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A tiny tan-and-brown toad is dwarfed by surrounding grasses.

Contributed

iNaturalist user sls42

Season Watch Pod: Shorelines teem with tiny toads as 'toadpoles' complete metamorphosis

Co-hosts Charlie Mitchell and Heidi Holtan delight in tiny toads, listen to catbirds, and wonder at crab spiders.Send us a voice memo through Speak Pipe!

Contributed

Tara Winstead via Pexels

Minnesota News

Sunscreen and annual skin checks vital to MN men's health

Kathryn Carley | Minnesota News Connection

Three people standing on a black stage with a large white curtain behind them.

Contributed

Grand Rapids Players

Art

Area Voices: Grand Rapids Players take 'Sir Valourant' on the road

Andrew Dziengel

Conversation

Events Up North July 13-19: Bean Hole Days in Pequot Lakes, Muskie Days in Nevis

A woman sits behind an old fashioned microphone with the word 'ROSE' above it. She looks bored with her hand resting under her chin while the other hand is holding the microphone.

Album of the Week: 'YEARNALISM' by Baby Rose

Baby Rose continues to carve out her own lane on YEARNALISM, the third album from singer-songwriter Jasmine Rose Wilson's project.

With one of the most unmistakable voices in neo-soul, Rose leans into a broader range on the new album with a blend of retro R&B, some draws from disco, Philly soul, Motown and '90s influences to create a deeply soulful and varied sound.

As the title might indicate, YEARNALISM explores longing in all its forms, from love and heartbreak to the desire for freedom and the need to leave someone behind.

Don't miss "When I'm Gone," "But Nvm," "Let Me Go" and "Better" before taking it down a notch with "Sunday" and "Believe Me." -KH

More New Music Here!

Latest Stories

Dangerous, extreme heat conditions in Northern Minnesota

While it is expected to cool off slightly on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, temperatures will stay high enough that additional heat advisories may be put in place.

Artwork for seven music releases displayed in seven square frames of differing sizes. In the top row of three squares from left to right are a black and white photo of a man standing by a river, a woman holding a vintage microphone and looking bored, and a woman in a green dress. In the bottom row from left to right are a black and white photo of a woman paying guitar, a moon over a reddish background, a red star over a black background, and a man playing guitar over a blue background.

Fresh Picks: Soul longing, no skip Americana, collaborative joy, feral and spicy, Nigeria in MN and Rush in '76

The KAXE Music Team on new music from Baby Rose, Allison Russell, John R. Miller, Margaret Glaspy, Obi Original & The Black Atlantics, and Rush for our Pick From '76.

An aerial photo of the Sioux and Wolfpack wildfires on July 11, 2026, on the Superior National Forest and in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

Entire Boundary Waters to close as 16 fires burn in Arrowhead

Nearly 9,000 acres are estimated to be burning in the BWCA as of July 13, 2026, and the closure is for public safety. The Boundary Waters is not expected to fully reopen this summer.

Large cracks are in dry soil with green grass growing up from the cracks

Northern Minnesota continues to face drought conditions

Severe drought is present in at least 11% of Minnesota and another 18% is in moderate drought. The drought conditions are mostly seen in Northern Minnesota.

Fosston center; Duluth, Bemidji foundations among child care grantees

Prairie Pines Childcare Center, the Northland Foundation and the Northwest Minnesota Foundation were awarded grants from the state Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Book cover for "Where the Green Light Shines" and photo of author.

New book celebrates canoe exploration and famed paddler Bob O'Hara

Minnesota journalist Ryan Rodgers' new book "Where the Green Light Shines" glimpses into the world of arctic canoeing told through the journeys of a true master of the craft, Bob O’Hara.

Drought plagues northern MN despite storms

Even with green plants and recent rainfall, large portions of the Northland are classified as in moderate or severe drought.

Beltrami sheriff shares water safety tips; Cleanup continues after DL-area tornado

And: Four Northland organizations recieve child care grants; men encouraged to wear sunscreen and get skin checks; and Eveleth plans to replace the "Big Stick."

The point of origin for the Horse River Fire burning in the Boundary Waters north of Ely: a lightning-struck tree. Photographed June 1, 2025.

Large portion of BWCA north of Ely closes due to wildfires

The U.S. Forest Service is also banning campfires amid dry conditions. The closures and campfire ban go into effect July 11, 2026.

Hall of fame fishing guide Neustrom dies; Pequot Lakes passes data center moratorium

And: Minnesota partners hope opioid prevention success spreads to youth; and a community storytelling initiative aims to capture recovery stories in St. Louis County.

A map of the Little Fork River watershed.

Comment open on draft Little Fork River Watershed Management Plan

The plan will guide the implementation of voluntary conservation projects and programs in the northeastern Minnesota watershed over the next decade.

Opioid crisis: MN partners hope prevention success spreads to youth

A foundation coordinating with local partners says the opioid crisis isn't over, and a new Minnesota grant is an example of the urgency felt in preventing youth tragedies.

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