Author: Rusty Mehlberg

Minnesota Association of Women Police Hold Annual Conference in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – Dozens of women who are members of law enforcement agencies from across Minnesota are in Duluth this week for the Minnesota Association of Women Police’s annual conference. The event is a chance to learn the latest in department leadership and tactical mobility through training, seminars, and speakers. President of the Minnesota Association of Women Police Serena Frazier says…

Italian American Club of Duluth Resume Events, Host Spaghetti Dinner

DULUTH, Minn. – Members of the Italian American Club of Duluth celebrated their first spaghetti dinner in three years Wednesday. The event at American Legion Post 71 featured plenty of spaghetti, meatballs, and salad, as well as a cash raffle.  People also had the chance to order out and take the dinner home with them. “There’s some of the members of…

Construct Tomorrow Happening at the DECC

DULUTH, Minn. – Hundreds of high school students are getting the chance this week to learn more about jobs in the trades industry at the DECC. Construct Tomorrow brings together organizations that are looking to hire young workers in fields ranging from excavating, to roofing, to painting and carpentry.  The need for new workers in the trades has been a top…

Go Red for Women Held at DECC

DULUTH, Minn. – The Northland Minnesota Chapter of the American Heart Association held their signature event of the year at the DECC Wednesday. Go Red for Women is a fundraiser for the chapter, but also a chance for survivors of heart disease, as well as their supporters, to gather and raise awareness about the number one killer in the United States….

Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths Host Annual Duluth Workshop

DULUTH, Minn. Last year saw the highest number of traffic deaths in Minnesota since 2007.  One program is taking a deeper dive into the data to figure out why. More than 70 groups and people part of Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths gathered in Duluth Wednesday for the northeast region’s 12th annual workshop.  The event featured speakers with knowledge on the issues…

Stores Selling Licenses, Gear for Wisconsin’s Fishing Season Opener

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Saturday is the start of Wisconsin’s inland waters fishing season for this year. Retailers across the Badger State are helping to sell licenses, which includes Northwest Outlet in Superior.  “We’ve been selling a lot of licenses lately,” says Scott Miller.  “There are a lot of people that are ready to be done with winter if the weather ever…

Arrowhead Youth Games Return to UMD

DULUTH, Minn. – The Arrowhead Youth Games returned to UMD Thursday. Over 300 elementary and middle school students from 22 schools, each with a physical or cognitive disability, took part in over a dozen different activities adapted to their skill levels, ranging from dancing and wheelchair races, to bicycling and bowling. “Every year it’s a lot of work to bring all…

Whitewater Rafting Businesses Prep as Season Nears

CLOQUET, Minn. – Recent rainfall and snow melt is helping businesses who run rafting excursions get ready for a new season. Minnesota Whitewater Rafting is checking their equipment so that they are ready to go May 14.  They are also training their crew for the various conditions the Saint Louis River near Cloquet can experience, based on Mother Nature and how…

Former Cloquet Labor Temple Nearly Transformed Into Lofts, Office Space

CLOQUET, Minn. – The transformation is nearly complete for the former Cloquet Labor Temple into new housing units. GCL Development Group has been working on the building for the past eight months to create Union Lofts, with 10 high-end studio and one-bedroom apartments and three office spaces. This is the developer’s first project, and they appreciate the community’s support as they…

Northern Lights Express Remains Optimistic After Minnesota Senate Votes for No Funding in Next Budget

DULUTH, Minn. – Supporters of the Northern Lights Express rail project were not shocked by Monday’s vote by the Minnesota Senate to not include finding for it in the next state budget. “What happened in the Senate this week was not unexpected,” says Ken Buehler, Chair of the Technical Advisory Committee for Northern Light Express.  “We saw this coming, we’re prepared…

Congdon Park Elementary Holds “From Sap to Syrup” Learning Experience

DULUTH, Minn. – Students at Congdon Park Elementary School are getting a hands-on learning experience this week on how tree sap is changed to maple syrup. The second annual Sugaring Off STEAM began earlier this spring when first and second grade students collect the sap from trees outside their school. Every grade is making a visit to the school’s garden, where…

STARBASE Minnesota Celebrates Duluth Expansion

DULUTH, Minn. – Two years after doubling their space, STARBASE Minnesota celebrated the expansion of their Duluth facility. COVID prevented community and business partners from seeing it until Tuesday, which included a ribbon cutting and a dedication from the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce.  The over 7,000 square feet at the 148th Fighter Wing includes four classrooms and staff office space….

First Collaborative Student Job Fair Held in Hermantown

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Hermantown high school students got their chance to search for summer work Thursday in the hallways of their school. More than two dozen businesses and organizations took part in the Collaborative Student Job Fair, sharing information on how students can get summer work or jobs that are part-time through the school year. There were also groups there that…

UMD Host CEHSP Research and Scholarship Showcase

DULUTH, Minn. – From studying how a child might gaze at a humanoid robots to measuring a person’s enjoyment of their first romantic kiss, several dozen UMD students got their chance to showcase their research projects Thursday. The second annual College of Education and Human Service Professions’ Research and Scholarship Showcase took place inside the Kathryn A. Martin Library. Each of…

Drought Conditions End in Northland

DULUTH, Minn. – The persistent spring days of cold temperatures, scattered with rain and snow showers, may not be the most pleasant.  However, they have helped to eliminate all drought conditions across the Northland. For the first time in nearly two years, only a few parts of the region are abnormally dry, the lowest ranking in the drought monitor report….

Second Harvest Receives $20,000 Donation from Miller Hill Subaru

DULUTH, Minn. – Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank will be able to provide around 60-thousand meals thanks to a donation from Miller Hill Subaru. The dealership picked them as the latest local recipient of their annual “Share the Love” campaign.  When a person purchases or leases a vehicle through them, the dealership will donate $250 to one of five charities…

UW-Superior Holds 8th Annual Day of Giving

SUPERIOR, Wis. – UW-Superior’s 8th annual Superior Day of Giving took place Wednesday, one of their biggest fundraising days of the year. Alumni and anyone who wanted to help financially support the university’s various programs had the option to do so online over the 24-hour period. “This year we have a $50,000 challenge that has been offered up by a 1972…

Bus Bike Walk Month Underway in Twin Ports

DULUTH, Minn. – Earth Day was the start of the annual Bus Bike Walk Month in the Twin Ports. For over a decade Zeitgeist and their partners have been hosting a number of activities focused on these three modes of transportation. “We’re able to offer a whole bunch of different fun activities for people of all ages and abilities,” says Andrea…

Minnesota Civil Engineers Give Statewide Infrastructure a “C” Grade

DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota’s infrastructure is mediocre and requires attention.  That’s according to members of the American Society of Civil Engineers who are from Duluth and Minnesota. They unveiled their latest report card during an event Tuesday next to the Can of Worms Infrastructure project along Lower Michigan Avenue, as well as in St. Paul.  ASCE releases these report cards every…

Kirby Commencements Continue at UMD

DULUTH, Minn. – Some UMD students planning to graduate next month are taking advantage of a program this week that gives them a more personal send off. The Kirby Commencement allows students to get their pictures taken with their cap, gown, and diploma cover as if they were on stage during a commencement ceremony.  They also get the chance to meet…

Duluth Public Schools Begins New Strategic Plan Process

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth School District is ready to begin the process to create a new comprehensive strategic plan. Superintendent John Magas says they hired TeamWorks International to assist them.  The approach they are taking is known as ‘schoolroom to boardroom’. “This process focuses more on first assessing on our current reality,” says Magas.  “What is our history? What are…

Visit Duluth Opens New Visitor Center in Canal Park

DULUTH, Minn. – Visit Duluth is ready to open their new visitor center in Canal Park. The move from West Superior Street to Lake Avenue next to Flagship will continue to offer brochures, maps, and information to the various attractions in the Twin Ports. “We’re right in Canal Park,” says President Daniele Villa, “the heart, where visitors all come.  Whether they…

The Rambler Food Truck Begins New Season

DULUTH, Minn. – Another sign of spring in the Northland as The Rambler food truck had its first stop of their season Wednesday outside Cirrus. Event Coordinator Kesley Auran says they are one of the oldest food trucks in the Northland, starting in 2012.  “We love our regulars.  We love people are still finding out about us, fresh and new, so…

Decontamination Trailer Donated to Superior Fire Department, Will be Used Across Northwest Wisconsin

SUPERIOR, Wis. – A new piece of equipment will help firefighters in Superior get clean faster and easier when they are out on certain calls. Enbridge has donated a $400,000 53-foot decontamination trailer to the city.  Jeff Foster Trucking is also assisting by storing the trailer at their location, and having people available to move it to a scene when needed….

Despite the Weather, Spring Biking Season Underway

DULUTH, Minn. – The persistent winter weather may not be the most appealing for outdoor activities.  However, it isn’t stopping some people from getting out for a bike ride. “People are already out on their bikes quite a bit,” says Ethan Reilly, a mechanic and salesperson with Twin Ports Cyclery.  “I’ve seen three different kind of group ride groups that…

Restaurants Preparing for a Busy Easter Brunch

DULUTH, Minn. – Restaurants that are hosting an Easter Brunch are preparing for a busy Sunday. For Boomtown, this will be their first at their Duluth area location since opening up in June of 2021.  Front House Manager Alexis EK says they are ready. “We are going to be offering everything from a French toast bake,” says EK.  “We have an…

Duluth Harbor Rescue Mission Offering Free Easter Meal

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Harbor Rescue Mission is finalizing preparations for their Easter dinner. This year’s menu will consist of sliced ham, creamy potatoes, mashed potatoes, gravy, pineapple, cherries, and homemade cookies.  Items were either donated, including from businesses like Bridgeman’s in Duluth and B & B Market in Cloquet, or bought through the monetary donations made to the mission….

First Saltie Of The Season Pulls Into Port Of Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — The first saltie of the season is in the Twin Ports. The Resko, a 624-foot bulk carrier, arrived Wednesday evening from the Netherlands, and will be loaded with wheat to transport to Italy. The Duluth Seaway Port Authority will hold its annual welcoming event Friday, where the First Ship contest winner will be announced from the more…