grand rapids

Food Banks Gearing Up for Holiday Season

They say there is typically more than enough food to go around.

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. — Food banks in the Northland are getting ready for the holiday season. Throughout the pandemic, area food banks have had the tough task of helping more families out. Even though food banks like Second Harvest North Central in Grand Rapids experience shortages every year around the holidays. They say there is typically more than enough food…

‘The Forge’ Set to Give Innovators, Entrepreneurs Space to Excel

The facility will give students another outlet for those interested in engineering and manufacturing fields.

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. — The Itasca Economic Development Corporation has received over one million dollars in grants to turn one of their multi-use buildings they have owned since 2005 into what they are calling ‘The Forge.’ “The Forge will provide an opportunity for entrepreneur innovators as well as education training and workforce development all in the same roof,” Itasca Economic…

Judy Garland Museum Seeing Strong Visitation in 2021

A Recent $10,000 Donation from Celebrity John Oliver is Helping Keep the Museum in Good Standing Financially

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – The COVID-19 pandemic continues to leave small, non-profit organizations scrambling to pay the bills from month to month. Staff at the Judy Garland Museum are thankful for visitors, and the recent visibility they’ve received from a well-known celebrity. If you’re off to see the wizard in Northern Minnesota, you’ll end up smack dab in the middle…

Family’s Newly Purchased Home Among Extensive Storm Damage In Grand Rapids

Wind speeds during Monday night’s storms clocked in between 70 and 80 miles an hour in Grand Rapids, snapping trees and power poles and damaging homes.

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn.- Wind speeds during Monday night’s storms clocked in between 70 and 80 miles an hour in Grand Rapids, snapping trees and power poles and damaging homes – some where families just moved in. “It’s kind of unbelievable that’s for sure,” said Emily Major. The storm — and a big hole in the roof — was definitely not…

Grand Rapids Business Owners Experiencing Positive Economic Rebound

Crowds are Coming in Droves to Many Locally Owned Businesses in the City of Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – Small business owners on the Iron Range are continuing to witness more customers coming back through their doors as COVID-19 restrictions ease, and more people become vaccinated. Staff at Thousand Lakes Sporting Goods in Grand Rapids are seeing droves of people coming in to purchase clothing, footwear, bait, and fishing gear. With the continued closure of…

Community Remembers Fallen DNR Conservation Officer

Grells leaves behind a husband and three children.

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. — The Grand Rapids community and people from across the state met on Friday to remember the life of a DNR officer that lost her life in the line of duty earlier this week. On Monday, Cohasset resident and veteran DNR conservation officer Sarah Grell, 39, was killed in the line of duty when a semi struck…

KYN: Frame Up

The owners of the shop are thankful for these artists allowing them to stay busy in these difficult times.

DULUTH, Minn. – A local frame up shop in Grand Rapids has been thriving during the pandemic with owner Eric Mann taking it over nearly three years ago. “The majority of our work is custom framing. So people bring in their own artwork and pick out mats, pick out frames and make it look good,” Frame Up Owner, Eric Mann…

Itasca County Health Officials Address Mental Health Concerns Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Area Partners Have Developed a Website With a Plethora of Mental Health Resources

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – As of Friday, there are 11 lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Itasca County. While the numbers remain low compared to nearby St. Louis County (73 cases, 11 deaths), officials are seeing an increase in calls and outreach to local mental health service centers. First Call for Help of Itasca County is a private, nonprofit community organization…

Gov. Walz Visits Hibbing on Bonding Tour

Governor hears bonding request from DNR for $9.5 million.

HIBBING, Minn.- On Monday Governor Tim Walz made a stop at the Hibbing Airtanker Base as part of his bonding tour, as the State of Minnesota has over $3 billion in available bonding capacity for 2020-2021. The Governor heard a bonding request form the Minnesota DNR’s Wildire Aviation Divison for $9.5 million to make repairs at the Hibbing Airtanker Base,…

First Class of CSS Physician Assistants Graduate, Take Jobs in Rural Areas

28 PAs graduate from St. Scholastica's program.

DULUTH, Minn.- As many college students across the country are celebrating the start of a new school year, these 28 College of St. Scholastica students are celebrating the end of their educational journey. After two years the 28 white-coated students are done being students as they transition to become the first physician assistants out of the College of St. Scholastica….

Craft, Vendor Expo Coming to IRA Civic Center in Grand Rapids

The Northern Minnesota Craft & Vendor Expo is Happening August 10 - 11 in Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – Art, entertainment, food and fun is coming to the IRA Civic Center in Grand Rapids Saturday and Sunday, August 10 – 11. Saturday hours: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Sunday hours: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The IRA Civic Center is located at 1401 Northwest 3rd Avenue in Grand Rapids. The Northern Minnesota Craft & Vendor…

Tall Timber Days Packs Grand Rapids for 39th Year

Festival brings in hundreds to the streets and businesses of Grand Rapids.

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn.- The smell of sawdust is in the air and the hot summer weather isn’t keeping the crowds from downtown Grand Rapids for the 39th annual Tall Timber Days. “Been good attendance, very good attendance,” said festival Founder, Dr. Lee Jess. “Again like I said temperature has a little bearing on attendance but it has been good.” “And…

Northland Trail Joins Elite Company

Duluth now has a national scenic trail running right through it

DULUTH, Minn.- It has been a process for over 25 years, but now Duluth has a national scenic trail running right through it. Congress passed a massive public lands package earlier this year making Duluth part of just 11 national scenic trails in the country. What is known as the Arrowhead Re-Route, it makes the Superior hiking trail part of…

Duluth Rally Remembers Missing, Murdered, and Trafficked Indigenous Women

Dozens gather in Canal Park to bring awareness to the issue.

DULUTH, Minn.- On this Mayday, members of the indigenous community in Duluth gathered in Canal Park to raise awareness about indigenous women who have gone missing, been murdered, or have been victims of human trafficking. Ralliers said they were obligated to come out and stand in the cold, rain, and wind. Because while it wasn’t easy, what the women in…

Grand Rapids Police Investigate Fatal Stabbing on Elementary School Playground

Woman died as a result, 15-year-old male charged in juvenile court.

Disclaimer: Police identify the victim as 20-years-old, but a relative tells us she was 19. GRAND RAPIDS, Minn.- Grand Rapids Police are investigating the death of a Grand Rapids woman, after she was found stabbed on a local school playground. When authorities arrived they found a 15-year-old boy holding a knife. Now the Itasca County Attorney’s office is asking he…

Stauber Starstruck as Pence Endorses

Pete Stauber is Now Endorsed by the President and Vice President

Duluth, Minn.-Vice President Pence visits Duluth just days before Minnesota’s Primary Election. Republicans have their sights set on flipping the Democratic state to Republican next year. Pence made it clear during his visit that he’s supporting Pete Stauber’s campaign for the 8th Congressional District. President Trump stopped in Duluth in June to Endorse Stauber. The candidate says he’s extremely humbled…

Highway 38 Improvement Project Begins Tuesday

The Highway 38 Improvement Project in Grand Rapids Begins Tuesday, May 29

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – On Tuesday, May 29, drivers in the Grand Rapids area will experience a new construction project. The Minnesota Department of Transportation is beginning improvements on Highway 38. Drivers will encounter daytime flagging operations, lane shifts and center left turn lane closures on Highway 38 from the intersections of 5th Street Northwest through 14th Street Northwest. Pedestrians will…

Residents in Grand Rapids Region Voting on School Referendum Today

Voters Have Until 8 p.m. to Cast Ballot

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn.-Today residents who live in the Independent School District 318 region (which includes Grand Rapids, Cohasset, and Bigfork) will have their voices heard about referendums to the school district there. Voters have until 8 p.m. to cast their ballot. Below are the two ballot questions that will be asked. BALLOT QUESTION 1 (cost $68.9 million): Build two new…

Approval Passes to Remove Section of Enbridge Line 3

This comes after nearly 8 months of negotiation with the city of Grand Rapids.

DULUTH, Minn.- Enbridge will be removing part of Line 3 expired pipeline in Grand Rapids. The city approved the removal on Wednesday. After eight months of negotiations, 1,000 feet of Line 3 in the Wellhead Protection Area will be removed by 2019. Grand Rapids Public Utilities officials say the line is hindering future economic development. Officials say removal will not disrupt…

Gingerbread Giving Trees Are Going Up For Children In Need This Holiday Season

Itasca Holiday Program Is "Feeding Hope For The Holidays" By Collecting Money & Toy Donations For Children And Families.

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. — The holidays are just around the corner and the thoughts of how you can give back this holiday season are starting to arrive. “Gingerbread Giving Trees” are going up across churches and local businesses throughout Itasca county for children in need. Itasca Holiday Program has been “Feeding Hope For The Holidays” for 23 years. Making sure…

Shots Fired At Grand Rapids Police Officer’s Home, Squad Car

Officer, Family Not Injured

    GRAND RAPIDS, Minn.- A Grand Rapids police officer’s house and squad car were shot at Sunday evening. Officer Matt O’Rourke was at his home at 10 p.m. Sunday with his family when the incident happened. The officer heard multiple projectiles strike his squad car parked in his driveway. A vehicle was then seen speeding away from his house….