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Contributed/Bemidji School DistrictIn its April 20, 2026, meeting, the School Board approved a series of cuts in licensed and non-licensed staff and approved a tentative agreement with the local teachers union. -
Chelsey Perkins/KAXEThe expansion in Crow Wing County will help an estimated 1,100 households experiencing food insecurity per month by June 2026, the organization reported. -
Plus: Bemidji Area Schools approved a 3-year teaching contract along with $2.7 million in staff reductions; Gov. Tim Walz signed the nursing home "happy hour" bill into law; and the Lakes Area Food Shelf opened a new location in Baxter. -
Contributed/Park Rapids Fire DepartmentA St. Louis County woman is facing charges for a negligent fire on April 22, 2026. Earlier in the week, personnel in the Park Rapids area battled a 10-acre blaze. -
Scott Rodgerson/UnsplashA 39-year-old man was treated for injuries following a shooting in the early morning hours of April 22, 2026, in Cass Lake's Tract 33 housing area. -
Contributed/Minnesota Department of Natural ResourcesResidents should not burn in counties where a Red Flag Warning is in effect and should also check any recent burning they did to ensure the fire is completely out. -
Plus: The city of Virginia will begin removing and replacing ash trees in a proactive move against the invasive emerald ash borer.
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Lorie ShaullThe Legislature does not have to approve a new budget in 2026 but is still holding talks affecting taxpayer dollars. -
Contributed/University of MinnesotaResidents may notice increased tree removals in city boulevards, parks and public spaces because of the emerald ash borer, but new trees will also be planted in priority areas. -
Contributed/City of Grand RapidsGrand Rapids is working on a new master plan for Legion Park, with potential investments including a curling center, indoor fieldhouse and mountain biking trailhead.
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.
Megan Buffington joined the KAXE newsroom in 2024 after graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Originally from Pequot Lakes, she is passionate about educating and empowering communities through local reporting.
Larissa Donovan has been in the Bemidji area's local news scene since 2016, joining the KAXE newsroom in 2023 after several years as the News Director for the stations of Paul Bunyan Broadcasting.
