MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Veteran KARE 11 anchor Julie Nelson faced a major personal setback this summer after a boating accident in Wisconsin left her and her husband injured and forced her to temporarily step away from television.
The accident happened on June 13, 2026, on Balsam Lake in Wisconsin, where Nelson and her husband, Kurt Krumenauer, were involved in what Nelson described as a one-boat accident. Both were treated for injuries that were initially described as non-life-threatening.
For Nelson, however, the aftermath proved much more serious than the initial description suggested. She suffered significant injuries, including broken bones, deep lacerations, and nerve damage affecting her right arm.
After months away from the anchor desk, Nelson began making her way back to television in September, describing her recovery as a continuing process while expressing gratitude for the support she received from viewers, colleagues, friends, and family.
What Happened to Julie Nelson?
Nelson announced in June that she and her husband had been involved in a boating accident over the weekend.
At the time, she did not provide extensive details about what happened. She said that both she and Krumenauer received medical treatment and that she would be taking time away from KARE 11 while she recovered.
The accident occurred on Balsam Lake near Pine Island, Wisconsin, roughly an hour northeast of the Twin Cities. Reports indicated that the incident happened late Saturday night, around 11 p.m.
Law enforcement confirmed that an accident had occurred, while the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources took responsibility for the ongoing investigation.
Nelson did not initially disclose the precise circumstances of the crash, and investigators have not publicly released a definitive explanation for what caused the accident.
Julie Nelson’s Injuries
Although Nelson initially described her injuries as non-life-threatening, the recovery that followed was substantial.
Reports later described broken bones, deep cuts and significant nerve trauma to her right arm. The nerve injury became one of the most difficult aspects of her rehabilitation because nerve recovery can be slow and unpredictable.
For a television journalist whose career requires extensive daily activity, returning to normal life after such injuries has been a considerable challenge.
Nelson has been open about the frustration involved in the recovery process while maintaining an optimistic outlook.
Her updates have emphasized progress while acknowledging that some aspects of healing cannot be rushed.
Why Julie Nelson Took Time Away From KARE 11
Following the accident, Nelson announced that she would temporarily step away from her work at KARE 11.
The decision allowed her to focus on medical treatment, rehabilitation and recovery without the demands of a regular television schedule.
Nelson had been a familiar presence on KARE 11’s evening newscasts for years. She joined the station in 2003 and became one of its best-known anchors in the Minneapolis–St. Paul television market.
Her absence was therefore noticeable to viewers who had watched her on the station for more than two decades.
Rather than immediately setting a return date, Nelson focused on healing and allowed her recovery to determine when she would be ready to resume her professional responsibilities.
Julie Nelson Health Update After the Accident
In the weeks following the crash, Nelson provided occasional updates about her recovery.
By July, she indicated that she was making progress and was looking forward to returning to the station. Her right-arm nerve injury, however, remained an ongoing concern.
By early September, Nelson was preparing to return to the anchor desk.
She acknowledged that recovery was not complete, but she expressed optimism about getting back to work and reconnecting with viewers.
Her return represented an important milestone after more than two months of rehabilitation.
Julie Nelson Returns to KARE 11
Nelson eventually made her return to television, resuming anchoring duties at KARE 11 in September.
Her comeback was emotional for both Nelson and the viewers who had followed her recovery.
She returned to the 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. newscasts, with plans to resume the 10 p.m. broadcast as her recovery continued.
Her return was widely welcomed by colleagues and viewers who had supported her during her absence.
For Nelson, getting back behind the desk represented more than simply returning to work. It marked another step forward in a recovery that was still underway.
Julie Nelson and Husband Kurt Krumenauer
Nelson’s husband, Kurt Krumenauer, was also aboard the boat and was treated for injuries following the accident.
The couple has been married since 2001 and have three daughters.
Krumenauer is a commercial real-estate professional who founded Midwest Apartment Brokers in Edina, Minnesota, after previously working in construction.
The accident therefore affected the entire family, with both Nelson and Krumenauer dealing with injuries while their daughters and other loved ones supported them through the aftermath.
Nelson has frequently spoken warmly about her long relationship with her husband, whom she has described as someone she has known since sixth grade.
Investigation Into the Balsam Lake Boat Accident
The circumstances surrounding the accident remain under investigation by Wisconsin authorities.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has been involved in examining what happened on Balsam Lake.
Importantly, an earlier media report suggesting that Krumenauer may have been intoxicated was retracted by the Minnesota Star Tribune.
The newspaper said the report did not meet its standards for accuracy, verification and editorial rigor. It also explained that a quote attributed to a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources records coordinator had been incorrectly presented.
As a result, claims about intoxication should not be presented as established fact.
No definitive public finding establishing the cause of the accident has been reported in the information reviewed for this article.
A Difficult Recovery With Community Support
One of the most consistent themes in Nelson’s updates has been gratitude toward the people who supported her.
Viewers, colleagues, friends and family members sent messages of encouragement while she was away from television.
That support became an important part of Nelson’s recovery experience.
For a public figure who normally spends her working life reporting on other people’s stories, the experience placed Nelson in an unfamiliar position—becoming the subject of public concern herself.
Her willingness to share parts of the recovery process gave viewers an opportunity to follow her progress while also respecting the private aspects of her medical journey.
Julie Nelson’s Career at KARE 11
Nelson has been part of the KARE 11 newsroom since 2003.
Over more than two decades, she became a recognizable presence for viewers across Minnesota and the Twin Cities region.
Her career has included years of evening-news anchoring and coverage of major local and national stories.
The longevity of her career made her temporary absence particularly noticeable.
Her return following the boat accident therefore represented the continuation of a professional journey that has made her one of the familiar faces of Minnesota television news.
What We Know About the Julie Nelson Boat Accident
The available information indicates:
- Person involved: Julie Nelson
- Occupation: KARE 11 television news anchor
- Age: 54
- Date of accident: June 13, 2026
- Location: Balsam Lake, Wisconsin
- Type: One-boat boating accident
- Other person involved: Husband Kurt Krumenauer
- Initial injury assessment: Non-life-threatening
- Nelson’s later-reported injuries: Broken bones, lacerations and right-arm nerve damage
- Investigation: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
- Television absence: Nelson took time away from KARE 11 to recover
- Return: Nelson returned to the KARE 11 anchor desk in September
- Cause of accident: No definitive public finding established in the information reviewed
The investigation and recovery may continue to generate additional updates.
A Story of Recovery Rather Than Loss
The Julie Nelson boat accident initially generated concern among viewers who suddenly noticed the longtime anchor was absent from television.
What followed was a much longer recovery than many may have expected.
Nelson faced physical injuries, rehabilitation and the uncertainty that accompanies nerve damage.
Yet she continued working toward a return.
Her decision to return to KARE 11 demonstrates the progress she has made, even as she continues recovering from the effects of the accident.
For viewers, her comeback has become a reminder that recovery does not always happen quickly or predictably.
Sometimes progress comes gradually, with setbacks and uncertainty along the way.
Final Update on Julie Nelson’s Boat Accident
The Julie Nelson boat accident was a serious personal setback for the longtime KARE 11 anchor, but it did not end her career.
Nelson and her husband, Kurt Krumenauer, were injured in a one-boat accident on Balsam Lake in Wisconsin on June 13. Both initially received treatment for injuries described as non-life-threatening.
Nelson subsequently spent months recovering from significant injuries, including nerve damage to her right arm.
By September, she was preparing to return to the KARE 11 anchor desk, marking an important milestone in her recovery.
The circumstances of the accident remain subject to the ongoing investigation, and an earlier report concerning possible intoxication was retracted and should not be treated as established fact.
For Nelson, the story is ultimately one of resilience, patience and recovery.
After a life-changing summer on Balsam Lake, Julie Nelson is back where viewers have known her for years—behind the news desk, continuing her recovery and moving forward.
This article is based on available reporting and statements concerning the June 2026 boating accident. Details about the investigation and Nelson’s recovery may change as additional verified information becomes available.