Author: Lauren Akabori

Businesses are Expecting Crowds

HAYWARD, Wis.- It has been a tough year for a lot of businesses across the Northland but those at the Lumberjack World Championships are happy to see people return to these large events. “It’s good for business, people like hotels, restaurants, everyone’s busy for like four to five days before the event and will be busy a few days after…

The Lumberjack World Championships Returns

HAYWARD, Wis.- The 61st annual Lumberjack World Championships and festival in Hayward, Wisconsin, where competitors, fans and vendors are gathering for all things wood. Although last year’s event was canceled due to the pandemic people are happy for its return at the Lumberjack Bowl. “I’m very thankful to be having this event this year,” said competitor Ben Hansen. “All the…

Great Lakes Aquarium Will Take Your Lead Tackle

DULUTH, Minn. – The Great Lakes Aquarium is collecting lead-based fishing tackle in hopes of reducing lead poisoning in wildlife. Working with the Minnesota pollution control agency the aquarium is encouraging people to bring in their lead tackle by giving lead-free tackle as a replacement. Lead can be especially harmful to loons as the birds oftentimes prey on fish who…

Roundtable Talks Economic Recovery

DULUTH, Minn.- The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development or DEED, met with local community leaders to talk economic recovery for Northlanders post pandemic. The discussion covered legislative programs for employment development and initiatives towards child care assistance. DEED is looking to help people who lost their job due to COVID. “We just got through an unprecedented moment in…

New Direct Flights are Coming to Duluth International Airport

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth International Airport is announcing its new direct flight service from Duluth to Denver, Colorado, and the $750,000 grant supporting it. The $750,000 grant is being matched with $250,000 from the community along with other financial pledges. “So it’s important for us to have a wide portfolio of air service where it helps the economy grow and…

Diversity and Inclusion Workshop for Local Business Leaders

DULUTH, Minn.- Diversity and inclusion are important topics for workplaces. That’s why the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce, Lake Superior College, and Visit Duluth teamed up for a diversity and inclusion workshop for local businesses. “Practical ways that we can combat racism in our workplaces, to make those places more welcoming to not just employees but to customers, consumers, patients,…

Planter’s Mr. Peanut Visits Northland

DULUTH, Minn.- A Planter’s Nut Mobile made a stop in Duluth today. Mr. Peanut came to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum to take photos with fans. Families also accompanied Mr. Peanut for a train ride along the North Shore Scenic Railroad. “It’s so incredible to travel with Mr. Peanut in the nut mobile because it is such a historic brand,”…

Gardening Season Is Surviving the Drought

DULUTH, Minn.- Although the Northland is in a drought, local gardens and garden suppliers are doing well this growing season. Business is picking up for Marshall Hardware in the garden supply department. The current dry conditions are bringing crowds of people in for sprinkler systems and water tanks. “A lot of people out and about doing outdoor projects right now,”…

The Superior Vocation Center Changes Name

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The Superior Vocation Center is rebranding. The training facility is celebrating its name change to “Embark Supported Employment,” bringing in new ways of helping the disabled community. “Embark is very important for the people that we serve–people with disabilities,” said executive director Ashby Rawstern. “It gives them the opportunity to interact. A lot of times the people we…

Poor Air Quality Continues to Affect Health

DULUTH, Minn.- The current air quality alert in the Northland is moderate to unhealthy for sensitive groups, while other parts of Northern Minnesota are experiencing very unhealthy conditions. Medical experts advise people stay indoors and limit their physical exercise. “This predominantly affects high risk population. Patients that are under 18 or over 65,” said allergy specialist Dr. Minto Porter. “COPD,…

Duluth Public School Return in the Fall

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth public schools are returning to in-person classes in September. All grades will go back for a full five-day week of learning, but social distancing alternatives are available for high school students through the district’s academic excellence online program. “There’s so much of a human connection that people are really looking forward to,” said superintendent John Magas. “I…

Wildfires Near Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST-  The Delta Lake fire is active now in the boundary waters. It covers 62 acres and currently at 35 percent containment. Multiple entry points to the Superior National Forest are also closed, in addition to fire bans remaining in place throughout Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. “It’s a very dynamic situation that we’re in right now because…

Waffle Bar Comes to Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis.- A Belgian waffle bar is opening next week in Superior. Superior Waffles on Tower Avenue is having a soft opening this Sunday, followed by a grand opening next Tuesday. Strawberry Cheesecake and raspberry jam, ham and cheese waffles are among their unique menu items. “We love waffles, we’ve made waffles for many years, we test different things in…

North American Railcar Operators Association Comes to Duluth

DULUTH, Minn.- The North American Railcar Operators Association made a short stop in Duluth with their personal railcars today. Members from all over the nation began their railroad journey in Two Harbors and stopped by Lake Superior Railroad Museum in the lightweight vehicles, including one special car called a “Putt-Putt.” It’s called a Putt-Putt because of the unique sound it…

Fires Continue to Pose a Threat in the Northland

DULUTH/SUPERIOR- The combination of dry conditions, high temperatures and wind speeds is putting the Northland at a greater risk of more fires. Canadian wildfires continue to burn, causing smoke to move southeast into the Northland. Campfires and fireworks are not permitted around Northern Minnesota because of the extremely dry conditions. “I think common sense goes a long way and that’s…

Community Olympic Day for Kids

DULUTH, Minn.- It was a day of dodgeball, tug of war, and food eating contests as kids competed in Community Olympic Day here in Duluth. Neighborhood Youth Services, Boys and Girls Club, and Valley Youth Center teamed up to bring kids ages 6 to 18 together to participate in a miniature series of Olympic games at Denfeld High School. “There’s…

Local Group Heroes Helping Heroes Come Together

DULUTH, Minn.- Heroes Helping Heroes is a local group of Minnesota first responders, and they got together for a fishing trip to cope with mental illnesses they may face. Many first responders say they experience a high amount of stress while on the job. Founder Chris Steward is a former police officer who was diagnosed with PTSD. “At the very…

National Blood Shortage Continues

DULUTH, Minn.- Due to a national shortage Northland blood donation centers are facing a lack of inventory for local hospitals. Not only did the pandemic cause a decrease in blood donations but schools and colleges that are out for summer break have also taken a dip into the donor pool that blood centers rely on. “I think that what we’re…

Drought Conditions and Air Quality Worsens

DULUTH, Minn.- Wildfires and the lack of rain is causing drought and poor air quality here in the Northland. Normally, June is when Duluth gets most of its rainfall but this June was the third driest on record. “With the drought conditions that have happened, we’ve seen a rapid increase in our fire season,” said National Weather Service Meteorologist Joe…

Maritime Visitor Center’s Lake Superior Day Celebration

DULUTH, Minn.- The Maritime Visitor Center is celebrating “Lake Superior Day” all weekend long, starting this Friday. The center is teaming up with local experts for a lineup of family-friendly activities. Friday and Saturday’s events are followed by a book reading of Sunken: Shipwrecks of Lake Superior by Kathy Groth. “We’re excited about hosting this and about seeing the crowds…

Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan Come to Duluth

DULUTH, Minn.- Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan among other community leaders are celebrating new educational investments in Minnesota’s COVID recovery budget. The historic investments are designed to help schools and students across the state get back on track post pandemic. Minnesota’s COVID-19 budget includes $1.2 billion to be put towards education over the next four years. “Schools are the…

American Rescue Plan Funding Helps Duluth Public Schools

DULUTH, Minn.- A portion of Minnesota’s American Rescue Plan fund helped create more programs, provide transportation, and nearly double school attendance this summer. These additional programs offer more credit recovery classes for students. And with more funding coming in, Duluth Public Schools are able to expand their resources for summer learning programs. “But really what it’s allowing us to do…

First Concert for Recovery Held at the DECC

DULUTH, Minn.- Members of the Northland Music and Recovery community is teaming up with the DECC and the Duluth Bethel to throw the Northland’s first concert for recovery. The Duluth Bethel Treatment Center invites Northlanders to celebrate National Recovery Month. Four bands will gather on the East side of the DECC for a performance on Saturday September 25, supporting substance…

Nail Salons are Back After a Hard Year

DULUTH, Minn.- Nail salons are among many businesses returning to normal after being forced to close during the pandemic. VP Nails and Hair off of Central Entrance is excited to see its clients return. The nail salon closed for a few months in March of 2020, and is seeing business pick up as COVID restrictions loosen. “Having regular clients like…

Raminator Monster Truck Comes to Two Harbors

TWO HARBORS, Minn.- Heritage Days Festival is back and so is a monster of an event happening in Two Harbors this weekend. Ram Truck’s Raminator monster truck is making an appearance at Sonju, celebrating the return of heritage days at their dealership. The Raminator broke the Guinness World Record of being the fastest monster truck, going more than 99 miles…

Heritage Days Festival is Back

TWO HARBORS, Minn.- Like many other events, the Heritage Days Festival in Two Harbors was cancelled last year, but it’s back this year with more local vendors. The four-day event is filled with booths offering art, clothes, and food. Two harbors business birch and body is new to heritage days, bringing unique soaps and lotion made from birch bark. “We’ve…

Marshall School Board Names New Head of School

DULUTH, Minn.- Marshall School Board of Trustees has voted unanimously naming a new head of school. Midwesterner Jamie Steckart has more than 26 years of experience in education while also designing schools. He says he’s happy to be here in the Northland to help local students. “I’m a huge fan small learning communities,” said Steckart. “I think schools of less…

Food Vendors are Back at Local Events

DULUTH, Minn.- With more festivals now happening including the Duluth Sidewalk Days. Business is picking up for them. Finn and Lok’s Funnel Cake stand is now at Sidewalk Days Festival serving their foot long sausages, funnel cakes, and more. The owners say they couldn’t be happier. “We are really thrilled to be back,” said co-owner Michelle Olson. “So fun seeing…

Plans are in Motion for Twin Ports Interchange and Garfield Avenue Construction

DULUTH, Minn.- Congressman Stauber along with other community leaders went over the importance of the Twin Ports Interchange improvements on the I-535/Garfield ramp construction and Highway 53 bridge project. The interchange built in the 1960s is undergoing a four step plan of improvements designed to improve safety of drivers and accommodate oversized vehicles. “The positive affect this investment will bring…

Summer School Update

PROCTOR, Minn.- Summer school programs are in full swing across the Northland. Currently, Proctor Public School’s leadership says their summer school attendance is high. After finishing up their June session they will also have a session in August. This year Proctor is offering more interactive classes to keep students engaged before the school year begins. “In the fall–in August when…

Business is Picking Up for Bus Stations

DULUTH, Minn.- As summertime travel begins to pick up, bus stations are seeing more people come in for their transportation needs. Jefferson Lines bus station in Downtown Duluth is now open at full capacity and they are finally adding more travel times to their schedule since COVID restrictions have loosened up. “Summer always brings out kind of a more wide…

Ticks Can Pose a Threat to You and Your Pets

DULUTH, Minn.- A common misconception about ticks is that they only appear in the spring and summer. In Minnesota there are 13 species of ticks with different life cycles but Wood, Deer, and Lone Star ticks pose the biggest threat of spreading sickness to people and pets. “Ticks are actually present year round and we advise tick protection for their…

Bayfront has a Busy Weekend of Events

DULUTH, Minn.- Events held at Bayfront Festival Park are some of the largest gatherings in the Northland. More specifically, this past weekend’s lineup of events takes months of preparation. Country Jam, Hairball, and Fourth Fest combined had attendance upwards of 20,000 people. This is the largest crowd they have had since being back for events. “There is a lot of…

Air Quality Alert in the Northland

DULUTH, Minn.- There’s an air quality alert for Northeastern Minnesota at this hour. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued the warning this morning due to wildfires along the Canadian border. The National Weather Service in Duluth recommends people with respiratory issues to try to avoid going outside as smoke from wildfires 100 miles North of the Canadian border are moving…

UMD College of Liberal Arts Changes Name

DULUTH, Minn.- The University of Minnesota Duluth is changing the name of their College of Liberal Arts. After the College of Fine Arts and College of Liberal Arts merged into one school in 2020 a name change was brought forth. As of today, the school is officially known as the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Those with the…