News and Current Affairs

Free Air Life Co. brings outdoor apparel to Lincoln Park

Free Air Life retail store marketing director Katy Rochel and co-owner Sarah Steinbach stand in front of apparel at the new Lincoln Park shop.

Another new business has opened in a revitalized Duluth building positioned to add more retail shopping to the Lincoln Park Craft District. (more…)

Petitioning to Change Duluth in 2019

From successful to silly, and potentially both, Duluthians remain as active as ever on the petition website change.org. Not that fewer than a dozen petitions per year is technically active, but it is as active as ever.

As is generally the case, a petition pertaining to the local colleges was the most popular, but with an asterisk. A statewide petition that relates to Duluth deserves equal mention. (more…)

Moms & Dads Today, Duluth.com magazines fold

A pair of Duluth publications reached the end of their roads earlier this year. Moms & Dads Today and Duluth.com magazines have been absent from shelves since the July/August issues. (more…)

Duluth Tap Exchange brings self-serve brews to Lincoln Park

The Duluth Beer Exchange will feature 40 self-serve taps offering beer, wine, cider and other beverages. The space is expected to open in December.

Beer and wine lovers will fill their own glass in a new, high-tech Lincoln Park drinking establishment scheduled to open this winter. (more…)

PDD Quiz: November 2019 in Review

Test your knowledge of November headlines and happenings with this edition of the PDD quiz.

The next quiz, on winter celebrations past and present, will be published on Dec. 15. Submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at aklawite@d.umn.edu by Dec. 12. (more…)

MnDOT scales back Can of Worms project

The Minnesota Department of Transportation plans to announce two dramatic reductions to the $343-million Twin Ports Interchange project on Monday. The changes will directly affect the Lincoln Park business district, shown here in 2018. (Photo by Liftoff Aerials)

State officials will announce dramatic reductions in a major state highway project that was intended to improve driver safety, traffic flow and heavy load shipments through the heart of Duluth.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation will defer two critical pieces of its $343-million Twin Ports Interchange project due to increasing construction costs, officials told a Lincoln Park business group Thursday. A formal announcement and two public meetings are planned for Nov. 25. (more…)

TV pilot for “The Dealership” set at Kari Toyota in Superior

TV pilot set in Superior debuts on Amazon - Superior Telegram | News, weather, sports from Superior Wisconsin Viewer feedback could decide fate of 'A Dealership Christmas' superiortelegram.com

Duluth’s craft cideries shine at U.S. Open Cider Championships

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Minnesota Point appears to be eroding from all angles

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Zenith News has gone dark

Another alternative publication in Duluth appears to have fallen to the wayside. Zenith News has not published an issue since April. (more…)

FeMN Fest scaling down before ramping up

Last year’s FeMN Fest organization team was made up of Diona Johnson, Jesse Dykhuis, Abigail Mlinar, Brittany Lind, McKenzie Howe and Melissa La Tour. Photo by Jes at Mad Chicken Studio.

Since 2017 “a team of womxn-identified bosses” have brought “an unapologetically feminist festival” to Duluth. In its first two years FeMN Fest featured womxn-lead music, art, workshops and vendors. The third annual event on Friday, Nov. 15, at Pizza Lucé is a scaled-down version featuring three musical acts: Me-N-Her, One Less Guest and Wild Flower. (more…)

Beijing Restaurant could reopen before end of 2019

Owner: Beijing Restaurant Close To Reopening After 2018 Fire

Fox 21 News reports Beijing Restaurant at 1918 London Road is close to reopening after a 2018 fire forced its closure.

Western Waterfront Trail will share corridor with excursion train

Duluth's renamed Western Waterfront Trail to grow, share corridor with excursion train - Duluth News Tribune | News, weather, and sports from Duluth, Minnesota New name, 'Waabizheshikana,' honors indigenous heritage duluthnewstribune.com

The Duluth News Tribune reports a plan has emerged to extend Duluth’s Western Waterfront Trail via a rail corridor, while maintaining a scenic train service that would continue to use the same route. The proposed future name of the trail is “Waabizheshikana” — pronounced: waa-bah-zhay-kuh-nuh — meaning “Marten way, path or road.” (more…)

They take blue balls pretty seriously in Rice Lake, Wis.

From the Rice Lake Chronotype of Rice Lake, Wis., about 100 miles south of Duluth. Via @hometownpolicelog on Instagram.

Duluth 2019 General Election Results

Emily Larson will serve a second term as Duluth Mayor. There will be three new city councilors: Derek Medved, Roz Randorf and Janet Kennedy. Paul Sandholm is new to the school board.

Duluth Mayor
Emily Larson – 13,340 | 63.65%
David Nolle – 7,509 | 35.83%
Write in – 110 | 0.52% (more…)

R.I.P. Xavier Bell, Family Freedom Center founder

Remembering Xavier Bell for his commitment to community - Duluth News Tribune | News, weather, and sports from Duluth, Minnesota Family, city officials reflect on Family Freedom Center founder duluthnewstribune.com

A celebration of Xavier Bell’s life will be held on Saturday, Nov. 2, 3 p.m., at Peace United Church of Christ. Visitation is at 2 p.m. All are welcome.

PDD Quiz: October 2019 in Review

Another month of 2019 has nearly passed; how much of it do you remember? Take this quiz to test your knowledge of local headlines.

The next PDD quiz, on statues of people, will be published on Nov. 10. Submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at aklawite@d.umn.edu by Nov. 7. (more…)

Two Harbors Carmody 61 closed until further notice

The bar/restaurant once operated by Rick Boo, Carmody 61 in Two Harbors, closed this week for unspecified reasons. Boo died at age 60 in August and was also part of the management at Carmody Irish Pub and Brewing in Duluth.

Both Carmody establishments have been on and off recent lists from the Minnesota Department of Revenue for delinquent payment of taxes.

Ed Gleeson, a partner in the enterprises, said he is “duty bound” to not comment until Boo’s estate has been probated.

“That’s for the family’s sake,” he said. (more…)

More Duluth climate-change refuge speculation

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The international news agency Reuters is the latest to report on Duluth as a potential climate-change refuge. Back in April, it was the New York Times.

Wildwoods temporarily unable to accept animals

Wildwoods, a nonprofit wildlife rehabilitation organization in Duluth, announced it is temporarily unable to accept sick or injured animals due to permitting issues with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. (more…)

Split Rock welcomes first new lighthouse keeper in 36 years

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R.I.P. Amendola Building

Demolition work on the Amendola Building in Downtown Duluth. (Photo by Mike Creger)

The Amendola Building at 405 E. Superior St. was demolished today to make way for Essentia Health’s Vision Northland project.

Amendola Building, Google Maps, 2018

(more…)

Quirky vintage store will replace iconic Carr’s Hobby Shop

Beth Petrowske, left, and Jack Carr pose inside Carr’s Hobby Shop in Lincoln Park. Petrowske is buying the hobby shop building and will convert it to Boathouse Treats & Treasures.

A new store featuring a quirky assortment of vintage clothes, rare collectibles and usable curios will replace one of the oldest and most storied businesses in Lincoln Park early next year. (more…)

Bob Boone and Leif Enger on CBS This Morning: Saturday

According to the West Theater Facebook page and a post on the neighborhood social networking website Nextdoor, CBS This Morning: Saturday shot a segment at the West Theater in Duluth that will air Oct. 12 during the 6 to 8 a.m. broadcast.

Apparently the show’s host, Jeff Glor, interviews West Theater owner Bob Boone and best-selling author Leif Enger. The Nextdoor post notes the West Theater will open at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday for a free screening of the broadcast. The West Theater Facebook page lists 8 a.m. as the time of the screening.

Lake Superior Bakehouse closing coffee shop; baking continues

Lake Superior Bakehouse will close storefront to focus on baking - Duluth News Tribune | News, weather, and sports from Duluth, Minnesota After nearly five years of selling baked goods and coffee, Lake Superior Bakehouse will close its storefront downtown at the end of the year. duluthnewstribune.com