Author: Andrew Kirov

Yoga Train Offers Unique Ride Along the North Shore

Special Ride Will Be Offered for the Next Four Sundays

DULUTH, Minn. – For anyone looking to find inner peace in a unique place, you now have the chance to do yoga on a moving train. A trip along Lake Superior’s North Shore is just the thing some people need to cool down, especially when they take a ride on the yoga train. It may sound like a crazy idea,…

Runners Race to “Save Our Hooterz”

Annual 5K Raises Money for Breast Cancer Research

CLOQUET, Minn. – Runners raced through Cloquet to raise funds for breast cancer research at the 10th annual Save Our Hooterz Fun Run. The event helps pay for four women to participate in a three day walk for breast cancer in Minneapolis. Organizers say the fun run is a great way for the runners involved to help a good cause…

“Grease” to Be Performed at Superior High School

A Fun Fair Was Held Saturday to Help Get in the 1950s Spirit

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Next week, Superior High School stages its production of the 50s-themed musical “Grease.” Today, the cast staged a fun fair to spread the 50s spirit and, more importantly, to raise money for the school’s theater program, which puts on a musical every spring. “It’s one way that the community can come together that’s different from sports and…

Iron River Woman Celebrates 100th Birthday

Dorothy Kangas Was a Teacher for More Than 30 Years

IRON RIVER, Wis. – Dorothy Kangas celebrated her 100th birthday today. She was a teacher in Northern Wisconsin for 32 years. Today, hundreds of friends, family, and former students wished her well on her centennial birthday. “Been a friend to all and she’s still active at 100 years old and gets out in the community and does her thing,” said Dorothy’s…

Cinco de Mayo Celebrated Across the Northland

Mexican Restaurants Busy with People Ordering Festive Food and Drinks

DULUTH, Minn. – In the Northland, people are celebrating Cinco de Mayo by getting their fill of Mexican food and drinks at local restaurants. Lines were out the door at many places with people waiting to take advantage of holiday specials. “I think this far north it kind of brings a little bit different atmosphere to a lot of people…

North Shore Scenic Railroad Opens for the Season

100,000 Riders Are Expected on the Rails This Year

DULUTH, Minn. – Starting today, the North Shore Scenic Railroad invites families to ride the rails along Lake Superior. Today was opening day for the railroad. There are plenty of options as far as experiences go this year. Officials say they expect more than 100,000 people to take a train ride this season. “It’s really fun to finally see people…

Mario-Themed Chalk Art in Canal Park

Artists Drew Mario, Princess Peach, and a Whole Level From the Game

DULUTH, Minn. – Anyone who walked along the lakewalk the last couple days may have noticed some Mario-themed chalk art. The mural depicts Mario himself, Princess Peach, and a whole level of the game, including fish and lava. Two artists made the chalk sketch on Wednesday to give lake walkers something fun to do while enjoying the beautiful weather. “We’ve…

Denfeld Releases 2017 Lip Dub Video

Denfeld Students Have Made Videos Since 2014 to Promote School Pride

DULUTH, Minn. – Denfeld High School released their annual lib dub video today. The videos have become somewhat of a tradition. Since 2014, students have put the work in each year, showcasing their video production and lip synching skills to show hunter pride for their school. Each of the last four years, Denfeld High School students have produced and choreographed…

Mario-Themed Chalk Art in Canal Park

Artists Drew Mario, Princess Peach, and a Whole Level From the Game

DULUTH, Minn. – Anyone who walked along the lakewalk the last couple days may have noticed some Mario-themed chalk art. The mural depicts Mario himself, Princess Peach, and a whole level of the game, including fish and lava. Two artists made the chalk sketch on Wednesday to give lake walkers something fun to do while enjoying the beautiful weather. “We’ve…

Eau Claire Jazz Festival Brings Musicians Together

UWS Music Students Attend Festival and Experience Jazz Community

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – The Eau Claire Jazz Festival has brought musicians together for the last 51 years. And for some UW-Superior jazz players, that interaction has been key to them discovering the power of music. “I can’t think of a better example of an event that has pushed me to be the musician that I am,” says UWS music…

Duluth Organizations to Extend Outdoor Opportunities to Kids

Community Leaders Focused on Getting More Children Outside

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth has gotten plenty of recognition in recent years for being one of America’s best outdoor cities. Many in the community want to make sure children get the most out of Duluth’s outdoor opportunities. Duluth is making big investments into parks and outdoor spaces. Many organizations want to make sure those outdoor benefits extend to everyone in…

Duluth Air Show Adding a 4-K Race

Race will take place Saturday, June 3rd at Sky Harbor Airport

DULUTH, Minn. – A new event is being added to the Duluth Air Show this summer. For the first time ever, a 4K race will be held at Sky Harbor Airport on Park Point along both the bay and lake shore. Air Show organizers hope the race brings in a new group of fans to the event and helps kick…

Duluth’s Best Bread Hires Arm Wrestler as Spokesman

Company Using Endorsement to Sell "Big Fat German Pretzels"

DULUTH, Minn. – A local bakery has a new, and very unusual sponsor. Duluth’s Best Bread has hired a world class arm wrestler to promote its product. Mattias “Hellboy” Schlitte, Germany’s #1 ranked arm wrestler, promotes the bakery in an ad where he says “This is everyone else’s bread and this is Duluth’s Best Bread.” Signing Germany’s top arm wrestler is…

Great Outdoors: Smelt Fry

Smelt Are Running and Northlanders are Getting Their Seasonal Fix

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s that time of year. Smelt are running through the waters of the Northland. In this week’s Great Outdoors, we explore the smelting tradition and how much people love to eat these small, silver fish. “I love smelt and haven’t had any for a long time.” The smelt are running and Northlanders are casting their nets to…

Psychology Conference a Chance for Students to Present Research

15th Annual Twin Ports Undergraduate Psychology Conference Held at CSS

DULUTH, Minn. – A psychology conference at the College of St. Scholastica gave students a chance to share their research from the past year. UMD, UWS, and CSS students attended the 15th annual conference that included keynote presentations by psychology professionals and a poster session where students could discuss their work with each other. “I think it’s just great to…

Woodland Hills Academy May Move to Rockridge School Building

Youth and Family Services Provider is Currently Housed in Cobb School Building

DULUTH, Minn. – There may be a new tenant in the Rockridge Elementary School building. Woodland Hills Academy, which is now housed in the former Cobb Elementary School, may soon move to Rockridge. The change of scenery is expected to be more cost effective for Woodland Hills and the Duluth School District. “By moving them into a setting that’s more…

Duluth School District May Look at Referendum to Reduce Deficit

District Likely Faces a $2.3 Million Budget Shortfall

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth School District is facing another budget deficit. District officials are looking into how to make up that shortfall, including a possible referendum that could be on the table as early as next year. “This is a sobering budget for us,” says school board member Harry Welty. With the school district in the red again, cuts…

Iron Range Theatre Making Renovations

1912 Opera House is One of Few Remaining Vaudeville Theatres in Minnesota

VIRGINIA, Minn. – A truly historic theatre in Virginia is undergoing major renovations. Virginia’s Lyric Opera House opened in 1912 and remains one of Minnesota’s last remaining vaudeville theatres. “You can feel the creativity,” says Lyric Center for the Arts Executive Director Mary McReynolds. “You can feel the history.” “The sound, the sight lines, the closeness, the intimacy to the…

Mayor Paine and Superior City Councilors Sworn In

Council President and Vice President Also Decided

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Mayor Jim Paine and new city councilors Jenny Van Sickle and Craig Sutherland were sworn in Tuesday at the Superior City Council meeting. Mayor Paine thanked the community for electing him and talked about how he plans to move the city forward. “We have a lot to accomplish together. Our city faces some very real challenges in…

Wrenshall Referendum Fails

$12.5 Million Referendum Does Not Pass

WRENSHALL, Minn. – Wrenshall School District residents voted down a $12.5 million school referendum. The referendum would have funded renovations and an expansion to the school building. Here are the results: Yes – 250 No – 657 After the results were announced, Wrenshall superintendent Kimberly Belcastro released the following statement to Fox 21: “I would like to personally thank all…

Families Spend Easter Playing Golf

Courses Are Open About Two Weeks Earlier Than Usual

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The warm spring Easter day had Northlanders outdoors taking in the holiday and even taking a swing. It was a great day to be outside and a lot of families used the beautiful weather to play their first round of golf for the season. Many courses, like Nemadji Golf Club in Superior, are now open for business….

Duluth’s Got Talent Competition Seeking Performers

Auditions Are May 3rd, and the Competition is May 12th

DULUTH, Minn. – For all of you out there with a hidden talent this could be your chance to show it off. Duluth Sister Cities International is putting on the Duluth’s Got Talent show. Auditions are May 3rd, and the performance is May 12th. For anybody trying to get their act ready, classes are being offered every Wednesday night at Lincoln Park…

Duluth Announces Energy Pilot Project

Project Helps Move City to Mayor's 80% Emission Reduction Goal

DULUTH, Minn. – Mayor Emily Larson and other city officials announced a new initiative to reduce Duluth’s carbon footprint. The Canal Park steam plant, Duluth Energy Systems, is going completely coal free for the next seven months. Mayor Larson believes this pilot initiative is a big step toward her goal of reducing Duluth’s carbon emissions by 80% before the year…

400 Year Old Painting is Restored

"Portrait of an Elderly Lady" Can Be Seen at UMD's Tweed Museum

DULUTH, Minn. – a 400-year old painting at the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Tweed Museum of Art has been restored. “Portrait of an Elderly Lady” was painted in the Netherlands in 1628 and has been on display in Duluth for a long time. Now, the painting has been restored to the way it was intended to be seen, and has…

Exonerated Former Prisoner Speaks at UMD

Nathson Fields Spent 18 Years in Prison and 12 Years on Death Row

DULUTH, Minn. – A wrongfully convicted former prisoner spoke with students at the University of Minnesota-Duluth about his experience. Nathson Fields spent eighteen years in prison, including twelve on death row, before he was exonerated for a double murder he did not commit. Now he spreads awareness about wrongful convictions and why he believes the death penalty should be abolished. “We…

Senator Klobuchar Leads Transportation Summit in Duluth

Local Leaders Discuss How to Improve Northern Minnesota Infrastructure

DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar was in Duluth today leading a transportation summit to exchange ideas and opinions about infrastructure challenges in Minnesota. Transportation and business leaders from across Northeastern Minnesota talked with Senator Klobuchar about what they think is needed to improve infrastructure across the region. That includes a lot more than roads and highways. Improvements to…

Olcott Park Fountain to Be Renovated

Historic Fountain May Also Be Designated As National Historic Site

VIRGINIA, Minn. – The historic Olcott Park Fountain in Virginia doesn’t make quite the splash it used to, and some residents are trying to change that. By June 1st, the fountain could be recognized as a national historic site, and Virginians who remember its glory days have raised over $200,000, more than half their goal, to begin renovations this summer….

Eveleth-Gilbert Band Raises Money With Truck on Ice

Annual Fundraiser Brought in $2,000 for Band This Year

EVELETH, Minn. – The Eveleth–Gilbert High School band put a truck on a frozen lake and are waiting for it to crash through the ice. The band asks people to bet on when the truck will sink and gives the closest guesser about $250. This winter, the annual fundraiser brought in over $2,000 for the band, who use the money to…

High-School Students Face Off in Skills Competition

Welding, Carpentry, and Other Career-Related Skills Were Showcased

EVELETH, Minn. – A skills competition gave high school kids the chance to show off their talents in career–related fields… Two-hundred-seventy students competed in thirteen different events including welding, carpentry, and nursing at Mesabi Range College. The high-schoolers had the chance to win a lot of different prizes and medals for finishing in the top three of any competition. “It’s a good…

Community Gardens Being Created in Virginia

Sixty Plots Are Available in Five New Gardens

VIRGINIA, Minn. – Now that spring has arrived, people in Virginia are ready to get outside and do some gardening. This summer, Virginians will have the chance to maintain their own plot in one of the city’s five new community gardens. The Growing Together Project started to give people better access to healthy foods, now the program has also grown…

Fun and Leaning for Kids at Day Camps

Duluth Children's Museum Offers Hands on Experience for Kids on Spring Break

DULUTH, Minn. – Kids get to have a lot of fun and learn all about science this week at the Duluth Children’s Museum. The annual April Day Camps give kids a chance to engage in hands on learning like making slime and exploring an ore boat and other museum exhibits. Each day camp has its own theme like science, gardening,…

Early Childhood Summit Connects Educators

More Than 200 School Officials Learned Importance of Pre-K Through Third Grade Education

DULUTH, Minn. – Educators from across Northeastern Minnesota attended the eleventh annual Early Childhood Summit today in Duluth. More than two hundred school officials focused on the importance of Pre-K through third grade education and how important it is to connect Pre-K educators with elementary teachers in order to help students make a better transition. “They’re hearing the same information, they’re…

Equal Pay Day Rally Held in Duluth

Rally Organizers Want Improved Gender Equality in Local Businesses

DULUTH, Minn. – Today is Equal Pay Day because, according to the National Committee on Pay Equity, April 4th is how far women have to work into 2017 to earn what men did in 2016. Over fifty years after the passage of the Equal Pay Act, women continue to earn about eighty percent as much money as men. A rally…

Holocaust Survivor Speaks to Elementary Students

Marion Blumenthal Lazan Will Make Two More Stops in the Northland Tomorrow

SUPERIOR, Wis. –  A Holocaust survivor spoke to kids at Northern Lights Elementary School in Superior today. Marion Blumenthal Lazan spent many years of her childhood at a concentration camp in Germany. She published her story Four Perfect Pebbles in 1996 and now spends time telling it to kids across the United States and teaching them the importance of having respect and…

9/11 Never Forget Exhibit Arrives in Duluth

Traveling Museum Will Be on Display April 5th-9th at the DECC

DULUTH, Minn. – The 9/11 Never Forget Mobile exhibit is now in Duluth, but Northlanders will have to wait until later this week for a chance to walk through the traveling museum at the DECC. People lined the streets waving American flags as the nationally touring 9/11 display made its way down Railroad Street following an emergency vehicle procession. The…

Local Law Enforcement Fundraiser

Proceeds Will Be Used to Help Officers in Times of Need

DULUTH, Minn. – Community members had a chance to show their support for local law enforcement officers. The Minnesota Fraternal Order of Police hosted their 4th Annual Spring Fundraiser at Grandma’s Sports Garden in Duluth. Attendees enjoyed a full buffet, and had the chance to win donated raffle and silent auction items while backing local police officers. “”They know the…

Lake Superior Art Glass Hot Shop Opens

New Location Offers Local Artists a Chance at Making Furnace Blown Glass

DULUTH, Minn. – Ever wanted to make a paperweight? A new art class lets you do that. Lake Superior Art Glass opened its new Hot Shop on London Road in the Armory Arts Center earlier today. The new shop allows artists to try their hand at furnace blown glass to make a variety of projects. “We’re really excited to bring hot…

Elementary School Patrollers Get Treated to Movie

Students Help Classmates Cross Streets Before and After School

DULUTH, Minn. – Some local elementary school kids got a special treat for keeping their classmates safe. These students who help classmates cross streets before and after school, were invited to a special showing of the new movie “The Boss Baby.” The event, paid for by community donations, was sponsored by the Duluth Police Department as a way to say…

“Nevertheless She Persisted” Tattoos Offered in Superior

Dozens of Women Lined Up at Ink Tattoo for Female Empowerment Tattoo

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Earlier this year, “Nevertheless She Persisted” became a feminist battle cry after Republican Senator Mitch McConnell made disparaging comments towards Democratic colleague Elizabeth Warren. Women across the country have the phrase tattooed on their bodies, including dozens who lined up today at Ink Tattoo in Superior for their own empowerment tattoo. “It’s something that I think has…

Duluth Seeks to Improve Walkability

Six Person Duluth Team to Attend Walkability Institute in Georgia

DULUTH, Minn. – A team from Duluth is going to Georgia to come up with a plan to make Duluth more walkable. Duluth was one of ten cities from across the country picked to take part in next week’s Walkability Action Institute in Georgia. As the team prepares for their trip, they say walkability is more than just having sidewalks….

Allergy Season Arrives in the Northland

Many Allergy Symptoms Can Be Mistaken for a Common Cold

DULUTH, Minn. – Spring is in the air, which means that allergy season has arrived in the Northland. Many people may start to notice a runny nose, itchy eyes, and sore throat, which can mimic a common cold, but are actually caused by allergies. Doctors say about half of adults in the Northland experience some types of allergies. “People with…

Local Shop Offers Free Coffee to Law Enforcement

Grand World Coffee Gives Free Coffee to Police to Thank Them for Their Service

DULUTH, Minn. – Grand World Coffee in West Duluth is offering a special treat for law enforcement officers. Any officer who comes into the coffee shop will receive a free cup of coffee. The Grand World owners say they think it’s an important way to reach out to law enforcement and make them feel welcome in the community. “City, county,…

New Terminal in Twin Ports will Increase Imports and Exports

New Facility Will Allow Imports and Exports from Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf Coasts

DULUTH, Minn. – A new intermodal container ramp is now open in Duluth. The new terminal is the first of its kind in the Twin Ports. The facility makes it possible to transfer containers between rail cars and trucks, and connects the Twin Ports region with imports and exports to and from the Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf coasts through the Canadian…

New Outdoor Venue May Come to Grand Rapids

Venue Would Host Concerts and Other Events Along City's Riverfront

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn.  – City officials are looking at building a new outdoor venue along the Mississippi riverfront. The new venue would offer theatre performances, concerts, boat shows, and much more. When the venue feasibility study ends in May, more details will be known. Right now, two potential locations next to the river are being considered. “The town was built…

Grand Rapids Elementary Schools in Need of Upgrades

Task Force Looks to Find Best Plan to Improve City's Four Elementary Schools

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – All four elementary schools in Grand Rapids are feeling cramped and outdated for many in the community. In 2015, an $80 million referendum to build two new elementary schools was voted down, and school district officials say, over the last two years, conditions have only gotten worse. A taskforce is now looking into how to best…

Northland Community Wellness Day

Event at UMD Promotes Healthy Families and Communities in the Northland

DULUTH, Minn. – Saturday was Northland Community Wellness Day at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. With over eighty interactive exhibits, the event promoted healthy families and communities across the Twin Ports region. It was a fun way for Northlanders young and old to learn about health and wellness, public safety, sustainability, and financial literacy. “It’s a perfect way for people to…

Genocide Awareness Workshop at UMD

Northlanders Were Educated About Past and Current Genocides and How They Can Be Prevented

DULUTH, Minn. – At UMD, a workshop was held to educate Northlanders about genocide that has happened throughout the world and genocide still going on today. The workshop featured four guest speakers who discussed the Holocaust and genocide affecting Native Americans and people in Africa and Armenia. “It’s happening in Syria right now, it’s happening in all parts of the…

Northland Horse Fair Fills the Mariner Mall

12th Annual Event Brings Hundreds of Horse Lovers to Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Saturday was the 12th annual Northland Horse Fair at the Mariner Mall. Horse lovers from across the area could meet mini-horses, shop from dozens of horse-related vendors, and attend presentations about horse riding, grooming, and health. “A lot of the horse people expressed a need for wanting an event in the area that was just a way…