Author: Jane Kim

With Cold Temperatures, Homeless Shelters and Warming Centers Gear Up

As extreme cold temperatures linger in the Northland, area organizations are working to ensure the homeless have a warm place to stay.

NORTHLAND – As extreme cold temperatures linger in the Northland, area organizations are working to ensure the homeless have a warm place to stay. With temperatures expected to be freezing this weekend, shelters in Duluth and Superior are prepared to take on an influx of homeless needing a place to stay warm. Over at Duluth’s CHUM, the drop-in center is…

Upcoming Brewery in Lincoln Park Neighborhood Will Highlight Veterans

Two veterans are preparing to open up a new brewery in Lincoln Park this spring.

DULUTH, Minn. – Two veterans are preparing to open up a new brewery in Lincoln Park this spring. Veterans Matt Caple and Ben Gipson met in 2019 when Matt was setting up a fundraising collaboration between his nonprofit and one of the local breweries. Through the Lake Superior Warriors Disabled Veteran Hockey Program, the two developed a strong bond and…

Northland Foundation Gives Back to Organizations in the Area

During the pandemic, the Northland Foundation has stepped up efforts to give multiple non-profits a boost in funding.

NORTHLAND – During the pandemic, the Northland Foundation has stepped up efforts to give multiple non-profits a boost in funding. The group has awarded 81 grants in the last quarter of 2020 for more than $800,000. Most of the funds are being used for COVID relief efforts. Some of the organizations that received help include the Chester Bowl Improvement Club,…

Fire Department Offers Safety Tips During Cold Snap

With the cold snap just around the corner, the Duluth Fire Department is offering up tips on how to stay safe.

DULUTH, Minn. – With the cold snap just around the corner, the Duluth Fire Department is offering up tips on how to stay safe. They say you should always make your space heater is plugged into a wall outlet rather than a power strip, which can overheat if it’s dealing with too much wattage. And if you do brave these…

Lumber Companies Experience Market Spike During Pandemic, Connected to High Demand

Many Northland businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic but for some, it’s been a boom for business.

NORTHLAND – Many Northland businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic but for some, it’s been a boom for business. Lumber companies expected the demand for their products was going to drop, but it did just the opposite. In early 2020, nobody knew what to expect. Lumber mills slowed down and pulled back production, expecting a slowdown in the…

Essentia to Open Outpatient Day Surgery Center at Miller Hill Mall

Essentia Health has announced they will be converting the old Sears building at the Miller Hill Mall to an outpatient day surgery center.

DULUTH, Minn. – Essentia Health has announced they will be converting the old Sears building at the Miller Hill Mall to an outpatient day surgery center. Construction is expected to begin this spring with it set to open in 2022. Management says surgeries at places like this tend to be less expensive and quicker. “I wish it was opening up…

Mental Health Awareness Week for Kids

This week is mental health awareness week for kids and local psychotherapists are recommending to cut down on screen time in order to prioritize children’s mental health.

DULUTH, Minn. – This week is mental health awareness week for kids and local psychotherapists are recommending to cut down on screen time in order to prioritize children’s mental health. Counselors add that another way to ensure mental health with kids is to make sure kids have a safe environment to feel comfortable to be their authentic selves and for…

Duluth Fire Department Receives Second Dose of Vaccine Shots

As the pandemic continues, Northland first responders are still receiving their COVID vaccinations including at the Duluth Fire Department where they received their second dose of shots today.

DULUTH, Minn. – As the pandemic continues, Northland first responders are still receiving their COVID vaccinations including at the Duluth Fire Department where they received their second dose of shots today. It’s been anything but normal for the Duluth Fire Department since the pandemic began but as more of them get vaccinated, they feel like they are rounding the corner….

DLH Clothing Gives Back in a Meaningful Way

One local business is giving back to the community in a meaningful way.

DULUTH, Minn. – One local business is giving back to the community in a meaningful way. DLH Clothing in the Lincoln Park Craft District is giving 10% of its profits to Family Freedom Center, which works to support the black community in multiple ways, including with startups. DLH owners say they wanted to give back to the center because it’s…

Stella Maris to Open Catholic High School

Some big changes are coming to Stella Maris Academy as they now plan to open a Catholic high school by 2022.

DULUTH, Minn. – Some big changes are coming to Stella Maris Academy as they now plan to open a Catholic high school by 2022. Stella Maris’ current academy, which features pre-K through grade 8 will also house the high school. Leadership says it’s always been part of their plans to open the school and they’re proud it’s nearly a reality….

Firefighter Health Takes Center Stage at Capitol

A bill has been introduced at the Minnesota Capitol to help firefighters diagnosed with serious illnesses.

DULUTH, Minn. – A bill has been introduced at the Minnesota Capitol to help firefighters diagnosed with serious illnesses. Representative Liz Olson is helping lead the charge for the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program, which would include payments of up to $30,000 for firefighters diagnosed with cancer or heart disease while also funding additional counseling for firefighters. “The nature of the…

Old St. Louis County Jail May Soon Be Redeveloped

The Old St. Louis County jail site on West Second Street may soon be redeveloped into more than 30 rental units as they work to secure funding.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Old St. Louis County jail site on West Second Street may soon be redeveloped into more than 30 rental units as they work to secure funding. Blue Limit LLC, the owner of the property, is hoping to develop 32 units of rental housing in the building in the old jail. Currently, they are working to generate…

Superior Mask Mandate Back on the Table

Mayor Jim Paine has submitted a resolution to extend Superior’s emergency declaration until April 30th, which will in turn extend the citywide mask mandate.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Mayor Jim Paine has submitted a resolution to extend Superior’s emergency declaration until April 30th, which will in turn extend the citywide mask mandate. Previously, when Governor Evers had ordered his mask mandate, the City of Superior had let its own drop. However, the assembly could repeal Evers’ mandate as soon as this week and because of…

Floral Design Class Offers Beauty During Pandemic, Winter Months

Northland florist Lulu Collective had a floral arranging class at the Clyde Malting Building today.

DULUTH, Minn. – Northland florist Lulu Collective had a floral arranging class at the Clyde Malting Building today. About 10 participants came to the floral activity, giving them a therapeutic way to arrange and put together flowers in a beautiful way. Owners of Lulu Collective say it’s a great time to do something fun, even during the pandemic. “Really great…

Volunteers Still Help Out at Beargrease Despite Pandemic

With the pandemic this year, there were no spectators, but the event's festivities still needed dozens and dozens of volunteers.

DULUTH, Minn. – With the pandemic this year, there were no spectators, but the event’s festivities still needed dozens and dozens of volunteers. Volunteers stepped up to the plate at this year’s Beargrease Marathon and gave back in the ways they could. Volunteers new and old came to the race and gave back. Reece Townsend, a Duluth resident, has been…

Lake Superior Ice Festival Continues

The annual Lake Superior Ice Festival officially got started today, one of the few larger events taking place during the pandemic.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The annual Lake Superior Ice Festival officially got started today, one of the few larger events taking place during the pandemic. The warmer temperatures along with the snow created a great environment for people to come to Barker’s Island in Superior to check out the festival. With ice sculptures, a snowshoe obstacle course, and fun characters like…

Dog Sledding at Positive Energy Outdoors Provides Participants with Neat Experience

For those who want to get into dog sledding, but maybe not at the level of the Beargrease just yet, classes were available in Duluth today.

DULUTH, Minn. – For those who want to get into dog sledding, but maybe not at the level of the Beargrease just yet, classes were available in Duluth today. Positive Energy Outdoors near Rice Lake Road provides dog sledding introduction classes giving participants the expertise in how to harness dogs, handle them, and how to hook them up to the…

Vets Check Dogs Before Beargrease

With Beargrease just around the corner, vets are making sure that dogs are safe for the big race tomorrow.

PROCTOR, Minn. – With Beargrease just around the corner, vets are making sure that dogs are safe for the big race tomorrow. Veterinarians, vet technicians, and students from the University of Minnesota helped check the dogs at the South St. Louis County Fairgrounds in Proctor. “Everybody seems to be well-trained and healthy,” said Gregg Phillips, the head vet for the…

Winter Bike Week Kicks Off With Bike Tune-ups

Zeitgeist’s Winter Bike Week has begun.

DULUTH, Minn. – Zeitgeist’s Winter Bike Week has begun. As part of the festivities, Northlanders were able to come to Continental Ski and Bik today for free bike tune-ups and take-home treats. There was also a kids helmet giveaway through Safe Kids Northeast Minnesota. “Gearing it towards people who aren’t necessarily always biking throughout the winter and making it a…

Marshall School Continues with Hybrid Learning, Encourages Kids to Go Outside

With the pandemic continuing on, Duluth Marshall has created new ways to teach kids in-person.

DULUTH, Minn. – With the pandemic continuing on, Duluth Marshall has created new ways to teach kids in-person. For example, with virus transmission being lower when outside, kids can practice physical education on a makeshift rink after the school flooded half their tennis courts. The assistant principal says activities like these really boost the kids’ spirits during these uncertain times….

Changes Could Be Coming to Lincoln Park

Overall, the city’s main goal is to simply make the park safer.

DULUTH, Minn. – Some major changes could soon be coming to Lincoln Park. The park is in need of maintenance like moving the playground away from the road while adding bathrooms to the historic pavilion and reopening it. Overall, the city’s main goal is to simply make the park safer. “It hasn’t necessarily had as large of an investment for…

Warming Centers, Homeless Shelters Staying Busy

With the winter chill hitting the Northland, Northland homeless shelters and warming centers are staying busy.

DULUTH, Minn. – With the winter chill hitting the Northland, Northland homeless shelters and warming centers are staying busy. Management at CHUM says they’ve seen about 80 people a night in the shelters along with another 35 in the warming center. However, because of COVID some of the homeless are concerned about going into the shelters over fears of catching…

COVID Variants in Minnesota

COVID variants across the world have made their way to the U.S. including right here in Minnesota and now local health officials are continuing to urge Northlanders to use caution when out in the public to prevent getting these more aggressive forms of COVID.

DULUTH, Minn. – COVID variants across the world have made their way to the U.S. including right here in Minnesota and now local health officials are continuing to urge Northlanders to use caution when out in the public to prevent getting these more aggressive forms of COVID. COVID variants are now being discovered across the U.S. including right here in…

Rebuild Process Continues for Husky Energy

The rebuild process continues at Husky Energy in Superior after an explosion ripped through the facility in the spring of 2018.

DULUTH, Minn. – The rebuild process continues at Husky Energy in Superior after an explosion ripped through the facility in the spring of 2018. The Husky Refinery in Superior continues to move forward in its rebuild process with the hopes that it reopens for business in 2022. This week along, two towers have gone up the vacuum tower and the…

Great Lakes Aquarium to Open “Brr Garden”

Starting Friday, the Great Lakes Aquarium opens its “Brr” Garden, which will be a bar set outside in these frigid temps.

DULUTH, Minn. – Starting Friday, the Great Lakes Aquarium opens its Brr Garden, which will be a bar set outside in these frigid temps. The bar will be open every Friday night from 5 to 8 p.m. through February and will feature ice bars with high top tables made entirely of ice. And to stay warm, the site will have…

Solar Co-op in Duluth, Hopes to Get People Interested

A solar co-op has popped up in Duluth with the hopes it gets more people interested in using clean energy.

DULUTH, Minn. – A solar co-op has popped up in Duluth with the hopes it gets more people interested in using clean energy. Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light is partnering with Solar United Neighbors to spread the word to Duluth neighborhoods about solar energy and the importance of doing it cooperatively to keep costs down. “Our primary focus about why…

Organizations Help Disabled, Elderly During COVID

Both Lighthouse Center for Vital Living and Age Well Arrowhead are supporting those with disabilities and the elderly during the pandemic.

DULUTH, Minn. – Lighthouse Center for Vital Living in Duluth has started a hotline that helps those with disabilities and the elderly understand more about the vaccine and testing process. Organizers say the hotline is vital especially with so much information out there. “The hotline is really important because people have questions and there’s so much information coming from so…

Masks Required at All Airports Across the Country

With Biden assuming the office this week, he has signed a mask mandate for interstate travelers at airports throughout the country.

DULUTH, Minn. – With Biden assuming the office this week, he has signed a mask mandate for interstate travelers at airports throughout the country. The Duluth International Airport has already been implementing masks inside of the airport because of the city-wide mask mandate. They say their customers have adapted well to the situation. “Because that’s already required here, for travelers…

Great Lakes Aquarium Introduces Otter Slide Race

The Great Lakes Aquarium has introduced a fundraiser to help them during these tough times.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Great Lakes Aquarium has introduced a fundraiser to help them during these tough times. In what they call the Otter Slide Race, Northlanders can race using multiple outlets like skiing, snowshoeing, fat tire biking, or even pulling your kid on a sled throughout February. Some of the best racers will eventually be given prizes. “It’s important…

Flu Takes a Back Seat to COVID-19

As the COVID pandemic continues on, the flu has taken a back seat to the virus and numbers are down dramatically across the region. 

NORTHLAND – As the COVID pandemic continues on, the flu has taken a back seat to the virus and numbers are down dramatically across the region. Both the flu and COVID-19 are transmitted in the same way, and prevention strategies for the coronavirus have helped out with the number of hospitalizations due to the flu. The current numbers for the…

Superior Fire Department Receives Donation for Ice Rescue Suits

With a generous gift from Husky Energy, the Superior Fire Department is now equipped with four brand new ice rescue suits.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – With a generous gift from Husky Energy, the Superior Fire Department is now equipped with four brand new ice rescue suits. Husky Refinery had reached out to the fire department at the end of last year, asking about making a donation to help out with some winter gear. The refinery gave $2,500 for the new suits, which…

Vaccine Distribution Continues, St. Louis County Moves Ahead with Phase 1a

St. Louis County Public Health along with area health facilities plans to move on from its phase 1a vaccination plans by the end of the month.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY – St. Louis County Public Health along with area health facilities plans to move on from its phase 1a vaccination plans by the end of the month. There is a strong push to get through phase 1a to move onto 1b, which includes the 65 plus population. Phase 1 A includes people in skilled nursing facilities, along…

Local Experts Inform Public About Common Vaccine Side Effects

With several million people already vaccinated, medical professionals want the public to know about the possible side effects that could happen in people getting the vaccine. 

DULUTH, Minn. – With several million people already vaccinated, medical professionals want the public to know about the possible side effects that could happen in people getting the vaccine. Overall, side effects of the vaccines are mostly pretty mild. With two different vaccines being distributed in the U.S., symptoms from each have been similar so far. Medical professionals are seeing…

Professor Reacts to Inauguration, Speaks on Transition of Power

A professor over at UWS says she saw a somewhat peaceful transition to Biden, hopefully bringing the country together under a spirit of unity, especially in light of the events that happened at the Capitol.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – With the inauguration of President Biden, history was made in several ways. A professor over at UWS says she saw a somewhat peaceful transition to Biden, hopefully bringing the country together under a spirit of unity, especially in light of the events that happened at the Capitol. “I think it demonstrates for one that we, despite all…

Boxes Filled with Snow In Preparation for Sculptors in Lincoln Park Craft District

Massive 6-foot tall boxes full of packed snow have popped up in Duluth’s Lincoln Park Craft District. The boxes will be peeled open later this week so local and regional artists can transform the snow cubes into creative snow sculptures.

DULUTH, Minn. – Massive 6-foot tall boxes full of packed snow have popped up in Duluth’s Lincoln Park Craft District. The boxes will be peeled open later this week so local and regional artists can transform the snow cubes into creative snow sculptures. Organizers tell us it’s all about getting people out of the house to enjoy winter while also…

Superior School District Provides Meals for Students

With many students attending school in a hybrid format, Northland school districts are trying new strategies to make sure their students get enough to eat.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – With many students attending school in a hybrid format, Northland school districts are trying new strategies to make sure their students get enough to eat. Whether it’s chicken alfredo or cheeseburgers, the Superior School District is providing free meals to students not only for the food but also to give a sense of normalcy during these uncertain…

Duluth Realtor Puts Together Guide for Local Homebuyers

A Duluth realtor is putting together a guide for local homebuyers.

DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth realtor is putting together a guide for local homebuyers. Ayla Dougherty helps out people who are moving to the Duluth area. She says that over the years, some of her clients have come from the Twin Cities area and further away such as the Dakotas and even Canada. This new guide will highlight the best…

Martin Luther King Jr. Honored at Virtual Ceremony

Whether it be the pandemic or the continued division in the country, this year’s events surrounding Martin Luther King Jr. Day were sure to look a lot different than in year’s past.

DULUTH, Minn. – Whether it be the pandemic or the continued division in the country, this year’s events surrounding Martin Luther King Jr. Day were sure to look a lot different than in year’s past. This year’s virtual ceremony gave light to social justice, like the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, but also to the current circumstances surrounding COVID-19….

Port Authority Reports Numbers, Year Marked by Resilience

There are several silver linings to 2020's story of total tonnage. With Soo Locks closing on Friday at 11:59 p.m., the numbers speak for themselves as authorities say this past year was one marked by resilience.  

DULUTH, Minn. – There are several silver linings to 2020’s story of total tonnage. With Soo Locks closing on Friday at 11:59 p.m., the numbers speak for themselves as authorities say this past year was one marked by resilience. “The season started, as I said, it started well, but when COVID came, diminishment of demands and that lead to a…

Motorhead Madness Not Continuing with Shows

After more than 50 years, Duluth's annual Motorhead Madness show is coming to a close.

DULUTH, Minn. – After more than 50 years, Duluth’s annual Motorhead Madness show is coming to a close. Producers say it’s a hard decision to make, but after COVID-19 along with the non-COVID related deaths of show producer’s wife Joyce along with friend David Swanson who were big parts of the show itself, they decided to call it quits. They…

Bell Bank Opens in Historic Temple Opera Building

DULUTH, Minn. – As the pandemic continues to impact many businesses in the Northland, a new bank has opened in the Historic Temple Opera Building in downtown Duluth. That building on East Superior Street is now home to the first Bell Bank location in Duluth. The bank signed an agreement with developer Titanium Partners — leasing all three floors of…