Environment

Technology In Nature

Hartley Nature Center Issues A Challenge

DULUTH, Minn. – In an effort to get more community involvement in the outdoors, the Hartley Nature Center is issuing a challenge to four local communities. Not everybody can walk up to a tree and know exactly what they’re looking at “This right here is a White Pine.” Wouldn’t it be nice to know what you were looking at? Did…

WLSSD Compost Site Open For Yard Waste

DULUTH, Minn. -As temperatures get warmer, it’s time for people to get back into their yards and start cleaning up old leaves and brush. It is illegal to burn yard waste within the city limits of Duluth; it’s also illegal to throw these materials in the garbage. The Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD) will take your yard waste and…

Spring Burning Restrictions Begin April 24

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will implement burning restrictions in Cook, Lake and Northern St. Louis counties beginning on April 24. Conditions for wildfires are at their prime with warmer temperatures, little to no snow, and dry vegetation, so dead grass and brush can easily light and burn quickly. During spring restrictions, the state will not give out burning…

Wildfire Breaks Out in Duluth

The blaze broke out just before 11 a.m. near Hartley Nature Center

DULUTH, Minn. –  A wildfire fire broke out early this morning just before 11 a.m. near the Hartley Nature Center and Glen Avon Overlook near the rock face. All fire units were called to a report of four to five separate areas burning with smoke filling the air. A Woodland resident who was out on her daily walk noticed the…

Mercury In Our Water

The Bigger The Fish The More Mercury It Could Contain

Superior, Wis. Air pollution leads to mercury and that ends ups contaminating the natural resources right here including our lakes and rivers, even the fish that live in those water sources. According to one UMD professor, Minnesota has some of the highest levels of mercury in the region. Should this cause any concern for anglers gearing up for the fishing…

Duluth Announces Energy Pilot Project

Project Helps Move City to Mayor's 80% Emission Reduction Goal

DULUTH, Minn. – Mayor Emily Larson and other city officials announced a new initiative to reduce Duluth’s carbon footprint. The Canal Park steam plant, Duluth Energy Systems, is going completely coal free for the next seven months. Mayor Larson believes this pilot initiative is a big step toward her goal of reducing Duluth’s carbon emissions by 80% before the year…

Salmon Season Hits Canal Park Pier

Coho Salmon are Running and Chasing their Primary Food Source, the Smelt.

DULUTH, Minn. – Each Spring anglers take the shores of Lake Superior in hopes of a tasty salmon biting their line. Right now the Coho Salmon are running and chasing their primary food source, the smelt. Fishing is good along the south pier of the Canal in Duluth where many anglers try their luck in hopes to catch the prize…

Study: Road Salt Levels Spike, Threaten Twin Cities Lakes

Lakes could be uninhabitable within three decades

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (AP) – A freshwater chloride contamination study shows that many lakes in the Twin Cities are so contaminated with road salt that they’ll no longer support native fish and plants within three decades. The Star Tribune reports the study, published Monday, looked at freshwater contamination across the country’s northern region, an area with one of the highest lake…

Prescribed Fires Coming to Superior National Forest

Fires Could Reduce Invasive Species

DULUTH, Minn.-Superior National Forest crews will have multiple intentional fires in the coming weeks with the goal of creating and improving the habitat for native wildlife and plants. The fires are also expected to prepare sites for planting, while also reducing the threat of a future wildfire as they would be “reducing fuel build-up.” “Prescribed fires are carefully planned far…

Glensheen Gardens to Undergo Renovations

Historic Plants along with a Revised Geometrical Vision Will be Brought Back to the Mansion

DULUTH, Minn. – For the first time in nearly 20 years, Glensheen Mansion is now home to a Head Gardener. Emily Ford has been working since November in the gardener’s cottage with old documents from Chester’s botanical vision. Ford is creating new designs, using the English, French and Italian themes originally used by Chester when constructed in the early 1900s….

Bulldog Fan Makes Tough Decision To Go See Game

Surgery Wouldn't Stop One Young Fan From Seeing The Bulldogs Play For The National Title

Plenty of fans made the trip to Chicago for this can’t miss game. One fan had to rely on his gut feeling. You could say the Anderson’s love the Bulldogs. “He tells young ladies. Even before we started courting, before he asked me to be his steady girlfriend. He said I need to let you know if you don’t like…

Rock Village Forming Along Duluth’s Lakewalk

Dozens of Rock Towers are Being Built by Artistic Northlanders

DULUTH, Minn. – Northlanders choosing to enjoy the nice weather with a stroll on Duluth’s Lakewalk might notice a new village taking shape near the Fitger’s Complex. Nearly 100 handmade rock creations have been constructed along the shoreline. The rock village includes tall formations and some that are shorter. No word on who the creative natural artist is, or how…

Minnesota Governor Says He’d Veto Pipeline Replacement

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Democratic Governor Mark Dayton says he would veto a bill allowing a Canadian energy company to bypass Minnesota regulators and build a replacement for an aging pipeline. Dayton said Friday that Enbridge Energy’s $7.5 billion Line 3 pipeline replacement should be vetted by the Public Utilities Commission before it gets approval to begin construction. The…

Road Sand Collection Sites Set Up Around Duluth

Duluth residents are urged to use these sites to keep from washing into streams and Lake Superior

DULUTH, Minn. – ‘Tis the season for spring cleaning, and the City of Duluth is asking residents to dispose of excess road salt, sand, or asphalt chunks from sidewalks, curbs, and boulevards, at any of the four Road Sand Collection Sites set up around Duluth. Street sweepers are currently working to collect and remove road sand from the streets as…

Community Gardens Being Created in Virginia

Sixty Plots Are Available in Five New Gardens

VIRGINIA, Minn. – Now that spring has arrived, people in Virginia are ready to get outside and do some gardening. This summer, Virginians will have the chance to maintain their own plot in one of the city’s five new community gardens. The Growing Together Project started to give people better access to healthy foods, now the program has also grown…

Water Emergency Involving ATV near Voyageur National Park

LAKE KABETOGAMA, Minn. – On the afternoon of April 4, around 3:04, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to Lake Kabetogama regarding a water emergency involving an ATV. The ATV had gone through the ice north of the Ash River Visitor Center in Voyageur National Park and north of Sullivan narrows. Thirty-six-year-old Jay Podpeskar of Britt, Minnesota and…

Public Urged to Stay off Duluth Trails Until Conditions Improve

Could be Ready in a Few Weeks

DULUTH, Minn.-The Duluth trails are still in rough shape after the winter. City officials told us today they are just too muddy to use right now. If Northlander’s do decide to go out on them, they could damage them greatly which could cost the city. “Right now there are people using the trails,” said Jim Shoberg, parks project coordinator. ”…

Itasca County Burning Restrictions Begin April 10

Burning restriction do not apply to campfires

ITASCA COUNTY, Minn. – With the warmer temperatures and dry vegetation, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will implement burning restrictions in Itasca County beginning April 10. Fire danger can vary greatly from one part of the state to another, and will locally be determined by fire managers, to restrict burning in areas where fire risk is elevated. During spring…

Duluth Gives Proclamation For Awareness

April Is National Abuse Awareness Month

Mayor Emily Larson teamed up with County Attorney Mark Rubin who issued their own proclamation. St. Louis County Court House was littered with supports of the cause as they declared April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Experts spoke up for the need to understand that it is a difficult subject to talk about, but silence is never the answer. “You…

First Saltie Arrives in Twin Ports

Will be Loading up on Grain and Heading to Italy

DULUTH, Minn.-The first saltie arrived in the Twin Ports over the weekend. The event is the unofficial kick-off to the shipping season. The ship the Lake Ontario, will load up on grain and then set sail for Italy on Tuesday. The ship’s captain told us it was smooth sailing most of the way. “The voyage was good,” said Captain Costelus…

Birch Trees Stolen from Minnesota and Wisconsin Forests

Trees Being Resold in Urban Areas

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.– County sheriffs and state natural resource officials are trying to respond to a rash of thefts of birch trees in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. Thieves are quickly cutting down the young, paper–white trees. The Minneapolis Star Tribune  reports the logs are sold to city residents who want a touch of the northwoods in their homes. Chief Deputy Mike…

Lung Association Exhibit

Students Display Art Work Based On Tobacco Stories

Duluth, Minn. The American Lung Association wants raise awareness about tobacco’s effects in the Twin Ports. Tonight the Lung Association put on a short program displaying art created by area students. It’s the result of a weeklong photography workshop designed for youth to share the impact tobacco’s had on their lives. The goal is to steer the next generation away…

Minnesota House Passes Environmental Finance Bill

Bill Worth $1.2 Billion

ST. PAUL, Minn. –The Minnesota House passed its environmental finance bill that Republicans say will help “slow down the government spending spree.” The $1.2 billion legislation passed 80–53 late Thursday night. Republican Rep. Dan Fabian, of Roseau, says the bill will speed up the environmental review process and restructure how some state agencies operate. Democrats had fought hard, saying the…

Pig That Fell from Truck en Route to Slaughter to be Spared

Photo: SoulSpace Farm Sancutary SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) – A pig that survived falling out of a truck on Interstate 90 in South Dakota just a few miles form a hog processing facility is now being spared from slaughter. The Argus Leader reports that SoulSpace Farm Sanctuary in New Richmond, Wisconsin, is adopting Wally the pig after no owner claimed him….

Life House Sees Huge Increase In Attendance

Helping Teens Contribute To The Community

  Duluth, Minn Duluth’s homeless shelter for teens known as Life House has crunched attendance numbers and the growth is large. A surge of more than 400% since 2012. The numbers stem from the rise in teenage homelessness in our area. For instance, in 2012 the number of teens seen only about 25% of them were homeless. If that isn’t…

Allergy Season Arrives in the Northland

Many Allergy Symptoms Can Be Mistaken for a Common Cold

DULUTH, Minn. – Spring is in the air, which means that allergy season has arrived in the Northland. Many people may start to notice a runny nose, itchy eyes, and sore throat, which can mimic a common cold, but are actually caused by allergies. Doctors say about half of adults in the Northland experience some types of allergies. “People with…

Dredging Project to Help Boaters at Arrowhead Fishing Pier

Flooding has caused extra sediment to pile up near the dock along the Saint Louis River

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – A project in Superior is aiming to make fishing a little easier on the Saint Louis River. The city is working with the DNR to dredge the area around the Arrowhead Fishing Pier. Flooding over the last few years has caused extra sediment to pile up near the dock. Fishermen have expressed frustrations about their motors bottoming…

Munger Trail Construction to Begin Soon

Will Last Until August

DULUTH, Minn.-A five-mile section of the Willard Munger State Trail between Grand Avenue and Becks roads in West Duluth will be closed from mid-April through August, during a construction project. The project is set to the tread-way damaged during the 2012 flood. It would bring the trail up to current standards as well, making it wider. “While the construction will…

Suit Filed in Federal Court to Overturn Forest Service Decision on Land Exchange with PolyMet

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA), the Center for Biological Diversity, and the W.J. McCabe Chapter of the Izaak Walton League filed suit in federal court on Monday, March 27, to overturn the U.S. Forest Service’s decision to approve a land exchange with PolyMet Mining. According to the suit filed, the Forest Service instructed its…

Enbridge Tax Appeal Could Cost Counties Millions

BAGLEY, Minn. (AP) – Some northern Minnesota counties could end up paying millions of dollars to Enbridge Energy if the company is successful in its tax appeal. Enbridge claims the Minnesota Department of Revenue unfairly valued its oil pipeline network and overcharged it in five years of tax collections. Clearwater and Red Lake counties could end up refunding more money…

March 6 Tornado in Minnesota was Earliest on State Record

(National Weather Service) BRICELYN, Minn. (AP) – The National Weather Service says a tornado that hit a southern Minnesota campground this month, was the earliest twister on record in the state. The agency recently conducted a survey that confirmed a tornado tore through the Pihls Park campground northeast of Bricelyn on March 6. The Mankato Free Press reports the weather…

World Water Day

Tours At The Water Treatment Plant

Superior, Wis Today was world water day. 150 miles of sewer, drains 4 million gallons of water directly to the superior water treatment plant daily. The public was allowed on site for tours to find out exactly what happens after you flush water down your toilet. Every gallon that moves through the plant goes throw a vigorous process to make…

Wastewater Treatment is Focus of World Water Day

Superior Wastewater Treatment Plant Gives Tours for Education

SUPERIOR, Wis. – World Water Day is celebrated annually on March 22 with a different theme each year. In 2017, the focus is on wastewater treatment. The City of Superior’s wastewater treatment plant is hosting tours and an open house today in honor of the holiday. Tours take about 45 minutes and include both indoor and outdoor sites. The Open…

Aquatic Invasive Species Course

Stopping A Problem With The Public's Help

Duluth, Minn Invasive species have caught the attention of the St. Louis River Alliance and there doing what they can to take on the issue before it gets worse. Ordinary citizens are taking a course on how to identify invasive species and their possible impacts on the waters in the Twin Ports. They’ll also learn how to record data and…

Man Drowns While Rescuing Dog in Chequamegon Bay

ASHLAND, Wis. – Around 7:20 p.m. on Saturday, March 18, the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a male, Ashland resident, Ronald Werchowski, 55, who was overdue from walking his dog near Krehr Park in Ashland. The caller reported finding personal belongings of Werchowski at the park, as well as several holes in the ice on Lake Superior….

Group Hopes to Spread Meaning of Wellness

Northland Community Wellness Day

DULUTH, Minn. – This weekend Northlanders are promoting wellness in the region and at home for the whole family for the Northland Community Wellness Day. This is a free community event highlighting local wellness resources and services through interactive exhibits, workshops, and family-friendly activities. There will be more than 80 wellness-related exhibits in Romano Gym at the University of Minnesota –…

MPCA Chief Sounds Alarm About Trump Cuts to EPA Grants

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – A Minnesota official who heads a group that represents state environmental agencies nationwide says the Trump administration’s proposed cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency grant programs would cripple their ability to protect air, land, and water. The Environmental Council of the States says Categorical Grants to states would take a 44.5-percent hit. Those grants support…