Author: Matt McConico

New Pope Is An American

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Catholic cardinals broke with tradition Thursday and elected the first U.S. pope, making Chicago-born missionary Robert Prevost the 267th pontiff to lead the Catholic Church in a moment of global turmoil and conflict. Prevost, a 69-year-old member of the Augustinian religious order who spent his career ministering in Peru, took the name Leo XIV. In his first…

Grandma’s Marathon Apparel Discount Warehouse Sale

DULUTH, Minn. – Your chance to get Grandma’s Marathon apparel at a discounted price is on Friday, May 9, 2025. Grandma’s Marathon is holding its “Warehouse Apparel Sale”. Grandma’s Marathon and Young Athletes Foundation (YAF) gear and apparel will be for sale at blowout prices. They will have a “Fill the Gear Bag” sale. For $25, shoppers will receive an…

Grand Rapids Man Arrested At Work After Stabbing Incident

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. — A Grand Rapids man was arrested at his work Sunday after investigators said he stabbed his friend in the hand. Seth Marshall Hanna, 23, was taken into custody at the Pickled Loon Sunday morning on second-degree assault charges. Authorities with the Itasca County Sheriff’s Office said the arrest came after responding to an address on Mishawaka…

Minnesota DNR Releases Northwest Regional Fishing Outlook for 2025

DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has released its regional fishing outlooks for areas around Minnesota.  You can find the Northwest Region breakdown below. (CLICK HERE FOR: Northeast Regional Fishing Outlook for 2025) Lake of the Woods area: Walleye and sauger are the most important sport fish in Lake of the Woods, and as such those populations…

Minnesota DNR Releases Northeast Regional Fishing Outlook for 2025

DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has released its regional fishing outlooks for areas around Minnesota.  You can find the Northeast Region breakdown below. (CLICK HERE FOR: Northwest Regional Fishing Outlook for 2025) Duluth Area: The St. Louis River Estuary provides exceptional fishing opportunities for walleye and other species such as muskellunge, smallmouth bass, black crappie and…

Duluth Fire Department Victorious In 2025 Battle of the Badges

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Fire Department claimed victory in the 2025 Battle of the Badges. 9Memorial Blood Centers) It’s a friendly competition between local first responders to save lives through blood donation. Led by Katie Sandstrom, whose passion and drive were key to their success, the Fire Department edged out their fellow heroes with 35 donors. They were followed by…

Keri Heintzeman Takes Oath of Office

ST. PAUL – Keri Heintzeman was was sworn in May 6, 2025 as the newest member of the Minnesota Senate. She won a special election on April 29 to represent District 6 after Senator Justin Eichorn resigned. He district includes parts of Cass, Crow Wing, and Itasca counties. In a news release the now Senator Keri Heintzeman said, “I’m deeply grateful to…

New Destination for Duluth-Area Trash, Prices To Go Up

DULUTH, Minn. – Today the St. Louis County Commission voted to have local trash sent to the Virginia Landfill. They voted on a contract with WLSSD/Resource Renew. The Moccasin Mike landfill in Superior where Resource Renew currently sends its garbage is closing next year. The vote will allow WLSSD/Resource Renew to dispose of its municipal solid waste at the Saint…

Minneapolis Shooting Suspect Previously Convicted of Stabbing Outside Iron Range Bar

MINNEAPOLIS – The man accused of shooting five people inside a car last week in Minneapolis, was previously convicted of stabbing a man outside of a bar on the Iron Range, court documents show. James Ortley, the man charged with five counts of murder for a shooting in Minneapolis last week, was previously convicted of stabbing a man in the…

Scholarships Awarded to 97 Northern Minnesota Math and Science Students

DULUTH, Minn. – The Marshall H. and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund has awarded its 2025 scholarships to 97 northern Minnesota students. Marshall H. and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund Crest They students are all pursuing bachelor’s degrees in fields of study related to mathematics, engineering, the sciences, medicine and scientific research. Scholarships for $24,000 each were awarded to 91 seniors from 33 high…

Dozens Gather at Federal Courthouse for ‘May Day’ Protest

DULUTH, Minn. – Dozens come out for ‘May Day’ protest against Trump administration’s policies. Thursday’s protest outside of the Duluth Federal Courthouse, was one of many anti-Trump protests held across the nation on ‘May Day.’ The protests come amid drastic changes instituted by President Donald Trump during his first 100 days (back) in office, such as cuts to the federal…

‘May Day’ Tradition Returns Honoring Missing/Murdered Indigenous Women

DULUTH, Minn. – A ‘May Day’ tradition returns, honoring missing and murdered indigenous women. An annual ‘May Day’ tradition that honors missing and murdered indigenous women (MMIW) was reborn on Thursday. At the Duluth Slip Bridge in Canal Park, flowers are set in the water in memory of the thousands of MMIW reports each year. The group held flowers, and…

The Potential Futures of Lester Golf Course

DULUTH, Minn. — The future of the Lester golf course has been up for decision over the past half decade… without a clear answer. we could be getting closer. a “working group” presented the framework for three ideas on what the property could become to the city council. One plan proposed by developer Tom Sunnarborg, suggested a large-scale, professionally executed…

Superior School District Announces 2025 Hall of Fame Class

SUPERIOR, WI – The Superior Academic and Athletic Hall of Fame will add  fourteen more individuals and two teams. The School District of Superior community has voted for the group that will be joining the hall. On September 26th, 2025 the class will be recognized during the Homecoming football game. The following day, Saturday, September 27th, Superior High School will…

Man Threatened to ‘Kill Police’ During Armed Standoff in Sawyer – Charges

  SAWYER, Minn. – A man is charged with using deadly force on a peace officer in connection to the armed standoff at a property in Sawyer Township on Sunday, court documents show. According to a criminal complaint filed on Tuesday, 45-year-old William Joseph Wise Jr. is charged with 1st-degree use of deadly force on a peace officer and unlawful…

Angie Craig Launches Senate Bid

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — U.S. Rep. Angie Craig on Tuesday became the latest Minnesota Democrat to enter the increasingly competitive race for a U.S. Senate seat currently held by the retiring Sen. Tina Smith. In her launch video, Craig vows to “break through the chaos” and fight back against “a president trampling our rights and freedoms as he profits for personal…

Halestorm & Lindsey Stirling Coming To Duluth

DULUTH, MN – Halestorm & Lindsey Stirling will be co-headlining a show at AMSOIL Arena on Saturday, September 27, 2025. They’re called two of music’s most dynamic live performers. This pairing brings together Halestorm’s raw, guitar-driven power with Stirling’s mesmerizing violin artistry and choreography. Led by charismatic vocalist/guitarist Lzzy Hale, Halestorm has become one of rock’s most thrilling live acts….

Construction Set To Begin On Canal Park Shoreline; Some Pedestrian Areas To Be Temporally Closed

DULUTH, MN – A construction project to improve the Canal Park Shoreline will start the first week of May 2025. The improvements will provide upgrades to 200 feet of the pedestrian walkway connecting the Lake Walk structure to the Ship Canal North Pier. The project will construct a shoreline protection system of a concrete walls buffered by stones to decrease…

Highway 61 Tunnel Lighting Project To Start Early May

DULUTH, MN –  The Minnesota Department of Transportation will be starting work on Highway 61 at the Lafayette Bluff and Silver Cliff tunnels on May 5, 2025. This project will replace the lighting systems in each tunnel. There will be single lane traffic through the tunnels Monday through Thursday. Traffic will be controlled by a signal system. Closures will take place…

Dustin Lynch & Scotty McCreery Coming To Duluth

Duluth, MN — Multi-Platinum selling and award-winning artists Dustin Lynch & Scotty McCreery are teaming up for their “Two for the Road Tour”. Dustin Lynch & Scotty McCreery It will make as stop at AMSOIL Arena on December 6. Billboard Magazine says Dustin Lynch has “built one of the most consistent recording careers in modern country music.” Lynch has nine…

Weeks Before Armed Carlton County Standoff, Property was Site of Separate Reported Shooting

SAWYER, Minn. – Weeks before Sunday’s armed standoff, law enforcement responded to the same Carlton County address for reports that a man had been shot, court documents show. A man is in custody, after Sunday’s armed standoff at a residence in Carlton County involving multiple state, tribal, and local law enforcement agencies. According to the Carlton County Sheriff’s Office, a…

FBI Arrests Wisconsin Judge For Allegedly Obstructing Immigration Officials

MILWAUKEE, Wis. – A Wisconsin judge was arrested Friday morning on federal charges that allege she attempted to prevent immigration officials from executing an arrest.  FBI agents arrested Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan on Friday morning, for charges of obstructing immigration authorities and concealing an individual to prevent their arrest. That individual, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, is a Mexican national and is…

Mayor Paine Response To Breastfeeding Policy Claims In Lawsuit

SUPERIOR, WI – In a statement to FOX21 Superior Mayor Jim Paine said, “The City of Superior has both the facilities and policies necessary to fully support pregnant and breastfeeding mothers over and above the requirements imposed by law.” Superior Mayor Jim Paine His statement is following claims in a lawsuit from Superior Police Department Investigator Mikayla Marie LeRette. LeRette…

Wisconsin High School Athletes Can Now Get Sponsorships

STEVENS POINT, WI. – The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association has now allowed high school athletes to get individual sponsorships. At their 2025 WIAA Annual Meeting on April 25, 2025, members voted 293-108 to allow students to enter into “NIL” or “Name, Image, and Likeness” opportunities. The approved WIAA Constitutional amendment will limit the NIL for activities, “not associated or identified…

Ecumen Lakeshore’s Volunteer Appreciation Dinner

DULUTH, Minn – Thursday night, Ecumen Lakeshore Assisted Living Facility who are known for being active in their community. More than 150 residents who reside at Ecumen deliver meals to housebound seniors and perform various forms of volunteering. The meal delivery program started in 1972 by a former Paster and is something hundreds of seniors rely on. Thursday’s Volunteer Appreciation Dinner…

Wife of Superior Police Chief Suing The City

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Mikayla Marie LeRette, the wife of Superior Police Chief Paul Winterscheidt, is suing the City of Superior and former Superior Police Capt. Thomas Champaigne. Superior Police Chief Paul Winterscheidt LeRette is a currently an investigator for the Superior Police Department. The federal lawsuit was filed in March 2025.  It has two key claims in it. The lawsuit…

Finalists Named for New Lake Superior College President

DULUTH, MN – Minnesota State has named three finalists in the search for the next president of Lake Superior College. The candidates are David Clickner, Barbara Embacher, and Linda Kingston. Dr. Patricia Rogers has lead Lake Superior College as president since 2019.  Dr. Rodgers announced her impending retirement in August of 2024. The candidates were recommended by a search advisory…

Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser Raises Money Veteran ‘Honor Flight’

DULUTH, Minn. – An annual fundraiser looks to help support ‘Honor Flights’ for local veterans. The All American Club in Lincoln Park is hosting its annual spaghetti dinner this Saturday, Apr. 26, to support the Honor Flight Northland organization. ‘Honor Flights’ are organized trips for local veterans from World War II, the Korean and Vietnam wars, to visit “their memorials”…

Honor Flight Northland Fundraiser Planned

DULUTH, MN – The All-American Club in Duluth is hosting a fundraiser for Honor Flight Northland. It is scheduled for April 26, 2025 from 3pm to 7pm. Honor Flight brings veterans, free of charge, to Washington, D.C. to see the memorials in their honor. Veterans from across Northeast Minnesota and Northwestern Wisconsin are eligible for the local chapter’s trip. The…

Shoppers Auto Park Ramp Demolition To Start

DULUTH, MN – The demolition of the closed Shoppers Auto Park Ramp will start on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. A news conference will be held at the site with representatives from The City of Duluth, Duluth Economic Development Authority (DEDA) plus other community partners kicking off the demolition. The group will outline the project and provide details of the intricacies…

Final Beams For ‘Can of Worms’ Arrive In Duluth

DULUTH, MN – The final beams have arrived for the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Twin Ports Interchange project – also known as the “Can of Worms”. The beams will complete the key structural phase of the interchange’s reconstruction. MnDOT says the beam setting will represent a significant step toward improved safety, mobility, and freight movement throughout the Twin Ports area….

Body of Missing Woman Found

DULUTH, MN – The St. Louis County Rescue Squad recovered the body of 61-year-old Sherri Monroe from the St. Louis River on April 22, 2025. Sherri Monroe No foul play is suspected and next of kin has been notified. In the announcement the Duluth Police Department said, “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Monroe family and friends as…

UMD’s Tweed Museum of Art Gets Gifts From Duluth Street Photographer D. R. Martin

Duluth, MN – University of Minnesota Duluth’s Tweed Museum of Art and College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS) announced the addition of works by 12 artists to the museum’s permanent collection. D. R. Martin photograph donated to UMD’s Tweed Museum The additions include gifts and purchases of ceramics, photographs, sculpture, drawings, works on paper, and prints. One of…

Superior and Northwoods Students Named 2025 WIAA Scholar Athlete Finalists

STEVENS POINT, WI – Sixteen senior girls and 16 senior boys from Wisconsin High Schools were named as finalists to receive the 2025 Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association’s (WIAA) Statewide Scholar Athlete Award. Paolo Pagnucci, Superior High School, 3.98 GPA This year, more than 806 seniors from 415 high schools across the state were nominated for the award. To determine the…

Search Continues for Missing Duluth Woman

DULUTH, Minn. – Authorities continue searching the waters near Rice’s Point for a missing Duluth woman. St. Louis County Sheriffs were back on the waters near Rice’s Point Monday afternoon, in the search for 61-year-old Sherri Monroe. Rice’s Point is a public boat launch and fishing area on Port Terminal Dr, that sits under the Blatnik Bridge. Authorities say Monroe’s…

Chisholm Police Respond To Videos of Dogs Circulating on Internet

CHISHOLM, MN – The Chisholm Police Departments released a statement addressing a series of videos shown on social media purportedly showing animal abuse in Buhl. Police say they searched the facility on April 15, 2025 and located several dogs being kept on the property. Officers say the dogs “had access to food, clean water, and appropriate shelter”.  Officers also said…

Mary Murphy Day At Capitol

ST. PAUL, MN – As the floor session convenes on April 21, 2025 the House of Representatives will honor the life and legacy of Mary Murphy. The Murphy Is presented Mary Murphy Day Proclamation by Lt, Gov, Peggy Flanigan State Representative Mary Murphy was the longest-serving woman in the history of the Minnesota House. “Mary Murphy Day” will feature the…

Duluth launches new “courtesy note” program to fix code violations

DULUTH, MN – The City of Duluth is introducing it’s Clean Streets, Strong Communities Courtesy Notice Program. Example of a Courtesy Notice from Duluth Life Safety It’s a new initiative designed to encourage voluntary compliance with city ordinances before formal enforcement actions are taken. Rather than beginning with a citation or formal inspection process, residents out of code compliance may…

LSC Celebrates 80-Years with a Look at Its Advanced Aviation Programs

DULUTH, Minn. — The public and prospective students were given an inside look at Lake Superior College’s Advanced Aviation Center Friday afternoon. According to the college, their pilot and aviation maintenance programs offer a unique hands on learning experience and prepare students to get a job in a high demand career field. The open house allows the public a chance…

Duluth Fire Marshal Asking For Help On Suspicious Lincoln Park Fire

DULUTH, MN – Duluth Fire Marshal Lisa Consie is hoping thepublic can help with solving a suspicious February fire in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Consie is asking the public to come forward with any information that may lead to the identification of any persons tied to the fire that burned 2226 W. First Street on February 16, 2025. RELATED: Fire…

WLSSD Celebrates Steps Forward

DULUTH, Minn. — The Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD) had a lot to celebrate Tuesday afternoon, announcing the launch their “Combined Heat and Power” (CHP) project, which they say will leverage technology to produce clean energy from renewable resources. This new project will be facilitated by a new leader, as their executive director of 17 years passes the torch….

Stolen Vehicle Located, Minutes After Police Appeal to Public for Info

DULUTH, Minn. – Minutes after appealing to the public for information, police say they recovered a stolen vehicle that originally fled from them Saturday night. In a press release Monday afternoon, Duluth Police asked the public for information to help locate a stolen vehicle. Police said the “vehicle that fled from officers on Saturday, April 12 around 3 a.m. in…

Name of Chisholm Man Killed In Motorcyle Crash Released

The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says Shawn Harold Hage of Chisholm died following a motorcycle crash on April 12, 2025. The accident was reported around 4:30 p.m. on Highway 5 near the intersection of Herman Road, which is about five miles east of Hibbing. Witnesses told the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office that the 46-year-old man failed to navigate…

Rhubarb Festival Moving To New Location

Chum’s 20th annual Rhubarb Festival is moving to a new location. After several years at First Lutheran Church and Holy Rosary School. it will be moving to at Asbury United Methodist Church. It’s located at 6822 Grand Avenue near the Lake Superior Zoo. The fest will take place Saturday, June 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In a news release Chum’s…

Investigation into Drive-By Shooting Report on FDL Reservation

FOND DU LAC RESERVATION, Minn. – Authorities are investigating after reports of a drive-by shooting Thursday night on the Fond Du Lac Reservation. Cloquet and Fond Du Lac Police were called to the 300 block of Brookston Rd around 9:10 p.m. on Thursday, for reports of shots being fired from a passing vehicle.  No injuries were reported. As of publishing,…

‘Animal Torture’ Case Leads to Charges Against Hibbing Man

HIBBING, Minn. – Authorities say they arrested a Hibbing man “for (the) charge of animal torture” after multiple people came forward as witnesses to the alleged abuse of the man’s young dog. Hibbing Police arrested 35-year-old Trevor Michael Ross on Friday for one felony count of animal cruelty amounting to torture and one misdemeanor count for deprivation of food or…