Several Northern Minnesotans began their terms on state boards covering a variety of issues after appointment by Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.
Joining the new Board of the Foster Youth Ombudsperson are Shawna Bullen-Fairbanks of Bemidji, Ziigwan Frazer of Grand Rapids, and Jasmine Clark of Duluth.
Frazer and Clark are both adults who were in the foster care system as youths. Bullen-Fairbanks is a youth recently in the foster care system and last year, she testified for the bill creating the office.
The board makes recommendations to the ombudsperson and oversees their work.
Joining the Governor's Advisory Council on Climate Change are Peter Aube of Bemidji and Mindy Granley and Bethany Owen of Duluth. Aube is a retired forester and also the chair of the Minnesota Forest Resources Council.
Aitkin County Administrator Jessica Seibert will join the board for the Center for Rural Policy and Development as a regional county government representative.
And Myrna Peterson of Grand Rapids was reappointed to the Governor's Council on Connected and Automated Vehicles, serving another four-year term. Peterson was a driving force behind the GoMarti automated vehicle program in Grand Rapids and also serves on the Minnesota Council for Disability.
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Lorie Shaull/KAXEResearch indicates that in the coming decades, the state is likely to see more risk days of wildfires starting on the ground due to more extreme droughts connected to climate change. -
Contributed/Madison McVan / Minnesota ReformerThe sites included autism service providers that received payments through Medicaid, according to a statement from the Minnesota Department of Human Services. -
Contributed/Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike CrewCelebrate International Women's Mountain Bike Day with the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Crew on May 2, 2026, at Miner's Mountain Rally Center in Ironton. -
Matt C/UnsplashWomen Explore Fire Day in Minnesota offers hands-on opportunities to learn more about volunteer, paid on-call and full-time positions in local fire departments in all regions. -
Contributed/Minnesota Department of Natural ResourcesAfter 10,000 tree seedlings were claimed within 48 hours, the ReForest Bemidji program secured an additional 5,000 trees for its distribution May 18, 2026. -
Lorie ShaullA recent national study found an increasing number of federal environmental impact statements are receiving significant contributions from citizen science data. -
The multi-bill omnibus signed April 21, 2026, allows happy hours for nursing home residents without a license and expands local authority in some Northern MN communities. -
Contributed/Brandon ChaseGet to know the volunteers behind the mic on KAXE. This week we find out more from the longtime host of "Green Cheese" and "On The River" volunteer, Brandon Chase. -
The bill would define e-bikes as having output of no more than 750 watts, and motorized bicycles, 750-1,500 watts. Anything with higher power is defined as an electric motorcycle. -
This support from Bush Foundation will expand KAXE's reporting team, launch a community ambassador program, and strengthen regional partnerships to directly benefit local news coverage.
