Duluth News Tribune
Duluth is a city of 80,000 residents squished between the solid bedrock of the Iron Range of the Northland and the pristine frigidness of Lake Superior. However, it's not just at the cross section of a geographical topography unique to only northern Minnesota, but it is also caught between a transitioning economic and political landscape. That transition provides live look at an experiment conducted by a city caught in an identity crisis. The city is divided by blue collar manufacturers and tertiary sector nurses and doctors. Duluth used to be (and to an extent still is) a central hub of ore extraction and movement, lifting the iron ore mined north of the rust belt and moving it south. It has recently undertaken a transformation of sorts, allowing healthcare to increasingly dominate its industry.
Couple that with a constant supply of college students from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and St. Scholastica and you have a vibrant community rooted in a rusted history that has a lot of room to grow. My guess is, as climate change tightens its grip around our coastline, we'll see more people move to places like Duluth.
Most of what I have been blessed with reporting on for the DNT has factored in many of the city's attributes mentioned above. You can read about them below.
Couple that with a constant supply of college students from the University of Minnesota-Duluth and St. Scholastica and you have a vibrant community rooted in a rusted history that has a lot of room to grow. My guess is, as climate change tightens its grip around our coastline, we'll see more people move to places like Duluth.
Most of what I have been blessed with reporting on for the DNT has factored in many of the city's attributes mentioned above. You can read about them below.
Forging for the future: Duluth blacksmiths craft tools, teach pupils
Paul Webster runs Forge Community, a collection of blacksmiths of all levels of skills. The intention of the group was to foster the interest of future forgers by giving them tools to smith and create.
Published Sept. 30.
Published Sept. 30.
A revitalized waterway: Conservation district restores 4,500 feet of Sargent Creek
Another victim of the 2012 flood event that laid waste to a number of waterways in the region, Sargent Creek was left with scattered wooden debris and eroding banks that would sweep sediment toward the St. Louis River. After two years of planning and a summer of construction, the creek is now restored to a more productive state, complete with erosion-control systems and an excavated flood plain.
Published Sept. 23.
Published Sept. 23.
Great Lakes shipwreck find closes door on 100-year-old wonder
The shipwreck was found near Cape Croker, a slice of land hanging off the Bruce Peninsula, which separates the Georgian Bay with Lake Huron. While the J. H. Jones' final destination was Manitoulin Island, it wrecked en route to the city of Lion's Head, Ontario.
Published Sept. 16.
Published Sept. 16.
If you've got Japanese knotweed in your yard, now is the time to spray
Tackling the invasive plant has been a learning process of evolving remedies. After enough trial and error, the city of Duluth narrowed in on a solution to snuffing out Japanese knotweed: use an herbicide and spray it in the fall.
Published Sept. 16.
Published Sept. 16.
8th Congressional race takes turn for the negative
With the primaries in the rearview mirror, both Democratic and Republican parties are bracing for a potentially explosive -- and caustic -- Minnesota 8th Congressional District general election. And a GOP-backed super PAC hasn't wasted any time firing the first shot.
Published Aug. 18.
Published Aug. 18.
Voyaging on the Sea Bear in Duluth Harbor and beyond
Standing on the bow of a 45-foot pilot boat with his arm stretched out over the railing, 9-year-old Evin Poquette gazed with wonder and elation across the bay toward the horizon, where a dark blue Lake Superior touched a lighter-blue sky.
Taking in the scene, Evin summed it up nicely:
"I've never felt so alive."
Published Aug. 16.
Taking in the scene, Evin summed it up nicely:
"I've never felt so alive."
Published Aug. 16.
Voting surges in St. Louis County
In 2014, Duluth counted 6,077 votes cast in the primary election. That number more than doubled in 2018, rising to 15,452 votes in this year's primary.
"This is a really important election," said Cynthia Rugelely, a political science professor with the University of Minnesota Duluth. "It's hard to quantify, but I think both sides after the 2016 election appreciate the value of turning out."
Published Aug. 15.
"This is a really important election," said Cynthia Rugelely, a political science professor with the University of Minnesota Duluth. "It's hard to quantify, but I think both sides after the 2016 election appreciate the value of turning out."
Published Aug. 15.
Has Minnesota really added 2,000 mining and mining-related jobs since 2017?
"Since President Trump and I took office we couldn't be more proud of the fact that mining and mining-related industries have added nearly 2,000 jobs just in the Duluth area alone," said Pence. "Mining is back in Minnesota."
However, only a fraction of that added employment are direct mining jobs.
Published Aug. 9.
However, only a fraction of that added employment are direct mining jobs.
Published Aug. 9.
Minnesota looking to attract 'mass timber' producers
Lowney has been spearheading the effort to see if an industry like mass timber could thrive in Minnesota. Based on the environmental perks that mass timber brings as well as how lumber producers could benefit economically. Lowney said it's worth pursuing.
Published Aug. 6.
Published Aug. 6.
A pollinator's paradise: Thousands of flowers delight the senses in Kenwood backyard
Step into the Bonovetz's garden in Kenwood, and all five senses are treated to a cocktail of vibrant colors, intoxicating smells and soft delicate petals. Their backyard appears to have more flowers and vegetables than green grass.
Published July 28.
Published July 28.
Iron Range cities diversify business as unemployment plunges
Even so, cities are working to grow businesses untethered from the mining industry. Recently, a Caribou Coffee and Einstein Bros. Bagels opened up in Virginia. The city has also tapped into the health care industry and the new dental and eye offices opening.
Published July 22.
Published July 22.
Temple Opera Building tenants asked to vacate by end of summer
"Vacate the property."
That's what a letter forwarded May 3 to the local businesses in the Temple Opera Building read.
The 90-day notice of lease termination was sent by the Duluth Economic Development Authority, the current owner of the property located at 211 E. Superior St. DEDA plans on selling the century-old structure and wants tenants out by Aug. 3.
Published July 2.
That's what a letter forwarded May 3 to the local businesses in the Temple Opera Building read.
The 90-day notice of lease termination was sent by the Duluth Economic Development Authority, the current owner of the property located at 211 E. Superior St. DEDA plans on selling the century-old structure and wants tenants out by Aug. 3.
Published July 2.
Restaurants face backlash for hosting Fox News
It only took 10 minutes before the Uncle Loui's Cafe Facebook page was bombarded with comments.
The owners had just announced they would be hosting Fox & Friends on Thursday for their morning news segment.
There were people that were congratulating us and then there were some people that were very angry," said Matt Berthiaume, the general manager of the cafe. "There were some regulars that come in and now don't want to eat here, which is unfortunate."
Published June 19.
The owners had just announced they would be hosting Fox & Friends on Thursday for their morning news segment.
There were people that were congratulating us and then there were some people that were very angry," said Matt Berthiaume, the general manager of the cafe. "There were some regulars that come in and now don't want to eat here, which is unfortunate."
Published June 19.
As flood levels rise, Amnicon Lake residents do what they can
Even though the weekend storms finally receded from the region, the water levels hadn't. Instead, the flooding in Douglas and surrounding counties continued to get worse -- much to the dismay of homeowners on Amnicon Lake.
Published June 18.
Published June 18.