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Howie

Duluth's homegrown columnist. Since 1971.

Pen-and-ink portrait of Howie Hanson

Howie Hanson

Editor & Publisher of HowieHanson.com

What I Cover

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 Background

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 Approach

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.

Contact Me

I welcome story ideas, questions, corrections and tips from readers. Email is the best way to reach me.

Email: GuyHowieHanson@gmail.com

Latest

AF1 adds Oceanside Bombers

OCEANSIDE, Calif. — The Arena Football One League is expanding to Southern California, with the Oceanside Bombers beginning play in spring 2026. League officials and

Howie: Buy stock in the Plante brothers

Write this one in stone: Victor Plante, the youngest of the Plante brothers and a forward tearing it up with the U.S. Under-18 Development Team, is the one with true star power. He joins the Bulldogs next season — and by every indication, he’s the most gifted Plante yet.

Howie: My Words. My Voice.

There was a long stretch where I took the easy way out — publishing press releases instead of stories. Once, I even ran a release to serve the organization that turned out to be plagiarized. That mistake haunted me. But it also humbled me. It taught me that cutting corners comes with a cost.

Swim Creative wins 2025 w3 Award for website

Swim Creative delivered a fully custom site featuring rich visuals, storytelling rooted in Minnesota’s folklore, and an interface designed for both exploration and ease of use. The project also emphasized mobile-first design, search optimization, and user accessibility.

Howie: Fix downtown before you try to sell it

You can’t sell people on “vibrancy” if they don’t feel safe walking to their cars. You can’t advertise “connection” when the skywalks are dark and half-locked. You can’t preach “momentum” when storefronts still sit empty after a decade of ribbon cuttings.

Howie: Vikings burning it down

Every move is sold as “strategic.” Every mistake is “part of the process.” Every loss is “valuable learning.” It’s a corporate PowerPoint in shoulder pads. This isn’t football anymore. It’s asset management in cleats.

Howie: Bulldogs, Viktor Plante, Mirage, Jason Watt

There’s something quietly magnetic about Jason Watt on a Bulldogs hockey broadcast. He’s not trying to sound like anyone else. He doesn’t force energy or jargon. He just explains the game — clearly, comfortably, and with the kind of authenticity that comes only from having lived it.

Howie: AF1 CEO Kurz bullish about Duluth franchise, DECC Arena

Jerry Kurz on the Monsters: “Very strong franchise. We’re very selective. I get calls every week from people who want to join. But we have to be sure they’re giving something back to the community. Jake (Lambert, owner) and Steve (Walters, general manager and minority owner) want that."

AF1 Today: Transactions

Arena Football One teams were active this week with roster moves ahead of the 2026 season. Washington placed two players on league suspension, while

Howie: The city budget they don't want you to understand

Local Government Aid alone covers nearly $35 million, about one-third of the budget. It’s the difference between black ink and red. Lose even 5 percent of that aid, and Duluth’s “balanced” budget implodes by millions. That’s not financial strength — that’s dependence disguised as stability.

Editorial Policies

HowieHanson.com is committed to accurate, fair and accountable journalism. The following standards guide all reporting, writing and publishing decisions: Accuracy and Verification Accuracy

Build North Expo headed to the Heritage Center

“Two things we’ve heard constantly over the years are that people want to start planning and building earlier in the year, and that they want to connect with experts who can take them from start to finish on their projects. That’s what the Build North Expo will do.” -- ABA's Lindsey Whitlinger

Hanson receives weekly honor

Bullogs sophomore defenseman Ty Hanson has been named the National Collegiate Hockey Conference Defenseman of the Week for the second time this season. The