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
This is a bet that Hughes ages cleanly, that his body cooperates, that the cap continues to rise, and that the surrounding cast can be managed without suffocation. It’s a bet that Minnesota can finally pull off the superstar contract that doesn’t end in regret.
This time, the leverage isn’t casino revenue. It’s downtown frustration — visible poverty, safety complaints, business dissatisfaction and the persistent sense that downtown Duluth has not lived up to decades of promises.
Twelve games per team. A defined start in April. A defined finish in July. Balanced home-and-away slates. Built-in byes. Repeat matchups that suggest geography matters again. It reads less like a marketing flyer and more like an operating plan.
Minnesota’s home schedule begins in Week 7, when Nashville visits. Kentucky comes to Minnesota in Week 8.
Dennis Dale Comfort, 73, passed away peacefully on December 4, 2025, in Duluth, Minnesota, the city where he was born on December 2, 1952.
Thomas Johnson, age 76, a proud United States Marine Corps veteran and devoted family man, passed away on December 10th surrounded by loved ones.
Melanie Susan Ringstad, 64, of Duluth, MN, passed away peacefully, with her sister and brother at her side, on December 8, 2025, at Heritage
Howie's column is powered by Lyric Kitchen · Bar | eMail Howie The Duluth Entertainment Convention Center has hired Jane Pederson Jandl as its
Nayda Voss, 60, of Pike Lake, passed away unexpectedly at home on Friday December 5, 2025. She was born in Oklahoma City, OK on
HIBBING, Minn. (HH) — Authorities seized about 3 pounds of methamphetamine and arrested two people following a pair of search warrants last week in Hibbing,
Carol Jean Corser, 67, of Duluth, passed away Wednesday, December 3, 2025 in Essentia-St. Mary’s Hospital. Carol was born on July 29,
“Essentia Health shows the vital role Minnesota-headquartered companies play in communities across our state. This visit gave legislators a firsthand look at how policy decisions impact access to quality health care for rural and Tribal communities.” -- MBP CEO Kurt Zellers
Dale Clauson lived his life independently and thrived on attending social activities. Dale was incredibly generous and caring. Maintaining relationships and supporting his friends
Robert James Norstrom passed away on November 25, 2025 at Mount Royal Pines in Duluth, Minnesota. He worked for the DM & IR Railroad
Hermantown moved to 3-0-2 and will remain home Thursday to face Centennial. Marshall is 5-0-1 heading into Friday’s trip to Rochester Mayo.
“This is a big step for both of us. We are giving our coaches and players more opportunities to show what they bring to the game, while our fans have more ways to take in the action with all the viewing options Yahoo offers.” -- Todd Tryon, Commissioner of the Indoor Football League
AF1 teams Minnesota, Michigan and Washington announced several roster moves today. Minnesota added depth on defense and size up front, Michigan bolstered its offensive
Duluth’s most significant population story of the last 60 years is not growth — it is survival. That alone deserves credit. But it does not justify the current narrative.
Susan “Suzie” Margaret Cavallin Stokes of Esko, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on December 5, 2025, surrounded by family, after a courageous battle with cancer.
The HowieHanson.com publishes obituaries free of charge. For decades, obituary pages have served as a true community record, a place to honor lives, share stories and preserve local history. We are committed to keeping this tradition available to every family. Submit obituaries to: Duluth@aol.com.
Tatianna Griffin, Chloe Johnson, Amel Cook and Ella Peper are rising faster than the sport around them — and college basketball is taking notice.
The HowieHanson.com publishes obituaries free of charge. For decades, obituary pages have served as a true community record, a place to honor lives, share stories and preserve local history. We are committed to keeping this tradition available to every family. Submit obituaries to: Duluth@aol.com.
Beau Christy and Ford Skytta each scored twice to lead Hermantown to a 7-2 victory over Mahtomedi on Friday night at the St.
"The merger between the northeast and northwest Minnesota legal aid organizations can only provide more resources and help impoverished Minnesotans with serious civil legal problems involving health care, housing, financial and domestic relations." -- Fred Friedman, Justice North board chair
“Winning changes the city. When you see jerseys on kids, when people are stopping you at the grocery store, when you feel that excitement start to build every season — that’s when you understand why this matters.” -- Ja’Vonte Johnson
The Minnesota Monsters have hired legendary veteran football executive and longtime coach Jaysen “Yogi” Howard-Smith as the team’s special teams coordinator. Howard-
The City of Duluth now spends roughly $1 of every $7 in the general fund on debt service. That’s money that can’t pave streets, fund libraries, or expand housing programs. And yet the answer to each new challenge is the same: another bond.
The HowieHanson.com publishes obituaries free of charge. For decades, obituary pages have served as a true community record, a place to honor lives, share stories and preserve local history. We are committed to keeping this tradition available to every family. Submit obituaries to: Duluth@aol.com.
With Derrizett Croop coaching both offensive and defensive fronts, Minnesota also gains a unified voice — consistent technique standards, shared terminology and a system built around player development rather than roster churn.
The HowieHanson.com publishes obituaries free of charge. For decades, obituary pages have served as a true community record, a place to honor lives, share stories and preserve local history. We are committed to keeping this tradition available to every family. Submit obituaries to: Duluth@aol.com.
Stability is the real product. If teams stay in their markets, if players get paid on time, if the community sees the league year after year, the perception changes. But you can’t fix 30 years of history overnight.
The HowieHanson.com publishes obituaries free of charge. For decades, obituary pages have served as a true community record, a place to honor lives, share stories and preserve local history. We are committed to keeping this tradition available to every family. Submit obituaries to: Duluth@aol.com.