WDSE-TV – PBS North

Making it Up North: Y-ker Acres

PBS North has rebooted its series Making it Up North, which explores stories of creative artists, artisans and entrepreneurs engaged in honing their skills, following their passion and realizing their dreams.

The premiere episode of the new digital series profiles the Stamper family and Y-Ker Acres, located about a dozen miles southeast of Duluth in the town of Twin Lakes. The farm is home to heritage-breed beef and pork, raised on open pasture.

United in Service: Military History from America’s Northland

From the courageous Native American Code Talkers of World War II to the dedicated members of the 148th Fighter Wing, the PBS North documentary United in Service offers a poignant exploration of what it means to serve. This compelling documentary shines a light on the diverse experiences of individuals who have answered the call to duty, preserving their invaluable stories for generations to come.

Minnesota Historia: The Laurentian Divide

The Laurentian Divide is a continental divide that crosses some of Minnesota’s most stunning landscapes. But what does one do with such a geographical gem? Mine it? Ski it? Or build a tourist attraction on top of it? (The answer is all three.)

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: 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.

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 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.

Cold War Secrets of Northern Minnesota

This 2024 PBS North documentary, now available on YouTube, digs into the Cold War and northern Minnesota’s role in the global conflict. It features Cold War heroes like Ray Klosowski, Jim Chapman and Ronald Hein, and visits military sites in Duluth, French River and Finland.

Minnesota Historia: Top 10 Voyageur Statues

At long last, a countdown of the best voyageur statues in northern Minnesota, with tidbits on why the state is so fascinated by these colorful figures who worked as the long-haul truckers of the fur trade.

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.

The Slice: Warrior Printress

Warrior Printress Letterpress and Design is a Duluth print shop that uses new and old technology. Janelle Miller works a printing press that is more than 100 years old. Stacie Renné stacks letters into a frame one at a time while creating a new piece.

In its series The Slice, PBS North presents short “slices of life” that capture the events and experiences that bring people together and speak to what it means to live up north.

The Slice: Making Seed Mosaic Art

The Seed AfFAIR is a meetup for people interested in crop art, the environmental art practice of using plants and seeds to create images, usually by gluing them to a background. The AfFAIR part of the name references the goal of entering pieces in the Minnesota State Fair’s juried competition.

The group began meeting at the start of 2024 and has been featured twice on The Slice; the 2025 part-two video is above, and the original 2024 video is below. (more…)

The Slice: Duluth Explorers Club

The Duluth Explorers Club is a monthly gathering that highlights experiences and perspectives of local adventurers.

In its series The Slice, PBS North presents short “slices of life” that capture the events and experiences that bring people together and speak to what it means to live up north.

The Real Bob Dylan: An Intimate Look with Louie Kemp

Recorded in 2019 at the Duluth Armory, this previously unreleased PBS North interview with Bob Dylan’s lifelong friend Louis Kemp offers insights into the life of the famous musician born in Duluth.

The Slice: Utility Box Art in Duluth

The Utility Cabinet Artwork Program is a Duluth Public Arts Commission project that seeks to beautify the city’s utility boxes.

In its series The Slice, PBS North presents short “slices of life” that capture the events and experiences that bring people together and speak to what it means to live up north.

The Slice: Behind the Haunt

The 30th season of the Haunted Shack ended on Saturday. This video goes behind the scenes to see what it takes to create the scares.

In its series The Slice, PBS North presents short “slices of life” that capture the events and experiences that bring people together and speak to what it means to live up north.

The Duet of a Lifetime: Viola Turpeinen and William Syrjälä

This 1994 WDSE-TV documentary, from the series Album, explores the enduring musical legacy of Viola Turpeinen and her husband, William Syrjälä, who frequently performed in northeast Minnesota. (more…)

The Slice: Minnesota Murals

This video offers a look at select murals in West Duluth, Cloquet and Wrenshall.

In its series The Slice, PBS North presents short “slices of life” that capture the events and experiences that bring people together and speak to what it means to live up north.

The Slice: 114 Years of Split Rock Lighthouse

Split Rock Lighthouse‘s 114th anniversary was celebrated on July 26 with special tours and a lighting of the beacon. The annual anniversary event commemorates the first lighting of the lighthouse’s beacon, which took place on July 31, 1910.

In its series The Slice, PBS North presents short “slices of life” that capture the events and experiences that bring people together and speak to what it means to live up north.

The Slice: Vinyl Vault

The Vinyl Vault is a record store housed in a bank vault at the Washburn Cultural Center, about 60 miles east of Duluth. It opened in 2017.

In its series The Slice, PBS North presents short “slices of life” that capture the events and experiences that bring people together and speak to what it means to live up north.

The Slice: Blake Romenesko’s Lake Gossip

Blake Romenesko talks about the new Twin Ports history zine Lake Gossip, the first edition of which tells the quirky story of Duluth ice houses.

In its series The Slice, PBS North presents short “slices of life” that capture the events and experiences that bring people together and speak to what it means to live up north.

The Slice: Duluth Punk Rock

Pete Cich, Ollie Morris, Worm Littler and Bird Polacheck talk about the punk rock scene in Duluth in this quick video.

In its series The Slice, PBS North presents short “slices of life” that capture the events and experiences that bring people together and speak to what it means to live up north.

The Slice: Naming Life Parade and Deep Fake Five

Cameron Mathews explains how the bands Life Parade and Deep Fake Five got their names.

In its series The Slice, PBS North presents short “slices of life” that capture the events and experiences that bring people together and speak to what it means to live up north.

The Slice: Naming ZOZATRAS

Luke Moravec explains how his one-man band, Zeb or Zeke and the Run Away Screamings, was named.

In its series The Slice, PBS North presents short “slices of life” that capture the events and experiences that bring people together and speak to what it means to live up north.

The Slice: Pelicans!

Every spring pelicans flock to Chambers Grove Park in Duluth’s Fond du Lac neighborhood.

In its series The Slice, PBS North presents short “slices of life” that capture the events and experiences that bring people together and speak to what it means to live up north.

The Slice: KEBS Records

Tim “Edwards” Verthein and his daughter Stacia Rom operate what is believed to be the smallest record store in the world. KEBS Radio and Records is located at 311 Second St. in Bovey, about 80 miles northwest of Duluth. It opened in 2017.

In its series The Slice, PBS North presents short “slices of life” that capture the events and experiences that bring people together and speak to what it means to live up north.