Author: Pat Brink

Will Northern Lights Express Receive Funding this Legislative Session?

Duluth, Minn. –Duluth Senator Jennifer McEwen is leading the effort in the State Senate to get funding in the budget for Northern Lights Express (NLX).   McEwen stressed the point that the project has broad support from a variety of people and places. “We have broad, bi-partisan support for this project and we have for some time,” said McEwen. “Some of us…

Duluth Mayor and Police Chief React to Memphis Police Beating Death

Duluth, Minn. – -Duluth’s Mayor and Police Chief posted statements on Social media Saturday regarding the release of the video which showed Tyre Nichols being beaten to death at the hands of five Memphis police offiicers. Duluth Mayor Emily Larson said in a statment, “It’s an absolutely tragic and terrible death. I remain committed to the work ahead to listen…

Abortion Bill Passes Minnesota Senate

Duluth, Minn. —  After 15 hours of debate, the Minnesota Senate passed the Protect Reproduction Options bill, known as the PRO bill. It wasn’t until about 3 AM Saturday morning that the Senate voted. The vote went straight along party lines, DFLers 34, Republicans 33. Democrats had fast tracked the bill to codify the abortion rights in the state. Proponents…

EMTs Meet in Duluth

Duluth, Minn. — Emergency Medical personnel, fire fighters and law enforcement professionals are meeting in Duluth. Attendees come from throughout the state and Wisconsin to learn more about new and different ways to deal with traumatic events. The job can be stressful, sometimes very stressful, but there ae many people who want to get into the field, generally known as…

Fun Outside As Preparations Are Underway For Lake Superior Ice Festival

SUPERIOR, Wis. — The annual Lake Superior Ice Festival begins Friday afternoon in Superior. The event takes place all over Barkers Island. Preparations for the two-day festival were underway Thursday afternoon. Crews were clearing snow away from parking areas, fire pits were being spread out and work was well underway for the Ice Carousel, always one of the highlights of…

Gooseberry Falls Park in the Winter

Duluth, Minn. — It’s been a very snowy winter, and now the deep cold is moving in.  This could mean that Cabin Fever is at your doorstep and it’s time to begin to fight that feeling. Ted Kent, who was at Gooseberry Falls Park said, “So beautiful, especially when it’s snowing.” As he was talking you could hear the birds…

State Abortion Battle Moves to the Northland

Duluth, Minn. — It’s an issue that has many people upset, no matter which side you are on. Abortion is the number one issue, at this point in the Minnesota Legislature’s’ current session. Up to his point, much of the action on these bills has taken place in St. Paul, Now, the action has turned to the Northland. Those opposed…

Ciders Highlighted in DECC Event

Duluth, Minn. –It was a first in Duluth,the Cider North event at the DECC, featured ciders from around the area and around the state. So what is cider, it’s not beer and it’s not wine? So cider making is wine making,” said Jason Dayton the co-founder of MN Cider and V.P. of MN Cider Guild said, ”We’re actually all bonded…

Wisconsin Governor Helps Businesses in Superior

Supeerior, Wisc. — Earlier this week Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers was in Superior to listen to residents about what they thought needed to be included in his budget. Evers also took time to answer a question posed by Fox 21, “What have you done for northwest Wisconsin lately?” “Well, we’ve done a lot of things including funding schools at a…

Blood Donations Needed

Blood Donation Month

Duluth, Minn. — January is National Blood Donor month. Donations are always critically needed, and can help save the lives of people who are not just getting emergency care, but also those who have cancer treatments, organ transplant operations, surgeries, and more. In the northland, Memorial Blood Centers has four locations: Duluth, Superior, Hibbing and Virginia. You can schedule an…

Difference of Opinion for Non-Binding Referendum in Wisconsin

Superior, Wisc. — There’s a difference of opinion in Wisconsin about what the non-binding referendum question should be on the April ballot. Republicans want to ask voters if there should be work requirements for people receiving public benefits. Democrats counter that the work requirement had already passed in 2018. Democratic Governor Tony Evers would like to have the referendum ask…

U.S. Supreme Court Cases

Two Cases to Be Heard Deal With Minnesota Issues

Duluth, Minn. –The U.S. Supreme Court will hear eight additional cases this year, and two of them deal with Minnesota issues. The first one deals with Hennepin County. Hennepin county confiscated and sold a 94 year old woman’s home because she owed approximately $15,000 in property taxes. The county sold the home for $40,000, and kept all of the money….

Restaurants After Covid

Duluth, Minn. — There are still many companies an businesses that are still looking to fully recover from the Covid Pandemic and the crushing impact it had on businesses. Restaurants are finally beginning to see more and more customers come back in. They are wanting to visit friends and family while enjoying a meal together. Two local restaurants, New London…

Sculpture Building

Duluth, Minn. –No matter the age, you’re never too old to play in the snow. However, long-time Duluth resident, political enthusiast, and snow-sculptor, Harry Welty, says it’s a little more challenging as the years go by. This year’s creation is a remake of the iconic photograph of Marines planting the U.S. flag on Iwo Jima in World War II. Welty…

Being Safe as You Snowmobile

Duluth, Minn. – – So far this season, the Minnesota DNR already reports at least six snowmobile deaths, including one just last week in the Morcom Township involving a 55-year-old woman from the Twin Cities. That number already matches the total number of snowmobile related fatalities last year.  As we gear up for a long three-day weekend with warm temperatures,…

Who’s Afraid of Friday the 13th?

Duluth, Minn. — All kinds of people, about 50 percent of the population, believe in superstitions, so on this Friday the 13th, the supposedly unluckiest of days, what superstitions are people thinking of or worrying about? Taylor Grimbo a student at UMD says, “I feel it’s fun when people kind of have their traditions of their superstitions. But, yeah I…

1,000 Nights Sleeping Outside

Duluth, Minn. — This was not a bad dream, especially for Isaac Ortman and the people who know him. When he was just 12, the pandemic began, and as lark he decided that he would spend ten nights sleeping outside. That was in April of 2020. When the first challenge was met, he decided he could go longer and he did….

Roger Reinert Running For Duluth Mayor

Duluth, Minn. — “Expect More Do Better.” That’s the theme of Roger Reinert’s campaign which he kicked off outside the Piedmont Community Center on Thursday. . He says Duluth residents should expect more from their city leaders. “We seem to have lost focus on those key things a city must do well. Duluth needs city government to do what city…

New Tattoo Parlor Opens in Superior

Superior, Wisc. –There’s a new place to get some ink that just opened its doors in Superior. The Northlandia Tattoo Parlor on Belknap Street received its final approval from the Superior City Council earlier this month. The owner, Jeremy Souders is not new to tattooing, he’s been doing it part-time for a number of years and liked it so well…

What’s in Store for Cirrus Aircraft?

DULUTH, Minn. — Less than four months ago Cirrus Aircraft announced that it’s refurbishing a 189,000 square foot building north of the airport to be its Innovation Center. Innovations to the company’s planes have been an integral part of the company’s growth and its future. At this afternoon’s Duluth Chamber of Commerce’s Let’s Do Lunch event, Cirrus Aircrafts president Patrick…

Northland Snowmobile Clubs Busy Grooming Trails

DULUTH, Minn. — It was a beautiful Friday afternoon in January, with the sun shining and snowmobilers ready to hit the trails. Two of the people riding their sleds know the trails they’ve been riding on are in such good shape because of volunteers from local snowmobile clubs. “The trails are really good,” said Kenny Melanson of Proctor. “They are…

Great Lakes Aquarium Sets New Attendance Record

DULUTH, Minn.– For the past few years, the Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth has had a goal of boosting its attendance to break the 200-thousand visitor mark. The organization  just announced that it surpassed that goal in 2022, welcoming  206-thousandvisitors through its doors. The executive director of the aquarium is Jay Walker., says he’s been working at the aquarium since…

Icicle and Ice Dam Problems

DULUTH, Minn. — During the holidays, people see icicles on a roof and often thin “that looks pretty.”  However the reason the icicles have formed may mean there’s a problem with your home.  “Some houses can have icicles, said Austin Miller of Miller’s Roofing and Siding, “but when you see the thickness of ice at the edge of the roof…

Duluth Salvation Army Year-Round Services

The Duluth Salvation Army surpassed their Red Kettle campaign goal at $225,000.

DULUTH, Minn. — The Salvation Army’s Christmas fundraiser is over after the Red Kettle campaign ended on Christmas Eve. Just one day prior they were still $10,000 short of their goal of $215,000, but thanks to a generous donor and the determination of the community, they ended up goal surpassing it. Cyndi Lewis, the Director of Development at the Duluth…

DECC Hosts New Year’s Eve Bash

DULUTH, Minn. – – Celebrations galore were happening throughout the Twin Ports  on New Year’s Eve as as adults were out and about. Glitterati’s New Year’s Eve Bash at the DECC may have been the biggest New Year’s Eve party this year.  People showed up dressed fancy for some fine dining, some even finer drinks, and to let loose on…

Children’s Museum Celebrates NOON Years

DULUTH, MINN. — There were people in Duluth already celebrating New Year’s early this afternoon. The place was at the Duluth Children’s Museum where a NOON Year celebration took place. The Duluth Children’s  Museum is the fifth oldest in the country, being established in 1930. At the NOON Year party there were masks, crowns and yes, noise makers. These were…

Legionnaires Disease in Duluth Area

DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of health has issued a Health Advisory for Legionnaires Disease in the Duluth area and surrounding counties. Two confirmed cases of Legionnaire’s Disease were reported in Duluth at the Woodland Gardens Apartments, a Senior, low-income apartment building.  One case happened in October, the other in December. Legionnaires’ disease is a type of pneumonia caused…

One Roof Community Housing to Add More Affordable Housing

DULUTH, Minn. — The Minnesota Housing Board of Directors earlier this month approved Funding of more than 165 million dollars to create and preserve 2,156 homes, apartments and manufactured home community lots. One Roof Community Housing will receive nearly 400 thousand dollars to rehab 12 houses and build four homes. Just over a year ago One Roof Community Housing opened…

Catering During the Holidays

DULUTH, Minn. — Catering services generally have a busy and profitable season during the holidays as more people are entertaining and want to have someone else do the cooking. MidCoast Catering, based in West Duluth, says this year has been a bit slower than past year, but it’s been a good year overall. The company can help people plan their…

Spirit Mountain Busyness Causes Delays

DULUTH, Minn. — Delays and long wait times have been frustrating for some visitors of Spirit Mountain. The hill acknowledges there have been some issues, but that this happens during the busy holiday season. One family who visited Spirit Mountain on Tuesday sent their concerns to the Mayor and city council. Another contacted Fox 21 and both said they waited…

Skating At Portman

DULUTH, Minn. — It’s winter time, it’s after Christmas and the kids are not in school. That can mean only one thing, many of them are at the ice rink. The Portman Skating area saw dozens of kids skating on Monday afternoon, and having fun this afternoon. Whether it was playing pick-up hockey, just learning to skate, or practicing some…

Smooth Travel at Duluth International Airport

DULUTH, Minn. — The Arrival and Departure Board at Duluth International airport today did not reflect what much of the rest of the country was still facing. This morning more than 17 hundred flights were cancelled and another 3.000 delayed. Tyler Ryder, returning from Michigan, said “I lucked out. I hopped on my plane on time, on time on the…

Think Ahead – Drive Safely

DULUTH, Minn. –Traveling Over the River and through the woods may be much more difficult this weekend. The low temperatures and the howling winds will be making driving difficult. State Patrol officers call this time, after a snow storm or after low visibility, the “stupid time”. Drivers had been driving more cautiously during those events, and driving much slower, However,…

Shoppers Inside at Miller Hill Mall

It’s the last full day to get your holiday shopping done and with today’s weather there was one place that stood out for people looking to complete their shopping. That place, he place to be on Friday was up the hill at  the Miller Hill Mall. We checked in with a few shoppers there to see what they needed and…

Is Fruitcake Getting a Bad Rap?

DULUTH, Minn. —  A 2016 online article has the headline “7 Reasons you should never eat Fruitcake” And the sub head that reads Throw it in the Trash.” That’s a pretty harsh sentiment for a traditional Christmas Sweet. ” Do you like Fruit cake – no, not a fan” Scott Johnson of Johnson’s Bakery says he generally makes two batches…

Holiday Weekends Mean More Law Enforcement On The Roads

Don't Drink and Drive

DULUTH, Minn. — Holiday weekends such as Christmas and New Years are times when people are more likely to be celebrating, and where alcohol may be involved. The Minnesota State Patrol wants to remind everyone, if your plans include having a cocktail or two, especially over the next few weeks, you need to make plans to get home safely. In…

Local Reaction to President Zelenskyy’s Visit

DULUTH. Minn. — Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar was a member of the Congressional Escort Committee for Zelenskyy’s Visit.  She briefly met with Ukraine’s president and reiterated the United States support for Ukraine. The senator said “…congress is coming together before the end of the year to provide additional security and humanitarian assistance…” Tina Smith, Minnesota’s other senator said, “It was…