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 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.
In a short time, the team earned three second-place awards in the Public Media Journalism Association 2024 Awards in digital writing, daily newscast and interview podcast episode. 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 FCC Editorial Advisory Board.
-
And: Administrative law judge recommends blocking sale of Minnesota Power parent company ALLETE; Roadwork underway on Highway 89 near Grygla. -
Plus: Hundreds to be laid off after grocery store chain sale in Brainerd lakes area; and Itasca County delays an agreement on Grand Rapids library.
-
And: One suspect in Cloquet armed robbery in custody; Crow Wing County signs agreement with USDA; and election clerks are getting proactive with messaging to win over skeptics.
-
Plus: Denise Slipy announces 2026 Senate District 6 run; Sen. Klobuchar gives speech on floor in support of public media; and Astera Health celebrates the opening of a cancer center in Wadena.
-
And: Essentia Health advanced practice providers go on strike; and the YMCA and Early EDge to partner on child care in Grand Rapids.
-
And: Essentia to close 3 clinics for APP strike; Walz authorizes veterans disaster assistance for Beltrami County; and UCare to cut Medicaid health plans in 5 Northern MN counties.
-
It will be one of the only rural family medicine training programs in MN, training two physicians each year and aimed at encouraging doctors to practice in rural areas. -
Plus: A fire destroys a Floodwood business; five-year anniversary of Cass County missing person; detours in Wadena begin Monday and Tuesday; and railroad crossing work will close roads in St. Louis County.
-
And: The Department of Natural Resources seeks comment on upcoming rule changes to bait restrictions and fisheries; and Minnesota allocates $750K for Brainerd skate park.
-
Plus: How to care for pets when wildfire smoke impacts air quality; and new signage marks Hwy 169 in honor of Sen. David Tomassoni.
