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 disaster changes the landscape in the Bemidji area.
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Illustration by Christopher Larson / Photo by Liz Fish, Little Movie Company
Our picks (and yours!) for music, conversations, local news, books and more!
When our neighbors are in need of food, organizations and volunteers across Northern Minnesota step up. Food shelves, community meals and soup kitchens aim to the fill the gaps.
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Column: Jennifer Barr's 5 brightest 'Bright Spots' of 2025
"Bright Spot" is a segment on the KAXE Morning Show that highlights the good happening in Northern Minnesota. Host Jennifer Barr looks back at some favorites from 2025.
New book recommendations from children's librarian Tracy Kampa
Grand Rapids Area Library children's librarian Tracy Kampa recommends new books by Maddie Frost, Megan Clendenan, Dan Gutman, and K. Woodman-Maynard.
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 systems across the region.
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 that destroyed thousands of acres and hundreds of structures.
"Spin That Ish" 2025 edition from the KAXE Music Team
The KAXE Music Team makes difficult decisions while they narrow down their top songs and albums of 2025 in this year-end Spin that Ish.
KAXE's Top 10 News Stories of 2025
KAXE covered natural disasters, federal funding chaos, Eichorn's arrest and resignation, mining permits and wild rice, library budget cuts, sheriffs teaming with ICE and more.
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 sale of an MN utility company.
Stuff on stuff: Exploring the odd world of galls, burls, and brooms
In this episode, co-hosts Heidi Holtan and Charlie Mitchell are delighted by Sam Guida, an expert in mysterious plant-insect interactions and former student phenologist.
Havenwood Care Center staff treat residents to festive holiday fun
Staff at a skilled nursing facility in Bemidji bring the joy of the season to its residents.
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.
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 Setlist: Where to hear live music Dec. 26-28, 2025
KAXE's weekly list of concerts near you features Ted Feyder, Reggie Ducote, Tiny Town, and Acoustic Fest.
With The Setlist, KAXE's Music Team curates the best live music to catch each week across Northern Minnesota and beyond.
During the Phenology Report for the week of Dec. 16, 2025, Staff Phenologist John Latimer remarks on snowshoe hares, the Christmas Bird Count, and European Starlings.
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USFWS Midwest Region via Flickr
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Ian Welsh
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Check out what's been happening the past year!
