News – Latest News

Pierre The Voyageur Takes A Hit During Wind Storm

20 Foot Statue Loses Arm And Large Paddle

Two Harbors, Minn Pierre, the 20 foot tall Voyageur in Two Harbors needs a hand, literally. A victim of today’s vicious winds, Pierre lost his arm and giant canoe paddle. He’s the first thing you see when you’re traveling north into Two Harbors and was created 57 years ago. One employee at the Earthwood Inn tells us that she just hopes…

Focus Group Talks Housing Issues in Duluth

A recent study showed that Duluth will need nearly 4,000 new homes by 2020

DULUTH, Minn. – Community members met tonight to discuss the future of housing in Duluth. Imagine Duluth 2035 hosted a focus group tonight, addressing the topics of making homes more accessible, diverse, and affordable. Duluth poses a unique challenge with so many older homes, so city leaders are working with the community to find ways to maintain the characteristics of…

Superior Fire Department Acquires New Jaws of Life Equipment

The entire department will be trained with the new life-saving tools this week

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – Firefighters in Superior got hands–on training with some new equipment today. The Superior fire department recently acquired three sets of Jaws of Life equipment for each of its engines. A $68,000 grant helped pay for the new tools. The department was previously using outdated, low pressure equipment. The new Jaws of Life use high pressure and are…

Commissioner Jewell to Chair Minnesota Water Council

Has Been on Water Council Since 2015

DULUTH, Minn.-St. Louis County Commissioner Frank Jewell has been tapped to chair the Minnesota Water Council. The council was established in 2006 to advise the legislature and governor on how to implement the Clean Water Legacy Act. “I am honored to have been nominated and elected by my colleagues as chair of the Clean Water Council,” Jewell said in a…

Two Candidates Named for Duluth Council Seats

Both are Incumbents

DULUTH, Minn.-Zack Filipovich and Barb Russ will both be running for re-election for at-large seats on the Duluth City Council. Filipovich will have a kick-off party at 5 p.m. March 19 at Black List Brewery in Duluth. Russ will kick off her campaign at the Holiday Inn at 5 p.m. March 17. Among the platforms both are running on, include public…

Duluth Recognizes State-Wide Day of Action

Domestic Violence Action Day was Designed to Raise Awareness

DULUTH, Minn. – Local leaders and community organizations answered the call on a day of action to raise awareness for domestic violence Tuesday. The event on the steps of City Hall was one of more than 80 planned state-wide. The Safe Haven Resource Center, along with other community groups organized the event designed to honor victims of domestic violence and…

Be on the Lookout for Tax Scams

Scams are on the Rise as Tax Deadline Approaches

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s tax season and local tax professionals want you to be aware of the latest tax scams. Many across the country and here in the Northland report fake calls, emails and text messages from scammers claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service. Tax accountant Joshua Standley says the only way you’ll hear from the IRS is…

Damiano Center Soup Kitchen Gets New Look

Volunteers Painted the Soup Kitchen Thanks to Donations

DULUTH, Minn. – The soup kitchen at Duluth’s Damiano Center has a brand new look. Students from the Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Duluth program recently toured the soup kitchen and decided to give the room a new look for their service project. Thanks to a donation from Diamond Vogel Paints, volunteers from Duluth Painters and Allied Trades as well as…

Dayton Repeals Old Sunday Liquor Sales Ban

Sales will begin in July

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – It’s official, come July, Minnesotans can begin buying liquor on Sundays. Governor Mark Dayton signed a bill on Tuesday repealing the decades-old ban. Minnesota liquor store can open their doors on Sunday between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. beginning in July. His signature is the final chapter in years of efforts to repeal the Prohibition-era…

All 5 Suspects Charged in Grahek’s Murder

  DULUTH, Minn. – Three more suspects have been charged in their involvement in the shooting death of UMD student, William Grahek on February 14, 2017. Deandre Demetrius Davenport, 21; Noah Duane Baker, 19; and Noah Anthony Charles King, 18, all of Duluth, have been formally charged in St. Louis County Court. All three are charged with Second Degree Murder…

St. Louis County Emerald Ash Borer Update

Quarantine boundaries have been formalized in SE St. Louis County

  ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) announced today, it has formalized a quarantine for emerald ash borer (EAB) in southeastern St. Louis County. The EAB quarantine limits the movement of firewood and ash material out of the quarantined area of the county. This is to reduce the risk of further spreading the insect. The quarantined…

Man Pleads Guilty to Criminal Vehicular Homicide in Gilbert Case

Will be Sentenced May 3rd

GILBERT, Minn.-A 57-year-old man has plead guilty to criminal vehicular homicide for his involvement in a fatal hit and run in Gilbert. In October, Jeffrey Airhart hit 85-year-old Florence Mannelin with his vehicle on the 100 Block of Broadway Avenue. After Airhart left the scene, Mannelin was taken to the hospital where she later died. Airhart has a history of…

First Fatal Motorcycle Crash of 2017 for Minnesota

Second earliest fatality ever

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Over the weekend, the first fatal motorcycle crash of the season occurred in Redwood County. The Redwood County Sheriff’s Office says the crash happened Sunday around 6 p.m.on the 400 block of Central Street in Sanborn. A 60-year-old man was negotiating a curve when he crashed into the ditch. The rider was not wearing a helmet,…

Messy Morning Commute for Drivers in Downtown Duluth

Over a Dozen Crashes were Reported, with Duluth Police Responding

DULUTH, Minn. – It was a messy morning commute for drivers making their way through downtown Duluth Tuesday. Shortly after 8:00a.m., officials started receiving calls of vehicles sliding down Lake Avenue and other surrounding avenues in the area. Duluth Police Department responded to over a dozen crashes. Slick conditions made it nearly impossible to maneuver down the roads. One crash…

911 and Phone Service Outage for Parts of Cook County

UPDATE 3:12 p.m. : Service has been restored across Cook County. COOK COUNTY, Minn. – Phone service, including 911, in the 388 (Gunflint Trail) and 475 (Grand Portage and Hovland) exchanges is currently unavailable at this time. CenturyLink is currently working to identify the problem and restore service. In the meantime, 911 calls in these areas will be rerouted by…

State Leaders Meet In Duluth About Immigration

Public Forum For On Travel Ban Impacting Immigration, Refugee's & Muslim Citizens

Duluth, Minn Minnesota leaders and immigration experts held a discussion tonight pertaining to the executive orders put in place by President Trumps Administration. The discussion was geared towards the possible negative impacts the travel bans have on immigrants, refugee’s and Muslim families in the Northland. Immigration experts were brought in not only to inform the public on how to deal…

Proctor Schools Parent Academy

School Opens Communication With Parents

Proctor, Minn Parents went back to school tonight in Proctor. The Proctor School District held a parent academy tonight discussing many topics parents are most concerned about. The academy is the first of its kind in Proctor. Topics like student athlete recruiting, curriculum and state testing among others were all topics the parents came up with and wanted more information…

Missing Rice Lake Teen Found Safe

RICE LAKE, Minn. – St. Louis County authorities found a runaway teen from Rice Lake Monday who went missing late Saturday. Jenna Scurlock, 15, was found safely in Gordon, Wis., Monday evening. She left her home on Howard Gnesen Road around 11 p.m. Saturday, according to authorities. Authorities said she was trying to avoid detection by her family and police,…

Proctor Residents Voice Opinions About Police Chief Being Let Go

City Counsilors Haven't Released Details About 3-2 Decision to Part Ways with Chief Wobig

PROCTOR, Minn. – Last month, the Proctor City Council voted 3-2 to not extend the contract of police chief Walter Wobig. Tonight, dozens of Proctor residents came to the city council meeting to voice their concerns about that decision. Many in Proctor are not happy about their police chief of more than 14 years being let go. “What three fifths…

Brewery Coming to Downtown Grand Rapids

Rapids Brewing Company will include a restaurant, taproom, and live entertainment

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – A new brewery is expected to open up by the end of this year in Grand Rapids. Rapids Brewing Company recently got the green light to move forward with plans to build a brewery downtown, at the site of the old Rialto Theater on Pokegama Avenue North. The $3 million dollar project will keep most of…

Tornado Reported Near Princeton; Earliest for March

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A confirmed tornado near Zimmerman, Minnesota at 5:49 p.m. Monday. At 5:56 p.m., a confirmed tornado was located over the south side of Princeton, moving northeast at 40 mph. Law enforcement reported the tornado in east-central Minnesota, about 44 miles northwest of Minneapolis, late Monday afternoon. National Weather Service meteorologist Todd Krause says if confirmed, the tornado would…

U-Haul to Settle in Vacant Superior Kmart Space

The Development will Invest Six Million Dollars in the City of Superior, Adding 35 Jobs

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – After closing its doors nearly a year ago, the Superior Kmart building will soon have a new beginning. U-Haul is set to be moving into the location off Tower Avenue. The building has been on the market for over two years, and vacant for one. Florida based Kin Properties currently owns the property, but will soon finalize…

Sea Grant Battling Government to Stay Alive

Federal Government Looking to Cut NOAA by 17 Percent

DULUTH, Minn.-Discussions are looming on Capitol Hill to cut 17 percent of the budget for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. These cuts could affect many different organizations including the National Weather Service and the local chapter of the Minnesota Sea Grant. The Sea Grant helps with fighting invasive species, along with other environmental issues related to the Great Lakes,…

Bald Eagles Migrating Earlier

Warm Weather Big Factor

DULUTH, Minn.-In other environmental news, bald eagles are migrating back to Minnesota a few weeks ahead of schedule. The early migration, comes after February melted much of the snow, while ice is breaking up along the rivers. Small groups of eagles have already been seen along the Minnesota River. Only two states have larger populations of eagles – Florida and…

Two Of Five Charged in Duluth Man’s Murder

Three Remaining Suspects Will Be Charged Tuesday

DULUTH, Minn. – Two of five suspects in the murder of University of Minnesota Duluth student, William Grahek, have been charged for their roles in the killing. Tara Baker, 22, of Duluth, is charged with murder in the Second Degree, as well as first-degree Aggravated Robbery. This charged is up from the initial report, where she was to be charged…

DNR Gives Western Wisconsin Sand Plant Preliminary OK

(Photo: Courtesy of Hi-Crush Partners)MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The state Department of Natural Resources has given a timber company subsidiary preliminary approval for a sand plant in western Wisconsin that would destroy more than 16 acres of wetlands. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports the DNR notified Meteor Timber of the approval on Wednesday. The agency has set an April 18…

Real ID Law Hits a Snag in Minnesota

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota officials’ efforts to upgrade driver’s licenses so they pass muster for domestic flights have hit a snag. The state Senate defeated a bill Monday to put Minnesota in compliance with federal Real ID law. Democrats concerned about blocking driver’s license access for immigrants living in Minnesota illegally united with several Republicans who call the…

Update: Runaway Teen From Rice Lake Located

RICE LAKE, Minn. – St. Louis County authorities found a runaway teen from Rice Lake Monday who went missing late Saturday.who may not have the necessary medications with her. Jenna Scurlock, 15, was found safely in Gordon, Wis., Monday evening.s believed to have left her home on Howard Gnesen Road around 11 p.m. Saturday. Authorities said she was trying to…

Wisconsin Schools Borrowing at Highest Level in 20 Years

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A new report says borrowing by Wisconsin Public School Districts is at its highest level in at least 20 years. The Wisconsin Taxpayer Alliance reported Monday that voters approved $1.35 billion in new borrowing for Wisconsin public schools last year. The previous high, adjusted for inflation, was more than $1 billion in 1996. And this spring,…

Proctor City Council Meets Tonight to Discuss Fired Police Chief

A Petition Will be Presented

PROCTOR, Minn.-Tonight more than 250 people have signed a petition to reinstate Proctor’s Police Chief Walter Wobig. Supporters will be at tonight’s council meeting to present the petition. Mayor Phil Larson, along with councilors Troy Dewall and Gary Nowak, were against renewing Wobig’s contract. Wobig was the chief for more than 14 years and did not have any major complaints…

Disturbance at Ashland County Jail

ASHLAND COUNTY, Wis. – Ashland County Sheriff Michael Brennan reports that on the evening of Saturday, March 4, several inmates in the Ashland County Jail were causing a disturbance by yelling, kicking on doors, and refusing to return to their cells. Three cell blocks were involved in the disturbance. The inmates were reported to be no threat to each other…

Trump Signs Revised Travel Ban

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump has signed a revised travel ban that temporarily halts entry to the United States for people from six Muslim-majority nations, who are seeking new visas and suspends the country’s refugee program. That’s according to White House spokesman Michael Short, who says the signing was done privately. The new directive aims to address legal issues…

Drugs Seized in Minnesota Reach Record Highs

State agencies pushing for education and community support

ST. PAUL, Minn. – From prescription pills to Methamphetamine, drugs are being seized at an alarming rate in Minnesota. Illicit drug use continuously threatens the safety and health of communities across the state as lives are lost and families destroyed by their use and abuse. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) reports that in 2016, Violent Crime Enforcement Teams…

Lake Avenue Ramp Closed Due to Flooding

DULUTH, Minn. – MnDOT has closed the southbound I-35 exit ramp to Lake Avenue and 5th Avenue West due to standing water on the freeway exit ramp, cased by plugged freeway drains. Southbound motorists traveling to downtown Duluth and Canal Park should take alternate routes. MnDOT maintenance crews are working to open the drains. Ramps will open as soon as…

Rescue Dogs Find New Calling in Sled Dog Racing

Jim's Team is a Sled Dog Team Made up Entirely of Rescue Dogs

BAYFIELD, Wis. – Ryzo, a husky, lived inside as a house pet before being adopted by Jim Lynch and Sally Hedges, and joining the couple’s Sled Dog team, made up entirely of rescue or unwanted dogs. “He came from a gal who had a medical issue in Ashland, who wanted to give him away and also give him a job,” explained…

Duluth Violinist Striking a Chord with Fans, Critics Alike

DULUTH, Minn. (KMSP) – Gaelynn Lea is a violinist whose music and performances can defy description, and after a year of touring practically nonstop, she’s achieving critical and commercial success. Born and raised in Duluth, Lea has been performing music for more than a decade, but her musical breakthrough came a year ago, when she won National Public Radio’s Tiny…

High School Girls Get Free Prom Dresses

33 Dresses Have Been Chosen Already

DULUTH, Minn.- High school girls had the chance to pick out a perfect dress for free Sunday at the 2nd Annual Prom Dress Giveaway. Girls chose their favorite dress from 170 formal dresses, donated from community members over the past year. The event is put on by If the Dress Fits, a local non-profit that helps high school girls get…

Frosted Fatty Weekend Wraps Up At Spirit Mountain

Around 100 Racers Competed in Fat Tire Bike Races

DULUTH, Minn.- The Frosted Fatty Weekend wrapped up after 2 days of Fat Tire Biking fun at Spirit Mountain. Fat tire bike lovers from throughout the country visited Duluth for two days of races, bike demos, and a silent auction. It’s the 2nd annual event, and this year, a cross country race, and a head to head race between skiers,…

Duluth Feminists Create Wikipedia Pages for Female Artists

Duluth Feminists Believe Women Artists Are Underrepresented

DULUTH, Minn.- Artists and Feminists edited and created Wikipedia pages Sunday to improve the coverage of women and people of color in arts — while fighting what they call a gender gap on  Wikipedia. It’s all for Wiki Edit-A-Thon, an event held at the Duluth Art Institute. It’s all for Wiki Edit-A-Thon, an event held at the Duluth Art Institute….