BEMIDJI — Dr. Johnna Nynas, an OB-GYN at Sanford Bemidji, was recognized by CNN’s Champions for Change program, which highlights people making a difference in their communities and around the world.
Nynas’ work on rural maternal health care through telehealth was featured in a recent CNN story detailing Sanford’s virtual approach to treating pregnant women in rural towns throughout Northern Minnesota. Sanford provides patients with a toolkit that includes a Doppler to measure fetal heart rate and a blood pressure cuff for virtual prenatal appointments.
“Many patients may not have a reliable vehicle or money for gas, so when we bring the care to these women and make it easier, they’re more likely to engage in the recommended care, and that contributes to better outcomes for our patients and their babies,” Nynas said.
Nynas was also credited for her work in establishing the Families First: Rural Maternity Health Collaborative in the region through a U.S. Health and Human Services grant for rural maternity care. The collaborative is focused on improving access and reducing inequitable outcomes for women in rural, underserved and tribal communities.
Nynas was one of 14 recognized in CNN’s annual Champions for Change program, joining leaders in industries like health care, education, fashion and art.
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Contributed/Artist'Lotus' by Little Simz is KAXE's Album of the Week for June 16-22, 2025. -
Megan Buffington/KAXEUniversity of Minnesota Twin Cities rising senior Dani Faher will spend two months covering Northern Minnesota with the KAXE News Team. -
Contributed/MSHSLThe Rebels beat New Ulm Cathedral 15-7 in the 2025 Minnesota State High School League championship Saturday at Target Field. The win caps off a great sports year for the school. -
Contributed/University of Minnesota Press"Kitchens of Hope" tells Minnesota immigrants culinary journeys and is as rich in recipes as it is in stories. -
Contributed/Stephen Maturen/Getty Image North AmericaThe arrest comes after a 43-hour manhunt — the largest in state history, according to Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley. -
A lifelong Crane Laker shows off the area and reflects on the community's history with Voyageurs National Park just before the Crane Lake Visitor Center opens. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEA man impersonating a police officer shot Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband in their Brooklyn Park home. Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were also shot multiple times. -
Contributed/Erin HaefeleWhen the garden or farmers market gives you everything at once, the best way to handle it is to return to the fundamentals: roast, grill, bake, pickle, can, dry, freeze and sauté. These aren’t just methods, they’re survival tools during harvest season. Especially grilling. Because it’s summer. And everything tastes better with a little char and a lot of butter.This week, Amy and Heidi talked to Erin Haefele of Green Scene in Walker, Minnesota, "a charming food haven nestled in the heart of rural northern Minnesota where small-town warmth meets big-city sophistication." Erin inspires us with simple preparations to deliciously fresh garden ingredients. And we hear from Amy's friend Beth Friedrichson from Wisconsin, who gushes about dilly beans and life on the farm with chickens and alpacas.Lots of folks phoned in to talk about their harvests, whether it was peonies in Stillwater, garlic near Detroit Lakes, urban front yard CSAs in Minneapolis, potato varieties in Deer River or stuffed grape leaves in Chicago, you had a story to tell. Share yours! This week's community recipe to cook along with us is Onion Pie: kaxe.org/community-recipe-onion-pie-ham-radio-amy-thielen. Give it a try and send us your reactions and photos at comments@kaxe.org!Ham Radio Features original licensed music — "You Know How I Like It" by Jeremy Messersmith.Made possible by the Minnesota Arts & Culture Heritage Fund. Support KAXE by becoming a member today: https://donate.nprstations.org/kaxe/donate -
And: Brainerd senior Ty Nelson wins a second triple jump title, and Red Lake County will play for a baseball title Saturday.
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Larissa Donovan/KAXEEntrepreneurs shaped downtown more than 100 years ago near the Lake Bemidji waterfront. Members of the Bemidji Heritage Preservation are committed to sharing their stories.
