Author: Reece Lindquist

Firefighters Urge Residents to Take Preventative Measures as Temperatures Drop

Members of the Duluth Fire Department want people to use Daylight Savings as an opportunity to check on their smoke detectors as well.

DULUTH, Minn. — While most people get ready to turn their clocks an hour back for Daylight Savings this Sunday, members of the Duluth Fire Department want people to use it as an opportunity to check on their smoke detectors as well. A general rule of thumb is to check the batteries on your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors and…

UMD Holding Pumpkin Compost Drive

UMD held a compost drive for people looking for a place to ditch those gourds.

DULUTH, Minn. — With Halloween in the rearview mirror, it’s time to say goodbye to your pumpkins and hit the road jack-o-lanterns. UMD held a compost drive for people looking for a place to ditch those gourds. Starting Friday, people can visit two locations on the campus to dispose of their pumpkins. One in the parking lot near the new…

Duluth School District Begins Voluntary Vaccine Clinics at Elementary Schools

On Thursday, the Duluth school district began hosting voluntary vaccination clinics starting at Laura MacArthur Elementary school.

DULUTH, Minn. — After FDA and CDC approval, the Pfizer vaccine is now available for 5 to 11-year-olds. The Duluth school district is one of the first districts in Minnesota to offer a vaccine clinic to those who want to get the shots. “We are one of the first sites in the state of Minnesota to give vaccinations for our…

Life 97.3 Hosts Winter Clothing Drive

Farmers Insurance on Superior street and DLH Clothing in West Duluth were also part of the drive.

DULUTH, Minn. — The Christian radio station life 97.3 partnered with other businesses to hold a clothing drive on Thursday. It was the third annual event and the first time the radio station has hosted it. The drive was looking for jackets, gloves, hats, mittens and other articles of clothing to help get kids ready for the winter season. Staff…

Two Harbors Area Food Shelf Getting Ready for Holiday Season

Employees pre-packaged boxes of meals with all the essentials.

TWO HARBORS, Minn. — The two harbors area food shelf has continued to be in high demand in the community. The non-profit originally started with curbside pickup last year with the pandemic, but then shifted to a drive-thru model which they say has been very successful. Employees pre-packaged boxes of meals with all the essentials. Right now, they’re boxing up…

Approved Referendum Means Big Improvements For Lake Superior School District

There is no time frame for the completion of the projects. 

TWO HARBORS, Minn. — The Lake Superior School District up the north shore received the go-ahead on one part of a two-question referendum Wednesday night. 61% of voters approved a multi-million dollar plan to make major improvements to the infrastructure of three schools. “I floated out of the building to be honest last night to be honest,” Lake Superior School…

Deer Processors Ready For Upcoming Hunting Season

The meat processing fee is $110. 

POPLAR, Wis. — Meat processing plants around the Northland are gearing up for the upcoming Minnesota and Wisconsin firearm hunting seasons. “We start with the bear season so that’s pretty fast and furious. Then it cuts back a little for the bow season. We take both from Minnesota and Wisconsin,” Hursh Meat Processing Owner, Robert Hursh says. With bow season…

New London Cafe Under New Ownership

The renovations are expected to wrap up by early next year.

DULUTH, Minn. — New London Cafe in Duluth’s Lakeside neighborhood is now under new ownership. They’re wasting no time putting their ideas in motion. The restaurant will be getting a facelift including new coffee equipment, tables, artwork and more. They’re also in the process of getting their liquor license. The renovations are expected to wrap up by early next year….

City Seeing More In-Person Voters

DULUTH, Minn. — With 30% of voter turnout staff with the city say this is a similar election to 2017 with the slate of positions on the ballot. The Duluth city administrator says, more people are getting out to vote in-person. This after last year saw a boost in early and absentee ballot votes. These hyperlocal elections are what can…

New Boutique Opens in Superior

The mother-daughter-run boutique also has home decor with weekly transitions as they gear up for the holidays.

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — A new boutique is open in Superior. “We just want it to be kind of like an experience when you walk into the door,” Kindred Stone & Co Part Owner, Jami Konkler says. Kindred Stone and Co first opened their doors in early October. “Whether you’re here for a gift or clothing for yourself or somebody else….

Duluth Taking New Measures for First Snow Emergency

The city of Duluth is taking extra precautions ahead of this winter. 

DULUTH, Minn. — The city of Duluth is taking extra precautions ahead of this winter. More than 40,000 brochures will be mailed to residents this week laying out the timeline of a snow emergency. The goal is to provide more information to homeowners about when cars need to be moved, where to park during snow emergencies and snow removal tips….

Lake Superior Brewing Nears Grand Reopening

That neighborhood used to prohibit alcohol up until 2016.  

DULUTH, Minn. — One of the oldest breweries in Minnesota is close to reopening. Since 2019, Lake Superior Brewing has sat idle but recently a couple purchased the company. They decided to relocate to the building formerly occupied by Xcel Xercise and Sun City Tanning Center on superior street That neighborhood used to prohibit alcohol up until 2016. Even though…

General Election Takes Place Tuesday

If you still have your mail-in-ballot they are due at city hall by 3 p.m. tomorrow.

DULUTH, Minn. — The general election gets underway on Tuesday in Duluth. Beginning at 7 a.m. Tuesday morning and running until 8 p.m. at night the polls will be open. The municipal primary held back in August had just over 12% voter turnout. It was an increase from the previous primary in an off-year. City staff want to encourage people…

Duluth School District to Start Voluntary Vaccination Clinics for Elementary Students

It would allow students a better chance of not contracting the virus and learning in person.

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth school district could become one of the first districts in the state to host voluntary vaccine clinics for 5 to 11-year-olds. Pending FDA approval of the Pfizer vaccine for that age group on Tuesday, the district is poised to become one of three districts in the state of Minnesota to offer these clinics. The superintendent…

Halloween Marks 30th Anniversary of 1991 Blizzard

The storm dumped over 30 inches of snow in the northland during a three-day period.

DULUTH, Minn. — Weather forecasters are looking back at an even more scary holiday as Sunday marks 30 years since the 1991 blizzard in Minnesota. The storm dumped over 30 inches of snow in the northland during a three-day period. It broke records that still hold up decades later. Experts at the National Weather Service in Duluth say technology back…

Vintage Hideaway Market Brings Out Christmas Decor

With eight vendors now using the new space, they wanted to make sure they get their holiday products out early for crafters.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — Is it too early to be thinking about Christmas? One local shop in Hermantown doesn’t think so. Vintage Hideaway Market has already set out a variety of Christmas items as they anticipate a busy holiday season. With eight vendors now using the new space, they wanted to make sure they get their holiday products out early for…

Lakewood Elementary Students Participate in Halloween Parade

Staff hope they can continue the tradition of going outside next year.

DULUTH, Minn. — Little ghouls and fairies paraded around Lakewood Elementary School in Duluth for their annual Halloween parade. With more than 200 students in the school, most of them were dressed up in their costumes for the end-of-the-day parade. A new element was added this year, where the students would be able to go outside and walk around the…

Costco Hosts Grand Opening In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. —  “I think they will be impressed with their first time at a Costco,” Duluth Costco General Manager John Kuzas said Thursday. The wholesale retail store is now officially open in Duluth. “There was a lot of excitement this morning we had people lining up at about seven o’clock,” Kuzas said. One of those people was Myra Cloud…

Duluth Marshall to Start Nature-Based School

The school will officially open in the fall of next year.

DULUTH, Minn. — Excitement is building for a new nature-based school on the campus of Duluth Marshall. The Forest School will serve 4-year-olds up to 4th graders. The goal is to increase academic achievement, social skills and self-management skills. Students will use Duluth Marshall’s campus, which sits on 40 acres of trails, fields and creeks — making for a natural…

Outfitters Preparing for Winter Camping

The business' manager says there's nothing quite like winter camping at the BWCA.

ELY, Minn. — Camping became more popular as people changed up their hobbies and habits during the pandemic, and that includes even camping in the cold. The Piragis Northwoods Company in Ely is one of the few outfitting companies in the area which continues to draw in campers during the winter time. The shelves are stocked with everything they need…

Zup’s Opens In New Location

Store owners say they have added 30 employees giving them 90 total. 

ELY, Minn. — Folks in one part of the Northland have a brand new option for buying groceries. After closing their old location in mid-October, Zup’s has now officially opened a new store in Ely formerly occupied by Shopko. “They needed to expand, and they did. It’s a wonderful location,” Ely Resident James Stone says. While it’s still on the…

Chester Bowl Gearing Up for Winter Season

They are also starting to fit people for their winter equipment.

DULUTH, Minn. — As the warm weather winds down ski hills in the area are making the transition to their winter season. “The winter transition really happens at the end of spring we start doing our annual chairlift maintenance we start planning for the upcoming winter,” Chester Bowl Programs & Operations Manager, Sam Luoma says. Right now, Chester Bowl and…

Statewide Virtual Manufacturing Fair Takes Place Thursday

Most manufacturing jobs only need a high school degree and on-site job training.

DULUTH, Minn. — Minnesota Gov. Walz declared October Manufacturing Month in the state in an effort to get more people into the field. The average salary in the industry is more than $70,000 a year in Minnesota, which is 10 percent higher than other industries in the state. Right now, there are more than 8,000 job openings in Minnesota manufacturing…

Duluth Vacation Rental Cap Increases from 60 to 70 Units

  DULUTH, Minn. — The city of Duluth will soon be allowing more vacation rental properties to pop up in neighborhoods, including short-term rental options while occupied by the homeowner. “We are trying to make sure that the kind of regulations that we have function well in the community and most specifically in our single-family residential areas where you have…

YWCA Duluth Receives Grant

The program is designed for girls in grades 3 through 8 and it gives them opportunities to work on schoolwork, STEM programming and leadership development.

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth YWCA received a large grant from the AT&T Foundation to improve some of its programs that will help girls in the community. The organization has a “Girl Power” program that had to pivot to less in-person services during the pandemic that it’s now bringing back. Each program is designed for girls in grades 3 through…

Stores Gearing Up for Hunting Season

Northwest outlet in Superior received their hunting clothing items a few weeks ago.

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — Clothing stores are getting their gear in for hunting season. Northwest outlet in Superior received their hunting clothing items a few weeks ago. They are seeing people come in to purchase their blaze orange clothing, cover scents and more as hunting season approaches in Minnesota and Wisconsin. “We never know if it’s going to be 20 degrees…

Harbor House Crisis Shelter Receives Large Donation

Harbor House Crisis Shelter still needs more donations such as diapers, laundry detergent, pillows, winter clothing and more.

SUPERIOR, Wisc. —  The Harbor House Crisis Shelter received a big donation last week courtesy of several businesses in Superior. Serenity Spa and Salon, Beauty by Jolene and Twin Ports Laser and Cosmetic Services LLC all share a building on Tower Avenue. Together the three businesses donated diapers, hygiene items, and luxury hair care products. In total, the donation was…

Warming Centers Preparing to Open

In January, it's moving over to a bigger facility in Lincoln Park.

DULUTH, Minn. — A few shelters in the twin ports say the need to help the homeless community is growing as both supplies and space to house more people are continuously in-demand. The new executive director of CHUM, John Cole, says Duluth’s homeless population is only getting bigger. The Rainbow Center, which CHUM oversees, is going to open as a…

National Take Back Prescription Drug Day Held Saturday

Experts say there has been a 31% increase in opioid use since the start of the pandemic.

DULUTH, Minn. — Saturday is the annual ‘Take Back Prescription Drugs Day’ hosted by local law enforcement agencies across the country. On Friday, state leaders got together virtually urging people to properly dispose of their unwanted or unused prescription medication. Experts say there has been a 31% increase in opioid use since the start of the pandemic. All the more…

Tri-State Band Festival Underway

The concert at 7 is happening over at UWS Thorpe Langley auditorium with free admission for students, $3 for seniors, and $5 for adults.

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — It’s a big day for talented high school musicians in the region. More than 120 of them were invited to the tri-state band festival hosted at UW-Superior Thursday evening. The students are coming in from about two dozen schools around the northland. They’ll rehearse with the university’s faculty from the music department, along with a special guest…

The Great Pumpkin Train Stops in Duluth

The event is completely sold out.

DULUTH, Minn. — The North Shore Scenic Railroad is winding down its 2021 season, but not before capping it off with one of its most popular events before Halloween. The yearly “Pumpkin Train Express” went full steam ahead on Thursday. It brings passengers to a pumpkin patch to pick out some of the orange gourds. New this year, guests can…

UW System President Visits Area College

The clinic is also open to the public.

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — The President of the University of Wisconsin system was in Superior today to tour the campus vaccination clinic. The former governor of Wisconsin Thommy Thompson was also in town promoting students to get their Covid-19 vaccine. The UW System president set up 70 scholarships for universities in the system that get seventy percent of their students vaccinated….

Truck Drivers Seeing Workforce Shortage

Faculty say, that the course has been thriving with a current waiting list for students. 

DULUTH, Minn. — Technical Fields at Lake Superior College are going strong as several industries in the area and across the country are experiencing a workforce shortage. Specifically, the truck driving course at the college which is a 9-10 week course that combines online and in-person learning as students get to drive the trucks at the college’s site in Gary…

Local Appliance Stores Still Experiencing Supply Shortage

The reasoning behind the shortage? Lack of raw materials, shipping containers tripling in cost, and missing components all play a part in the long wait.

DULUTH, Minn. — Businesses in the area are continuing to see a supply chain shortage with not being able to get certain products in a timely manner, or not at all. “This all-new territory since probably the beginning of second quarter last year, Daughtery Appliance Sales Owner, Scott Boedigheimer says. Daughtery Appliance Sales in West Duluth has been around for…

Life 97.3 Looking to Spread Kindness in the Northland

So far, the station has already received hundreds of stories and video submissions on their website. 

DULUTH, Minn. — One local radio station is looking to spread kindness around the Northland. Earlier this month, Life 97.3 asked its listeners to submit videos to the station’s website of themselves or others doing acts of kindness. The radio station has a goal of reaching 973 acts by World Kindness Day on Nov. 11, and they are also sharing…

Carlton County Advocacy Group Created to Promote Animal Shelter Need

The group of almost 200 members held their first information meeting last week.

CARLTON COUNTY, Minn. — Since the closure of the friends of animal’s humane society in Cloquet back in 2018 the city, and county have been looking to fill that void. After the loss of the only animal shelter in the Carlton County area, city and county staff have stepped in to provide free microchip clinics to residents. Local law enforcement…

Artists Create Mural To Support Fire-Damaged Bar & Grill

The restaurant is still months away from opening the kitchen, but Witherspoon says opening the bar in a few weeks is the first step to get back to interacting with the folks he loves to see.

DULUTH, Minn. — Spoon’s Bar and Grill in Duluth is getting closer to reopening. This after two fires in August and September caused over $400,000 worth of damage to the building. Now, the restaurant is getting a special new makeover on its siding. “It’s amazing how the smallest things in life mean the most ya know,” Spoon’s Bar & Grill…

Kitchi Gammi Park Lakewalk Trail Extension Now Open

No events will take place at the park until the spring of 2023 at the earliest.

DULUTH, Minn. — The New Brighton Beach lakewalk trail extension is now open to the public. The paved trail is for bicycle and pedestrian use. City officials say the new section of trail is an extension of the existing lakewalk connecting to bike route 41 which follows scenic highway 61 from Duluth to Two Harbors. Brighton Beach will fully close…

Food Banks Gearing Up for Holiday Season

They say there is typically more than enough food to go around.

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. — Food banks in the Northland are getting ready for the holiday season. Throughout the pandemic, area food banks have had the tough task of helping more families out. Even though food banks like Second Harvest North Central in Grand Rapids experience shortages every year around the holidays. They say there is typically more than enough food…

‘The Forge’ Set to Give Innovators, Entrepreneurs Space to Excel

The facility will give students another outlet for those interested in engineering and manufacturing fields.

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. — The Itasca Economic Development Corporation has received over one million dollars in grants to turn one of their multi-use buildings they have owned since 2005 into what they are calling ‘The Forge.’ “The Forge will provide an opportunity for entrepreneur innovators as well as education training and workforce development all in the same roof,” Itasca Economic…

Gov. Walz Highlights Duluth’s Seawall Reconstruction, Begins State Funding Tour

DULUTH, Minn. — Minnesota Governor Tim Walz made a stop in Duluth Thursday to highlight some of the state’s bonding projects passed in 2020, including a soon-to-be new seawall behind the DECC. It was part of the Walz’s kick-off for his ‘local jobs and projects tour’ to celebrate bonding projects throughout the state currently in the works to improve infrastructure…

New Self Pour Bar to Open in Superior

Staff say they are excited to bring this experience to the city of Superior.

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – A new self-pour bar will soon be open in Superior. Owners of the Duluth Tap Exchange have a new location on tower avenue called ‘Tap on Tower.’ The establishment will have 40 beers on tap, a full bar, and food. Staff say they are excited to bring this experience to the city of Superior. “I think it’s…

UMD Hosts Flu Shot Clinic

Health officials recommend people get the flu shot annually.

DULUTH, Minn. — UMD hosted their first flu shot clinic of the season today for students and staff. Roughly 300 staff signed up to receive the vaccine. The campus was equipped to take walk-ins as well. With people coming to the university from all over the world, nurses say that it is essential for students on-campus, in housing and close…

Agriculture Committee Gives Drought Update

We are now hearing the impact of farmers as about 90% of the state was under severe drought conditions this past summer. 

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota leaders in agriculture gathered Tuesday morning to talk about the recent droughts regions across the state have experienced. We are now hearing the impact of farmers as about 90% of the state was under severe drought conditions this past summer. Back in September, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced a ten million dollar drought relief package…

Parks Department Releases ‘Essential Spaces Plan’

The parks levy was passed in 2011 allocating 2.6 million dollars each year to the department.

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Parks and Recreation Department started a ten-year planning process this summer. Now they are asking for the public’s feedback. The plan, called the essential spaces plan, is geared toward shaping the future of the parks for the next ten years. It also includes a survey for the public asking what they would like to see in…

UMD Introduces Robots to Assist in Nursing Homes

The robotic handy helpers are expected to be delivered to Monarch's facilities by the end of the year.

DULUTH, Minn. — UMD’s robotics program is helping nursing homes in the area get the quality care they need while also helping facilities experiencing staffing shortages. Monarch healthcare bought these robots to help staff in several of their local nursing homes. They can help patients with daily physical and cognitive skills. For those patients who may not be receiving regular…