Author: Drew Kerner

Duluth Climbers Coalition Welcome Inexperienced Climbers to ‘Flock to the Rock’

DULUTH, Minn. — While Duluth offers a wide array of hiking trails to get outside UMD students and members of the Duluth Climbers Coalition offer another way to traverse some of Duluth’s rockiest trails. On Saturday, the climbers coalition offered community members out to Ely’s Peak to scale alongside the cliffside for their annual Flock to the Rock event. The…

Major Affordable Housing Developments Underway in Harbor Highlands

DULUTH, Minn. – 40 new single-family detached additions of affordable housing units broke ground Thursday in the Harbor Highlands neighborhood. The Housing & Redevelopment Authority of Duluth held a ceremony which kickstarts Phase VI of the development project.  This phase is focused on the construction of 10 1-bedroom, 14 2-bedrooms, 12 3-bedrooms, and 4 4-bedroom units. 7 units of housing…

Sky Harbor Airport Soars to New Heights Opening New Terminal

DULUTH, Minn. — Aviators are celebrating the opening of a small aircraft terminal at Park Point’s Sky Harbor Airport. The Duluth Airport Authority held a ribbon cutting Wednesday for the roughly $2.7 million investment in northeastern Minnesota aviation. The new terminal is meant for small planes and seaplanes flown by public and professional aviators. “Through this new terminal, we hope…

Spirit Lake Reopens as Part of St. Louis River Site Contaminant Free

After years of restoration, the U.S. Environment Protection Agency announced another larger portion of the St. Louis River Site to be cleared around Spirit Lake from pollution where former US Steel plants once stood in West Duluth.

DULUTH, Minn. — For decades now, the over 500-acre site commonly referred to as the St. Louis River Site contained pollutants from the former US Steel facilities. Today, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and members of US Steel confirmed the portion surrounding Spirit Lake is now contaminant free. Over the last three years, crews have worked on removing polycyclic aromatic…

Culture Summer Camp to Engage Children in Ojibwe Cultures

CLOQUET, Minn. – A summer camp in Cloquet looks to introduce and connect younger children to indigenous cultures. At Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, the two-day summer camp will teach children math, science, and art – all while exposing the youth to the Ojibwe language and culture. Children there will also learn traditional Ojibwe games and songs.  “Bringing…

Culvert Replacement Closes Part of St. Andrews Street

DULUTH, Minn. — Construction began today on the replacement of the St. Andrews Bridge in the Hunters Park Neighborhood. Through September, St. Andrews Street will be closed to traffic between Columbus and Harvard Avenue. Driveway access to adjacent homes will be maintained. The projects will replace the current triple barrel culvert crossing with a concrete single barrel culvert. The project…

I-35 Fencing Deter Homeless Encampments from Growing

DULUTH, Minn. — Over the past few years, homeless encampments between Railroad St. and I-35 have appeared causing numerous clean up projects in the tourists center of Duluth. Just last year MNDOT started the initiative to put up fencing along the interstate to prevent people from seeking shelter underneath.  In the past, homeless activity has caused scares for the overpass,…

A New Mexican Restaurant Opens in Downtown Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — A new Mexican restaurant has already seen success in the two weeks that they’ve been open.  Located in the historic Duluth Herald Building, Emiliano’s Mexican Restaurant has reported busy afternoons since their opening in June. Emiliano’s got their name from the Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata, who was known for leading an army to fight for land reform…

Duluth Amazon Warehouse Planned to Open by 2025

DULUTH, Minn. — The site that was once home to Duluth’s largest employer has been gearing up for new developments as online retail giant Amazon has been preparing for their step into the Northland. The site was once home to U.S. Steel until the end of the 70s. Since then, the City of Duluth has been undergoing major redevelopment for…

Bent Paddle Welcomes Two New Collaborative Brews

The Brewery taking a iconic cookies into a drink with a good cause, and supporting women with a brew made by women for women.

DULTUH, Minn. — Some new brews have hit the taproom at Bent Paddle. For the month of July, Bent Paddle has made a girl scout inspired crowler and growler. The Lemonade American Lager tastes like the scout’s famous Lemonades cookies. For every crowler or growler sold, it’s $5 that supports local girl scout troops in the northland. Each beverage sold also…

Ashland County Sheriff Received $228 Thousand to Aid the Fight Against Opioids

ASHLAND, Wis. — It kills more Wisconsinites a year than car crashes. Opioids, a powerful prescribed painkiller, has overwhelmed communities across the country. In 2023, Wisconsin saw just over 1,300 opioid-related deaths. To combat rising opioid death rates, the state of Wisconsin has announced grants being awarded to law enforcement agencies state-wide.  “As Attorney General, my top priority is public…

Appreciating Duluth Firefighters and Police Officers

DULUTH, Minn. — This morning, both Duluth police and fire department members were thanked for protectors appreciation day. This is the second year the Inn on Lake Superior has thanked our local protectors. Firefighters and police officers enjoyed a free breakfast as a thanks. They also met and mingled with the community that stopped by. “This morning is all about…

Preparations Underway for this Year’s Rhubarb Festival

SAGINAW, Minn. — Even though it’s still two weeks away, preparations are already in place for this year’s Rhubarb Festival. For the last two years, incarcerated people at the Northeastern Regional Correctional Center prepare and bake the rhubarb pies that are sold at CHUM’s Rhubarb Festival. Last year they made and sold upward of 1,000 rhubarb pies at the festival….

Minnesota Mission of Mercy Gives Free Oral Health Cleaning at DECC

DULUTH, Minn. — In 2023, an estimated 27% of Americans were found to not have dental insurance. Although the Minnesota Depart of Health has shown numbers of Minnesotans without dental insurance to be downward. Still the number of older adults without dental healthcare are still on the rise. Thankfully, Minnesota Mission of Mercy is trying to bridge that gap of…

Miller Hill Subaru Raised $47,000 Towards Best Christmas Ever

DULUTH, Minn. — Christmas may still far away, but it’s never too early to start to think about how to give a loved one their best Christmas ever. Earlier today, that’s just what was being recognized at Miller Hill Subaru. The car seller donated their largest check to date of $47,000 from their contribution from Subaru’s Share the Love campaign….

Duluth Firefighter Injured In Hit-And-Run Improving, Suspect Deemed ‘Incompetent’

Firefighter Raymond Skoglund has made a remarkable recovery in the four months since this tragic accident.

Ronald Gene Myrdahl DULUTH, Minn. — A Duluth man who severely injured a Duluth firefighter in January has just been found incompetent. Ronald Gene Myrdahl, 88, is charged with “Criminal Vehicular Operation–Great Bodily Harm–Driver Who Causes Collision Leaves Scene.” At the time, Myrdahl was driving on Grand Avenue without his lights around 5:45 p.m. Jan. 25 when he heard a…

Project SEARCH Graduates Find Jobs & Community Support

SUPERIOR, Wis. — After nine months of hard work, four interns are ready to start work after completing Project SEARCH Superior – Essential Health. Friday saw the graduation of four interns who have completed Project Search. Project SEARCH is a transition-to-work program that aims to help adults who have barriers to employment become work-ready. This year’s graduates have also completed…

Purr-fect Grand Opening for Wired Whisker

DULUTH, Minn. — A long awaited café has finally opened its doors in Duluth. One that looks to make a paws-itive impact for cat lovers and coffee aficionados alike. Wired Whisker looks to act like any other café, serving coffee and sandwiches. But owner Misha Smith wanted her claws to help rescue cats become adopted. The café is split between…

Dubh Linn Celebrates 19th St. Patrick Day Celebrations

  DULUTH, Minn. — Whether it’s your local pub or a fan favorite bar or brewery, St. Patrick’s Day had the doors open Sunday morning for the Irish holiday weekend. At Dubh Linn Irish Pub on West Superior Street, the usually closed Sunday doors were open and packed inside with people excited to experience their favorite past times. Whether it’s…

Finnish Soup-Off Fundraises for Carlton County Historical Society

  CLOQUET, Minn. — While the majority of folks spent this weekend drinking, a handful of individuals were perfecting their soups for the 18th annual Mojakka Cook-off. Mojakka is Finnish-American slang for soup, originally consisting of fish, beef, and vegetables. Sunday 15 contestants brought their variations of the dish to be judged for glory. Mojakka dishes ranged from the more…

UMD Students Bus To State Capitol For ‘Bulldog Lobbying Days’

DULUTH, Minn. — UMD students rode by bus to Minnesota’s state capitol Thursday on behalf of the university for Bulldog Lobbying Days. Bulldog Lobbying Days is an annual student-led event where students advocate for the University’s legislative priorities.  “In the past advocacy efforts have surrounded around funding for building projects, maintaining our current buildings, making sure they are in good…

The World’s Heaviest Ball of Twine Debuts at New Home

Marking a memorable roadside attraction into a memorial for the man who created it.

HIGHLAND, Wis. — There’s a debate between Minnesota and Kansas over who has the largest ball of twine, but across the bridge in Wisconsin, the heaviest ball of Twine just moved to its new home. Although the long-time creator of the world’s heaviest twine ball, James Frank Kotera, passed away over a year ago. The community that he was a…

IF4 Brings the Big Catch to the Big Screen

DULUTH, Minn. — You can’t get much more Minnesotan than this. The International Fly Fishing Film Festival returned to Duluth for their sixth year. Although anglers looked forward to some big catches on the big screen, there’s a much more broader impact that this film festival leaves on our local water ways. “It’s a big fundraising event for both Gitche…

Bulldog Rocketry Puts Physics Into Action with Static Motor Test

DULUTH, Minn. — After a loss last year, UMD’s Bulldog Rocketry club is looking forward to competing in their third Spaceport American Cup since COVID. The event is hosted every year in Las Cruces, New Mexico, in June. Sunday, Bulldog Rocketry tested out a motor that they believe will help them place top in the competition.  “We’re going to do…

Pilgrim Congregational Church Holds Special Service to Honor MLK’s Legacy

DULUTH, Minn. — On Sunday, the Pilgrim Congregational Church of Duluth held a special service honoring Martin Luther King Jr. ahead of Monday’s holiday. The Central Hillside Gospel Choir opened the ceremony in style. Sunday’s worship focused on MLK’s message of how love and acceptance can drive away hate.  “The civil rights movement, while centering the injustice against African Americans,…

Sen. Klobuchar Looks to Bridge Federal Funding for Blatnik Bridge

DULUTH, Minn. — For the last 62 years now, the Blatnik Bridge helped the Twin Ports to stay connected. Most recently, both Minnesota and Wisconsin submitted their second application for federal funding to replace the bridge. Their first, being back in August. Sunday, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar spoke alongside the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce and the Duluth Building and…

Cohasset Man Fell Through Ice on Bass Lake

  COHASSET, Minn. — A Cohasset Man wants to remind people to check the ice more frequently after he went under on Friday. Through a phone call, John Anderson described that he was following another driver’s four wheeler’s tracks on Bass Lake, just north of Cohasset. Near the Narrows, the ice underneath Anderson gave out, causing himself, his ice house,…

Fitger’s Shopping Mall Stores Remain Busy During Christmas Season

DULUTH, Minn. — At Fitger’s Shopping Mall, 15 shops sell a variety of goods; ranging from children’s clothes to outdoor wear, and even a little special something for our furry companions. But this holiday season, shoppers turned a page back into shopping local. “You can buy a book from lots and lots of places these days. Big box stores, online,”…

Rainy Weather Delays Chester Bowl Opening

DULUTH, Minn. — Enjoying the spring-like weather this December? The recent rain has delayed one park’s winter fun for just a little longer. Chester Bowl originally looked to open Saturday. For the past week park staff have been making snow to supplement a winter wonderland.  The unusual rainy conditions have postponed the park’s winter opening. According to the parks website,…

USW Local 9460 Rally Over Essentia Tech Workers’ Contract

DULUTH, Minn. — Tech workers at Essentia Health rallied in Downtown Duluth Sunday afternoon, wanting what they call a new, fair contract agreement. The United Steelworker Local 9460 has been trying to reach an agreement with Essentia for the past six months.  Click the video above for more. Meanwhile, Essentia Health released a statement Sunday: “Essentia Health and the United…

Julebyen, Centuries Old Traditions Still Celebrated

KNIFE RIVER, Minn. — “It’s a small community. It started off as a fishing village. A lot of Scandinavian residents got it started and that trend has continued,” said Chair of Julebyen Helene Hedlund. Knife River celebrated ten years of Julebyen, an event which translate to “Christmas Village.” Both Scandinavian and German traditions kept alive in the community through the…

Spirit Mountain, Mont du Lac Open Slopes for Winter Season

TWIN PORTS– “The fact that we’re open today is exciting and we’re looking forward to the winter,” said Director of Resort Services at Spirit Mountain, Jon Regenold. “Opening’s been great. We got a lot of people out here yesterday. We started off with the kids hill,” said Hills Manager at Mount du Lac Resort, Mike Ohara. The recent cold blast…

Shop Local At Glitterati’s Christmas Craft Show

DULUTH, Minn. — With the holidays closely approaching, homemade goods quickly start to fly off vendors tables. This is the third year that Glitterati hosted a Christmas craft and vendor show. More than 55 vendors filled the two floors at Clyde’s Malting Building. Soaps, sauces, hats, woodworking, and candles were few of the items for sale by local vendors. Something…