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Up North Report

The joy of covering it all in my first year as a Northern MN reporter

By Megan Buffington

Published January 2, 2025 at 4:00 AM CST

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From ski jumps to strikes, my first year at KAXE took me across Northern Minnesota, covering impactful stories, connecting with communities and loving every moment of rural reporting.

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Larissa Donovan

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KAXE

Fosston Schools accept garden bounties to fill gap from lost program

Larissa Donovan

Because of low free-and-reduced lunch numbers, the Fosston school district no longer qualifies for a fresh fruits and vegetables program for elementary students.
Megan Buffington

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KAXE

Hibbing School Board considers offer on closed elementary school

Emma Krab

The Board deliberated on the offer for Greenhaven Elementary in a closed-door session at Hibbing High School on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026.
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DNR expects Northern MN fall foliage to begin peak in late September

Drought, temperature and September weather conditions can have an impact on how vibrant the changing season will be.
Larissa Donovan

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KAXE

City of Bemidji to take on management of Sanford Center

Larissa Donovan

The Bemidji City Council voted to pursue in-house management of the Sanford Center rather than renew a contract with Legends Global, slated to expire in March 2027.
Lorie Shaull

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KAXE

Photos: Hobo Day in Boy River, a popular event in a tiny town

Lorie Shaull

The Boy River Hobo Club hosted its annual Hobo Day, a Labor Day weekend tradition in northern Cass County celebrated since 1953.
Bemidji to self-manage Sanford Center; MN State to pilot tech to combat financial aid fraud

Larissa Donovan, Megan Buffington

And: Questions about investigation go unanswered at Cass County sheriff candidate forum.
Lorie Shaull

Essentia Health, nurses' union reach agreement for Deer River hospital

The new 3-year contract includes wage increases for around 40 nurses serving the Deer River hospital and clinic.
Contributed

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cottonbro studio / Pexels

City of Marble earns $3 million water grant for city wells

The project uses aeration and a gravity filter to treat iron and manganese.
Megan Buffington

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KAXE

Questions about sheriff investigation go unanswered at candidate forum

Megan Buffington

A misconduct complaint and investigation into Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk were not addressed at a Sept. 8, 2026, forum. His opponent, Deputy Aaron Ammerman, said the office is “fractured from within.”
Contributed

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Francesco Ungaro via Pexels

Wadena County officials investigate fatal mobile home fire

Authorities state they believe one adult and four pets died in a Wadena County mobile home fire on Sept. 7, 2026.

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Up North Report KAXE

Megan Buffington

Megan 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.

See stories by Megan Buffington

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