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briandjan607 via Flickr
The Senate's 50-49 vote on April 16, 2026, reverses a 20-year mining ban in the Superior National Forest in the Rainy River watershed, within which the BWCAW is located.
Sarah Bignall
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KAXE
Horse and chicken illustration by Marce Wood, graphic by Heather Johnson
After making a name for herself with tender, poetic indie-pop songs that sounded like you were sitting in the bedroom as she sang them, Parks takes her songwriting skills to the dancefloor on her third album Ambiguous Desire. Inspired by a move to NYC and her newfound love for the nightclub and dance music culture, it captures that wide-open feeling of breaking out of your shell and finding your community in your early 20s. Drawing from UK pirate radio, 2-step rhythms and the queer dance music culture of Larry Levan’s Paradise Garage, the album is a great entry point into the world of dance music. -Malachy Koons
Latest Stories
Cuyuna trails will fully reopen soon as easement dispute drags on
Advisory council members and the public peppered Tim Prinsen with questions and concerns as he seeks a legislative fix to pursue a cabin development in the state rec area.
Missing man located near Greaney by family member
Clayton Leroy Nukala Jr., 40, was found April 15, 2026. St. Louis County authorities had put out a missing person alert for Nukala three days earlier.
S-M passes referendum, Aitkin's fails; St. Louis County finds workaround to use PLAs
And: Sen. Amy Klobuchar has raised almost $5 million in the first two months of her gubernatorial campaign; and three Northern Minnesota communities will get planning assistance from MnDOT.
In praise of BirdCast, a marvel of migration monitoring
In a special edition of the pod, co-hosts Heidi Holtan, John Latimer, and Pam Perry look forward at a busy spring migration season. Check out Birdcast!Send us a voice memo through Speak Pipe!
St. Louis County finds workaround for labor, federal funding conundrum
The county and MnDOT will exchange federal funds in a "highly unusual" move, so the county can keep using labor agreements. But three projects will have to be delayed a year.
North Star Students: 'Shining examples' Koivisto twins top N-K senior class
Despite their busy schedules, twins Abby and Maddy Koivisto put their all into everything they do. Their dedication and consistency earned them the titles of North Star Student.
Have you felt the intimidating presence of a Sharp-shinned Hawk?
During the week of April 14, 2026, we enjoy reports of blooming bloodroot, Fox Sparrows, and a two-footed coyote. Staff phenologist John Latimer responds.
A big week ahead: Spring wildflowers, butterflies, frog song imminent
During the Phenology Report for the week of April 14, 2026, Staff Phenologist John Latimer remarks on Pileated Woodpeckers "tapping out love notes" and spring's imminent arrival.
Area Voices: Duluth painter Carolyn Olson creates ‘narrative artist’ journey
Duluth artist Carolyn Olson’s exhibit “Mutual Aid and Chosen Family” is at the MacRostie Art Center in Grand Rapids until April 25, 2026.
Staples-Motley passes 'long-time coming' referendum to update schools
The district will break ground on elementary school and career and technical education additions after a nine-month design phase.
Klobuchar raised $4.8 million in first 62 days of campaign for MN governor
Klobuchar's haul is over six times larger than that of GOP candidates Rep. Lisa Demuth and Kendall Qualls.
'A disappointment': Aitkin's 2nd attempt at new elementary school fails
Voters rejected the school district's plans to replace Rippleside Elementary on April 14, 2026, by a wider margin than they did in November 2025.
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.
Contributed
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Chad Kaddatz
During the week of April 7, 2026, we enjoy reports of Eastern Bluebirds, frogs calling, and buds beginning to break. Staff phenologist John Latimer responds.
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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.
!["I'm not really preaching to the musicians and the other artists," Martin says. "I do music for the person that's nine months late on their rent [and] ain't got no job but got two kids."](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9b56533/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2125x1406+187+0/resize/260x172!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnpr.brightspotcdn.com%2Fdims3%2Fdefault%2Fstrip%2Ffalse%2Fcrop%2F2500x1406%200%20340%2Fresize%2F2500x1406%21%2F%3Furl%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F47%2F09%2F349024994d6a85f30f8fbee2bd25%2Fdscf0788-2.JPG)
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