Keeping it local is not just a trend — it's a powerful movement with far-reaching benefits for communities, economies and the environment.
Every day, you hear local events and local folks hosting programs on KAXE. Our work focuses on information and news that matters to the community, curated music programs, concerts and events.
Let's commit to keeping it local by supporting KAXE today. Through our local reporting, music and conversations we help make our communities vibrant, resilient, and truly special. Grab some of our great thank you gifts like the "Up North Report" mug or KAXE Keep It Local stickers!
Our staff is a dedicated crew — not just to KAXE, but to the community in general. We love this place we live, and you can hear it when you tune in to KAXE. Here's how some of the KAXE staff keep it local. How do you keep it local?
Andrew Dziengel, 'Area Voices' producer and host
Andrew is responsible for a lot at KAXE. Weekly arts reporting, hosting the KAXE Morning Show and All Things Considered and occasionally hosting Mixtape and On the River.
Arts and music aren't just his job though. Andrew loves going to concerts and movies and takes part in Bemidji Community Theater.
"I enjoy performing and I know that I can trust the Bemidji Community Theater to not only push me to be at my very best, but also that I will work with other people who are also trying their best," Andrew said.
He added, "The bond you create with your fellow performers in a play is so strong, and there’s nothing quite like it. You truly feel like you’ve been through something big with them. On top of that, you (hopefully) entertain people as well. "
Find out more about Andrew's recent lead performance in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf.
Chelsey Perkins, news director
For over a year, veteran newspaper journalist Chelsey Perkins has been the news director at KAXE. She's created a local hub of broadcast and digital news that is dedicated to covering the communities of KAXE.
But it's not just the news for Chelsey.
She's also involved in the Brainerd community, having grown up in the lakes area. Chelsey and her partner Nate help raise funds for Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity each year by performing with in the organization's fundraiser, Lakes Area Dancing with the Stars.
And, as a University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener volunteer, Chelsey helps the Giving Garden by growing fresh, local produce that is donated to area food shelves. Chelsey works to provide science-based gardening education to Crow Wing County residents as well.
Chelsey's free time also includes serving as a board member of the Greater Crosslake Area Foundation, which manages an endowment fund and offers grants to support efforts to beautify the Crosslake area.
Charlie Mitchell, phenology coordinator
What does local mean anyway? Charlie doesn't exactly keep it local to Northern Minnesota, because she lives "down south" near Stillwater, the lone fully remote worker at KAXE.
But boy, can she tell you about what the plants and animals are doing in Grand Rapids, thanks to her work with John Latimer!
Charlie works with far-flung schools throughout the state in the Phenology in the Classroom program for KAXE. Twenty-five classrooms participate, from Northfield and Bloomington, to Baudette and Pequot Lakes.
She spends her time at home volunteering on iNaturalist and attempting to teach her 5-month-old nephew the difference between a chickadee and a nuthatch.
Larissa Donovan, Bemidji area reporter
Larissa Donovan is a reporter for KAXE who immediately dove into her role. Right away, she was on the ground in Red Lake when cannabis became legal and the Red Lake Nation opened dispensaries. From there she's covered local elections, clean energy, local politics and more. She's a dedicated journalist with a sharp wit that livens up the KAXE staff.
Larissa grew up in Bemidji and has been on local radio airwaves for eight years, joining KAXE mid-2023.
She graduated from Bemidji High School and Bemidji State University. Larissa credits her success in radio news to the relationships she’s built along the way, including her role as vice president of the Bemidji Jaycees.
Larissa helps plan and manage Jaycee projects like the annual Fourth of July Water Carnival, BRRRMidji Days/Plunge and the Beltrami County Fair beer garden.
Larissa is also a member of the Beltrami County Agricultural Association.
Chris Walker, development director
Chris Walker is a voice of optimism at KAXE and in his time on staff has ushered in new business support, coordinated fundraisers and events like the 40th year celebration of Phenology with John Latimer, and developed new models of digital business support. Chris keeps the KAXE staff bolstered with his authentic and infectious love for the local community.
For Chris, one area outside of work where he has found connection is in the sport of curling.
"Itasca Curling is a place my wife and I discovered after we moved up here seven years ago," Chris said. "We were looking for an activity we could do together in the winter and we instantly fell in love with the sport of curling."
Chris also spends his time serving the board of Itasca Curling Association as well as director of camps for Grand Rapids Area Soccer Club.
Jen Kellen, development associate
Jen Kellen is the newest member of the KAXE team, with strong ties already to not just the community but KAXE. Jen meets with local businesses and is building additional business support in regions like Park Rapids, Crosby and Brainerd. And, she's the legendary mom of Iris and August, voices heard on KAXE since they were little.
Jen and her husband Dave live on land that they have farmed and worked over the years, working hard and living the good life.
"I grow big fruit, veggies and flower gardens and love to feed my family and share all the extras with friends and neighbors," Jen said. "My family enjoys biking and kayaking throughout Bemidji."
Kari Hedlund, music and Grand Rapids Riverfest director
Kari's dedication to the local community is evident. Her work at KAXE promoting equitable playlists and great music has been recognized on a national level.
She works tirelessly at creating a music scene in Northern Minnesota, coordinating concert lineups and community events. Grand Rapids Riverfest has, in a short time, created not only a great time for concert goers and recognition for KAXE, but has enhanced economic development in the region.
Kari also hosts the KAXE Morning Show on Thursdays, when she can regularly be heard sharing her book recommendations and curiosity of the world around her.
In addition to her work life, Kari is raising a family with her husband Kyle and incorporates local into everything she does: from local food and business support, to serving, among other things, as the chair of the Grand Rapids Arts and Culture Commission.
Peggy Stevens, grant and sponsorship associate
Peggy Stevens keeps the entire staff at KAXE on task when it comes to grants like the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. She fosters relationships with the local business community for sponsorship funding, and you'll find her around Bemidji, always advocating for KAXE, especially at events like the Bemidji Block Party.
Peggy serves on the board for Mississippi Music at the Bemidji Waterfront. The annual summer program features seven free concerts open to the public. You'll find Minnesota bands, a beer garden pouring local brews and a variety of vendors serving local foods 6-8 p.m. Wednesday nights.
Peggy reminds us, "All are invited to these free concerts and people arrive on foot, by boat, on bikes and every way imaginable. It is really fun to bring these free concerts to our community to enjoy."
Penny Holcomb, business manager
Penny is a stalwart at KAXE, from audits to paychecks to serving as an AMPERS board member and commander of the details of KAXE, like pens and copiers and essential needs.
In her spare time, Penny also volunteers at Itasca Empty Bowls Project every year. The fundraiser supports the Community Café, which helps local people with the fundamental need of food in Grand Rapids and Deer River.
She also donates her time making wreaths for MacRostie Art Center’s annual auction.
And nobody's heart is bigger when it comes to animals than Penny's. She is an animal rescue advocate and supporter.