Up North Report

Plus: the Minnesota State Patrol recently honored troopers and citizens for their heroic actions; and high school Nordic skiiers will soon compete in Biwabik.

Plus: Deer River School District considers moving to a four-day school week; and Cass County is taking comments its environmental assessment of a development near Gull Lake.

Plus: DFL, GOP host precinct caucuses across Minnesota; Bemidji State University leaders to tour Brainerd/Baxter, Grand Rapids, Iron Range; and Northland student-athletes to race at state alpine skiing tournament.

Plus: Republican state rep. Ben Davis to seek reelection in 6A; the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame will stay in Eveleth; Northland students will soon perform in state tournaments; and Canada’s Border Services Agency is seeking feedback on a new remote border entry program.

And: Judge denies injunction to pause Operation Metro Surge; MN Congressional Republicans introduce MN Voter Integrity Act; and Sen. Tina Smith endorses Peggy Flanagan.

Plus: Two deans were removed from their positions at Bemidji State University; the Bagley City Council is no longer considering disbanding its police force; and the DNR is seeking 200 summer interns.

Plus: Caucus Night is coming on Tuesday — here’s what to expect.

And: Protestors gather outside union meeting with Rep. Stauber; and Dan Horoshak, Roger Skraba announce state House campaigns.

Plus: Itasca County Sheriff Joe Dasovich is joining Cass County in abandoning a previous 287(g) agreement with ICE.

And: Alleged Lutsen Lodge arsonist sues insurance company for denying claim; and a new book series helps schools elevate Native American teachings.

Plus: Prosecutors are declining to move forward with a case after alleging a federal officer was assaulted in Virginia; and hundreds gathered at a vigil Jan. 24, 2025, outside the Crow Wing County Jail.

Lead service lines are a pervasive issue in Minnesota. The state has a goal to replace them by 2033, but Hibbing Public Utilities aims to do it in two to three years.

Plus: Co-owner of The Pines in Grand Rapids Kyle Lussier was nominated for a James Beard award; the Minnesota DNR will accept comment on adjusting Aitkin County’s public waters through Feb. 27; and MnDOT announced more than $76 million in transportation grants.

Plus: Nisswa City Council votes to censure Mayor Jennifer Carnahan and strip her of committee posts; and a general strike against ICE presence in Minnesota is Friday.

And: The Baxter City Council opposes MnDOT’s plans for the Highway 371/210 intersection; and Rock Ridge hosts the first-ever high school broadcast in Ojibwe.

Plus: AG Keith Ellison remains committed to running for reelection; two candidates launch campaigns for MN House from the Arrowhead; and the U.S. Forest Service will maintain its closure order to reduce human-bear encounters in the BWCA.

Plus: A new pilot program to improve medical response time launched in northern St. Louis County; DNR plans to reduce statewide walleye possession limit; and the Bemidji State Beavers and Minnesota State Mavericks will face off at the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Museum Women’s Face-Off Classic in Grand Rapids.

Three warehouses in Hibbing store over 3 million feet of core from over 20,000 holes drilled throughout Minnesota, keeping a “natural record” of the state’s geology.

Plus: A northwestern MN egg cooperative aims for price stabilization, local resilience; and a Superior National Forest trail will close to allow sled dogs to haul materials.

Plus: Hundreds turn out for Mesabi Metallics environmental permits meeting.

Plus: Bemidji Mayor Jorge Prince wins national disaster leadership award.

Plus: State senators Grant Hauschild and Rob Farnsworth launched reelection campaigns; the Hibbing School District named a new acting superintendent; and the Rock Ridge High School will soon host the first high school hockey game broadcast in Ojibwe.

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.