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/Leech Lake Tribal College Facebook PageErin Stresow will start the position July 7, 2026. She comes from her position as senior director of diversity, equity and inclusion at Colorado State University Pueblo. -
Megan Buffington/KAXEThe library will have to raise its own $30,000 by Sept. 1, 2026, to receive the anonymous grant. The money will be used to increase public hours in 2027. -
Public Media Journalists Association 2026 AwardsThe KAXE News team won awards across key categories, including Breaking News, Investigative Reporting, and Continuing Coverage. -
Events this week include the beginning of the Northern Lights Music Festival in Aurora and the First Friday Art Walk in Grand Rapids. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEStudents in Deer River are tending to a "pizza garden" this summer, with the hopes of hosting a pizza party using ingredients from the garden in September 2026. -
And: Hubbard County and the city of Akeley disagree on non-emergency calls; and Leech Lake Community Tribal College announces a new president. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEA Polk County district judge ordered the parties to return to arbitration in their yearslong dispute over Essentia's management of the local hospital. -
Contributed/Northern TownshipAfter a successful petition to incorporate as a brand new city, Northern Township announced candidate filing for its first-ever City Council and mayoral elections. -
He said the process in recent years has become so fraught with partisan approaches that smaller, independent operations like his are left fighting for scraps. -
Megan Buffington/KAXENorthern Minnesota has numerous ways to celebrate the Fourth of July 2026 with fireworks shows, local parades and festivals and more. Hang out with your neighbors or discover a new community.
