About Us

People-Powered Radio
KAXE is community-powered radio, rooted in the people, places, and stories that make northern Minnesota special. We go beyond the headlines to share voices, experiences, and events that connect and inspire our region.

Whether helping you identify the birds at your feeder with our nature program Phenology or getting you up and dancing in your kitchen to a rockin' song on Headwaters or On the River, KAXE is the epitome of the word authentic. Green Cheese trivia Saturday nights makes it cool to stay home and listen to the radio, all while trying to get on the radio with our volunteer hosts.

Our news department keeps us informed about issues that matter to rural people like local government, housing, daycare, education, and tribal nations in our region like Leech Lake, Red Lake, Bois Forte and White Earth nations.

Along with a talented staff of professionals, KAXE also has over 70 hours a week of programming hosted by trained community volunteers.

At any given time, when you tune in to KAXE, you hear the authentic soundtrack of Northern Minnesota.

Grassroot Beginnings
In 1976, a group of passionate people believed Northern Minnesota deserved a voice — a radio station to reflect the region's unique culture, values and stories. The effort took a few years to get going, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, or CPB, hesitated early on. The concern was that public radio would not appeal to rural people. They said KAXE would be broadcasting to a bunch of gophers.

Boy, have we proven them wrong.

Through this vision of connecting people in small towns, KAXE was born, becoming the first rural community-owned radio station in the United States. Our humble beginnings were fueled by determination, grassroots support and a deep connection to the people and places of Northern Minnesota.

From those modest beginnings KAXE has added new studios in Grand Rapids and Bemidji, created a news department, hosted Grand Rapids Riverfest and so many other events in our region.

Bringing Northern Minnesota to You
Northern Community Radio is an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that operates two unique community-based public radio stations, KAXE and KBXE. Serving most of north central and northeastern Minnesota with 100,000-watt signal originating in Grand Rapids at 91.7fm, a 50,000-watt signal originating in Bagley at 90.5fm and translator in Brainerd at 89.9fm. Streaming all over the world on your smart device and at kaxe.org.

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