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Up North Report

March 16, 2024: Unauthorized drone flies over North Shore wildfire

By Chelsey Perkins,

Megan Buffington

Published March 16, 2024 at 6:00 AM CDT

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Plus: Updates to burning restrictions in Minnesota; a state investigation is launched into the DNR's handling of timber in wildlife management areas; and Hibbing schools will see grade-level changes next year.

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Lorie Shaull

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KAXE

Photos: Hobo Day in Boy River, a popular event in a tiny town

Lorie Shaull

The Boy River Hobo Club hosted its annual Hobo Day, a Labor Day weekend tradition in northern Cass County celebrated since 1953.
Bemidji to self-manage Sanford Center; MN State to pilot tech to combat financial aid fraud

Larissa Donovan, Megan Buffington

And: Questions about investigation go unanswered at Cass County sheriff candidate forum.
Lorie Shaull

Essentia Health, nurses' union reach agreement for Deer River hospital

The new 3-year contract includes wage increases for around 40 nurses serving the Deer River hospital and clinic.
Contributed

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cottonbro studio / Pexels

City of Marble earns $3 million water grant for city wells

The project uses aeration and a gravity filter to treat iron and manganese.
Megan Buffington

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KAXE

Questions about sheriff investigation go unanswered at candidate forum

Megan Buffington

A misconduct complaint and investigation into Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk were not addressed at a Sept. 8, 2026, forum. His opponent, Deputy Aaron Ammerman, said the office is “fractured from within.”
Contributed

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Francesco Ungaro via Pexels

Wadena County officials investigate fatal mobile home fire

Authorities state they believe one adult and four pets died in a Wadena County mobile home fire on Sept. 7, 2026.
Wadena County investigates fatal fire; Red Lake police respond to 'incident' at Ponemah powwow

Larissa Donovan, Stella Mayerhoff, Report for America

Plus: Essentia Health, nurses' union reach labor agreement for Deer River hospital; DNR finds "gaps" in review for Hermantown data center; and the fall color finder map is now live.
Contributed

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Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Money does grow on trees: DNR to pay public for collected red pine cones

Cones from the state tree are expected to be particularly prolific this year.
Stella Mayerhoff

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KAXE

Mesabi Trail completed after 30 years

The trail spans from the Mississippi River in Grand Rapids to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Ely.
Contributed

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Canva Pro graphic

Red Lake police respond to 'serious injury incident' at Ponemah powwow

Police say the incident at the annual Obaashing Labor Day Celebration was isolated, and there is no threat to the public.

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Up North Report KAXE

Chelsey Perkins

Chelsey Perkins became the News Director in early 2023 and was tasked with building a new local newsroom at the station. She is based in Brainerd and leads a team of two reporters covering communities across Northern Minnesota from the KAXE studio in Grand Rapids and the KBXE studio in Bemidji.

See stories by Chelsey Perkins

Megan Buffington

Megan Buffington covers North-Central Minnesota from the Brainerd lakes area. Originally from Pequot Lakes, she joined the KAXE newsroom in 2024. Megan previously covered the Arrowhead for KAXE. She is passionate about amplifying Northern Minnesota voices and educating communities through local reporting.

See stories by Megan Buffington

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