North Star Stories

Esta semana, continúa la recuperación tras las inundaciones y la gripe aviar reaparece. This week, recovery following the floods continues, and bird flu reappears .   ----- Productor/ Producer : Victor Palomino Voiceover/ Voiceover : Marisa Rueda y Rito Ayala ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social media.  instagram.com/ampersradio/ instagram.com/northstarstoriesmn/ Nev...

Renee Good’s family sues the U.S. government, Minneapolis restricts Waymos — for now, plus 600 sturgeon and a lot of beer steins. ----- Executive Producer: Tracie Wells Collier Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  Fond du Lac Band members released more than 600 sturgeon into the upper St. Louis River [Image Credit: Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chi...

Minnesota’s Truth Council hears its last public testimony, voting and voter security, and a job college grads will go nuts for. ----- Executive Producer: Tracie Wells Collier Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  Planters Nutmobile [Image credit: commons.wikimedia.org — Seatex] ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social media. ...

This week, we examine fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, or FASD, a silent condition that affects many school-age children in the United States. Then, we speak with an organization that supports pregnant people navigating substance use. ----- Executive Producer: Victor Palomino Producers: Victor Palomino Anchor: Victor Palomino, Britt Aamodt Reader scripting: Xan Holston, Tracie Wells Collier, Vict...

Today is National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding School Survivors, Essentia ad HealthPartners plan a merger, and the fight over rainbows in Detroit Lakes continues. ----- Executive Producer: Tracie Wells Collier Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  The mother of a student suing Detroit Lakes Schools addresses the school board [image credit: Det...

Mesabi Metallics plans a steel plant in Iowa, FEMA comes to New Richland, and a deadly rabbit virus hits Northwest Minnesota. ----- Executive Producer: Tracie Wells Collier Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  Mesbai Metallics speaks at the Oval Office [Image credit: whitehouse.gov] Audio credit: whitehouse.gov ----- For the latest episode drops and up...

A legal battle over rainbows in schools, concerns about a quarry near Rochester’s airport, and Minnesota honors its fallen firefighters. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  The Fallen Firefighter Memorial at the St. Paul Capitol [image credit: Minnesota Fire Chiefs Association] ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social...

Investigators share the cause of a fire that killed sports journalist Jesse Pierce and her three children, UMN plans big cuts, and the 4H dog show comes to the Fairgrounds. ----- Executive Producer: Tracie Wells Collier Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image: A St. Louis County 4H'er who will compete at this weekend's 4h dog show. [Image credit: UMN Extens...

Esta semana, el sarampión está oficialmente activo en el sureste, un condado del centro-sur ha declarado el estado de emergencia local tras las inundaciones, y la familia de Renee Good, junto con un testigo del asesinato de Alex Preddy en Minneapolis, testificaron ante legisladores en Washington D. C. This week, measles is now officially active in the Southeast, a south-central county has declared...

A sexual harassment lawsuit at the top of St. Paul’s political world, Minneapolis wants “drivers” in driverless taxis, and the last drag racing of the season in Brainerd. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  Renee Good’s mother Donna Ganger speaks to U.S. Congresspeople [Image credit: Oversightdemocrats.house.gov] Audio credit: Oversightdemocrats...

Friends and family look for answers in the death of a 17-year-old from Walker, Google offers some concessions in Hermantown, and New Richland deals with flooding. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  A dump site for flood-damaged goods in New Richland [Image credit: City of New Richland] Audio credit: KAXE.ORG  ----- For the latest episode drops...

This week, we discuss the history of Indian boarding schools, and how it is still present in some survivors' lives. And we learn how indigenous language programs are playing a role in preserving culture, traditions, and creating connections across generations.  ----- Executive Producer: Victor Palomino Producers: Jamad Jama Anchor: Victor Palomino, Britt Aamodt Reader scripting: Xan Holston, Traci...

The state Public Utility Commission takes Minnesota Valley Cooperative to task, Minnesota Lynx rookie Olivia Miles breaks a record, and more on state flooding over the weekend. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  The state Public Utility Commission took the Minnesota Valley Cooperative to task over threatening to turn off power for a Lower Sioux...

Flooding replaces drought in some parts of the state, Mesabi Metallics breaks ground, and it’s Yom Kippur. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  A large crowd gathers at the Mesabi Metallics mine near Nashwauk to hear remarks from federal officials on Sept. 17, 2026. [image credit: Emma Krab] Audio credit: KAXE-FM (kaxe.org0 ----- For the latest e...

Minnesota marks its first domestically spread case of measles, absentee and mail-in voting begins, and slew of weekend festivals. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  One of the racers from Worthington’s King Turkey Day race [Image credit: kingturkeyday.org] Audio credit: Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio; wikimedia commons ----- For the lat...

Esta semana, una conversación especial con motivo del Mes de Concienciación sobre los Trastornos del Espectro Alcohólico Fetal (TEAF). This week, a special conversation for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Month. ----- Productor/ Producer : Victor Palomino Pie de foto: Celebraciones de la comunidad bajo el lema «Glow Red» (Iluminar de rojo) el 9 de septiembre, Día Internacional de Concie...

This week, we explore how drainage-caused erosion and pollution are affecting some communities across Minnesota. Then, a conversation about how the state's geological history has shaped today's weather challenges. Plus, how a changing climate is making these challenges even more urgent. And, are we in a drought? ----- Executive Producer: Victor Palomino Producers: Maija Hecht Anchor: Victor Palomi...

Minneapolis prepares to say goodbye to local radio personality Charles “Chaz Millionaire” Dillon, Minneapolis Public Schools could close 16 schools, and the state’s Oromo population welcomes in its new year and a change of seasons. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  Saturday is Oromo celebration Irreechaa Malka at Powderhorn Park in Minneapolis...

Capitol and courthouse safety, invasive species and ultrasonic buoys, and disability pride and voting. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  Disability Pride Festival last year at the Capitol. [image credit: Advocating Change Together] Audio credit: Public News Service  ----- For the latest episode drops and updates, follow us on social media.  in...

Allina doctors and nurses go on strike, Minnesota and other states strike a settlement over AmeriCorps, and it’s Hispanic Heritage Month starting today. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey proclaimed September 9th to be “Los Tigre del Norte” day; the band later gave an humanitarian award to the people of Minnesota at...

The Minnesota Supreme Court rules Oak Grove can use paper rosters this November, the DNR cancels one of Twin Metals’ land leases, and Duluth is already prepping for Christmas celebrations. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  A man faces charges after getting stuck while trying to climb through a window at a UMD (University of Minnesota Duluth) g...

The new Minnesota Military and Veterans’ Museum remembers 9/11, the results of the Minnesota House State Fair Poll are in, and Jesse James rides — and loses again — in Northfield. ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  Jesse James and the James-Younger gang tried — and failed — to rob Northfield’s First National Bank 150 years ago. [Image credit: D...

Esta semana, el servicio de inmigración y control de aduanas de los estados unidos, o ICE, por sus siglas en inglés publica el número de ciudadanos estadounidenses arrestados y una declaración federal de desastre por sequía permite ahora acceder a préstamos de emergencia en la parte norte del estado. This week, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, released the number of U.S. citizens...

The state is failing in how it grades assisted-living facilities, Minnesota is well-equipped for a presidential push to end protections for gray wolves, and the DNR wants to pay you for your Norway Pine pinecones ----- Producer: Xan Holston Reader scripting: Tracie Wells Collier, Xan Holston  Image:  Even if they lose Endangered Species Act protections, Minnesota has a plan for protecting its gray...

This week, as many Minnesota farmers head into the final months of harvest season, we look at the challenges the agriculture sector has faced this year, and how technology, diversification, and land conservation can shape farming in our state today and in the future.  ----- Executive Producer: Victor Palomino Producers: frankie felegy Anchor: Victor Palomino, Britt Aamodt Reader scripting: Xan Hol...