Stella Mayerhoff, Report for America
Reporter - Mississippi River Headwaters regionStella Mayerhoff is a scientist-turned-journalist. She joined KAXE in July of 2026 as a Report for America corps member, and covers Minnesota’s headwaters region in partnership with the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk.
Previously, Stella wrote for Mongabay, the San Jose Mercury News, the Monterey Herald, and Stanford University’s Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute. She was a Taylor/Blakeslee Fellow through the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing and earned a master’s degree in science communication from the University of California, Santa Cruz. The Society of Professional Journalists named her a regional finalist for the Mark of Excellence Award in Science/Environment Reporting.
When she’s not chasing a story, Stella enjoys spending her time with her cat, TBD, who owes his perfectly odd name to a moment of writer’s block.
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Plus: Wild rice season shows promise despite shaky start -
Plus: Lindell files recount lawsuit against secretary of state's office; United Taconite received emission testing fine; Detroit Lakes sticker policy in limbo following split vote
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Plus: Meat processing facility in Staples opens
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And: The DNR confirmed zebra mussels in LaRue Mine Pit and Kabekona Lake; and Fulton Brewing will acquire Bemidji Brewing.
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Recent testing found elevated levels of the bacteria, which can cause illness if ingested. Leech Lake Division of Resource Management issued a warning Aug. 12, 2026. -
Plus: Itasca County Board results; Bemidji contemplating data center moratorium
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Lonny Witkofsky and Cory Smith are advancing to the Nov. 3, 2026, general election, based on unofficial results from Minnesota's primary election. -
And: DFLer Trina Swanson to face Republican Rep. Stauber; a multigenerational election duo in Wadena; a Bagley pollworker's thoughts on election security; and who to vote for in 2046.
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reminds harvesters ahead of the Aug. 15, 2026, season opener that rice must be ripe for legal harvest. -
Plus: More than 200 million early ballots for the primary have been received by local election officials; and the DNR reminds harvesters about the state's green rice law.
