Education

Spring Concert Caps Off Years of Duluth Catholic School Education

"Little people singing loudly and boldly" part of 140-year history.

There was a special concert and a big celebration Thursday in Duluth. There was music echoing across the grounds, and hand motions driving home the lyrics on the Holy Rosary campus. It was the spring concert for the Stella Maris Academy. The concert capped off the school year for children from kindergarten through sixth grade. Family, alumni and friends enjoyed…

2024 UWS Commencement Ceremony

SUPERIOR, Wis. — As graduation season continues, it was students at the University of Wisconsin-Superior’s turn to walk the stage for their commencement ceremony. Around 300 students attended the in-person commencement, with around 630 students graduating in total. Friends and family cheered on the Yellowjacket students at the ceremony. This year UWS saw more graduate degrees earned then ever before….

UMD Remodeling Main Kitchen, Among Other Campus Projects

DULUTH, Minn. — UMD’s 1971 kitchen, originally designed to serve 800 students is getting a multi-million-dollar makeover to better service the campus community. The main kitchen is located underground, and nearby offices will be converted for expansion needs. The new kitchen total costs are about $25 million. It is designed to be more efficient and include newer equipment. As for…

Duluth Public Schools Look to a Future Without Special Levy Money

Voters said "no" to referendum--round two.

Voters said ‘no’ to a tax increase, and now the Duluth Public School system will be looking at what to cut and how much. This follows Tuesday’s referendum, which failed by an unofficial tally of about 450 votes–5,007 to 5,460. Superintendent John Magas said the results were disappointing, but that he appreciated all the hard-work and support from citizens, parents…

Voters Reject Duluth School District’s Technology Referendum For Second Time

DULUTH, Minn. — For a second time, voters have rejected a proposed technology referendum Tuesday for the Duluth School District. The levy would have provided $5.2 million annually over the next decade for learning technology, digital curriculum and security, according to the district. Below is a press release sent out by the district Tuesday night: Residents of Duluth Public Schools…

Fit-N-Fun Run Gets Duluth Students Active and Outside

ISD 709 elementary school students raced around the track at UMD's Malosky Stadium

DULUTH, Minn. — Tuesday morning was an opportunity to get outside and get active for students from Duluth Public Elementary Schools. The Essentia Health Fit-N-Fun Run took over Malosky Stadium at UMD. More than 1,500 students from third to fifth grade raced around the track to celebrate the approaching end of the school year. Kids ran 400 meters, or one…

LSC Graduates and Families Celebrate Together

Ceremony important both for those crossing the stage and walking the stage.

DULUTH, Minn. — The parade of smiles, diplomas and tassels continued Monday in Duluth. This time it was the turn for graduates of Lake Superior College–752 to be exact. They were in 69 different program areas and every student had their own story. For Christy Cuppy it was the day to finally get her RN degree, after 15 years working…

“No” Voice Joins Discussion As Duluth School Referendum Approaches

Opponents say they have doubts and concerns over proposed tax levy.

The technology referendum for Duluth schools is just days away and as the final weekend unfolds, both those in favor and opposed are working hard to get their messages out. The referendum has been getting attention and signs of opposing voices are visible. Lawn signs with a “Vote No” message have been appearing. The Citizens Research Council is a local…

Lowell And Marshall Elementary Students Plant Over A Thousand Trees

DULUTH, Minn. — Some elementary students in Duluth made quite the impact on Friday. Kids were able to show off their green thumbs when they took on quite the project. Thanks to the efforts from both Lowell and Marshall schools, third through fifth graders planted over one thousand trees. This was led by UMD graduate Gavin Buersken. The end goal…

Minnesota’s April Distracted Driving Citations ‘Extremely Frustrating’

Disturbing, unacceptable and extremely frustrating — those are the words from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety when describing the number of distracted driving citations in April. “The number of citations issued is disturbing, unacceptable and extremely frustrating,” said Mike Hanson, DPS Office of Traffic Safety director. “Getting distracted behind the wheel for even a couple seconds can end with…

Northland High Schools Compete in a Burger Cook Off

DULUTH, Minn. — It was a day filled with flipping burgers for four high school culinary classes on Friday. There was some friendly competition between northland schools today as they competed in the first annual Northeast Minnesota High School Cook Off. Duluth East, Duluth Denfeld, Rock Ridge and Cook County schools participating in the burger cook off. The cook-off focused…

5th Graders Learn What It Takes To Keep Lake Superior Clean

SUPERIOR, Wis. — 5th grade students from the Superior School District are learning what it takes to keep Lake Superior clean. The City of Superior Environmental Services Division has been providing tours of the Wastewater Treatment Plant for 28 years. The tour includes an indoor lesson, then an outdoor tour. The plant treats about 4-million gallons of wastewater a day….

Superior High School’s Spartan Manufacturing Opens Doors to the Community

At the open house, Cenovus Energy donated $50,000 to the student-led business for the second time

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — After its inaugural year, Spartan Manufacturing at Superior High School hosted an open house to show the community their work. Spartan Manufacturing’s goal is to educate high school students about trade professions, through running a student-led business. At Wednesday’s open house, the program received a $50,000 donation from Cenovus Energy, one of many local businesses who have…

Robot Wars Bring College and High School Students Together Through Competition

DULUTH, Minn. — Machines took over Lake Superior College’s main campus Thursday to put some robots to the test. Robot Wars is an annual competition and end of the year project for first year students in the Integrated Manufacturing Program. Students spent the last semester building and getting creative with their robots. The college also invites high schools to join…

Northland College To Remain Open Under New Model

ASHLAND, Wis. –The Northland College Board of Trustees has approved a “refocused model” for the college that will allow the school to remain open. The school will cut some of its majors. “The college will have eight high demand, mission-aligned majors and focused offerings,” according to a news release Wednesday. The release also stated significant changes to its operation budget…

Ending of CSS Theater Program Draws Sit-in by Students and Supporters

DULUTH, Minn. – A decision announced by the College of St. Scholastica last Friday to cease offering theater productions this fall has shocked students, staff, alumni and the community.  A sit-in by students and others took place Monday. The all-day sit-in outside the school president’s office saw many people from the school and the community taking part. The students talked…

Longtime Hartley Nature Center Leader Moves to Next Adventure

Tom O'Rourke taking his passion for environment and nature to his next challenge.

Duluth’s Hartley Nature Center is a city treasure. And now the person who has helped lead it for over a decade is moving on to his next adventure. “Hartley is such a community gem, you know, and the staff are so amazing. The board, the supporters,” said outgoing Executive Director, Tom O’Rourke. “You know any time you tell people that…

Students Protest Ending of Theater Program at St. Scholastica

DULUTH, Minn. — A late Friday afternoon announcement that the College of St. Scholastica is ending its theatre productions led to a protest Monday outside the school president’s office. Students from the theater program and others gathered for a sit-in to let school officials know they disagree with the decision. The CSS students were joined by UMD theatre students who…

Students To Protest College of St. Scholastica’s Decision To Cut Theatre Program

DULUTH, Minn. —  There was growing disappointment and sadness Sunday from current and former theatre students at the College of St. Scholastica after learning Friday that the college’s long-running theatre program will be dissolved.  Students plan to hold a sit-in protest at CSS during the day Monday to try to get the decision reversed. “These stories that everyone has, it…

College Of St. Scholastica’s Decades-Long Theatre Productions To Shut Down

The decision was made as the college "navigates the challenging environment of higher education"

DULUTH, Minn. – The Twin Ports theater community will be losing one of its longest-running stages this fall when the College of St. Scholastica shuts down its decades-long theatre program. Students have been producing high-quality productions for the CSS campus and the general community since at least the 1970s, according to a former director of the program. The college released…

Northeast Minnesota Criminal Justice Summit Focuses on Crime Survivors

DULUTH, Minn. — The 2024 Northeast Minnesota Criminal Justice Summit took place Thursday. The St. Louis County Attorney’s Office hosting the event at Pike Lake Beach and Gold Club. The day long training is for law enforcement, prosecutors, social workers and others to learn new ways to serve victims of crimes. It focused on human trafficking, compensation for victims, sexual…

Organ Donor’s Mother Urges Others To Do The Same

Part of the effort to raise awareness; 17 people die every day while waiting for an organ.

We often hear about the need for human organ donations, but we can sometimes get immune to the message. Every day across the country, seventeen people die while waiting for an organ. That is why a very special flag was raised Wednesday outside Duluth’s Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center. The flag read “Donate Life,” as part of national Donate Life…

Northland College Receives Last-Minute ‘Transformative Donor Gifts’

ASHLAND, Wis. — Another sign of hope was reported Tuesday evening involving the future of Northland College. College officials they received “several transformative donor gifts” within the last 24 hours that has “considerably” impacted what is possible for the future of Northland College. Three weeks ago the Board issued a statement of financial crisis. Northland had a goal of raising…

FOX 21 Visits UWS Journalism Students At ‘The Promethean’

SUPERIOR, Wis. — FOX 21’s Dan Hanger was invited to visit UWS journalism students Tuesday to talk about the television news business, learn about UWS’s longstanding student-run newspaper, The Promethean, and watch the latest Promethean TV newscast.  Three UWS students currents work at FOX 21 and have been a great addition to our newsgathering operation!   Categories: Community, Education, News,…

UMD Students Create Tiny Study Buddies Ahead of Finals

'Make and Take' Air Clay Creations Just One of Many Activities During Stressless Week

DULUTH, Minn. — Finals season is fast approaching at UMD and the Kathryn A. Martin Library is once again holding Stressless Week for students. In the lead up to final exams, the library is looking to help students reduce stress and take a break. Tuesday afternoon, it partnered with the Graduate Student Association to hold a ‘Make and Take’ Study…

Pelicans Make Pit Stop In Duluth Before Flying To Canada

DULUTH, Minn. – A pelican invasion has happened on the St. Louis River in Duluth, but it’s only temporary. The great white pelicans have made a pit stop by the Chambers Grove Park in the Fond du Lac neighborhood. The birds are fueling up to complete their migration journey to Canada, according the Duluth Parks and Recreation department. Pelicans are…

Family Of Duluth Domestic Homicide Victim Talk Anger, Grief, Hope

Allisa Vollan was 27 years old

DULUTH, Minn. — There is anger and grief from the family of a Duluth woman who has become Minnesota’s sixth homicide victim so far this year by, who authorities call, an intimate partner. In March, Allisa Vollan, 27, was killed by her boyfriend, Dale Howard, 25, according to the criminal complaint. Allisa was found dead in Howard’s apartment just nine…

Carnival-Style Food Festival Brings Together Different Cultures

DULUTH, Minn. — UMD organizations hosted a carnival-style food festival all to learn about each other’s cultures. The annual food festival is presented by the Asian Pacific American Association who collaborate with other multi-cultural organizations. The idea is to do an activity or game at each table to win food tickets. Different cuisines included lam skewers, Korean short ribs, and…

‘Meaningful Progress’ Made To Keep Northland College From Closure

ASHLAND, Wis. — Leaders at Northland College say they’re making “meaningful progress” in their efforts to keep the 132-year-old institution from shutting down. In mid-March, the college said it urgently needed to raise $12 million by April 3 to avoid closure. It only raised $1.5 million. So on April 4, the college’s Board of Trustees declared a financial emergency. Since…

UMD Criminology and Sociology Club Gives Back to Youth in Need

DULUTH, Minn. — The Criminology and Sociology Club at UMD are helping community members in need. On Tuesday the club hosted an open donation. Items asked for included non-perishable food, winter clothes, hygiene products, art supplies, and more. The organization that donations will be given to is the Carlton County Restorative Justice Program. The program works with at-risk youth in…

Carlton School Board Approves Four-Day Week

CARLTON, Minn. — The Carlton School District is doing what they call “challenging the status quo” with the school board approving the motion 6-0 for a four-day school week. The school talked about being the “leader in educational transformation.” And wanted to be the district to find more opportunities for students to get real world, authentic opportunities, giving students a…

UMD Offers New Speech-Language Therapy Program to Help Those with Parkinson’s Disease

DULUTH, Minn. — April is Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month and UMD is highlighting a new clinic program that is helping patients reclaim their speech. The neurological disease affects people’s movement such as walking, talking, and swallowing. According to clinical instructor Samantha Burlingame, it impacts nearly one million people in the United States. She says the Parkinson Voice Project gave UMD…

Duluth Students to Compete in Minnesota History Day Event

DULUTH, Minn. -Some Duluth East students will be headed to the Minnesota State History Day competition next Saturday in Minneapolis. Students from Denfeld, Stella Maris Academy, and Junior High Schools have also qualified for the state competition. The theme of this year’s History Day is ‘Turning Points in History.’ Some of the topics students from Duluth East will be presenting…

Students At North Star Academy Take Part In Ukrainian Day

DULUTH, Minn. — An event took place Thursday at North Star Academy in Duluth teaching students about the Ukrainian culture. Ukrainian Day was inspired after several students became interested about the Ukrainian War. So, kindergarten, first and second grade students all got the chance to learn something new. Stations were set up to listen to Ukrainian songs, make Easter eggs,…

Solar Eclipse a Gray, Cloudy Washout in the Northland

No sun rays--only rain drops hit the eyes of those gathered at UMD planetarium.

If there was a place not to have a solar eclipse viewing party Monday, it was in the Northland. But that did not stop the hopeful at UMD. Many stood in the rain, looking up at the sky, only to have raindrops on their faces instead of the sun in their eyes. “Right now, just clouds, clouds and clouds,” said…

40 Additional Staff Laid Off Amid Superior School District’s $4M Budget Deficit

SUPERIOR, Wis. — More employees of the Superior School district have been let go as the district tackles a $4 million deficit for the next school year. Forty support staff members, mostly paraprofessionals, were notified this week about the layoffs, according to a district spokesperson. This comes after 25 teachers were told last month that their positions were being eliminated….

Northland College Gives Itself Two More Weeks to Solve Financial Crisis and Avoid School Closure

A Thursday evening meeting left many in the NC community 'annoyed' with the uncertainty going forward after initial deadline is moved

ASHLAND, Wis. — Yesterday’s self-imposed deadline for the future of Northland College came and went. Today, college leaders said it will be another two weeks before they know for sure. The news came during a meeting in the gymnasium. The bleachers were filled with students, staff, and faculty, gathered to learn something about their future. They were there to hear…

Sexual Assault, Domestic and Child Abuse Getting Important Focus in April

Awareness effort started Monday in Superior with commitment to support and education.

Sexual assault and domestic and child abuse are issues that continue to plague communities. April is a month when advocates focus attention on the issue and the effort kicked off Wednesday at the Douglas County Government Center in Superior. It involved law enforcement, political leaders, educators, and those with the court system. The wide cross-section represented the message and the…

11th Hour To Save Northland College From Closure; Former City Council Pres. Speaks Out

ASHLAND, Wis. – A former Ashland city council president is speaking out about the possible closure of Northland College. This comes as the college faces a deadline of Tuesday, March 3, to raise $12 million to stay open, according to the college’s president. Northland College in Ashland announced March 11th that it needed $12 million before April 3. The president…

Criminal Charges Dropped Against Duluth Edison Teacher Accused of Sexual Assault of Student

His attorney said, "This matter underscores the importance of the presumption of innocence."

Duluth, MN–Criminal charges have been dropped against a Duluth Edison elementary school teacher who had been accused of sexually assaulting a female student. His attorney said the allegations “were fake” and that he “never sexually assaulted anyone.” John Paul Horgeshimer, age 49, had been charged after a female student at Duluth Edison Charter Schools’ Raleigh Academy told her teacher that…

New Chancellor of UMD Announced

DULUTH, Minn. — Charles Nies has been named the tenth chancellor of the University of Minnesota Duluth. He is expected to start July 1 pending approval by the University’s Board of Regents at their May meeting. Dr. Nies has over 25 years of experience in higher education, most recently serving as the vice chancellor of student affairs at the University…

UW-Superior Campus Receives Recognition for Efforts in Student Voting

SUPERIOR, Wis. — The UW-Superior campus is receiving recognition for its effort in student voter participation. The campus is the only one in the region and one of 93 in the U.S. to be given the 2024 Highly Established Action Plan Seal. The nonprofit organization called ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge provided this award. To get the award their nonpartisan…