Up North Report

Plus: The Cook County Sheriff is resigning in May 2026 to accept an early childhood education role; and Minnesota DEED awarded nearly $2 million to support Youthbuild programs.

Plus: the Minnesota Legislature is considering a ban on cryptocurrency kiosks as the FBI reports these ATMs are connected to $333 million in reported losses to fraud.

And: Park Rapids man faces third charge for threatening lawmakers; former state Sen. Justin Eichorn's trial pushed to June; Warroad boys win state hockey title, and Kelliher/Northome, Mountain Iron-Buhl and Rock Ridge to compete in girls basketball tourney.

Staples-Motley junior Ronnie Noska is KAXE's second-ever North Star Student. Noska's hard work has led to a successful career on the court, and she continues to grow as a leader off of it.

Plus: Townships across Minnesota will host their annual meetings on March 10, 2026; the DNR is seeking input on proposed changes to Itasca State Park; and the Superior National Forest will host a Tofte Ranger District open house on March 12.

News Director Chelsey Perkins catches up on what's happening in St. Paul with Report for Minnesota student journalists Abbey Mulcahy, Kendra Mobilia, Shay Scanlan and Eleanor Steffen.

Plus: The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources awards Cass Lake conservation officer as 2025 officer of the year; and the high school boys hockey tourney is underway.

Abbey Mulcahy, Kendra Mobilia, Shay Scanlan and Eleanor Steffen are reporting on the Legislature. New this year, intern Karina Kafka is also producing photojournalism.

Plus: The Brainerd Police Chief will retire early due to cancer; a new solar cooperative is forming in north-central MN; and MN DEED recently awarded more than $7 million in housing infrastructure grants.

Plus: Bemidji School Board votes to close J.W. Smith Elementary; Hibbing considers closing Greenhaven Elementary; and Google revealed to be owner of propsed Hermantown data center.