Prior to joining WXPR, Maria Peralta-Arellano reported in Milwaukee as the Eric Von Fellow for WUWM, Milwaukee’s NPR. Her reporting at WUWM covered topics that included environment, immigration, the arts, and culture with a focus on amplifying underrepresented voices. Her career is shaped by her experiences working with local and independent news organizations, freelancing for a bilingual newspaper, El Conquistador, covering community needs. She studied at the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee and graduated in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in multimedia journalism. She also minored in political science and earned a certificate in Latin American and Caribbean studies.
Beat: Environment and water quality in the Northwoods
The Northwoods is home to some of the highest concentrations of freshwater lakes in the world. Water is essential to life here, as it relates to the environment, health, the economy, and cultural identity. Water quality faces many challenges including mining, the Line 5 pipeline, warming temperatures, increased recreation, and PFAS. The environmental and water quality reporter digs into these issues, the solutions, and how they impact communities.