Question of the Week: What's your KAXE story?

GRAND RAPIDS — KAXE first went on the air in 1976, and we've been telling the stories of Northern Minnesota ever since.

But what about your KAXE story? How did you find this radio station? What has it meant to you?

As KAXE faces the loss of federal funding, in addition to state cuts and rising costs, the response from our listeners has been amazing. We've been raising money to help make up some of this funding, plus money to bring us into the future.

Here's (a sample of) what we heard

Susan from Cotton said, "We bought our land in Cotton in 1999 and started coming up on weekends to build our cabin and trails. All we had was our little radio and we quickly found KAXE and 'Green Cheese.' Over the years, we have built our home here, and KAXE is our go-to for news as well as for great phenology reports, wonderful morning programs, music we would never otherwise hear and all the delightful personalities we consider friends."

"I first heard of KAXE while living in Sheridan, Wyoming, 12 years ago. We were about to move to Grand Rapids, and a friend's parents from Duluth happened to be visiting Sheridan," texted Megan from Grand Rapids. "They told us about a great radio station in Grand Rapids. I found it right away and have been a sustaining member since then."

"One big reason we listen is because of all the connections between the listening area and our lives over the past 45 years. (My husband) Sam and I met while working on Red Lake Reservation — you cover events at Red Lake. We lived in Bemidji in Nymore — you cover Bemidji and just today talked about Nymore. I lived and worked in Grand Rapids for a few years — Grand Rapids is covered," texted Beth from Palo. "We moved back to the east end of the Iron Range over 30 years ago. We listen closely to the 'Border News Roundup.' The threads are woven in so many ways through our connections. You are an important part of our life, giving us dependable news and information. And fun times! We have to work together to keep KAXE going."

Larissa Donovan

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KAXE

"I heard about KAXE in Forestry school at the U of M from a classmate before streaming was possible. Phenology reports bring back memories of 'Itasca Plant Camp,' learning Latin genus and species, and tasting organic bog soil," Dan from Minneapolis wrote. "I'm fortunate to have been hired by a federal land management agency that is now facing severe funding cuts. My future is unknown. I'm donating because I value the music and, of course, the flora and fauna discussions with John and guests. I hope my fellow natural resource professionals in the region and across the country will also step up to support the station."

Listen to a conversation from this week's Wednesday KAXE Morning Show above. Staff members Dan Gannon, Andrew Dziengel, Heather Johnson and Jen Kellen talk about how they learned about KAXE/KBXE.

What does KAXE mean to you? Let us know!