Community

Superior Porchfest 2024 Kicks Off

Bringing neighbors together one song at a time, that's the mission of Superior Porchfest and Siggy's Musical Garden

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — It’s that time of year again! The music continued in Superior; Porchfest started Thursday night. Local musicians Breanne Marie and the Front Porch Sinners, Gina Lee, and Sidestreet Detour took to porches around the North End neighborhood. Breanna Marie and the Front Porch Sinners performed across the street from Phoenix Villa Apartments. Siggy’s Musical Garden Executive Director…

4th Annual Mentor North Summer Fest Supports Continued Growth

Earth Rider Brewery Hosted Live Music, Food, and Activities in Support of Mentor North

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — Mentor North held its 4th Annual Summer Fest Thursday evening at Earth Rider Brewery Festival Grounds in Superior. The evening of festivities was all the benefit youth mentoring in Superior and Duluth. There was plenty to do, with live music, food, and mega-sized lawn games. Proceeds from tickets and the silent auction went towards Mentor North. Right…

Local Labor Unions Donate to Food Shelves

24 boxes of donated goods are headed to Second Harvest Northland, CHUM, and Union Gospel Mission Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Central Labor Body wrapped up a month-long food drive on Thursday. The drive benefitted Second Harvest Northland, CHUM, and Union Gospel Mission Duluth. Each organization took home eight boxes full of non-perishable donations. These included canned goods, cereal, and even Girl Scout cookies. The Duluth Central Labor Body has participated in food drives in the…

Grandma’s Marathon 2024 Recap

DULUTH, Minn. — The 48th annual Grandma’s Marathon is over and it’s one for the record books. It had the most combined runners ever. More than 17,500 total in the marathon, the half, and the 5K. The weekend went well although earlier in the week there was a good deal of concern about the forecast. There was quite a bit…

Rain Won’t Stop Midsummer Celebrations for the Northland’s Finnish Americans

Sampo Beach Lodge was full of Finnish traditions and festivities for the whole family this afternoon

SAGINAW, Minn. — Finnish Americans and friends gathered at Sampo Beach in Saginaw, Minnesota on Saturday to celebrate Juhannas, also known as Midsummer. A typical Midsummer celebration would involve lots of outdoor games and time spent in the lake. This year, on-and-off rain showers kept the festivities inside. The weather couldn’t stop the fun, with a bake sale, live music,…

Sanclemente, Gomez Take Home Grandma’s Marathon Wheelchair Titles.

Weather forces several to cancel

DULUTH, Minn.- Before this year’s Grandma’s Marathon runners crossed the finish line, competitors in the wheelchair division earned their place in the spotlight. Luis Francisco Sanclemente of Colombia won the men’s wheelchair division, finishing with a personal best time of 1:22:07. It was 2:05 away from the course record, set by Aaron Pike in 2022. Sanclemente finished just 17 seconds…

Barno Wins 6th Grandma’s Marathon, Mazuronak Sets Women’s Record

Kenya's Barno Grandma's only six-time men's champion

DULUTH, Minn- A repeat champion and a newcomer-turned-record holder are this year’s winners in the 48th annual Grandma’s Marathon. Elisha Barno of Kenya has successfully defended his title in the men’s race, finishing at 2:10:54. This marks his 6th Grandma’s Marathon victory, which is more than anyone else in the race’s 48 years. His finishing time ranks third fastest among…

Course Records Shattered in Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon

Ramakangoana, Frisbie earn fastest times

DULUTH, Minn.- Both of the fastest times for the men’s and women’s races in the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon’s history were broken on Saturday. For the men, Tebello Ramakangoana of Lesotho finished in 1:00:17, breaking Meb Keflezighi’s 2013 record of 1:01:22 by over a minute. Tsegay Weldlibanos earned second place with a time of 1:02:04. In the women’s race, Annie…

Three Longtime Grandma’s Volunteers Inducted Into Hall of Fame

DULUTH, Minn. — Longtime Grandma’s Marathon volunteers were officially inducted into the Grandma’s Hall of Fame. Greg Helgeson, Paul Iverson, and Bob Larkin were all inducted for their longtime contributions to the race and community. Iverson has been volunteering since 1979 and made it to all but two marathons. Helgeson has been involved with more than 20. Larkin has been…

Essentia Health Fitness Expo Launches Grandma’s Marathon Weekend

DULUTH, Minn. — As the Grandma’s crowd gets settled in before tomorrow’s race, runners gathered at the DECC for the Essentia Health Fitness Expo. Starting last night, runners had the chance to grab their race packets with all necessary information for the big day. Every year the expo displays the latest in athletic wear and gear from over 100 vendors….

Grandma’s Spaghetti Dinner Readies to Feed Thousands

DULUTH, Minn. — Grandma’s Marathon puts on a spaghetti dinner each year dating back to when the rate got its start in 1976. In the DECC’s industrial kitchens, the magic happens as food preparations are underway to feed over 5,000 runners, friends and guests at the much anticipated spaghetti dinner at Grandma’s Marathon. This year’s head chef is Jerry Carpenter,…

Ashland County Sheriff Received $228 Thousand to Aid the Fight Against Opioids

ASHLAND, Wis. — It kills more Wisconsinites a year than car crashes. Opioids, a powerful prescribed painkiller, has overwhelmed communities across the country. In 2023, Wisconsin saw just over 1,300 opioid-related deaths. To combat rising opioid death rates, the state of Wisconsin has announced grants being awarded to law enforcement agencies state-wide.  “As Attorney General, my top priority is public…

Cook Community Leans On Each Other As Swollen River Takes Over Downtown

Gov. Walz will visit Cook and Biwabik on Thursday to survey the flood damage.

COOK, Minn. – The small, close-knit city of Cook is dealing with a big problem.  The swollen Littlefork River has sent feet of water into the low-lying downtown. Homes and businesses are surrounded by water.  Some basements have feet of water, according to locals. There was a slight sign of relief Thursday because forecasters believe the river has hit its…

Flood Aftermath in the Iron Range

The Iron Range was hit with heavy rainfall Tuesday, resulting in many basements and roadways being flooded.

HIBBING, Minn. — One day after a large storm brought severe rainfall to the Iron Range, parts of Hibbing are left with multiple roadways still flooded over. There were also many reports of basements flooded in Hibbing and surrounding areas. “The little bit in the basement just kind of got it wet, we had to move and basically clean it…

Latest on Road Closures and Rainfall Totals Following Severe Weather

NORTHLAND – Severe storms brought plenty of disasters in northern Minnesota Tuesday night. The National Weather Service reports 1.5 to more than 7 inches of rain have fallen within just a few hours. Tornadic wind speeds brought reports of a waterspout spotted outside of Tofte at 5:19 p.m., a confirmed tornado outside of Cotton, and funnel clouds spotted over Moose…

Grandma’s Marathon Officials Monitoring Weather Threats

DULUTH, Minn. — With Grandmas Marathon taking place this weekend, organizers are keeping a close eye on potential weather threats. Race staff have been working with the National Weather Service to monitor rain events and patterns for the race weekend are showing rain with potential thunderstorms. Organizers say the race is currently as planned but they will continue to watch…

Lake Superior Zoo Kicks Off Pollinator Week

DULUTH, Minn.– The Lake Superior Zoo is celebrating a special week. A week celebrating an important part of nature. Pollinators are responsible for keeping the ecosystem alive and thriving. The Lake Superior Zoo kicked off the week with pollinator day, where they highlighted the keystone species. “Coming to the zoo, you can learn about pollinators and learn about native and…

Nothern Bedrock Historic Preservation Corps Gets Some Upgrades

DULUTH, Minn.– A new location means new beginnings for this nonprofit historic preservation group. Nothern Bedrock Historic Preservation Corps is an opportunity for young adults to get hands on learning experience. Through this nonprofit, they learn all the skills they need to help preserve and restore sites across the state. Before that is achieved, they offer the Americorps training program…

Community Prepares for Grandma’s Marathon

DULUTH, Minn.– The biggest event in Duluth is right around the corner. Canal Park in downtown Duluth is gearing up for the biggest race in the Northland. They are wasting no time to make sure everything is ready for the event. There is so much that goes into the impactful weekend. It all comes down to the little details that…

31st Taste of Greece Festival Celebrates Through Food, Dance, and Community

Spanakopita, pastichio, dolmades, oh my!

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluthians from eight months to 98 years old lined up at Marshall School for the 31st Annual Taste of Greece Festival over the weekend. The two-day festival started out in the Twelve Holy Apostles Orthodox Church parking lot, but has grown over the decades to take over the Marshall School gymnasium and front lawn. Today, people came…

Oceans Alive Exhibit Opens

DULUTH, Minn.– A new exhibit made a splash Friday morning at the Great Lakes Aquarium. The Oceans Alive made its debut. The goal with this new exhibit is to represent how our oceans, climate, and local habitats are all connected. The project combines both freshwater, and saltwater enclosures in one area. They are welcoming a giant Pacific octopus, along with…

Park Point Rummage Sale 2024

DULUTH, Minn. — The saying goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. However, this rummage sale spans four miles and benefits shoppers, sellers, and even musicians. For sales like these, you never know what you’re going to walk away with. The 42nd annual Park Point rummage sale brought in many eager shoppers. “My friend just bought a new house…

New Equipment Boosts Superior Fire Department’s Water Rescue Capabilities

SUPERIOR, Wis. — A partnership between the Superior Fire Department and Cenovus Energy is making the water safer for everyone. The Superior Fire Department showed off its newest equipment: a jet ski, and a rescue board. These were purchased thanks to the partnership the Fire department has with Cenovus Energy. This partnership is very important, according to Cameron Vollbrecht, the…

Appreciating Duluth Firefighters and Police Officers

DULUTH, Minn. — This morning, both Duluth police and fire department members were thanked for protectors appreciation day. This is the second year the Inn on Lake Superior has thanked our local protectors. Firefighters and police officers enjoyed a free breakfast as a thanks. They also met and mingled with the community that stopped by. “This morning is all about…

First Lady Jill Biden Speaks to Senior Supporters

DULUTH, Minn. — First lady Dr. Jill Biden landing at Monaco Air Duluth yesterday, meeting with Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert and Chairman of the Fond Du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Kevin R. Dupuis as part of her husband’s campaign for the 2024 presidential election. The Lincoln Park Community Center was filled to capacity Thursday afternoon as Dr. Jill…

NWS Confirms Several Tornadoes In Carlton, Aitkin, Crow Wing Counties

UPDATE 7 P.M. JUNE 13:  The National Weather Service office in Duluth has confirmed some of the damage from severe storms passing through parts of the Northland Wednesday was due to several tornadoes. As of Thursday evening, they determined a tornado traveled about five miles near Wright in Carlton County around 7 p.m.  It has been given an EF-0 rating, meaning…

Train Derailment Along Railroad Street

DULUTH, Minn. –A train derailed Wednesday along Railroad St. in Duluth. Two Locomotives with BNSF jumped the track there pulling several rail cars. This happened around noon and no injuries has been reported. When Fox21 asked a rail worker if this is a busy track, the worker said, “I wouldn’t call it busy. But it is used extensively.” BNSF has…

Preparations Underway for this Year’s Rhubarb Festival

SAGINAW, Minn. — Even though it’s still two weeks away, preparations are already in place for this year’s Rhubarb Festival. For the last two years, incarcerated people at the Northeastern Regional Correctional Center prepare and bake the rhubarb pies that are sold at CHUM’s Rhubarb Festival. Last year they made and sold upward of 1,000 rhubarb pies at the festival….

Seawall Work To Detour Marathon Spectators

DULUTH, Minn. — One of the most popular spots to watch Grandma’s Marathon for the home stretch won’t be available to  spectators this year. Harbor drive behind the DECC will be closed off from spectators looking to watch that final stretch before the finish line. Currently, Harbor Drive is under a multi-million dollar seawall construction. Pedestrians and spectators will have…

Biden Campaign and Jill Biden to Make Stop in Duluth Thursday, Extending Outreach to Older Voters

Biden campaign and Jill Biden launch outreach to older voters with bingo nights and pickleball games.

WASHINGTON (AP) — First lady Jill Biden is kicking off her husband’s outreach to older voters, an effort that will blend rallies and phone banks with social events like bingo nights and pickleball games. While President Joe Biden is in Italy attending the Group of Seven summit, the first lady will travel to four swing states to launch the Seniors…

Demolition Announced for the Old St. Mary’s Medical Center

DULUTH, Minn. — In the next few weeks, the old St. Mary’s Medical Center will start its demolition process. The century-old building was vacated when the new 900-million dollar St. Mary’s Medical Center opened last July.  Construction is expected to take one year to complete starting with the removal of the connecting skywalks. The project will require heavy equipment and…

Annual Quilt Walk Takes Over Canal Park Ahead of MN Quilt Show

Dozens of quilters walked across the lift bridge, draped in handmade quilts of all colors, shapes, and sizes

DULUTH, Minn. — Quilters of ages and skill levels from across the Midwest meet up in Canal Park for their annual Quilt Walk over the lift bridge. Dozens of quilt-makers walked from the Marine Museum, across the bridge, and back. Quilters cheered, twirled, and told anyone who passed by about the upcoming Minnesota Quilt Show. Anticipation was building for the…

Opening Day is Sweet at Central Hillside Farmers Market

Rosy Cheeks and other stands offered an array of foods, sweets, and activities for all ages

DULUTH, Minn. — It was opening day for the Central Hillside Farmers Market on Tuesday afternoon. Vendors selling produce, plants, crafts, and sweet treats set up at the corner of North 5th Avenue East and East 3rd Street. There was also a food truck, kids activities, and an accordion player to keep everyone entertained. The market brought together veteran sellers…

Young Pilot Leaves a Legacy Through Leadership Camp

DULUTH, Minn.– Kids come from all sorts of backgrounds. With opportunities like the Scott Anderson Leadership Forum, they can all learn something from one another. An opportunity like no other. 120 kids across Minnesota unite for one reason.  Over the course of a week, they learn leadership, and life advice from one another. Students like Olivia Morin-Swanson, a Proctor high…

Esko Contamination Cleanup

ESKO, Minn.– An ongoing contamination issue in Esko is currently being fixed. Near the post office, a clean-up project is in progress. Soil contaminated with harmful chemicals will be removed and replaced around the parking lot. With this being fixed, they are preventing the spread of contamination that could ruin surrounding water sources. They are also installing a groundwater treatment…

Two South Range Residents Die in Motorcycle Crash

Sheriff says it happened Sunday evening in Douglas County.

A man and woman from South Range both died Sunday evening when their motorcycle and a car crashed. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office says the names of the victims are not yet being released. A press release said the man and woman were both 23 years old. It was about 7:05 p.m. when deputies responded to the report of the…

Pinehurst Beach Begins 2024 Season

CLOQUET, Minn.– The Beach at Cloquet is making a splash by opening for their 2024 season! The Pinehurst beach is kicking off its summer season. With schools wrapping up for the year, it’s a great way to get outside during the summer months. The pool draws a crowd every season. They have several fun and unique features that separates them…