Report for Minnesota intern looks back on a summer at KAXE

GRAND RAPIDS — As summer winds down and fall brings change, we found ourselves having to say goodbye to our summer intern.

For two months, Dani Fraher, a rising senior at the University of Minnesota, was our Report for Minnesota intern. They were out in the field, attending meetings, pitching stories, recording the Up North Report, hosting the Morning Show as well as On the River, and hanging out with the staff of KAXE and KBXE.

Megan Buffington

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KAXE

One of the stories Dani covered with the local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness and a community meeting. "I thought this was going to be like a pop in, see what it's about, pop out sort of thing." But it was more than that.

"It turned out to be a really, really powerful experience, because of all these people that are so connected in this space." Dani talked with a mother who constantly advocates for her 54-year-old daughter who struggles with mental health.

"So I get done talking with this mother, and you know, I'm trying to be as professional as I can because it's a very sensitive thing, and I want to give her the space to tell her story at her discretion," Dani said.

After turning off the recording, she was met with a hug. "It was one of those moments where you realize how important this job is, to tell people's stories, and to be there at events."

Read Dani's work on wildfire recovery, child care, autonomous transit, toxic algae and much more.

Public media defunding

Dani's summer internship coincided with a historic and deeply challenging moment for public media: the sudden cut of federal funding. They witnessed firsthand how the crisis unfolded inside a small, rural newsroom and how listeners responded with over $162,000 of support.

"It was a very powerful moment," Dani said. "How do we handle reporting on legislative happenings when we are the ones at the center? There's a fine line you have to walk because journalism is not activism, you cannot operate with any sort of bias."

Dani spent time with most of the staff of KAXE and KBXE and soaked in the environment of a rural media organization. "I've learned so much from each and every one of you."

To say we'll miss Dani is an understatement. Listen to the full conversation above.