Heidi Holtan

Minnesota

News and Public Affairs Director at KAXE-FM (Grand Rapids, MN)

News and Public Affairs Director NPR affiliate Northern Community Radio 91.7 KAXE Grand Rapids/90,5 KBXE Bagley-Bemidji 89.9 Brainerd & 103.9 Ely.

Featured in: Favicon

kaxe.org

minnesotareformer.com Favicon

grandrapidsmn.com

Articles

Buy your license early and be kind: Jeff Sundin’s advice for opening fishing

6 days ago | kaxe.org | Heidi Holtan

GRAND RAPIDS — Fishing guide says the 2025 walleye fishing opener is going to be a head scratcher, with ice just going out on some of the northernmost lakes in Minnesota, and warmer temperatures in other parts of the state. Conditions vary widely and Sundin suggests putting some time in to research where you might be headed. He suggested the Minnesota Department of Natural Resource's website, which includes information on the lakes of Minnesota, and current conditions.
Answering the call: Paying it forward with bone marrow donation

2 weeks ago | kaxe.org | Heidi Holtan

GRAND RAPIDS — When you think about saving a life, you might picture jumping from cliffs and swelling music in an action movie. But sometimes, saving a life can be a cheek swab, a little patience and saying "yes" when the call comes. KAXE music producer and host of Headwaters and Minnesota Mixtape Malachy Koons signed up years ago to donate bone marrow and recently answered the call to give.
New novel illuminates history and isolation of the North Shore

3 weeks ago | kaxe.org | Heidi Holtan

It's not just the landscape of Lake Superior on the North Shore of Minnesota that can be moody and unpredictable. So, too, are the characters at the center of Peter Geye's new novel A Lesser Light, published by the University of Minnesota Press. Set in the 1920s, Theodulf and Willa Sauer find themselves almost forced into marriage — for very different reasons. Theodulf is trying to be someone he isn't, while Willa has lost her father as well as the ability to continue her independent life.
Native fashion night expands with first-ever Creative Economy Summit

1 month ago | kaxe.org | Heidi Holtan

For nearly a decade, Delina White from Onigum on the Leech Lake Reservation has brought Indigenous fashion and design to the forefront in Minnesota. On April 25, Native Nations Fashion Night returns as the largest Native fashion event in the Upper Midwest. But new this year is the first-ever Creative Economy Summit on April 24, a one-day gathering aimed at breaking down barriers and building economic opportunity for Native artists.
From ice to open water: Fishing update with Jeff Sundin

1 month ago | kaxe.org | Heidi Holtan

GRAND RAPIDS — It's not here yet, but soon we'll be back fishing on the open waters of Northern Minnesota. As the ice begins to disappear from lakes, longtime fishing guide Jeff Sundin joined us on the KAXE Morning Show to talk about what’s next for anglers, from early open water options to behind-the-scenes policy discussions shaping the future of fishing in our state.
Gabby Fineday makes basketball history at Cass Lake-Bena high school

1 month ago | kaxe.org | Heidi Holtan

CASS LAKE — Gabby Fineday was 22 points from breaking her coach's record heading into the Panthers' Jan. 10 game. Martin Wind set Cass Lake-Bena's all-time scoring record in 2010, finishing his career with 2,622 points. Fineday — who had just set the school's all-time girls' scoring record the day before — broke Coach Wind's record that night, but she didn't stop there. She went on to score nearly 400 more points, ending her career with 3,013 in total.
Inside KAXE: How we choose and create programming for 'Morning Show' and beyond

1 month ago | kaxe.org | Heidi Holtan

KAXE is not just radio. It is a connection and a reminder that you are not alone. You are part of the community that makes up Northern Minnesota. In an era when screens dominate and isolation feels all too real, connection matters. Especially in rural communities. We don’t see ourselves reflected authentically in urban or national media and are often overlooked. Here's how we work: Every story, song and conversation on KAXE is chosen by real people who live in Northern Minnesota.
Saag paneer lasagna: Blending food cultures with Khushbu Shah

2 months ago | kaxe.org | Heidi Holtan

Food is more than sustenance — it is memory, family and blending of cultures. The new cookbook Amrikan: 125 Recipes From the Indian American Diaspora by Khushbu Shah explores the adaptations of generations within her family. Shah is an acclaimed food writer and contributing editor at Food & Wine.
Minnesota’s 'Food Dolls' share love for simple, modern cooking

2 months ago | kaxe.org | Heidi Holtan

Minnesota-based sisters Alia and Rava Elkaffas, known to their millions of online followers as the Food Dolls, are making their debut in print with Pretty Delicious: Simple, Modern Mediterranean Served with Style. The cookbook brings over 110 recipes with a Middle Eastern twist to home kitchens. The duo started sharing food videos online nine years ago and have built a loyal community through their approachable recipes.
Deer River researcher loses US Forest Service job after federal funding cuts

2 months ago | kaxe.org | Heidi Holtan

DEER RIVER — Alyssa Roberts was meant to work in the woods. Roberts has worked with the U.S. Forest Service's Deer River office as a biological science technician on the wildlife surveying and monitoring team since 2016. "To go out there and find these rare beings of our forest that are so special to this part of the world and protect them and keep the forest healthy — I don't get to do that anymore," she said of her job in an interview on the KAXE Morning Show.

Journalists covering the same region

Joe Radske

News Director at WEAU-TV (Eau Claire, WI)

Joe Radske primarily covers news in North Dakota and Minnesota, United States, including areas around Fargo and Grand Forks.

Rachel Goodman

Senior Associate Producer at NBC News

Rachel Goodman primarily covers news in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and surrounding areas.

Max O'Neill

Sports Reporter at Jamestown Sun

Max O'Neill primarily covers news in North Dakota and South Dakota, United States, focusing on areas around Fargo and Bismarck.

Meghan Chada

Meteorologist at KELO-TV (Sioux Falls, SD)

Meghan Chada primarily covers news in Bismarck, North Dakota, United States and surrounding areas.

C.S. Hagen

Journalist at The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead

Journalist at Forum Communications

C.S. Hagen primarily covers news in North Dakota, United States, including areas around Fargo and Bismarck.

Contact details

Emails

[email protected]

Socials & Sites

Try JournoFinder For Free

Search and contact over 1M+ journalist profiles, browse 100M+ articles, and unlock powerful PR tools.

Start Your 7-Day Free Trial →

Coverage map

X (formerly Twitter)

Followers: 823
Tweets: 1K
DMs Open: No

Heidi Holtan @kaxeheidi

4 Jul 23

damsel flies are out now in northern MN #phenology iridescent blue & green An ancient group, damselflies have existed since at least the Lower Permian beginning about 299 million years ago, https://t.co/lrVH7GnXdy

Heidi Holtan @kaxeheidi

4 Jul 23

New season watch podcast available @KAXE talking wildflowers, fledgling birds and frogs that sound like banjos Northern MN #phenology https://t.co/tZzUue0AId

Heidi Holtan @kaxeheidi

6 Jun 23

I've got the evidence @karihedlund @tbobrowsky @carlsewall