Business

Lester Park Golf Course Loses Last Chance To Reopen; Costs, Failing Infrastructure To Blame

Enger Park Golf Course will partially open in 2024 while significant upgrades get underway

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth city councilors voted unanimously Monday night against reopening Lester Park Golf Course for one last time next year. This comes after projected operating losses for 2024 more than doubled to at least $1.2 million. The original plan was to reopen Lester next season so the city’s other municipal golf course at Enger Park could close down…

Duluth’s ‘Anchors End Tattoo’ To Anchor In Former Electric Fetus Building

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s been two years since the Electric Fetus closed in downtown Duluth after serving the music community for 33 years. And now, the space is getting a new tenant with a decades-long history in the city itself. Anchors End Tattoo & Piercing is moving into the prime real estate on the corner of Lake Avenue and East…

KornerStores, Inc. Eyes Historic Telephone Exchange Building In Gary

GARY, Minn. — A historic telephone exchange building in the heart of Duluth’s Gary neighborhood could soon be the new home of a Gary-based company that’s looking to grow beyond the Northland but keep its roots where they are for years to come. The building is the former Northwestern Bell Telephone Company located at 1202 101st Ave. West.  The company…

Local Construction Company Gives $11k To Northern Lights Foundation

DULUTH, Minn. — Adolfson & Peterson Construction held a check presentation Tuesday after raising $11,000 to give to a local organization. They raised the money by hosting its second annual charity bean bag tournament. The money was given to the Northern Lights Foundation, which is a charity that eases financial stress on families with children who have life-threatening illnesses. The…

KQDS-TV, Forum Communications Pending Purchase Dissolves

(FOX 21) – We have an update involving the pending purchase of our television station, KQDS-TV, and our sister station, KVRR-TV in Fargo. After 18 months, the proposed agreement with Forum Communications has fallen through. Our parent company, Red River Broadcasting, and Forum, which owns the Duluth News Tribune, had not received approval on the deal from the Federal Communications…

Army Corps Pulls Key Permit For Copper-Nickel Mine Near Hoyt Lakes

A key permit for a proposed copper-nickel mine near Hoyt Lakes, known as the NorthMet Project, has been revoked by the Army Corps of Engineers. The announcement was made Tuesday in a 27-page report. The Army Corps said the proposed mine “does not ensure compliance with water quality requirements of the Fond du Lac band of Lake Superior Chippewa.” NewRange…

Hummingbird Feeders At Lake Superior Art Glass

DULUTH, Minn. — If Cinderella can have glass slippers, you can have your very own glass hummingbird feeder thanks to Lake Superior Art Glass. The glass-blowing experience in Canal Park is happening through the month of July. You don’t have to be an expert either. Skilled artists work with you to customize your very own feeder. You can choose the…

Inside ‘The Njord’ – A New Duluth Luxury Vacation Rental With A Nordic View

DULUTH, Minn. — One of Duluth’s oldest buildings has been restored and remodeled into one of the city’s newest luxury vacation rentals.  And Lake Superior is front and center from every window on every floor. “This is The Njord. The Njord is the Nordic God of water and seafaring. And so I think, fittingly, we named the building that because…

5.6 Megawatt Solar Project Unveiled On Iron Range

Minnesota Power project near Hoyt Lakes will produce enough energy for 1,100 homes.

HOYT LAKES, Minn. — Another step toward more solar energy took place on the Iron Range Friday. Minnesota Power unveiled and showed-off the second of its three new solar projects. This one is near Hoyt Lakes and is known as the Laskin Solar Project. It will generate enough energy to power 1,100 homes a year. There was a lot of…

2 Creative Businesses Combined, Now Open In Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Superior is expanding with 2 new businesses that are now open. Located off of Tower Avenue in the back of Blue Arrow Boutique, Alchemy and Botany are two shops that have combined together. One is called Alchemy by AnndreasArt and features crystals and permanent jewelry, as well as aura photography, which gives you a 23-page report to…

‘Crêpes Amour’ Stationary Food Truck Opens Outside North Shore Scenic Railroad

DULUTH, Minn. — European flavors are now frying up inside a new food truck that’s on wheels but isn’t on the move. It’s stationed behind the Duluth Depot, but with a broken engine. Other than that, it’s in mint condition. The North Shore Scenic Railroad purchased the truck as a walk-up eatery for train riders and locals, like downtown workers….

North Shore Adventure Park Open For The Season

Courtesy of North Shore Adventure Park SILVER BAY, Minn. — The North Shore Adventure Park opened for its 5th year Friday. The park located in Silver Bay features zip lining and climbing experiences for family and friends to enjoy. They also started up an axe throwing attraction last July. Officials say it’s the only forested adventure park in Minnesota. The…

Spirit Mountain Prepares For Busy Memorial Day Weekend

DULUTH, Minn. — Spirit Mountain is gearing up for the summer season starting this Memorial Day weekend. The year-round resort offers many attractions for families to enjoy. Including the Adventure Park which starts this weekend. It features a zip-line, alpine coaster, jumping pillow, putt-putt golf, and scenic chair lift. And next week mountain biking will open up, and for that…

Cleveland Cliffs Secures Mineral Leases To Keep Hibtac Open For Decades

A dispute over mineral leases has ended in favor of Cleveland Cliffs, and Cliffs says the leases will allow it to keep Hibbing Taconite open for at least another two decades. The five-member Minnesota Executive Council chaired by Gov. Walz awarded the company leases for 2,600 acres near Nashwauk. Another company owned by Essar had also been trying to get…

Gov. Walz Vetoes Higher Pay For Lyft, Uber Drivers

(Associated Press) ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz on Thursday vetoed a bill that would have mandated higher pay and job security for Lyft and Uber drivers in Minnesota, saying the legislation wasn’t ready to become law. “Rideshare drivers deserve fair wages and safe working conditions,” Walz said in a statement announcing his first veto ever in his…

Duluth Rowing Club Preparing For Summer Season

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Rowing Club brings people from around the Twin Ports together teaching them all about the sport. The club is currently getting ready for their summer season which will start after school is over for students in mid-June. Classes range from the Junior Rowing Program where students ages 13 to 18 can participate, to the Learn…

Sen. Grant Hauschild Talks Historic Successes Of Minnesota’s Legislative Session

DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota Sen. Grant Hauschild is celebrating the end of the legislative session with what he calls the “largest tax relief package in the history of the state.” Hauschild said the package includes social security tax relief to 85 percent of seniors and child tax credit to families that’s expected to reduce child poverty by 33 percent. His…

DEDA Terminates $2.35M TIF Agreement With Lincoln Park Flats, Company Responds

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Economic Development Authority, or DEDA, voted unanimously Tuesday to terminate its multi-million dollar agreement with the owners of the newly built Lincoln Park Flats. This means roughly $2.3 million in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) through 2048 is no more. The move comes after the property’s owner, P&R Companies, said it was forced to make plans…

Knowing Your Neighbors: Shoreview Natives

TWO HARBORS, Minn. — If you are looking for a yard makeover this year or are searching to add greenery to your yard, one Northland business has opened up a new location to expand their inventory of native plants. “We grow straight species native plants. So that’s, our plants, they come right from a wild seed source or a company…

Downtown Duluth Dental Office To Focus On Children From Low-Income Families

DULUTH, Minn. — A new multi-faceted dental office is coming to downtown Duluth, and it’s focused on providing oral health to low-income families, especially children. The building is located at 25 West Superior Street. Children’s Dental Services is the non-profit behind the project, along with the financial help from 20 organizations and foundations — local and within the state. Organizers…

Blue Sky, Music, Beer Attract Thousands To Bent Paddle’s 10th-Annual Festiversary

DULUTH, Minn. – The weather was perfect Saturday for Bent Paddle Brewing Company’s 10-year anniversary celebration with its Festiversary block party. The music was flowing and, of course, so was the craft beer. The all-ages family friendly event had plenty of neighboring Lincoln Park businesses on hand – from food trucks to local eateries. Big Wave Dave and the Ripples…

‘Northern Lights Express’ Lands Full Funding In Final MN Transportation Bill

The reality of a passenger rail line between the Twin Ports and Minneapolis is closer than ever with full funding in the state’s final transportation budget bill. The amount is roughly $194 million, which is the state’s 20-percent share of the project. The remaining 80-percent would come from the Federal Infrastructure Law, which Amtrak has officially endorsed. The train would…

Vikings Icon Bud Grant Remembered At U.S. Bank Stadium

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (FOX 9) – Bud Grant may be the most recognizable figure in all of Minnesota sports, and over the course of his life the 95-year-old made the most of that aura. More than just the winningest coach in Minnesota Vikings history, Grant shined as an athlete across three sports for the Golden Gophers. Then he went on to compete for…

Festiversary, 10-Year Anniversary For Bent Paddle Brewing Co. On Saturday

DULUTH, Minn. — Not only is Festiversary this weekend, which is Bent Paddle Brewing Company’s biggest get-together, it is also their 10-year anniversary of being in business. The annual celebration party takes over 2 blocks surrounding the taproom full of food trucks, family friendly activities, local music, and of course beer. And new this year will be a silent disco…

State Of City: Superior Mayor Jim Paine ‘Not Satisfied,’ Expects More

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Superior Mayor Jim Paine held his State of the City address Thursday evening at the Richard I. Bong Veteran’s Historical Center. Mayor Paine called the past year possibly the best ever for Superior, but he said he’s not satisfied. After six years as mayor, he said the next four will be all about raising the stakes and…

Essentia Health Calls MN Nurse Staffing Bill Flawed

DULUTH, Minn. — Essentia Health is speaking out against a nurse staffing bill at the Minnesota Legislature. The Keeping Nurses at the Bedside Act would establish committees to set specific staffing levels at hospitals. The levels would include a limit on the number of patients a nurse should safely care for. The bill’s sponsors believe it will help the crisis around…

Mark W. Barker, Newest Great Lakes Ship Since 1983, Runs Aground

The Barker hit the water in the summer of 2022 and made its first visit to Duluth in September

The Mark W. Barker, the first U.S. ship built last year on the Great Lakes since 1983, ran soft aground early Wednesday in the Detroit River after the freighter lost propulsion. The 639-foot vessel, which was built to navigate tight ends, suffered an “electronics malfunction” near Belle Isle around 8 a.m., according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Nobody was injured….

Duluth’s A & Dubs Drive In Now Open

DULUTH, Minn. — In the restaurant department you know it’s almost summer when Duluth’s A & Dubs Drive In opens for the season. The loyal customers didn’t disappoint Tuesday as the parking lot was packed for another season kick-off of serving home cooked meals and other treats like homemade root beer. The business has been around since 1950. The menu…

Whitewater Rafting Businesses Starting Their Summer Seasons

CARLTON/SCANLON, Minn. — Now that flooding has settled, and river levels have lowered whitewater rafting companies are ready to go for the seasons. Swiftwater Adventures in Carlton started their season beginning of May. The owner says conditions have been on the higher end of flows but are still safe for those wanting to get out on the water. And anybody…

On the Menu: Mother’s Day Buffets

Lincoln Park restaurant hopes its barbeque and more will give moms a break.

DULUTH, Minn. — The day for celebrating and showing love for your mom is coming up on Sunday. Many restaurants across the region are getting ready for their Mother’s Day Buffet. One of those is Howard’s Que in Lincoln Park. Friday, owner Howard Ross and his crew were fine-tuning things for another year. He gets a lot of joy seeing…

Duluth Airport Ready For Summer Travel, Growing Great Lakes Cruises

DULUTH, Minn. — The busiest season for air travel at the Duluth International Airport is about to take off. And there’s a new excitement with airport management involving cruises. Executive Director Tom Werner told FOX 21 the growing Great Lakes cruises in and out of the Duluth Port are providing growing demand from airlines at the airport. Werner said United…