Business

Great Lakes Aquarium Sees Record Attendance

144,000 People Visited the Aquarium in 2016

  DULUTH, Minn. – 2016 Brought a record number of visitors to A Popular Attraction in the Northland. Around 144,000 people visited the Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth in 2016, a 5 percent increase since last year. It’s the highest number of visitors the Aquarium has seen since 2002.  Aquarium representatives believe the new exhibit, Unsalted seas, featuring the sturgeon…

Children Ring in the New Year With Zoo Animals

Children Used Makeshift Passports to Travel Around the Zoo "World"

DULUTH, Minn.-Children looked on in awe as Lana the Tiger stalked around her enclosure. Many kids held makeshift passports in their hands. “They go around the zoo to collect their stamps from various countries and while they’re doing that they can find out what time it is here, if it’s midnight there and they also get to learn how some…

Northlanders Stock Up on Food for New Year’s

Grocery stores are busy with shoppers preparing for this weekend

DULUTH, Minn. – Thanksgiving and Christmas have well known meal traditions, but New Year’s is also a big food holiday. Grocery stores across the Northland are busy with people stocking up on their new year’s food, and unlike other holidays, people consume a wide variety of food to kick off the new year. “After the Christmas holiday, we have a…

Iron Rangers React to Keetac Reopening

The Mines Will Bring Back Around 200 Mining Jobs Back to the Iron Range

KEEWATIN, Minn.- There’s a collective sigh of relief across the city of Keewatin,  after U.S. Steel reached agreements to supply iron ore pellets to third-party customers, and announced the Reopening of Keetac, and the return of around 200 mining jobs back to the Iron Range. “To hear that they’re going  back and to know that they’re going back is really…

Wisconsin Transportation Study Considers Interstate Tollways

Walker's current plan puts WI roads on a path to worsen

MADISON (AP) – A new state transportation study finds that installing tollways on Wisconsin interstates could raise billions of dollars, but that substantial upfront investments would be needed and federal approval is uncertain. The Wisconsin State Journal reports the Department of Transportation study also finds that Governor Scott Walker’s road-funding plan for the next two years, puts Wisconsin roads on…

Oscar Mayer Plant in Madison Prepares to Close

Will permanently close in the first quarter of 2017

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The already dwindling number of employees at the Oscar Mayer plant in Madison will continue to shrink as the facility prepares to permanently close in the first quarter of 2017. The Wisconsin State Journal reports that the company produced processed meats for decades and once employed more than 4,000 people, is scheduled to close by the…

Production Set to Restart at Keetac Plant

United States Steel Announces Third-Party Iron Ore Pellet Sales Agreement

KEEWATIN, Minn.  – United States Steel Corporation announced today it has reached agreements to supply iron ore pellets to third-party customers. U.S. Steel will adjust its iron ore pellet production in order to take full advantage of these business opportunities. Within the adjustments, includes the restart of the Keetac Plant in Keewatin, Minnesota. The Keetac Plant, which has an annual…

Russia Weighs Retaliation After Obama Administers Sanctions

New sanctions were announced on Thursday

WASHINGTON (AP) _ The Latest on the Obama administration’s response to Russia’s interference in the U.S. elections, which it denies (all times EST): 4:15 p.m. Republican Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham say sanctions against Russia announced by the Obama administration on Thursday are “a small price” for Russia to pay for interfering with U.S. elections. They say they’ll lead…

With Trump Victory, GOP Hopes to Overhaul Medicaid

Democrats and Advocacy groups warn of the consequences of reducing federal spending on Medicaid

ATLANTA (AP) – With Donald Trump’s election, Republicans in Congress will have the opportunity to overhaul Medicaid, something they’ve wanted to do for years. The program provides health care to millions of lower-income and disabled Americans. Currently, the federal government pays a certain percentage of each state’s Medicaid costs. Republicans say states have little incentive to keep expenses down because…

New Vietnamese Restaurant Opens in Superior

Restaurant Features Pho

SUPERIOR, Wisc.- Pho Cali Vietnamese Noodles Restaurant has been jam packed in Superior ever since it opened Dec. 17. The restaurant specializes in the Vietnamese noodle soup which can be filled with everything from beef to seafood. Owner Andy Tran, originally from Vietnam, saw a need in the area for restaurant. “Mostly I see only Chinese restaurants, so OK so…

Dayton Discusses Twin Metals Decision

Possible Trump Reversal in Future

ST. PAUL, Minn.- Gov. Mark Dayton says the proposed Twin Metals copper-nickel mine is “stymied” but he’s not ready to declare it dead yet despite moves by his administration and the Obama administration that dealt serious blows to the project. Dayton says he expects Twin Metals and supporters to try to persuade the Trump administration to reverse the Obama administration’s…

Monaghan Drops Out of Superior Mayor’s Race

Will Support Candidate Kalee Hermanson

Jeff Monaghan is dropping out of the Superior mayoral race. “Due to personal reasons, I am discontinuing my campaign for Mayor of Superior,” he said in a prepared statement. “By next Tuesday, Jan. 3… I anticipate not having the 200 signatures required to be placed on the primary ballot. Still, I intend to participate in the election and vote for…

Gov. Walker writes letter to Trump to help citizens of Wisconsin

Asking to provide flexibility in implementing a number of programs

MADISON, Wis. – Governor Scott Walker, today, sent a letter to President-elect Donald Trump, outlining actions he believes the incoming administration should take immediately upon entering office to restore state control over the governance of a number of programs and services. Walker’s letter also details his concerns over “incessant federal overreach.” “Too often, states have become mere administrative provinces of…

Former Mayor Ness takes new position

Ness will be new executive director of the Ordean Foundation

DULUTH, Minn. – Former Duluth Mayor Don Ness has been named the new executive director of the Ordean Foundation. Ness is taking over for retiring Executive Director Steve Mangan in late January. The Ordean Foundation focuses on poverty issues and has given about $68 million in grants to various Northland organizations since 1933. Ness had previously worked at Lake Superior…

‘Ugly’ Christmas Sweaters Popular With Holiday Shoppers

Today is "National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day"

DULUTH, Minn. — Known for their bright colors and super-creative designs, vintage Christmas sweaters have become hugely popular. And today is “National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day.” Whether it’s for the nostalgia, or just because you think the over-the-top fashions are just fun to wear, the popularity of Christmas sweaters has exploded in the past few years. At Ragstock in Duluth,…

‘Rogue One’ Lands in Theaters Nationwide

Marcus Cinema in Duluth Prepared for Busy Weekend

DULUTH, Minn. — “Rogue One,” the latest film in the super-popular Star Wars movie franchise has officially landed in theaters. It’s all hands on deck at the Marcus Cinema in Duluth; managers have hired six additional employees to help with the busy holiday season. The theater has dedicated four screens for showing “Rogue One.” General Manager Shawn Fennessey says he…

Changes coming to one-way streets in Downtown Duluth

City council approved a three phase project to convert from one way to two way streets

Drivers in downtown Duluth won’t have to deal with as many one way roads. Last week, city council approved a three phase project to convert portions of First, Second and Third Avenues West from one to two way traffic. The project is set to begin May of 2017. When all’s done, stop lights at seven intersections will change to stop…

The Vinyl Cave announces it’s closing its doors

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Vinyl Cave first opened its doors back in 2008 and has since then been symbol of northern Minnesota and Wisconsin’s long running contributions to the world of music.   Owners Tom Uterberger and Tom Johnson have been around music their entire lives and have always had a passion for vinyl records and vintage stereo equipment. Now…

Feds Deny Mineral Leases to Twin Metals

Ely Community Torn Over Feds Decision

ELY, Minn- Mixed feelings in Ely as the Federal government released its decision not to renew mineral leases for the Twin Metals mining project. Ely Mayor Chuck Novack says, “Totally contrary to what’s in law right now. There’s a zone around the boundary waters to protect it.” The decision came in the wake of wide spread concerns from environmental advocates…

Whole Foods Co-op Sees Increase in Ownership

DULUTH, Minn. – Whole Foods Co–op has seen a large increase in ownership since opening a new location in the Denfeld neighborhood of Duluth in mid–March. The co–op says they are close to 10,000 owners since the addition of the west Duluth store. The cooperative relies on the community to invest a one-time fee of $100 to become an owner….

Deadline approaching to mail Christmas packages

DULUTH, Minn. – With Christmas less than two weeks away, it’s time to get packages in the mail if you haven’t already. The Mail Room in Duluth has had people coming in non–stop to get gifts sent off. This is the busiest time of year for the USPS, so they recommend having packages in the mail by this Friday in…

Bayfield Prepares for Winter Tourism

Businesses are Hoping for More Snow

BAYFIELD, Wis. – Peaceful quality time with loved ones was how Conn Mullally wanted to spend his birthday this year, and that’s exactly what he got, strolling through the almost empty streets of Bayfield on a quiet Monday. “We come up very often, all four seasons of the year,” says Cathy Mullalay, Con’s wife. Despite a thunderstorm this summer that…

Governor, tribal leader discuss reducing DAPL protest tensions

The battle has now moved to the courtroom

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota Governor, Jack Delrymple says he and Standing Rock Sioux Chairman Dave Archambault have met to discuss reducing tensions between law enforcement officers and Dakota Access oil pipeline opponents. The pipeline is stalled while developer Energy Transfer Partners and the Army battle in court over permission to cross under the Missouri River. Opponents who’ve protested…

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman running for governor in 2018

Official announcement made Tuesday

ST. PAUL (AP) – St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman is running for governor in 2018. The Democratic mayor made it official with a Tuesday announcement. Coleman had long been considered as a possible gubernatorial candidate. The speculation increased earlier this month when Coleman said he wouldn’t run for a fourth term as mayor. Coleman joins what’s likely to be a…

Stein plans to donate leftover money raised for recounts

Wisconsin completed the recount Monday

MADISON (AP) – Green Party presidential candidate, Jill Stein says she plans to donate any money left over from the $7.3 million she raised to force recounts in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. Stein said Tuesday that the exact costs of the recounts aren’t known yet, but she expects to have money left over. Stein is asking donors to complete an…

Center City Housing and One Roof Community House team up to buy Gateway Tower Apartments

Center City Housing Corporation and One Roof Community Housing have bought the Gateway Tower apartments in Duluth and will begin renovations immediately. Total cost of the project is around $18.5 million. “I can describe it as One Roof does the heavy lifting on the front end in other words they’re more involved in the rehab and once the building is…