Duluth's homegrown columnist. Since 1971.
Editor & Publisher of HowieHanson.com
I write about power, business, sports and civic life in Duluth and across Minnesota. My columns examine the people making decisions, the organizations behind those decisions and what their choices mean for the communities they serve.
My journalism career began in 1971 at the Cloquet Pine Knot. More than five decades later, I'm still reporting and writing from Duluth. I publish HowieHanson.com, an independent site built around original columns, local reporting and Minnesota sports coverage.
My work combines reporting, analysis and commentary. I believe in checking facts, asking direct questions and giving readers enough information to make up their own minds. My reporting and opinions are mine, and I stand behind the words I publish.
I welcome story ideas, questions, corrections and tips from readers. Email is the best way to reach me.
Email: GuyHowieHanson@gmail.com
Essentia’s downtown campus functions as a Level I trauma center — the highest designation available — meaning it must have surgeons, anesthesiologists, neurosurgeons and critical care specialists available at all hours. Not on call from home. Available.
Union members have announced plans for an informational picket next week on Essentia’s downtown campus. Essentia said the picket is not a work stoppage.
If the current ownership group can deliver sustained contention, it will be welcomed. If not, it may be time to ask whether a broader form of ownership — one rooted in the community — could provide the stability and commitment required to build a true, lasting winner.
The Depot has welcomed visitors to Duluth and St. Louis County since 1892. St. Louis County acquired the building in 1977 and has operated it as a center for arts, history and cultural programming. The facility attracts an average of 200,000 visitors each year for events and exhibits.
Essentia’s strength in Duluth lies in its scale, integration and specialty depth. Without that concentration, northern Minnesota would export far more complex care to the metro. The region would lose physicians, revenue and economic stability. Its vulnerability lies in the same concentration.
Lot D is the last undeveloped mixed-use site located along Duluth’s 26 miles of waterfront. Located in the Bayfront District, this site offers opportunities for equitable public experiences including view of the iconic Aerial Lift Bridge and the shipping harbor.
Hermantown's boys basketball team is 7-17, and there is no hiding from that number. But inside the Hawks’ locker room, the
Anderson is the first UMD player to earn Rookie of the Week honors this season and the ninth Bulldogs player to receive a weekly conference award in 2025-26.
Tim Meyer is a Duluth architect and community builder writing about Downtown Duluth, politics, business, sports and economic development. Reach him at tim.meyer@
Howie Hanson is Minnesota’s Columnist, writing about power, money, sports and civic life across the state. His daily column is sponsored by Lyric
The responsible posture is straightforward: acknowledge the verified damage, pursue every recoverable dollar, prepare for the possibility of additional exposure and insist on public updates as investigations progress.
Healthcare is Minnesota’s largest employer. It should become Minnesota’s greatest public priority — not merely in charity or philanthropy, but in economic and civic strategy.
Max Plante had a goal and an assist and Scout Truman the game-winner for the Bulldogs.
The Monsters are Duluth’s newest professional arena football team and will compete in Arena One Football this season. The team will play home games at Amsoil Arena. Arena football is played indoors on a shortened, 50-yard field.
"I'm excited to see the move to AF1. I'm hoping that the Monsters can continue to grow their tradition of excellence against the next tier of talent representing teams from across the country. The move into Amsoil is another exciting development, bringing fans closer to the action." -- Don Ness
Former President Barack Obama said on a podcast that there are things in the sky we cannot explain — comments widely interpreted as acknowledgment that unidentified phenomena are real. He later walked parts of it back.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, at AMSOIL Arena in Duluth, with a program beginning at noon. The event will be livestreamed.
“So, hey Duluth, let's get after this together. This is winter in the Northland.” -- Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert
Section 7A Boys Hockey Quarterfinals Hibbing/Chisholm 14, Ely 1 Proctor 2, International Falls 0 Hermantown 14, North Shore 0 Cloquet/Esko/Carlton 6,
Sgt. Berndt and Deputy Sobczak exited their patrol vehicles and gave verbal commands as they approached. Authorities said shots were fired from inside Felver’s vehicle toward the deputies. Berndt and Sobczak returned fire, striking Felver.
“Cody believed deeply in helping others, and this event keeps that spirit alive. Every rider, volunteer, and sponsor plays a part in making life a little easier for families and children facing the unthinkable.” -- Todd Buus, Cody’s father
If you care about where Minnesota is actually headed — if you work in government, health care, business, education, media, development or civic leadership — this is essential reading. The forces outlined here will shape budgets, careers, housing markets, school systems and regional stability.
The campaign will now test whether voters see her as the experienced hand who can “fix what’s wrong” — or as part of the same governing class they are increasingly skeptical of. It is a seasoned politician reading the room and deciding the room needs her.
Matt, Helen and Eddie have all passed. Helen’s funeral at St. Michael’s Church was the largest ever held there — before or since. I still miss Matt’s smile and his wave. Those of us who lived in the neighborhood carry their images with us — and the feeling of community they created.
Following Tuesday’s game, Hermantown travels to Rock Ridge on Thursday and to Superior on Friday before closing the regular season with home games against North Branch on Feb. 26 and a road game at Duluth East on Feb. 27.
Hermantown is seeking a return to the section championship game after falling short of a state tournament berth last season. The Hawks have reached the Section 7A final multiple times in recent years and enter the postseason with 16 victories against a competitive schedule.
This is not a dominant NCHC season for UMD. It’s been uneven. Productive at times. Leaky at others. But the opportunity is still there — not because they’ve been great, but because the middle of the league has been crowded and flawed.
This may be the moment Klobuchar has been preparing for since she first entered public life — not to campaign, not to negotiate from the sidelines, but to run the place she has spent a lifetime studying.
