TWO HARBORS, Minn.– Minnesota Governor Tim Walz yesterday announced the loosening of many restrictions beginning today including getting rid of mandatory closure times at bars and restaurants while eliminating outdoor dining limits. We caught up with leadership from Castle Danger Brewery in Two Harbors who says they’re eager to operate in a more normal capacity as they hope it’s a…
SUPERIOR, Wis. — We’re all coming out of hibernation with the nicer weather, including a family of bears in Superior’s Billings Park neighborhood. Ken Kurtz captured five black bears on his security camera and tried to scare them off the property by yelling through the mic on the camera while at his winter home in Palm Springs, California. But he…
DULUTH, Minn. – Spring is a time for new life, and new beginnings, especially in the animal kingdom. Come late May and early June, fawns will start to be born, and oftentimes people end up getting in between the newborns and their mother. Staff at Wildwoods Rehabilitation Center in Duluth are currently dealing with calls for baby birds, squirrels, and…
UPDATE: The Northland FireWire reports that fire officials say the blaze has now burned 86 acres, but is close to being contained. _________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE: According to the Northland FireWire, A fire official said the blaze burned about 56 acres so far. Several homes in the immediate area were evacuated, however, the wind shifted and those homes are no longer in…
DULUTH, Minn.- Enbridge’s Line-3 Pipeline Replacement Project is 50% complete. During a virtual open house Tuesday, construction officials said 200 miles of the pipeline is welded, coded, in the ground and back-filled — leaving roughly 140 more miles left. Since April, work is currently on an environmentally mandated “Spring Break” pause. “We are paused and the reason for that pause…
DULUTH, Minn. — The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency gave WLSSD an award for outstanding clean water performance in 2020. WLSSD was in 100% compliance with its permits for treating wastewater that goes into the bay of the St. Louis River, which feeds into Lake Superior. One of the managers of the facility says the job of treating wastewater is a…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin fishery officials say more tournaments are abandoning their traditional catch-hold-release formats. The Department of Natural Resources says the number of bass and walleye tournaments that have eschewed the traditional catch-hold-release format for catch-photo-release rules has increased from an average of six annually between 2010 and 2015 to more than 30 per year from 2015…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin fishery officials say more tournaments are abandoning their traditional catch-hold-release formats. The Department of Natural Resources says the number of bass and walleye tournaments that have eschewed the traditional catch-hold-release format for catch-photo-release rules has increased from an average of six annually between 2010 and 2015 to more than 30 per year from 2015 to…
DULUTH, Minn.- The majority of natural surface trails in Duluth are now open and ready for public use, according to the City’s Parks and Recreation Division. City staff ask trail users to observe proper trail etiquette and stewardship by respecting individual trail closures and avoiding any wet/muddy trails. If you notice that you are leaving a footprint or bicycle tire…
COOK, Minn.-. St. Louis County Rescue Squad and several other rescue agencies made a water rescue at Elbow Lake near Cook, where a Duluth man was found at an overturned canoe Thursday evening. At approximately 4:41 p.m. Thursday, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office along with the Cook Ambulance Service, St. Louis County Rescue Squad, U.S. Forest Service, and Virginia…
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Joe Biden has convened a global climate summit – by livestream from around the world because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Biden started it out Thursday with an ambitious U.S. pledge to cut by at least one-half the climate-wrecking coal and petroleum fumes that America is pumping out. He is hoping the commitment, along with similar ones…
DULUTH, Minn.-Earlier today the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency gave an update on this year’s dredging project on Park Point. They talked about the risks involved with placing man made materials on Park Point after metal shards were found along the beach from a previous dredging. The MPCA says it is making sure this…
DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth’s sustainability officer, Mindy Granley, is applauding the city council’s declaration of a “climate emergency” and says she’s ready to take Duluth to the next level to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the city. Granley says the city will be creating an initial five-year “climate action plan,” which will be presented to the council by the…
DULUTH, Minn.- Some Duluthians took advantage of Sunday’s stinky weather to do a crappy job — helping keep Duluth’s trials and waterways free of dog poop. City staff along with students from Harbor City International School picked up more than 50 pounds of doggie doo-doo in the first couple miles of the Hawk Ridge trail. Volunteers say they wanted to…
GRAND RAPIDS, Minn.- Hotspots along Highway 61 North of Silver Bay are still being monitored Sunday by fire crews from six different area fire departments, Minnesota DNR Fire and Air assets, and Lake County Rescue squad, among other responders. The cause remains under investigation. The multiple fires have burned an estimated 45 acres, according to the the Minnesota Interagency…
SILVER BAY, Minn.- A portion of Highway 61 has reopened in Silver Bay, Minnesota, after grass fires were burning near the road. According to a Facebook Post on the Silver Bay Police Department Page, “numerous grass fires” forced the closure of Highway 61 north of Silver Bay, which is an area near the Tettegouche State Park. Around 8:00 p.m. authorities…
DULUTH, Minn. — A group of Line 3 pipeline protesters marched through the streets of downtown Duluth Sunday morning. The march was led by Indigenous water protectors, as they prefer to be called. The activists believe the pipeline is a threat to Native American waters and climate change. A Duluth police spokesperson said officers observed the protest from afar and…
DULUTH, Minn.- The Superior National Forest is set to start a series of prescribed fires across the forest as soon as this week. Officials say residents around Virginia, Ely and Grand Marais may notice some smoke and see flames. The planned fires protect not only plant and wildlife, but also nearby homes and buildings from hazardous fuels and even wildfires….
DULUTH, Minn.- As winter slowly wraps up, people may notice a lot of road sand in their sidewalks and boulevards pushed there by snow plows. Instead of just throwing it in the trash the City of Duluth is asking people deposit it at one of their road sand collection sites. According to officials, this allows them to properly dispose it,…
DULUTH, Minn. – Climate change is expensive, and now with a new proposal from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), funding for preventative planning and infrastructure repairs could become a reality. The proposal is for $2.9 million in grant money to be spent over the next two years. According to the MPCA, funding would help…
DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth City Council passed two resolutions for pre-design and pre-engineering work for Phase II of seawall construction and rehabilitating the pedestrian walkway along Harbor Drive between Canal Park and Bayfront. Councilors say they expect construction to begin on the seawall in 2022. They plan to use some of the $13 million in state bonding bill money the city…
AURORA, Minn.- 8th District Congressman Pete Stauber stopped by the Aurora Community Center Monday for a town hall style meeting with Iron Rangers, joining them in wanting to bring critical minerals mining to the Iron Range. “It’d be nice to see a new generation of people coming to the Iron Range to take on the next generation of mining,” said…
TWO HARBORS, Minn. – They say a picture is worth a thousand words. The statement holds ever so true for one lucky photographer living along the North Shore of Lake Superior. “Photography and Split Rock go together like peanut butter and jelly, they’re just delicious together,” said Hayes Scriven, site manager at Split Rock Lighthouse. You could say the COVID-19…
DULUTH, Minn.- Reconstruction work is finally set to begin this summer on the Mission Creek burial site in Duluth’s Fond Du Lac neighborhood, three years after MnDOT crews accidentally tore it up working to replace the Highway 23 Bridge there. Before they can get started, they have to finish some prep work which includes a plan to keep the area’s…
DULUTH, Minn. – A group of UMD students used Chester Bowl Ski Hill as their classroom for the day to learn more about science. Physics is a subject most people learn about in a classroom or lab but a University of Minnesota Duluth professor is taking a new approach. “They all grew up in and around Minnesota, so they know…
DULUTH, Minn.- The end is in sight for Duluth’s Lakewalk Reconstruction Project as Duluth City Council will look at designs for Phase 4. They’ll also vote on changes to the Duluth Police Department, including adding a civilian opioid officer position. On Monday Council will look at design work for Phase 4 of rebuilding Duluth’s Lakewalk primarily behind the DECC, after…
DULUTH, Minn.- A scare at Duluth’s Greysolon plaza on East Superior Street downtown on Tuesday, after water came gushing into part of the building and out onto the alley behind, a burst water pipe in the Skywalk to blame. According to Duluth Fire Crews, no one was injured or displaced as a result of this. The recent extreme cold, coupled…
DULUTH, Minn.- The recent arctic weather has been harder on homes in the area, especially Duluth’s older, more heat-inefficient houses and apartments. And some property managers say they’re finding their hands full with maintenance. At ShipRock Management, maintenance staff says their 10 full-time crew members have been working around the clock to combat frozen water lines and drains. “This past…
DULUTH, Minn.- The temps are expected to remain frigid over the coming days, which may have an impact on your home. During cold weather conditions, it’s important to make sure you’re watching out for things like frozen pipes, and faulty windows or doors. Once you discover that your pipes are frozen, be sure to call a plumber as soon as…
DULUTH, Minn.- While ice on the lake proved almost disastrous for those anglers Tuesday, local experts say even though it’s coming in slowly, the appearance of ice cover is good news for the health of Lake Superior. Experts at the Minnesota Sea Grant say more ice cover on the lake means cooler water in the summer months. “A two degree…
DULUTH, Minn.- While humans have to take extra safety measures in this extreme cold, many animals at the Lake Superior Zoo love to be outside – but with windchills this low, things like frostbite are a still a danger, regardless of species. “Most all of the animals that we have here if they’re outside this is gonna be similar to…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission has started a new initiative to encourage people to get outdoors. Commission members visited the Hartley Nature Center in Duluth to promote a new campaign called “Mask Out Minnesota.” The campaign wants to motivate people to try out state parks and trails, which have gotten more popular during the…
SANDSTONE, Minn.- A rescue tiger living at the Wildcat Sanctuary in Sandstone tested positive for COVID-19, but has since recovered. A tiger named Sabrina is a rescue from Texas and upon her arrival showed signs of having possible respiratory issues. Veterinarians conducted a Coronavirus test after sedating her, revealing she had the virus. It is believed Sabrina contracted the virus…
BACKUS, Minn.- A large protest near Backus, Minnesota Saturday called on President Joe Biden to stop Enbridge from constructing the Line 3 Pipeline Replacement, protesters said, just as he did the Keystone Pipeline this week. According to organizers, approximately 200 people gathered on the streets near Backus. This comes just a day after a protester was safely removed from a…
DULUTH, Minn. – It’s the second day in office for President Biden and he’s already making an impact signing numerous executive orders in his first 48 hours. Soon he could have his eyes set on the great lakes. Northland environmental experts hope addressing climate change remains one of President Biden’s top priorities, they would like to see several regulations return…
DULUTH, Minn.- It would seem Mother Nature is not keeping up with the pandemic-fueled demand to get outside and try new winter activities, as a winter lacking in snow has made an ugly scene and poor conditions on Northland ski and snowmobile trails. “We’ve been a little short on snow,” said Rob Waksdahl, Groomer Operator with the Duluth Drift Toppers….
DULUTH, Minn.-Many people are pent up at home and want to get outside and enjoy the winter, but our fluffy snow has gotten a little slick and hard, causing some kids and adults to get hurt while sledding around Duluth. According to officials with the City of Duluth, emergency personnel have responded to more than a dozen sledding injuries recently,…
HAYWARD, Wis.- The largest cross-country ski race in the country, the American Birkebeiner or “Birkie” is taking a stand against what they see as environmental concerns with Enbridge Energy — dropping the corporation as a sponsor for this year’s race. According to a letter on the Birkie website, they are dissolving their previous agreement, after “we heard from some in…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Opponents of a pipeline project that crosses three states have asked a federal court to halt construction in Minnesota on allegations that U.S. Army Corps of Engineers failed to address several environmental issues when it approved a water quality permit. Two Minnesota Ojibwe bands and two environmental groups filed a lawsuit Thursday that asks for a preliminary…
SILVER BAY, Minn. – While many of us are dreading the cold winter months ahead, one Northland woman is embracing the season with a daily morning dip into Lake Superior. Silver Bay resident Lauri Olson-Hohman is practicing the Wim Hof Method. She’s been doing this for the past 63 days. The method is simple, yet complex. It’s a combination of…
SUPERIOR, Wis.-Researchers at the University of Wisconsin Superior are tracking a different kind of waste that is newer in the city this year — personal protective equipment like masks and gloves. Those researchers said so far without the pandemic, the amount of plastics in the oceans is set to surpass the amount of fish by the year 2050. Now the…
DULUTH, Minn. – Just like many other facilities, the Boulder Lake Environmental Learning Center is now having to adapt during the pandemic. Because of Covid-19, the learning center has had to cancel several of its annual fundraising activities. “We got together as a staff and thought we need to get creative. That’s where the idea of these DIY kits came…
DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Louis River Alliance has had a year of great progress on many projects along the St. Louis River estuary and other areas of concern. Happening Tuesday, Nov. 17, you’re invited to learn more about the progress during a virtual celebration. Due to COVID-19, the event is happening on Zoom this year. Participants are encouraged to…
CARLTON, Minn.- Holiday lights are being hung as Christmas approaches, but if you end up with some broken bulbs or just want to throw them out, you can recycle them instead at the Carlton County Transfer Station. Holiday lights can be recycled for free at the Transfer Station on Highway 210, as long as they aren’t attached to any plastic…
DULUTH, Minn.- The Lincoln Park Neighborhood’s only solar garden is now officially in operation. Non-profit Ecolibrium 3 made the unveiling Saturday on Michigan Street right along I-35. The sustainable energy garden is powering the Duluth Veterans Place, which is a transitional housing project by the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MAC-V). Duluth Veterans Place planned to have solar panels themselves,…
DULUTH, Minn.- A Duluth church is once again collecting donations to give aid and supplies to those impacted by the hurricanes that have decimated the Southern United States. Every year Jesus is Life Ministries raises money in parking lots of various stores on Miller Hill. They will be in the Hobby Lobby parking lot until Sunday when they go to…
DULUTH, Minn.- As much of the Northland is gearing up for Tuesday’s dumping of snow, St. Louis County plow crews say they’re ready to roll out. The County’s 34-truck fleet got their plow wings Monday, the last part the trucks are outfitted with ahead of the first snow. According to District Maintenance Superintendent Gordy Halverson, all of the sand and…
DULUTH, Minn. – Ecolibrium3 has started a new program to help homeowners in low-income communities address energy efficiency in their homes. Homeowners can sign up for virtually energy efficiency audits. These audits will analyze a house’s energy usage and help give recommendations on ways to make improvements. This can also help estimate some of the savings homeowners can get by…
DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth City Council unanimously passed a resolution Monday to leave a missing part of the Duluth’s Lakewalk trail disconnected after storms severely eroded the shoreline in 2018. The resolution calls for the indefinite closure of the shoreline trails behind the Ledges Townhomes on 21st Ave. East, and indefinitely halting construction of a new footpath from the Beacon Pointe…
DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth City Council is expected to vote on whether to scrap plans to connect a missing link to the popular Lakewalk behind some shoreline properties. At their last meeting two weeks ago, the council tabled the resolution that would reallocate $915,695 in FEMA funds. Those funds were granted to repair the 2018 storm-damaged trail behind the Ledges Townhomes…
