DULUTH, Minn. – Some mental health service centers in the Northland have seen an uptick in clients since the pandemic began. Over at North Shore Mental Health Services in Duluth, therapists say 75% of their current clientele are new and have never been to therapy in the past. One therapist we spoke to says the pandemic is a big factor,…
DULUTH, Minn. – The DECC has been having its busiest week since the start of the pandemic. This week there is UMD Women’s Hockey, UMD Men’s Hockey, COVID-19 testing along with a performance by the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra. With athletics, music, and entertainment all happening, management at the DECC is happy to hear that the space is being utilized….
DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth labor unions and organizations came together to distribute thousands of boxes of food at the DECC to Northland residents hit hard by the pandemic. The DECC parking lot was busy with cars as boxes of food were distributed for free to people in the area. There were two semi-trucks full of 2,400 boxes and 2,400 gallons…
HERMANTOWN, Minn. – New recreation opportunities could soon be increasing in Hermantown. With a small sales tax increase, the city is hoping to get the Community Recreation Initiative off the ground. If approved, it could include the completion of a city-wide trail system that would eventually connect through Proctor and Hermantown down to the Munger Trail. It would also reimagine…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – The City of Superior is asking for the input of its residents to help come up with its comprehensive plan. The plan is a roadmap for the next twenty years and includes items like housing, economic development, and transportation. The document will be referenced by the city council, residents, and city staff. In order to put the…
NORTHLAND – According to the Minnesota Department of Education, COVID-19 has caused a 9% drop in students enrolling in public kindergarten options. How are Northland schools doing with kindergarten enrollment numbers? A variety of factors have influenced the kindergarten enrollment numbers, whether it be homeschooling, switching to private schools, or participating in other programming. At Hermantown schools, the current kindergarten…
DULUTH, Minn. – With vaccine deliveries and the powerful winter weather in Texas, local shipping places have been impacted. At the Mail Room in Duluth, management says that with FedEx and UPS delivering lots of COVID vaccines, it slows down the process for shipping other items. Not only is that a concern, but also the winter weather is like that…
DULUTH, Minn. – It’s the beginning of tax season, which is means Tax preparers are getting busier. Income tax and consultants in Duluth say generally the early birds are the ones wanting to get their refunds right away but this year has been a little different as they are seeing many early filers who owe money as some want to…
DULUTH, Minn. – Whether it be grains, dairy, or canned goods, a new mobile market will be delivering goods in a refrigerated truck to locations throughout Duluth. Community Action Duluth is opening the market in order to meet the needs of food insecurity in the area. The market will be visiting Morgan Park, Lincoln Park, and Harbor Highlands and include…
ALASKA – With the Iditarod coming up in March, one Duluth musher will be running his dogs for suicide awareness. It was in 2010 when Gunnar Johnson lost his first cousin Benjamin Curry Stassen to suicide. Benjamin was just a 21-year-old junior in college when he had passed away. In remembrance of both his cousin and others who have been…
DULUTH, Minn. – A new skate park is coming to the Gary New Duluth Rec Center. Earlier today, large concrete blocks were delivered to the site to help build a 95-foot retaining wall. More than $300,000 have been invested in the skate park, while they need about $350 thousand more to complete the project. “I think people look at this…
DULUTH, Minn. – A new nonprofit is focusing on helping seniors and their caregivers in the Northland. Duluth Aging Support provides resources through its website specifically with categories like arts and entertainment, caregiver support, and COVID-19 information. The nonprofit also collaborates with other organizations like Age Well Arrowhead, Family Freedom Center, and Mentor North. Leaders of Duluth Aging Support say…
DULUTH, Minn. – Despite the pandemic, Wildwoods is continuing to help rehabilitate animals throughout the area. Just last week, someone discovered a coyote that was lying on the side of the road, which was hit by a car. The person who discovered it contacted Duluth police who then got in touch with Wildwoods. While the animal’s pelvis was fractured in…
DULUTH, Minn. – Sound Central along with T& E Concert Services and Audio Visual Resources of Duluth are having a moving sale featuring everything from computers to cables and a variety of audio and video equipment. While the move isn’t COVID related, the businesses have experienced a big change because previous to the pandemic, 80% of what they did was…
NORTHLAND – Power has just started being restored to millions in Texas following a deadly blast of winter that overwhelmed the electrical grid and left millions shivering in the cold this week. With many blaming their infrastructure for not being ready for winter, Minnesota Power talks about what the power grid looks like in our colder region. The power grid…
ST. LOUIS COUNTY – The St. Louis County Board has approved of a production incentive program for TV and films, and application forms are now available online. The county board says it will commit to investing $1 million in the program in 2021. With the program, productions can receive a rebate of up to 25% of all production spending for…
DULUTH, Minn. – A major exhibit is now finished after being closed for nearly a decade at the Lake Superior Zoo. After nearly 9 years of being closed, the Lake Superior Zoo’s Bear Country Exhibit is finally finished and is the home for two brown bears and two otters. The exhibit was a more than $3.8 million investment. It closed…
DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Edison Charter Schools is offering a new blended learning program starting next school year. In the fall, there will be another option for students in grades 6 through 8 where they can be onsite 1 day a week and participate from home 4 days a week with programming specifically designed for those students and driven by…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – The future of business development in one Northland community could soon be looking even brighter. The City of Superior could soon put what’s being called the “Better City Superior Initiative” in place. This allows the creation of a special development district where a hospitality tax can be levied on restaurants and hotels. Funds collected would help support…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Veteran fundraiser the Nearly Naked Ruck March will be happening this year despite the pandemic. It’s all happening on the skyline loop at Enger Tower on March 27th. In 2020, the event had to be canceled because of COVID-19 and this will be the first march that has happened since social distancing started. For the event,…
DULUTH, Minn. – For the next two years, Lester Park Golf Course will remain closed before having its final season in 2023 when Enger Park’s course undergoes some major renovations. In 2019, a task force found the futures of Lester and Enger Golf Courses were in jeopardy because of an oversupply of golf options in Duluth. Failing golf infrastructure and…
DOUGLAS COUNTY – The Douglas County Department of Health is seeing a decline in cases. Currently, there are 14 active cases in the county. Just two weeks ago, there were more than 40 cases and going back farther to the middle of November, there were more than 400 cases. “As we continue to increase the number of people that are…
ST. LOUIS COUNTY – St. Louis County’s COVID-19 vaccine shipments are being delayed by the winter storm in the southern U.S. Because of that, three vaccination clinics scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday this week have been canceled. It’s affecting several hundred people who were set to receive their first dose of the Moderna vaccine. Those affected will be notified by…
DULUTH, Minn. – The chilly air remains in the Northland, and Minnesota Power is offering up some tips to save money while being safe. For instance, every one degree a thermostat is turned down, that can save up to 2% on your energy bill, and if you decide to go to the space heater route to save some money, get…
DULUTH, Minn. – As these chilly temps continue, one local organization is stepping up to provide some warm forms of comfort to kids experiencing trauma. For kids going through challenging times, a blanket may be the way to bring both comfort and joy to a struggling child. Whether it be at a hospital, a result of a fire, or possibly…
NORTHLAND – Indoor facilities are experiencing increases in patrons – some having to do with the cold weather while others are simply thriving because it’s their busy time of year. While the cold weather may be contributing to an increase in people visiting indoor facilities, some are experiencing a rise in customers because of the nature of their businesses. At…
DULUTH, Minn. – While it is cold outside, people are still getting their cars washed at places like Miller Mall Car Wash in Duluth. According to management, while there is a slight decrease because of the temperatures, the business services about the same number of cars in the summer as in the winter. During cold weather, they take a lot…
DULUTH, Minn. – With the cold weather, fuel companies are making sure that people are getting propane and heating oil they need to get through the frigid temperatures. With the combination of COVID and the cold weather, more people are working and playing at home, burning more oil and propane than projected. For instance, there has been a 10 to…
DULUTH, Minn.- The temps are expected to remain frigid over the coming days, which may have an impact on your home. During cold weather conditions, it’s important to make sure you’re watching out for things like frozen pipes, and faulty windows or doors. Once you discover that your pipes are frozen, be sure to call a plumber as soon as…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – This Saturday, Mont du Lac will kick off its annual ice cross. Ice cross downhill is a winter sport using hockey gear and hockey skates where racers compete by skating downhill. This is the only ice cross race in the U.S., according to Mont Du Lac officials, and will feature men’s, women’s, and junior league races. “It’s…
DULUTH, Minn. – Bakeries are getting busy for what they hope is a busy Valentine’s Day holiday. Over at Johnson’s Bakery in Lincoln Park, workers are putting together everything from cookies and cakes to doughnuts, all with Valentine’s theme. While the special day had been busy in the past at the bakery, everything is so different now with COVID because…
DULUTH, Minn. – During this cold snap, many organizations that help the homeless and disadvantaged are seeing an uptick in people using their services. Over at the Union Gospel Mission, the organization has seen its numbers grow as more people have been coming in to get hot meals, which are served curbside because of spacing. The mission let go of…
DULUTH, Minn. – It’s the 20th year of the Northland’s St. Jude Radiothon on B-105. The event raises money for children battling cancer at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In 2020, the radiothon raised about $80,000. Organizers say it’s inspiring to see people come together under one cause. “It makes me almost emotional to see everybody like leaning on each…
DULUTH, Minn. – With the cold weather, we should be paying extra attention to making sure our furry friends stay safe. Management at “A Place for Fido” in Duluth says you can put boots on dogs’ feet to keep their paws safe from the elements. Jackets and coats may be more beneficial for short-haired dogs as they need more insulation…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – Despite the pandemic, several renovations are now complete at the Holden Fine and Applied Arts Center at UWS. Some of the renovations include expanding classroom spaces while also moving the previous media lab to a larger area that has more work stations. Another big project they worked on was renovating a highly visible space adjacent to the…
MINNESOTA – A group called the Alliance of Minnesota Craft Breweries introduced new legislation today that would remove Minnesota’s growler cap. A state law that now prohibits bigger breweries from selling their beer in 64 ounce growler containers. That law says Minnesota breweries cannot sell to-go growlers if they make more than 20,000 barrels of beer a year. There are…
DULUTH, Minn. – Over at Impact Sports Training CrossFit gym in Duluth, management says they made a few changes during the pandemic that are now permanent. To keep up with the restrictions on gyms, they dropped the size of classes from 40 people to 22, but then realized that actually makes it easier to coach and give clients more attention….
DULUTH, Minn. – 27 ice anglers had to be rescued from Lake Superior in Duluth yesterday. The risk of falling through the ice or being stranded is something you want to be prepared for before going out ice fishing. Waterways like Lake Superior or the St. Louis River can be unpredictable as ice can break off at any time and…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Fire Department received a much-deserved treat today for all they do for the community. The DECC donated 75 gallons of ice cream to the department as part of its “Share the Love” initiative. “We appreciate the recognition,” said Jon Otis, the deputy chief at the Duluth Fire Department. “It’s always nice to be recognized for…
DULUTH, Minn. – The first Ronald McDonald House has opened in the Northland after partnering up with Essentia Health. A Ronald McDonald House is a place of refuge for families traveling to get the best care for their children battling cancer or other illnesses. The space includes five bedrooms, along with a full kitchen, family room, and stocked pantry. Management…
DULUTH, Minn. – The warming center at the Tri-Towers will be open from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. through Friday as the chilly temperatures linger in the Northland. The center will also be open 24 hours over the weekend. Since the chill hit, there’s been an increase of people using the site of about a dozen. The center has a…
DULUTH, Minn. – As the temperatures continue to remain frigid, local auto parts stores have been busy with people coming in to get batteries. The colder it gets, the less charge is on your battery, which could mean you need a replacement. And if you are not sure if you should be getting a new one, most auto parts stores…
DULUTH, Minn. – Many may be wondering if they should be double masking, especially with the new COVID variants out there. According to doctors at Essentia Health, if you wear an N-95 mask, double masking is not necessary. Double masking could come into play when wearing a cloth mask that doesn’t have as many layers of fabric. In that case,…
NORTHLAND – A new treatment for those diagnosed with mild to moderate COVID-19 is being offered at Essentia in Duluth. The drug being used in this new antibody treatment at Essentia Health is called bamlanivimab, which mimics the immune system’s ability to fight off viruses like COVID. The aim of the treatment is to make sure that people don’t progress…
NORTHLAND – Experts say there are things you can do to stay safe when temperatures drop this far, not only when you are heading outdoors, but also when it comes to making sure you can stay warm inside your home. “You’re wearing those layers, you are keeping those areas warm and preventing them from having extended cold exposure,” said Dr….
DULUTH, Minn. – During the pandemic many businesses have struggled, including Love Creamery in Lincoln Park. Management says they are grateful to the local community for keeping them alive. To accommodate for customers’ needs, Love Creamery developed a more prepackaged take on their products, added a service window to the store to lessen contact with guests, and they even run…
CLOQUET, Minn. – The Cloquet Public Library is back open for business. The library had closed down for the second time during the pandemic on November 19th to only offer curbside pickup. Although programs like Movie Nights have been cancelled, the library is facilitating educational projects like make-and-take crafts. Library staff hope that everyone can follow the proper guidelines. “Now…
DULUTH, Minn. – St. Luke’s is in need of volunteers to help complete their COVID-19 RECOVER study. Doctors say they want 100 more essential workers, which includes bus drivers, grocery store workers, and bankers. The goal is for people to swab their noses weekly to test for COVID-19 and do the occasional blood test to look for COVID antibodies. “The…
DULUTH, Minn. – With Super Bowl Sunday coming up, businesses are gearing up with new deals for their customers. At Ursa Minor Brewing in the Lincoln Park Craft District, you can get a free pretzel kit if you purchase a pizza kit for fourteen dollars. Management says this is the first time they’ve done something for the Super Bowl, and…
ST. LOUIS COUNTY – St. Louis County Public Health officials want to remind the public about who can currently get the COVID vaccine after some ineligible Northlanders tried to get vaccinated. Individuals who receive an email from the county or their employer may use the registration link for themselves it some have been sharing it with others so they can…
