Political

Biden Campaign and Jill Biden to Make Stop in Duluth Thursday, Extending Outreach to Older Voters

Biden campaign and Jill Biden launch outreach to older voters with bingo nights and pickleball games.

WASHINGTON (AP) — First lady Jill Biden is kicking off her husband’s outreach to older voters, an effort that will blend rallies and phone banks with social events like bingo nights and pickleball games. While President Joe Biden is in Italy attending the Group of Seven summit, the first lady will travel to four swing states to launch the Seniors…

Duluth Man Announces Presidential Campaign

Robert Schieve says women's rights, fighting high taxes for the average person, and too much spending on global war are key issues.

President Biden and former president Donald Trump are getting most of the election attention. But a Duluth man announced Thursday that he too is entering the presidential race. Robert Schieve made the announcement outside his West Duluth home. The army veteran and Native American said that after 30 years of fighting for the rights of the Anishinaabe, that it was…

Biden Calls For Solidarity With Ukraine At D-Day Anniversary Ceremony Near The Beaches Of Normandy

COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER, France (AP) — President Joe Biden marked the 80th anniversary of D-Day on Thursday by pledging “we will not walk away” from the defense of Ukraine and allow Russia to threaten more of Europe. “To surrender to bullies, to bow down to dictators, is simply unthinkable,” he said during a ceremony at the American cemetery in Normandy. “If we were to…

Wisconsin Attorney General Files Felony Charges Against Attorneys, Aide Who Worked For Trump In 2020

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul filed felony forgery charges Tuesday against two attorneys and an aide who helped submit paperwork falsely saying that former President Donald Trump had won the battleground state in 2020. The charges were filed against attorneys Kenneth Chesebro, 62, and Jim Troupis, 70, and former Trump aide Mike Roman, 51, who allegedly…

Small Business Owner Shawn Savela Announces MN House District 8B Campaign

Long-term Duluthian to run against incumbent Alicia Kozlowski and independent Tim Meyer

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth’s Shawn Savela announced on Tuesday morning he is joining the race for Minnesota House District 8B. Savela earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in computer science from UMD. He’s run a software consulting firm for over 25 years and believes his business background will serve Duluth well. Savela will face incumbent Democrat Alicia Kozlowski and independent…

Pro-Palestine March In Duluth, Rally Outside DFL Convention

DULUTH, Minn. – A pro-Palestine march started at Duluth City Hall Saturday and ended in a rally outside the door of the DECC where the DFL Convention was being held. The Twin Ports Democratic Socialists of America organized the protest. The group spoke on the following demands:  A ceasefire now, repeal the Minnesota Anti-Boycott, Divest and Sanction Law, end all…

DFL Convention In Duluth: Delegates Endorse Sen. Klobuchar For Reelection

DULUTH, Minn. – The DECC Arena was full of the DFL party this weekend for the Minnesota State Convention. Delegates endorsed Sen. Amy Klobuchar for re-election, selected final delegates to the Democratic National Convention in August and heard from Gov. Tim Walz, Sen. Tina Smith, Jen Schultz, among other DFL candidates and elected officials. As for Klobuchar, she was in…

Donald Trump Tries To Turn His Guilty Verdict Into Campaign Fuel And Attacks Criminal Justice System

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump launched into attacks on the judge in his criminal trial and continued to undermine New York’s criminal justice system Friday as he tried to repackage his conviction on 34 felony charges as fuel, not an impediment, to his latest White House bid. Trump spoke to reporters at his namesake tower in Manhattan on Friday, his return…

Superior Mayor Delivers State Of The City Address

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Superior Mayor Jim Payne delivered his State of the City speech Thursday evening from the stage at the Douglas County Historical Society. Paine gave an upbeat take on the past year in the city, and encouraged residents to have a positive outlook, especially when talking with visitors to Superior. Among the highlights Paine mentioned were grants provided to…

Guilty: Trump Becomes First Former U.S. President Convicted Of Felony Crimes

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump became the first former president to be convicted of felony crimes Thursday as a New York jury found him guilty of falsifying business records in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through hush money payments to a porn actor who said the two had sex. Jurors deliberated for 9.5 hours over two days before…

Jury In Donald Trump’s Hush Money Case Asks To Rehear Testimony As Deliberations Get Underway

NEW YORK (AP) — The jury in Donald Trump’s hush money trial asked to rehear testimony Wednesday less than four hours after beginning deliberations in the first criminal case against a former American president. The four requests included testimony related to a 2015 meeting at Trump Tower where a tabloid publisher agreed to identify negative stories about Trump so that they could…

Biden Says Each Generation Has To ‘Earn’ Freedom, In Solemn Memorial Day Remarks

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden marked Memorial Day with a pledge that the United States would continue the work of the nation’s fallen toward creating a more perfect union, “for which they lived, and for which they died for.” Delivering remarks at a solemn remembrance ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, Biden said each generation must ensure the sacrifice of the country’s…

Day 22: Duluth Civic Center Pro-Palestine Encampment

DULUTH, Minn. – Wednesday, May 22, marked exactly three weeks since pro-Palestinian protesters set up an encampment in Duluth’s Civic Center. There were around 10 tents set up Wednesday evening. One protester, who did not want to be named, has been at the encampment since the beginning. He said Homeland Security asked the group to move off federal land near…

Duluth’s ‘Substance Use Response Team’ Coordinator Talks Opioid Crisis

DULUTH, Minn. —  Last year in Duluth, a record number of opioid-related overdoses were recorded. There were a total of 480 opioid-related overdoses, including 46 deaths. In 2013, there were 42 opioid-related overdoses and one death. Jessica Nickila, coordinator of the Duluth Police Department’s Substance Use Response Team (SURT), said the over prescribing of opioids decades ago in our area…

Voters Reject Duluth School District’s Technology Referendum For Second Time

DULUTH, Minn. — For a second time, voters have rejected a proposed technology referendum Tuesday for the Duluth School District. The levy would have provided $5.2 million annually over the next decade for learning technology, digital curriculum and security, according to the district. Below is a press release sent out by the district Tuesday night: Residents of Duluth Public Schools…

Trump Will Stump In Minnesota, Traditionally Blue State He Insists He Can Win

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Former President Donald Trump’s planned campaign visit to Minnesota on Friday will mark his return to a traditionally Democratic state that he has long argued he could carry. Trump will take a break from his hush money trial in New York to speak at the Minnesota GOP’s annual Lincoln Reagan fundraising dinner. Tickets start at $500, ranging…

Duluth’s ‘Tourism Marketing Working Group’ To Hold Listening Sessions In May

DULUTH, Minn. — The future of Duluth’s multi-million dollar tourism marketing contract is being guided by a working group at the request of Mayor Roger Reinert.  And later in May, there are opportunities for businesses and the public to weigh in. This comes after Reinert’s announcement in March that he believes next year’s marketing contract should be awarded to local…

Biden Visits Wisconsin To Laud A New Microsoft Facility, Meet Voters — And Troll Trump

RACINE, Wisc. (AP) — President Joe Biden raced into yet another battleground state Wednesday, continuing to push a contrast with Donald Trump on economic policy as his own reelection campaign readies a new $14 million advertising blitz aimed in part at Black, Latino and Asian American voters. Biden traveled to Racine, Wisconsin, where he’ll highlight a decision by Microsoft to…

Superior Mayor, Council To ‘Intervene’ Proposed Rate Increase By SWL&P

Mayor Jim Paine proposed a resolution which was voted in favor of unanimously Tuesday evening

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — At tonight’s Superior City Council meeting, Mayor Jim Paine put forward a resolution to intervene with the proposed rate increase by Superior Water, Light, and Power starting in 2025. At the end of March, the ALLETE subsidiary Superior Water Light and Power submitted a request to the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, or PSC, to increase rates….

Minnesota Legislators Consider Constitutional Amendment To Protect Abortion And LGBTQ Rights

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Democrats have introduced far-reaching legislation to add abortion and LGBTQ rights to the state’s constitution in hopes of making it much harder for future lawmakers to repeal these and other rights in the future. The Minnesota Equal Rights Amendment was introduced last week and has its first legislative hearing Monday. It would be among…

Day 2: Pro-Palestine Demonstrations At Rose Garden, Civic Center

DULUTH, Minn. — At least 50 people arrived at the Duluth Rose Garden during the 7 o’clock hour Thursday evening. The pro-Palestine protesters were making their voices heard for the second day in a row there. The crowd Thursday was much larger than last night’s demonstration. Earlier in the day Thursday, the city of Duluth put out a warning that…

Biden Says ‘Order Must Prevail’ During Campus Protests Over The War In Gaza

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Thursday rejected calls from student protesters to change his approach to the war in Gaza while insisting that “order must prevail” as college campuses across the country face a wave of violence, outrage and fear. “Dissent is essential for democracy,” Biden said at the White House. “But dissent must never lead to disorder.”…

Duluth Police Ask Pro-Palestine Encampment To Leave Civic Center

DULUTH, Minn. — A small encampment In the Duluth Civic Center courtyard got a visit from the Duluth Police Department Wednesday evening. The two officers told the pro-Palestinian protesters that it’s against the law to set up camps sites on the property. Wednesday marked the first time protesters have taken to the streets of Duluth to set up an encampment…

‘Duluth Palestine Solidarity Camp’ Forms At Rose Garden

Courtesy: The Duluth Palestine Solidarity Camp DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Palestine Solidarity Camp, as the group is calling themselves, set up an encampment at the Rose Garden Wednesday evening.   This encampment followed another encampment within the Duluth Civic Center, which police said was not legal. Duluth Palestine Solidarity Camp’s purpose is to “demand city and state divestment and boycott…

$3 Million Secured In Senate Bonding Bill For New 148th Fighter Wing Hangar

Sen. Grant Hauschild (DFL-Dist. 3) has announced $3 million for the 148th Fighter Wing has been secured in the Senate Capital Investment Bonding Bill. If a super majority approves the funding, it would assist in the construction of a new hangar for the Fighter Wing. The Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce has been the lead advocate for the new hangar…

Biden Says The US Is Rushing Weaponry To Ukraine As He Signs A $95 Billion War Aid Measure Into Law

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said on Wednesday that he was immediately rushing badly needed weaponry to Ukraine as he signed into law a $95 billion war aid measure that also included assistance for Israel, Taiwan and other global hotspots. The announcement marked an end to the long, painful battle with Republicans in Congress over urgently needed assistance for Ukraine, with Biden promising…

Walz Appointments Give The Minnesota Supreme Court Its First Female Majority In Decades

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz named two women to the Minnesota Supreme Court on Monday, which will give the state’s highest court its first female majority in three decades. When they take their seats in the coming months, all seven justices will have been appointed by Democratic governors. Walz elevated Minnesota Court of Appeals Judge Theodora Gaïtas to replace…

Pete Radosevich Secures DFL Endorsement For MN House 11A Race

DULUTH, Minn. — Minnesota DFL House 11A members have unanimously endorsed Pete Radosevich. Pete Radosevich The district covers Carlton County and parts of Pine and St. Louis counties. Radosevich ran for the same seat in 2022 but narrowly lost to Republican Jeff Dotseth. Radosevich is an attorney in Esko and a small business owner. He’s the publisher of Cloquet’s Pine…

The House Passes Billions in Aid for Ukraine and Israel After Months of Struggle; Next is the Senate

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has approved $95 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies in a rare weekend session as Democrats and Republicans banded together after months of hard-right resistance over renewed American support for repelling Russia’s invasion. With an overwhelming vote Saturday, the $61 billion in aid for Ukraine passed in a matter of minutes, a strong…

Potential Jurors Called Into Courtroom For Start Of Trump’s Historic Hush-Money Trial

NEW YORK (AP) — The historic hush-money trial of Donald Trump got underway Monday as dozens of prospective jurors packed into a courtroom where the former president will answer to charges that he falsified business records in order to stifle stories about his sex life. The first criminal trial of any former U.S. president will unfold as Trump vies to reclaim the White House,…

Duluth Airport Authority Displays Plans For New Air Traffic Control Tower

DULUTH, Minn. -The air traffic control tower at Duluth International Airport is more than 70 years old. Having been built in the 1950s, it no longer meets FAA standards and needs to be replaced.  The Duluth Airport Authority held an open house Wednesday night to introduce the public to the design and plans to build a new air traffic control…

Trump Endorses Stauber For MN 8th Congressional Race; Opponent Schultz Responds

DULUTH, Minn. – 8th District Congressman Pete Stauber has received his fourth endorsement from former President Donald Trump. This comes as former Minnesota Rep. Jen Schultz vies to win Stauber’s seat this November. Trump posted on Truth Social, calling Stauber a “tremendous representative.” The statement went on to say:  “A Former Police Officer and Professional Hockey Player, Pete is working…

Trump Declines To Endorse A National Abortion Ban, He Says Limits Should Be Left To The States

NEW YORK (AP) — Former President Donald Trump said he believes abortion limits should be left to the states, in a video released Monday declining to endorse a national ban after months of mixed messages and speculation. “Many people have asked me what my position is on abortion and abortion rights,” Trump said in the video posted on his Truth Social site. “My view…

President Joe Biden Will Unveil His New Plan To Give Student Loan Relief To Many New Borrowers

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will announce his latest effort to broaden student loan relief next week for new categories of borrowers, according to three people familiar with the plans, nearly a year after the Supreme Court foiled his administration’s first attempt to cancel debt for millions who attended college. Biden will detail the plan Monday in Madison, Wisconsin, where the…

Minnesota Power ‘Disappointed’ With Superior City Council’s Denial Of NTEC Public Hearing

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Minnesota Power is “disappointed” with the city of Superior after the council voted down the opportunity for a public hearing on the proposed Nemadji Trail Energy Center (NTEC). On Wednesday night, five of the nine city councilors voted to hold a public hearing. But the motion to approve needed six votes. This comes after the Superior Plan…

Mayor Wants “Authentic Duluth” After City’s Tourism Marketing Contract Ends With Twin Cities Firm

DULUTH, Minn. — The city of Duluth’s multi-million dollar tourism marketing contract with a Twin Cities-based firm will expire at the end of the year.  And now, newly elected Mayor Roger Reinert says he believes the contract should come back home. “I fundamentally believe as a Duluthian that we have the creative talents in our community to tell our own…

Biden Administration Will Lend $1.5B To Restart Michigan Nuclear Power Plant, A First In The US

(AP) — The federal government will provide a $1.5 billion loan to restart a nuclear power plant in southwestern Michigan, officials announced Wednesday. Holtec International acquired the 800-megawatt Palisades plant in 2022 with plans to dismantle it. But now the emphasis is on restarting it by late 2025, following support from the state of Michigan and the Biden administration. Gov. Gretchen…

Duluth City Councilors, Residents Express Raw Emotion Over Gaza Resolution Debate

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth city councilors faced a full house at Monday night’s council meeting, with raw emotions pouring out from elected officials and residents for nearly three hours. At issue, was whether to pass a resolution supporting a quote “permanent ceasefire to prevent loss of human life in the Middle East.” Some councilors felt strongly to pass the resolution,…

Senator Tammy Baldwin (D) Begins Five-Day Campaign Tour Through the State

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin (D) kicked off her five-day Dairyland campaign tour Monday afternoon with the first stop being made in Superior. Baldwin spoke about the issues that she believes are the most important ones facing people in Wisconsin. “I am focused on the pocketbook issues of Wisconsinites,” said Baldwin. “Listening to the people of this state…

“Duluth Cheerio Challenge” Launches, Mayor Gets Cheeky After Kathy Cargill’s Insults On City

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluthians, including Mayor Roger Reinert, are responding in creative and humorous ways to billionaire Kathy Cargill, who told the Wall Street Journal over the weekend that Duluth is a “small-minded community” and that Mayor Reinert “peed in his cheerios” when he sent her a letter wanting to know her plans for 20 properties she recently purchased on…

Court Agrees To Block Collection Of Trump’s Massive Civil Fraud Judgment If He Puts Up $175M

NEW YORK (AP) — A New York appeals court on Monday agreed to hold off collection of former President Donald Trump’s more than $454 million civil fraud judgment — if he puts up $175 million within 10 days. If he does, it will stop the clock on collection and prevent the state from seizing the presumptive Republican presidential nominee’s assets while he appeals….

Billionaire Kathy Cargill Calls Duluth ‘Small-Minded Community’ In WSJ Report

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth is a “small-minded community.” That’s what billionaire Kathy Cargill told the Wall Street Journal this weekend, and she went on to say Mayor Roger Reinert “peed in his cheerios” when he sent a letter to her asking what her plans are for 20 properties she recently purchased on Park Point. Cargill told the WSJ she still…

Proctor, Hermantown, and Rice Lake Join Together for Annual State of the Cities

The three communities are focusing on working together and business growth

PROCTOR, Minn. — Proctor, Hermantown, and Rice Lake held their joint annual State of the Cities luncheon earlier today, bringing together the three communities. Over 100 people came to hear local government officials discuss the past, present, and future of their cities. Hermantown Area Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Kim Parmeter said this year brought the biggest turnout in…

Justice Department Sues Apple, Alleging It Illegally Monopolized The Smartphone Market

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department on Thursday announced a sweeping antitrust lawsuit against Apple, accusing the tech giant of engineering an illegal monopoly in smartphones that boxes out competitors, stifles innovation and keeps prices artificially high. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in New Jersey, alleges that Apple has monopoly power in the smartphone market and leverages control over the iPhone to…