Author: Andrew Kirov

Japanese Students Compete in Dragon Boat Race

Sister Cities Commission from Ami Machi Japan Teamed Up With Local Students for Race

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Dragon Boat Festival is one of the biggest events in Superior each year. Students from Superior’s sister city in Japan got to experience dragon boat racing first hand. Competing in a dragon boat race takes hard work., but more importantly it takes well executed teamwork. “Despite the fact that the course doesn’t look that long, it’s…

Tribute Fest Continues at Bayfront Park

Thursday was Country Night at the Festival

DULUTH, Minn. – Tribute fest rages on for the second night at Bayfront Park. Tonight is country night and it featured performances by Rage-N-Country, Savannah Cole, and a tribute performance by Toby Keith and Jason Aldean impersonators. Festival organizers say they try to grow a bigger audience each year. “We did the EDM first thinking we’d get to the millennials,…

Kids Do Yoga in a Yurt

Class for Kids is Every Tuesday and Thursday at Hartley Nature Center

DULUTH, Minn. – Kids have the chance to try yoga in a yurt every Tuesday and Thursday at Hartley Nature Center. According to the instructor, the yoga class is a great way to have kids explore movement and breathing all while being outside connecting with nature. “It’s a really great way to teach kids mindfulness and body awareness, sort of…

Guns and Hoses Softball Game Raises Money for Charity

Police and Fire Departments Battle on the Field for the Softball Northern Lights Foundation

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth police and fire departments competed against each other in the annual Guns and Hoses event at Wade Stadium. The charity slow pitch softball game raises money for the Northern Lights foundation, who provides assistance to families with children facing life threatening illnesses. In addition to the game, spectators could enjoy police and fire displays, live…

Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge Receives Donation

Annual Breezy Point 5K Raised $20,000 for the Organization This Year

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth campus of the Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge got a big donation today from an annual run held in Duluth. All the proceeds from the annual Breezy Point 5K, $20,000 this year, were donated to the Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge. That will help the organization with their long term care programs. Breezy Point 5K…

Duluth East High School Holds Registration

Students Could Pick Up Schedules and Have Their School Picture Taken

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth East High School opened their doors to students today before classes begin this fall. East students could pick up their schedules, get their locker assignments, and have their school picture taken. They could also learn about all the school clubs and activities and reminisce with friends. “I think it’s fun to see everyone because you haven’t…

Duluth-Based Business Partnering With Shark Tank’s Kevin Harrington

Locker Innovations Expanding to Work With More Inventors, Entrepreneurs

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth-based Locker Innovations is expanding its business and bringing in Kevin Harrington, a former shark from the television show Shark Tank to be on their team. Locker Innovations works with inventors and entrepreneurs to help them develop and market their products. On Wednesday, they showcased their business and some of their successful clients to potential investors at…

Local Businesses Happy to Have College Students Back

Many Businesses Rely on Student Customers During the School Year

DULUTH, Minn. – A lot of business owners and managers are excited to have college students back this fall because they rely on their business during the school year. Crooked Pint Ale House in Duluth has only been open for a few months, but they expect returning UMD and Saint Scholastica students to come check them out this fall. “That’s…

Active Shooter Response Exercise Held in Superior

Douglas County Sheriff's Department Partnered with Local Fire Departments to Complete Training

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Douglas County first responders held a training exercise Tuesday in Superior. The training is designed to help prepare agencies if there was ever an active shooter at a school. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Department teamed up with the Town of Superior and the Town of Oakland fire departments for an active shooter training exercise at Four Corners…

Virginia Daycare Center Damaged By Flooding

Apple Tree Learning Center Had Three to Four Inches of Standing Water in Some Classrooms

VIRGINIA, Minn. – Some businesses in Virginia were flooded last week after that are was hit with more than four inches of rain. The Apple Tree Learning Center had three to four inches standing water in some of their classrooms on Friday. They have since pumped the water out, but their cleanup has only just begun. “It was very heartbreaking…

Sen. Al Franken Tours Virginia Fire Hall

City Officials Hope to Build New Public Safety Building Soon

VIRGINIA, Minn. – Minnesota Senator Al Franken was on the Iron Range today and took a tour of the aging Virginia Fire Hall, a place city leaders hope can be replaced with a new building. The Virginia Fire Hall is 109 years old. “It was originally designed to house horses and horse drawn steam pumpers and in that time, not…

Jack Link’s Aquatic and Activity Center to Open Soon

New Minong Community Recreation Center Will Feature a Workout Facility and Indoor Swimming Pool

MINONG, Wis. – The Village of Minong, home of Jack Link’s Protein Snacks, is undergoing a multi-million dollar upgrade. That new update is a new multi-use community recreation center. The Jack Link’s Aquatic and Activity Center is set to open this fall. Fox 21 got an exclusive tour of the new facility. “The level of excitement in the community right…

Sawyer County Fair Opens in Hayward

110th Annual Fair Offers Animal Barn, Fun Shows, and Lots of Food

HAYWARD, Wis. – The Sawyer County fair opened Thursday in Hayward. Fair-goers can check out the animal barn with the best livestock in the area, watch fun performances like a magic show and singing cowboy, and of course eat all the fair food they can get their hands on. “If you’re in the neighborhood, you’re sure welcome to come out…

Duluth Area Horse Trail Alliance Holds Fundraiser

Group Hopes to Raise Money to Expand Area Horse Trails

PROCTOR, Minn. – The Duluth Area Horse Trail Alliance held a fundraiser Wednesday. The group hoped to raise at least $5,000 with a steak dinner, raffle, and silent auction that will go towards their goal of expanding horse trails in the area. “Most of us have to travel in order to get to any rideable horse trial,” says Jodi Johannessen,…

Proctor Hoghead Festival Begins

42nd Annual Festival Pays Tribute to the Community's Railroad Heritage

PROCTOR, Minn. – The 42nd Annual Hoghead Festival kicked off today in Proctor. It’s called “Hoghead” after the engineers who worked on trains, a way for the community to pay tribute to their railroad heritage. Today was the annual car show where a free meal was given to anyone showing off their cars. “You see people you haven’t seen in…

Men As Peacemakers Thanks Volunteers With Picnic

Organization Officials Say Their Programs Would Not Be Possible Without Volunteers

DULUTH, Minn. – Men As Peacemakers held a picnic today to celebrate all the work done by their volunteers. The organization serves over 1,000 community members every year through programs that promote equality and try to end violence against women and children. Men As Peacemakers officials say that work would not be possible without their volunteers. “Volunteers are really like…

Superior Trail System May Be Extended to Wisconsin Point

Proposed Trail Would Connect Wisconsin Point to Osaugie Trail

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The trail system in Superior, may soon get expanded to connect Wisconsin Point to the rest of the city. A new trail could be built as soon as next spring that would give bikers and people on foot the chance to reach Wisconsin Point without having to go on Moccasin Mike Road and compete with other vehicles….

Emergency Response Drill Conducted at AMSOIL

Superior Fire Department Participated in the Mock Fire and Chemical Leak Training Exercise

SUPERIOR, Wis. – It’s all about being prepared. An emergency procedure drill was conducted at the AMSOIL Distribution Center in Superior Today to make sure emergency responders are ready if disaster strikes. The emergency response training started when AMSOIL officials called in a drill to Douglas County 911 reporting a chemical leak and fire. Several minutes later, Superior firefighters arrived…

Rally Held to Stand Against Nuclear Weapons

Ralliers Gathered on the Anniversary of the 1945 Bombing in Nagasaki, Japan

DULUTH, Minn. – Community members rallied at the Federal Building in Duluth to show their support of the proposed worldwide nuclear weapons ban. Ralliers spoke about the horrors of nuclear war on the anniversary of the 1945 bombing in Nagasaki, Japan. They stood in remembrance of that attack and voiced their support of the recent United Nations treaty calling to outlaw…

Drive In-Fly In Movie to Be Shown at Two Harbors Airport

Guests Can Use Cars or Planes to Get to Free Screening of "Up"

TWO HARBORS, Minn. – You’ve probably heard of a drive-in movie, but this Friday the Two Harbors Airport is hosting a fly-in film. A screen will be set up on the airport grounds for a free showing of the Disney-Pixar movie, “Up.” Visitors can drive or fly in to the event, eat a barbecue meal at 6:00 p.m. and enjoy…

Duluth Winter Village to Return This December

Outdoor Local Market Coming Back to Glensheen Mansion

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Winter Village, an outdoor local market, is returning for a second time this winter to Glensheen Mansion. The village will feature thirty local businesses vending out of log cabin buildings. It offers a chance for Northlanders to kick off winter and get a head start on local holiday shopping. “Gift wrapping, hot cocoa, smores, and…

UMD Continuing Education Department Has Moved

Program Is Now Downtown in the University's Center for Economic Development

DULUTH, Minn. – The University of Minnesota-Duluth’s Continuing Education Department has moved. The program is now housed downtown in the University’s Center for Economic Development in the Technology Village on East Superior Street. University officials say the move will help Continuing Education and the Economic Development Center work better together. “We’ve just been developing some programs around entrepreneurship and to…

West Michigan Street Bike Lane Experiment Over

Nearly 900 Surveys Submitted About the Project

DULUTH, Minn. – West Michigan Street’s protected bike lane experiment is over and the street is back to normal. Nearly nine-hundred surveys were filled out about the project. Results are expected by the end of the month. While there are no immediate plans for permanent protected lanes in Duluth, officials tell us community involvement was a success. “There’s really been…

Superior Heroin Death Results in Homicide Charge

22-Year-Old Nathan Birkholz of Superior Charged for Distributing Lethal Dose of Opioids

SUPERIOR, Wis. – A fatal heroin overdose that took the life of a 25-year-old Superior man last year has turned into a homicide case. According to the criminal complaint, the suspect, 22-year-old Nathan Birkholz of Superior, knew he was selling a mix of heroin and fentanyl that was the strongest any of his users would ever get their hands on….

“Wolves At Our Door” Teaches Minnesotans Wolf Facts

The Traveling Outreach Program Stopped in Two Harbors on Monday

TWO HARBORS, Minn. – People in Two Harbors had the chance to learn all about wolves at the International Wolf Center’s program, “Wolves At Our Door.” The traveling outreach program helps Minnesotans understand wolves and the problems associated with them so they can learn to co-exist with the wild canines around them. “This is the animal that lives near me…

National Lighthouse Day Celebrated at Split Rock

Since 1989, August 7th Is Used to Recognize the Importance of Lighthouses

TWO HARBORS, Minn. – August 7th is National Lighthouse Day, when we pay tribute to the lighthouses along our shorelines. National Lighthouse Day is celebrated to honor the passing of the Lighthouse Act in 1789. That law put lighthouses under federal government control. Since 1989, today’s date has been used to recognize the importance of lighthouses to our country. At…

Thomas the Tank Engine Entertains at the Duluth Depot

More Than 10,000 Visitors Spent Time with the Famous Train This Weekend

DULUTH, Minn. – More than ten thousand people got tickets this weekend to spend time with Thomas the Tank Engine at the Duluth Depot. For the first time, Thomas is joined by his friend Percy. Kids and their parents took twenty minute rides along the Lake Superior shore, and also had a blast with a Thomas themed carnival. “He woke…

Duluth for Clean Water Asking for Polymet Evidentiary Hearing

Organizers Will Send Letter to Governor, DNR Next Week

DULUTH, Minn. – Discussions for and against a proposed PolyMet copper-nickel mine in Northeast Minnesota continues. On Sunday, a Duluth environmental group held an event to gain support. According to Duluth for Clean Water officials, decisions could be made later this year on whether permits to mine are granted to the proposed PolyMet project. Before that happens, some in Duluth…

Robotics Camp Teaches Kids Engineering and Problem Solving

Duluth East Daredevils Teach Robotics at the Boys and Girls Club

DULUTH, Minn. – Custom built robots zipped through obstacle courses at the Boys and Girls Club of Duluth this summer. “I think it’s fun,” says Rodrick Campbell, a robotics camper. “I like to play with remote control cars and how to see how they work and I like to play with my drones.” It was all part of the second…

All Pints North Brew Fest Packs Bayfront Park

More Than 120 Craft Brewies Showed Off Beers to Five Thousand Attendees

DULUTH, Minn. – Thousands of beer drinkers packed Bayfront Festival Park for this year’s All Pints North Brew Fest. More than one-hundred twenty craft brewies showed off their best brews in Bayfront Park, making Duluth, for a day, the land of ten thousand beers. “I heard there’s something like five hundred and, I don’t know, it would be nice if…

Duluth Alternative Schools Alumni Hold Reunion

Every Five Years, Graduates From Every Class Get Together

DULUTH, Minn. – Alumni from Duluth alternative schools got together for a reunion today. Ever five years, grads from every class at Unity, Hillside, and Skyline alternative schools get together to reminisce while enjoying food and games. “Nobody’s putting on anything for alternative schools in this area,” says John D’Auria, who graduated from a Duluth alternative school in 1989. “Nobody…

Open House Held to Discuss Potential Enbridge Pipeline Permit Renewal

Pipeline Passes Through Eleven Miles of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest Near Ashland

ASHLAND, Wis. – Enbridge Energy ahs asked to continue operating their pipeline that passes through a national forest near Ashland. Thursday night, an open house was held for people to learn more about that pipeline. The Enbridge pipeline was first built in 1953 and has continued operating through the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest Since then. Now, the U.S. Forest Service is…

Vikre Distillery Hosts Nocturnal Animals Theme Night

Employees Select a Special Theme for the Last Wednesday of Every Month

DULUTH, Minn. – Vikre Distillery hosts theme nights on the last Wednesday of every month. This week’s theme is nocturnal animals. Employees and customers are encouraged, but not required, to come in costume as their favorite nighttime creature. They can also enjoy special drinks inspired by the nocturnal theme. “It’s an opportunity to be creative, sort of offer something new,…

Lego Robotics Camp at Duluth Boys and Girls Club

Campers Design and Build Their Own Robots

DULUTH, Minn. – Kids in Duluth are building robots this week at a special camp taught by the Duluth East High School Daredevils Robotics Team. Each camper designs and builds their own robot made out of Legos that can complete a series of tasks. If the robot can’t finish the special course, students make changes to their robot and try…

New Developments Could Be Coming to Ashland

A New Distillery, Brew Pub, and Outdoor Event Space Could Begin Construction Next Year

ASHLAND, Wis. – One of Ashland’s biggest hotels are seriously eyeing the waterfront for new development there. The Hotel Chequamegon has been a staple in Ashland for decades, and the owners now want to expand their business along the city’s lake shore. In addition to making improvements to the historic hotel, the owners are considering building a new distillery and…

Avenue C Restaurant Approved for Outdoor Seating

Restaurant Managers Hope New Patio Seating Will Help Revitalize City's West End

CLOQUET, Minn. – Avenue C Restaurant will be the latest Cloquet business to offer outdoor seating for customers. Avenue C’s outdoor patio area is still under construction, but as soon as fencing is added and their liquor licence is amended, customers can start enjoying their meals in the sunshine. “Outdoor seating is desirable,” says Avenue C General Manager Ryan Kolan….

Cloquet Skate Park Closer to Becoming a Reality

City Council Now Accepting Bids for Construction

CLOQUET, Minn. – The potential new Cloquet skate park got one step closer to becoming a reality after the city council voted to accept bids for its construction. The skate park is expected to be built in Athletic Park. The cost of the project won’t be known until construction bids are received. Skaters across Cloquet are excited to have a…

Lakeside Garden Tour Enjoyed By Dozens

Fundraiser Raised Money for Lakeside-Lester Park Community Club

DULUTH, Minn. – Five homeowners in Duluth’s Lakeside neighborhood showed off their beautiful lawns at the first ever Garden Tour. Dozens attended the fundraiser, learning about a variety of flowering plants and garden designs. It cost five dollars to take the tour, with the money going to after school activities at the Lakeside Lester Park Community Club. “We have native…

Storm Cleanup Continues in Fredenberg Township

Residents Still Have Brush and Branches to Cut and Burn

FREDENBERG TOWNSHIP, Minn. – Storm cleanup continues in Fredenberg Township. The community there was hit hard Friday evening by damaging winds from severe thunderstorms. Friday night’s storm caused damage to homes and other structures across the Northland. Sunday, residents continue working to clean up the mess the storm left behind. Brush fires burn throughout Fredenberg Township as homeowners try to…

Great Outdoors: Lake Superior Sea Kayaking

Guided Trips All Around the Lake Offer Many Chances to Give Sea Kayaking a Try

BAYFIELD, Wis. – What better way to get outside than paddling in a boat just inches above the world’s biggest freshwater lake? In this week’s Great Outdoors, we take you sea kayaking on Lake Superior. “Kayaking is just a really neat adventure with getting to actually use your own body to propel yourself across the water,” says sea kayaker Molly…

Duluth Police Department Explains Their Body Camera Policy

Duluth Officers Set Cameras to Record Whenever an Enforcement Action Takes Place

DULUTH, Minn. – The police shooting of an Australian woman in Minneapolis this week continues to make international headlines. During the incident, the police officer’s body camera was not recording as the fatal shot was fired, raising questions about what the policies are when it comes to police body cameras. Duluth Police Department policy is that officers wear body cameras…

Duluth Officials Ask for Residents’ Help in Stopping Emerald Ash Borer

Green Ribbons on Ash Trees Are Part of the City's Educational Campaign

DULUTH, Minn. – Emerald Ash Borer was first discovered in Duluth on Park Point in 2015 and has since been found elsewhere in the city. Duluth officials have a plan to stop the infestation from spreading, and are asking for residents’ help in implementing it. The City of Duluth is launching an educational campaign to teach residents about Emerald Ash…

Kids Learn From Hands-On Chemistry Experiments

Mad Science of Minnesota Program Stops in Carlton

CARLTON, Minn. – Kids in Carlton got to watch live, interactive chemistry experiments with a real life mad scientist. The educational program by Mad Science of Minnesota gives kids a hands-on experience making slime, experimenting with dry ice, and making liquid change into a rainbow of colors. The traveling program gets kids excited about learning. “It sparks their imagination and…

Mr. Ed’s in Hibbing to Host Supper on the Farm

Guests Can Meet Mr. Ed's Animals and Get to Know Local Farmers

HIBBING, Minn. – On Wednesday, you have the chance to eat a special, home-cooked meal at a local farm. Mr. Ed’s Farm in Hibbing is hosting a free supper on Wednesday where anyone can come enjoy sloppy joes made from homegrown beef. Guests can also tour the farm, meet Mr. Ed’s animals, and get to know local farmers. “They can…

New Mural Taking Shape in Duluth

Painting Shows the History of the Lincoln Park Neighborhood

DULUTH, Minn. – A unique mural is taking shape in Duluth’s Lincoln Park Neighborhood. The mural was painted in the Duluth Art Institute studio and was glued to the wall on the east side of the Frost River Trading Company building. It tells the history of jobs in Lincoln Park with blue collar labor jobs pictured on the mural’s bottom…

Minnesota Mental Health Crisis Line to Shut Down

The Service Will Be Shut Down Friday, July 14th for Financial Reasons

MINNESOTA – A Minnesota mental health crisis hot line will be shutting down at the end of the week. It’s a service that took 50,000 calls last year alone, connecting people with local psychiatrists and counselors, as well as first-responders and emergency rooms. The Crisis Connection hot line was seeing an increase in calls this year, but will have to…

Powerful Winds Cause a Tree to Fall in Duluth’s East Hillside

Storm Also Caused Power Outages, But Most Customers Had Power Restored By Thursday Afternoon

DULUTH, Minn. – Wednesday night’s storm left about 2,000 homes without power through the early morning and brought down branches and whole trees across the Northland. One tree in Duluth couldn’t stand the powerful winds. It fell between two homes in East Hillside as the storm rolled through. “It was about 5:43 in the morning and the wind was going…

MNsure Assistance Offered at Duluth Public Library

Every Thursday, a MNsure Navigator Answers Questions and Helps Fill Out Applications

DULUTH, Minn. – Anybody with questions about MNsure can get some help at the Duluth Public Library. A certified MNsure navigator is stationed on the Downtown Library’s second floor every Thursday from 10:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. for anyone with questions about health coverage, or who needs assistance filling out a MNsure application. “People don’t think about or have insurance until…

Tourism Season Kicks Off in Bayfield

Area Is Expected to Be Busy Through Applefest Weekend in October

BAYFIELD, Wis. – Summer tourism is starting to take off along Lake Superior’s south shore. Every summer around the Fourth of July, tourism season kicks off in Bayfield and the surrounding area. Hundreds of visitors are hitting the water in Apostle Islands cruises and kayaking to sea caves on Lake Superior. As the summer continues, more visitors will start to…

Families Hit the Beach for a Pool Party in Cloquet

Party at Pinehurst Park Features Sack Races and Cannon Ball Contest

CLOQUET, Minn. – Plenty of families hit the beach in Cloquet enjoying the Fourth of July sunshine. The beach at Pinehurst Park was packed with kids enjoying all kinds of activities like sack races and a cannon ball contest. Park officials say families from across the area came out to have some fun in the sun. “Especially when they’re all…