Shows / Up North Report
Up North Report
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.
Episodes
- Up North Report
Bemidji program leaders, parents grapple with potential closure of J.W.
Bemidji Area Boys and Girls Club launched an after-school site at J.W. Smith in 2023, and with the proposed closure of the school, program leaders and parents…
- Up North Report
Osage woman ID'd as victim in Feb. 18 fire; Roseau pilot awaiting day in Red Lake court
And: Walz releases anti-fraud package after Trump administration announces Minnesota Medicaid cuts; Rachel Anthony murder still unsolved after 25 years…
- Up North Report
Jury finds Red Lake mom guilty of murder, arson; 4 killed, 1 injured in crash near Grand Casino Mille Lacs
Plus: Hubbard County man charged with threatening state lawmakers; and Hibbing Public Schools is bracing for a potential strike from the union representing…
- Up North Report
Fleet Farm to change gun policies under settlement; Nisswa again looking for new administrator
Plus: Early voting opens Friday for Aitkin, Staples-Motley referendums; year-round bass season now in place; Beltrami County, Red Lake residents eligible for…
- Up North Report
Public speaks on possible Bemidji school closure; PUC won't reopen MN Power sale
Plus: Stauber introduces legislation to require judges be natural born citizens; and the latest round of names for MnDOT snowplows is released.
- Up North Report
Itasca County fatal hit-and-run case to go to trial in 2026; New roadmap says MN's fraud issue spans 50 years
Plus: The U.S. Senate is expected to soon vote on whether to allow copper-nickel mining near the Boundary Waters; and the latest in winter high school sports.
- Up North Report
New program in Arrowhead helps adults explore new career paths
Launch North, the new program from the Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging, will host one-day events in Duluth, Grand Rapids, International Falls and Cloquet.
- Up North Report
Bemidji school board accepts purchase offer for Central Elementary; Fraud control back in focus at MN Capitol
Plus: The AFSCME Local 480 presented a letter of no confidence to the Hibbing School Board Feb. 18, 2026, after months of negotiations without reaching a…
- Up North Report
Woman dies in Osage house fire; Brainerd man to serve life sentence for murder
Plus: 2142 and Mountain Iron-Buhl select new superintendent; Staples-Motley, Aitkin to host open houses for referendums; MnDOT public transit app expands in…
- Up North Report
Federal judge issues order ahead of Eichorn's jury trial; Igo introduces bill to extend unemployment for miners
Plus: Sheriffs in Hubbard, Lake and Polk counties announce retirement plans; Minnesotans take advantage of deep freeze with lake ice racing; and Northland girl…
- Up North Report
MinnPost reporter Matthew Blake previews the MN Legislature
Lawmakers returned to St. Paul on Tuesday, Feb. 17. MinnPost senior government reporter Matthew Blake sets the tone for the session and shares the stories he’s…
- Up North Report
One found dead in Beltrami County house fire; Lawmakers start 2026 session remembering Rep. Hortman
Plus: Chip Rankin will be the next superintendent of Brainerd Public Schools; Polk and Mahnomen counties have new commissioners after special elections; and…
- Up North Report
Sheriff defends ICE using duplicate license plates in Brainerd area enforcement
Crow Wing County’s Eric Klang said agents worked out of the sheriff’s office while temporarily stationed in the lakes area, asking him for guidance on “what’s…
- Up North Report
Longville community mourns death of local official; Hibbing, union work out labor dispute
Plus: Community members show up to Nevis council in support of Wild Tiger Skate Park; House 2A Rep. Bidal Duran announces reelection plans; and the latest for…
- Up North Report
Border Czar Homan announces end to Operation Metro Surge; Deer River votes down 4-day school week
Plus: Northern, MN to become Northern MN’s newest city; and 14 Northland athletes competed in the Alpine Ski state tournament Feb. 10, 2026.
- Up North Report
MN's constitutional stress test; Baxter's Hwy 371 overpass moves forward
Plus: St. Louis County seeks resident input on updates to its hazard mitigation plan; and United Way of 1000 Lakes is accepting Volunteer of the Year…
- Up North Report
66-year-old man missing from International Falls; Polk County K-9 euthanized
And: Republican Dr. Scott Jensen suspends his campaign for governor to run for state auditor; Rep. Spencer Igo is running for reelection; the Public Utilities…
- Up North Report
Questions surround 4-day school weeks, despite growing popularity
The number of four-day school week school districts in Northern Minnesota and across the country keeps growing. Communities are fiercely loyal, but researchers…
- Up North Report
Lumber giants finalize merger as Bemidji mill lawsuits continue; Hibbing city workers' union files intent to strike
Plus: the Minnesota State Patrol recently honored troopers and citizens for their heroic actions; and high school Nordic skiiers will soon compete in Biwabik.
- Up North Report
County attorneys nix sheriff-ICE proposal; MN lacks authority in White Earth cannabis case
Plus: Deer River School District considers moving to a four-day school week; and Cass County is taking comments its environmental assessment of a development…
- Up North Report
Snowmobiler dies in crash north of Orr; 700 immigration agents leaving MN
Plus: DFL, GOP host precinct caucuses across Minnesota; Bemidji State University leaders to tour Brainerd/Baxter, Grand Rapids, Iron Range; and Northland…
- Up North Report
Man dies in St. Louis County's custody; In new fraud efforts, state to train 160+ staffers for site checks
Plus: Republican state rep. Ben Davis to seek reelection in 6A; the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame will stay in Eveleth; Northland students will soon perform in…
- Up North Report
2 killed in Hermantown housing complex explosion; Rural Cass Lake couple killed after train strikes vehicle
And: Judge denies injunction to pause Operation Metro Surge; MN Congressional Republicans introduce MN Voter Integrity Act; and Sen. Tina Smith endorses Peggy…
- Up North Report
Brainerd HS students walk out in support of 'ICE Out' strike; St. Louis County seeks man 'mistakenly released' from Itasca Jail
Plus: Two deans were removed from their positions at Bemidji State University; the Bagley City Council is no longer considering disbanding its police force…
- Up North Report
2 arrested by ICE at Brainerd restaurant appear in court; Walz bans weapons from Capitol
Plus: Caucus Night is coming on Tuesday — here’s what to expect.
- Up North Report
Klobuchar launches campaign for governor; Federal attorneys urge court to deny MN's order pausing ICE surge
And: Protestors gather outside union meeting with Rep. Stauber; and Dan Horoshak, Roger Skraba announce state House campaigns.
- Up North Report
Brainerd community hosts vigil outside El Potro; Red Lake descendant faces federal charge after ICE arrest
Plus: Itasca County Sheriff Joe Dasovich is joining Cass County in abandoning a previous 287(g) agreement with ICE.
- Up North Report
Cass County ICE agreement is 'null and void'; Republican Madel drops out of governor race
And: Alleged Lutsen Lodge arsonist sues insurance company for denying claim; and a new book series helps schools elevate Native American teachings.
- Up North Report
ICE arrests 4 in downtown Brainerd; Judge hears arguments to consider pause on Operation Metro Surge
Plus: Prosecutors are declining to move forward with a case after alleging a federal officer was assaulted in Virginia; and hundreds gathered at a vigil Jan…
- Up North Report
Hibbing pursuing lead line identification at faster rate than most of MN
Lead service lines are a pervasive issue in Minnesota. The state has a goal to replace them by 2033, but Hibbing Public Utilities aims to do it in two to three…
- Up North Report
Thousands gather in Minneapolis for 'ICE Out' Day; 2 NW MN sheriffs announce retirement plans
Plus: Co-owner of The Pines in Grand Rapids Kyle Lussier was nominated for a James Beard award; the Minnesota DNR will accept comment on adjusting Aitkin…
- Up North Report
Klobuchar files paperwork for governor run; House passes reversal of mining ban
Plus: Nisswa City Council votes to censure Mayor Jennifer Carnahan and strip her of committee posts; and a general strike against ICE presence in Minnesota is…
- Up North Report
Dangerous cold impacting Northern MN; Former sportscaster Tafoya launches Senate campaign
And: The Baxter City Council opposes MnDOT’s plans for the Highway 371/210 intersection; and Rock Ridge hosts the first-ever high school broadcast in Ojibwe.
- Up North Report
St. Louis County IDs man found dead in structure fire; Trump admin subpoenas MN officials
Plus: AG Keith Ellison remains committed to running for reelection; two candidates launch campaigns for MN House from the Arrowhead; and the U.S. Forest…
- Up North Report
MDH report shows most maternal mortality is preventable; Aitkin County man free after 26 years behind bars
Plus: A new pilot program to improve medical response time launched in northern St. Louis County; DNR plans to reduce statewide walleye possession limit; and…
- Up North Report
DNR's Drill Core Library drives discoveries by preserving the past
Three warehouses in Hibbing store over 3 million feet of core from over 20,000 holes drilled throughout Minnesota, keeping a “natural record” of the state’s…
- Up North Report
Boswell solar project gains approval; Northern MN school districts to merge
Plus: A northwestern MN egg cooperative aims for price stabilization, local resilience; and a Superior National Forest trail will close to allow sled dogs to…
- Up North Report
Tensions flare after another ICE shooting in Minneapolis; Enbridge, DNR reach agreement on Line 3 breach enforcement
Plus: Hundreds turn out for Mesabi Metallics environmental permits meeting.
- Up North Report
Aitkin to take another stab at school referendum; Itasca legislators preview session at GR event
Plus: Bemidji Mayor Jorge Prince wins national disaster leadership award.
- Up North Report
Top fraud prosecutors quit MN U.S. Attorney's office; State lawmaker announces filing to impeach Gov. Walz
Plus: State senators Grant Hauschild and Rob Farnsworth launched reelection campaigns; the Hibbing School District named a new acting superintendent; and the…
- Up North Report
Northern Minnesotans turn out for anti-ICE demonstrations; State and local leaders react to heightened ICE presence
Plus: Mesabi Metallics is in the final steps of opening its long-planned mine in Nashwauk.
- Up North Report
Your property tax statement explained, Part 3: Refunds and learning more
The KAXE News Team is breaking down your property tax statement, line by line. Finally, we cover refunds, timelines and how to get involved and learn more.
- Up North Report
More layoffs planned at HibTac; Trump admin says mining ban near BWCA was 'illegal'
Plus: High flu rates reported across Northern Minnesota; and Hibbing Public Utilities will host a town hall meeting on elevated lead levels.
- Up North Report
BCA barred from investigating ICE shooting; Hibbing schools losing superintendent, business manager
And: MDH will not follow CDC vaccination guidance changes; and Itasca, Beltrami sheriffs to seek 2nd terms, Wadena County sheriff to retire.
- Up North Report
Walz urges calm after ICE killing; Auditor flags concerns in Behavioral Health Administration
Plus: Environmental group CURE is asking the state to reassess the private equity sale of Minnesota Power, given new information about the utility’s data…
- Up North Report
Walz slams Trump, MN GOPers in news conference; Zupancich launches state senate campaign
Plus: Bridge to Health Survey seeks more Northland respondents to survey collecting anonymous health information; and local hospitals list top baby names of…
- Up North Report
Walz ends reelection campaign; GOP state Rep. Bennett ends governor race
And: Former Iron Range teacher sentenced to 18 years for criminal sexual conduct; 8 Northern MN housing projects awarded state funds; MN awarded $193 million…
- Up North Report
Bemidji Area Reporter Larissa Donovan reflects on 2025
Bemidji Area Reporter Larissa Donovan looks back on her work reporting for northwestern Minnesota in 2025 during her ninth year as a journalist.
- Up North Report
2025 Top 10: Federal funding changes prompt confusion, upheaval; Storm leaves mass destruction in Bemidji area
Our No. 1 and No. 2 stories of year follow the wide-ranging local impacts of sometimes swift and surprising decisions in Washington, D.C., and a severe natural…
- Up North Report
2025 Top 10: Permit request reignites wild rice sulfate debate; Eichorn arrest prompts resignation, special election
Our No. 3 and No. 4 stories of year examine the state’s wild rice sulfate standard as U.S. Steel seeks a variance from the MPCA, and the arrest and subsequent…
- Up North Report
2025 Top 10: Local sheriffs agree to assist ICE; Libraries face deep budget cuts
Our No. 5 and No. 6 stories of year break down what it means for local sheriffs to help enforce immigration laws, and the impact of budget cuts to library…
- Up North Report
2025 Top 10: Automatic license plate readers in the Northland; Wildfires run rampant in St. Louis County
Our No. 7 and No. 8 stories of year cover the proliferation of automatic license plate readers as a law enforcement tool in Northern MN, and spring wildfires…
- Up North Report
2025 Top 10: Essentia providers strike over forming union; Minnesota Power sold to private equity firms
Our No. 9 and No. 10 stories of year include an unusual strike over whether a wide range of Essentia Health providers can form a union and the controversial…
- Up North Report
Bemidji's Havenwood Care Center staff bring festive spirit to residents
Staff and residents at Havenwood Care Center celebrate the holidays throughout December in Bemidji. The Up North Report is a product of KAXE and can be found…
- Up North Report
Home for the holidays: Cohasset family moves into net-zero Habitat build
It was a packed house for Misty Jarvi, Rhys Britt and their two daughters’ home dedication one week before Christmas 2025. The Up North Report is a product of…
- Up North Report
Int'l hockey talent takes center rink at Bemidji Sanford Center
Hockey teams from Slovakia, Czechia and Latvia competed in exhibition games at Bemidji’s Sanford Event Center Dec. 19-22, 2025. The Up North Report is a…
- Up North Report
Your property tax statement explained, Part 2: Credits, levies and 'the pie'
The KAXE News Team is breaking down your property tax statement, line by line. Next, credits, local government’s preliminary tax levies and how others’ value…
- Up North Report
Brainerd man pleads guilty to 2024 murder, kidnapping; Former MN GOP Chair Hahn announces US Senate run
Plus: More fraud uncovered in state-run Medicaid services, but total is disputed; and MPCA to study sulfate levels in Minnesota waters.