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/Gina the KnifeGet 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, Gina the Knife. -
Lorie Shaull/kaxeKeith Secola reminded us to stay present while talking music and the roots of Rangers, a multigenerational Iron Range collaboration that brings Northern Minnesota stories to life through song. -
Of the awards given to journalists, the RTDNA Edward R. Murrow Awards are among the most respected journalism awards in the world. -
Contributed/John SegariGet to know the volunteers behind the mic on KAXE. This week we find out more from "Jazz On America Ave" host and volunteer, John Segari. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEThe community celebration at Rapids Brewing Co. was a mix of information about the past year at KAXE, celebrating volunteers and great live Minnesota music. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXETo celebrate KAXE's 50th birthday, Klockow Brewery hosts a night of storytelling featuring stories from KAXE contributors. -
KAXEVoting will be open to elect the 2026 Northern Community Radio Board of Directors. -
Contributed/Grace WilderGet to know the volunteers behind the mic on KAXE. This week we find out more from On The River host, Grace Wilder. -
Contributed/Jeff EdmondsGet to know the volunteers behind the mic on KAXE. This week we find out more from On the River host Jeff Edmonds -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEGet to know the volunteers behind the mic on KAXE. This week, we find out more from the longtime "Green Cheese" and "The Dark Side of Love" host and volunteer Julie Crabb.
