ST. PAUL — The KAXE News Team won five 2026 Page One Awards from the Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists.
The team won three awards in the Radio tier and two in Photography/Graphics.
News Director Chelsey Perkins swept the Local Politics/Government Reporting category in radio with first place for her reporting on the Brainerd City Council and its 2025 decision to not allow the city's homeless shelter to remain open year-round. She earned second place for the story headlined "Itasca, Cass sheriffs first in MN to agree to ICE’s revived task force model."
Perkins also secured second place in Breaking News Reporting (Radio) for coverage of former state Sen. Justin Eichorn’s arrest.
Photographer Lorie Shaull was awarded first place for Northern Minnesota Portrait Photography and third place for Northern Minnesota Sports Photography. See her winning photos in the gallery below.
"Lorie is this team's secret, or maybe not-so-secret, MVP," Perkins said. "Her phenomenal photography adds so much to our storytelling. Northern Minnesota is lucky to have her, and so are we!"
The Page One Awards highlight the best work in journalism from around Minnesota. Recipients are honored at an annual banquet.
Sarah Bignall, KAXE's CEO/general manager said, "I am so proud of our team. Chelsey's reporting and Lorie's photography help people better understand what's happening in Northern Minnesota and the communities we serve. These awards are a wonderful recognition of the care and dedication they bring to their work every day."
Listeners can hear more stories from the KAXE News Team on the award-winning Up North Report. This year, their work has also won a prestigious Regional Edward R. Murrow Award, 18 awards from the Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association and seven awards from the Public Media Journalists Association.
In total, the team has earned 50 awards for its work since the department was added to KAXE in 2023.
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Contributed/Melissa DeVriesGet to know the volunteers behind the mic on KAXE. This week we find out more from On the River and After Dark host and volunteer, Melissa DeVries aka Sweet Melissa. -
Contributed/Dave MurphyGet to know the volunteers behind the mic on KAXE. This week we find out more from On the River volunteer and KAXE Board Member, Dave Murphy. -
Emma Krab/KAXEAs a seventh-generation Nebraskan, Emma Krab said she looks forward to discovering rural life in Northern Minnesota. She holds a master's degree in Creative Writing and Environment and bachelor degrees in journalism and English. -
KAXEKAXE offers online guides featuring primary candidates from all levels of government. New this year are free, printable PDFs with statewide candidates and several Northern Minnesota primary races. -
Contributed/Diane OttGet to know the volunteers behind the mic on KAXE. This week we find out more from On the River and After Dark host and volunteer, Diane Ott. -
KAXETo kick off the summer member drive, KAXE Membership Coordinator Heather Johnson shares this message that real music really matters. -
Contributed/Erin MalsburyReport for America corps member Stella Mayerhoff will cover Minnesota’s headwaters region in partnership with the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk. -
Contributed/Jerrod HegwoodGet to know the volunteers behind the mic on KAXE in Beyond the Voice. This week we find out more from KAXE After Dark host and volunteer, Jerrod Hegwood. -
Contributed/Nicole HoopsGet to know the volunteers behind the mic on KAXE. This week we find out more from On the River host and volunteer, Nicole Hoops. -
Jim Gallagher/ContributedGet to know the volunteers behind the mic on KAXE. This week we find out more from On The River host and volunteer, Jim Gallagher.
