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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Larissa Donovan/KAXEBemidji Mayor Jorge Prince accepted the Tommy Longo Disaster Leadership Award from LeadersLink during the Bemidji City Council meeting on June 15, 2026. -
Contributed/Minnesota Bureau of Criminal ApprehensionCarla Beth Anderson, a 23-year-old woman, was last seen nearly 40 years ago at her Wadena apartment. Despite hundreds of leads and interviews, no arrests have been made in her disappearance. -
Contributed/Nicole Neri | Minnesota ReformerThe charges come months after Immigration and Customs Enforcement's "Operation Metro Surge," when thousands of federal agents were stationed in the Twin Cities. -
Plus: Itasca County reuses flag poles to fly new and old state flags; Crow Wing County adds 10 license plate readers to Flock Safety network; and Red Lake County takes 2nd in state baseball tourney. -
Megan Buffington/KAXEThe county avoided buying new flag poles by flying the current and former Minnesota flags on poles that were previously used for a memorial. -
Larissa Donovan/KAXEThe formal move on June 8, 2026, follows discussion on the perpetual vacancies and rising costs of operating a rural police force. -
Contributed/Eagle Rebel Activities on XThe Rebels entered the tournament as the No. 2 seed and defending champions. South Ridge, Grand Rapids and Aitkin also competed in the tournament. -
Contributed/St. Louis County Sheriff's Office Facebook pageThe St. Louis County Sheriff's Office identified William Helgemoe, 56, as the rider killed on Industrial Road on June 12, 2026. -
Malachy Koons/KAXEThe KAXE Music Team on new music from Duane Betts, LOV, Bella White, Greg Mendez, Molly Brandt, Sosyete '25, Crooked Fingers, and Blondie's debut from '76. -
Contributed/University of Massachusetts Press, Macmillan, BloomsburyBooks featured on the "KAXE Morning Show" on June 11, 2026, include "Summers at the Saint," "Theo of Golden" and "The Nightingale."
