Business

Superior Council Debates How To Fund Lead Pipe Replacements

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — The Superior City Council had quite the lengthy discussion Tuesday night on whether to support a change to state statute that would allow federal dollars into the city to help replace lead water pipes. The discussion went on so long that a vote will happen at the next council meeting Feb. 18. The change in state statute…

Mama T’s Smokin’ Eats Fights to Overcome Costly Setbacks

VILLAGE OF SUPERIOR, Wis.– It’s hard for a business to survive its first year. But for Mama T’s Smokin’ Eats in the Village of Superior, they were doing everything right. Receiving 21 award nominations and winning “Best Place to Work”. “Oh, the community. I love the community, I love the people, I love meeting people. My first question is, ‘Where…

Duluth Hotel Rates Still Affected from Pandemic

DULUTH, Minn.– Duluth is a popular destination for conventions, events, and conferences, but lately, it’s been facing its own set of challenges. Since the pandemic, Duluth’s hotel industry has been working to recover to pre-pandemic levels. The general manager of the Sheraton Hotel says that over the past year, their average daily rates have remained flat, and they’ve seen a…

MN House Democratic, GOP Leaders Reach Power-Sharing Agreement

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Democratic and Republican leaders of the Minnesota House reached a power-sharing agreement Wednesday night to end a three-week stalemate the state’s chief justice said left the chamber “completely dysfunctional.” Democrats had stayed away from the state Capitol since the 2025 legislative session opened Jan. 14. Republicans argued that only 67 — the number of GOP…

Local Woodworker Crafts Hobby into a Career

SOUTH RANGE, Wis.– Josh Dumke of South Range Wisconsin has worn many hats throughout his career. “So, for twelve years I was a research scientist at the national resources research institute. I did fisheries, and aquatic invasive species research. That was about the time that I kind of started my woodworking business. And my interests kind of changed. What I…

Knowing Your Neighbor: Free Air Life Co. Reopens Doors at a New Location

DULUTH, Minn. — Free Air Life Co., an outdoor lifestyle store has reopened its doors to a new and bigger space after a 2-year hiatus. Husband and wife Sarah and Justin Steinbach first started the store in 2019. “We had a space down the block in Lincoln Park, and it was very small. Things were going really well for us….

Cannabis Business License Set to Open for Minnesota

MINNESOTA — The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) announced it will be accepting applications for cannabis license starting this upcoming February 18, 2025. The application window will close by March 14, 2025. During this license cycle, OCM is accepting applications for both verified social equity applicants and any applicants looking for a general licensing. General licensing includes micro business,…

Trump and Trudeau speak and plan to do so again before tariffs start on Tuesday

WASHINGTON (AP) — AP correspondent Ed Donahue reports President Trump admits Americans will be impacted by tariffs. Financial markets, businesses and consumers are trying to prepare for the possibility of the new tariffs. Stock market indices opened with a modest selloff, suggesting some hope that the import taxes that could push up inflation and disrupt global trade and growth would be…

Trump agrees to pause tariffs on Mexico, but import taxes still in place for Canada and China

WASHINGTON (AP) — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Monday that after a conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump that the planned tariffs are on hold for a month, a statement confirmed by the White House. “Mexico will reinforce the northern border with 10,000 members of the National Guard immediately, to stop drug trafficking from Mexico to the United States, in…

Visit Duluth, Madden Media Talk 2025 Duluth Tourism Outlook

DULUTH, Minn. — Visit Duluth and the city’s new tourism market agency, Madden Media, are one month on the job together with a common goal of showcasing what makes Duluth the gem it is. Madden Media is a national tourism marketing organization tasked with promoting Duluth over the next two years. We spoke with Madden Media’s CEO, Daniel Janes, to…

Bucktales returns as El Jefe

SUPERIOR, Wis. — A beloved local restaurant is back in business, at their original location in Superior. El Jefe, previously known as Bucktales, has returned, in its previous Pattinson Park location. In 2022, they moved into the former Shorty’s Pizza location, but they closed last summer due to staffing issues and the size of the space they were operating in….

Behind the Brew at Duluth Cider

DULUTH, Minn.– Duluth Cider is one of two cideries in the Northland. And their entire cider making process happens all under one building. “It’s really nice, in the middle of Duluth Minnesota, we’re taking on cider, we’re doing it all in our cellar, and bringing it up, out the door, all over, it’s actually pretty cool,” said Kyle McKean. Duluth…

Gabriel’s Bookstore & Others Told to Vacate After Potential Demolition

DULUTH, Minn. — Gabriel’s Bookstore, Sami Cultural Center, and other tenants within the Lakeside Professional Building have until late spring to vacate the site after recent plans to demolish the over 100 year-old structure. The property is owned by St. Michael’s Catholic Church. The building was originally constructed in 1914, but numerous financial meetings with the pastor it was ultimately…

Lake Superior Elementary School Transforming into Apartments

DULUTH, Minn.– After the recent closure of the Lake Superior Elementary School in Superior, an agreement was made to revitalize the property into apartment units. The elementary school closed it’s doors at the end of the school year back in June. The closure happened cause of a decrease in enrollment as well as budget constraints. But that opened up the…

Wood Magic Closing Its Doors After Auction This Weekend

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — After 43 years in business, Wood Magic in Hermantown is closing its doors. The long-standing business was known for custom cabinetry, curtains, and gifts. While they have stopped doing custom cabinetry, there are still 8 rooms full of various gifts and decor, from Sandicast figurines to Fenton art glassware. The owner shared her message for their customers….

Second Harvest Northland Reports Increased Food Distribution in 2024

DULUTH, Minn. — In just the last year, Second Harvest Northland has reported an increase in their food distribution programs, serving up an additional 370,000 meals. Second Harvest Northland services 15 counties in northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. Through the organization’s food shelves, on-site meal program, and tribal organizations, they have increased food distribution by 4%, which equated to about…

49 Days Later, Essentia Deer River Workers End Strike with Essentia Health

  DULUTH, Minn.  — A 49-day strike ended Sunday between Essentia Health and 70 employees at its Deer River Hospital. On Sunday evening, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which represents the Deer River workers, said Essentia “significantly” improved its latest offer compared to the original offer before the strike began. SEIU said the agreement includes a 12 percent raise…

MN High Court Sides With DFL In Struggle With Republicans Over Control Of State House

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Supreme Court sided with Democrats on Friday in a power struggle with Republicans in the state House of Representatives but left it up to lawmakers to figure out a way to work together. The justices unanimously agreed with House Democratic leaders who argued that a quorum in the House was 68 members under the state…

Northerly School for Music Opens in Lakeside Neighborhood

DULUTH, Minn. — A local music school held a grand opening Saturday for its new location in the Lakeside neighborhood. Northerly School for Music has opened in the Lakeside area, after moving from its old location in Downtown Duluth. Northerly has a staff of teachers who provide people of all ages with lessons on various instruments. One-on-one lessons are offered…

‘Heart Berry’ Small Business Store Steals Hearts On and Offline

CLOQUET, Minn.– ‘Heart Berry’ is a woman and native owned store, and they back in 2023. The store was by inspired a strong desire to teach and share art with the Cloquet community. “I started out as a moccasin maker and beadwork artist. And really quickly saw that my community really wanted cultural art. I really wanted to teach cultural…

Kozy Building Demolition Deal Seeks to Revive Area with Historic Look

DULUTH, Minn. – Years of lawsuits, multiple fires and several suggested solutions later, the former Kozy Bar and Apartments in Downtown Duluth is coming down. The Pastoret Terrace, commonly known as the Kozy, has been the subject of legal battles for a decade and a half. The city of Duluth has wanted to clear the dilapidated complex that sits at…

Settlement Agreement: Burnt-Out Kozy Building Will Be Demolished

DULUTH, Minn. – Nearly 15 years after fire gutted the former Kozy Bar and Apartments in downtown Duluth, the burnt-out structure will finally be torn down. That tear-down decision is part of a settlement agreement between the city of Duluth, the building’s former owner Dr. Eric Ringsred, and Respect Starts Here, which is a preservationist group. In a joint statement…

Talking Downtown Duluth Safety

DULUTH, Minn. – Public safety and outreach services look to find middle ground solutions to Downtown Duluth problems. City officials met to discuss the multi-faceted task of managing Duluth’s Downtown. From public safety leaders to representatives from various outreach services, much of the discussions centered around aiding the homeless population by finding a balance between enforcing laws and providing resources….

Lincoln Park Business Advocacy Groups Merge

Duluth Minn. — Lincoln Park Business Group and Ecolibrium3’s Main Street Program are formally merging. The groups already work together on projects for the Lincoln Park area. The merger also helps strengthen their advocacy. While both have been a driving force for development, a singular group simplifies their support. “It gets confusing because it’s like with children, you know, mom…

2025 Outlook for Duluth Entertainment Convention Center

DULUTH, Minn.– Management at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center are ready for a stronger year ahead following operational challenges that lead to a million-dollar loan request from the city in 2024. “We had a lot of capital projects here that failed. So, when the DECC arena system broke, we then had to do an emergency fix for our entire AC…

Minnesota State Fair Ticket, Parking Prices To Rise In 2025

The Minnesota State Fair will hike ticket prices by $2 this year, bringing the cost of a regular ticket for an adult to $20. On Sunday, fair officials said ticket prices would go up as the fair looks to “fund extensive capital improvements and maintenance work and address rising operational costs.” The fair kept ticket prices flat in 2024 after…

‘Pho’licious’ Opens in Canal Park

DULUTH, Minn.– The local restaurant, Taste of Saigon in Canal Park, now has a new name and a new taste. Under new ownership, ‘Pho-licious’ is serving up authentic Vietnamese cuisine. The co-owner, who is also the owner’s wife, received hands-on training in Washington, D.C., learning the art of crafting traditional dishes. They described making pho as a true labor of…

UMD Unveils New Kirby Rafters

DULUTH, Minn.– UMD’s Kirby Rafters has received a makeover right on time for the start of their spring semester. The Kirby Rafters is an event center at University Minnesota Duluth that has lived many lives. Originally starting as a student lounge center, The Rafters has now transformed to a venue for small concerts karaoke and board meetings. According to UMD…

Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital Reapproved as a Critical Access Hospital

UPDATE: As of Tuesday evening Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital’s status as a Critical Access Hospital was restored and will continue to care for patients as they have in the last two decades. ORIGINAL: ELY, Minn. — Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital (EBCH) has lost its status as a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) after the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) found the…

Prince Estate Seeks To Block Netflix Documentary

An Oscar-winning filmmaker has made a nine-hour Netflix documentary on the late music legend Prince, but it may never be shown. Prince’s estate is in a legal battle with Netflix blocking the film’s release. The estate has reportedly demanded changes to the documentary. Two of the companies involved in the estate gave a joint statement to the Hollywood Reporter in…

Bent Paddle Brewing Participates in Dry January

DULUTH, Minn.– While many people are ringing in the new year with a toast to ‘Dry January,’ Bent Paddle Brewing in Duluth is tapping into the trend, offering something for everyone. Bent Paddle Brewing has been embracing inclusivity since 2018 with their ‘Canna-products’ lineup. From THC sodas and seltzers to gummies, they’re offering a unique twist on your favorite beverages….

Virtual Public Meeting Held For ALLETE Acquisition

MINNESOTA – A public hearing was held online Friday morning regarding the acquisition of ALLETE, Minnesota Power’s parent company. The acquisition aims to strengthen operational and financial foundations of the ALLETE. It looks to keep Minnesota Power as an investor-owned utility while getting extra support from the Canada Pension Plan and Global Infrastructure Partners. They hope to eventually upgrade and…

Johnny B’s Braves the Cold

DULUTH, Minn. — One local food truck is braving the cold and sharing their love for their craft. Food trucks are usually seen as a staple of summer cuisine but Johnny B’s is determined to serve up savory meals year-round. “They’ve been here almost every Thursday, all throughout the winter and we appreciate that as employees of cirrus, because having…

Duluth Mayor’s Girlfriend Speaks Out After Being Cleared Of Any Political Wrongdoing

DULUTH, Minn. — An outside investigation has concluded Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert and his girlfriend, Amber Gurske, acted legally and ethically with city business during Reinert’s first four months in office.  And for the first time, Gurske spoke to FOX 21’s Dan Hanger Thursday to talk about it all. (Video of the full interview at the bottom of this story)…

Hibbing HRA Receives 26 Million Dollar Grant for Workforce Housing

HIBBING, Minn.– Millions of dollars is heading to Hibbing, to go towards a brand-new housing development. This project tackles the need for quality and affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families. The new development will replace the current 52 units at the Greenhaven Apartments, which were built in 1952. The goal of all of this, is to address problems related…

Study on ATV Tourism Revenue

NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA — ATV Riders are bringing in the big bucks to Northeastern Minnesota according to a University of Minnesota study. In collaboration with the Northeastern ATV Joint Powers Board, researchers from the University of Minnesota has been collecting data on trail traffic through surveys and tracking where riders spend their money. The study found that in 2023, Riders spent…

MN Judge Orders Mike Lindell’s MyPillow To Pay Nearly $778K To Delivery Service DHL

Courtesy: Mike Lindell MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minnesota judge has ordered MyPillow to pay nearly $778,000 for unpaid bills and other costs to package delivery service DHL, which had sued the company that’s synonymous with its founder, chief pitchman and election denier Mike Lindell. The award includes over $48,000 in interest and over $4,800 for DHL’s attorney’s fees. The order,…

Wonder Wednesdays at Great Lakes Aquarium

DULUTH, Minn.– Aquatic enthusiasts are fighting that midweek slump feeling by participating in this weekly winter event. Wonder Wednesdays is a winter long event put on by the Great Lakes Aquarium. They’re offering admission reduced to six dollars all day every Wednesday It’s giving both kids and adults the opportunity to warm up and enjoy the exhibits. There are also…

Women’s Care Center Giving Away Baby Formula

Courtesy of Women’s Care Center  DULUTH, Minn.–The Women’s Care Center in Duluth is giving away baby formula powder that is expiring in April 2025. The nonprofit organization posted on their Facebook page, acknowledging their overabundance of formula. They are encouraging the community to take what they need during business hours. Categories: Business, Community, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News

Annie Harala Becomes First Woman To Chair St. Louis County Board In 20 Years

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Louis County Board Commissioner Annie Harala has become the first woman in 20 years to serve as the county’s board chair. Harala was appointed by the board Tuesday for 2025. Harala joined the county board in 2023. Commissioner Mike Jugovich will serve as vice chair through the end of the year. Annie Harala Below is the…