MADISON, Wis. (AP) – University of Wisconsin officials say student vaccination rates for COVID-19 vary widely among the system’s campuses. At the Madison campus, 91% of students are fully vaccinated, the highest number among the system’s universities. The lowest number of vaccinated students are at UW-Parkside where 38% have been inoculated. Other campuses range from 75% at La Crosse to…
DULUTH, Minn.– The 36th annual Chester Bowl Fall Fest drew in thousands of people Saturday. The event featured more than 130 local vendors who showcased their handcrafted goods, and provided information and facts about local programs. Chester Bowl also collected donations for their seasonal children’s programs, a large part of their initiative, to provide everyone with equal and affordable opportunities…
DULUTH, Minn.– The City of Duluth just received a $9,000 grant to support a new local initiative called the Lake Superior Stormwater Chalk Fest. This is a week long event meant to encourage chalk drawings from local schools, businesses and community members to help bring attention to the ways we impact local water sources. The City of Duluth is providing…
TWO HARBORS, Minn. – Starting Monday, Sept. 20, masks will be required for elementary students in Lake Superior School District #381. This includes schools elementary grades in Two Harbors and Silver Bay. The district’s superintendent says due to an increase in new COVID-19 cases in the county, their only option was to make masks a requirement for elementary grades due…
DULUTH, Minn.– Because so many young kids are brought to libraries with their parents, the Duluth Public Library is finding ways to keep these kids coming back, especially as they get older. The library’s downtown branch held an open house today for its newest installment of a Teen Advisory Board (TAB). They’re hoping teens join this new board to give…
CHISHOLM, Minn. – An “increasing” number of COVID cases is forcing some elementary grades in the Chisholm School District to learn from home for at least the next two weeks. The changes are affecting K-3rd graders at Vaughan Steffensrud Elementary School, according to Adrian Norman, the district’s superintendent. Norman confirms St. Louis County health officials raised the alarm about the…
BARNUM, Minn. — A shortage of bus drivers with the Barnum School District is causing “very real concerns” about not being able to transport student athletes to their games, according to a letter from the district to parents and students Wednesday (see below). Parents are being asked to get ready to figure out how to get their own athletes to…
DULUTH, Minn.- The energy was high among the 1st through 5th graders after the first full day back at Homecroft Elementary, just one of many schools in the Northland opening up for the school year. “You can see it in their eyes even though we’ve got masks on most of the time that smile is there, the laughter is there,”…
GILBERT, Minn. – The saying goes, teamwork makes the dream work. During a recent Youth in Action retreat on the Iron Range, over 30 students from St. Louis County connected, in person, to help each other build and grow as good stewards of the community. “I was a little bit nervous coming in actually,” said Lauryn Biondi, a junior at…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Some parents of students at Minnesota K-12 schools that have not required face coverings have filed a lawsuit asking the governor to enact a statewide mask mandate because of the spike in COVID-19 cases. The complaint filed in Ramsey County Friday by a group calling itself “Parents Advocating for Safe Schools” cites a provision in…
SUPERIOR, Wisc.– Across the bridge, the newest generation of Yellowjackets were welcomed to campus for the last day of move in at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. After a difficult year and a half of online or hybrid learning, getting to see classmates in person again is what most say they’re looking forward to this year which starts this Wednesday the…
DULUTH, Minn.– Teachers spend close to $700 dollars a year trying to stock their classrooms, but a local store called Companies to Classrooms is supplying what they need for free. This non-profit store has been providing these services to teachers from 15 different local school districts for the past 9 years, and on Wednesday, they opened it for its 10th…
DULUTH, Minn.- As more kids get ready to head back to school, Mike Letica teamed up with Neighborhood Youth Services to give away hundreds of backpacks and school supplies Friday for families who may have a tough time paying for them. Organizers filled about a thousand backpacks with supplies like crayons, notebooks, scissors, and more. Donations were provided by local…
DULUTH, Minn.- Hundreds of kids in need got to start their school year worry-free, with free backpacks full of school supplies. The Minnesota Elks gave out 200 backpacks full of whatever their supply lists called for. It’s the 9th year the elks have done the back to school event, and they say the joy it brings to the kids brings…
DULUTH, Minn.– The Harbor Highlands YMCA held their annual back to school fair this evening, preparing and supplying kids with the materials they might need before the year starts. There were multiple tables set up outside teaching the kids about areas of health, safety and wellness, and they were able to receive backpacks and other school supplies too. According to…
DULUTH, Minn.– As Duluth public schools prepare for the 5-day, in-person instruction this academic year, Superintendent John Magas talks about why the mask requirements for students age 2 and older will be beneficial in the long run. Duluth School District officials confirmed the mask requirement as of last night as district officials updated ISD 709’s “Safe Learning Plan.” By doing…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth School District confirmed its back-to-school plans Tuesday evening that include students learning in-person five days a week and students 2 and older wearing masks. The mask requirement also includes all school employees and guests. The confirmation came as district officials updated the ISD 709 Safe Learning Plan. Supt. John Magas said he’s following the guidance…
GRAND RAPIDS, Minn.- Many K thru 12 schools in Itasca County are now strongly recommending students mask up for the school year, as the County deals with the highest level of community transmission of any Northeastern Minnesota county. Itasca County has seen 45 new positive cases in the last 7 days, according to health officials. School leaders say they can…
HERMANTOWN, Minn.– Clint Malarchuk was given a second chance at life when his suicide attempt failed many years ago, and as the stigma around mental health melts away, the message he shared tonight goes far beyond the crease. In March of 1989, Clint Malarchuk was a goalie for the Buffalo Sabres and took a hockey skate to the neck and…
DULUTH, Minn.– Today the Duluth Children’s Museum, the 5th oldest children’s museum in the country, finally re-opened at their new Lincoln Park location after being under construction for 2 years. The museum has never owned its own location, previously leasing space from Clyde Iron works. After that location was closed for months throughout the pandemic, staff decided it was time…
DULUTH, Minn.- New and returning students at Lake Superior College got a head start preparing for a fall semester in person again. LSC will be holding three fall semester kickoff events before the year starts in a little more than a week. Students can buy all their books and supplies locate their classrooms, get student IDs, and take care of…
SUPERIOR, Wis.- As stronger efforts continue nationwide to combat the spread of the Delta Variant and fight low vaccination rates, the University Of Wisconsin-Superior is joining the growing list of Northland colleges requiring people to mask up again. “And hopefully these masking requirements can help safeguard and ensure that we can have a vibrant campus this fall,” said Jordan Milan,…
SUPERIOR, Wisc.– With the mask mandate returning to University of Minnesota campuses, the University of Wisconsin campuses are still figuring out the next steps. The UW system is required to have its COVID protocol proposals approved by the State Legislature before they can be implemented at its campuses. UW Superior does not have a mask mandate right now, but is…
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn.– As the school year approaches, many have questions about how COVID protocols are going to come into play. Wednesday we spoke with a couple different superintendents around Saint Louis County to find out what their plan is. Duluth and Hermantown superintendents have a similar approach when it comes to planning for the Fall, but as of…
CHISHOLM, Minn. – Staff at a museum on the Iron Range is thankful, and making a big impact as they work to come out of the pandemic stronger than ever before. They say the silver lining is shining bright at the Minnesota Discovery Center in Chisholm. “I think they’re excited to explore and run around, ride the trolley, and play…
PROCTOR, Minn. – The return of in-person activities and programming is a sigh of relief for not only educators, but those taking part in programs such as 4-H. “There’s something about being together in a classroom or in a room together to do things,” said Nicole Kudrle, extension educator for 4-H youth development in north St. Louis County. It’s no…
DULUTH, Minn.– One woman is making her way cross-country hauling a tiny home as she discovers and films eco-friendly difference makers in various communities along the way, and today she made a stop in Duluth. Erika Gilsdorf is making a year-long eco tour called What Fuels You USA. This expedition highlights small businesses and independent workers who focus on creating…
DULUTH, Minn.- The Lake Superior Youth Chorus is teaming up with the Duluth Playhouse and Vista Fleet for a unique summer camp experience this week. For 8 years, the NorShore Theater has offered youth chorus summer camps for kids from 2nd to 5th grade, but this year, they have the chance to perform on board the Vista Fleet to showcase…
SUPERIOR, Wis.– One event on Saturday aimed to find more area mentors, to continue to help and inspire youth in the Twin Ports. Mentor North, a group based in Duluth, offers one on one mentoring to youth ages 5 through 17. They held an event at Earth Rider Brewery in Superior on Saturday evening with live music, food trucks and…
SUPERIOR, Wis.– One vendor at the Head of the Lakes Fair is happy to have the opportunity to teach the public about animals. The Humane Society of Douglas County is set up in the livestock barn at the fair Wednesday through Saturday afternoons to talk to the public about animals, their health, and the current pets at the shelter. This…
DULUTH, Minn.– An Indigenous Food and Arts Market is coming back to Duluth’s Central Hillside community this Saturday. It’s put on by the American Indian Community Housing Organization, known as AICHO. The market offers a local and diverse variety of indigenous food, artwork and handmade goods. Organizers tell us about 500 people showed up in July. “I’m not sure there’s…
DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth public schools are returning to in-person classes in September. All grades will go back for a full five-day week of learning, but social distancing alternatives are available for high school students through the district’s academic excellence online program. “There’s so much of a human connection that people are really looking forward to,” said superintendent John Magas. “I…
DULUTH, Minn.– The City of Duluth is promoting water safety week to highlight the importance of being safe on or in the water. The week consists of a sand sculpture contest which encourages those on the beach to build their best sand creation, and submit a photo over email to Duluth Parks and Rec for the chance to win different…
DULUTH, Minn.– Lake Superior College is offering a firefighting education course this fall that includes all of the requirements needed to become a full-time firefighter. 22 people are needed to fill the course, so the college is looking for at least 6 more to sign up. The class offers everything needed to pursue a firefighting career, like learning how to…
SUPERIOR, Wisc.– The Lake Superior Day celebration returns to Barkers Island today where live music, food and stand-up paddle boarding is bringing people of all ages together to enjoy this hot summer day, and learn a little more about our Great Lake. Lake Superior Day is annually the third Sunday in July where numerous communities around Lake Superior get together…
DULUTH, Minn.– Summer camps are in full swing, and the UMD Land Lab is sponsoring a unique and free summer day camp opportunity for Duluth area high school students. This camp will allow high schoolers a hands on experience with harvesting vegetables, learning sustainable living skills, working with honeybees, and visiting the UMD campus for a sustainability tour. Through the…
DULUTH, Minn.– Tuesday evening on Park Point, The Center of the American Experiment held an event at the Lafayette Park Community Center, after being denied at four Duluth locations in one month because of pressure from some in the community. The is the 17th stop in Minnesota for the “Raise Our Standards Tour” focusing on the state’s draft social studies…
DULUTH, Minn.– Big waves are one of the first signs to look out for when determining dangerous swimming conditions because when there are bigger waves, rip currents are more likely to happen. One local expert tells us what a rip current is, and reminds us of the dangers of them, especially here on Lake Superior. “This is our ocean here,…
DULUTH, Minn.– Last year there were 25 water emergencies through the city of Duluth, and this year there are already 20. But with two of the most recent happening last week, the Duluth Fire Department and Park Point lifeguards who are urging swimmers to be aware of quickly changing conditions. In one of the most common areas for rip currents…
DULUTH, Minn.– Wilderness Experience in Duluth is a locally focused outdoor ministry, offering summer camp programs that teach kids about nature, the woods, and faith. Pioneers Camp for kids in kindergarten to 2nd grade helps youngsters learn how to explore and work in the woods like the pioneers did. The lessons include working with farm animals and preparing garden beds…
DULUTH, Minn.– The Duluth Art Institute at Lincoln Park began their sculpture and plaster camp on Monday, July 5th, where the young artists were able to let their imaginations run wild. This weeks art class teaches children about wildlife in North America, and hopes to inspire them to learn and appreciate different species through art and sculpting. “They’re going to…
DULUTH, Minn.– Scary moments for a swimmer off Park Point today after she was overpowered by Lake Superior’s strong waves. The call for help came in around 3:40 Thursday afternoon on the 46 hundred block of Minnesota avenue. A 19 year old woman, was seen struggling 40 feet off the shore in those waves. Her friends were thankfully able to…
DULUTH, Minn.– More than 375,000 students in Minnesota need help in reading and math. AmeriCorps is looking for 1,700 tutors throughout the state, but are seeking 12 locally, who can help teach and make a positive impact on the youth scholars in the area. “I think I’ve had tutors that are 18 and tutors that are 80, but the really…
DULUTH, Minn.– A day camp through Wilderness Experience for kids kindergarten to 2nd grade, is teaching the youth this week about pioneering by getting them involved working with farm animals and preparing garden beds to plant seeds. The Director of Wilderness Experience explained why it’s so important to teach kids about the outdoors, “It’s important to the development of kids…
DULUTH, Minn.- The American Indian Education Department for Duluth Public Schools is on their third week of “Boozhoo Fresh” programs. The group is providing two different recipes and healthy ingredients to students and their families to keep them engaged during the summer break. All while giving out meal kits to twenty indigenous families each week. “As American Indian programming…
DULUTH, Minn.– There was a ‘Blessing of the Gardens’ ceremony today held by the American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO), that honored and gave appreciation to the plants for what they give to us and the community around us. Hope Flanagan of Seneca Nation, and of the Turtle Clan, is the Community Outreach and Cultural Teacher for Dream of Wild…
DULUTH, Minn.– Visit Duluth and Lake Superior College partnered up in 2018 and planned to have students design and weld a lift bridge replica that is 95″ wide, and 82″ tall. Finally today, the pieces were put together. Visit Duluth was able to purchase and supply the materials while the students of Lake Superior College put their heads together and…
DULUTH, Minn.– Yesterday Duluth’s Parks and Recreation division announced the return of some senior programs, but today, the full summer program guide for all ages was released. Duluth hopes this will encourage people to sign up, to help promote more community activities that allow people to get out and be active again. “Pretty much whatever your interest is we offer…
DULUTH, Minn.– There are all kinds of precautions that should be taken into consideration as the public prepares to celebrate this Fourth of July, but today, law enforcement wanted to remind us that if you want to celebrate safely this year, leave the fireworks to the professionals. From 2019 to 2020, calls due to firework disturbances and injuries have tripled,…
HERMANTOWN, Minn.– One lucky STARBASE instructor was nominated by members of the Duluth Airshow committee to fly with the Blue Angels today. The nomination was for a STEM educator who has made a positive impact on the community through their passion for educational outreach and today, she was so excited to put some science in motion. “The application of knowledge…
