Megan Buffington
North-Central Minnesota ReporterMegan Buffington covers North-Central Minnesota from the Brainerd lakes area. Originally from Pequot Lakes, she joined the KAXE newsroom in 2024. Megan previously covered the Arrowhead for KAXE.
She is passionate about amplifying Northern Minnesota voices and educating communities through local reporting. Her favorite topics are the environment, history, education and policy, and she loves to weave elements of each together, supported by data visualizations.
Megan is also a guest on the KAXE Morning Show's weekly segment "The Sports Page," where she gets to vent about the inevitable disappointments of being a Minnesota sports fan.
In her spare time, she enjoys reading, backpacking and gardening.
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A lack of answers about potential impacts fueled skepticism in an already wary community. Mine leaders say it's too early in the process to answer many of the questions. -
Periods of reduced air quality due to wildfire smoke are expected for the rest of the warm season as fires continue to burn in Northern Minnesota and Canada. -
Plus: The Boundary Waters will partially reopen for day use Monday; and Emily gathers for an update on proposed manganese mine. -
Plus: Candidate filing period closes July 28; and wildfire smoke is expected to impact air quality in the state through the fall.
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And: The Boundary Waters could partially reopen soon, as tens of thousands of acres burn and local economies take a hit.
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Forest Supervisor Tom Hall said there's no timeline for the move, as nearly 70,000 acres burn and the closure is being felt by businesses across the region. -
Epidemiologist Elizabeth Schiffman joined the KAXE Morning Show to talk ticks after a death from a rare tick disease in the Brainerd lakes area. There are many rare diseases and types of ticks in Minnesota. -
Law enforcement has identified a family in connection with the May 2026 fire in northern Crow Wing County, but they've been uncooperative, and the sheriff doesn't expect charges. -
Plus: Minnesotans have until July 22, 2026, to submit comment on the MPCA's Impaired Waters List.
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Plus: Financial and tax help is available to Becker County residents impacted by tornado; and the Carlton County Board sets a public hearing on a data center moratorium.
