HAYWARD, Wis. — Despite a slow start to the snow season, the 51st annual Birkebeiner race is back in full force. The lack of snow last year led to an alternate approach, and that threatened to be the case this year as well. Traditionally, the course runs from Cable to Hayward in Wisconsin, as will be the case this year….
IRON RIVER, Wis.– After having to cancel last year, the dogs are let out for the Northern Pines Dog Sled Race. Officials said the fate of this year’s race was a nail biter because of the uncertainty with the weather. But tomorrow, the course is set for 4 seperate classes to compete. The Northern Pines Dog Sled Race caters to…
LAKE VERMILLION, Minn. — Despite nervousness after a lackluster snowfall this year, the Blackwoods Blizzard Tour is still on. Over 200 snowmobile riders will be heading up to Lake Vermillion on Feb. 5 through 8. The snowfall by Lake Vermillion has been adequate, and the trails are being groomed. This year, 70 new riders are being welcomed to the tour….
ELY, Minn. — Former President Jimmy Carter teamed up with the Friends of the Boundary Waters during his administration, to help back up his efforts around the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness. “There’s been a lot of sacrifice, a lot of victory too, and not all of those sacrifices accumulated into what we have today,” said Riley Smith. Riley Smith…
ELY, Minn.– Following the death of former president Jimmy Carter, he left behind quite the legacy for the Boundary Waters. After his recent death back in December, Friends of the Boundary Waters are looking back at his impact fondly. During Carter’s presidency, he teamed up with the Friends of the Boundary Waters. Together they passed numerous bills and acts promising…
SUPERIOR, Wis.– This past year, the city of Superior has been sprucing up the area by reworking and reimagining the landscape to be more in touch with nature. Superior reintroduced the new and improved Woodstock Bay Landing in August. It used to be a gravel and dirt boat landing, but transformed into an area filled with trails, a pavilion, and…
MINNESOTA – This last deer season was considered a successful one for northern Minnesota hunters. On Wednesday, the Minnesota DNR released the results from the 2024 hunting season. Hunters harvested more than 170,000 deer during the 2024 hunting season. That’s up 7% from last year’s season, and only 3% lower than a five year average. DNR officials say the weather…
DULUTH, Minn.– Outdoor staff and enthusiasts alike are breathing a sigh of relief because ski trails are finally usable. The trails are finally up and running, because they were finally groomed Monday morning. Following the weekend snow, the trails are ready for mountain biking, snowshoeing, and skiing. Being able to offer these activities after having a disappointing winter season is…
DULUTH, Minn.– The 2024 shipping season was apparently smooth sailing for the Duluth Port Authority. Duluth Port Authority officials told FOX 21, Through the end of November, import and export tonnage was nearly 30 percent ahead of last season. It has also been a good year for grain, specifically wheat, being one of the port’s leading export cargos. The port…
NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA — ATV Riders are bringing in the big bucks to Northeastern Minnesota according to a University of Minnesota study. In collaboration with the Northeastern ATV Joint Powers Board, researchers from the University of Minnesota has been collecting data on trail traffic through surveys and tracking where riders spend their money. The study found that in 2023, Riders spent…
HERMANTOWN, Minn.– The City of Hermantown is going to be seeing some big changes to their trails system in the coming years. Earlier this week, it was announced that the city has been awarded a $950,000 grant from the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission to continue development of the Hermantown Connector Trail System. These trails are a part…
COOK COUNTY, Minn.– For this year’s postponed Gunflint Mail Run Dogsled race, one hundred volunteers are needed to help make this happen. The lack of snow and too much rain this season are the reasons for the delayed start. The dogsled race is now scheduled for February 8th. This comes after last year’s ended up being canceled because of the…
NORTHERN MINNESOTA – Unusual winter weather has yet again postponed the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon for a second year. All three races – the 40-miler, the 120 miler, and the 300-mile marathon – were originally scheduled for January 26. But today, the board of directors announced on social media that the race will be postponed to March 2. The…
DULUTH, Minn.– Despite the holidays wrapping up, stores are still keeping busy with shopping crowds. Local stores in Duluth such as TrailFitters in the Fitgers Inn hasn’t seen the end of the holiday crowds. Shoppers are packing the store many of them using up gift cards. For this season, many people had a common theme with their gift giving. “The…
DULUTH, Minn.– You’ve heard stories of people rescuing stray animals like dogs or cats, but how about two owls in one day! Lake Superior Zoo Employee Annabell Whelan played a big role in saving both a great grey owl and a snowy owl in the same day. “So, I kind of went along with my day, and thought, that was…
DULUTH, Minn.– When the holidays are over, there are several options to take down the Christmas tree. The gates are open at numerous locations to begin “tree-cycling”. The annual program allows people to get their trees recycled and eventually turned into compost. The locations are scattered around Duluth parks and community centers. There are also some spots in Cloquet…
DULUTH, Minn.– You may know Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Vixen, but now, you can meet Jingle and Snowflake! The Lake Superior Zoo has welcomed two new caribou to their new habitat. Jingle, the male, is more social and outgoing. While Snowflake is more reserved but still very sweet. In preparation for their arrival, the zoo has renovated two of its…
DULUTH, Minn. – During the summer, the “lake side” of Park Point attracts thousands to its beaches; but during the winter months, the “bay side” is the place to be. While the temperature is expected to climb in the coming days, ice fishermen have been back on the bay thanks to an early season freeze. Today’s ideal temps drew a number…
DULUTH, Minn.– This weekend, Spirit Mountain has plenty to celebrate after now being in business for 50 years. Spirit Mountain has been an outlet for ski lovers since 1974. And they’re focusing on celebrating the vision and idea community leaders had, that ultimately became the outdoor sports center Duluthians know and love. The weekend will be filled with a medallion…
DULUTH, Minn.– The DECC is reeling in all the anglers this weekend for one of their most popular annual events. The annual event gives anglers the chance to check out a variety of products and accessories for ice fishing. From special rods and lures to fancy ice houses. Sea Lion Splash is also featuring its team of sea lions, giving…
DULUTH, Minn.– The severe cold isn’t stopping photographers to emerge from the thick fog on the lake, just to get that perfect shot. Typically, in the summer, you can find people crowding around the harbor waiting for boats to come in. The boat enthusiasts aren’t letting the cold stop them. Some of the dedicated photographers, coming from out of state, and…
MEADOWLANDS, Minn.– When the temps drop in northern Minnesota, most of the time, you can expect people to stay inside where it’s nice and warm. But the bog is a different story, as it draws quite the crowd during the winter months. “It’s really fun, and we definitely get a lot of global attention from folks coming in. Last year,…
SUPERIOR, Wis.– Superior has welcomed a new one stop shop that caters to all things outdoors. And the staff is eager to spread the love for these hobbies. From the time Erik Howard was three years old he was involved with all things skiing. His mission is to spread that love to Superior and get people more involved with outdoor…
DULUTH, Minn.– An ambition to travel the world, is something Cloquet writer Jess Waldbillig has felt for years. And just recently, she finally made it happen. “I think like a lot of people who got into the van life thing, I became kind of obsessed with it during college and during quarantine. And so, I like followed a ton of…
MEADOWLANDS, Minn.– The bog is back in full swing, and guests are wasting no time in getting out in nature. The welcome center recently opened at Sax Zim Bog, and people are back to check out the trails and the boardwalks. Lots of nature enthusiasts travel near and far to check out the variety of wildlife the bog has to…
Duluth, Minn.– As the temps go down, the anticipation for ice fishing goes up. It’s super important to get your essentials like ice picks and floatation suits. But of course, keeping safety in mind is crucial for this sport. Every year, it’s as important as ever to brush up on ice safety. Timing out your first trip is essential. A…
DULUTH, Minn.– Boulder Lake is also taking advantage of holiday sales by using materials on their property. For 4 years now, Boulder Lake Environmental Learning Center has sold homemade wreathes, porch pots, and even kits to make your very own wreath. This is the largest fundraiser for that Boulder Lake hosts every year. They use freshly harvested material to create…
DULUTH, Minn.– One Cloquet writer, decided one day to take the adventure of a lifetime and travel cross country living in a van for six months. Filled with ambition and excitement, Jess Waldbillig hit the road and traveled the west coast for six months. All while living out of her converted van. She drove over 13,500 miles, and checked out…
SUPERIOR, Wis.– After hunting is over, the question of what to do with your deer harvest often comes to mind. Superior Meats is excited to cater to the hunters and help them produce venison products. Some of those products, you wouldn’t initially expect. “Make it into whatever you’re looking for. Whether it be bratwurst, summer sausage, bacon. We do a…
SUPERIOR, Wis.– Deer hunting is a beloved Midwest tradition that brings families together year after year. “My husband, son and I hunt together. You know, they’re not quite in the area, that’s real important too. You know, I’m really looking forward to it,” said Pat Kukull, owner of Superior Shooter Supply. Many enthusiastic hunters, counting down the days until…
SANDSTONE, Minn.–Can you imagine living in a jungle, a Barbie Dreamhouse, or even in the set of the hit tv show “Friends”? At the Wildcat Sanctuary in Sandstone, rescued hybrid cats get to live in these fun rooms. The Wildcat Sanctuary is known for their tigers and lions but today, they’re celebrating a new home for their hybrid cats. “We…
DULUTH, Minn. — After years of construction, Duluthians will be glad to hear that Brighton Beach is finally reopening. You might recall when Brighton Beach closed back in August of 2021. The beach endured years of erosion, leading to lengthy repairs. But now, they’re finally ready to welcome back the public. “What I will say, and I hope you will…
DULUTH, Minn. — An event for outdoor recreation enthusiasts took place at the DECC on Friday. The Duluth Area Outdoor Alliance hosted the Great Lakes Outdoor Summit. The summit draws in people from across the Upper Midwest, allowing for businesses, advocates and other organizations to connect, build community and learn more about the great outdoors. The summit had 12 engagement…
SUPERIOR, Wis.– Superior Goats got their start this past summer. Owner Selinda Van Horn got a call to action, when she realized just how difficult plant removal can be. “We’ve been using the goats to clear our own property. And so, we thought well, there are other owners that could benefit this. And there are areas where you can’t get…
LUTSEN, Minn. — Every fall, thousands of people flock up north to take in the beauty of Northern Minnesota. “We had 5,000, this past weekend. We’ve had a lot of people coming up here, our hotels have been totally full,” said Zak Trimble, Chief Operations Officer for Lutsen Mountains. And they all show up for the same reason. To check…
GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. — An event surrounding a big hairy mythical creature is taking place this weekend in Grand Rapids. The 5th annual Minnesota Bigfoot Conference is all about spreading awareness of the education and protection of the creature. It is put on by the Minnesota Bigfoot Research Team who have been working together for 24 years now. The event…
LUSTEN, Minn.– More than a year after fire gutted a beloved restaurant and bar at Lutsen Mountains, construction to rebuild is about to begin. It was the morning of June 24, 2023, when those massive flames took over Papa Charlie’s. Rendering of new Papa Charlie’s Nobody was injured, but the building was deemed a complete loss. While the lot where…
ISLAND LAKE, Minn. — Being at the cabin in Northern Minnesota, you can expect all sorts of wildlife. You can find, deer, fish, racoons and eagles. But what about freshwater jellyfish? This rare sighting is one that Island Lake cabin owner Stephanie Nixon did not expect. What started as a calm day at the cabin, turned into something more exciting….
DULUTH, Minn. — The Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota is visiting Duluth, offering up free bike riding lessons to promote safe rides. The Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota or, BikeMN visited Duluth to offer free classes for folks interested in getting refreshed on bike skills. The goal is to eventually pass along that information to kids learning how to ride. They covered…
CHISHOLM, Minn.– A new and improved way to enjoy the Minnesota Discovery Center is finally complete. Crews had to fix over forty years of wear and tear to restore it. And now, it’s looking better than ever. “It’s very exciting. This has been a project that’s been a long time in the works. We started working on this several years…
GRAND LAKE TOWNSHIP, Minn. — For a year now, the Earl Hanson soccer field has catered to the disc golf lovers, and the soccer players alike. But now, there is a hidden gem discovered within those fields. A new public hiking trail is being unveiled to join the park. This was made possible by local businesses and volunteers. The disc…
DULUTH, Minn.– This well-known birding spot is kicking off their most popular weekend of the year! Hawk weekend is catering to the bird enthusiasts in the Northland by celebrating one of the busiest migration weeks. Specifically, the arrival of broad-winged hawks will be highlighted this weekend. Hawk Ridge has been participating in research and education programs for over 50…
DULUTH, Minn. — 5th graders got the chance to learn all about the outdoors for National Forestry Day. Students learned about tree identification, safe hiking practices, and more. Twelve schools were in attendance across three local parks. We caught up with the groups at Upper Spirit Mountain. The other locations were Lester and Chester Parks. Each park was set up…
Duluth, Minn.– Summer is still hanging around as people hit Canal Park today to enjoy the nice weather in the Twin Ports. People were out swimming in Lake Superior, jumping off the ice house, and walking along the shore of Lake Superior. Categories: Community, Great Outdoors, Minnesota, News
SUPERIOR, Wis. — Wild rice harvesting is a skill passed down generation to generation and is a sacred part of the lives of Native Americans. Students and staff got on the water, and learned just how the process is done. This was done by UW Superior’s Indigenous Cultures Resource Center. “I was invited through our ICRC program to learn about…
SUPERIOR, Wis. — An exciting new addition to the Lake Superior family made its way to the waters. At Wisconsin Point, Lake Superior Reserve deployed their first buoy into the water. The device is solar powered, and they’re eager to introduce this new research opportunity to the Northland. The team positioned the buoy to monitor where the St Louis River,…
DULUTH, Minn.– Pumpkins and Christmas trees. That’s what’s on the mind of Farmer Doug and his team right now. The Pumpkin Patch in Duluth will be opening this weekend for families to visit and choose that special gourd. Farmer Doug told Fox 21 that the start of the growing season was slow because of the wet spring we had but…
DULUTH, Minn. — The Superior Hiking Trail caters to outdoor enthusiasts, and casual hikers alike. That being said, the trail doesn’t magically maintain itself. A group of dedicated volunteers hit the trails Tuesday to help maintain the Superior Hiking Trail. Lots of work goes into keeping the area up to code, as well as sustainable. Creating rock staircases, and replacing…
DULUTH, Minn.–Local outdoor-based companies are urging voters this November to take them into consideration. Renewal of lottery funds for outdoor conservation will be on the ballot for every Minnesotan. For thirty years now, a portion of state lottery gets funded for preservation of outdoor spaces. Overtime, it has provided over one billion dollars for the Great Outdoors. Officials say, if…
SUPERIOR, Wis.– A once polluted Woodstock Bay in the St. Louis River is now restored for swimming and outdoor recreation. The new bay features the only boat launch within the 44-00-acre Superior Municipal Forest. This 1.4-million-dollar project encourages visiting the wetlands in the urban setting. Woodstock Bay is home to unique scenic outlooks, a pavilion, and a canoe landing. Superior…
