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Emma Krab
/
KAXE
‘Twas the night before Election Day 2026, but Northern Minnesota election workers have been preparing for voters for months.
Stella Mayerhoff
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KAXE / Report for America
Do you know who you're voting for? Check out our guide featuring 250+ candidates who will be on Northern Minnesotans' ballots.
Thao Nguyen is back with Show Me, her sixth album and first without her longtime band Thao & The Get Down Stay Down. Co-produced by Nguyen, Eli Crews and longtime friends Merrill Garbus and Nate Brenner of Tune-Yards, the record includes features from Neko Case, The Linda Lindas and super collaborator Adrian Quesada. Add in flourishes from Garbus and Brenner throughout, and there's nuggets to savor.
Raised in Virginia by Vietnamese refugee parents who fled the Vietnam War, Nguyen has built a career around adventurous and unexpected arrangements. On Show Me, there is a revealing side to Nguyen on the other side of divorce, navigating a new life and the possibilities of starting over. The opening song, “Fossils,” touches on the fact that old habits, relationships and familiar ways can become relics of another life.
“Sick of the Times” with The Linda Lindas seems written directly from my brain — a blend of frustration and a need and desire to just get out on the dance floor and work those problems out through movement. “Take It Easy” comes closest to the energy of Thao's We the Common era while "Jeans/Genes" is a humorous riff on wordplay that is definitely not ready for radio.
An album worth an entire listen, Show Me is KAXE’s Album of the Week. -KH
Raised in Virginia by Vietnamese refugee parents who fled the Vietnam War, Nguyen has built a career around adventurous and unexpected arrangements. On Show Me, there is a revealing side to Nguyen on the other side of divorce, navigating a new life and the possibilities of starting over. The opening song, “Fossils,” touches on the fact that old habits, relationships and familiar ways can become relics of another life.
“Sick of the Times” with The Linda Lindas seems written directly from my brain — a blend of frustration and a need and desire to just get out on the dance floor and work those problems out through movement. “Take It Easy” comes closest to the energy of Thao's We the Common era while "Jeans/Genes" is a humorous riff on wordplay that is definitely not ready for radio.
An album worth an entire listen, Show Me is KAXE’s Album of the Week. -KH
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GNK, Brainerd qualify boys and girls cross-country teams to state
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How a Google data center settlement in Pine Island could impact Hermantown
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Essay: After the elections, we're still neighbors
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With The Setlist, KAXE's Music Team curates the best live music to catch each week across Northern Minnesota and beyond.
Contributed
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Chad Kaddatz
During the week of Oct. 20, 2026, we enjoy reports of falling leaves, lingering insects and flocks of migrating birds. Staff phenologist John Latimer responds.
Contributed
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iNaturalist user terrymcb
Contributed
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Chad Kaddatz
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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.
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