minnesota

26th Annual Harvest Festival Takes Over Bayfront Park

Farmers, local crafts and artists came out to meet their customers.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Lake Superior Harvest Festival took over Bayfront Festival Park Saturday. Farmers and more than 30 local craftspeople and artists showed off their items. They also attended a renewable energy fair to learn more about making farming more sustainable. “This event is a really good time for people to meet their farmers face to face,” said Festival Director…

Proctor High School Hires First Resource Officer in Nearly a Decade

Amid school shootings across the country, Proctor School Board and City agree on Police Presence.

PROCTOR, Minn.- It’s the second day of school at Proctor High School, but the hallways will look a little different this year. A new school resource officer (SRO) is now protecting the school for the first time in nearly 10 years. On Tuesday the Proctor City Council discussed with the School Board to not only assign a primary officer, but…

Duluth City Attorney Reacts to Court’s Decision to Reinstate Officer Shown Misusing Force

City still disagrees, may petition case to Minnesota Supreme Court.

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth City Attorney Gunnar Johnson is speaking out about the Minnesota Court of Appeals’ decision saying a Duluth Police officer should get his job back after a use-of-force incident. Officer Adam Huot was terminated after the 2017 incident where he was caught on body cam video dragging a handcuffed man through the skywalk before the man hit his…

Red Cross Seeks Northland Volunteers to Help with Dorian

Five volunteers sent already, more is always needed.

DULUTH, Minn.- As Dorian continues to threaten landfall on the east coast, the American Red Cross Serving Northern Minnesota is already sending volunteers down south to help with recovery efforts. The Northland Chapter of the Red Cross will have sent 5 volunteers by Wednesday, spread out between Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. They will help with medical and mental health…

Court of Appeals Rules Duluth Officer Fired for Misuse of Force Be Reinstated

Officer Adam Huot closer to returning to force after being fired back in May 2017.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Police Officer who was fired after dragging a handcuffed man through the skywalk system and hitting his head on a doorway back in May of 2017 could be reinstated. On Tuesday the Minnesota Court of Appeals affirmed an earlier ruling that an arbitrator’s decision to reinstate Officer Adam Huot does not violate public policy. The fate…

Families Pack Veterans Park for 100th Labor Day Carnival

Attractions included a petting zoo, beer garden, and more.

CLOQUET, Minn.- A variety of activities were buzzing in Veterans Park for Carlton County’s 100th Labor Day Celebration. The Carnival featured face painting, maypole dancing, a beer garden, and even a petting zoo for all ages to enjoy. One family at the event said it’s become a tradition for them to come to the Labor Day celebration, fitting in some…

Remembering Duluth Business Owner, Community Advocate Rick Boo

Co-owner of Carmody locations dies at 60.

DULUTH, Minn.- Longtime Duluth business owner, son of a former mayor, and longtime LGBTQ community supporter Rick Boo has died. No cause of death has been released at this time. Carmody Irish Pub and Brewery was packed Wednesday with people reminiscing about his life. “He’s touched a lot of lives in this town, and helped a lot of deadbeat musicians…

Kids Tap Dance Summer Away at Shooting Stars Dance

Tap Dancing Day of summer camp teaches kids the basics.

CLOQUET, Minn.- In Cloquet a few kids had happy feet as they learned to tap dance at camp. Shooting Stars Dance in Cloquet is hosting its last camp of the summer this week. Dance instructors said dancing is a great activity to get kids moving. “Bringing kids into dance at a young age is really good for them to meet…

AICHO Workshop Helps Grow Indigenous Economy

Series focuses on Indigenous Economy and Indigenous Entrepreneurs.

DULUTH, Minn.- The American Indian Community Housing Organization or AICHO is hosting a forum that gives the indigenous community the tools to build the Indigenous economy. The first of the three part series Indigenous Economy, Indigenous Entrepreneurs was held Wednesday. A business owner shared his story and how native people in Duluth can start their own businesses that can help…

3rd Annual Grand Slam Fundraiser Moves to Heritage Center, Still Draws Crowds

Fundraiser expected to raise $8,000-$10,000

DULUTH, Minn.- The Essentia Duluth Heritage Sports Center was packed for the Salvation Army’s Third Annual Grand Slam Festival Fundraiser. It was supposed to be held Wade Stadium like it has been before, but the rain changed those plans. The fundraiser raised money for the Salvation Army’s food program which organizers said served about 81,000 last year. It featured different…

Anderson Furniture To Close In Lincoln Park

The Store Has Been Open For More than 100 Years

DULUTH, Minn.- Another longtime furniture store in Lincoln Park has announced it’s closing. Anderson Furniture will close its doors in the next couple of months after more than 100 years in business, according to a store employee. There’s no word on how many employees will be affected. The Anderson Furniture store in Virginia will stay open. In terms of the…

Knowing Your Neighbors: New London Road Store Sells a Little Bit of Everything

New store sells items from estate sales, cleanouts.

DULUTH, Minn.- Sometimes you just need somewhere to put all the things you don’t need anymore. Well “S&J’s Everything” on London Road can help, giving new meaning to the phrase “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” “Our niche is if we don’t have it we can get it. If we can’t get it, you don’t need it,” said co-owner Scott…

Wells Fargo Presents Check, Volunteers to Habitat for Humanity

Over 60 volunteers donate over 300 hours of their time to Habitat.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The Wells Fargo Stagecoach returned to the Twin Ports for the second year in a row to support Western Lake Superior Habitat for Humanity home-building in our region. A $20,000 check was presented by Wells Fargo to the Habitat for Humanity at their new center in Superior. The bank is also donating time to the cause, as about…

Poe Lock Closes for Emergency Repairs

Closure causes concerns, stops two thousand-footer ships.

Emergency repairs forced the closure of the largest of the Soo Locks on Monday, causing some concern for the Duluth-Superior Port. The Poe Lock was closed for repairs for 12 hours. This cased delays in port shipping, including two thousand-footers waiting to get through at Sault Saint Marie, Michigan. According to Jayson Hron of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority, this…

Duluth Council Approves Shawn Krizaj As Fire Chief

Unanimous vote appoints Krizaj after Edwards stepped down.

DULUTH, Minn.- On Monday night the Duluth City Council voted 7-0 to appoint Mayor Emily Larson’s choice for the city’s next Fire Chief, Shawn Krizaj. Krizaj has been with the Duluth Fire Department for almost 22 years, starting as a firefighter and working his way up to Deputy Chief. Most recently he became Acting Chief in April, when Dennis Edwards…

Vineyard Church Celebrates Eastside Neighborhood with Get Together

Church makes effort to meet members of their new community.

DULUTH, Minn.- The new Vineyard Church in the Congdon Park neighborhood threw a barbecue to get to know its East End neighbors better. The church has been in the community for a little over a year after merging with the Duluth Congregational Church. So on Sunday they hosted a barbecue with a bouncy house, facepainting and other activities to meet…

Tractors Steam Engines and More at Lakehead Harvest Show

58th Annual Show shows off farm machinery of yore.

ESKO, Minn.- If you think tractors are sexy, then you’ll fit right in at the Lakehead Harvest Reunion Steam and Tractor Show in Esko. “You’re not gonna be able to take your 25 ton steam engine and drive it down Superior Street for a car show, y’know,” said Ryan Hansen, President of Lakehead Harvest. For 58 years the show has…

Far West Days Brings Out Community

9th Annual Festival features vendors, fair food and llamas.

DULUTH, Minn.- Saturday was the second day of the Far West Days celebration in Gary New Duluth. The event has been bringing out the community around Commonwealth Avenue for nine years to bounce in bouncy houses, pet some alpaca llamas, and shop from about 25 local vendors. “I think it’s having a sense of community, everybody coming together,” said Mary…

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….

3rd Annual Bikers Against Bullies Rally Roars Through Northland

Bikers ride 128 miles to raise awareness of bullying.

DULUTH, Minn.- The roar of about 40 bike engines out of the Black Bear Casino parking lot as the 3rd Annual Syd’s Angels Bikers Against Bullies Rally took off on their 128 mile ride. The bikers ride to raise awareness of bullying in the Northland. “You look at bikers, wearing leather, get the long beards, look intimidating,” said Commander Jason…

Chief Buffalo Mural Project Kicks Off with Feast, Blessing

Murals start Thursday, will be worked on until the end of next summer.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Gitchi’Ode Akiing park was packed for a feast and a blessing before works start Thursday on a series of murals honoring Anishinaabe leader, Chief Buffalo. The murals will pay homage to how Chief Buffalo paved the way for indigenous people to settle in this part of Minnesota. “This is really significant to show both the contemporary side…

Grassy Point, Kingsbury Bay Restoration to Complete December 2020

Minnesota DNR hosted tour of restoration site, where sediment and wood waste are being removed.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Minnesota DNR hosted a tour of the Grassy Point and Kingsbury Bay restoration project taking place between the Bong Bridge and Lake Superior Zoo. The project aims to remove sediment from Kingsbury Bay and 120 years of historic sawmill wood waste from Grassy Point. The restoration is expected to be done in December of 2020. “We’re gonna,…

Lake Superior Zoo Crew Showcases Work with Animals

Teen summer program shares all they learned throughout the ten weeks.

DULUTH, Minn.- For 10 weeks every summer, area teens learn how to handle and care for animals alongside Lake Superior Zookeepers, and teach visitors about wildlife and conservation. On Tuesday the Zoo Crew showed off all they do at the Zoo, along with what they’ve learned this summer. For some Zoo Crew members who want to become veterinarians, the program…

Knowing Your Neighbors: More than Coffee at White Pine Market

White Pine Market to sell coffee, vendors' crafts, and more.

TWO HARBORS, Minn.- The owners of the unique White Pine Market sell everything from coffee to a wide variety of merchandise brought in by local Two Harbors vendors. Jim Aili has been brewing his own coffee for a while now. “It started about eight years ago,” he said. “I turned 50. She bought me a little roasting thing because I’ve…

Council Passes Amended Golf Course Resolution, Step Closer to Calling for Development Proposals

Council voted 8-0, with amendment that new property must meet certain requirements.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth City Council voted to pass a resolution that allows the potential sale of 50 acres of Lester Park Golf Course and 10 acres of Enger Park Golf Course to a developer to use for affordable housing. The council passed the resolution 8-0, with Councilor Jay Fosley absent. It comes with an amendment that any proposals for…

Hillfest Unites Hillside for 10 Years

Annual festival takes over 4th St. and 6th Ave. E.

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth’s Hillfest is back for a 10th year of celebrating the East and Central hillside neighborhoods. This year’s Hillfest featured over 30 vendor booths and a stage with live music. The festival takes place at the intersection of East 4th street and 6th Avenue East, which organizers say divides East and Central Hillside. It’s nice, they said, to…

S and J’s Everything on London Road Open Selling Everything

New store holds grand opening.

DULUTH, Minn.- A new store has opened up on London Road in Duluth, selling, well, a little bit of everything. S and J’s Everything held its grand opening at 1702 London Road Sunday. They help with estate sales and house and business clean outs, and whatever is left over, they get to sell. With a hodgepodge mix of furniture, knick…

Intersection of Stebner and Maple Grove Road Closed Monday

City to close intersection for the final time, officials say.

HERMANTOWN, Minn.-The intersection of Stebner Road and Maple Grove Road in Hermantown will be closed for most of the day Monday. St. Louis County is paving the roads there starting at 7:30 Monday morning until about 4 p.m. The closure means you may need to plan an alternate route to get to the Hermantown Community Church, Jefferson Children’s Center, and…

Parents and Kids ‘Climb’ Out of Darkness of Postpartum Disorders

Walk through Chester Park raises awareness for perinatal and postpartum disorders.

DULUTH, Minn.- With babies strapped in strollers, on backs, or sitting on shoulders, families took to the trails of Chester Park for Duluth’s very first Climb Out of the Darkness hiking event, to bring awareness to a very common problem among new parents. “As new moms there’s a lot of change that we’re going through and it can be very…

Fond Du Lac Breaks Ground for Cultural Language and Learning Center

New building to be used for ceremonies, community events.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Fond Du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa broke ground on their reservation for the construction of a new Cultural Language and Learning Center. Construction for the new building begins Monday, and developers are planning to spend the next 200 days constructing it, to complete the project by the spring of 2020. The building, called “Anishinaabetwaakamig,” or…

Families Get Back to School Help at Resource Fair

Free event held at Harbor Highlands Community Center.

DULUTH, Minn.-Back to school shopping can be hard on the wallet, especially for families with multiple kids, or low income. On Wednesday a Back to School Resource Fair helped families in the Harbor Highlands and Hillside neighborhoods check things off their shopping lists. The fair also included resources for families from vendors in the community. Kids also got free bike…

Incumbent Larson, Nolle Advance Past Primaries for Duluth’s Next Mayor

Larson awaited results with DFL-ers at the Reef Bar.

DULUTH, Minn.- Mayor Emily Larson, the incumbent in the 2019 Primary Election, will advance to the General Election with fellow candidate David Nolle in November. Larson rounded out Tuesday night with 5,225 votes, and Nolle with 992. You can see the full election results here.  Larson and her campaign staff joined fellow DFL-ers at the Reef Bar above the Labor…

Going Thrifty for Back to School Shopping

More are turning to thrift stores to buy clothes, supplies.

DULTUH, Minn.- Another way to get school supplies without breaking your budget is shopping at thrift stores. Thrift stores like Savers up by Miller Hill Mall are seeing more families coming in and shopping for back to school clothes, some supplies, and athletic equipment. This Saturday will be a 99 Cent T-Shirt Sale for National Thrift Store Day. Staff said…

Tagging Butterflies at Hartley Nature Center

Members event at Nature Center tag butterflies before migration.

DULUTH, Minn.- Families who are members at Hartley Nature Center got a chance to send off monarch butterflies with something to help researchers. The Nature Center hosted a volunteer butterfly tagging event. Kids, parents and others gathered in the Center’s garden to learn about monarchs and milkweed. Then they tagged monarch butterflies before they migrate to Mexico where researchers can…

Ride a Water Car at Pier B Resort

Amphibious automobile astonishes guests at Pier B.

DULUTH, Minn.- While the Tall Ships dazzle crowds in Canal Park, another watercraft is attracting some eyes at Pier B Resort. The resort now offers promotional rides in a water car. It looks like a jeep, goes about 80 mph on land, and 45 mph in the water. Giving guests another look at all that’s going the lake. “Y’know what…

All Hands on Deck for Festival of Sail

Festival draws crowds of thousands from every state and Canadian province.

DULUTH, Minn.- The seven tall ships for this year’s Festival of Sail bring thousands of spectators to Canal Park each day of its three day run. “Each time you see a ship like this or any of these ships here today it’s like you’re seeing a ship for the first time they’re just so beautiful,” said a certain famous Captain….

Music for the Heart in the HART

Music in the HART concert series held through the month of August.

DULUTH, Minn.- Another concert sent music flowing through Duluth, originating somewhere you can only find on the Lakewalk. Throughout the month of August, the Gitchi-Ode Akiing, or Lake Place, Park along the Lakewalk will host the Music in the HART concert series. Five different bands will each play a day through August 29th and it is completely free to come…

Block Party Celebrates Health Center’s Impact in Northland

Lake Superior Community Health Center holds Block Party for surrounding community.

DULUTH, Minn.- To celebrate National Health Center Week, Lake Superior Community Health Center put on their annual block party to celebrate being rooted in the community for 37 years. The event at the health center’s Duluth location on Grand Avenue featured live music, free bags of fresh produce from the Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank, a free yard sale,…

Superior Street and 6th Avenue West Closed Again for Repairs

Cracked concrete will be replaced at the intersection that had work done last year.

DULUTH, Minn.- Just as the first intersection of phase two of Superior Street Reconstruction opened at First Avenue East, another intersection closed temporarily. Where 6th Avenue West and Superior Street meet, there’s another road closed sign as Superior is temporarily closed from 6th Ave. to Mesaba. The closure is so crews can fix concrete panels which have cracked since they…

Unique Farm Sets Up In Carlton County

WRIGHT, MN – A unique farm has set up shop west of Prairie Lake in Wright. What makes this farm so special is that its business has traveled all over Carlton County. Heather-Marie Bloom, is the founder of Rising Phoenix Community Farm, which is a community supported agriculture farm she started back in 2011. From there, she and her father…

Guns and Hoses Play Ball for Good Cause

12th annual Guns and Hoses Charity Softball game raises money for Northern Lights Foundation.

DULUTH, Minn.- The bases were loaded, the crowd was pumped, and the players knew all eyes were on them to play a good game, for a great cause. Every year Duluth Firefighters and Police Officers battle it out on the diamond in the 12th Annual Guns and Hoses Charity Softball Game, to raise money for the Northern Lights Foundation, which…

See a Movie, Save a Lion at Marcus Duluth Cinemas

Theater partners with Lake Superior Zoo to raise money to conserve lion.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Lake Superior Zoo partnered with Marcus Duluth Cinemas in capitalizing on the success of a new Disney movie for conservation efforts. $1 from any ticket purchased went towards the Lion Recovery Fund to help Lion conservation efforts. Since the first Lion King was released 25 years ago, half of Africa’s Lions have been lost and only 20,000…

Two Theaters, One Stone: Historic Auditoriums Brought Back to Life in West Duluth

NORTHLAND UNCOVERED: The West Theater was an art deco movie palace when it was originally built in 1937.

DULUTH, Minn.- It’s not your average movie theater, it has a lot of history! The West Theater is one of two historic theaters making a comeback in the Northland. “I said I would only be interested if I could turn it back into a theater,” Bob Boone said. This was the promise Boone made to the last owner of his…

Knowing Your Neighbors: Creative Crosswalks

Kids and parents paint sidewalks to help combat reckless driving.

DULUTH, Minn.- If you’re in a car going 20-25 miles per hour and need to stop suddenly, you’re 40% less likely to crash than if you were traveling 30-35 miles per hour. With that in mind, Zeitgeist is painting hillside crosswalks where residents say fast driving is an issue. “Streets are kind of scary places now and they used to…

Carpenter’s Training Gets Students Ready to be Apprentices

OSHA Safety training conducted before three weeks of hands-on skills training.

DULUTH, Minn.- Northlanders interested in getting into carpentry attended a class at the Duluth Workforce Development building Monday. The class focused on the OSHA safety guidelines, before students start the hands on portion of the training next week. This comes as carpentry and trade jobs are experiencing a shortage in labor, so instructors say to get apprenticed for an important…

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…

Duluth Says Goodbye To Thomas After Another Year

Thomas's Visit coupled with the Big Boy Steam Engine's brought about 30,000 people to Duluth.

DULUTH, Minn.- Sunday was the final day of Thomas the Tank Engine and his friend Percy’s visit to Duluth. Organizers say around 18,000 people visited Thomas and Percy over the past two weekends, making an estimated economic impact of $8.5 million in the Northland. The two trains also bring out about 200 volunteers from different community organizations, who also receive…

Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad Season Kicks Off

After delay due to mechanical issues, train leaves for first trip from West Duluth.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad took its first trip of the year out of West Duluth Saturday. The train normally starts in June but due to some mechanical issues and rideaway issues with high water on the St. Louis River, the first departure was pushed back. The Railroad runs along the river to the St. Louis River…

Celebrities In School Buses Tear Up Proctor Speedway

Celebrity Bus Race kicks off Midsummer Night of Mayhem.

PROCTOR, Minn.- The roars of engines is a normal sound at Proctor Speedway. But these engines are newcomers- school buses. The Speedway’s Midsummer Night of Mayhem kicked off with the fan favorite Celebrity Bus Races. Business owners, city officials, and more community members got behind the wheel of a bus drifting around the track to win the coveted trophy. “Just…

Spirit Mountain Fills with Mountain Bikers for Bike Duluth Festival

Over 300 registered bikers flood the mountain.

DULUTH, Minn.- Everywhere you looked were helmets and handlebars as the Bike Duluth Festival celebrated its 6th anniversary. The festival raised money for Cyclists of the Gitchee Gumee Shore (COGGS) and Gary New Duluth Development Alliance. Last year $25,000 was raised for each beneficiary, and this year they hope to clear $50,000. “Duluth has become a world class mountain biking…