KAXE founders Rich and Suzi McClear reflect on the station's roots, future

GRAND RAPIDS — Rich and Suzi McClear, founders of KAXE, had a vision of a radio station that could connect Northern Minnesota communities.

KAXE went on the air in April 1976 with a blend of local voices, many kinds of music and news from National Public Radio.

"We felt that there were voices here that needed to be heard by other people, and more importantly, heard by themselves ... neighbors talking to neighbors," Rich said during a recent visit to both the KAXE and KBXE studios.

The McClears left KAXE in 1980 and went to Sitka, Alaska. There, they started another community radio station, KCAW — also known as Raven Radio.

"I'm quite proud of who you have collectively become and where you've gone," Suzi said.

She referred to KAXE as her "middle child," saying "(When) you parent a project as well as a human, you don't lose interest over time."

Rich added, "To hear the voices, to hear the local news ... the fact that Green Cheese Trivia is still going on, it's ... really, how can I say it? It just fills my heart."

Federal and state funding cuts

This week, Congress passed a bill to defund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. KAXE currently relies on CPB funding for 13% of its budget. Coupled along with cuts on the state level, KAXE is facing a crisis and a budget deficit.

We work hard every day to bring you the news and information of Northern Minnesota, along with great music and fun community hangs, like weekly Green Cheese trivia on Saturday nights.

Your donation, to make up over $260,000 in cuts, keeps us on the air. Give $1,000, $250 or $100. You can make a difference.

Have questions about how we are funded? Feel free to reach out.

Listen to KAXE CEO/General Manager Sarah Bignall's full conversation with the McClears above.

When did you first hear KAXE? Let us know!