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A collage of seven artworks for albums and songs over a blurry blue background. In the middle the largest square has abstract orange people that resemble sun and moon hugging. In two smaller squares there is a man in a cowboy hat in water, only his head is above water. The other has four women dressed as clowns sitting on a train track. In four even smaller squares is a young child in pajamas, a white grid over a pink background, a dimly lit stage with instruments, and four images of the same women's face.

Malachy Koons

KAXE

Music

Fresh Picks: Instant vibes, neo-bluegrass and matches made in heaven

Malachy Koons

The KAXE Music Team highlights new releases from Sotomayor, Big Richard, Boy Golden, Jesca Hoop, Baby Rose and Leon Thomas, Anna Calvi and Iggy Pop, and Cat Clyde.

A woman in a blue apron smiles next to a copy of her new cookbook.

contributed

Sarah Peterson

Conversation

Ham Radio: New MN cookbook spotlights comforting family recipes

Heidi Holtan

Snow falls during a Minnesota snowstorm.

Contributed

Jacob Norlund via Flickr

Local News

Winter storm to bring heavy snow, high winds to Northland

MSHSL Section 8AA 2026 champions Bemidji Lumberjacks Girls Hockey team defeats Moorhead Spuds 4-3

Contributed

Lainie Hiller/Lainie Hiller Photography via Bemidji High School Girls Hockey

Local News

Girls hockey: Bemidji, Proctor-Hermantown, Warroad represent Northland at state

A woman in a blues dress poses looking to the right side of the photograph. Her hands are on her collarbone.

Album of the Week: 'Blackbirding' by Queen Esther

In addition to her music, Queen Esther is a well-known playwright, actor and essayist, and her skill for storytelling that ties history to the present day is on full display on her sixth solo album Blackbirding. Seamlessly blending country, jazz and blues in a style she calls Black country soul, Blackbirding explores the Civil War battle at Gettysburg to tell a story of the fight for freedom that continues to this day. -MK

More New Music Here!

Latest Stories

The Ely Nordic Wolves were third at the state meet in Biwabik on Feb. 12, 2026.

Nordic: Ely boys 3rd, Brainerd's Baird 4th at state

The Ely boys Nordic ski team finished third at the state meet Feb. 12, 2026, and Brainerd senior Annelise Baird took fourth.

Firefighters responded to a fatal house fire on Peterson Lake Road in Beltrami County on Feb. 16, 2026.

Firefighters respond to fatal house fire in Beltrami County

The remains of one person were located inside the home once the blaze was extinguished on Feb. 16, 2026.

The Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul catches the sunlight on a cloudless day in May 2024.

Will this be the most unproductive Minnesota legislative session ever?

Election year ambitions and heightened partisan vitriol are undermining hope for the bipartisan comity needed to pass anything in the closely divided Legislature.

Electric buses bring cleaner, quieter rides to students in rural MN

Minnesota now has just 19 electric school buses, but more than 20 districts are waiting on deliveries, some by the 2026-2027 school year.

Book cover for "The Blue House I Loved" depicting a young girl in front of a blue house. And a photo of the author Kao Kalia Yang.

Kao Kalia Yang's new picture book is rich in memories

In the new picture book “The Blue House I Loved” Minnesota author Kao Kalia Yang shares vivid memories of childhood and place. Illustrated by artist and architect Jen Shin.

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 off limits."

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 Northland winter athletes.

Identical license plates are seen on two different vehicles parked directly next to one another in a Baxter parking lot on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. These vehicles were later confirmed to be used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, and one was parked in a Crow Wing County parking lot the next day. The tag on the left shows a 2002 registration, while the one of the right has no year.

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 off limits."

Heidi Gustafson addresses the Nevis City Council about the Wild Tiger Skate Park timeline on Feb. 9, 2026.

Nevis community turns out to support Wild Tiger Skate Park project

There was standing room only for much of the Nevis City Council's monthly meeting on Feb. 9, 2026, as the Council considered continuing its support for a local skate park.

Corey Adam Bryant, 31, was last seen in Bemidji on Dec. 19, 2025.

Beltrami County authorities seek missing 31-year-old man

Corey Adam Bryant was last seen in Bemidji on Dec. 19, 2025, but was last in touch with family in January 2026.

Events Up North Feb. 16-22: BRRRmidji Days, 'Tin Woodsman of Oz'

Events this week include a pancake fundraiser and curling watch parties in Grand Rapids, "MusiKaravan" in Hibbing, Bemidji Contra Dance and a symphony orchestra concert in Virginia.

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.

Second Harvest Grand Rapids Food Shelf on June 18, 2025.

Northern MN resources: Food shelves, community meals and soup kitchens

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.

Learn more

Music

Conversation

Local News

Random Quote Generator

Looking For Live Music?

With The Setlist, KAXE's Music Team curates the best live music to catch each week across Northern Minnesota and beyond.

Check it out

Phenology

A pair of adult Bald Eagles fly in tandem above Linden Hills on April 17, 2022.

Contributed

iNaturalist user csledge (Chantel)

Science and Nature

What does it sound like when Bald Eagles kiss?

Charlie Mitchell

During the week of Feb. 3, 2026, we enjoy a students' approximation of Bald Eagles smooching and reports of deep cold. Staff phenologist John Latimer responds.