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Teens Wearing Leggings Barred from United Flight

DENVER (AP) – Two teenage girls were barred by a gate agent from boarding a United Airlines flight from Denver to Minneapolis because they were wearing leggings. United spokesman Jonathan Guerin said the girls were not allowed onto the Sunday morning flight because they were traveling under an employee travel pass that includes a dress code. That dress code bars…

Man Accused in Death of Stout Student Pleads Not Guilty

MENOMONIE, Wis. (AP) – The Minnesota man accused of killing a University of Wisconsin Stout Cullen Osburn student from Saudi Arabia, has pleaded not guilty to charges. Cullen Osburn is charged with felony murder and aggravated battery in the death of Hussain Saeed Alnahdi. The 24-year-old student died from a brain injury last October following an altercation in downtown Menomonie….

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…

Wisconsin Lawmakers Target Adults Who Host Underage Drinkers

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Adults who allow teenagers to drink in their homes would be breaking the law under a new bill two Republican lawmakers are circulating. Current law prohibits adults from allowing underage drinkers to consume alcohol in premises owned by the adults or under their control. But a state appeals court ruling last year narrowly interpreted “premises” to…

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…

Wetterling Abduction File Could Soon Be Made Public

ST. CLOUD, Minn. – The public may soon have its first look at the investigative file into the 1989 abduction of Jacob Wetterling. Stearns County officials are entering the final stages of redacting and copying thousands of pages of statements, tips, and interview transcripts regarding the 11-year-old boy who was abducted near his St. Joseph home. Chief Sheriff’s Deputy Bruce…

Minnesota Democratic Rep. Walz to Retire, Run for Governor

Top Democrat of Veterans Affairs Committee

WASHINGTON–Rep. Tim Walz, a five–term Democrat, says he is running for governor of his home state of Minnesota. Walz is seeking to replace Gov. Mark Dayton, a fellow Democrat. A spokesman for Walz’ gubernatorial campaign confirmed his decision. Walz is the top Democrat on the Veterans Affairs Committee. He first won election to his rural district along Minnesota’s southern border…

New Outdoor Venue May Come to Grand Rapids

Venue Would Host Concerts and Other Events Along City's Riverfront

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn.  – City officials are looking at building a new outdoor venue along the Mississippi riverfront. The new venue would offer theatre performances, concerts, boat shows, and much more. When the venue feasibility study ends in May, more details will be known. Right now, two potential locations next to the river are being considered. “The town was built…

Grand Rapids Elementary Schools in Need of Upgrades

Task Force Looks to Find Best Plan to Improve City's Four Elementary Schools

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – All four elementary schools in Grand Rapids are feeling cramped and outdated for many in the community. In 2015, an $80 million referendum to build two new elementary schools was voted down, and school district officials say, over the last two years, conditions have only gotten worse. A taskforce is now looking into how to best…

Nikki’s Notebook: Duluth Yoga Girl

Class Aims to Foster Body and Mind Connection

Kids spend a lot of time in the classroom during the school year, much of that time is sitting in place. One class outside of the school buildings is hoping to help keep young minds connected and confident A unique program at Duluth Yoga is only for young girls, aged 9-13. “What they learn here on the mat in this…

Tenants To Building Owner: Pay SWL&P Before Disconnection

Building Is Owned By Bachand Group

SUPERIOR, Wis. – There was growing worry Sunday for tenants of an apartment building in Superior after a notice was placed on the building that it could be disconnected from services provided by Superior Water Light & Power. The reason for the disconnection isn’t because of tenants, according to SWL&P.  The company says it’s because the building owner hasn’t paid…

Northland Community Wellness Day

Event at UMD Promotes Healthy Families and Communities in the Northland

DULUTH, Minn. – Saturday was Northland Community Wellness Day at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. With over eighty interactive exhibits, the event promoted healthy families and communities across the Twin Ports region. It was a fun way for Northlanders young and old to learn about health and wellness, public safety, sustainability, and financial literacy. “It’s a perfect way for people to…

Genocide Awareness Workshop at UMD

Northlanders Were Educated About Past and Current Genocides and How They Can Be Prevented

DULUTH, Minn. – At UMD, a workshop was held to educate Northlanders about genocide that has happened throughout the world and genocide still going on today. The workshop featured four guest speakers who discussed the Holocaust and genocide affecting Native Americans and people in Africa and Armenia. “It’s happening in Syria right now, it’s happening in all parts of the…

Northland Horse Fair Fills the Mariner Mall

12th Annual Event Brings Hundreds of Horse Lovers to Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Saturday was the 12th annual Northland Horse Fair at the Mariner Mall. Horse lovers from across the area could meet mini-horses, shop from dozens of horse-related vendors, and attend presentations about horse riding, grooming, and health. “A lot of the horse people expressed a need for wanting an event in the area that was just a way…

Motorhead Madness Returns to the DECC

Thousands of Gearheads Attended Regional Car Show

DULUTH, Minn. – Gearheads gathered at the DECC Saturday for the 49th annual Motorhead Madness event. More than 150 one-of-a-kind cars and other vehicles are on display, plus all kinds of interactive fun including remote-controlled car races, model making, and a used parts swap meet. Many of the hot-rod creators think of themselves as artist who use a different kind…

Updegrove Kicks Off Council Campaign

Candidate was Delagate for Bernie Sanders

DULUTH, Minn. – There’s another candidate hoping to fill one of the Duluth City Council’s two at–large seats. Rich Updegrove offically kicked off his campaign Saturday. Updegrove wants to focus on housing, homeless rights as well as keeping Lake Superior clean. “I really want to place our lake at the forefront of what I’m doing,” said Updegrove.  “I think it’s…

Fire Destroys Semi at Hibbing Community College

Damage was Limited by Automatic Sprinkler System

HIBBING, Minn. – A truck was destroyed during a fire early Saturday morning at Hibbing Community College. Fire crews from Hibbing, Chisholm and Keewatin responded to the scene shortly before 5:00 a.m. Saturday.  When crews arrived, the fire had been contained by the building’s automatic sprinkler system. The truck, a 2014 Freightliner, was a total loss.  The building sustained only…

A Musical Fundraiser for Mentor Duluth

Organization Connects Mentors to Children Who Need Them

DULUTH, Minn. – Mentor Duluth celebrated one of the group’s biggest nights of the year Friday evening. It was Mentor Duluth’s March into Mentoring fundraiser.  Everyone on hand was treated to live music. March is the program’s biggest fundraising month and Mentor Duluth is close to the goal of 31 new mentors recruited in March. Organizers say mentoring youth is…

Kenwood Village Open for Business

Developers Held Ribbon-Cutting Friday

DULUTH, Minn. – Another in a series of mixed use developments in Duluth is open for business. United properties celebrated the opening of Kenwood Village with a ribbon cutting Friday afternoon. The new building features luxury apartments as well as retail space.  Developers say Friday’s opening marked the end of a three year process. “Our vison from three years ago…

4th District City Council Candidate Plans Listening Sessions

DULUTH, Minn. – Fourth District Duluth City Council candidate, Renee Van Nett, has announced she will be starting a series of listening sessions with the community. Residents of the 4th District are encouraged to come out and share their comments and concerns. Van Nett is working toward building positive relationships within the community and ensuring that the 4th District is…

Iron Range Murder Remains Unsolved 40 Years Later

$50,000 Award Offered for Information

AURORA, Minn.-Forty years ago today, 19-year-old Cindy Elias was murdered eight miles north of Aurora. Her body was buried under a pile of brush near a logging road after suffering multiple injuries to her head. The victim was last seen leaving a bar in Virginia, at about 12:30 a.m. Patrons said she was thinking about hitchhiking that night. Three years ago,…

Denfeld Grad Named One of World’s Top Leaders

Currently Serves as Minneapolis Police Chief

DULUTH, Minn.- Minneapolis police chief and Denfeld graduate Janeé Harteau has been named one of the world’s greatest leaders. Yesterday Fortune Magazine revealed a list of the top 50 most influential leaders. The former Duluthian ranked number 22, right behind U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Roberts. She ranked right ahead of former Vice President Joe Biden. To read the full article…

Board of Regents Talks Budget

Also Approved Internal Review to Look Into Gophers Sexual Assault Case

DULUTH, Minn.-The University of Minnesota Board of Regents met at UMD once again today, to discuss budget issues. The University System has a $4 billion budget which still needs to be approved by legislators. It’s expected the budget will not be approved until May or June. Whatever is decided, could have a big impact on tuition rates. “This is preliminary…

Local Groups Come Together to Support Obamacare

Fear Many Will Lose Insurance if ACA Replaced

DULUTH, Minn.-Some local doctors and politicians came together today to express their dismay over the possibility of repealing the Affordable Care Act. The Northland HealthCare Alliance, headed up the event, with the goal of making the community aware of what a repeal of the ACA would mean. One Duluth City Council also expressed concern, believing many Northlanders would lose health…

New Executive Director Plans to Make Bong Veterans Historical Center More Social

Hayes Scriven plans to bring more community events to the museum

SUPERIOR, Wis. – There’s a new face in charge of Superior’s Bong Veterans Historical Center. Hayes Scriven was hired as the executive director, to oversee the museum’s day-to-day operations and help with fundraising. Scriven interned with the center while in school at UMD and plans to make the museum more social, by opening it up for more community events. He…

STARBASE STEM Program Gets Trial Run with Duluth Elementary Students

State Sen. Erik Simonson says he's working on legislation to expand the program to Duluth by next school year

DULUTH, Minn. – The 148th Fighter Wing hosted a group of Duluth elementary school kids for a unique look at a future in science, technology, engineering, and math . All week, instructors from the STARBASE program in the Twin Cities worked with 5th graders from Lowell Elementary, applying lessons learned in the classroom to stem challenges and experiments. “We get…

House of Hearts Brings Curlers Together to Support “Project Joy” Program

Organizers hope to raise about $40,000 to help feed hungry kids on weekends

DULUTH, Minn. – Some of America’s best curlers are in Duluth raising money by doing what they do best. More than 100 curlers are here for the 16th Annual House of Hearts charity bonspiel, raising money for Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank’s “Project Joy” program. “That organization was started by the Plys family. They started that in Patrick’s name…

Motorhead Madness Car Show Starts Saturday

Remote–controlled car races, free model making for kids, and a used parts swap meet are all planned for the event

DULUTH, Minn. – If cars are your passion, a drive to the DECC is in order this weekend. The 49th Annual Motorhead Madness car show starts at 10 a.m. tomorrow morning. Owners from around the region will be showing off a variety of cars, both old and new, from the early 1920s up to the 2000s. Vendors will also be…

GOP Pulls Health Care Overhaul Off House Floor

WASHINGTON (AP) – Speaker Paul Ryan has abruptly pulled the Republicans’ troubled health care overhaul off the House floor. The decision was a humiliating setback for President Donald Trump and congressional leaders. The bill had appeared all but certain to be defeated Friday. The roll call was on track to occur in about an hour. The measure has been a…

Keystone XL Pipeline Approved

Was Originally Blocked by President Obama

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump says, “It’s a great day for American jobs” after his administration issued a permit to build the long-delayed Keystone XL pipeline. The decision marks a reversal from the Obama administration and clears the way for the $8 billion project to be completed. The president says the decision ushers in a “new era”…

Police Issue Search Warrant of Minneapolis Liquor Store

After the store opened on a Sunday...several months early

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) – Minneapolis police are seeking surveillance video and sales records for Surdyk’s Liquor from Sunday, March 12, when the liquor store opened its doors for premature, illegal Sunday liquor sales. A search warrant filed in Hennepin County court seeks video footage from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. that day, as well as point of sale transaction records and…

Hermantown K9 Officer Receives Body Armor

The vest is sponsored by an Anonymous Donor

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Hermantown Police Department’s K9, Jack, has received a bullet and stab protective vest. The vest comes as a charitable donation from the non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. Jack’s vest is sponsored by an Anonymous Donor and has been embroidered with the sentiment “Born to love, trained to serve, loyal to the end.” K9 Jack hit the…

Assistant Principal Facing Sexual Conduct Charges

The public's assistance has been requested by the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office

BELTRAMI COUNTY, Minn. – Assistant Principal of Bemidji Middle School was placed in custody at the Beltrami County Jail, on Thursday, March 22. Brandon Bjerkness, 34, has been charged with two counts of solicitation of children to engage in sexual Brandon BjerknessBeltrami County Jail conduct. He has been contacting juvenile children through Facebook, Snapchat, and email accounts he had set…

Wisconsin’s Budget Could be $1 Billion Short by 2021

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin’s state budget could be more than $1 billion in the red by 2021, based on the proposal submitted by Governor Scott Walker that the Legislature is considering. The nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau released an updated analysis of the state budget for the two years after the period covered by Walker’s current budget proposal. It finds…

Mayo Clinic Helps Reunite Boy Battling Cancer with Lost Teddy Bear

The teddy bear received a police escort back to his owner

Courtesy Tracy Remme ROCHESTER, Minn. (AP) – A 5-year-old boy who briefly lost the teddy bear that has helped him through cancer treatment was reunited with his stuffed animal thanks to Mayo Clinic workers, a round of social media shares, and a police escort. Aiden Remme, of Brewster, Minnesota, was undergoing his 60th round of chemotherapy when Teddy went missing….

Hibbing Airport Officials Concerned Over Budget

Delta Airlines Could Leave Airport if $2.8 Million Subsidy is Lost

HIBBING, Minn. – The proposed federal budget concerns another local community. This time the focus is on Hibbing’s Range Regional Airport. As one of 12 weekly flights from Range Regional Airport prepared for take–off Thursday, airport officials’ thoughts were in Washington, D.C. as the Federal Aviation Administration Re-Authorization Bill hits Congress. “The FAA Re-Authorization Bill is reintroduced every couple of…

Donations Needed to Send Northland Veterans on Honor Flight

A spaghetti dinner fundraiser will be held this Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m

DULUTH, Minn. – The Northland’s tenth Honor Flight will depart Duluth next month for Washington D.C., but they still need help to get there. Honor Flight Northland is hosting a spaghetti dinner fundraiser this Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the All American Club, 1931 West Michigan Street. Dinner is $10 per person. All money raised will fund sending…

Paine Trying To Build on Strong Mayoral Primary Results

The two candidates for mayor of Superior took part in a debate Thursday night

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – Jim Paine says he feels he’s feeling good as Election Day approaches. The candidate for mayor of Superior had a strong performance in last month’s primary, receiving nearly 600 more votes than his opponent Brent Fennessey. According to Paine, eight labor organization and more than two dozen current and former elected officials have come forward to endorse…