Park Rapids

Multi-disciplinary artist Jesse Dermody is set to open his new exhibit "The Dreams of Roots” at the Nemeth Art Center in Park Rapids May 1. He joins “Area Voices” to discuss the exhibit and finding time to create.

Four speakers from three rural Northern Minnesota school districts took first at the state Speech meet last weekend, and 14 more finished in the top eight.

Artist Daniel Kerkhoff has artwork in two exhibits opening at the Nemeth Art Center in Park Rapids on May 1. He joined “Area Voices” to discuss what will be shown at the exhibits and his relationship with art.

The region will be well represented in the Class A meet, with 69 entries; Northern Minnesota has five entries in the 2A meet.

The state boys Swim and Dive meet will have 50 Northland entries made up of 51 student-athletes from eight area schools.

Itascatur Outdoor Activity Club oversees a 10-kilometer, mixed-skill cross-country skiing trail system in Park Rapids, groomed for skate and classic skiing.

Events this week include a pin-up competition in Calumet, a birding hike at Lake Bemidji State Park and a pancake breakfast to support local theater in Grand Rapids.

KAXE covered pushback on the LGBTQ+ community, changes in rural health care delivery, a coal ash spill at Boswell Energy Center, tribal land back efforts, helium mining and more.

We're rounding up events going on now through New Year's Day.

Events this week include Christmas tea in Aitkin, a historical holiday museum in Hibbing, an open mic in Bemidji, and strings and symphony concerts in Grand Rapids and Brainerd.