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Lorie Shaull
/
KAXE
About a half-inch of rain fell across the area overnight into Tuesday, and crews are expected to return to work on securing and improving the fire lines again.
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We'll use the responses to this survey to help inform our coverage and what type of content we produce. All answers are anonymous and will not be shared outside our organization.
Jobi Riccio’s second album, Face the Feeling, comes after her acclaimed debut, Whiplash, shifting from coming-of-age stories toward the challenges and possibilities of early adulthood.
Co-produced by Riccio alongside longtime collaborators and friends Isaiah Beard and Jesse Timm, the album blends mellow, tender folk songs like “A Little at a Time,” “Pilar, NM,” “Coyote,” “Easy,” with “Idaho” channeling the warm spirit of Joni Mitchell.
She then dips into indie rock with songs like “Buzzkill,” “Wildfire Season,” and “Doesn’t Matter,” all while keeping the storytelling of the Americana genre centered. With themes of self-growth, love, and grief running throughout the album, Riccio marks a new chapter in her burgeoning music career. - KH
Co-produced by Riccio alongside longtime collaborators and friends Isaiah Beard and Jesse Timm, the album blends mellow, tender folk songs like “A Little at a Time,” “Pilar, NM,” “Coyote,” “Easy,” with “Idaho” channeling the warm spirit of Joni Mitchell.
She then dips into indie rock with songs like “Buzzkill,” “Wildfire Season,” and “Doesn’t Matter,” all while keeping the storytelling of the Americana genre centered. With themes of self-growth, love, and grief running throughout the album, Riccio marks a new chapter in her burgeoning music career. - KH
Latest Stories
Former Hill City police officer accused of sexual assault of 17-year-old
Jordan Zempel, 35, of Apple Valley, faces a third-degree criminal sexual conduct charge for sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl.
Grand jury indicts man with first-degree murder in Hibbing shooting
Daniel Dale of Hoyt Lakes made his first court appearance May 19, 2026, on the upgraded felony charge. He remains in custody in the St. Louis County Jail.
Stewart Trail Fire on North Shore is 100% contained
Accurate mapping of the fire perimeter led to the fire size increasing to 356 acres. The wildfire destroyed 34 structures and was caused by a power line.
DNR identifies origin point, people of interest in Flanders Fire
The fire, which began May 16, 2026, burned around 1,666 acres in Crow Wing County. The DNR asks residents and others in the area with information to contact them.
Beyond the Voice: Julie Crabb
Get to know the volunteers behind the mic on KAXE. This week, we find out more from the longtime "Green Cheese" and "The Dark Side of Love" host and volunteer Julie Crabb.
Flanders Fire burns 1600 acres near Crosslake; Stewart Trail Fire caused by power line
And: A rural Orr man was arrested for allegedly shooting a firefighting plane; the Legislature passed a bonding bill; and filings open for public office Tuesday.
Breaking down the Legislature's $1.2 billion bonding bill
Here’s what made it into the Legislature's infrastructure package and what lawmakers and others had to say about it May 17, 2026.
Rural Orr man arrested for allegedly shooting firefighting plane
Firefighters responded to a wildland fire between Orr and Crane Lake on Friday, May 15, 2026. After returning to the airport, it was learned a bullet appeared to have struck one of the planes.
Flanders Fire estimated at 1600 acres, 20% contained; County Hwy 11 reopens
Evacuated homeowners will be able to return to their properties for the day, Monday, May 18, 2026. Crow Wing County declared a local emergency, the first step toward state disaster aid.
Virtual book club connects rural Minnesota teens
Reaching Rural Readers sends free books to rural Minnesota high school students. This summer's list includes books by Dawn Quigley, K. Woodman-Maynard, and Kenneth Cadow.
Up North Lookback 1976: Worst fire danger in history; Poodle saves master
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 May 18.
More details emerge on Hermantown data center plans amid discourse
As next steps for a proposed data center are considered, Liz Schwab from Google addresses some of the concerns raised at a recent Hermantown City Council meeting.
With The Setlist, KAXE's Music Team curates the best live music to catch each week across Northern Minnesota and beyond.
Lorie Shaull
/
KAXE
During the Phenology Report for the week of May 12, 2026 Staff Phenologist John Latimer remarks on drought tolerance in trees and the eruption of spring wildflowers.
Contributed
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iNaturalist user sidetracker
Contributed
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Chad Kaddatz
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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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