak of their powers on Here Because of Hope, playing music that is simultaneously educating and the perfect soundtrack to a house party, paving a way for jazz to shake off its stuffy and academic reputation. -MK
Read the full review on our Fresh Picks page.
Latest Stories
Grand Rapids City Council ends 0.5% Yanmar Arena sales tax
The tax used to fund civic center improvements will end Dec. 31, 2026.
Beyond the Voice: Michelle Bedford
Get to know the volunteers behind the mic on KAXE. This week we find out more from longtime On The River host and volunteer, Michelle Bedford.
The Setlist: Where to hear live music Sept. 18-20, 2026
KAXE's weekly list of concerts near you features Known Only Locally, The Brothers Burn Mountain, Tattletale and a Community Open House Jam.
Students spot migratory birds, dragonflies and butterflies
During the week of Sept. 15, 2026, we enjoy reports of changing leaves and migrating birds and insects. Staff phenologist John Latimer responds.
Area Voices: Grand Rapids Players present original play ‘Frankenfeldt’
Grand Rapids Players present the original play “Frankenfeldt” Sept. 25-27 and Oct. 2-4 at the Ives Studio Theater in the Reif Center. The director and two actors guest on “Area Voices.”
Bemidji adopts data center moratorium; Grand Rapids ends Yanmar Arena sales tax
Plus: Zebra mussels found at two lakes on the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Reservation; Pollution Control Agency seeks participants for fish consumption survey.
Zebra mussels found in Six Mile Lake, Little Wolf Lake
Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe staff also found starry stonewort in Six Mile Lake, near the city of Cass Lake.
Death investigation in Cass Lake; BIA resumes management of Red Lake programs
Plus: DNR cancels mineral lease for Twin Metals; and ICE's immigration crackdown last winter may have ripple effects for farm labor during harvest season.
DNR cancels 1 Twin Metals mineral lease near Babbitt
The action comes weeks after executive action by Gov. Tim Walz halted the mining company's efforts to establish a copper-nickel mine in the Rainy River Headwaters Watershed.
BIA resumes management of Red Lake family and children services
The Bureau of Indian Affairs announced it was assuming operations of family and children services in Red Lake following a raid on Sept. 10, 2026.
Assessing the 'chilling effect' of ICE activity near farms
An estimated 15,000–20,000 seasonal agricultural workers arrive for work in Minnesota during the peak harvesting season, according to the National institutes of Health.
As Minnesota fights fraud, continuity of care sees disruptions
Minnesota lawmakers heard testimony Sept. 9, 2026, about the domino effects felt by people closely tied to human service programs as the state combats fraud.
With The Setlist, KAXE's Music Team curates the best live music to catch each week across Northern Minnesota and beyond.
Contributed
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Lorie Shaull
During the Phenology Report for the week of Sept. 1, 2026, Staff Phenologist John Latimer anticipates the many happenings of early fall.
Contributed
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USFWS Midwest Region
Contributed
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Allison Barta via KAXE-KBXE Season Watch Facebook group
More Local Stories
Stay up to date on what's happening up north with KAXE/KBXE News, bringing you the top stories across Northern Minnesota.
KAXE/KBXE is the oldest rural community radio station in the U.S. and an independent NPR affiliate.
KAXE/KBXE is the oldest rural community radio station in the U.S. and an independent NPR affiliate.
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