GRAND RAPIDS / BEMIDJI — KAXE News has won seven Public Media Journalists Association awards.
Our News Team 2026 awards covered key categories in any newsroom: Breaking News, Continuing Coverage, Education, Health/Medical, Investigative Reporting, Science/Technology and Sports.
The Public Media Journalists Association Awards competition is a "celebration of excellence across a vast spectrum of journalistic endeavors." These awards affirm the vital role public media plays in a democratic society.
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Police arrested the 40-year-old Grand Rapids Republican on March 17, 2025, in Bloomington after he arrived to meet who he apparently believed was a 17-year-old sex worker. -
Some remained without power Monday afternoon, the BSU and NTC campuses are still closed and storm debris still blocks trails, roads and more as cleanup continues. -
Started by nonprofit Smart North, the tech hubs aim to provide digital equity to students, providing access to technology and food, hygiene products and a safe space. -
Mark Baez is an associate professor of clinical psychology, and the screening tool he developed to assess Native suicide risk in a culturally sensitive way is about to start its pilot study. -
Twelve new automatic license plate readers went up in Bemidji and other MN cities in May 2025. But the Flock Safety cameras raise concerns with privacy advocates. -
Seventy more stops, expanded hours and more vehicles in the fleet makes the free AV service available to more MN communities, including those on Leech Lake Reservation. -
Teams from Slovakia, Latvia and Czechia were featured in exhibition games at Bemidji's Sanford Center Dec. 19-22, 2025, ahead of the World Jr. Men's Hockey Tournament.
"The variety of subjects covered in our PMJA award-winning work this year shows the breadth of our coverage in a way that makes me so proud," said News Director Chelsey Perkins.
"It includes the great work of breaking news, investigative reporting and continuing coverage of the impacts of the Bemidji area derecho. But also, several of our stories highlight solutions: a tool to improve screening for Native suicide; the expansion of a free, rural (and autonomous!) transportation service; and safe learning spaces for students to explore technology.
"Plus, a fun story exploring the holiday traditions of international hockey players who descended on Bemidji rounded out a representative sample of what we try to accomplish with our local news coverage."
Sarah Bignall, General Manager and CEO of KAXE, notes, "These seven PMJA awards are a remarkable recognition of the KAXE News team's commitment to exceptional local journalism. Their work informs and amplifies the stories that matter most across Northern Minnesota. We are proud to see their reporting recognized on a national stage."
The PMJA Annual Awards Competition is designed to recognize the very best in public media work done by local public media outlets.
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Contributed/Little FeversLucy Michelle from Little Fevers takes time to talk about the band and their upcoming show at the Beltrami Block Party on Saturday, June 27, 2026. -
KAXESubmit Your Green Cheese Design Today! the KAXE T-shirt Art contest ends July 8, 2026. -
University of Minnesota student Erin Bowman will be covering Northern Minnesota news with KAXE through Aug. 7, 2026. -
Malachy Koons/KAXEBemidji musician Caige Jambor stopped by KBXE for a live session and interview ahead of playing the Beltrami Block Party on June 27, 2026. -
Contributed/Dennis EljGet to know the volunteers behind the mic on KAXE. This week we find out more from longtime "On the River" and "After Dark" host and volunteer, the Intrepid Dennis Elj. -
Contributed/Chelsey PerkinsThe Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists highlights the best work from around the state. KAXE News reporting and photography won five awards at the 2026 Page One Awards ceremony. -
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.
