The Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians and the Region Five Development Commission received millions of dollars from the U.S. Department of Energy’s local government energy program.
According to a Thursday, Sept. 5, news release, the band plans a $3.5 million investment into a microgrid system to provide electricity for its secondary school complex.
Region Five received $2.5 million, which it will use to provide inclusive clean energy financing to four identified projects, including school solar and tribal electric vehicles. Region Five’s service area includes Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd and Wadena counties and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe reservation.
Just 12 local governments and tribes were selected to receive over $31 million in funding through the Department of Energy program. Communities Sparking Investment in Transformative Energy seeks to support high-impact projects in disadvantaged communities.
The projects are selected for commitment to clean energy approaches like building efficiency, clean transportation, grid development and renewable energy.
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Contributed/Ellen StanleyGary Farmer (Cayuga) and Keith Secola (Anishinaabe) are bringing the Ancestral Fires tour to Virginia, Bemidji and Grand Rapids, March 12-14, 2026. -
Contributed/Cook CountyPat Eliason will resign effective May 8, 2026, after 31 years of service in public safety to Cook County. -
Under current rules, there are no bag limits on many of the state's native rough fish, such as dogfish and sheepshead. -
Contributed/BiCAPMinnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development's Youthbuild program provides construction training opportunities to 600 at-risk youths. -
The agreement follows a human rights investigation that found Lyft drivers canceled multiple rides for Tori Andres, a blind student who travels with a service dog. -
Contributed/Village of HopeVillage of Hope is teaming up with other housing shelters in the Bemidji area for the March to Support Shelter Care starting at noon March 14, 2026. -
Contributed/Allison Barta via KAXE-KBXE Season Watch Facebook groupDuring the Phenology Report for the week of March 10, 2026, Staff Phenologist John Latimer remarks on raccoons, star-nosed moles, and the season's first butterflies. -
Contributed/Chad KaddatzDuring the week of March 10, 2026, we enjoy reports of migrating birds and the distinctive (and divisive) smell of spruce trees. Staff phenologist John Latimer responds. -
Maria Hileman/KAXEKAXE's weekly list of concerts near you features Keith Secola & Gary Farmer, Rangers, Wind Jammers, Steve Solkela, and Skarlett Woods. -
Plus: the Minnesota Legislature is considering a ban on cryptocurrency kiosks as the FBI reports these ATMs are connected to $333 million in reported losses to fraud.
