Kent joined KARE 11 in August of 2016. He is a Minnesota native who spent 11 years reporting across the country for KSFY in Sioux Falls, WXIN in Indianapolis and KDVR in Denver. He is thrilled to return home to continue an award-winning career that includes multiple Emmys and a regional Edward R Murrow award for feature reporting. He is a member of National Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Kent grew up in Fertile, Minn. (yes, he's heard all of the jokes), a small town in the northwest corner of the state. Even before his first journalism class at Fertile-Beltrami High School, his curiosity led him to pursue just about every extracurricular activity he could; from choir, band and theater to football, basketball and baseball. When he began exploring a career as a reporter in college, he earned his first byline as a freelance sports reporter for his hometown Fertile Journal.
Kent graduated college at the University of Minnesota where he was a sports writer and Audio/Visual Editor for the Minnesota Daily student newspaper. He later met his wife, Erin, during a return trip to campus for a concert in 2009. Erin is also a Minnesota native, hailing from the small town of Hampton. They are thrilled to return home and excited to see much more of their 12 neices and nephews!
Kent would love to hear from you! If you have a story idea or simply want to connect, email him at kerdahl@kare11.com and follow him on Twitter @kenterdahl.
When I was young, I wanted to be: Just about everything. Once I realized I had to choose, I gravitated to reporting because I get to learn new things and meet new people every day.
Describe your perfect day: Start the day with an outdoor activity, whether it's a hike, swim or football tailgate. Spend the afternoon relaxing with friends and family. End the night with a great concert.
Favorite vacation spot: I'm always looking to go somewhere new, but a summer wouldn't be complete without our annual trip to my uncle's cabin on Clear Lake in NE South Dakota.
Favorite story you ever worked on: There have been so many fun stories that it is impossible to pick one. In Colorado I had a chance to go along on the largest horse drive in North America, fly in a hot air balloon with a group of 90 year olds, climb Long's Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park, travel to a small mountain town where all of the Grammy Awards are made and cover the Super Bowl in New York/New Jersey.
Why do you like your job: I love meeting inspiring people and telling their stories. I also take pride in informing and explaining issues, no matter how complex, in ways that help people understand and engage with their communities. To me there is nothing better than seeing people come together and I strive to make that happen. Plus, I just get to see and experience really cool things on a daily basis!
Family: Erin and I have family all over Minnesota. My parents, Elaine and Larry Erdahl, still live in Fertile. Two of my three sisters live in the Fargo/Moorhead with their husbands and kids. My other sister lives in Edina with her family. Erin's parents, two brothers and sister all live (and farm) in the Hampton area with their families.
