-
Contributed/Perkins familyMerwin Perkins was a Marine who served in the Korean War. This includes operating a mortar in the Chosin Reservoir during one of the most brutal, and brutally cold, battles in the history of the Marines. -
Contributed/Minnesota Department of Natural ResourcesThe Pokegama Lake access is now the Tom Neustrom Memorial Tioga Public Water Access. -
Contributed/Hape Monaheng via PexelsThe MPCA says Crosslake Construction Demolition Debris Facility, Inc. had multiple violations during facility inspections between 2020 and 2022. -
Contributed/Park Rapids Panthers Cross CountryPark Rapids senior Christian Thorson and junior Jack Mitteness also medaled from the Northland. -
Contributed/Polina Tankilevitch via PexelsIn Minnesota, 139 cases of measles have been reported in 2026 as of Nov. 5. Most cases are concentrated in Todd County. -
Contributed/Aitkin FootballMountain Iron-Buhl returns to state after missing last year while adjusting to a new class. Also returning for the 2026 tournament from the Northland are Grand Rapids, Cromwell-Wright, Kittson County Central and Cook County. -
Contributed/Full Range MediaEast Grand Forks and Sacred Heart will compete in the tournament, set for Nov. 11-14, 2026, along with Chisholm and Pine River-Backus. -
Plus: Northland high school athletes compete in soccer and cross-country state tourneys. -
Contributed/Esko SchoolsThe Esko girls took home bronze medals for the third year in a row, ending the 2026 season with a win over Watertown-Mayer. -
Ekaterina Bolovtsova via PexelsJennifer Stately, 37, received a mandatory life sentence after a federal jury convicted her on six counts of murder and arson in February 2026.
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.
