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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Malachy Koons/KAXEThe KAXE Music Team on new music from Baby Cool, Jalen Ngonda, Bedouine, Ryan Bingham, Ibibio Sound Machine, Mollie Elizabeth, Ruthie Foster, Seun Kuti, and John Hartford in '76. -
Megan Buffington/KAXEThe comprehensive plan will help shape topics such as housing, transportation, economic development, parks and recreation, community facilities, infrastructure and taxes. -
Contributed/Red Door PhotographyDarby Bozeman’s novel “Summer’s Never Over” is a satisfying and suspenseful debut set in an isolated summer camp in the mountains of Georgia. -
This is the Up North Lookback, where we’re digging into the local news archives from 50 years ago — the year KAXE was born. It’s the week of June 8. -
After a short 2024 season and skipping a season in 2025, the Paul Bunyan Playhouse is back with a full season in 2026.
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Plus: A new conservation easement protects more than 900 acres on North Shore; Cohasset to host comprehensive plan meeting; and more Northland HS sports results.
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Megan Buffington/KAXEHarper is accused of resisting arrest by Deputy Michael Cowan on May 4, 2026 as deputies attempted to serve an arrest warrant in Max, in rural northwestern Itasca County. -
Contributed/Rock Ridge Public Schools via FacebookIt was the team's sixth-straight state tournament. Singles and duos from Rock Ridge and other rural Northland schools also hit the courts in tourney action. -
Contributed/PexelsSix rural Northland teams competed in state softball tournament in Mankato on June 2-5, 2026. The Barnum girls were consolation runners-up. -
Contributed/Kirk Erickson via Darrin SmedsmoThe dispute drew the attention of international media and pilots' associations, raising concerns about the rights of distressed pilots while making emergency landings.
