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Megan Buffington/KAXECynthia "Cyndy" Martin, 65, allegedly hit and killed 19-year-old Carter Haithcock with her car on Highway 169 near Nashwauk before driving away on July 3, 2024. -
Contributed/MPCAThe MPCA says the air quality index in northwestern Minnesota is unhealthy for everyone. The alert will likely be expanded as northwestern winds move into the area on July 24, 2025. -
Contributed/Hibbing Municipal Golf CourseThe powerful line of thunderstorms is also prompting flood warnings in areas of northeastern Minnesota. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEEssentia Health advanced practice providers ended their strike, but Essentia still refuses to bargain as it appeals the certification of the bargaining unit. -
Contributed/National Weather ServiceThis heavy rainfall may fall on top of already saturated soils from other recent heavy rainfall and lead to excessive runoff. -
Plus: A state trooper testified Monday in the case of Cyndi Martin, who faces a criminal vehicular manslaughter charge in Itasca County; and the Bemidji Chamber offers bonus "Chamber Bucks." -
Contributed/St. Louis County Sheriff's Office Facebook pageThe Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension identified the man killed in a July 15, 2025, use-of-force incident in Normanna Township and the deputies involved. -
Contributed/NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research LaboratoryA Beltrami Lake property owner made the initial call to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources after finding zebra mussels attached to rocks in the lake. -
Contributed/Senate Media ServicesThe unusual resignation announcement means Mitchell will continue to represent her constituents for up to two weeks as a convicted felon. -
Maxim Tajer/UnsplashTwo people were found dead in a house fire in Beatty Township in St. Louis County on July 17. First responders were dispatched at 9:20 p.m.
Chelsey 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.
Megan Buffington joined the KAXE newsroom in 2024 after graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Originally from Pequot Lakes, she is passionate about educating and empowering communities through local reporting.
Larissa Donovan has been in the Bemidji area's local news scene since 2016, joining the KAXE newsroom in 2023 after several years as the News Director for the stations of Paul Bunyan Broadcasting.
