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Howie: Northstar Ford Arena opens January 3

For the broader community, Northstar Ford Arena is a gathering place — the kind that small towns understand better than anyone. Rinks aren’t just buildings here. They’re living rooms. Story banks. Time machines. They hold memories whether they’re supposed to or not.

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Obit: Marie Garofalo

Obit: Marie Garofalo

Marie Garofalo, 100, passed peacefully in her home. She was born February 17, 1925 in Duluth to Anthony(Tony) and Helen Garofalo. Marie grew up in Gary-New Duluth and was a life-long member of St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church. Marie attended Stowe School and was a 1943 graduate of Morgan

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Obit: Steven Kuehn

Obit: Steven Kuehn

Steven John Kuehn, age 72, of Knife River died on December 19, 2025 surrounded by an army of loved ones. He was born in Duluth, MN on January 22, 1953 to loving parents, Howard and Marjorie (Kymala) Kuehn. Growing up, Steve enjoyed running cross country, biking, basketball, and of course,

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Howie: Arena football’s future won’t be won on cable, but on access
2025 Monsters season. Howie / HowieHanson.com

Howie: Arena football’s future won’t be won on cable, but on access

AF1’s real challenge is not production quality or rule tweaks or even competitive balance. It is relevance. And relevance, in 2026, is earned by showing up — consistently, freely, and without friction — in the lives of people who didn’t know they were fans yet.

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Hermantown Sports Notebook

Hermantown delivered a three-sport statement Friday night, with the Hawks’ boys hockey, boys basketball and girls basketball teams all turning in convincing wins. The Class A top-ranked Hawks hockey team knocked off host Maple Grove 7-4. Defenseman Gabe Swenson had five assists. Bryce Francisco stopped 25 shots in goal for

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Michigan, Albany and Washington add players

Several teams across AF1 continued to reshape their rosters Thursday, adding depth through signings at multiple positions. Michigan led the activity, adding four players across offense and defense. The Wolverines signed Joel Blankenship, a 6-foot-1, 250-pound fullback and linebacker from Southern Illinois, and wide receiver Arron Foulkes, a 5-foot-8, 160-pound

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Obit: Tim MacDonald

Tim MacDonald, 68, of Duluth – lifelong resident of Lakewood, died peacefully in his home on December 15, 2015. Tim married Sharon (Jones), who he loved endlessly, on July 7th, 1979. Together, they raised two beautiful daughters, Jessica (Bob) and Mandi. Tim and Sharon just moved to their dream home on

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Michigan adds linemen, wide receiver

Michigan continued to add depth across its roster Wednesday, announcing the signings of four players who bolster the defensive line, linebacker corps and wide receiver room. Doug Malcolm, a 6-foot-6, 330-pound defensive lineman from Albion College, joins the Arsenal as one of the largest additions up front. Michigan also added

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Howie: Monsters to move to Amsoil
DECC Marketing Director Lucie Amundsen introduced Minnesota Monsters minority owner and general manager Steve Walters at a press event on Thursday at Amsoil Arena. Howie / HowieHanson.com

Howie: Monsters to move to Amsoil

Duluth has always supported teams that show up honestly and invest consistently. The formula hasn’t changed. Don’t overpromise. Don’t disappear when things get hard. Build something people can recognize as theirs. When that happens, this city responds — not with blind loyalty, but with earned trust.

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Howie: Hermantown blitzes Denfeld, 9-2
Hermantown senior assistant captain Ford Skytta. Guy Meeker / HermantownNews.com

Howie: Hermantown blitzes Denfeld, 9-2

Denfeld had seen this movie before. Hermantown coach Patrick Andrews reminded his team before the Lake Superior Conference game that the Heritage Center has been tricky for his team in recent years — ties, slow starts, even a three-goal hole a season ago. This time, there was no messing around.

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St. Louis County Board approves $564 million budget for 2026

St. Louis County Board approves $564 million budget for 2026

By Dana Kazel The St. Louis County Board today approved its 2026 budget at $564,403,199. The budget ensures stability in the delivery of the county's broad range of services, including public safety, roads and bridges, public health and human services and general government while also factoring

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