Education

Lake Superior College Gives Students Opportunities To Live Healthy Lifestyles

DULUTH, Minn. — Lake Superior College hosted its annual Health and Wellness Fair Wednesday. This event is all about helping students learn ways to live a healthy lifestyle and network. Students are able to meet with different community agencies, get free blood testing done, and grab a healthy snack. And you do not need to have an interest in the…

Art Mural Gets Students Thinking and Asking Questions

Native artist combines tangible images with scenes intended to trigger imaginations.

Some Duluth students will now have a lot to ponder as they walk through their school and look up. What they are going to see is art. Not just any art, but a mural. It now adorns Raleigh Edison Charter School and was done by local native artist Jonathan Thunder. Thunder was on hand to talk to the kids Wednesday….

Lake Superior College Named Designated Center of Excellence for Maritime Training and Education

DULUTH, Minn. — The Maritime Administration gave three colleges in Minnesota the designation of a Center of Excellence and Lake Superior College is one of them. The designation is bestowed upon institutions of higher ed who provide education and training for the maritime industry. LSC currently offers many programs in the field such as welding, machining, firefighting and engine repair…

Hermantown High School Robotics Team Prepares for Competition

Hermantown Talons 5232 Robotics Has Just a Few Days to Finish Their Robot Before Regionals

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — It’s crunch time for the Hermantown High School Robotics team! Their first competition of the season, the Northern Lights Regional, is fast approaching. Hermantown will compete this weekend at the DECC against teams from across the Midwest. “It’s kind of the biggest event for Minnesota,” said Scouting & Strategy Captain Emma Klyn. “And it’s the first one,…

“Real” Author Offers Real Writing Inspiration

Superior Middle Schoolers hear from local author Erin Soderberg Downing

When reading a book, we know there is an author, but it’s sometimes hard to imagine them as a real flesh and blood person. Well, Tuesday, kids at Superior Middle School got a chance to meet a real-life author. Erin Soderberg Downing is from Duluth and has written dozens of books for kids. She met with sixth graders Tuesday and…

Firefighter Recruits Train With Flames In Moose Lake

MOOSE LAKE, Minn. – Northland firefighter recruits faced raging flames this weekend during a training event in Moose Lake. The Moose Lake Area Fire District hosted the training, which included how to handle a chimney fire. Blue Fire Training is behind the program, which dedicates to supporting fire, EMS and law agencies be their very best. Moose Lake will host…

Hermantown Robotics Students Head To State Capitol To Talk Computer Science Education

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Hermantown Robotics students were down at the State Capitol this week speaking about computer science education in the schools. Minnesota has been ranked last in the nation for access to high school computer science courses for the last 3 years. The bill brought to the House Education Policy Committee will ensure all students have equal opportunities…

Third University of Minnesota President Finalist Knows Duluth and Smoked Fish

Dr. Rebecca Cunningham was third of three finalists visiting UMD as regents face state-wide president decision.

UMD had a chance to meet the last of three finalists for the University’s statewide top job. Dr. Rebecca Cunningham answered questions and spoke during a campus forum. She is currently the University of Michigan’s Vice President of Research and Innovation. Cunningham is a long-time faculty member at the school of Public Health and Medicine, after completing her residency in…

Lake Superior College Expansion Project Continues

LSC unveiled a precast concrete wall mock-up today, the next step in the construction project

DULUTH, Minn. — The expansion project at Lake Superior College is well underway. Once complete, the new T-building will add 9,000 square feet and provide a place for manufacturing students a place on the main campus. Currently, students studying welding, machine tool, and computer-aided design, attend classes at the temporary downtown campus. President Patricia Rogers said the expansion will benefit…

Martens, Owls, Ermine, the Unexpected

Sax-Zim Bog wildlife attracts amateurs and pros, big lenses and small.

“Not only are you able to actually see nature. There’s a lot of travels I do, and I don’t see any animals, hardly any birds, and to be able to have this in our backyard is awesome,” said local photographer, Amber Nichols. “There are people that come here from all over the world, to see owls in particular, and the…

Second U Of M Presidential Finalist Visit

DULUTH, Minn. — The University of Minnesota system is continuing its process of searching for a new President. Laura Bloomberg is second of the three finalists visiting Duluth. UMD students, faculty, and staff were able to attend an on-campus forum, followed by a reception to learn more about her. Bloomberg is no stranger to Minnesota as she was born in…

UMD Chocolate Lab Hosts Annual Valentine’s Sale

DULUTH, Minn. – UMD Chocolate Lab experts hosted their annual Valentine’s Day sale this week. Students in the Department of Chemical Engineering take a course on chocolate making. Part of the course is to travel to Trinidad to harvest cocoa and then bring back beans to eventually make it into chocolate. A lot of the principles in chocolate making relate…

After ‘Threat Complaint,’ Solon Springs School District Board Criticized For ‘Lack of Communication’

UPDATE Following 2/14 Story

SOLON SPRINGS, Wis. — Emotions were high Tuesday night at a special Solon Springs School District board meeting over safety and security procedures within the district. The meeting was called after a “threat complaint” by a student on Monday, February 5th. According to the district and Douglas County Sheriff’s Office’s investigation, they determined the threat was a misunderstanding. They say…

Emotions Erupt At Solon Springs School Board Meeting Over Recent ‘Threat Complaint’

SOLON SPRINGS, Wis. – Emotions hit a breaking point Tuesday night at a special Solon Springs School District board meeting involving safety and security procedures within the district. Officials at the district said the meeting was about providing facts and dispelling rumors around what parents said was a gun threat by a student that wasn’t handled properly. The meeting started…

Lake Superior College Hosts Spring Student Success Day

LSC is taking the day to set their students up for success -- and not just in the classroom

DULUTH, Minn. — School was out at Lake Superior College today, but it wasn’t just a day for students to relax! Each semester, LSC’s Student Success Day is an opportunity for students to build community through networking and skill building. LSC President Patricia Rogers said the college is all about getting students ready for the next phase of their life,…

Barnum High School Students Learning Life Skills Through Business Organization

BARNUM, Minn. — February is Career and Technical Education or CTE Awareness Month and over at Barnum High School students are going above and beyond what they’re learning in the classroom. Business Professionals of America is a student organization for 9th through 12th grade students. Students choose from around 60 events to compete in ranging from accounting, marketing, computer programming,…

UMD Indigenous Student Organization Raising Funds For Spring Powwow

DULUTH, Minn. — UMD’s Indigenous Student Organization is raising funds for their spring Powwow by selling grilled cheese and tomato soup. The organization focuses on different indigenous cultures that surround the college encouraging students to embrace their backgrounds and feel more comfortable doing so. The second annual Spring Powwow is happening March 23rd and donations from the grilled cheese fundraiser…

Duluth School Officials Explain Need and Goals of Referendum

Technology education and technology itself would get much attention.

May 14th, the Duluth Public School district will once again be asking voters if they would pass a referendum. It would raise $5.2 million a year for ten years for technology needs. It’s not that long ago that blackboards, textbooks, and overhead projectors were as advanced as school technology got. However today technology is everywhere, with teachers and students now…

Advanced Materials Center at UMD Receives $1 Million Gift

DULUTH, Minn. –The University of Minnesota Duluth’s Advanced Materials Center received a $1,000,000 gift from the Advanced Drainage Systems Foundation.  ADS is one of the largest plastic recyclers in North America and provides septic wastewater solutions. UMD Chancellor David McMillan, said this is likely the single largest gift the Advanced Materials Center has received. The Director of Sustainability at ADS,…

Palestinian Cafe, Market To Open In Former ‘New London Cafe’ Building

DULUTH, Minn. – A Palestinian cafe and market is opening in Duluth, replacing a longtime restaurant that recently closed. That longtime favorite is New London Café in the 4700 block of East Superior Street. The new restaurant that’s moving in is called Falastin. For the past year and a half, Lyla Abukhodair, has operated Falastin as a pop-up restaurant to…

Bulldog Rocketry Puts Physics Into Action with Static Motor Test

DULUTH, Minn. — After a loss last year, UMD’s Bulldog Rocketry club is looking forward to competing in their third Spaceport American Cup since COVID. The event is hosted every year in Las Cruces, New Mexico, in June. Sunday, Bulldog Rocketry tested out a motor that they believe will help them place top in the competition.  “We’re going to do…

Scholarship For Those Remembering and Honoring Veterans

Iron Range student now at UWS wrote about his grandfather.

The sacrifices people make often have an impact for generations. An example is a scholarship awarded Monday to a student from the Iron Range. Patrick Douglas wrote an essay about his grandfather who served during the Vietnam War on the USS Duluth. Patrick received the $1500 Mike Colalillo Medal of Honor scholarship at the Veterans Memorial Hall at the Depot….

Depressed? There Are Things You Can Do To Help Yourself And Others

Sitting inside alone and waiting-out winter is not the answer.

The days are ever-so-slowly getting a bit longer. The daylight can’t come soon enough for those dealing with depression this time of year. Mental health professionals say there are many things that can contribute to that feeling. The holidays are over, most of us are not as physically active in the winter, and there are things we like to do…

Hope Is Free Bus Rides Give All Students A Chance

Duluth schools join with DTA to give high school students more access to classes and jobs.

This week Duluth schools kicked off a new partnership with the DTA. It will allow for free bus rides for high school students. Under the pilot program, the student will simply show the driver their current ID. School officials are calling it a game-changer, because not all students have their own car or easy access to one. The goal is…

Barnum H.S. Student Accused Of Injuring Another Student With Box Cutter

BARNUM, Minn. — A Barnum High School student is facing serious charges after police say she cut another student with a box cutter. The suspect is a 14-year-old girl.  The victim is a 16-year-old boy. The incident was reported around 9 a.m. Tuesday. The school was placed on lockdown during the incident. The Carlton County Sheriff’s Office said the boy…

UW-Superior Students Place Third in Global Supply Chain Competition

Hayden Thomas and Mitchell Hecimovich Created Sustainable Solution to a Real-World Problem

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — UW-Superior students took home third place in an international supply chain competition. They competed against students from universities around the globe, including China, France, and Algeria. All seventy one teams created sustainable solutions to real-world supply chain challenges, according to Khadija Ajmal, UWS Assistant Professor of Transportation and Logistics. That’s what this competition exposed students to, to…

Three New Duluth School Board Members Sworn In

The Duluth School Board kicked off its first meeting of the year Tuesday night by swearing in the three most recently elected members. The room was energetic and positive as family, friends and supporters watched Stephanie Williams, Henry Banks and Sarah Mikesell affirm their pledge to serve the residents of Duluth. After the stress of campaigning, we discussed what it…

Great Lakes Aquarium Sets Attendance Record in 2023–Again

The number of visitors was up 10,000 from year before.

While the weather has forced many businesses to adjust, others keep on trucking. Or maybe swimming? The Great Lakes Aquarium is finishing the year in record-breaking fashion. In fact, they’ve broken their attendance record for the second year in a row. In 2023 they had ten thousand more visitors than last year—hitting the 210,000 mark. Aquarium leaders say the holiday…

Big Red Shelf Book Drive Underway

DULUTH, Minn. — The Big Red Bookshelf program has a mission of encouraging reading at an early age. The public is encouraged to donate any gently used books or even new ones for kids up to eight years old. Typically, over 2,000 books are given to children in the Twin Ports area each year. It’s a program of the Children…

UMD Computer Science Students Coming Up With Cutting Edge Ideas And Technology

DULUTH, Minn. — Computer Science students at UMD are coming up with the latest and greatest cutting-edge ideas and technology. Undergraduate and graduate students worked together to present their capstone projects Monday. It is all about applying computer science to health care. Projects include a penguin designed to help reduce stress and a robotic dog that can go for a…

Finally: Fall Graduation at Lake Superior College!

Many students with some fall classes remaining didn't have to wait for spring to celebrate.

When it comes to graduation, many of us think of spring and the end of the school year. But for some college students, it’s the fall when they finally take that last class. Celebrating that is what brought students and faculty together at Lake Superior College Monday afternoon. Although there was a spring graduation ceremony, many students still had a…

Twin Ports Grad Sharing Naval Academy Experience

Talks to students about his desire to serve his country, as well as the opportunities.

Rising global tension has put a spotlight on armed forces around the world. Some of those currently training to serve were among college students who were home for the Thanksgiving weekend. Kai Braaten grew up in the Twin Ports and is now a Midshipman Third Class at the United States Naval Academy. He said a primary goal for him was…

Proctor High School Drama Club Talks Upcoming Production: ‘The Canterville Ghost’ 

PROCTOR, Minn. — Every day after school the Proctor High School Drama Club meets to practice their skills and rehearse their upcoming production. With a group of young students, the Drama Club have created their own family. “It is a family, it’s nice to come here and just relax and to have fun and just kind of forget about all…

Watch for School Buses with Stop Arm Extended

Duluth, Minn. —  The Duluth Police Department and Voyageur Bus Company are working to inform and educate drivers about the importance of stopping for school buses when the lights are flashing and the stop sign is extended. On Wednesday morning an educational trip was made to see the problem first hand.  When you see the yellow and red lights flashing…

UW-Superior Celebrates Red Cross Day

Students tried hands-only CPR and learned about AEDs

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Today was all about getting blood pumping and saving lives at UW-Superior! Community members were invited to celebrate Red Cross Day and learn about CPR. Students and staff tried their hands at doing chest compressions on manikins. Volunteer Brooke Defoe said her father, at the age of 35, passed away after going into cardiac arrest. She hopes…

Winter Adventurer and Youth in Action Aim to Inspire Students

Make a Difference Conference Held at the DECC Today

Duluth, Minn. — A backpacker from Duluth spoke to students in Duluth today about how they can impact the environment. Emily Ford is passionate about introducing people to the outdoors in safe and healthy ways. She was the first woman to thru-hike Wisconsin’s 1,200-mile Ice Age Scenic Trail in winter.Youth in Action, a group focused on the positive change young people…

UW-Superior Encourages Girls to Pursue Mathematics

Over 130 students gathered to celebrate Sonia Kovalevsky Day

Superior, Wis. — Today was all about encouraging girls’ passion for math at UW-Superior. Girls from 15 different high schools spent the day exploring mathematics and career opportunities. They listened to speakers, explored jobs, and participated in workshops, all relating to math. Teaching Assistant Professor Heather Kahler said she hopes girls left the event feeling uplifted and open to new…

Survivors Of Abusive Native American Boarding Schools To Share Experiences In Montana

Associated Press BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) — Survivors of government-backed Native American boarding schools and their descendants are expected to share their experiences Sunday as U.S. officials make a final stop in Montana on their yearlong tour to confront the institutions that regularly abused students to assimilate them into white society. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, a member of Laguna Pueblo in…

First-Generation College Students

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — Haley Stalls is a senior at the University of Wisconsin Superior. She is majoring in Elementary Education and wants to teach kindergartners. Haley knew she needed to go to college to be a teacher but neither her parents nor her three sisters had attended college.  She would be a first-generation student. She heard about the Upward Bound…

Adam Johnson’s Death: Neck Guard Sales Rise; NHL Tribute Video; Panthers Set Up GoFundMe

WARROAD, Minn. — Neck guards for hockey players are selling out in some Minnesota stores after the death of professional hockey player and Hibbing native Adam Johnson over the weekend. Video of the game in Sheffield, England showed Johnson suffering a serious neck injury from a skate after colliding with another player. After Johnson’s death, British hockey officials announced neck…

Welder Generator Helps Northwood Technical College Hit the Road

Joint effort made it possible.

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — In March, Northwood Technical College unveiled its 53-foot mobile welding lab that has eight individual welding booths. However, to make the lab work anywhere other than on campus, a generator was needed. And, it had to be a large generator–one that costs $90,000. The college didn’t have the money and needed help from others. So, two local…

Students Celebrate Pumpkin Day At Duluth Edison Charter Schools North Star Academy

DULUTH, Minn. — It was pumpkins galore over at Duluth Edison Charter Schools North Star Academy Friday. Students’ kindergarten through second grade celebrated Pumpkin Day! Activities happened all throughout the day with pumpkin carving, painting, bingo, math, and more. A first-grade teacher says it is a way to incorporate the season into learning and that the response has been great….

Steve Hanke Appointed New Minnesota Sixth District Judge

Duluth attorney will replace retiring Judge Michael Cuzzo in Northeastern corner of state.

Steve Hanke Northeastern Minnesota will be getting a new judge. Steve Hanke has been tapped by Governor Walz to fill a vacancy in the Sixth Judicial District. He will be replacing the retiring Judge Michael Cuzzo. Hanke has ties to both sides of the Blatnik Bridge. He is a lawyer for the City of Duluth and is also an adjunct…

Piedmont Elementary Students Launch Weather Balloon

DULUTH, Minn. — 5th grade students at Piedmont Elementary School had the opportunity to expand their scientific minds Tuesday. Clear skies made it possible for the young scientists to launch a weather balloon thousands of feet into the air. Weather balloons take several hours to reach altitudes up to 100,000 feet before they pop and parachute back down to Earth….

Students Learn Everything Apple At Duluth’s Marshall School

DULUTH, Minn. — Thursday, kids at Duluth’s Marshall School were learning everything apple. The Fall Apple Day celebration included students from kindergarten to 6th grade. There were 7 apple-themed learning activities and stations including making apple cider, roasting apples, creating apple art projects and doing apple math. Apples were donated from a family who run the Minardi Campground in Esko….