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Larissa Donovan
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KAXE
Relatives confirmed that 17-year-old Dylon Oothoudt of Walker was the male found dead Sept. 13, 2026, in a Cass Lake yard. An autopsy ruled the death a homicide by gunshot wound.
Contributed
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Brainerd Fire Department Facebook
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
Are corvids con artists? Exploring the 'Blue Jays are liars' hypothesis
Pam Perry, a retired non-game wildlife biologist, stopped by to talk about BirdCast, Northern Flickers, Blue Jays, and Common Nighthawks.
Bright Spot: Closed school building in Cotton is a community hub
The repurposed building features a food shelf, free meals, a thrift store, mercantile shop, fitness center, bakery and eatery, art classes and seasonal maker markets, as well as a youth center.
Sneaky salamanders lurk beneath decaying logs
Christopher Smith, conservation committee chair for the Minnesota Herpetological Society, discusses how salamanders use dead and dying trees. The series is produced by Mark Jacobs.
Parasitoid wasps are a big bummer (and have one too)
Co-hosts Heidi Holtan and Charlie Mitchell chat about Darwin, monarch butterflies, and the decline (and hope) of birds.Send us a voice memo through SpeakPipe!
When rural districts combine, wins for budgets and students come with identity loss
The Iron Range offers a window into communities reckoning with how their identities must change for the betterment of future generations as schools increasingly collaborate.
Events Up North Sept. 22-27: Leaf walks at Lake Bemidji State Park, group hike near Grand Rapids
Events this week include an art leap in the Park Rapids area and an ATV ride to benefit Iron Range cancer patients.
Family seeks answers in Walker teen's homicide; MN cannabis sales hit $150M
And: Mesabi Metallics eyes massive expansion as production of first pellets ramps up.
Itasca County removes Flock Safety cameras; New weather radar installed in Brainerd
Plus: MN Court of Appeals to host oral arguments at Pequot Lakes High School.
‘Easy money to cut’: Itasca County removes Flock cameras, cancels contracts
All county cameras have been removed as of Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026. Cameras under city jurisdiction may remain.
How much fish do you eat? MN's pollution control agency wants to know
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is surveying people's fish-eating habits to help limit contaminants in water bodies and make fish safer to eat.
Grand Rapids City Council ends 0.5% Yanmar Arena sales tax
The tax used to fund civic center improvements will end Dec. 31, 2026.
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.
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
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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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