Up North Report

Plus: Itasca County Board results; Bemidji contemplating data center moratorium

Plus: More than 200 million early ballots for the primary have been received by local election officials; and the DNR reminds harvesters about the state’s green rice law.

Plus: Mine proposal formerly known as Polymet sees changes to plan; and Grand Rapids City Council approves a TIF district for a new 99-unit apartment building.

Plus: L&M Fleet Supply will soon expand into two more Midwestern states; and the Mille Lacs Band celebrated its 11th annual Gii-Ishkonigewag Powwow near McGregor.

This is an audio version of the first part of KAXE’s “Overrepresented, undercounted” series that explores the disproportionate rates of Indigenous incarceration in our region.

And: Construction starts for Boswell Solar Project; and MDH will host public hearing for closure of clinic in Silver Bay

Plus: The Boundary Waters will partially reopen for day use Monday; and Emily gathers for an update on proposed manganese mine.

Plus: Candidate filing period closes July 28; and wildfire smoke is expected to impact air quality in the state through the fall.

And: The Boundary Waters could partially reopen soon, as tens of thousands of acres burn and local economies take a hit.

Plus: Minnesotans have until July 22, 2026, to submit comment on the MPCA’s Impaired Waters List.

The Tamarack mine will primarily harvest nickel and copper. It faces opposition due to copper nickel mining’s relation to water contamination.

Plus: Financial and tax help is available to Becker County residents impacted by tornado; and the Carlton County Board sets a public hearing on a data center moratorium.

Plus: Minnesota sees likely the worst wildfire smoke in history; and how to take care of your pets and other animals in poor air quality.

And: Trump endorses Lindell; MPCA seeks new members for advisory group; and Itasca County looks for public input on outdoor recreation plan.

Plus: the candidate filing period for non-primary elections opened July 14, 2026; and the Grand Rapids Area Library recently made a $30,000 fundraising goal.

And: An Aitkin peat processor fined for air pollution control violations.

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

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.”

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

And: Carlton County continue discussion of data center moratorium; MN could have its first saint; and business owners assess paid leave law

Plus: Second Harvest Northland selects a new site for the Grand Rapids Food Shelf; and the St. Louis County Landfill may get double the trash with expansion in the five-county region.

Plus: Single-engine plane crashes at Pine River Airport; data center regulations to be discussed by Carlton County Board; and Independence Day parades get the weather gamut.

The Brainerd lakes area city celebrates the Fourth of July before a quick turnaround to prep for its signature event: Bean Hole Days.

Plus: Sigurd Olson mural to be painted in Ely; and where to find fireworks, parades and more in the Northland.

And: 14 anti-ICE protesters plead not guilty in federal court; Water levels on Lake Ore-Be-Gone threaten Gilbert tourism; and 3M’s old Camp Wonewok is under new management.

We’ve partnered with ICTV to interview local candidates for the 2026 election. District 1 is in northwestern Itasca County, and three candidates are headed to a primary.

And: New domestic violence and social media laws.

Plus: Bemidji is the clay target state champion; and check out KAXE’s fireworks guide, The 4th Up North.

Plus: A allegedly intoxicated driver lands an SUV onto a building with a resident inside in Naytahwaush

Plus: Tourism-based businesses brace for slower summer amid high gas prices and consumer costs; Little Fork River watershed plan open for comment; and fireworks galore in the Northland.

And: Hubbard County and the city of Akeley disagree on non-emergency calls; and Leech Lake Community Tribal College announces a new president.

Plus: The state’s soon-to-be new city of Northern will elect a mayor and Council in November; and aerial spongy moth treatments will take place in a couple of weeks in NE MN.

And: A cannabis business has been approved for Second Harvest’s LaPrairie warehouse; and Rock Ridge has nearly depleted its reserves.

Plus: Changes are in the wings to the BWCAW permit cancellation policy; and the DNR is expanding a deer feeding and attractant ban in two Northern MN counties.

The three-sport athlete and recent graduate made an impact through her positive attitude, hard work and leadership — whether her team was winning or losing.

Plus: MnDOT begins projects near Park Rapids, Cotton and Cromwell on Monday.

Plus: Annual financial disclosure reports show Reps. Michelle Fischbach and Pete Stauber’s assets, broadly.

Plus: Hermantown opens another public comment period related to the proposed Google data center; and the sixth annual Juneteenth celebration is set for Friday in Virginia.

Plus: Minnesota nonprofit offers $25K reward for information on Wadena disappearance; and Bemidji Mayor Jorge Prince accepts award for disaster leadership.

Plus: Itasca County reuses flag poles to fly new and old state flags; Crow Wing County adds 10 license plate readers to Flock Safety network; and Red Lake County takes 2nd in state baseball tourney.

And: COVID learning woes still haunt MN kids’ well-being.

Plus: the Brainerd School Board votes to put a levy referendum on the ballot; and the DNR’s new electronic licensing system launches.

Plus: Causes of BWCAW-area wildfires determined; Brainerd educators reach tentative agreement on overdue contract; and rural Northland athletes take home 87 medals in track and field.

This is the Up North Lookback, where we’re digging into the local news archives from 50 years ago — the year KAXE was born. It’s the week of June 8.

After a short 2024 season and skipping a season in 2025, the Paul Bunyan Playhouse is back with a full season in 2026.

Plus: A new conservation easement protects more than 900 acres on North Shore; Cohasset to host comprehensive plan meeting; and more Northland HS sports results.

Plus: the Rock Ridge boys’ tennis team took fourth at state and many Northland golfers will head to state next week after qualifying.

Plus: Grand Rapids hosts the state’s annual wildland firefighting academy.

And: Esports, girls team wrestling moving foward with MSHSL; Highway 6 bridge in Itasca County closes Monday.

And: Six Northland teams will compete in the state softball tournament and Northern Minnesota will have over 250 entries in the state track and field meet.