Top Stories
Megan Buffington
/
KAXE
The Iron Range offers a window into communities reckoning with how their identities must change for the betterment of future generations as schools increasingly collaborate.
Contributed
/
Old School Lives
This is a multi-part series on the impacts of incarceration — specifically the disproportionate rates of incarceration Native people face in the state, especially in Northern Minnesota.
KAXE's Larissa Donovan explored the underlying issues of the statistics through survey outreach, extensive research and in-person interviews.
KAXE's Larissa Donovan explored the underlying issues of the statistics through survey outreach, extensive research and in-person interviews.
Just last year Ezra Collective became the first jazz band to win "Group of the Year" at the Brit Awards, behind their critically acclaimed third album Dance, No One's Watching from 2024.
Not too long ago the thought of jazz returning to the forefront of popular music would have been laughed at, but hearing the London quintet's remarkable follow up Here Because of Hope it is clear why the band now shares an award with such names The Beatles and Radiohead.
Divided into three sections that mirror the historical movement of many Black Brits from Africa to the Caribbean to the UK, Ezra Collective's fusion of jazz with elements from each area paints a musical and historical through line that often needs no words to share its message.
Ezra Collective are at the peak of their powers on Here Because of Hope, playing music that is simultaneously educating and the perfect soundtrack to a house party, paving a way for jazz to shake off its stuffy and academic reputation. -MK
Read the full review on our Fresh Picks page.
Not too long ago the thought of jazz returning to the forefront of popular music would have been laughed at, but hearing the London quintet's remarkable follow up Here Because of Hope it is clear why the band now shares an award with such names The Beatles and Radiohead.
Divided into three sections that mirror the historical movement of many Black Brits from Africa to the Caribbean to the UK, Ezra Collective's fusion of jazz with elements from each area paints a musical and historical through line that often needs no words to share its message.
Ezra Collective are at the peak of their powers on Here Because of Hope, playing music that is simultaneously educating and the perfect soundtrack to a house party, paving a way for jazz to shake off its stuffy and academic reputation. -MK
Read the full review on our Fresh Picks page.
Latest Stories
Research with Midwestern ticks finds Lyme carriers surge in fall
Dozens of ticks as part of a study with the Marshfield Clinic Research Institute were submitted from the Bemidji area.
Minnesota archery deer season opens Sept. 19
Bow hunters harvested more than 30,000 deer during the 2025 archery season — an all-time high. The 2026 season runs from Sept. 19 through Dec. 31.
Mesabi Metallics eyes $5 billion expansion as production, federal assistance ramp up
The mining company celebrated a $770 million federal loan and the production of its first concentrate at a blast event Sept. 17, 2026. Two days earlier, it announced the "next phase of investment" at an Itasca County Board meeting.
Defense attorneys argue Justin Eichorn shouldn't get any prison time
Prosecutors are calling for five years in prison for the former Grand Rapids state senator. His defense team is arguing for time already served, plus five years of supervision.
Are corvids con artists? Exploring the 'Blue Jays are liars' hypothesis
Pam Perry, a retired non-game wildlife biologist, stopped by to talk about BirdCast, Northern Flickers, Blue Jays, and Common Nighthawks.
Sneaky salamanders lurk beneath decaying logs
Christopher Smith, conservation committee chair for the Minnesota Herpetological Society, discusses how salamanders use dead and dying trees. The series is produced by Mark Jacobs.
Parasitoid wasps are a big bummer (and have one too)
Co-hosts Heidi Holtan and Charlie Mitchell chat about Darwin, monarch butterflies, and the decline (and hope) of birds.Send us a voice memo through SpeakPipe!
Events Up North Sept. 22-27: Leaf walks at Lake Bemidji State Park, group hike near Grand Rapids
Events this week include an art leap in the Park Rapids area and an ATV ride to benefit Iron Range cancer patients.
Family seeks answers in Walker teen's homicide; MN cannabis sales hit $150M
And: Mesabi Metallics eyes massive expansion as production of first pellets ramps up.
Storm prediction in Brainerd area gets boost with new radar
The National Weather Service and public safety officials will be able to use data collected by the Climavision radar installed Sept. 15, 2026, to inform weather warnings.
Itasca County removes Flock Safety cameras; New weather radar installed in Brainerd
Plus: MN Court of Appeals to host oral arguments at Pequot Lakes High School.
‘Easy money to cut’: Itasca County removes Flock cameras, cancels contracts
All county cameras have been removed as of Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026. Cameras under city jurisdiction may remain.
With The Setlist, KAXE's Music Team curates the best live music to catch each week across Northern Minnesota and beyond.
Contributed
/
Chad Kaddatz
During the week of Sept. 7, 2026, we enjoy reports of fireflies, bald cardinals, and more from our friends in Little Falls. Staff phenologist John Latimer responds.
Contributed
/
Lorie Shaull
Contributed
/
USFWS Midwest Region
Contributed
/
Allison Barta via KAXE-KBXE Season Watch Facebook group
More Local Stories
Stay up to date on what's happening up north with KAXE/KBXE News, bringing you the top stories across Northern Minnesota.
KAXE/KBXE is the oldest rural community radio station in the U.S. and an independent NPR affiliate.
KAXE/KBXE is the oldest rural community radio station in the U.S. and an independent NPR affiliate.
Don't miss a beat. 📻 Join our station's newsletter!
Check out our archives.
Join our Season Watch Newsletter!
"The mix of humor, solid information, and approachable science is perfect. It's like having a favorite neighbor who just happens to be a nature expert."
- Michelle from Northfield, MN
Check out what's been happening this past year!
Weather warning widgets from