Top Stories
Lorie Shaull
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KAXE
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.
Contributed
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Carolyn Olson
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
Fire near Bemidji State campus prompts temporary evacuation
Crews responded to Bixby Avenue the afternoon of April 16, 2026, after reports of an explosion inside a garage.
Senate reverses mining ban near BWCAW; Iron Range manufacturer to close
Plus: Lockdown at Northwest Technical College; downtown Walker evacuated as natural gas line damaged; and a man missing in St. Louis County was found five days later by family.
Drill bit manufacturer announces closure, layoffs in Chisholm, Hibbing
Minnesota Twist Drill in Chisholm and Triumph Twist Drill in Hibbing manufacture tools including drill bits and cutting tools for industrial, commercial and home use.
Northwest Tech in Bemidji locked down after student made gun comments
Bemidji police quickly located the person April 15, 2026, and used crisis intervention and found no physical threat. The student was taken to a hospital for psychiatric evaluation.
Downtown Walker evacuated Wednesday after natural gas line struck
Residents were allowed to return roughly seven hours later, and businesses reopened Wednesday night and Thursday, April 16, 2026.
US Senate votes to reverse mining ban near Boundary Waters
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.
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.
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.
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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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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