Bill Rahn called in for our KAXE Morning Show "What's For Breakfast" segment on his birthday, Friday, Jan. 31. He told us his age in the form of a math riddle.
"A logical question is, 'How old am I?' I will answer the same I did for a class of juniors at Woodbury High School. ... I'm a math guy, right? And there's a phenomenon called twin primes, like 17 and 19. Two primes with an even number between them.
"Yesterday my age was a prime number, today it's not, and next year it will be again. And here's a hint — it's not between 41 and 43."
The answer? Bill is 72 years old. As for breakfast, Bill outlined his plan for the morning. He starts with a protein shake, and then heads to the gym. At the gym, he has a can of V8, and finally, when he gets home, he has a bowl of Raisin Bran.
Bill shared some of his plans for the rest of the day as well. "I have a group of friends that are dismayed when I call them ancient educators, but I'll be meeting with them for lunch. And I've got a clinic appointment for anti-coagulation."
Bill talked some more about his medical history and why he's been exercising. He said after his retirement and heart surgery in 2019, he began exercising two or three times a week, since it was something people with that kind of experience recommended to him. Bill said he's thankful he was encouraged to follow that routine.
"Probably realistically, I'm in better shape now than I've been since high school."
Lastly, Bill and KAXE Morning Show host John Bauer briefly shared anecdotes of pets. John talked about Nelly, a dog Bill gave to John. Bill said over the years, he's rescued at least 100 foster dogs. A few weeks ago, his son found another dog that seemed to have been kicked out of a car, and Bill has been caring for it since.
"We had room in our house and room in our heart. You know, it's just — it's what you gotta do, what you gotta do."
Check out the full conversation in the audio above.
-
Contributed/USFWS Midwest Region via FlickrDuring the Phenology Report for the week of Dec. 9, 2025, Staff Phenologist John Latimer covers Great Horned Owl courtship, the bounding tracks of otters, and his notes from birthdays gone by.. -
Contributed/Ian WelshDuring the week of Dec. 9, 2025, we enjoy reports of subnivean tunnels, pine siskins, and sundogs. Staff phenologist John Latimer responds. -
Pam Perry, our favorite retired non-game wildlife biologist, talks about the Christmas Bird Count and Pine Grosbeaks with Heidi Holtan and our Staff Phenologist John Latimer. -
Contributed/Any Lane via PexelsIt's time to start thinking about gift-giving as the holidays approach. What are some things that you like to make to give to others? -
Contributed/iNaturalist user jdziuk1During the Phenology Report for the week of Dec. 2, Staff Phenologist John Latimer covers first minus temperatures, bohemian and cedar waxwings, grosbeaks, owls, star-nosed moles and more. -
Events this week include Fireside Movie Night and Learn to Curl in Grand Rapids, electronics recycling in Deerwood and tuba Christmas concerts in Virginia and Brainerd. -
Contributed/Smiles for JakeNonprofit Smiles for Jake is putting on the event Dec. 6, 2025, as part of its mission to prevent suicide through positivity, listening ears and a message of hope. -
contributed/Chad KaddatzDuring the week of Dec. 2, we enjoy reports of an active frog and garter snake, an opposum and animal tracks in the snow. Staff phenologist John Latimer responds. -
Contributed/Minnesota News ConnectionBrown joined the KAXE Morning Show to discuss his recent Star Tribune column on heating assistance delays, moral judgment placed on public benefits, and his own childhood experience. -
Contributed/Chad KaddatzDuring the week of Nov. 25, 2025, we enjoy reports of bobcat sightings, Tundra Swans and a lingering heron. Staff phenologist John Latimer responds.
