Author: Steve Goodspeed

Gary New Duluth Thanks Community for Skateboard Park Effort

Excitement builds for push to complete the project

GARY NEW DULUTH, Minn.–The Gary New Duluth community could not wait to celebrate the coming of spring Monday. Part of the celebration included a great meal as a way to acknowledge everyone who has worked so hard to make a skateboard park a reality. “It is so important to get everybody together for something like this. So many of the…

Duluth Celebrates The Life Of Judge Sally Tarnowski

A day of fond memories, professional achievements, and deep friendships

DULUTH, Minn. — A Duluth born-and-raised attorney and judge was remembered by friends, family and colleagues Thursday during a memorial at the DECC. Judge Sally Tarnowski died unexpectedly in March when she was struck by a vehicle while jogging on vacation in Florida. Tarnowski was 63 years old. Thursday’s reflections included her Duluth public school roots, her going to law…

Task Force to Improve Downtown Duluth Reports Progress

Increasing concerns had prompted a search for solutions

Concerns about downtown Duluth’s future and its direction prompted a task force last fall to look at the issues. Monday, members said they feel good about what has happened so far. The task force said progress has been made in several areas, including dealing with the issues of mental health resources, selecting businesses for improved lighting, a meeting in May…

“No Hit Zones” Hope to Prevent Spanking of Children or Hitting Others

Staff members in certain public spaces will intervene.

It is child abuse prevention month, and part of that includes an effort by some to get parents to move away from spanking children. Thursday, supporters of that effort gathered at the YMCA in Hermantown to promote an area coalition that is establishing and increasing the number of “No Hit Zones.” The zones will be spaces and agencies where others…

Duluth Fire Department Busy in 2022, With Some Ups and Downs

Overall runs were up, but actual fires down. Code enforcement was up.

DULUTH, Minn. – Wednesday the Duluth Fire Department presented a picture of what calls were up and which were down in 2022. In 2022, the department made 478 more runs than the year before. That’s an increase of 3.2%. over 2021.  There were twenty-four fewer fire calls. There were also 18 water rescues, down by 21 from the year before….

Duluth Business Owners Helping Each Other

West Duluth Business Club Working to Make Things Happen

A group of Duluth business owners is welcoming new members as it works to help the area prosper. Members of the West Duluth Business Club gather the second Wednesday of every month at Mr. D’s. Wednesday was no exception. There is usually a guest speaker, and this month it was Amber Burns with the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation. One…

Dining Out a Long-standing Easter Tradition

Area restaurants and buffets popular for families on Easter

Easter meals are celebrated in different ways by families. Of course, cooking at home is one tradition, but dining out is another. It looked deceptively quiet Friday afternoon, but the restaurant at the Barker’s Island Inn will be filled come Sunday. Preparations are underway for their annual Easter Buffet, which has now been a tradition for over thirty years. Families…

Federal Grants For Fire Departments In The Duluth Area

DULUTH, Minn. — The cost of special firefighting equipment and training often cannot be paid for out of a department’s regular operating budget. That’s where federal grants sometimes come into play. U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar was in Duluth Thursday and spoke about how federal grants assist departments. Proctor Chief Kerry Helquist says his department has used such funds for state-of-the-art…

Superior Fire Department Promotes and Bolsters Ranks

COVID Delayed Overdue Recognition

The Superior Fire Department held a special ceremony Thursday for men and women who have been working quietly, and patiently. Both new and veteran members of the department were sworn in, honored and recognized. Proud family members and friends were there for the big moments. Thanks to the familiar refrain, “Due to COVID,” there had not been a ceremony like…

Study Of Potential Changes To I-35 In Downtown Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — There has been some discussion about possible changes in how the interstate goes through downtown Duluth. Now the University of Minnesota Duluth has added to the conversation. A study concludes that freeing up land for other uses could infuse between $500 million to over $4 billion to Duluth’s economy. The potential economic effects have been studied by…

Robotics and the Brains Behind Them at the DECC

Multi-State High School Competition Brings Out the Best

If you’ve ever wondered who all the smart people are who design the machines around us…they are at the DECC for the next two days. One hundred and twenty teams have gathered for an electronic gladiator competition of sorts. It is called the FIRST Robotics Regional Competition and it is part of an international program involving high school students. This…

$32-Million Referendum Clears Way For Education Overhaul At Chisholm Public Schools

CHISHOLM, Minn. — School will be out in a few months, but in Chisholm, a lot of people are already thinking about the fall of 2025. If all goes as planned, that is when a new elementary school will open. There will also be extensive renovations of the current facilities, including the high school. Inside the bowels of the 100-year-old…

Ojibwe Winter Games Much More Than Games

Children learn skills tied to history and ancestors

Winter is what you make of it. And for Native Americans, it is an important time for their culture. That was on full display Friday in the cold and sunshine of February. It was the Ojibwe Winter Games at UMD’s Bagley Nature Area. In the form of very specific and unique games, school children were learning skills that native ancestors…

Indigenous Families Seek Support/Understanding in Loss of Loved Ones

Feel there is more urgency when other groups need help

The effort to remember Native American women who have been murdered or are missing was the focus of a community event in Duluth Tuesday.  But the issue of violence affects not only women, but also men and entire families. Sage Matthews of Duluth still mourns the loss of her niece and nephew who died separately four years ago.  She and…

Indigenous Women Missing and Murdered Are Remembered

Family and supporters ask that women not be forgotten and encourage action.

Tuesday was a day of remembering and honoring for the Native American community. Specifically, it was a day focused on indigenous women who have been murdered or are missing. The day began at the Robert Powless Cultural Center. A cross-section of groups and people gathered to talk about the issue, remember those who are gone, and to unite in going…

Knowing Your Neighbors: Haulin’ Hotdish Food Truck

DULUTH, Minn. — “Hotdish has everything that you need as far as hitting all the food groups and also like I feel like hotdish is so Minnesota. And it’s cold and it’s comforting,” said Rachael Morris, customer of Haulin’ Hotdish. The Haulin’ Hotdish Food Truck is officially in business after deciding winter would be the perfect time to open. Haulin’…

Veterans Stories Weather COVID Storm

More stories of Veterans are still wanted by the Veterans Memorial Hall Program in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — We all know that COVID and the pandemic interrupted almost everything and everybody. And the effort to collect the stories of our veterans was no exception. In Duluth, the Veterans Memorial Hall Program has preserved the stories of over two hundred veterans. But the important work hit a roadblock when meeting with aging veterans face-to-face became a…

Lake Superior Zoo Excited About Future

Good year behind them, with new exhibits and plans for this year

Naturally, the animals get most of the credit for a great zoo, but the people behind the scenes are the ones who are looking back at how 2022 went, and what they want to accomplish this year. The Lake Superior Zoo’s staff and Board of Directors had their annual meeting Thursday to celebrate everything from many new births to welcoming…

Push to Legalize Marijuana in Minnesota Legislative Session

Democrats and advocates say expunging criminal records is important priority

A group of Minnesota lawmakers and others are pushing to legalize marijuana this legislative session. They gathered in St. Paul to say Minnesotans want marijuana legal for adults. The group also includes growers, business owners and those who want to sell cannabis. A key part of the legislation would expunge criminal records of pot-related charges or convictions. Sen. Clare Oumou…

Legislative Priorities for Minnesota Dems in New Session

May be itch to spend with early forecast of $17 billion surplus

The Minnesota DFL party has the Governor’s office, and the majority in both the House and Senate. And party leaders said Wednesday they are all on the same page when it comes to priorities. At a joint press briefing of the House and Senate at the Capitol, DFL leaders said allowing women to make their own decisions about abortion will…

Shopping Local Pays Off for Retailers This Christmas

Stores find that many customers liked shopping "local."

DULUTH, Minn.–In the days following Christmas, more retailers are saying they’re happy with how the season went. At The Bookstore at Fitger’s, store manager Jennifer Jubenville says it will soon be time to assess their inventory and see what new orders they will need to place. She said this season was a great one. She said the weather did have…

Christmas Brought Retail Jingle

Supply-chain issues of last year eased this shopping season

DULUTH, Minn. — Now that much of the Christmas shopping season is in the rear-view mirror, it’s a time for returns and some reflection on how the season went. At the Fitger’s shopping complex Tuesday there was still a lot of activity.  Duluth Kitchen Company owner Alex Kulstad said it was a good Christmas year. He said a big difference…

148th Honors With Salvation Army Toys

Father, Son and Husband Remembered

DULUTH, Minn. — The Christmas spirit was in the air at Duluth’s Salvation Army Headquarters Monday. The 148th Fighter Wing used ground transportation to deliver some Christmas cheer. Santa’s sleigh came in the form of a truck loaded with gifts that they’ve purchased as part of their annual Christmas toy drive. The presents were rounded up by the 148th family…

Power Outages Come With Winter Storm

Thousands Without Power After Storm's First Wave

The high winds and wet, heavy snow are a bad one-two punch for powerlines and people.  Some customers throughout the Northland are without power, and others are wincing every time their lights dim. As of 5:30 pm Wednesday, Minnesota Power reports that 4,007 customers in the Northland are without power.  Lake Country Power is also reporting outages, with 805 customers…

Tutors Needed in the Northland

We met up with a mother-daughter team that has stepped up, and into, the classroom.

DULUTH, Minn.–If you’re looking to make a difference, there are a lot school children who could use help. There is a shortage of tutors to help kids bridge the gap after a couple of tough school years. We met up with a mother-daughter team that has stepped up, and into, the classroom. AmeriCorps reading tutor, Amy Hill, said, “It’s amazing….

CHUM Gives Out Bags of Thanksgiving Fixings to Local Families

CHUM is doing another give away on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

DULUTH, Minn. — Thanksgiving is still a few days away, but there was already a lot of gratitude Monday in Duluth. It came in the form of appreciation for a complete Thanksgiving meal that includes everything but a little elbow grease and time in the kitchen. The bags with meal fixings were passed out by the CHUM Food Shelf on…

Local Ski Resorts Getting Ready For Upcoming Season

DULUTH, Minn. — Skateboarders may not be fans of snow, but snowboarders and skiers certainly are. Two popular area hills have been in full swing for weeks, trying to get ready for the coming season. Spirit Mountain was actually working on some ground areas in August. Now its snow and crunch time. Ann Glumac, Interim Executive Director said, “In order…

Knowing Your Neighbors: Lake Superior Zoo

DULUTH, Minn. — It has been part of our community for almost 100 years, and it has rebounded from some big challenges over the years. But it has come roaring back. We’re talking about the Lake Superior Zoo. “We get a lot of positive feedback. We’re having homeschoolers coming back. We had our summer schools full every summer. We have…

Congressman Tom Tiffany, Other Candidates Join In Press Conference For Natural Gas Plant

SUPERIOR, Wis. — A proposed natural gas plant in Superior is on hold, and Friday there was a push to make it happen. Republican Congressman Tom Tiffany said the Nemadji Trail Energy Center should be allowed to move forward. The plan is for a $700 million natural gas plant along the Nemadji River in Superior. It would generate 625 megawatts…

Mayor’s Task Force Recommendations In Duluth: Funding Could Be A Challenge

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth now has a potential roadmap for improving the experience downtown. Finding the funding to make it happen could be the next challenge. Members of a Mayor’s task force unveiled 27 recommendations at a downtown business Tuesday. Half of the recommendations focused on safety, and others on everything from tearing down blighted properties to encouraging investment. Many…

Duluth Downtown Task Force Holds News Conference To Reveal Recommendations

DULUTH, Minn. — Many people who care about Downtown Duluth have been worried about its future, but Tuesday there were 27 recommendations on how to make it better. The backdrop was the Minnesota Surplus Store on Superior Street. A 15-member task force has been meeting since April, after Mayor Emily Larson made downtown a priority in her State of the…

Minnesota Fire Chiefs Gather At The DECC

DULUTH, Minn. — Many of those who often put their lives at risk for us every day, are gathering in Duluth for the next few days. The Minnesota Fire Chiefs Association is using the time to share knowledge, solve challenges facing their departments, and learn about some of the new technology in fighting fires. Almost 550 chiefs and firefighters are…