Top Stories
Megan Buffington
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KAXE
New state aid covers part of the operating levy for school districts that have lots of cabins. Some districts say they'll offset the levy if voters approve it, meaning more money for the school, while taxes stay the same or go down.
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Mark Klabunde
Malachy Koons
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Contributed
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.
Has it really been 14 years since Alabama Shakes released their debut record of hollerin' soul-n-roll Boys & Girls?? Holy cow! We are now 11 years removed since their second record, Sound & Color, graced our ears with its denser and more experimental sound.
I Must Be Dreaming sees these small-town musicians having families, getting married and releasing solo records. The sound reflects an earned maturity, time spent apart and the conflicted country we live in.
Lead singer and guitarist Brittany Howard showcases falsetto vocals on a majority of the songs and the vibe she creates highlights the double entendre album title I Must Be Dreaming. ... Am I crazy or this is amazing?!?! The growl and howl of Boys & Girls and world weariness of Sound & Color are replaced with the sound of a singer whose vocal range is endless — beautiful and powerful all at the same time. Songs such as singles "I Feel Hope Coming" and "American Dream" deliver a vision for concrete things we all need, like clean air, and the manifestation of simply continuing to dream of a positive place for everybody.
Bass guitarist Zack Cockrell, who was a member of Howard's solo act touring band, created the basis for many of the songs on I Must Be Dreaming, replacing an exhausted Howard as the primary generator of musical ideas within the Alabama Shakes world. The music is chilled like a cool creek in the woods behind your house while still bringing some of the noise and power they are known for.
I Must Be Dreaming is the third Alabama Shakes album in 14 years but the sonic timeline they have created check out in a wonderful way. -DG
I Must Be Dreaming sees these small-town musicians having families, getting married and releasing solo records. The sound reflects an earned maturity, time spent apart and the conflicted country we live in.
Lead singer and guitarist Brittany Howard showcases falsetto vocals on a majority of the songs and the vibe she creates highlights the double entendre album title I Must Be Dreaming. ... Am I crazy or this is amazing?!?! The growl and howl of Boys & Girls and world weariness of Sound & Color are replaced with the sound of a singer whose vocal range is endless — beautiful and powerful all at the same time. Songs such as singles "I Feel Hope Coming" and "American Dream" deliver a vision for concrete things we all need, like clean air, and the manifestation of simply continuing to dream of a positive place for everybody.
Bass guitarist Zack Cockrell, who was a member of Howard's solo act touring band, created the basis for many of the songs on I Must Be Dreaming, replacing an exhausted Howard as the primary generator of musical ideas within the Alabama Shakes world. The music is chilled like a cool creek in the woods behind your house while still bringing some of the noise and power they are known for.
I Must Be Dreaming is the third Alabama Shakes album in 14 years but the sonic timeline they have created check out in a wonderful way. -DG
Latest Stories
Mesabi Metallics offers $25K for tips leading to bomb threat arrest
The Itasca County Sheriff's Office determined the bomb threat at the mine was not credible. Now, they've turned the investigation to the threat itself, which is a felony.
MnDOT's Hwy 197 project in Bemidji includes 1 more major detour in 2026
Right after the back-to-school traffic rush on Sept. 8, 2026, MnDOT crews will implement a detour while rebuilding the north side of the Highway 71 intersection.
Superior Nat'l Forest reopens more wildfire-impacted sites near BWCAW
Forest Service officials continue to reopen additional sites and recreation areas impacted by wildfire in July 2026.
Grand Rapids area clinic to rebrand as Fairview Grand Itasca
The organization states the name change reflects the relationship between Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital and Fairview Health Services.
Trump says mail-in ballots boost Democrats, but some of MN’s reddest counties rely most on remote voting
As Minnesota fights the Trump administration in court, local election officials say mail-in ballots have not been controversial.
DNR accepting comments on Twig Area ATV trail system
The Twig Area Trail Riders’ proposed trail system would include over 500 miles of new and existing trail segments.
USPS whistleblower predicts ‘catastrophic’ effect on elections under Trump vote-by-mail order
The U.S. Postal Service rushed electronic tools to comply with a policy placing restrictions on mail-in voting, according to an whistleblower complaint published Tuesday.
'Spin That Ish' for August 2026 from the KAXE Music Team
The KAXE Music Team talks their favorite music from August 2026, and as always, they get way off track in the best way.
Scoping out September: A preview of early fall phenology
During the Phenology Report for the week of Sept. 1, 2026, Staff Phenologist John Latimer anticipates the many happenings of early fall.
Man dies in apparent drowning near Eveleth; Congress delays hemp ban by 4 weeks
Plus: Wildfire-affected areas in and around the Boundary Waters continue to reopen; lake associations are seeing impacts from new boating laws; and Grand Itasca Clinic is changing its name.
Farmer loans available after USDA declares Northern MN drought disaster area
The designation applies in Beltrami, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake of the Woods and St. Louis counties.
The Setlist: Where to hear live music Sept. 4-6, 2026
KAXE's weekly list of concerts near you features Foxby, Rusty Crayfish Brass Band, Keith Secola & Gary Farmer, Rich Mattson & The Northstars, Little Fevers, LAAMAR, Penny Peaches, Annie Humphrey, Jada Brown and many more.
With The Setlist, KAXE's Music Team curates the best live music to catch each week across Northern Minnesota and beyond.
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Allison Barta via KAXE-KBXE Season Watch Facebook group
During the week of Aug. 25, 2026, we enjoy reports of butterflies, bog adventures, and low water levels. Staff phenologist John Latimer responds.
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Flickr user Dennis Sylvester Hurd
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Photo by iNaturalist user krisskinou
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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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