Environment and water quality in the Northwoods

Maria Peralta-Arellano

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.

WXPR Public Radio

Based in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, WXPR is an independent, community-licensed NPR member station founded in 1983 and serving eight counties across northern Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. WXPR provides a mix of local and national news, volunteer-hosted music shows, and educational programming. The newsroom’s mission is to bring fact-based, local journalism that reflects the culture and issues of rural communities in the Northwoods with focus on the environment, health, and economy.