Up North Report

Plus: Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees named Bemidji State's Nina Johnson as 2025 Service Faculty of the Year; United Way of 1000 Lakes announces finalists for Volunteer of the Year; dozens of Northern Minnesota students will compete at the state Speech meet this weekend; and the Bemidji Rotary Club is partnering with Sanford Health to offer comprehensive blood screenings May 14-16, 2025.

Fourth-generation rancher Rachel Gray visited with KAXE's Larissa Donovan to discuss what it's like to raise cattle in northern Minnesota while minding global agriculture markets.

Plus: A bill that would benefit school districts with a high percentage of cabin properties with state subsidies moves forward through the legislative budget process.

Sen. Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul, stopped by the KAXE studio to discuss her time in Northern Minnesota and the legislative session so far.

Plus: The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe is one of nine recipients of the latest round of Clean Water Funds specifically for tribal governments and non-governmental organizations; and MnDOT is hosting an open house for upcoming construction on Highway 87 near Hubbard.

This week, Reporter Megan Buffington talks Senate District 6 special primary election results, candidate fundraising and spending reports, along with the Bois Forte tribal primary.

News Director Chelsey Perkins catches up on what's happening in St. Paul with Report for Minnesota student journalists Yvette Higgins, Sam Siedow and Elias Thomas.

And: MDH delays layoffs until May amidst legal battle; three Northern Minnesota robotics teams compete at an international competition.

Plus: Bemidji State University announces addition of esports beginning in 2026; and car seat inspections will take place in Virginia this week.

Plus: Spring fire restrictions in effect for Northern Minnesota, and Superior NF to begin prescribed burns; Saginaw detour begins; and a World Juniors hockey match is coming to Bemidji.