Author: Graham Hakala

Friends of Animals gets set to move into new location

Friends of Animals Humane Society gets ready to move

CLOQUET, Minn. – Friends of Animals Humane Society in Cloquet moves in to a new location this weekend. Officials say Friends of Animals outgrew their old building and needed a bigger, updated shelter. Crews are finishing up work on the 12,000 square foot complex close to downtown Cloquet. And it’s only a matter of time before doors open. “We’re moving this…

Cloquet Middle School gets set to host a celebration of young singers

Celebration of Young Singers Festival is this weekend

CLOQUET, Minn. – This weekend, Cloquet Middle School hosts the Celebration of Young singers this weekend. Ninety-two students from seven elementary schools come together to celebrate music education .The Minnesota Music Educators Association sponsors the event. Students will sing six songs showcasing their talents. “To have an opportunity for so many kids who really want to sing and want to…

Bent Paddle Brewing Company is Paddling it Foward

Meet this week's Knowing Your Neighbors

DULUTH, Minn. – In this week’s Knowing Your Neighbor, photojournalist Graham Hakala, takes us to Bent Paddle, where they’re on a mission to do more than serve up a refreshing brew. For more information on Bent Paddle’s Paddle It Forward initiative and how they continually work to minimize their carbon footprint, visit their website www.bentpaddlebrewing.com Categories: Business, Features, Knowing Your Neighbor,…

UMD Hosts Shark Tank Competition

Students present their business ideas to local leaders

DULUTH, Minn. – UMD students got the chance to show off their business skills in a Shark Tank style competition on Monday. Six presenters showed off their business ideas to their peers, as well as local business leaders. Each presenter would give their business pitch, and took questions from the panel and the audience. The competition was modeled after the…

Councilor Joel Sipress Kicks Off Re-election Campaign

Sipress is Running For Duluth's 2nd Dist. Seat

Duluth, Minn. — City council president Joel Sipress kicked off his re-election campaign Monday. Sipress is running for re–election to Duluth’s 2nd Dist. seat. Supporters gathered at Sara’s Table to hear the candidate discuss issues he hopes to address in the community. “We’re getting a good, active start,” Sipress said. “We’re going to be working hard and talking with people…

Moose Lake Campground Prepares For Season

Moose Lake, Minn. – Crews at the Moose Lake Campgrounds are gearing up for a busy season. Staff there is set to open up sometime next month, but there is still plenty of work to be done, clearing tree branches, and getting the facilities up running. They’re also tying up a few loose ends left after the flood that hit Moose…

Barker’s Island Prepares For Boating Season

Boats Expected To Launch Next Week

Superior, Wis. – At Barker’s Island in Superior, people are anxious for boating season to rev up. Right now, there are still some chunks of ice floating around the marina. In the meantime crews are fixing up boats and getting prepared to work those docks. “It’s getting to be nice weather and everyone’s excited about getting into the water,” service…

Duluth Tourism Businesses Ramp Up For Spring

The Duluth Experience offers outdoor recreational fun

Duluth, Minn. Some tourism businesses say the mild weather this year has been great for business. The Duluth Experience says they started their kayak tours earlier this year than ever. Now they’re directing their attention to a few other new tours  they’ll be able to offer this spring and summer that includes walking tours. That will take people to enjoy…

Lake Superior Zoo’s Zoomobile Stops By Duluth Library

Children learned about nocturnal creatures from Lake Superior Zoo

Duluth, Minn. Some Northland kids got the chance to get up close to some nocturnal critters today. The Lake Superior Zoo’s Zoomobile made the stop today to teach kids about these interesting critters, and hopefully inspire them to learn more about animals in the future. “That’s one of the first steps towards conservation,” said Lake Superior Zoo’s Melanie Michaels. “Getting…

UMD alumni authors share published works

Students and community members heard readings from published authors

DULUTH, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Duluth invited a few alumni to read from their published works. The Masters of Liberal Studies program hosted the event as a way to bring the community together to learn more about the masters program and the careers graduates can pursue. “I think it’s really important,” guest author and UMD alum, Lyle Wildes…

Hotel Development Project in Works in Ashland

Cobblestone Hotels looks to build new hotel in downtown Ashland

Ashland, Wis. Growing excitement in Ashland, Wisconsin. A new multi-million dollar development is planned for the city’s downtown, in the form of a new hotel. The city council has voted to move forward with the proposed four-story hotel project. The 51 unit hotel is set to be build on the west end of downtown Ashland, adjacent to Deepwater Grille and South…

Runway Closure Possible at Duluth International Airport in 2018

Reconstruction could temporarily close runway for 60 days next summer

Duluth, Minn. The reconstruction of the main runway at the Duluth International Airport is running into some delays. The 60–year–old concrete on the main runway is currently in the process of being replaced. While the project is being completed in phases to minimize air traffic disruption, these current delays may potentially close the runway for two months in the summer…

Snowmobile Safety Concerns

Recent snowmobile fatalities have Northlanders concerned for safety.

Duluth, Minn. – With recent snowmobile fatalities in the Northland, experts are warning people to keep an eye on safety precautions. Alcohol and snowmobiling are a major cause of accidents on the trails. Speed is another factor. Experts caution riders to stay on their side of the trail, and abide by posted speed limits. As of right now, trail conditions…

Hockey team wears ugly sweaters for charity

Money collected for local food shelf

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – The Superior Girls High School Hockey team put on some unique jerseys for a good cause. While playing Monday’s game they wore ugly sweater jerseys to in efforts to draw a bigger crowd and collect food for the local food shelf. The coaches wore the ugly sweater jerseys as well. “My wife found these online and asked…