Political

Biden on Russia’s Putin: `This Man Cannot Remain in Power’

Shortly after his speech, a White House official said Biden was “not discussing Putin’s power in Russia, or regime change.” 

WARSAW, Poland (AP) – President Joe Biden said Saturday that Vladimir Putin “cannot remain in power,” dramatically escalating the rhetoric against the Russian leader after his brutal invasion of Ukraine. The comment at the very end of a speech in Poland’s capital that served as the capstone on a four-day trip to Europe. Even as Biden’s words rocketed around the…

Tom Tiffany Holds Listening Session with Public

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Bringing more production and maintenance jobs to Northwestern Wisconsin was the focus of Wisconsin Congressman Tom Tiffany’s listening session in Superior. The point of these sessions was to hear concerns from the public and discuss what’s happening currently in Washington DC. Some things Tiffany says he’s been working on and would like to promote while up here…

Jen Schultz Files Candidacy for 8th Congressional District Election

DULUTH, Minn.- According to an online filing with the Federal Election Commission Friday, Rep. Jen Schultz (DFL) is running for Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District, a seat currently held by Republican Congressman Pete Stauber. Schultz filed online for her candidacy on Friday, March 25th. She is currently serving her 4th term as representative of Minnesota 7A. Earlier this month Schultz announced…

Report Shows Lack of Homes and Apartments in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – The latest housing indicator report by the City of Duluth confirms the need for more apartments and homes. Their 2021 study found the average price for a home sold increased $35,000 to $240,000, the average rent went up $221, while the rental vacancy rate dropped around 3-percent to 2.1-percent.  Typically, a five-percent vacancy rate is considered healthy, with…

Supreme Court Tosses Wisconsin Legislative Voting Maps

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Wednesday threw out Wisconsin state legislative maps that were preferred by the state’s Democratic governor and selected by Wisconsin’s top court, making it unclear what the boundaries will be for the fall election. But while the justices in an unsigned opinion threw out voting maps the Wisconsin Supreme Court had selected for the…

Madeleine Albright, 1st Female US Secretary Of State, Dies

WASHINGTON (AP) — Madeleine Albright, the first female U.S. secretary of state, has died of cancer, her family said Wednesday. She was 84. President Bill Clinton chose Albright as America’s top diplomat in 1996, and she served in that capacity for the last four years of the Clinton administration. At the time, she was the highest-ranking woman in the history…

Duluth Sister Cities International Won’t Drop Sister City Petrozavodsk, Russia Amid War

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth’s Sister Cities is speaking out in support of Petrozavodsk, Russia, which is one of Duluth’s sister cities, as that country’s leader continues to pummel Ukraine. In an email Tuesday to Mayor Emily Larson and city councilors, Sister Cities board members said they condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and they stand in solidarity of the people of…

Babbitt Mayor Running As Republican For District 3 State Senate Seat

BABBITT, Minn. — The mayor of Babbitt is launching her campaign for the District 3 Minnesota State Senate seat. Andrea Zupancich, who has served as Babbitt’s mayor since 2014, is running as a Republican. She also held a seat on Babbitt’s city council for two years before becoming mayor. Her announcement comes on the heels of State Senator Tom Bakk…

Gov. Walz Orders Minnesota Flags at Half Staff in Remembrance of U.S. Rep. Don Young

Photo: AP/File MINNESOTA- In accordance with a proclamation issued by President Joe Biden, Governor Tim Walz ordered all flags statewide at half-staff until midnight Saturday, in honor and remembrance of U.S. Representative Don Young, who passed away Friday night. Sometimes called the Dean of the House, the 88-year-old Alaska Congressman was the longest-serving member, serving 25 terms, and was about…

Hermantown, Proctor, Rice Lake Provide State of the Cities Address

PROCTOR, Minn. – The leaders of the three cities that surround Duluth to the north and west gave their annual updates to area businesses Thursday. The Hermantown Area Chamber of Commerce hosted their State of the Cities luncheon at the Black Woods Event Center in Proctor, featuring the mayors of Hermantown, Proctor, and Rice Lake. Chamber President & CEO Kimberly Parmeter…

New Walz Plan For Surplus Includes Bigger Tax Rebate Checks

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Gov. Tim Walz has released an updated plan for how to spend the state’s enormous budget surplus, including a proposal for income tax rebate checks of $1,000 per couple. His revised supplemental budget proposal, released Thursday, follows last month’s announcement that the state’s budget surplus has grown to $9.25 billion. It formalizes an idea he…

Gordon Ramsay Becomes Third Candidate For St. Louis County Sheriff

DULUTH, Minn. – Former Duluth Police Chief Gordon Ramsay was in Hibbing and Duluth Wednesday to announce his run for St. Louis County Sheriff. Ramsay was raised in Duluth and got a Bachelor’s degree at UMD and Master’s at CSS. He served as police chief from 2006 to 2016 before becoming chief of police in Wichita, Kansas. Ramsay said his…

Duluth Community Relations Officer Announces Run for Minnesota House

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth’s Community Relations Officer is the latest to announce her bid to represent District 8B in the Minnesota House. Alicia Kozlowski has been active in the Duluth community over the past 12 years; first as a community organizer before joining the city’s Leadership Team in 2019.  She highlights her heritage as strengths for her candidacy.  That includes…

Mayor’s ‘State Of The City’ To Return In Person, City Council Meetings To Follow

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Mayor Emily Larson will hold her State of the City Address Tuesday, Mar. 29 in the Harbor Side Ballroom at the DECC. The meeting will have limited seating for the public, but the city is encouraging everybody to wear a mask. Council President Arik Forsman is also expected to speak, among other guests. Meanwhile, city council…

Former Duluth Police Chief Joins Race For St. Louis County Sheriff

DULUTH, Minn. – Former Duluth Police Chief Gordon Ramsay is officially in the race for St. Louis County Sheriff. Ramsay joins two other candidates for the job — St. Louis County Undersheriff Jason Lukovsky and Moose Lake police officer Chad Walsh. “Reducing crime in the county is goal number one,” said Ramsay in a news release Tuesday. “To do that…

Mayor Larson, Sen. Klobuchar Celebrate $1.25 Million In Funding For Duluth Projects

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Mayor Emily Larson and Senator Amy Klobuchar spoke from Washington, D.C. Tuesday to celebrate a win for Duluth with more than $1 million on the way for infrastructure improvements to the Lift Bridge and to modernize Duluth’s 911 system. “We are so grateful to Senators Klobuchar and Smith for their advocating for us for the city…

Snapshots Of 4 Men Charged In Whitmer Kidnapping Plot

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — After more than two days of testimony, jurors have unflattering snapshots of four men who are charged with planning to strike back against government by kidnapping Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer from her weekend home. Prosecutors introduced videos, messages and secretly recorded conversations full of antigovernment screeds, mostly expressed by Barry Croft Jr. and Adam Fox, who are described…

Liberal US Cities Change Course, Now Clearing Homeless Camps

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Makeshift shelters abut busy roadways, tent cities line sidewalks, tarps cover broken-down cars, and sleeping bags are tucked in storefront doorways. The reality of the homelessness crisis in Oregon’s largest city can’t be denied. “I would be an idiot to sit here and tell you that things are better today than they were five years ago…

US Slashes Russia Trade Status, Bans Alcohol and Seafood

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Joe Biden announced Friday that along with the European Union and the Group of Seven countries, the U.S. will revoke “most favored nation” trade status for Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. He said the U.S. will also ban imports of Russian seafood, alcohol, and diamonds. The action on the most favored nation status will allow…

Councilor Hobbs: Reduce Speed Limits In Neighborhoods, Change Parking Requirements For Developers

DULUTH, Minn. – Newly appointed Duluth City Councilor Noah Hobbs is giving us an idea of what issues he’d like to tackle over the next two years of Derek Medved’s term.  Medved recently resigned to focus on his growing business. Hobbs said he’d like to lower the speed limit on residential streets from 30 miles an hour to 20 to…

City of Duluth Still Looking for Public Board, Commission Members

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth is still looking for Duluthians to fill openings on their boards, commissions, and authorities. Over a dozen of them have one or multiple spots available for people to help decide how city services could operate this year. “There’s everything from what the airport’s doing,” says Public Information Officer Kate Van Daele, “to being involved…

Republican Candidate Wants ‘New Voice’ For MN House Dist. 3B

A Republican is stepping up with the hope to take longtime Minnesota Rep. Mary Murphy’s DFL seat. Natalie Zeleznikar, a 30-year resident of Northeast Minnesota announced Wednesday she is entering the race for Minnesota House Dist. 3B. Zeleznikar is a mother of two adult sons, an accomplished author, and has spent decades as an executive for assisted living facilities. “I…

Lawyer: Man Charged in Whitmer Plot Swayed by FBI Informant

(Michigan Office of the Governor via AP File) GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) – A lawyer for one of the men charged with plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2020 has told jurors he was a near-homeless, pot-smoking “misfit” who was influenced by an FBI informant whom he met at a protest. Defense attorney Christopher Gibbons on Wednesday refuted…

Duluth City Councilor Arik Forsman, Breanna Ellison Announce Run for Minnesota House

DULUTH, Minn. – On Wednesday, Duluth City Councilor Arik Forsman and Duluth resident Breanna Ellison announced their run for the Minnesota House of Representatives. Both candidates are running for the seat currently held by District 7A Rep. Jennifer Schult, DFL. Due to redistricting in the state, the seat will now be District 8B. “Serving the people of Duluth on the…

Renee Van Nett Announces State Senate Run

DULUTH, Minn. – On Monday, Duluth City Councilor Renee Van Nett is announcing her run for State Senate District 8. Van Nett was first elected to the city council in 2017 and represents Duluth’s 4th District. In January 2021 she was elected as the first Indigenous woman to serve as Duluth City Council president. “Renee believes Duluth priorities are ‘Nuts…

Community Pictures Of Duluth’s Lift Bridge, Other Structures Lit For Ukraine

DULUTH, Minn. — Sunday marked the final night of the Lift Bridge and Enger Tower being lit blue and yellow for Ukraine after doing so for the past week.  Duluth Mayor Emily Larson will be releasing an updated lighting policy for the Lift Bridge and Enger Tower in 60 days after the community spoke up in numbers to light the…

Gov. Walz Proclaims March 6 As ‘Ukrainian Solidarity Day’ In Minnesota

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Gov. Tim Walz has proclaimed Sunday, Mar. 6 as Ukrainian Solidarity Day in the State of Minnesota to “honor the bravery and resilience of the people of Ukraine as they fight to defend their country and their freedom,” Walz said in a statement. “I’m proud to declare today as Ukrainian Solidarity Day in Minnesota,” said Walz….

Gov. Walz Directs State Agencies To End Russian Contracts

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Gov. Tim Walz has directed state agencies to terminate any contracts with Russian entities to punish the country for invading Ukraine. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that Walz issued an executive order on Friday directing more than two dozen state agencies to end their contracts. He also asked his cabinet not to enter into any future contracts…

Putin says Ukraine’s Future in Doubt as Cease-Fires Collapse

(Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) LVIV, Ukraine (AP) – Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Ukrainian statehood is in jeopardy and pinned the blame on that country’s leaders. Putin also said Saturday that Western sanctions are akin to “declaring war,” but added, “But thank God, we haven’t got there yet.” The Russian leader’s tough talk came as…

Duluth Police Chief Testifies For ‘Statewide Missing And Murdered Indigenous Fund’

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Duluth’s newly created Missing and Murdered Indigenous Fund is gaining attention as the state capitol. Members of the Minnesota House Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Committee met Thursday to hear testimony from members involved with the fund, including Duluth Police Chief Mike Tusken. The bill would create a reward fund to help get information and…

Politicians, Students, And Supporters React To President Biden’s UWS Visit

SUPERIOR, Wis. — The Yellowjacket Union welcomed President Joe Biden on Wednesday afternoon, along with a number of politicians, students, and supporters who were ecstatic that the commander-in-chief chose Superior as his first stop the day after the State of the Union address. “It’s not too often you get an email saying the president of the United States is coming…

Pres. Biden Stops at UWS to Talk Bolstering Blatnik Bridge, Other Northland Infrastructure Needs

On his way to UWS President Biden stopped under the Blatnik Bridge to get an up-close look at the shape it was in.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Bridges were front and center of President Biden’s speech as he made Yellowjacket Union at UWS his first stop after the State of the Union Address Tuesday. “Hello Wisconsin, the President said to cheers, “and if you’re hearing me across the river hello Minnesota.” On his way to UWS President Biden stopped under the Blatnik Bridge near the…

U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany Responds to Biden’s Visit

He says he ultimately didn’t vote on the President's bill because he feels it was a Trojan horse for what he calls Democrats' big social spending agenda.

DULUTH, Minn.- Republican Congressman Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin stopped by FOX 21 to give his take on the President’s infrastructure tour. Tiffany says he agrees with Biden about investing in the nation’s aging infrastructure but calls the President’s visit to Superior insulting because of his administration’s cancellation of the Twin Metals leases, ultimately eliminating the prospects of some good-paying union…

State of the Union: Biden Vows to Halt Russia, Hit Inflation

(Saul Loeb, Pool via AP) WASHINGTON (AP) – Addressing a concerned nation and anxious world, President Joe Biden has vowed in his first State of the Union address to check Russian aggression in Ukraine, tame soaring U.S. inflation, and deal with the fading but still dangerous coronavirus. Biden declared Tuesday night that he and all members of Congress, whatever political…

Duluth Ukrainians Relieved, Thankful City Changed Course To Light Lift Bridge

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth’s iconic Lift Bridge shined blue and yellow in support of Ukraine for the first time Tuesday evening, adding to the slew of iconic structures across the country and world lit to support the freedom we American’s sometimes take for granted. Tuesday morning’s update The moment came Tuesday after an overwhelming stand Duluthians took since the weekend…

UW-Superior Preps for President Biden’s Visit

SUPERIOR, Wis. – For the first time since Harry Truman came through the city in 1948, a sitting President will be making a stop in Superior Wednesday. UW-Superior’s Yellowjacket Union is undergoing a transformation as President Biden, along with First Lady Jill Biden, will speak to an invite-only crowd at Shippar Family Atrium, focusing on the infrastructure bill that passed…

Douglas County Courthouse Shines For Ukraine; Duluth Mayor Doubles Down, Won’t Light Lift Bridge

DULUTH-SUPERIOR — Support for Ukraine shined blue and yellow Monday night outside the Douglas County Courthouse in Superior following other city, county and state buildings glowing for Ukraine in recent days across the country, but not necessarily in the Northland. Douglas County Courthouse lights up for Ukraine Monday evening. One of those examples is Duluth’s most iconic structure, the Aerial…

Noah Hobbs Returns To Duluth City Council

DULUTH, Minn. – Former Duluth city councilor Noah Hobbs is headed back to the council. Hobbs was voted in Monday night by fellow councilors to serve the remaining two years of Derek Medved’s term. Medved recently resigned from the council to focus on his growing business. Hobbs beat out more than 20 candidates who applied for the job. Categories: Minnesota,…

Minnesota Already-Huge Budget Surplus Grows to $9.25 Billion

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota’s already-huge budget surplus has become even more enormous, growing to a projected $9.25 billion, the Walz administration announced Monday. The updated forecast was $1.5 billion more than the whopping $7.7 billion surplus that Minnesota Management and Budget projected in December for the current two-year budget period. The budget agency cited higher incomes, consumer spending,…