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Kayla Erickson on Muck Rack

Kayla Erickson

Verified
East Lansing, Lakeville
As seen in: Sun Thisweek, Spartan News Room, Detroit News, HometownSource, The State News, City Pulse, Great Lakes Echo, The Sault News, Shoreline Media Group, Manistee News Advocate, Benzie County Record Patriot
Covers:  Environmental science, climate change, sustainability, business, community news, arts and culture, outdoor recreation, Indigenous news.
@SunThisweek Community Editor. I like learning about people and places and writing about them.

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Kayla Erickson’s Biography

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Hi there, my name is Kayla Erickson (née Nelsen).
I produce multimedia news for Sun Thisweek and the Dakota County Tribune. My news stories cover topics in business, development, education, government, environment and human interest for Lakeville and Rosemount, MN. I collaborate with community members and leaders to understand local topics of interest.

I also work as a communications associate for Athena Communications, LLC, where I produce editorial content internally and for our nonprofit an…

Kayla Erickson’s Journalist Portfolio

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Dakota County organization uses new technology to limit invasive fish in East Lake

Dakota County organization uses new technology to limit invasive fish in East Lake

Invasive common carp and goldfish have been reduced in Lakeville's East Lake after a year-long operation invo…

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Are Great Lakes cities ready for climate migrants?

Are Great Lakes cities ready for climate migrants?

A California woman on "The Daily Show" recently swapped her sandals for snowshoes after moving to Duluth to e…

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Indiana conservation groups defend state's wetlands that lost protection

Indiana conservation groups defend state's wetlands that lost protection

About 250 acres of Indiana wetlands have been lost in the two years since wetland protections were eased, acc…

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Preserving Minnesota's bogs could fight climate change

Preserving Minnesota's bogs could fight climate change

Researchers in Minnesota are creating a national map to identify peatlands - soggy areas of slowly decaying o…

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International foods in Lansing support a melting pot of cultures - The State News

International foods in Lansing support a melting pot of cultures - The State News

"Food is so inherent to culture and makes folks feel welcomed, included and safe," said director of refugee s…

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MSU to lead mid-Michigan in its establishment as a national technology hub - The State News

MSU to lead mid-Michigan in its establishment as a national technology hub - The State News

The city of Lansing is poised to lead the state in high-technology development after Michigan received a $400…

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Articles

Former NFL player brings holiday magic to the stage every year

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By Kayla Erickson Verified
| Sun Thisweek Verified
For many, Andy Williams’ and Bing Crosby’s Christmas songs are anthems of the holiday season. For the past 10 years, Ben Utecht, a Lakeville resident and former National Football League player, is helping Minnesotans get in the holiday spirit with his annual Andy and Bing Christmas Show. A former professional football player is an unlikely candidate for an Andy Williams tribute performer. But Utecht, a Hastings native, has long been a dual-performer.
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Rosemount Armory gets modern updates

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By Kayla Erickson Verified
| Sun Thisweek Verified
In January, hundreds of Minnesota National Guard soldiers are scheduled to return to the Rosemount Armory, which underwent a $26 million renovation over the past year. The updates improved building safety and energy efficiency while expanding the space to accommodate the National Guard’s growth. The armory, a 100,000-square-foot facility located inside the Rosemount Community Center, houses the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT) of the 34th Infantry Division.
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Growth in District 194 leads to substantial facilities improvement plan

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By Kayla Erickson Verified
| Sun Thisweek Verified
The Lakeville Area School District is planning to expand its middle school space and adjust attendance areas to accommodate district growth as a part of its 2035 facilities vision plan. The updates were proposed during the Nov. 12 board meeting. The updates were proposed in response to projected growth in district areas. According to the Metropolitan Council, Lakeville is one of the fastest growing suburbs in the south metro and is a primary growth center.
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See all 321 licensed articles (398 Total)

Interview

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What was your first job as a journalist?

My first journalism gig was as an environmental reporter with the Great Lakes Echo in 2021 as a fresh journalism student at Michigan State University. I knew I had a passion for science communication so I took the leap on the opportunity with only a few writing samples to show. Somehow my editor, Dave Poulson, had enough grace to take a chance on me and helped me hone my skills. Fast forward three years and several other journalism jobs and I’m currently back at the Echo.

Have you ever used a typewriter?

Yes. I have major respect for writers of the past - typing must not have been for the faint-hearted.

How is social media changing news?

In the information age, journalists must step into an expert role in news-sharing. With the addition of hundreds of new ways to consume information, the public must make decisions about which sources to trust and consume. When journalism is poorly done, truth may be misrepresented or covered up and this opens up windows of questioning among consumers. Do some news sources have a greater loyalty to truth and accuracy? How can consumers know what is true when there are so many sources of information? Journalists must be well-trained in communication and people skills in order to gain the trust of readership. This is especially important for environmental, science and health reporting where facts are just that - facts. There should be no debate over the verity of observed patterns and experiences within the world. Delivering facts and complex socio-ecological concepts requires tact and accuracy in order for the public to trust the authority of good journalism as information sources.

Awards

Michigan Press Association

2022 - Feature Stories

First Place Division I Feature Story Winner - Michigan Press Association 2022 College Better Newspaper Contest "Cedarville: The little town that upholds Michigan’s marine industry"