PDDTV

Leta Powell Drake Compilation: The Notorious L.P.D.

Duluth native Leta Powell Drake began her broadcasting career at KDAL-TV after graduating from Morgan Park High School in 1956. She went on to host and produce more than 10,000 TV shows at KOLN/KGIN-TV in Lincoln, Nebraska.

She could be … shall we say … a little bit blunt. As a result, clips of her celebrity interviews have become popular on the internet in recent years. And for a double-dose of Duluth, the montage above includes an exchange with Telly Savalas, star of the classic “Duluth, who loves ya baby?” TV spot of 1984. (more…)

Wild Horses – “When I Was Younger”

The latest single from Grand Rapids-based Americana band Wild Horses is “When I Was Younger.” The music video was directed by Cooper Baumgartner.

Superior Porchfest 2025 Recap Video

The 2025 season of Superior Porchfest continued the mission of the nonprofit Siggy’s Musical Garden to build community with music, arts and fun. This year’s recap video features the music of Steve Solkela and Cars & Trucks, with video clips from throughout the summer of shows.

Porchfest is a free, family-friendly music and art series in which attendees can bring a blanket or lawn chair, pack a picnic and/or simply stop by to enjoy the show. The performances are typically held either on a residential porch or at a city park.

Minnesota Historia: The Leif Erikson Viking Ship

Minnesota Historia talks to 107-year-old Lilly Haldorson, who remembers the day the Leif Erikson sailed into Duluth’s Harbor in 1927. The ship was named for the famous Viking explorer, but its captain, Gerhard Folgero, was an unforgettable character in his own right.

Minnesota Historia is a PBS North web series dedicated to Minnesota’s quirky past. It is hosted by Hailey Eidenschink-Ziebol and produced/edited/written by Mike Scholtz.

Minnesota Historia: Judy Garland’s Minnesota

Judy Garland is known around the world for her role in The Wizard of Oz. But few know about her life in Minnesota. Minnesota Historia visits the Judy Garland Museum in her hometown of Grand Rapids to explore her childhood and return visits to the state.

Minnesota Historia is a PBS North web series dedicated to Minnesota’s quirky past. It is hosted by Hailey Eidenschink-Ziebol and produced/edited/written by Mike Scholtz.

Mini Skirt

Intergalactic glamour and out-of-this-world fashions are featured in this montage edited by Duluth’s Jean Kirwan set to music by Esquivel.

JamesG – “Saggy”

JamesG: getting old and saggy; owning it.

Minnesota Historia: Minnesota’s Deep Connection to Bigfoot

From the Seven Grandfathers Teachings to the She-Squatchers, Minnesota’s love for Bigfoot runs deep.

Minnesota Historia is a PBS North web series dedicated to Minnesota’s quirky past. It is hosted by Hailey Eidenschink-Ziebol and produced/edited/written by Mike Scholtz.

Minnesota State All Fair Hair Team 2025

John King and Pulltab Sports present the annual collection of the best deep-fried mullets and salads-on-a-stick from the Minnesota State Fair.

Minnesota Historia: Bronko Nagurski

Bronko Nagurski is celebrated in International Falls with his own museum and a giant statue. He’s considered one of the greatest football players who ever lived. And the Car Talk guys mentioned his mellifluous name every chance they got. But what did he think about all this attention?

Minnesota Historia is a PBS North web series dedicated to Minnesota’s quirky past. It is hosted by Hailey Eidenschink and produced/edited/written by Mike Scholtz.

A moment by the lake

From filmmaker Shawn Donovan.

Video: Great Republic arriving in Duluth, unloading in Superior

The 634-foot Great Republic thundered out a salute as it passed under the Aerial Lift Bridge on Aug. 12. This aerial video follows the self-unloading bulk carrier to Graymont Dock in Superior, where it unloads limestone via a 250-foot boom.

Honey Pie

Some deliciously in-your-face humor from Duluth’s Jean Kirwan, featuring music by The Beatles and scenes from classic films.

JamesG – “Tired”

Like most people, JamesG could sleep for one whole week, but it wouldn’t be enough.

Trail Camera Highlights from Summer 2024

The Voyageurs Wolf Project recently released a pair of montage videos with footage from the roughly 350 cameras set up in Voyageurs National Park last summer. In addition to the great wolf footage, there are lynx, bobcats, fox, bears, badgers, moose and more.

Part one is above, part two is below. (more…)

Grand Portage Ferry Terminal Flag Raising Ceremony

A redevelopment of the ferry terminal at Grand Portage, where vessels shuttle passengers to Isle Royale, was recently completed. Among the changes are a rebuilt ferry dock and public docks, a new ticketing and restroom building, and parking lot improvements. The project at Hat Point Marina and Ferry Terminal was 10 years in the making.

A flag raising ceremony was held there on Aug. 1. This video was produced by M. Baxley for WTIP North Shore Community Radio.

Alan Sparhawk’s full set at Primavera Sound Porto 2025

Duluth’s Alan Sparhawk performed at the Primavera Sound Porto music festival in Porto, Portugal on June 12. A video of the full set just hit YouTube. (more…)

Pronoya – “Dreamcatcher”

“Dreamcatcher” is the third single from Duluth band Pronoya‘s upcoming EP All for the Sun, due out Nov. 28.

Torment – “I Am the Problem”

Torment‘s new music video features scenes from Amsoil Arena captured during the band’s performance at the 2025 Homegrown Music Festival. It was shot an edited by Lane Peterson of Rainfade Media.

The song “I Am the Problem” appears on the band’s most recent release, The Pain EP.

Indecent Proposal – “Messy” (Live on Superior Street)

Duluth band Indecent Proposal provided the entertainment at this year’s Downtown Duluth Street Dance outside Dubh Linn Irish Pub. Joined by vocalist Selie, the band covers the Lola Young song “Messy” in this live music video.

Video Archive: Bridge Dancing in 1994


 
Before the Doris Ressl Dance Ensemble launched the annual Dances on the Lakewalk series, its original site-specific event was set at the Aerial Lift Bridge. About 1,000 people gathered on Aug. 19 and 20, 1994, to view “Bridge Dancing,” a 23-minute piece created by Twin Cities choreographer Marylee Hardenbergh. The music was simulcast by KUMD-FM 103.3, now known as WDSE-FM “The North.” (more…)

Voyageurs of Lake Superior: Where the Wild Met the World

This new documentary by Andy Kaknevicius “dives deep into the rugged, relentless world of the Voyageurs — the men who paddled, portaged and traded their way through the wild heart of the continent.”

Birch Bark Beth

When the rose petals arrive to the boreal forest and the black flies emerge, it’s time for Beth Homa Kraus to harvest birch bark for her basket weaving. This video was produced by M. Baxley for WTIP North Shore Community Radio.

Steve’s Solkela – “Finns Go Marching In”

Steve Solkela and his friends sing this “ode to all the Finnish-American pockets” Solkela has traveled to.

Robert Plant – “Everybody’s Song”

The lead single from the new Robert Plant album is a cover of “Everybody’s Song,” written by Duluth band Low. The song first appeared on Low’s 2005 album The Great Destroyer. Plant’s new record, Saving Grace, is set for a Sept. 26 release on Nonesuch Records.

This is the third time the former Led Zeppelin lead singer has released a cover version of a Low song. His 2010 album Band of Joy featured “Silver Rider” and “Monkey,” each of which also appeared on Low’s The Great Destroyer.