News and Current Affairs
PDD Quiz: 2026 Coming Attractions
Peek into the future with this week’s quiz, which previews 2026 business openings, shows, and shenanigans.
A quiz reviewing January 2026 headlines comes your way on Jan. 25. Please submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at alisonlinnaemoffat@gmail.com by Jan. 21. (more…)
New Duluth restaurants served up comfort classics in 2025
Minnesotans have a soft spot for comfort food, and three new Duluth restaurants are serving up hearty, warming dishes to help locals through the coldest winter months. (more…)
PDD Quiz: 2025 in Review
Close out the year with this week’s quiz, which reviews 2025 headlines and happenings.
A quiz previewing 2026 coming attractions will greet you in the new year on Jan. 4. Please submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at alisonlinnaemoffat@gmail.com by Dec. 31. (more…)
Quiet Santa preserves tradition for kids with sensory needs
Patrick and Sandy Baumann, dressed and ready for families to arrive at the fourth annual Quiet Santa event in November. (Photo by Julia Guttenfelder)
Each year, as the snow begins to fall, families crowd into chaotic shopping centers and join the staggered lines, waiting for their turn to meet Santa Claus. It’s a beloved holiday tradition, but it can be overwhelming for children with sensory processing challenges.
Among the smiling, happy faces found on a Google image search for “kids on Santa’s lap” are many photos of wailing youngsters squirming on Santa’s knee while he tries to keep a pleasant and slightly strained smile, unsure of what to do next.
Recognizing the need for a more subdued St. Nick to greet children with autism or other sensory needs, Fairlawn Mansion in Superior held its first Quiet Santa event in 2021. (more…)
PDD Quiz: November 2025
Close out the month with this headlines quiz.
A PDD quiz testing your knowledge of the song “Christmas City” will be published on Dec. 14. Please submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at alisonlinnaemoffat@gmail.com by Dec. 11. (more…)
Lee Clark Allen shares ‘seasons of life’ on new album
Lee Clark Allen at the Roxy on Broadway in Denver, Colorado.
There’s a stereotype that some musicians have “super egos.” Patrick Clark, an English teacher at the University of Minnesota Duluth and musician who performs as Lee Clark Allen, wants to avoid that. (more…)
Duluth-born author co-writes FX show, has new novel
Duluth native and crime novelist David Tromblay has had a string of interesting Tuesdays. From Sept. 23 to Nov. 4, he got to watch The Lowdown on FX, a TV show he was a writing consultant for. On Nov. 11, he released his fourth book Coydog, a Western crime thriller. (more…)
Northeastern Minnesota Book Award Winners for 2025
Eight books in four categories have been recognized for this year’s Northeastern Minnesota Book Awards, which celebrate books that substantially represent the history, culture, heritage or lifestyle of northeastern Minnesota. (more…)
Unpaid air traffic controller sending all planes to Duluth
https://babylonbee.com/news/unpaid-air-traffic-controller-now-just-deliberately-sending-all-planes-to-duluth-minnesota-for-laughs
An article on The Babylon Bee satirical news website reports that an air traffic controller who works out of Los Angeles International Airport “reportedly coped with his missing paycheck as a result of the government shutdown by deliberately sending planes to Duluth, Minnesota, for laughs.” (more…)
Duluth 2025 General Election Results
With all precincts reporting, here are the unofficial results for Duluth municipal and school district races. (more…)
PDD Quiz: October 2025
Review the past month’s headlines and happenings in this edition of the PDD Quiz.
The gales of November will blow your way on Nov. 16 with a quiz about the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Please submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at alisonlinnaemoffat@gmail.com by Nov. 11. (more…)
New Hong Kong-style cafe coming to Lakeside
Chef Antony Gor is opening a new Hong Kong-style cafe in Lakeside. The restaurant will take over the former longtime home of the New London Cafe. (Photo by Mark Nicklawske)
A new Hong Kong-style cafe will take over a longtime restaurant space in Lakeside as its chef-owner moves from hosting special pop-up dining events to a permanent brick-and-mortar location.
Chef Antony Gor has launched plans to open Sōl Cafe at 4721 E. Superior St., the former home of New London Cafe and, most recently, Falastin Palestinian Food. The new fast-casual, breakfast-and-lunch place is expected to open later this year. (more…)
Duluth 2025 General Election Sample Ballot
General Election Day for the city of Duluth and Independent School District #709 is Tuesday, Nov. 4. The sample ballot above does not reflect what an actual ballot will look like in any part of the city. Some voters will not see any district races; others will see either District 1, 2 or 4 races on their ballot.
Climate>Duluth: Kelley Skumautz
Climate>Duluth host Tone Lanzillo interviews Kelley Skumautz, executive director of Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate. The program was recorded in the Duluth Public Access Community Television studio.
Climate>Duluth: Polly and Peter Edmunds of Border Partners
Climate>Duluth host Tone Lanzillo interviews Polly and Peter Edmunds about their work with Border Partners. The program was recorded in the Duluth Public Access Community Television studio.
DuLilith Fest brings fem-forward spirit to Duluth’s Chester Bowl
Gaelynn Lea is a featured performer at DuLilith Fest, Oct. 4 at Chester Bowl Park.
Yoga in the grass, guitars echoing off the ski slopes, the smell of food trucks drifting through Duluth’s Chester Bowl Park and voices rising together in song are the vision behind DuLilith Fest, a one-day celebration of women in music happening Saturday, Oct. 4. The local event draws its name and inspiration from a traveling music festival popular in the late 1990s. (more…)
PDD Quiz: September 2025
Wrap up another month with this week’s current events quiz!
A Halloween-y quiz creeps your way on Oct. 12; please submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at alisonlinnaemoffat@gmail.com by Oct. 9. (more…)
R.I.P. Lakeside Professional Building
Demolition of the Lakeside Professional Building began in August. (Photo by Gina Temple-Rhodes)
The Lakeside Professional Building, formerly St. Michael’s School, is no more. St. Michael’s Catholic Church announced in December that the building at 4915 E. Superior St. had been deemed structurally deficient and would be demolished. The tenants, which included Gabriel’s Used Bookstore and the Sami Cultural Center, cleared out in the spring. Gabriel’s had operated out of the building’s basement since 1994.
Historic property tour showcases Duluth’s west side
The Duluth Preservation Alliance will feature the west side of the city during its annual Historic Properties Tour on Sunday, Sept. 21.
An annual historic home tour that typically showcases turn-of-the-century mansions anchored in Duluth’s eastern hillside will instead feature small-scale, hidden gems lovingly restored on the west side of town.
The 2025 Duluth Preservation Alliance Historic Properties Tour highlights four private homes and two public buildings during its Sunday, Sept. 21 event called “West Side Story.” Ticket holders will be able to roam each property and take in its history, architecture and restoration work from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (more…)
The Secret Life of Data Centers
Agate reports that cities around Minnesota — including Farmington and Hermantown — have signed non-disclosure agreements with developers for projects that might be data centers. The article notes the Hermantown facility is “multiple buildings totaling nearly two million square feet” and the description of the project is “so vague that the Minnesota DNR objects that citizens would have trouble offering any comments because it’s unclear what the proposal is.”
Agate is an online magazine covering nature, science and conservation.
PDD Quiz: August 2025
Close out summer with this edition of the PDD Quiz, which reviews the month’s headlines and happenings.
A quiz about repurposed school buildings comes your way on Sept. 14. Please submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at alisonlinnaemoffat@gmail.com by Sept. 10. (more…)
Duluth 2025 Primary Election Results
With 34 of 34 precincts reporting, here are the vote totals.
Duluth At-large City Councilor
Top four candidates advance to General Election; two will be elected
Terese Tomanek – 3,192
Jordan Johnson – 2,468
Derek Medved – 2,129
Asher Estrin Haire – 811
Zachary Davis Moder – 721
Duluth Second District City Councilor
Diane Desotelle – 1,055
Christopher Adatte – 224
Pierre Tournier – 41
Duluth At-large School Board Member
Top four candidates advance to General Election; two will be elected
Amber Sadowski – 3,036
Kelly Durick Eder – 2,680
Harry Welty – 1,477
Loren Martell – 1.027
Jane Hoffman – 970
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.
Duluth 2025 Primary Election Sample Ballot
Duluth’s primary election ballot on Aug. 12 includes citywide races for at-large seats on the city council and school board, and a school district referendum question. Citizens in the Endion, Congdon, Chester Park and Kenwood neighborhoods will also vote on the Second District City Council race.
The general election on Nov. 4 will include three more races — Fourth District City Council, District One School Board and District Four School Board.
Candidate Forum: Duluth City Council At-large
The League of Women Voters of Duluth hosts a Primary Election Candidate Forum for Duluth City Council At-large candidates. The candidates present at this forum are Jordon Johnson, Derek Medved and Terese Tomanek. Empty-chair statements were submitted by candidates Asher Estrin-Haire and Zachary Moder and read by the moderator, Mary Katherine Faulkner.
The video was recorded in the Duluth Public Access Community Television Studio on July 28.