Up North Report

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.

Bemidji Area Boys and Girls Club launched an after-school site at J.W. Smith in 2023, and with the proposed closure of the school, program leaders and parents share their concerns.

And: Walz releases anti-fraud package after Trump administration announces Minnesota Medicaid cuts; Rachel Anthony murder still unsolved after 25 years; Staples-Motley are state wrestling champs.

Plus: Hubbard County man charged with threatening state lawmakers; and Hibbing Public Schools is bracing for a potential strike from the union representing support staff.

Plus: Early voting opens Friday for Aitkin, Staples-Motley referendums; year-round bass season now in place; Beltrami County, Red Lake residents eligible for free well water test kits; boys swimming and diving state meet starts Thursday.

Plus: Stauber introduces legislation to require judges be natural born citizens; and the latest round of names for MnDOT snowplows is released.

Plus: The U.S. Senate is expected to soon vote on whether to allow copper-nickel mining near the Boundary Waters; and the latest in winter high school sports.

Launch North, the new program from the Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging, will host one-day events in Duluth, Grand Rapids, International Falls and Cloquet.

Plus: The AFSCME Local 480 presented a letter of no confidence to the Hibbing School Board Feb. 18, 2026, after months of negotiations without reaching a contract.

Plus: 2142 and Mountain Iron-Buhl select new superintendent; Staples-Motley, Aitkin to host open houses for referendums; MnDOT public transit app expands in Greater Minnesota; and Bemidji girls hockey falls to Edina at state.

Plus: Sheriffs in Hubbard, Lake and Polk counties announce retirement plans; Minnesotans take advantage of deep freeze with lake ice racing; and Northland girl hockey players are so far 1-1 in the state tournament.

Lawmakers returned to St. Paul on Tuesday, Feb. 17. MinnPost senior government reporter Matthew Blake sets the tone for the session and shares the stories he’s watching.

Plus: Chip Rankin will be the next superintendent of Brainerd Public Schools; Polk and Mahnomen counties have new commissioners after special elections; and the latest updates for Northland winter athletes.

Crow Wing County’s Eric Klang said agents worked out of the sheriff’s office while temporarily stationed in the lakes area, asking him for guidance on “what’s off limits.”

Plus: Community members show up to Nevis council in support of Wild Tiger Skate Park; House 2A Rep. Bidal Duran announces reelection plans; and the latest for Northland winter athletes.

Plus: Northern, MN to become Northern MN’s newest city; and 14 Northland athletes competed in the Alpine Ski state tournament Feb. 10, 2026.

Plus: St. Louis County seeks resident input on updates to its hazard mitigation plan; and United Way of 1000 Lakes is accepting Volunteer of the Year nominations.

And: Republican Dr. Scott Jensen suspends his campaign for governor to run for state auditor; Rep. Spencer Igo is running for reelection; the Public Utilities Commission delays transmission line meetings; and ICE being watched for sharing health information.

The number of four-day school week school districts in Northern Minnesota and across the country keeps growing. Communities are fiercely loyal, but researchers say there are still lots of unknowns.