Community

Sexual Assault Awareness Month Kicks Off

SUPERIOR, Wis.– The month of April symbolizes Sexual Assault Awareness month. It was recognized today through stories shared by the Superior community. The press conference at the Government Building gave community members the opportunity to bring their stories to light. Professors, Mayor Jim Paine and representatives at CASDA shared their outlook as to why it’s important to stay informed. Being…

Two Northland Chefs Compete for Colossal’s Favorite Chef

NORTHLAND — Two Chefs from the Northland are competing against dozens of other chefs in their groups for a chance to win $25,000 and to be considered ‘Taste of Home’ magazine’s Colossal’s favorite chef with a chance to cook alongside Chef Carla Hall. Mama T’s Smokin’ Eats and Johnny B’s Food Truck are both competing to bring home the bacon…

Virginia Essentia Health Announces Emergency Department Expansion

VIRGINIA, Minn.– Essentia Health has announced a 14-million-dollar expansion and renovation of its emergency room in Virginia. Right now, the emergency department has seven rooms to care for patients. But when all is completed within the next year, the facility will double to 14 rooms. The Virginia hospital has been operating for more than a decade. Officials say it’s all…

Zenith Digital Marketing Conference Coming To Duluth April 10

DULUTH, Minn. — A big digital marketing conference is on its way to Duluth next week with experts from around the world sharing their knowledge. The 12th annual Zenith Digital Marketing Conference is happening April 10. It’s put on by Duluth marketing agency AIMCLEAR and the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce. The event is full of the best marketing minds…

DECC Seawall Reconstruction Nearly Done

  DULUTH, Minn. — The DECC Seawall reconstruction is getting close to completion! The 18-million-dollar project is on its final steps. This project aimed to make the seawall more stable and better able to accommodate the large cruise ships. Some of the visions for the seawall plaza behind the DECC include an outdoor concert space, more ‘winter village’ style events…

Ashland School District Passes Referendum, Maintaining Current Programs

ASHLAND, Wis. — After a failed vote in November, the Ashland School District approved of a referendum which looks to increase funding by $10 million over the next 5 years avoiding looming staff cuts. According to the school district’s superintendent, Rob Prater, the referendum passed unofficially. The referendum will give the school district $2 million per year until the 2030-31…

Bemidji Man Sentenced to Over 21 in Prison for Child Sex Abuse Charges

BEMIDJI, Minn. — On Tuesday, a Bemidji man was sentenced to over 21 years in prison after advertising and distributing child sexual abuse images on the dark web. According to court documents and evidence presented in trail, Craig James Myran, age 47 of Bemidji, used an account on the dark web to distribute over one-thousand images of child sexual abuse…

‘Duluth Failed Poets Society’ Club Launches First Anthology Book

DULUTH, Minn.– A local writing club with the name ‘Duluth Failed Poets Society’, is currently celebrating quite the success. Since December, the group of around 70 writers collaborated on the book ‘Murder your Darlings’. It features a set of 33 works ranging from short stories, poetry, as well as art and illustrations. The Duluth Failed Poets Society meets every Monday…

Duluth Antique Marketplace Expands to Cloquet

CLOQUET, Minn.– The popular Duluth Antique Marketplace recently expanded to Cloquet, and today the community celebrated its opening day! After opening their first location in Duluth 8 years ago, the owner has been hoping to expand. The expansion only took a short two months. Owner Joanne Leland telling us, customers eagerly waited in their cars this morning before the doors…

Chum Hopes to Reach March Food Drive Goal

DULUTH, Minn. — With less than a week left, Chum is looking to meet its goal for Minnesota’s March FoodShare Campaign. Chum is around halfway to its goal of filling the food shelf with 40,000lbs of non-perishable food items, as well as raising an additional $80,000 to purchase additional food. The March FoodShare is Chum’s biggest food drive of the…

UMD Criminology and Sociology Club Hosts Clothing Drive

DULUTH, Minn. — Find any old clothes while doing some spring cleaning? Students with UMD’s Criminology and Sociology Club are looking for clothing donations for unhoused youth. UMD students are collecting clothes and shoes at the drive. Those items will be donated to the Carlton County Restorative Justice Center, supporting unhoused youth. The Criminology and Sociology Club focuses on getting…

Spring Equinox Craft Fair Happening in Cloquet This Weekend

DULUTH, Minn.–Even with the weather looking to be less than spring-like this weekend, there’s no stopping the Spring Equinox craft fair! 32 vendors at the Cloquet Armory are putting finishing touches on their booths. Many of the vendors are looking forward to displaying their projects but also connecting with the community. The event began this afternoon at three and continues…

Duluth Healthcare Roundtable Discussing Future of Medicaid

DULUTH, Minn.– State healthcare leaders, providers, and advocates are holding a series of roundtables to discuss the future of Medicaid. Right now, changes are being proposed for Medicaid funding for the federal level. This would result in 880 billion dollars in cuts over the next ten years. In Minnesota specifically, it would mean the loss of 1.6 billion dollars annually….

Minnehaha Elementary School Unveils Renovations

TWO HARBORS, Minn. — A $44-million renovation of Two Harbors’ Minnehaha Elementary is now complete. The project was all about helping modernize the school’s facilities and restructuring the building’s layout. Technology, furniture, floors, ceilings, and security have all gotten upgrades. The school’s library is now front and center and creative spaces are enhanced, like the new “cafetorium” for student performances….

‘Maurices’ Clothing Company Celebrates 94th Anniversary

DULUTH, Minn. — ‘Maurices’ the popular clothing company with strong roots in Duluth is celebrating it’s 94th anniversary today. With nearly 100 years of business, the company is reflecting on both the hardships, and successes it’s brought. Maurices began in Duluth back in 1931 during the Great Depression. The company has opened 850 locations in the United States and Canada….

Project Joy to Match $40,000 in Duluth Cheerio Challenge

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Cereal Challenge is back and Project Joy plans to match up to $40,000 in donations. Last year’s fundraiser collected 800 boxes of cereal and raised more than $50,000. CHUM, Union Gospel Mission, Daminano Center, and the Salvation Army are all partner organizations in this year’s cereal drive. Project Joy eill match up to $10,000 per…

Fond Du Lac Career Fair

  CARLTON, Minn — Fond Du Lac held a career fair today. Attendees could meet department representatives face to face. There were also on-site interviews for some positions and an area to apply to positions. They have over 60 job openings across many areas including Nursing, Public Works, Golf Course Management and many more. “We have quite a few entities….

Cody Buus Invitational Courage Ride Raises Over $300,000 for Local Families

DULUTH, Minn. — The Cody Buus Invitational Courage Ride held a check presentation on Thursday, awarding over $300,000 for local families. This year was the first year of the Cody Buus Invitational Courage Ride. The snowmobile ride took over three days in February and gathered 70 riders, 15 volunteers, and 34 sponsors. On Thursday, the group presented three checks totaling…

Historical Society Starts Repairs on Winter Damages

TWO HARBORS, Minn. — After facing more than $100,000 in repair damages earlier this year including busted frozen pipes, flooding, and two failed boilers, the Lake County Historical Society announced that they’re beginning to make progress towards the restoration of the Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast. The historical society said that this week they have begun installing registers and are still…

14 Arrested in Sex Offender Compliance Operation

DULUTH, Minn. — 14 sex offenders were arrested after multiple agencies conducted a compliance operation in Duluth. The U.S. Marshal’s Sex Offender Investigation Branch partnered with the Duluth Police Department, and the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office to complete the operation between February 3 and March 21. According to a press release from the Duluth Police Department, there are 338…

Iron Workers 512 Holding Informational Banner in Response to Kaski INC.

DULUTH, Minn. — Iron Workers Local 512 in Duluth has been holding an informational banner outside of a Kaski INC. project on Martin Road. Since last Friday, a large group of iron workers has been outside the construction site, displaying banners asking for better pay and working conditions. Kaski INC has it’s own separate union from Local 512, which is…

28th Annual Toothpick Bridge Competition

DULUTH, Minn.– For 28 years, the Duluth Section of the American Society of Engineers gathers students from schools in the Twin Ports area for this event. This year there were 45 teams of students from Superior, Cromwell Wright, Denfeld and Lakeview Christian Academy. They built bridges using toothpicks and glue. The projects were judged on aesthetics, and then, faced the…

Bass Pro Shop Hold Hiring Event This Week

DULUTH, Minn. — A well-known American sporting goods retailer is looking for new hires in the Twin Ports for their newest store opening in Hermantown. Bass Pro Shop is looking to hire over 150 people for both full and part-time positions. At the Holiday Center on Wednesday and Thursday, they are offering on-site interviews and job offers for those interested….

Mayor Reflects on Accomplishments and Tough Road Ahead, During State of City Address

DULUTH, Minn. – The Mayor highlighted projects to create housing and the growth of local industry which aims to bring new jobs; however, when looking towards the future, he offered a sobering reality. City officials, past and present, were in attendance Wednesday evening for the 2025 State of the City Address (SoCA) at Ordean East Middle School. It is the…

Duluth Public Schools Supt. Reacts to President Trump’s Order to Dismantle Dept. of Education

  DULUTH, Minn. —  Duluth Public Schools Supt. John Magas has released the following statement about President Trump’s executive order to dismantle the U.S. Dept. of Education: “Duluth Public Schools is aware of the recent presidential executive order concerning the U.S. Department of Education. We are carefully reviewing the implications of this order for our district and our families. In…

Creating a Disability Friendly Community

SUPERIOR, Wis. — An important discussion on disability and inclusion was held at the Superior Public Library on Tuesday. The discussion looked at how communities can create opportunities for those with disabilities to be more engaged in the community. People with disabilities, friends and caregivers, business owners and city officials worked together to explore ideas and solutions. The goal was…

KYN: ‘Miigwitches Brew’ Coffee Shop Fuels the Community

FOND DU LAC RESERVATION, Minn. — Out in the middle of the of the Fond Du Lac Reservation, an idea was brewing for coffee shop owner Jackson Ripley. “We didn’t know what to expect. Neither my wife nor I am actual businesspeople, you know, so we weren’t sure what to expect. The summer was amazing, and people started to ask if…

Protestors Continued Calls for a Duluth Pastor to Resign; Hours Later, They Succeeded

DULUTH, Minn. – Hours after a second day of protests came to a close, the pastor of Revive City Church resigned from his position. On Monday, protestors continued there calls for Revive City Church of Duluth pastor, Ronald Allen, to be removed from leadership. Allen released a statement on Facebook around 10:00 p.m., which said he would be resigning from…

City of Superior Seeking Funding to Reinstate Cancelled Bus Route

SUPERIOR, Wis. — In Superior, local officials are seeking aid from the state to help restore canceled bus routes. Two years ago, the Duluth Transit Authority enhanced bus routes across the Twin Ports because of increasing ridership needs.  But part of that re-organizing mean eliminating some routes in Superior, including bus services in Billings Park and South Superior. So now,…

‘Empty Bowl Fundraiser’ Raises $1,600 for Safe Haven Shelter

DULUTH, Minn.– A group of middle schoolers from Many Rivers Montessori School raised an impressive $1,600 for Safe Haven Shelter. Since 2022, the “Empty Bowl Fundraiser” has given students at Many Rivers Montessori a chance to help out the community. This year, the kids voted to help Safe Haven Shelters in Duluth. The 7th and 8th graders teamed up with…

Letter Carriers Rally In Duluth, Superior: ‘Hands Off The Postal Service’

DULUTH, Minn. — Letter carriers rallied Sunday in Duluth and Superior calling on U.S. lawmakers to keep their “hands off the postal service.” Dozens of people stood outside the federal building in downtown Duluth. The National Association of Letter Carriers were behind the “emergency” rallies. The organization said an effort to privatize or restructure the United States Postal Service is…

2nd Annual ‘Cheerio Challenge’ Underway

  DULUTH, Minn.– After the success from last year’s ‘Cheerio Challenge’ in Duluth, the fundraiser is going back for seconds! Last year this fundraiser collected an impressive 800 boxes of cereal and 50-thousand dollars for the community. The idea sparked following negative comments from Kathy Cargill. She’s a billionaire who purchased multiple properties on Park Point, calling Duluth “small minded”….

Lake Avenue Restaurant Offering Unique Lent Specials

  DULUTH, Minn.– With lent in full swing, many customers are seeking out “fin-tastic” specials local restaurants are offering. Lake Avenue Restaurant in Duluth, is pursuing a non-traditional route with fish specials. For lent, the focus is moving away from fried fish, and honing in on fresh red snapper, and salmon. The menus change twice a year and are always…

Kenwood Goodwill Celebrates Grand-Reopening and Expansion

  DULUTH, Minn.– After closing down earlier this year for renovations, the Kenwood Goodwill store held its grand re-opening today. Customers today wasted no time to check out the new and improved Goodwill store. With the remodel, the store expanded two-thousand square feet and added a new drive-up window for donations. The Goodwill also received a paint job, and a…

Dog Dead, Home Lost in Carlton County Trailer Home Fire

WRENSHALL TOWNSHIP, Minn. — Thursday night in Carlton County a trailer fire erupted killing one dog. This happened at 5:55 p.m. Thursday night, Carlton County Dispatched received a 9-1-1 call from a passerby who noticed a trailer home fully engulfed in a fire in Wrenshall Township. When first responders arrived they found a lone adult male homeowner outside the home…

Motorhead Madness Returns to the DECC this Weekend

DULUTH, Minn. — Start your engines northlanders Motorhead madness is back at the DECC this weekend! Car enthusiasts can look forward for an exciting weekend spectating a variety of hot rods, classics cars, trucks, race cars, motorcycles, and even some modern cars. The car show is spread between four different arenas. Vendors will also be available alongside a chance to…

20th Annual State of Cities Luncheon

PROCTOR, Minn. — Over 100 people attended the 20th Annual State of Cities luncheon, hosted by the Hermantown Area Chamber of Commerce. Business leaders got the chance to hear from the mayors Proctor, Hermantown, and Rice Lake. In total, they represent 18 thousand residents. There were discussions surrounding what’s new, exciting, and what’s in store for the season’s legislative session….

New Solar Power Co-op for Northeast Minnesota

NORTHERN MINNESOTA — A nonprofit is launching a new co-op for anyone interested in learning more about solar energy, or even getting involved with it. Solar United Neighbors, or “SUN” is a national nonprofit, and their new opportunity was launched last week. The goal of the co-op is to help homeowners, farmers, and small business owners learn about this option….

Duluth Witnesses Federal Funding Challenges; Mayor Remains “Cautiously Optimistic”

DULUTH, Minn. — “It really is what we’re expecting to be a tough budget year,” said Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert. “We had already planned for the city of Duluth to have a challenging budget ahead of us, normally we start that process in June, we’re starting it this week.” This year is what Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert is calling a…

Cleveland-Cliffs to Lay Off 630 Iron Range Steelworkers

HIBBING/VIRGINIA, Minn. — Cleveland-Cliffs, the leading steel producer in North America, is temporarily idling more than 600 steelworkers at Hibbing Taconite and Minorca mine. The layoffs will begin May 20th, or within the two-week period after that. In two letters received by the State Rapid Response Team (SRRT) from Cleveland Cliff Inc., Cliffs expects to lay off 25 salaried employees…