Up North Report

Plus: Mesabi Metallics is in the final steps of opening its long-planned mine in Nashwauk.

The KAXE News Team is breaking down your property tax statement, line by line. Finally, we cover refunds, timelines and how to get involved and learn more.

Plus: High flu rates reported across Northern Minnesota; and Hibbing Public Utilities will host a town hall meeting on elevated lead levels.

And: MDH will not follow CDC vaccination guidance changes; and Itasca, Beltrami sheriffs to seek 2nd terms, Wadena County sheriff to retire.

Plus: Environmental group CURE is asking the state to reassess the private equity sale of Minnesota Power, given new information about the utility's data center plans.

Plus: Bridge to Health Survey seeks more Northland respondents to survey collecting anonymous health information; and local hospitals list top baby names of 2025.

And: Former Iron Range teacher sentenced to 18 years for criminal sexual conduct; 8 Northern MN housing projects awarded state funds; and MN awarded $193 million in federal rural health dollars.

Bemidji Area Reporter Larissa Donovan looks back on her work reporting for northwestern Minnesota in 2025 during her ninth year as a journalist.

KAXE reporter Megan Buffington foregoes naming a favorite story and instead examines a favorite beat — and how it answers the oft-asked, "Why did you become a journalist?"

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.