Chelsey Perkins
News DirectorChelsey Perkins became the News Director in early 2023 and was tasked with building a new local newsroom at the station. She is based in Brainerd and leads a team of two reporters covering communities across Northern Minnesota from the KAXE studio in Grand Rapids and the KBXE studio in Bemidji.
The news team launched the Up North Report in August 2023 — a five-minute newscast airing daily on KAXE, WTIP, KVSC and available as a podcast on Apple, Spotify and more. They also publish original stories at KAXE.org and make regular appearances on the KAXE Morning Show to dive deeper into their work.
The team has earned dozens of awards from the Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association, Public Media Journalism Association and the Minnesota chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. In 2025, the team earned a prestigious Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for its work in digital storytelling. In 2023, Chelsey was named a fellow of the Poynter Institute's Public Media Editorial Integrity and Leadership Initiative.
Chelsey grew up in Crosslake, Minnesota, where most of her family continues to live. She spent the first 15 years of her journalism career as a print journalist, primarily as a newspaper reporter and editor for the Brainerd Dispatch. There, she covered Crow Wing County government and served on the Forum Communications Co. Editorial Advisory Board.
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And: Experts say AI could have a big impact on Minnesota's labor force. -
Plus: The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will accept comment on Minnesota Power's proposed transmission line project; and the Minnesota Department of Health updated its guidelines for eating fish from Arrowhead lakes.
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The cross-jurisdictional court includes the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe and is intended to reduce recidivism among participants in a highly intensive, court-supervised treatment program.
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Plus: The Grand Rapids Economic Development Agency will use state funds to demolish the former Itasca Farm Co-op.
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Plus: St. Louis County to choose between local labor or risking federal funds.
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Plus: Ruby's Pantry will cease operations in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa; Hermantown will accept public comment on a study for the proposed Google data center through April 30; and the Soudan Mine State Park will offer underground mine tours beginning Memorial Day weekend.
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Plus: Two local elementary schools meet their fates, with Bemidji's J.W. Smith set to remain open for at least a year, while Greenhaven in Hibbing will close.
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Plus: Minnesotans gathered in the thousands for "No Kings" rallies across the state; Aitkin Public Schools will soon have a new superintendent; Burning restrictions for areas of the state went into effect Monday; and 2 Northland teams placed at the state boys basketball tournament.
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The district estimates closing the school, which serves second and third grade, will save it at least $516,000 as it works to address a $2 million budget shortfall. -
Plus: MnDOT will host an open house Tuesday ahead of its 2026 construction season in Brainerd; and the Bemidji Public Library hosted a send-off Friday as it prepares to cut its staff and reduce its hours.
