KAXE is kicking off our year-end giving campaign with more than $35,500 in available matching funds to support local journalism.
There are more match opportunities scheduled to unlock later in the month of November. Donations to KAXE through Dec. 31 will be matched 3-to-1 up to $1,000 while matching funds remain.
The campaign includes a $5,000 match from the NewsMatch Rural Partner Fund, part of a national initiative that strengthens independent nonprofit newsrooms; $10,500 from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s Public Media partner fund; and $20,000 in local “Community Match” dollars, pledged by supporters across the region.
KAXE is one of more than 400 nonprofit news organizations participating in the 10th annual cycle of NewsMatch. The program helps rural and community-based outlets build financial sustainability through local and national support. In addition to providing funding, NewsMatch offers participating newsrooms tools and training to improve long-term fundraising capacity.
“Community support is what made this possible,” said Sarah Bignall, CEO/general manager of KAXE. “We’ve been overwhelmed in the best possible way by how people have really stepped up for us this past year.
"That support helped us qualify for national fundraising efforts like NewsMatch and inspired local donors to offer even more match opportunities.”
Donations raised during the campaign will support KAXE’s growing local newsroom and coverage of key regional issues, including the impacts of the government shutdown, school district budgets and local elections. Funds will also support the Up North Report, the station’s five-minute daily newscast.
The campaign runs through Dec. 31, 2025. Additional match opportunities will be announced later this month.
To learn more or donate, visit kaxe.org/donate.
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JOHN SCARRRural-centric organizations leading a music festival tour want more inclusivity and spaces for community bonding. -
Megan Buffington/KAXEThe business would grow, manufacture and sell cannabis out of the building off Highway 2, though there are still moving parts as far as the sale of the warehouse. -
University of Minnesota student Erin Bowman will be covering Northern Minnesota news with KAXE through Aug. 7, 2026. -
Megan Buffington/KAXEMichael Hart escaped from a correctional facility and was later mistakenly released from jail. He was in custody for these charges when he escaped in 2025. -
Malachy Koons/KAXEBemidji musician Caige Jambor stopped by KBXE for a live session and interview ahead of playing the Beltrami Block Party on June 27, 2026. -
Contributed/Dennis EljGet to know the volunteers behind the mic on KAXE. This week we find out more from longtime "On the River" and "After Dark" host and volunteer, the Intrepid Dennis Elj. -
Contributed/Office of the Governor via Minnesota ReformerSchiltz said the incursion of 3,000 federal agents and the Trump administration’s statements show the subpoenas were issued for harassing political opponents and coercing them into action. -
Plus: Changes are in the wings to the BWCAW permit cancellation policy; and the DNR is expanding a deer feeding and attractant ban in two Northern MN counties. -
Contributed/City of HermantownHermantown and Google jointly agreed to the updated study with current information allowing for greater specificity, the city reported. -
Canva Graphic/KAXEThe Beltrami County Sheriff's Office reported Floyd Cloud was hit June 21, 2026, on Division Street Northwest, west of Bemidji in Grant Valley Township.
