WELY News

Walz issues Boundary Waters mining ban; Hermantown officials apologize for resident comments 19.08.2026 ↓

Plus: Meat processing facility in Staples opens

FBI investigating 2 deaths in Red Lake Nation; Judge tosses DOJ lawsuit seeking MN voter rolls 18.08.2026 ↓

And: Glen’s Army Navy in Grand Rapids to close after 80 years.

No one is running for county attorney in 3 Northern MN counties. Here's why 17.08.2026 ↓

Red Lake and four other Northern Minnesota counties are classified as legal deserts, with fewer than one practicing attorney per 1,000 residents.

Red Lake Tribal Police involved in fatal shooting; St. Louis County IDs inmate who died 15.08.2026 ↓

And: The DNR confirmed zebra mussels in LaRue Mine Pit and Kabekona Lake; and Fulton Brewing will acquire Bemidji Brewing.

Lake County lifting most fire evacuations; E. coli at Bena Beach 14.08.2026 ↓

Plus: Itasca County Board results; Bemidji contemplating data center moratorium

Voter turnout sets record, Swanson and Stauber set for congressional race 13.08.2026 ↓

Plus: Wiener overtakes Utke in Senate District 5 race, public hearings on property tax

Flanagan beats Craig, will face Tafoya; Demuth wins Republican primary for governor 12.08.2026 ↓

And: DFLer Trina Swanson to face Republican Rep. Stauber; a multigenerational election duo in Wadena; a Bagley pollworker’s thoughts on election security; and who to vote for in 2046.

Person dies in St. Louis County jail; Outside groups spend $20M in MN's Senate primary 11.08.2026 ↓

Plus: More than 200 million early ballots for the primary have been received by local election officials; and the DNR reminds harvesters about the state’s green rice law.

One Native couple's experiences with addiction and incarceration 10.08.2026 ↓

This is the final part of KAXE’s “Overrepresented, undercounted” series exploring the impacts of incarceration for Indigenous Minnesotans.

Voters to decide Democratic 8th Congressional District candidate; Wildfire evacuations lifted 08.08.2026 ↓

Plus: Minnesota faces storage drought; Forest tent caterpillars cause tree damage

Mountain Iron solar panel factory lays off 93; Walz calls for no wildfire special session 07.08.2026 ↓

Plus: MN DNR took comments on Tamarack Mining Project; and proposed lodging denied by Nashwauk City Council

Canoe outfitter on Boundary Waters ; Backus approves recovery center 06.08.2026 ↓

Plus: Leech lake fisheries seeks public input, youths tackle aquatic invasive species issue

Attempt to delay ban on some THC products; Monument honors U.S. Supreme Court case, plaintiff 05.08.2026 ↓

Plus: DNR chooses annual fish stamp contest winners

Baudette woman's body found in park; Judge issues sentence in Itasca fatal crash 04.08.2026 ↓

Plus: Detroit Lakes’ School Board voted to remove rainbows from school property; and the Hubbard County Food Shelf is fundraising $2 million for a new building.

The costs of Indigenous incarceration in Northern MN 03.08.2026 ↓

This is an audio version of the second part of KAXE’s “Overrepresented, undercounted” series that explores the disproportionate rates of Indigenous incarceration in our region.

DNR reports increase in fish kills; Ely's historic seaplane base aids firefight 01.08.2026 ↓

And: U of M’s Natural Resources Research Institute launches new simulator to test innovations in iron refining.

Woman dies after crash into lake; Crosslake Post Office moves operations 31.07.2026 ↓

Plus: Mine proposal formerly known as Polymet sees changes to plan; and Grand Rapids City Council approves a TIF district for a new 99-unit apartment building.

Campfire restrictions ease; Bemidji considers in-house Sanford Center management 29.07.2026 ↓

Plus: Indigenous-led walk carries water 13 miles for Mississippi watershed amid mine discussion

How to Support Ely Area Business 29.07.2026 56:11 ↓

Terri Pylka and Joel Karnick…………..

BWCAW partially reopens Thursday; DOGE delays Superior Forest fire prevention 29.07.2026 ↓

Plus: Federal judge stops MN law banning prediction markets; Municipal cannabis dispensary moves forward in GR; and the filing period closed Tuesday for many elected positions

Tornado touches down near Debs; Fire evacuation zones near BWCAW lifted 28.07.2026 ↓

Plus: L&M Fleet Supply will soon expand into two more Midwestern states; and the Mille Lacs Band celebrated its 11th annual Gii-Ishkonigewag Powwow near McGregor.

How mental health, substance use impact Indigenous incarceration rates 27.07.2026 ↓

This is an audio version of the first part of KAXE’s “Overrepresented, undercounted” series that explores the disproportionate rates of Indigenous incarceration in our region.

State attempts to recover Camp House Fire costs; Crews deploy sprinklers in Superior National Forest 25.07.2026 ↓

And: Construction starts for Boswell Solar Project; and MDH will host public hearing for closure of clinic in Silver Bay

Boelter sentenced in killing of Hortmans; 2 burned in Bemidji camper fire 24.07.2026 ↓

Plus: The Boundary Waters will partially reopen for day use Monday; and Emily gathers for an update on proposed manganese mine.

Trump freezes Medicaid payments to MN; Ag water quality program under review 23.07.2026 ↓

Plus: Candidate filing period closes July 28; and wildfire smoke is expected to impact air quality in the state through the fall.