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Malachy Koons
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KAXE
The Longville artist's Finding Home Winter Tour will go across Northern Minnesota throughout January 2026.
Lorie Shaull
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KAXE
"Season Watch" is a KAXE podcast for the curious, filled with the delights of nature in Northern Minnesota. Hosts are Charlie Mitchell, Heidi Holtan, John Latimer and a rotating cast of characters, often featuring voices of young nature observers from around the state. From owl calls to sleeping bears and freezing frogs, we want hear from you! Record a message and send us what you are seeing in nature!
Florence Shaw and company take their distinctive blend of spoken word observations and post-punk grooves to new realms on their career best third album. From the pastoral folk of the anxious “Let Me Grow and You’ll See the Fruit” to the charming and even hopeful indie-pop of “Joy,” instrumentalists Tom Dowse, Lewis Maynard and Nick Buxton never fail to find the perfect setting for whatever direction Shaw’s inner diary leads.
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.
Latest Stories
Events Up North Jan. 19-25: History talk in Hoyt Lakes, Ski-Palooza in Bemidji
Events this week include the Winter Rendezvous at Deep Portage Learning Center near Hackensack and a series of bird talks at Sax-Zim Bog near Meadowlands.
Enbridge to pay $2.8 million for Line 3 aquifer breach in Aitkin County
The agreement with the Department of Natural Resources ends the agency's enforcement action for that site, though monitoring will continue.
Walz encourages Minnesotans to film ICE agents for future prosecutions
Walz gave an address Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, as the state confronts a surge of 2,000-3,000 agents, and widespread reports of violence against citizens and immigrants alike.
Local legislators preview upcoming session for GR business leaders
Four Republican legislators recapped last year's session and previewed the coming months at the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce's Lunch with Legislators on Jan. 8, 2026.
Aitkin to take another stab at school referendum; Itasca legislators preview session at GR event
Plus: Bemidji Mayor Jorge Prince wins national disaster leadership award.
Bemidji mayor nationally recognized for leading through disaster
The hurricane-strength windstorm swept through Bemidji and surrounding areas on June 21, 2025, knocking out power for thousands and damaging hundreds of homes and businesses.
State lawmaker announces articles of impeachment against Gov. Tim Walz
The filing follows several calls from Republican lawmakers urging the governor to resign from office.
Area Voices: ‘The Pillowman’ stage reading is one night only in Brainerd
A stripped-back stage reading of Martin McDonagh’s “The Pillowman” is one night only 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. The director and an actor joined “Area Voices” to discuss the production.
Why do some oaks still have leaves in January?
During the week of Jan. 13, 2026, we enjoy reports of oak leaves, hungry woodpeckers, and a mushroom growing on another mushroom. Staff phenologist John Latimer responds.
Top fraud prosecutors quit MN U.S. Attorney's office; State lawmaker announces filing to impeach Gov. Walz
Plus: State senators Grant Hauschild and Rob Farnsworth launched reelection campaigns; the Hibbing School District named a new acting superintendent; and the Rock Ridge High School will soon host the first high school hockey game broadcast in Ojibwe.
Top fraud investigator, five others quit U.S. Attorney’s office in MN
The exodus follows reports that the U.S. Department of Justice was scrutinizing the political activity of the woman killed last Wednesday by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Hibbing School District names new acting superintendent
The appointment comes in the wake of two high-profile resignations in the Hibbing School District, which is looking to make around $2 million in budget cuts.
With The Setlist, KAXE's Music Team curates the best live music to catch each week across Northern Minnesota and beyond.
During the Phenology Report for the week of Jan. 6, 2026, Staff Phenologist John Latimer remarks on the ferocity of muskrats and the big brains of winter chickadees.
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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