News – Latest News

New Bills Would Legalize Recreational Marijuana in Minnesota

They are Hoping to at Least get Hearings on the Issue

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Lawmakers have unveiled legislation that would legalize recreational marijuana in Minnesota, hoping to start what they acknowledge is likely to be a long and contentious discussion. The bills were introduced in the Senate on Monday by Edina Democrat Melisa Franzen and in the House by Golden Valley Democrat Mike Freiberg. They said at a news conference…

Duluth Police Asking for Public’s Help Locating Missing Woman

Please Call 911 if Found

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating a missing vulnerable adult. Cecilia Joo Jerecsek, 18, has been missing since Sunday January 13. She was last seen in the 2100 block of Dunedin Avenue. Jereczek is described as 5’0 feet, 118 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing…

Body of Missing University Student Found in Upper Peninsula

Estupigan was Found Dead on Sunday

MARQUETTE, Mich. – Authorities say searchers have found the body of a Northern Michigan University student who went missing on a hike to photograph waterfalls in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The search for 25-year-old Guiancarlo Estupigan began Friday in Marquette County’s Ishpeming Township and continued over the weekend. Sheriff Greg Zyburt says Estupigan was found dead Sunday afternoon. WLUC-TV reports his…

St. Louis River Alliance to Celebrate Progress on Estuary Project

The Open House is Happening Thursday, January 31 at Pier B Resort in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Louis River Alliance along with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Minnesota DNR, Wisconsin DNR and the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa invite the community to a celebration of progress made to clean up the St. Louis River Estuary. The event is happening Thursday, January 31 at Pier B Resort in Duluth. Guests…

Superior Sister City to Host Japanese New Year Celebration

The Celebration is Happening Monday, January 28 at Christ Lutheran Church in Superior

DULUTH, Minn. – The Superior Sister City Commission is excited to be partnering with Christ Lutheran Church to host a Japanese New Year Celebration. The event is happening Monday, January 28 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church located at 320 North 28th Street in Superior. The community is welcome to taste test exotic foods, try origami…

Ryan Anderson Wins Beargrease 120

LUTSEN, Minn. Ryan Anderson, of St. Croix Falls, WI, crossed the finished line at Lutsen to win the Beargrease 120 race. Anderson crossed the finish line at 7:19 a.m. on Monday. Martha Schouweiler, of Irma, WI, came in second place and Joanna Oberg, of Grand Marais, came in third. Beargrease festivities began at 10:00 a.m. at Billy’s bar with mushers…

Wisconsin City Sues Over Natural gas Explosion

The Suit Seeks Unspecified Damages

MADISON, Wis. – A Madison suburb is suing in connection with a deadly natural gas explosion this past summer. A VC Tech worker installing fiber-optic cable ruptured a natural gas line in downtown Sun Prairie in July. An ensuing explosion destroyed half a city block and killed firefighter Corey Barr . The Wisconsin State Journal reports the city filed a…

Two Midwest-Based Banks Plan to Merge, Headquarter in Detroit

The Deal is Subject to Regulatory Approval

DETROIT (AP) – Two Midwest-based banks plan to merge to create a bank with $45 billion in assets that will be based in Detroit. Detroit-based Chemical Financial Corp. and Wayzata, Minnesota-based TCF Financial Corp. announced Monday the signing of an agreement under which the companies will combine in what they described as an all-stock “merger of equals.” Plans call for…

Remembering ‘The Day the Music Died’: 60 Years After Buddy Holly

Armory Hosts Dance Party in Tribute to Winter Dance Party 1959

DULUTH, Minn.- 60 years ago singer Buddy Holly, and several other musicians, were killed in a fatal plane crash. A day that became known as “The Day the Music Died.” Just days earlier, Holly and his fellow music men performed in Duluth. So on Sunday the Duluth Armory celebrated his life, and the music of the 50s. “Your kisses lift…

Veterinarians On Hand During Beargrease Marathon

Veterinarians keep eyes on the sled dogs during marathon checkpoints.

DULUTH, Minn.- For those wondering about the safety of the sled dogs during the 35th annual Beargrease marathon, a veterinarian staff is on hand through the entirety of the race. A team of 20 vets are assigned to different checkpoints mushers are required to stop at during the marathon. At each stop, dogs are checked for injuries, hydration levels, exhaustion and…

Beargrease Racers Sworn in as Official U.S. Postal Carriers

Baargrease continues the tradition of 'Trail Mail' for the annual marathon.

DULUTH, Minn.- In the spirit of tradition all racers in the 35th annual Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon were sworn in as official U.S. mail carriers before taking off. Just like John Beargrease did over 100 years ago, mushers carry ‘trail mail,’ as it’s called, through the course to drop off at the post office at the end of the trail. Postal…

MUSH! 2019 John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon Begins

Mushers and Dogs Race Through Bitter Cold

DULUTH, Minn.- Through rain, sleet, snow or hail, negative temperatures and the depths of the night, these mushers do it for the love of the sport, and the love of the Northland. Barking and howling ring through the air, as the dogs stare down the 300-mile ribbon of white ahead of them. “3…2…1… And there she goes!” And then, they’re off!…

Lake Superior Ice Festival Powers On Through Bitter Cold

Subzero Temps Don't Keep Out Northlanders

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The weather outside may be frightful, but the Lake Superior Ice Festival makes it so delightful. The cold weather didn’t stop crowds from flocking to Barker’s Island to enjoy all the frozen wonder. They were even joined by some magical Disney characters. Possibly the most popular part of the festival, the ice sculptures have been wowing visitors since…

Beargrease Marathon Kicks Off with Opening Ceremony

Mushers and Fans Eat and Share Memories

DULUTH, Minn.- The cold and snow is good news for one crowd: the mushers and dogs in the 2019 John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, running from Sunday at noon, to Tuesday 1/29 in the afternoon. As they prepare for their long treks, they celebrated with an opening ceremony at Lake Superior College. A huge crowd came out in support of…

Northland’s Dogs Compete for the Title of “Cutest Puppy”

40 dogs compete in the annual Beargrease Cutest Puppy Contest

DULUTH, Minn.- What is Beargrease without the annual cutest puppy competition? The Beargrease cutest puppy contest is an annual tradition that’s become so popular it attracts people from all over the Midwest. “The public comes in and takes a ballot and votes for the number which is the cutest puppy, which is very hard when you have 40 of them,” contest…

Sled Dogs Prepare for Race with Vet Check-Ups

Sled dogs and mushers prepare for the annual Beargrease Race

DULUTH, Minn.- In a swarm of last minute preparations for the race, competing dogs were brought in for a vet check. The team of veterinarians checked each dog to monitor their hearts, hydration, lungs, injuries on their feet and/or the appearance of frostbite. Dogs with minor cuts and frostbite could be managed, but anything more than that was turned away from participating….

Report: Chappy’s Golden Shores Resident Beaten Before He Died

HILL CITY, Minn. (AP)  –  A state investigation concludes that a 58-year-old man with dementia living in a northern Minnesota care center died from bleeding in the brain several weeks after he was repeatedly punched in the face by one staff member while another staff member held him down in his wheelchair. The Star Tribune reports that investigators accuse managers at…

Boy Scout Troop Hosts Blood Drive in Duluth

Three or four blood drives a year can save more than 500 lives

DULUTH, Minn. – According to the Red Cross, blood donations decrease during winter months. A local Boy Scout troop hosted a blood drive at the Northland Country Club. For every unit of blood donated, the Red Cross will give $10 to Boy Scout Troop 9. The money will fund future scout needs. Although the event is beneficial for the troop,…

Remembering the Life of Fallen K9 Officer Haas

Officers and community members honor the life of fallen K9 officer Haas.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth community mourns the loss of one of their own with a memorial service for fallen K9 Officer Haas. Friday afternoon, the DECC’s Harborside Ballroom filled to the brim with officers from across the state, was somber. But the story shared about a hero gave a glimmer of hope to the mourning community. “Family, friends, colleagues and…

Thirsty Pagan Breaks Ground On New Location

Soo Line Freight Depot New Home To Thirsty Pagan Brewing, After State Grant Received

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — The old Soo Line Freight Depot in Superior is now home to Thirsty Pagan Brewing. The microbrewery broke ground this afternoon after receiving a $148,000 WEDC state grant. “When we are waiting for that grant we can’t start any work so we’ve been biting our nails and on the edge of our seat to get going. Now…

Tips To Keep Your Home Safe In Extreme Cold

Furnace Failure & Bursting Pipes Becomes An Issue In Extended Cold Snap

TWIN PORTS — The cold effects not only how we feel but also how we live. Here are some tips to keep you and your home safe and warm. “Prepare for the worst and hope for the best!” said Service Tech Gartner Refrigeration Company Dave Duffy. “Have it checked on a regular basis to try and catch a potential problem…

Billy’s Bar Gets Ready For 35th Annual John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon

The Beargrease is a small non-profit committed to the fans.

DULUTH, Minn. – 60 mushers will be in line and ready to go starting Sunday for the John Beargrease Sled Dog race. Crews were at Billy’s bar getting set up for the marathon festivities. The owner of the bar says he expects big crowd to watch the start of the 35th Annual race. “It’s very exciting we are the start…

New Superior Police Officer Sworn In

The Superior Police Department has sworn in its fifth female police officer.

SUPERIOR, Wis.-The Superior Police Department has sworn in its fifth female police officer. She told Fox 21 today that this was a dream come true for her, helping people in a community she is quite familiar with. “I think what I’m looking forward to the most is starting what I was meant to do. Starting my career – especially in…

Duluth Police are Fighting to Reduce Opioid Overdoses

Duluth experienced seven opioid related deaths in 2018.

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth has already seen 16 opioid overdoses since the start of the year, five resulted in a death. Authorities recently apprehended 26-year-old Jacob Johnson and 49-year-old Jamie McNeary for an opioid related death, but investigators say this is just the start when it comes to cracking down on opioid distribution. In Duluth, opioid overdoses dropped from 150…

Minnesota man Gets 14-year Federal Sentence for Stalking

Bolduan Targeted Women Across the Country

DENVER – A Minnesota man has been sentenced to more than 14 years in prison after pleading guilty to federal stalking charges. Federal prosecutors in Colorado say Eric Ronald Bolduan also must register as a sex offender following his release. Bolduan pleaded guilty to three counts of stalking and three counts of interstate communications in September. Prosecutors say he created…

No Charges for Closs Suspect in Douglas County

Patterson is Currently Being Held in a Polk County Jail

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Wis. – In a recent release, the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office says they do not anticipate filing a criminal complaint against Jake Patterson in the immediate future. Douglas County District Attorney Mark Fruehauf states: “A prosecutor’s decision whether to file criminal charges involves the consideration of multiple factors, including the existence of other charges and victim-related concerns….

Walz Considering Closing MN Schools Next Week due to Extreme Cold

Wind Chills may Reach 45 Below Zero

(Don Campbell/The Herald-Palladium via AP)BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – With temperatures expected to reach 20 to 30 degrees below zero next week, Governor Tim Walz says he is exploring the possibility of closing Minnesota schools if temperatures remain extremely low. “I really trust local officials and superintendents and folks to make these decisions,” Walz said. “We’ll certainly see when it’s the proper…

Brand New State-Of-The-Art HD Sports Simulators Arrive In The Northland!

The Caddy Shack Offers Unique Experiences To Drink & Play

WEST DULUTH, Minn. — In this weeks Active Adventures the cold has kept us looking for indoor fun and The Caddy Shack has brand new state of the art indoor sports simulators! Private rooms offer Golf Simulators of course but now they also offer a Soccer Simulator, Hockey Simulator and a Laser Shot HD Simulator that has… Six different handguns…

Woman Dies After she was Found Under Crashed car at Hospital

No One was Inside the Crashed Vehicle

MILWAUKEE (AP) – The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a woman found under a car that had crashed into a wall at a hospital parking ramp. Deputies responded to the parking structure at Froedtert Hospital shortly before 4 a.m. where they found the unconscious woman under the vehicle with a head wound. Officials say the woman…

Trump Announces Deal to end Record-Long Shutdown

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump says he’ll sign legislation shortly to reopen shuttered government departments for three weeks — until Feb. 15. Trump’s action would end what has become a record, 35-day partial shutdown. Some 800,000 federal workers have had to work without pay or have been kept from doing their jobs as Trump and congressional Democrats were locked in…

How the Shutdown is Affecting Your After-Work Life

Some new alcohol products are on hold because of the shutdown.

DULUTH, Minn; SUPERIOR, Wis.- Well into day 34 of the government shutdown, several federal workers are still without pay and some without work at all. When it comes to the shutdown, it’s easy to think of how it’s affecting federal workers. The TTB, or the Alcohol and Tobacco Trade and Tax Bureau, is the section of the government that controls distribution…

Lake Superior College to Offer Free Dental Care to Children

The Clinic Will be Held on February 1

DULUTH, Minn. – The Lake Superior College’s Dental Hygiene Clinic is teaming up with local dental professionals to provide free care on Friday, February 1 for children whose families might not be able to otherwise afford it. Last year, the clinic served more than 60 children in the area. “We want to reach children in need of dental care,” said…

Concert at CSS to Showcase Music Unheard for 350 Years

The Concert "Intimate Music for Lute and Voice" is Happening Saturday, January 26 at The College of St. Scholastica

DULUTH, Minn. – A performance combining lute and voice at The College of St. Scholastica will feature recently discovered music that hasn’t been played in 350 years. Intimate Music for Lute and Voice is happening Saturday, January 26 at 7:30 p.m. in the Mitchell Auditorium on the College’s Duluth campus. Longtime lutenist Edward Martin is set to perform solo baroque lute songs…

Rural Drivers Applaud Speed Limit Hike, Safety Experts Worry

Some Experts Fear it Will Lead to More Fatalities

MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota is pushing the speed limit to 60 mph on most two-lane state highways. The Star Tribune reports that state traffic officials say more than two-thirds of rural highways slated for the increase have already posted the new limit and that the rest should be completed this year. Many rural residents pushed for the change, but some national…

Two men Arrested on Opioid Related Murder Charge

This is an Ongoing Investigation

DULUTH, Minn. – Two men have been arrested in connection to an opioid related death that occurred on December 14, 2018. The Duluth Police Department and Lake Superior Drug and Violent Crime Task Force arrested 26-year-old Jacob Johnson on Wednesday and 49-year-old Jamie McNeary Thursday morning on charges of third-degree aiding and abetting murder. According to the criminal complaint a…

Tuberculosis Outbreak Associated With Mankato University

The Majority are MSU Students

MANKATO, Minn. (AP) – The Minnesota Department of Health is investigating a tuberculosis outbreak among people associated with Minnesota State University, Mankato. Health officials believe the bacteria originated with an international student and spread to at least seven others. The majority are MSU students or former students. About 700 people who may have interacted with them, such as roommates and…

Sanders Says Stone Arrest Unrelated to Trump

Stone was Arrested Friday

WASHINGTON -White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders says the arrest of former Donald Trump campaign adviser Roget Stone in the special counsel’s Russia probe has nothing to do with the president. Sanders’ comments came hours after Stone was arrested Friday during a pre-dawn raid at his Fort Lauderdale, Florida, home. Stone was charged in a seven-count indictment that includes…

Affinity Plus Credit Union Opens In New Location

Maple Grove Road location is the only Affinity Plus branch in Duluth.

  DULUTH, Minn. – Affinity Plus Credit Union hosted a grand opening for its newly built branch after relocating to Maple Grove Road in Duluth. The Affinity Plus is excited to serve their members better with a new drive-thru, larger parking lot and new ATM. Staff at the credit union say they are dedicated to making everyone feel comfortable while…

Officers Prepare Service for Fallen K-9 Haas

Haas was shot and killed working in the line of duty.

DULUTH, Minn.- Final preparations are underway for a public memorial service Friday honoring Duluth police K-9 Haas. Haas was only three years old when he was shot in the line of duty during a domestic assault call early January. Haas was one of four canines on the Duluth Police Department’s patrol unit and was cross–trained in locating narcotics. Duluth police tell…

750 Blue Roses Painted for K9 Haas Memorial Service

Non-profit "Backing the Blue Line" Prepared the Tributes Thursday Night

DULUTH, Minn- Ahead of Friday’s memorial for fallen K-9 Officer Haas, a non-profit group is preparing something special that people who attend the funeral. The non-profit Backing the Blue Line is preparing 750 blue roses to represent the sacrifice law of enforcement officers and their families. Each rose is tagged with a paw print and K-9 Haas’ name. K-9 Haas…

Blake Freking Prepares His Team for the Beargrease

Freking and his wife, Jennifer, are both mushing in the Beargrease full marathon

FINLAND, Minn. – Blake and Jennifer Freking opened Manitou Crossing Kennels in 2003. It’s now home to dozens of Siberian Huskies who all race competitively throughout North America. “I would say I am living the dream,” said Blake Freking. “As a kid this is kind of what I was dreaming of and I didn’t think it was actually going to…

Thirsty Pagan Brewing Receives $148 Thousand Grant

Wisconsin granted Thirsty Pagan Brewing $148 thousand for their revitalization project.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Good news for one brewery- Thirsty Pagan Brewing in Superior received a hefty grant from the state in support of their big move. The Community Development Investment grant is meant to enhance downtown business districts. The gift of $148,400 to turn the former Soo Line Freight Depot into a microbrewery and restaurant in addition to the $50 thousand grant from the…

Alternative to Exercising Outside to Stay Fit during the Winter

Miller Hill Mall welcomes more walkers.

DULUTH, Minn. – More sub–zero temperatures and wind chills are on the way making it difficult for people to stick with their health goals. Endless loops around the Miller Hill Mall are helping people of all ages maintain a healthy lifestyle through exercise. Before stores open, it is common to see people taking advantage of the opportunity to circle the…

Superior Jaycees Sits Car on Ice to Raise Money for the Community

Raffle tickets will be sold during Ice Festival at Barker's Island.

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – Heads up to visitors of Barker’s Island. If you see car resting on the ice, don’t panic. It’s Superior Jaycees newest fundraiser. The organization will be selling raffle tickets at Pond Hockey and A–1 movers in Superior for people to guess how long it will take the car to fall through the ice. The “Superior Sinker” has…

School Closings, Delays for 01-25-19

Bayfield School District: CLOSED Jan. 25 Bessemer Schools: CLOSED Jan. 25 |CLOSING at 2:00 p.m. Thursday Jan. 24 Chequamegon Schools: CLOSED Jan. 25 Hill City School: 2 hour DELAY on Jan. 25 Mellen School District: CLOSED Jan. 25 No evening activities at Mellen NO HOMECOMING DANCE at Mellen on Saturday, Jan. 26 South Shore School District: CLOSED Jan. 25 Winter…