HIBBING — The Hibbing School District has a new acting superintendent.
In an emergency meeting Friday, Jan. 9, the Hibbing School Board selected Carrie McDonald as the district’s acting superintendent. McDonald comes from the district's current administrative team, serving as director of teaching and learning and the Bluejacket Career Academy director. She previously served as principal of Greenhaven Elementary School in Hibbing.
The district updated its superintendent’s webpage with McDonald’s information.
The move comes after Superintendent Rich Aldrich announced he would resign on Jan. 7, due to a health condition. Aldrich’s resignation isn’t effective until mid-April, but he is on medical leave for the next several months.
The Hibbing School District’s business manager, Alex Kaczor, also announced his resignation last month, with his last day set for Thursday, Jan. 15. Kaczor is taking a position at the Grand Rapids school district.
The vacancies come as the district begins planning $2 million in budget cuts, in part due to declining enrollment. Voters rejected two referendum questions in November.
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Contributed/U.S. Forest Service - Superior National ForestA few wilderness campsites may be closed, but there are no other closures in the Boundary Waters. There is currently a campfire ban within the area because of dry conditions. -
Contributed/Aitkin Youth Baseball Facebook pageThe Gobblers won a close 1-0 game against the top-seeded Duluth-Marshall to advance, while Red Lake County looks to defend the title and Grand Rapids makes its 6th-straight appearance. -
Contributed/Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning CenterA conservation easement will protect the property spanning forests, wetlands, cliffs and streams. Half of the protected acreage is considered to be "high biodiversity." -
Megan Buffington/KAXEThe comprehensive plan will help shape topics such as housing, transportation, economic development, parks and recreation, community facilities, infrastructure and taxes. -
This is the Up North Lookback, where we’re digging into the local news archives from 50 years ago — the year KAXE was born. It’s the week of June 8. -
After a short 2024 season and skipping a season in 2025, the Paul Bunyan Playhouse is back with a full season in 2026.
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Plus: A new conservation easement protects more than 900 acres on North Shore; Cohasset to host comprehensive plan meeting; and more Northland HS sports results.
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Megan Buffington/KAXEHarper is accused of resisting arrest by Deputy Michael Cowan on May 4, 2026 as deputies attempted to serve an arrest warrant in Max, in rural northwestern Itasca County. -
Contributed/Rock Ridge Public Schools via FacebookIt was the team's sixth-straight state tournament. Singles and duos from Rock Ridge and other rural Northland schools also hit the courts in tourney action. -
Contributed/PexelsSix rural Northland teams competed in state softball tournament in Mankato on June 2-5, 2026. The Barnum girls were consolation runners-up.
