KAXE is not just radio. It is a connection and a reminder that you are not alone. You are part of the community that makes up Northern Minnesota.
In an era when screens dominate and isolation feels all too real, connection matters. Especially in rural communities. We don’t see ourselves reflected authentically in urban or national media and are often overlooked.
Here's how we work: Every story, song and conversation on KAXE is chosen by real people who live in Northern Minnesota. We are not run by corporations, the government or a national network. Each and every day, KAXE strives to reflect the community and be a media source created by and for the people of our region. When we create new programming we center it around our rural communities, what we think will add to our service and create ways to engage with listeners.
I've been involved with KAXE for over 25 years now. I'm Heidi Holtan, and I found KAXE when I needed it most. First in high school, when I was searching out cool and edgy music I wasn't hearing on commercial radio, then moving back to my hometown and feeling adrift and looking for a community of like-minded people.
I began as a volunteer, hosting music programs and creating programs like Realgoodwords and Between You and Me. I was hired originally as a part-time producer and moved into other roles like program director, volunteer coordinator and now director of content and public affairs.
You hear me on the KAXE Morning Show, but much of my work is behind the scenes, making decisions about programming and guiding staff and volunteers. I'm eternally grateful to KAXE, not just because I'm on the radio, but because I have been able to meet and spotlight the people of Northern Minnesota. That's what keeps me going.
I am not alone in the mission of KAXE to build community. My fellow staff members work diligently every day to keep KAXE relevant and local. My dedicated programming team includes Jennifer Barr, Andrew Dziengel and Charlie Mitchell.
Jennifer hosts the KAXE Morning Show on Mondays and All Things Considered, making sure our broadcast includes events and information from all around the region. Andrew specializes in arts reporting for Area Voices, hosts the Morning Show on Wednesdays and All Things Considered. Charlie Mitchell is our phenology coordinator and brings a commitment to the natural world to our programming through producing and working with students and teachers, John Latimer's weekly Phenology reporting and the Season Watch newsletter. (you should check this out, there aren't words to describe how magical Phenology is!)
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Kari Hedlund, John Latimer and John Bauer. As cohosts of Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings they bring a liveliness and a spark to the programming, especially if you are calling in for What's For Breakfast.
There's also great regular contributions by local folks and big thanks to our staff librarian Tammy Bobrowsky, weather guru Tornado Bob, producer Mark Jacobs, fishing guide Jeff Sundin, Marshall Helmberger from the Timberjay, Pam Perry talking birds and the Sports Page crew of John, Fred, Kyle and Megan. These folks along with our news crew of Chelsey, Larissa and Megan and the Up North Report are what bring sparkle and a rich connection to each morning.
New in the last year or so as well, rotating staff cohost the KAXE Morning Show, each bringing their own interests and personalities. Big thanks to Heather, Jen, DJ Dang, Malachy, Chris, Steve and Sarah.
In this Unplugged series from KAXE, we are digging into why local public media matters. CEO/General Manager Sarah Bignall helped us understand the finances and history of KAXE in our first installment, and I’m here to delve deeper into programming.
How is KAXE affiliated with NPR, CPB and MPR?
KAXE is an National Public Radio affiliate, which means we air select NPR-produced programs. We don’t receive funding from NPR. It is actually the opposite. We pay for programs like Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and World Cafe to ensure Northern Minnesotans have access to national and international news alongside KAXE’s local coverage.
Like NPR and as an NPR affiliate, we do hold in common a mission to create a more informed public. Like KAXE’s code of integrity, NPR is transparent about the news they create and follows a code of ethics.
Part of our support comes from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, or CPB —a nonprofit created by Congress in 1967 to help fund public media. But here’s the important part: the majority of our CPB funding goes directly toward the local programming we create at KAXE. Only about 24% of CPB support helps us pay for national programming. The rest goes into making sure you hear local voices, regional stories, and music you won’t find anywhere else.
Overall, CPB funding makes up about 11% of our total budget. It is a vital part of what keeps us going, but just one piece of a much bigger funding puzzle that includes listener support, business sponsors, grants and more.
So while KAXE purchases programming from NPR and receives funding from the CPB, neither dictate what KAXE broadcasts.
We decide what airs locally, each and every day. KAXE has always put a priority on local, which means you are more likely to hear about the call of the Northern Cardinal, live music at your local brewery or the local implications of federal funding cuts rather than political pundits and urban-based topics.
But it can still be confusing — public radio funding operates in ways that aren’t always easy to understand.
KAXE is not just radio. It is a connection and a reminder that you are not alone.
For instance, Minnesota Public Radio is also an NPR affiliate, which is why you might hear some of the same national news programming. But KAXE is completely independent from MPR and American Public Media, which operates 45 terrestrial radio signals in Minnesota and California. APM is the second largest distributor of syndicated programming after NPR and supplies programming to over 1,000 public radio stations across the United States.
We’re our own thing —100% focused on Northern Minnesota and the people who live here. The unique sound of KAXE is created with dedication and hard work of staff and volunteers. We work to be personal and local and are truly a people-powered community radio service with 17 employees and over 100 volunteers.
What about state funding?
In 2008, the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment was approved by Minnesota voters. Using a sales tax increase, it funds projects in areas of outdoor heritage, clean water, parks and trails and arts and cultural heritage.
Since 2009, KAXE has used Legacy funds to expand and enrich our local programming with arts and culture of our region. Today, the Legacy Fund supports about 15% of KAXE’s budget, allowing us to create content that reflects and connects our community.
Our current Legacy-funded programs include What We’re Reading, Stay Human, Area Voices, Minnesota Mixtape, Events Up North, The Setlist, Bright Spot, Minnesota musician live concerts and the Delina White project, Native Nations Fashion Night. Each of these programs is rooted in the belief that Northern Minnesota culture and history should be amplified and celebrated, ensuring that the voices and stories of our region are available to everyone.
We are developing a new Legacy-funded show with James Beard Award-winning cookbook author and chef Amy Thielen. She hails from a small town near Park Rapids.
Like all KAXE programming, Ham Radio: Cooking with Amy Thielen will be rooted in local voices and storytelling, bringing people together through conversations about food — whether it is cultural traditions, family recipes, regional ingredients or the ways food connects us as a community.
KAXE has also secured state funding from the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources to support Phenology with John Latimer, expanding our work with classrooms and students across the state.
For over 40 years, KAXE’s Phenology has enriched the community by fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of Minnesota’s natural environment. On any given day, you may hear about nuthatches and bogs or student nature reports. We visit classrooms across the state and provide nature curriculum for teachers. Everything we produce is designed to deepen people’s connection to Minnesota’s natural world.
Other programs
At KAXE we believe it is important to hear the news from a variety of perspectives. In addition to NPR and our locally produced segments, we air other programming we consider essential.
As it Happens is a weeknight news show from the Canadian Broadcast Corp. offering a unique perspective on American news. On the Media explores how the media shapes worldviews.
National Native News is a vital part of our morning and afternoon broadcasts, bringing Indigenous stories to the forefront. Produced by Koahnic Broadcast Corp., it covers critical topics like health care, education, history and the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives.
We are not run by corporations, the government, or a national network.
But it isn’t just news or music or conversations that make KAXE unique. One of our greatest strengths is Green Cheese trivia. On paper, Green Cheese seems unlikely to work. But it does, every single Saturday night. Hosted by volunteers, the show transforms a community of callers into a lively cast of characters. Whether you are at a campfire, in an ice fishing house or on a pontoon, Green Cheese gathers people together like old-timey radio.
In upcoming Unplugged stories from KAXE , you’ll learn about the newsroom and KAXE’s rigorous journalistic ethics as well as music programming, development and business and training volunteers to create a unique sound.
How can you help?
By reading this story, you are already helping. Thank you!
Your curiosity and support for KAXE’s independence and future mean a lot. After all, we don’t think of you as just an audience or listeners — YOU are our partners.
Consider these other ways to support KAXE and strengthen independent media in Northern Minnesota.
Share KAXE’s work: Every share helps. Whether a news story, the Album of the Week, the Buzz or the Season Watch newsletters, sharing our content helps expand our reach. Forward an email, post on social media or simply tell a friend — your voice amplifies our work.
Become a member: We don’t need a billionaire — we need a strong, engaged community. KAXE is powered by listener support, one member at a time. Your contribution provides stability, helps us secure grants and ensures local businesses see the value in sponsoring independent radio. Joining is easy, affordable and makes a lasting impact.
Get involved: KAXE thrives because of the people who show up. Join us at Grand Rapids Riverfest, the Green Cheese picnic or as an on-air volunteer. All are welcome.
Stay connected: Your input shapes KAXE. Tell us what stories we missed, where we can do better and what resonates with you. Text 218-326-1234 or email comments@kaxe.org. We are listening.
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Lorie Shaull/KAXEDuring the week of April 29, 2025, 16 (!) classes share Earth Day messages and reports of migratory birds and budding trees. Staff phenologist John Latimer responds. -
Lorie ShaullDuring the Phenology Report for the week of April 22, 2025, John details his busy spring phenology routine and rejoices in the arrival of Bald Eagle chicks. -
Contributed/Kimberly Emerson/USFWSDuring the week of April 22, 2025, students reported hearing American Woodcocks, seeing dragonflies, and finding emerging irises. Staff phenologist John Latimer responds. -
Lorie Shaull/ContributedDuring the Phenology Report for the week of April 15, 2025, Staff Phenologist John Latimer compares spring's progression to last year and wonders at an oddball fern. -
Contributed/Chad KaddatzDuring the week of April 15, 2025, we received 10 reports detailing the swift advance of spring weather across the state. Staff phenologist John Latimer responds. -
Contributed/Team 2883: FRED via FacebookKnown as Worlds, the robotics competition in Houston will have 600 teams, including those from Pequot Lakes, Northeast Range/Ely and Warroad. -
During the Phenology Report for April 8, 2025, Staff Phenologist John Latimer details the average April phenology calendar and the table manners of black bears. -
Dr. Ryan Norris, a biologist at the University of Guelph, discusses the Canada Jay. This is part of a series on the decline of native birds, produced by Mark Jacobs. -
Lorie ShaullAs Native Nations Fashion Night returns as the largest Native fashion event in the Upper Midwest, founder and creator Delina White adds a Creative Economy Summit to the event in St. Paul. -
Contributed/Lorie ShaullThe week of April 8, 2025 features 6 reports of emerging leaves, calling frogs, and more. KAXE staff John Latimer, Heidi Holtan, and Charlie Mitchell respond.
