Business

Local Filmmaker Shines at Minnesota Film Festival

The festival started as a way to make sure audiences heard those untold stories and features filmmakers from right here in Duluth, and around the world. Seed of Doubt is directed by William J. Cox. It tells the story of a young couple’s world turning into paranoia and delusion. Cox wanted to create a psychological drama about gaslighting which is…

Big, Sincere Welcome for Barbro G and Crew; First Saltie of 2024

Official "spring" for port community.

DULUTH, Minn. — It is a welcome that never gets old. Tuesday, the first ocean-going vessel of the season received heart-felt greetings on a windy, wet and gray day. Inside the ship’s bridge, it was warmth and smiles as the captain and crew of the Barbro G were presented with everything Duluth and Superior. That included an endless flow of…

“Barbro G” Goes Under Duluth Lift Bridge as First Saltie of 2024

Shipping Season officially underway with one of the port's earliest arrivals ever.

After sitting anchored in Lake Superior all weekend, she finally decided it was time to come in. The first saltwater vessel of the shipping season slowly made its way toward and through the Duluth shipping canal shortly before noon Monday morning. But first, the Barbro G had to head farther out in the lake and make a U-turn so it…

‘Twin Ports Trailer Trash’ Hosting Canal Park/Lakewalk Cleanup Monday

DULUTH, Minn. – Twin Ports Trailer Trash is calling on volunteers to give back Monday by cleaning up Canal Park. The event is happening at 11 a.m.  Volunteers are asked to meet at the parking lot by Canal Park Drive and Morse Street, which is across from Grandma’s Restaurant. The goal is to also clean up the Lakewalk. For every…

27th Annual Taste At Fitger’s Will Once Again Benefit Second Harvest Northland

DULUTH, Minn. — The 27th annual Taste at Fitger’s event coming up this Friday evening. Every year, local restaurants and breweries come together in one place for people to sample their fine food and drinks and it is all for a good cause.  The tickets are $50, but all net proceeds benefit Second Harvest Northland. Over the years, Taste at…

Howard’s Que Prepares for Easter Brunch

DULUTH, Minn. — Preparations to make the upcoming holiday weekend special are getting started at a local southern style restaurant in Lincoln Park. Howard’s Que is offering an Easter Brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. This is the third Easter that the restaurant has put together for the community. And on the menu is a variety of…

Mayor Wants “Authentic Duluth” After City’s Tourism Marketing Contract Ends With Twin Cities Firm

DULUTH, Minn. — The city of Duluth’s multi-million dollar tourism marketing contract with a Twin Cities-based firm will expire at the end of the year.  And now, newly elected Mayor Roger Reinert says he believes the contract should come back home. “I fundamentally believe as a Duluthian that we have the creative talents in our community to tell our own…

“Duluth Cheerio Challenge” Launches, Mayor Gets Cheeky After Kathy Cargill’s Insults On City

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluthians, including Mayor Roger Reinert, are responding in creative and humorous ways to billionaire Kathy Cargill, who told the Wall Street Journal over the weekend that Duluth is a “small-minded community” and that Mayor Reinert “peed in his cheerios” when he sent her a letter wanting to know her plans for 20 properties she recently purchased on…

Billionaire Kathy Cargill Calls Duluth ‘Small-Minded Community’ In WSJ Report

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth is a “small-minded community.” That’s what billionaire Kathy Cargill told the Wall Street Journal this weekend, and she went on to say Mayor Roger Reinert “peed in his cheerios” when he sent a letter to her asking what her plans are for 20 properties she recently purchased on Park Point. Cargill told the WSJ she still…

Snow Is Just a Bonus For Amsoil Snocross Finals

Popular event on track for first weekend in April

This winter many outdoors lovers had to delay, change or cancel their plans. But one event was determined to go on, and the coming snow will just be frosting on the cake. For years the competitive snowmobile Snocross season kicked off in Duluth over Thanksgiving weekend. This spring, after a several year hiatus, the Snocross will be back–but this time…

Duluth’s Best Bread Hosting Successful Pop-Ups In Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Duluth’s Best Bread has turned into Superior’s Best Bread as they’ve been hosting pop-ups there this week. The French-German bakery had been wanting to do a pop-up in Superior with thoughts to open a permanent location there. The success has been outstanding. The pop-ups have been taking place since Wednesday and every day they have sold out…

Gordy’s Hi-Hat Open for the 2024 Season

CLOQUET, Minn. — The restaurant known for keeping everything the same since 1960 is back open for the season. That’s Gordy’s Hi-Hat in Cloquet, known for its hand-pattied burgers, home-made onion rings, and fresh blended shakes. Gordy’s grandson says this year, opening was easy because unlike most seasons they didn’t have any snow to shovel. All they had to do…

Proctor, Hermantown, and Rice Lake Join Together for Annual State of the Cities

The three communities are focusing on working together and business growth

PROCTOR, Minn. — Proctor, Hermantown, and Rice Lake held their joint annual State of the Cities luncheon earlier today, bringing together the three communities. Over 100 people came to hear local government officials discuss the past, present, and future of their cities. Hermantown Area Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Kim Parmeter said this year brought the biggest turnout in…

Local Medical Supplies Store Celebrates Lymphedema Awareness Month

DULUTH, Minn. — A local medical supplies store is celebrating Lymphedema Awareness Month. Lymphedema is a chronic swelling condition that can be caused by a genetic condition, trauma from surgery, or cancer treatment. In 2021, Congress passed the Lymphedema Treatment Act which requires Medicare and certain insurance providers to cover garments. Heide’s Mastectomy and Compression Services in Duluth is helping…

City Releases Statement On Downtown Safety After Alleged Sexual Assault In Skywalk

In the skywalk off the downtown Transportation Center, victim says it only stopped when other people were walking toward them.

DULUTH, Minn. — An alleged sexual assault in the Duluth Skywalk system has resulted in felony charges against a Duluth man. The report came in Sunday afternoon, March 10, when police responded to a report of a sexual assault at the downtown Duluth Transportation Center. The criminal charges became public Tuesday, March 19, when first reported by the Duluth News…

Superior Plan Commission Makes No Recommendation On Road and Rezoning Requests for NTEC

Issues now go to the City Council regarding proposed natural gas-powered electricity plant.

SUPERIOR, Wis. — It was standing-room only Wednesday evening as the Superior Plan Commission met to vote on issues involving the proposed Nemadji Trail Energy Center (NTEC). The commission was considering a request by Minnesota Power to vacate a street and rezone a piece of property at the proposed NTEC site. The meeting ended after nearly four hours of comments. …

Superior Approves $120K Marketing Partnership With Comedian Charlie Berens

The contract will be paid through hotel-motel tax revenue.

SUPERIOR, Wis. — The Superior City Council has approved a $120,000 deal with Wisconsin comedian Charlie Berens to help boost tourism in the area. The council’s approval comes after an approval by the Tourism Development Commission. Hotel-motel tax revenue will pay for the production of 10 types of content created by Berens, including photos and videos on social media. The…

Maurices Building In Downtown Duluth Hits The Market

Maurices CAO Sue Ross says there will be no impact because the company is in a "long-term lease."

DULUTH, Minn. — A downtown Duluth building that houses the headquarters of clothing retailer Maurices is up for sale again. The news comes just three years after ASNA PropCo purchased the 11-story building for $15 million in 2021. The building, which includes a public parking ramp, is located on the 400 block of West Superior Street. It was built in…

Start of Spring Means Free Cone Day at Dairy Queen

The start of spring can only mean one thing for a well-known fast food ice cream restaurant. It’s Free Cone Day at Dairy Queen! Customers can grab a small cone at participating locations. It is limited to one cone per customer. If you dip your cone for $1 you are also benefitting a local member of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals….

Crafts Retailer Joann Files For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy As Consumers Cut Back On Pandemic-Era Hobbies

NEW YORK (AP) — Fabric and crafts retailer Joann has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, as consumers continue to cut back on discretionary spending and some pandemic-era hobbies. In a Monday statement, the Hudson, Ohio-based company said that it expected to emerge from bankruptcy as early as the end of next month. Following this process, Joann will likely become…

Political Sign Alert: Careful Where You Plant Them

Superior is being proactive in getting the word out with spring election campaigns underway.

If November brings the general election season, what does April bring? Wisconsin’s spring election season of course! And what is a political campaign without political campaign signs? This spring the signs have sprouted out of the ground–not the snow.  Superior is being proactive on political sign etiquette, and says you’ll be just fine with a couple basic rules in mind….

Dubh Linn Celebrates 19th St. Patrick Day Celebrations

  DULUTH, Minn. — Whether it’s your local pub or a fan favorite bar or brewery, St. Patrick’s Day had the doors open Sunday morning for the Irish holiday weekend. At Dubh Linn Irish Pub on West Superior Street, the usually closed Sunday doors were open and packed inside with people excited to experience their favorite past times. Whether it’s…

Downtown Duluth Eatery Closes After 5 Months; New Eatery Eyeing Location

DULUTH, Minn. – Blue Rock Grill in the heart of downtown Duluth has closed after five months in business. Owner Rick Lampton tells FOX 21 the business closed on March 9. “We definitely didn’t get the volume we were expecting,” said Lampton. Blue Rock Grill moved into the former 7 West Taphouse in early October of 2023. 7 West Taphouse,…

Celebrate St. Paddy’s Day In Style

DULUTH, Minn. –  Sunday is St. Patrick’s Day and that brings out the Irish in all of us, even if on the other 365 days of the year, you have no Irish in you! There are many different places where you can shake your shillelagh, and celebrate St. Paddy’s weekend. It’s likely there is at least one place in Duluth…

New Furnace Or Boat Or Air Conditioning?

Cloquet Chamber event tries to have something for everyone.

Well, it’s not winter, and it’s not spring, so you can’t blame anyone for being a bit confused. But people may get some clarity Friday and Saturday at the Home, Business and Sports Show. One hundred and twenty-five businesses from roofers to outboard motor dealers will be at the event put on by the Cloquet Area Chamber of Commerce. The…

Damage Board Shop Transitioning to Spring Season

DULUTH, Minn. — A full-service snowboard shop is switching gears to their spring skate season. “It’s been a bit strange nonetheless. I’ve actually been out skateboarding this winter more than I’ve been snowboarding which is a bit frightening to say the least,” said Wyatt Lindberg, manager of Damage Board Shop. The lack of snow this year made things a bit…

Dollar Tree To Close Nearly 1,000 Stores, Posts Surprise Fourth Quarter Loss

(AP) — Dollar Tree swung to a surprise fourth-quarter loss and will close nearly 1,000 stores after the discount retailer slashed the value of a rival chain it acquired almost a decade ago. Dollar Tree plans to close about 600 Family Dollar stores in the first half of this year and 370 Family Dollar and 30 Dollar Tree stores over…

House Passes A Bill That Could Lead To A TikTok Ban If Chinese Owner Refuses To Sell

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House on Wednesday passed a bill that would lead to a nationwide ban of the popular video app TikTok if its China-based owner doesn’t sell, as lawmakers acted on concerns that the company’s current ownership structure is a national security threat. The bill, passed by a vote of 352-65, now goes to the Senate, where its prospects are unclear….

Mayor Reinert Asks For Communication From Kathy Cargill After Park Point Home Purchases

Reinert said Kathy Cargill has purchased at least 20 properties so far.

DULUTH, Minn. — The future of Park Point’s landscape is uncertain.  Mayor Roger Reinert said  more than 20 properties on the world’s longest freshwater sandbar have been purchased by a member of the Cargill family. North Shore LS is the company behind the purchases. The LLC is owned by Kathy Cargill, who is married to one of the heirs to…

City Of Virginia, AFSCME Local 454 Reach Tentative Agreement

Courtesy: AFSCME Local 454 VIRGINIA, Minn. — The city of Virginia and its AFSCME Local 454 employees have reached a tentative contract agreement. See below for press releases from City Administrator Britt See-Benes and AFSCME Local 454: City of Virginia: On March 6, 2024, City of Virginia AFSCME Local 454 employees, representing Public Works, Park & Recreation, City Hall and…

“Fore!” Or, At Least Some Are Getting Ready

Driving range opened Monday at Duluth's Enger Park Golf Course as pros and duffers can't wait.

DULUTH, Minn. — With Monday’s incredibly warm weather, some people gave up on ever pulling out the ice fishing rods again–so why not pull out a five-iron instead? Those with the itch had a chance to hit the driving range at Enger Park golf course. No grass of course, but players could get the kinks out by hitting off the…

Potential Of Duluth’s ‘Lot D’ Unveiled In ‘Initial Concepts’ Renderings

Architecture Advantage, LLC DULUTH, Minn. – The future of Lot D along the waterfront in Duluth has become clearer with “initial concepts for the revitalization of redevelopment of Lot D” being released by a Duluth architecture firm. Architecture Advantage, LLC posted on its LinkedIn account Friday showing renderings of what the prime real estate could look like next to Pier…

MPCA Investigating 1,400-Gallon Gasoline Leak At Duluth Short Stop

DULUTH, Minn. — FOX 21 learned Thursday evening that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is investigating a significant gasoline leak at a Duluth gas station. The spill occurred Wednesday at the Short Stop at 5402 E. Superior Street in Duluth. “There was a 1,400 gallon release reported by C & B Distributing from one of their fuel pumps to soil,”…

Only March, But Women Runners Looking to Duluth September Run

Goals are support for each other and raising funds to inspire and help women in business.

For some women this was a day to get out of their uniform and work clothes and get into their running shoes. They started things by gathering at the Duluth Running Company. What brings them together is the love of running and the registration kickoff for a fall run and fundraiser. Friday they headed out on a quick jaunt–a thirty-minute…

Teacher Layoffs Announced At Superior School Dist. Amid Budget Cuts

25 teachers are being laid off, and an unknown number of support staff will follow.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Twenty-five teachers at the Superior School District have been notified their positions are being eliminated, as the district deals with a significant budget deficit for the 2024-2025 school year. “It is never easy to make cuts in education. Any cut that we need to make has a direct impact on our students and our families. And so,…

St. Luke’s-Aspirus Affiliation Approved

The Duluth hospital will now be part of a 19-hospital group based in Wausau.

Both had been waiting since a letter of intent signed last summer, but Friday Duluth’s St. Luke’s Hospital became part of Wisconsin-based Aspirus Health. Aspirus now has 19 hospitals. St. Luke’s will still have a corporate office in Duluth. The group also has 130 outpatient locations and a system that now includes northeastern Minnesota, northern and central Wisconsin, and the…

Warrior Brewing Hosting Fundraiser For Disabled Veterans Hockey Team

DULUTH, Minn. — A fundraiser supporting veterans and their love for hockey is happening Saturday. Warrior Brewing Company in Duluth is hosting the event for the Lake Superior Warriors Disabled Military Hockey Team. The nonprofit was founded in 2019 to help military veterans transition back into civilian society by using hockey as cognitive and physical therapy. The team makes it…

More Than 75 Employers at UWS Spring Career and Internship Fair

SUPERIOR, Wis. — More than 75 employers were at the University of Wisconsin-Superior Thursday helping students find the perfect job. The Spring Career and Internship Fair is a networking event held twice a year. There is a large variety of industries available to try and meet every students need. Opportunities range from volunteer positions, work from home jobs, and full…

Duluth Salvation Army Participates In Minnesota FoodShare Month By Hosting Food Drive

DULUTH, Minn. — March is Minnesota FoodShare Month, and the Duluth Salvation Army is participating by hosting a food drive. The non-profit is calling it their March-ish Food Drive happening now through April 6. The goal is to raise $9,000 and 9,000 pounds of food. The Minnesota FoodShare Campaign is the largest grassroots food and fund drive in the state…

Superior’s Boulder Tap House To Open Wednesday

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Goodbye, Grizzly’s. Hello, Boulder Tap House. The countdown is on for the newest member of the Twin Ports dining scene. Finishing touches and staff training continue as Wednesday’s opening gets closer. On Tower Avenue in Superior, Boulder will sit – literally — on the site of the old Grizzly’s. That long-time favorite had been remodeled five times,…

Goal is to Coordinate Disaster Recovery and Response

Agencies come together to plan for floods, tornadoes and blizzards.

High flood waters caused several motorists to become stuck on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2018, in Flint, Mich. High water from storm flooding closed roads in Michigan. (Bronte Wittpenn/The Flint Journal-MLive.com via AP) Talk about preparing for a natural disaster can often be just that–talk. The Northland does not have hurricanes, but it does have its share of huge rainstorms, big…