Author: Nachai Taylor

Donations Help Feed Students With Food Insecurities During Covid-19 School Closures

 About 100 bags of food is being given out to Piedmont Elementary students and their families.

DULUTH, Minn – With schools being mandated to close during the Coronavirus pandemic, it brings into question the potential limited access to food for many people dealing with food insecurities. Piedmont Elementary in Duluth put out a call to action for the community to help minimize the impact on children suffering from food insecurities during the Covid-19 school closure. The…

COVID-19 Testing Centers Expected To Open

Health officials say tests for Coronavirus are in limited supply.

DULUTH, Minn. – As the Northland prepares for the coronavirus outbreak, both St. Luke’s and Essentia Health are planning to set up separate testing centers. This service will only be available to those who have been pre-screened by their primary care physician or through a virtual medical consultation such as Essentia’s e-visit. Those individuals would be able to schedule a…

Public Buildings And Sites Shut Down Starting Tuesday

The city will be pushing for non-essential city staff to work from home or remotely.

DULUTH, Minn. – Starting Tuesday, city buildings will be closed to the public as a precaution against the coronavirus threat. The city will now be pushing for non-essential city staff to work from home or remotely as much as possible to help protect themselves and the public’s health. Essential employees will still work on-site as the city want to minimize…

Duluth Public Schools Will Use Time Of Closure To Help Make Future Plans

ISD 709 schools will close from March 18-27.

DULUTH, Minn. – Governor Tim Walz recently ordered all Minnesota K-12 schools to close starting on Wednesday. The Duluth Public School District is speaking out about how this time of closure will be used to plan for the future as coronavirus concerns continue to grow. District officials say they are standing ready by looking into precautions with the best interest…

City Shares Preparation Plans In Response To The Covid-19 Threat

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth city leaders and local agencies gave an update on their preparations in response to the Coronavirus threat. City officials say they have been planning for several weeks the best approaches to Covid-19 They say the City of Duluth is fully prepared for effective public safety and emergency response when, rather than if, the virus arrives in…

Mobile Sauna Take Up A Residency On The Lakewalk

Cedar and Stone will be open on the Lakewalk until May.

DULUTH, Minn. – A new mobile sauna is taking up a residency on the Lakewalk in Duluth. Cedar and Stone Nordic Sauna, which launched in December, is partnering with the Inn on Lake Superior in Canal Park to offer a unique experience. Visitors to the wood fire sauna will have a chance to enjoy the gorgeous views of Lake Superior…

Bell Bank Signs Lease To Move Into Historic Temple Opera Building

The historic structure was originally built in 1889.

DULUTH, Minn. – One of downtown Duluth’s historic buildings now has a new tenant. Fargo-based Bell Bank recently signed a lease agreement to occupy all three floors of the Temple Opera Building to expand into the Twin Ports. Bell Bank officials have been on the hunt for several months for the right space to begin operations in Duluth. The Temple…

Cloquet Man Charged With Three Counts Of Second Degree Murder Appears In Court

He faces up to 40 years in prison for each charge.

CLOQUET, Minn. – Sheldon James Thompson appeared in court for the first time for his bail hearing, held on Tuesday in Carlton County, on three charges of second-degree murder. Sheldon Thompson showed little to no emotion or remorse while in the courtroom even after the judge set his bail at $1 million. During the bail hearing, which lasted no more…

The Northland Foundation Receives Grant To Help The Aging Adult Community

TWO HARBORS, Minn. – The Northland Foundation recently received a grant for $3.5 million to launch their Integrated Rural Aging Community Program. The foundation is now partnering with local organizations in Northeastern Minnesota to implement the Community Planning and Care Coordination project to help better serve the aging older adult community. A total of eight organizations, known for supporting rural…

CHUM’s Executive Director Is Retiring At The End Of The Year

Lee Stuart has served in the position since 2013.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Executive Director of CHUM in Duluth has announced she will be retiring at the end of the year. Lee Stuart has served in the position for about seven years. Many believe her leadership has proven to be instrumental in bringing awareness to Duluth’s homeless community. Stuart says she has accomplished many of the goals she and…

Coronavirus Concerns Could Potentially Impact Blood Donations

Around the nation people are canceling their appointments to give blood in fear of being exposed to the virus.

DULUTH, Minn. – The number of Coronavirus cases in the U.S. is continuing to rise including two in Minnesota. now there are concerns that the spreading of the virus could potentially create an urgent need for blood donations. Staff at Memorial Blood Centers in Duluth say they have noticed people are canceling their appointments to give blood in fear of…

It’s National Oreo Day!

Two women compete in the Minute to Win It Oreo challenge.

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s National Oreo Day! In honor of the special occasion, we put two lucky ladies to the test to find out who loves the delicious treat the most. With one minute on the clock, both were tasked with getting America’s favorite cookie from their forehead and into their month. But the catch is, they could only use…

West Duluth Neighborhood Road Is Being Used As An Illegal Trash Dump Site

"This has been going on for a long time. This is nothing new," said Duluth City Councilor Derek Medved.

The few pieces of trash that currently sit on 108th Avenue in West Duluth is nothing compared to what is usually dumped. Now that the city is looking to taking action, residents are hoping the change will come. “This has been going on for a long time. This is nothing new,” said Duluth City Councilor Derek Medved. “I’ve lived here…

A Community Survey Takes A Look Into Emotional Impacts Of The 2018 Husky Refinery Explosion

UMD graduate student Alyssa Dindorf is embarking on a journey to examine how the incident unfolded in the eyes of the community.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Husky Refinery explosion in 2018 was quite a devastation for many people in the Twin Ports. It was an event, that no one ever wants to experience again. It disrupted the lives of many people in the Twin Ports including causing thousands to evacuate their homes for safety. But as the years go by its impacts…

Social Gathering Inspires Young Women To Enter STEM Fields

DULUTH, Minn. – A few hundred young girls from area high schools were at the DECC to be encouraged to enter the STEM fields. The social gathering gave the young women a chance to hear from other female leaders working in science and engineering. They also learned the best ways to overcome obstacles they may face while embarking in a…

Duluth Prepares For Phase Three Of The Lakewalk Reconstruction Project

"We want people to understand we are open for business," said Canal Park Business Association President Matt Baumgartner.

DULUTH, Minn. – After three major storms in 2017 and 2018 violently destroyed sections of the Lakewalk, the City of Duluth has been working to restore the damage done. The city is now preparing for phase three of the reconstruction project, estimated to cost $15 million, which is being funded by FEMA. The City of Duluth has been planning the…

Drivers On I-35 Receive A Reminder To Go Vote

Drivers heading north and south on I-35 in Duluth were given a reminder to go out and cast their ballot for the Minnesota primary. Hanging out on the overpass a couple of people held signs and even gave a few waves to cars passing by. Some drivers even honked their horns to show their support. One man says its important…

DTA Launches New Free Downtown Bus Line

The Duluth Transit Authority has launched it’s new free bus route servicing downtown. The new circulator, known as the “DuLooper” will run every 15 minutes… It will travel from 10th Avenue East to 6th Avenue West between Michigan Street and Superior Street. The hope for the new service is to give more people better access to downtown especially as the…

UMD Students Speak On The Importance Of Hitting The Polls For The Primary

DULUTH, Minn. – About half the voting population is represented by young voters, including college students. With the 2020 presidential election inching closer, the local primary elections are an opportunity for students to begin exercising their right to vote. Like many college campuses, the University of Minnesota Duluth has students with various ideas and opinions on political issues that may…

UMD Hosts Third Annual Sustainability Education Summit

DULUTH, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Duluth hosted its third annual Sustainability Education Summit. It’s an opportunity for professionals and students to share ideas. They also learn how the topic of sustainability could be incorporated into classes. UMD’s Sustainability Coordinator says it’s important to have these discussions to help give a better understanding of the topic, which often can…

Free Culinary Boot Camp Helps Superior Residents Gain Skills

The free course is sponsored by the Nortwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – this week about a dozen Superior residents tested out their cooking skills during a free, two-week culinary boot camp. The class focuses more on food safety, which is critical in many commercial kitchens. The group is learning basic skills like the proper way to use knives. Each day the culinary students also learn how to make different…

High Water Levels In The Great Lakes Could Delay Shipping

Lake to lake shipping is not expected to be impacted in the Twin Ports.

DULUTH, Minn. – High lake levels on Lake Ontario are pushing back the start of the international shipping season. The lake’s locks will now open in April rather than the end of March. In the Twin Ports, officials tell us the delay is not expected to have any short term impacts on the Duluth-Superior port. Although, potential high water levels…

Young Girl Partners With A Local Radio Station To Collect Cards For Kids Battling Cancer

DULUTH, Minn. – Cancer may be one of the hardest things any child or a family would ever endure. knowing this hardship, little Evy Keppers who started the organization “Fighting for Friends” says by partnering with Life 97. 3 she’s hopeful something as little as a homemade card can uplift the spirits of kids going through the tough battle. Every…

St. Scholastica Students Raise Money For Nursing Scholarships

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Scholastica students had the day off to participate in the college’s bi-annual community day. Some students stopped by Christ Lutheran Church to make pasties for a student fundraiser. Half of the crew prepped while the others filled the dough for more than 500 pasties. All proceeds raised from the sales will help fund scholarships for St….

The Cathedral School in Superior Celebrates Mardi Gras

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Students at the Cathedral School in Superior celebrated Mardi Gras during their annual carnival. A few lucky kids had the fun job of smashing a pie in Superior Mayor Jim Paine’s face. They also got to play games like fishing for prizes and mini-golf. The annual Mardi Gras Carnival is one of the school’s biggest fundraisers. Organizers…

Minnesota Power Hosts 30th Annual Energy Design Conference

DULUTH, Minn. – Energy-efficiency may be one of the fastest-growing and innovative industries. The 30th Annual Energy Design Conference hosted by Minnesota Power at the DECC highlighted the future of energy-efficiency. About 40 exhibitors showcased the latest trends and information on renewable energy and best practices for sustainable design. Some of the newest electric vehicles on the market were available…

A New Pizza Shop Opens in Downtown Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – A new artisan-style pizza shop has opened in downtown Duluth. Lulu’s Pizza is now taking over the Old Pizza Man on West Superior Street which closed its doors last September. The new pizza shop specializes in making pies from scratch. The menu offers traditional kinds of pizza but also specialties like Banh Mi pizza, which is a…

High School Students Learn The Skills Needed To Work In Construction Trades

  DULUTH, Minn. – Hundreds of Northland high schoolers got their hands dirty during the 5th Annual Construct Tomorrow student event. Construct Tomorrow is a program geared towards introducing high school students to the building and construction trades. Nearly 1,500 from more than 25 schools in the Northland are getting an experience to help them find their career pathway. The…

City Reminds Northlanders Of Voting Rule Ahead Of Primary Election

DULUTH, Minn. – Early voting is currently underway in Minnesota. The City of Duluth wants to remind Northlanders of some of the rules involved in the primary election. This year will be a new voting experience. It will be the first time since 1992 that Minnesota voters will participate in party primary election instead of a caucus. Voters must select…

Turning First Street Into A Two-Way Is Looking Like More Of A Reality

DULUTH, Minn. – Another construction project could be added to the already busy agenda for this summer. Plans to convert First Street into a two- way is starting to become more of a reality. The City of Duluth has been working with a Twin Cities-based engineering company to do traffic studies on First Street. Currently First Street switches from a…

Old World Meats In Duluth Looking To Expand

The larger location would allow them to make up to a quarter of a million sticks a day.

DULUTH, Minn. – Old World Meats in Duluth is making plans to expand in a big way. The store is popular for its meat sticks which are sold in locations around the nation. The owner now wants to take that business to the next level by building a new plant. Old World Meats has been selling the popular snack in…