Author: Nachai Taylor

Aging Population Could Create A “Silver Tsunami”

It is believed as people get older they are at higher risk of having chronic diseases.

DULUTH, Minn. – Recent research from the University of Minnesota Medical School shows the number of people over the age of 65 in the state is expected to double. The rapidly aging population has health professionals worried this could have major impacts. Clinical experts are calling it the “Silver Tsunami.” It is believed as people get older they are at…

A Portion Of Lincoln Park Drive Closes For Pedestrian-Only Access

The road will be closed starting from the bridge on Lincoln Park Drive up to 10th street.

DULUTH, Minn. – A portion of Lincoln Park Drive will close on Friday to be used as a pedestrian-only trail for the winter. The road will be closed starting from the bridge on Lincoln Park Drive up to 10th street. Vehicle access will also be restricted at 6th street. This is the second time the city closed down a portion…

Holiday Gatherings Still Discouraged Even As A Vaccine Nears Approval

More than 50% of the total COVID-19 cases in the county since March were reported last month.

DULUTH, Minn. – A Coronavirus vaccine could be available in the Northland within the next few weeks. Although a treatment is on the way health officials are still urging the community to avoid holiday gatherings to help slow surges in COVID-19 cases. Demand for a Coronavirus vaccine in the northland is expected to be far greater than the doses available….

Fan Cutouts Available For Purchase For UMD Bulldog Hockey Games

The cutouts costs $75 each.

DULUTH, Minn. – This season, the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldog hockey fans won’t be allowed into Amsoil Arena to watch any of the games, but you still have a chance to show your support for the teams in a creative way. Fans can now purchase a cardboard cutout of themselves to be displayed in the arena during the home…

First Responders Are Feeling Strained From Impacts Of COVID-19

NORTHLAND, Minn. – First responders have been strained by this pandemic, especially ambulance crews that may respond to someone having symptoms. Communities rely on first responders when emergencies happen, but as coronavirus case numbers surge in the region, the job is becoming more challenging. “We need some help in being able to respond to the emergencies,” said Virginia Mayor Larry…

Highlighted Disparities During Pandemic Still Leaves People Of Color Uneasy About COVID-19 Pandemic

A recent survey shows only about 50% of African Americans are open to taking the coronavirus vaccine.

DULUTH, Minn. – A roll out for a coronavirus vaccine is expected before the end of the year. Beyond the issue of who gets the vaccine first, there is another obstacle many health professionals say still needs to be addressed. The COVID-19 pandemic has shined a brighter light on health disparities for people of color. A recent study shows about…

City of Virginia Closes City Hall For Covid-19 Precautions

VIRGINIA, Minn. – The Virginia City Hall has closed to the public after one city staff member tested positive for the coronavirus. The closure is just a precaution to prevent the spread of the virus. The individual exposed to the virus worked as an evidence technician for the police department as well as staffed the general public services window. Unfortunately,…

City Of Duluth Make Recommendations For Tourism Tax Dollars

"We are expecting to collect 25% less in 2021 than we anticipated collecting this year in 2020," said Duluth Mayor Emily Larson.

DULUTH, Minn. – As the pandemic continues to hurt many parts of the Northland tourism industry Duluth city leaders are starting the process of deciding how tourism generated tax dollars should be spent next year. Last year, about $12 million in tourism tax revenue ended up being set aside for Duluth community investments and to help pay for some of…

Hermantown Government Services Building Reopens After Covid-19 Related Closure

The Hermantown Government Services building is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The Hermantown Government Services building has reopened to the public once again after some staff members were diagnosed or exposed to COVID-19. The facility is home to the Hermantown City Hall, Police, and Fire Departments. The building was closed for about a month as a precaution for the safety of the public, but staff continued to work…

Storefront Windows Celebrate Cultural Traditions With Holiday Displays

DULUTH, Minn. – Some vacant storefronts in Lincoln Park are being dressed up with holiday displays created by local artists. The windows showcase holiday cultural traditions like Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. People passing by can read and learn more about those traditions. A local artist says she hopes the displays remind the community of the importance of sticking together. The first…

Funeral Homes Having A Hard Time Keeping Up With Rise In Covid-19 Deaths

"Were finding it more and more of a challenge to keep up with it," said Cody Downs, the manager of the Cremation Services of Superior.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to put a strain on the funeral industry. The rapidly rising case numbers are making it difficult for funeral homes just to keep up. Since the start of the pandemic, the Lenroot- Maetzold funeral home in superior has been getting hit hard. “We had a difficult time trying to get PPE. The…

Mailing And Shipping Stores Staying Busy For The Holidays

It is recommended to get those out as early as possible to make it in time for Christmas.

DULUTH, Minn. – Local mailing and shipping stores are keeping busy as more people are sending holiday gifts during the pandemic. The Pack and Mail on Grand Avenue has seen an uptick in customers sending packages all across the country. The steady business hasn’t left any downtime for the workers. A clerk says in the last couple of years mailing…

Virginia Police Department Using New Type Of Restraint Device

BolaWrap is used to help safely diffuse situations without the need for extra use of force.

VIRGINIA, Minn. – The Virginia Police Department is now using a new type of restraint device called BolaWrap. The device is used to help safely diffuse situations without the need for extra use of force. The Virginia Police Department was able to successfully use the device during a recent encounter with a non-compliant person suffering from a mental health crisis….

Proctor Holds ‘Mayor For A Day’ Essay Contest For Students

PROCTOR, Minn. – Ever wondered what it would be like if kids ran local city governments? The City of Proctor is giving fourth through sixth graders a chance to compete in an essay contest to be mayor for a day. The idea is inspired by a similar contest held annually by the League of Minnesota Cities. Proctor students can write…

Holiday Shopping In Stores Can Be Risky As Pandemic Continues

Your risk of catching the virus depends on the situation, but medical professionals want to remind everyone to be aware that COVID-19 continues to spread rapidly throughout the Northland.

DULUTH, Minn. – There might be the one gift you can’t find online, or maybe going to a store to purchase a gift is more convenient, but health experts are cautioning people to be aware of the COVID-19 risks when you are out among crowds. Any time a person goes shopping in public settings, there is a chance you will…

Local Colleges Keeping Nursing Pipeline Going During Pandemic

DULUTH, Minn. – The pandemic is creating a strong need for more healthcare workers. Northland colleges and universities are keeping the pipeline going to help address the urgency to fill open healthcare jobs. Both Lake Superior College and the College of St. Scholastica have students ready to graduate this month. This may be perfect timing as many healthcare settings in…

Traffic Fatalities in 2020 Are Going Up At Alarming Rate

It is estimated another 30 to 40 Minnesotans could die from vehicle accidents before New Year's Day.

DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota has reached a tragic milestone for traffic fatalities in the state. Currently, 364 Minnesotans have died from injuries due to vehicle crashes since the beginning of the year. This is alarming because there are still about three weeks left of the year. In 2019, the same number of deaths were reported through December 31st. At this…

Doc Witherspoon’s Soul Kitchen Finds A Permanent Home

Doc Witherspoon's Soul Kitchen is currently open for curbside Thursday through Saturday from 4-6 p.m.

DULUTH, Minn. – Doc Witherspoon’s Soul Kitchen has finally found its permanent home. The restaurant is now taking over Mitch’s Bar and Grill in Lincoln Park. The new space includes both a dining and bar area. Customers can expect to enjoy some of the most popular dishes like fried chicken, cornbread, and much more. The Witherspoon family has been raising…

Wind Cargo Import Creates Record For Duluth-Superior Port

The wind cargo brought into the region this year topped the previous record by more than 200,000 tons.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth-Superior port has had a record-breaking shipping season when it comes to wind energy cargo. This year, in the midst of the pandemic, imports for that type of cargo nearly doubled the previous record set in 2019. Like many other industries, shipping has been hit hard by the pandemic. This record-setting achievement is highlighting the strong…

Floerke Leaves Bench To Become President Of The Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation

The judge is expected to start his new role on January 11th.

DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth judge is leaving the bench to take on a new role as the President of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation. The organization’s board of trustees announced Tuesday Six District Court Judge Shaun Floerke will take on the role. Floerke replaces former President Holly Sampson, who retired back in June after holding the position for…

Lake Superior Zoo Animals Are Missing Visitor Interactions

"You guys as visitors are the main sources of entertainment for the animals at the zoo," said Lizzy Larson, the head carnivore zookeeper.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Lake Superior Zoo is one of the many tourist attractions in the state now shut down as part of new safety guidelines from Governor Tim Walz. The closure is taking away all the attention the animals would normally be getting from zoo visitors. “You guys as visitors are the main sources of entertainment for the animals…

A Local Church Gives Out Advent-In-A-Box Kits

Peace in Christ Lutheran Church in Hermantown assembled 300 kits.

DULUTH, Minn. – A local Hermantown church is helping families in the community prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus during the Advent season. Peace in Christ Lutheran Church in Hermantown assembled 300 Advent-in-a-box kits. Each box contains devotional materials and hands-on activities like art projects and science experiments to be done during each week of Advent. These boxes are…

Local Businesses Are Taking Advantage Of Cyber Monday

This year's nearly $13 billion projection for Cyber Monday is up by about 35% compared to 2019.

DULUTH, Minn. – Experts predict consumers will spend nearly $13-billion on Cyber Monday online purchases. This would make it the biggest online shopping day in history for the United States. Many Northland businesses are taking advantage of the financial boost the shopping day could bring. Cyber Monday deals can be a motivator for people to spend their money and the…

Holiday Lights Are Selling Fast

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s that time of the season many families are beginning to decorate for Christmas. Some local hardware stores are seeing more people coming in purchasing Christmas lights. Staff at Denny’s Hardware store say holiday lights have been flying off the shelves. The most popular type of lights being purchased is LED, which can be brighter and are…

DLH Airport Staying Ahead Of The Trend

Last month, U.S. passenger bookings were down by nearly 60% whereas the DLH Airport only reported a decline of more than 30%.

DULUTH, Minn. – More than 900,000 Americans traveled through airports across the nation, this week. Compared to last year that number was just over 2 million. Locally, the Duluth International Airport is staying busy this year for the thanksgiving holiday. Airport officials say they are continuing to stay ahead of the trend Last month, U.S. passenger bookings were down by…

Bridgeman’s Gives Proceeds From Thanksgiving To-Go Special To Workers

DULUTH, Minn. – Bridgeman’s Restaurant in Duluth is helping to make the holiday special for everyone with its thanksgiving to-go meals. On Wednesday, restaurant staff packed up about 500 meals pre-ordered for Thanksgiving. Each individual-sized platter comes with turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and much more Of course, the best part is the pumpkin bars for dessert. Bridgman’s is also making…

Local Frontline Workers Give A Special Thank You To Other Frontline Workers

"I hope they feel recognized. I hope they feel they are part of the team," Duluth Fire Chief Shawn Krizaj.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police and Fire Departments are sharing their appreciation for the other emergency teams that sometimes are not recognized nearly enough for their efforts. A fleet of emergency vehicles from both departments flooded the streets outside St. Luke’s Hospital to help show appreciation for other frontline workers. “It’s a beautiful thing to see the frontline heroes…

Douglas County Struggling With Contact Tracing As COVID-19 Case Numbers Rise

Last week, the county reported more than four hundred positive cases.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Wis. – COVID-19 case numbers are rapidly going up in Wisconsin. Douglas County Public Health officials say they are struggling to keep up with contact tracing as more people continue to be diagnosed with the virus once a person has tested positive. Last week, the county reported more than four hundred positive cases. With the continued spike in…

City Of Superior Working To Increase Internet Access For Residents And Businesses

The survey has a total of seven questions and can be completed in less than five minutes.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The City of Superior is making it a priority to provide better internet access for residents, through its initiative called Connect Superior. Now Superior residents are being asked to participate in a survey, which will help city staff understand how current broadband networks are working from their households. Some of the goals of the intiative are to…

Hospitals Urging Community Members To Follow Safety Guidelines

Recent statistics show about 40% of all COVID-19 related hospitalizations in this region were reported during the first three weeks of November.

DULUTH, Minn. – This fall has been a very active time for spikes in covid-19 cases around the Northland. The latest numbers show September, October, and November with some of the highest rates for the transmission of the coronavirus since the start of the pandemic. That’s why area health professionals are urging everyone to follow safety guidelines to help slow…

CHUM Feeds Community By Hosting A Thanksgiving Food Giveaway

About 75 turkeys were given away in just over 30 minutes of starting the event.

DULUTH, Minn. – This week, CHUM is giving away Thanksgiving food baskets to people in need of the essentials for a traditional holiday meal. Monday was the first day the organization handed out those boxes of food. Dozens of community members lined up outside Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Duluth patiently waiting to take a basket home. Those in line…

COVID-19 Outbreak Hits A Twin Ports Long Term Care Facility

About 50 employees have tested positive since the recent outbreak.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – More than 75 residents have tested positive for the coronavirus at a Twin Ports long term care facility. Four of those residents have since died. The Superior Rehabilitation Center has been suffering a COVID-19 outbreak since the start of November and is slowly working to bounce back from the surge in cases. Many of those individuals testing…

Yarn Harbor Helps Warm Up The City

Donations can still be brought to the store.

Yarn Harbor in Duluth is helping to warm up the city thanks to donations from local community members. Every year the store puts on an event to distributed hats, mittens, gloves to those in need. This year’s winter accessories are sprinkled around town in places like near the enrance of the Chester Creek Trail across from Burrito Union and at…

Small Town Bars And Restaurants May Be Hit Harder In Latest Shutdown

By being such a strong staple for these communities, the sense of togetherness will be missed.

DULUTH, Minn. – Bars and restaurants get by thanks to the support from their own community members, but due to smaller population sizes in certain communities, the impacts from this second shutdown may hit even harder. Many businesses like the Mainline Station Bar in Floodwood, were just beginning to get back to normal operations after shutting down at the start…

Health Professionals Fear Suicide Rates Might Go Up

Many factors such as isolation and substance abuse during the pandemic may be contributing to the increase in mental health difficulties.

DULUTH, Minn. – It might be a good day to check in on your loved ones. The hardships caused by the pandemic is creating an increase in the number of people battling a mental illness such as depression or anxiety. Health experts now fear suicide rates might also rise as the global crisis continues. Many factors such as isolation and…

Marine General Collecting Donations For Kids In The Community

DULUTH, Minn. – Marine General is lending a hand this holiday season after being forced to cancel its annual Turkey Fry fundraiser. The store is continuing to put on its annual bike drive. Unfortunately,  bikes are in such high demand and very little are being donated. Now the store is working with the salvation army to collect essentials for children….

Governor Walz Is Turning The Dial Again On Covid-19 Restrictions; Bars And Restaurant May be Impacted

DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is expected to tighten the belt on safety guidelines as coronavirus cases continue to rise across the state. One of the new rules slated to be announced would require bars and restaurants to only be open for takeout orders. Restaurant owners around the region are reacting to the impacts this curveball could have…

St. Regis Apartments Now Condemned; Tenants React

"It's been a lot of stress and anguish," said Page Koski, a tenant of the building.

DULUTH, Minn. – Nearly a month ago, residents at the St. Regis Apartments in Duluth were given just over a week to leave after the building had a heating issue. “It’s been a lot of stress and anguish,” said Page Koski, a tenant of the building. Several tenants share similar feelings because their living situation is now very uncertain. “My…

Public Health Officials Wants College Students To Be Mindful Of Traveling For The Holidays

DULUTH, Minn. – Public Health leaders in St. Louis County say the 20-24 age group continues to be one of the largest parts of the population in the county infected with the Coronavirus. They ask college students to be mindful of the risks as they make plans for the holidays. Currently, about nine percent of the cases in the county…

St. Louis County Launches Billboard Campaign To Reach Teens

DULUTH, Minn.- Several billboards are now displayed throughout St. Louis County, including two in the Duluth area, to shed light on the norms of substance uses. Vaping is one form of substance that has become more common among young people in recent years. A recent survey conducted on Minnesota students shows the idea that “everyone is doing it” is certainly…