Howie Hanson

Minnesota’s blood supply running on fumes

If you’re eligible, roll up your sleeve. Memorial Blood Centers is taking appointments at mbc.org or 888-448-3252. Blood donors can give every 56 days, platelet donors twice a month.

Howie: Downtown Duluth’s longtime concrete embarrassment finally meets its fate

For now, give Reinert his due. The Auto Shoppers Ramp is finally going away, brick by stubborn brick, because he made it a priority. And if you squint past the dust, you can almost see a downtown Duluth that isn’t held together by plywood, nostalgia, and wishful thinking. Almost.

Howie: Vikings’ depth chart looks like a Jenga tower — one bad pull and it’s over

Houston shows up Saturday afternoon to see if the foundation is as wobbly as it looks on paper.

Howie: Bulldogs men's hockey nation restless for more W's

The same folks who used to grumble when the Bulldogs only made the Frozen Four are now pretending a seventh-place finish in the NCHC is just the league being “tough.” That’s not tough. That’s losing dressed up in an alibi.

Howie: This isn’t a scam. It’s just a smart utility deal.

This isn’t a hostile takeover or a backdoor privatization scheme. This is a well-structured financial agreement that delivers capital, safeguards ratepayers, and pushes the utility deeper into the renewable energy era without turning it into a monopoly Frankenstein.

Howie: Sandelin bets local to lift Bulldogs back on their feet

And that’s Sandelin’s magic trick. No slogans, no gimmicks. Just a quiet confidence that the right kids — his kids — can still win the biggest games on the biggest stage. You just have to trust the process. And, maybe more importantly, trust your backyard.

St. Louis County expands public forestlands through landmark deal

“St. Louis County has a strong tradition of balancing smart forest stewardship with meaningful public access, and we’re proud to support them in that work. This is conservation at its best — local, collaborative and built to last.” -- Kim Berns-Melhus

Howie: Show us the goods, J.J. Whether you’re ready or not, this is your team.

So here we go. Game 1 of the Preseason of Prayer. QB1 J.J. McCarthy gets the start. The hype machine is revved up. The fanbase is ready. And the Vikings are rolling the dice with a rookie quarterback, a patchwork roster, and a hope-filled shrug. It’s a very Vikings thing to do.

Minnesota Power to build 200-megawatt wind farm in North Dakota

The wind project announcement comes as ALLETE awaits final regulatory approval of its proposed acquisition by Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) and Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP).

Howie: Star Tribune banks on local legends to write its next chapter

The Star Tribune’s PR boilerplate now reads like a campaign stump speech — seven Pulitzers, 158-year legacy, “the heart and voice of the north.” But if these hires are any indication, they might actually believe it.

K-9 demonstration event returns to Superior

In the past year, local K-9 teams have assisted in apprehending armed suspects, uncovering evidence in assault and drug investigations, and sweeping schools following evacuation threats.

2025 Prep Football Preview: Hermantown looks to reload, not rebuild

“We have a lot of experienced returners this year in a lot of skill positions and a line that wants to set the tone.” Hawks coach Mike Zagelmeyer

Gascon, Kraemer and Larocque invited to Canada’s National Women’s Hockey Orientation Camp

The three-day, off-ice orientation camp brings together players and staff from all levels of Canada’s national programs. The event includes team-building activities, presentations and planning sessions ahead of the 2025-26 international season.

2025 Denfeld Scramble Champs. Gingerelli aces No. 8, wins Hawaii vacation for two.

Enger Park primed for spotlight as Dick Forbort charity tournament tees off next Saturday

“This year’s Forbort event is probably the largest in its history. We’ll be using all three nines — three 18-hole courses snaking through. It’s a huge deal for us.” -- Enger Park General Manager Craig Smith

Ryan Kern’s vision took flight — and Duluth’s sky hasn’t been the same since

At a time when the city was searching for ways to reinvent itself beyond shipping and snow, Kern dared to see Duluth as a destination. The airshow he created has now become a staple of the summer tourism calendar, injecting millions into the local economy year after year.

Travis Whitlock — The Harbor Monsters' center, enforcer and fan favorite

Whitlock might be the league’s last blue-collar folk hero — playing for free so his younger teammates can earn more. “I just want the other guys to get paid and have a shot at their dreams,” he said. “I play because I like it.”

Howie: Hold the line, Roger. And council, don’t flinch.

Because Duluth doesn’t have a revenue problem. It has a spending addiction — one enabled for years by a City Council that rarely met a levy increase it didn’t like. That can’t happen again.

St. Louis County Sheriff's Office releases video footage of fatal officer-involved shooting

The video footage captures a gunfire exchange between sheriff’s deputies and Adam Clinton Wolf of Normanna Township, who was pronounced dead at the scene, according to authorities.

Howie: Duluth’s downtown has a second chance — if we’re smart enough to take it

Study: Duluth needs 8,700 new housing units over next decade

“For us to reach 90,000 residents by 2030, we must get serious about housing at all income levels — especially mid-market and for-purchase. We need all the options in all of Duluth’s neighborhoods, including downtown, and that means condos, townhouses, and more.” -- Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert

Samberg cashes in, but the big money may still be ahead

This isn’t the final payday — it’s the one that tees up the monster deal. And if he keeps trending up, someone’s going to open the vault.

K.J. Felder Jr. might just have one of the biggest hearts in Duluth

“Oh, my biggest strength is my speed. Knowing how to hit gaps, vision, and just being a playmaker. Being a dog. My size doesn’t stop me from doing anything.” -- K.J. Felder Jr.

Howie: Ja’Vonte Johnson is the heartbeat of the Harbor Monsters

Man arrested in Duluth after fleeing hospital following domestic assault allegation

Authorities say Thorson later left the hospital without authorization, prompting a renewed search effort over the weekend.

Golf Notebook: Mellin wins Arrowhead; Chamber, Enger Park events

The event marked the 99th running of the Arrowhead, widely regarded as the region’s signature amateur match-play tournament. Ridgeview’s firm greens and classic layout again proved a worthy stage, offering players a stern test over three days of competition.

Harbor Monsters to host Lunkers in playoff semifinal Saturday

Duluth clinched the No. 1 seed in The Arena League playoffs with a convincing 72-38 win over the Ozarks Lunkers on Saturday night at DECC Arena. The victory not only capped a strong regular season but also guaranteed home-field advantage through the playoffs, including a potential championship game.

Duluth Drag Races returning to Lincoln Park

As in previous years, the event will again benefit local nonprofit organizations. This year, the Valley Youth Center has been selected as the primary beneficiary, with a portion of the proceeds supporting its youth development work.

Howie: Trust and integrity are cornerstones of public education

Multiple referendums have been floated in recent years asking voters for more funding — and taxpayers have responded with a clear and resounding no. Not because we don’t support kids. We do. But because we no longer trust the system to spend responsibly.

Howie: Wild facing a tipping point next season

Now it’s about whether this roster — a blend of hungry youth and hardened leaders — can break through the ceiling that’s held the franchise in place for nearly a decade. If they do, Kaprizov stays. If they don’t, buckle up.

Howie: Duluth's billion-dollar hospitals — and the neighborhoods left behind

Duluth’s health care transformation didn’t come free. It was paid for with public subsidies, neighborhood sacrifice, and long-term tax invisibility. The systems at the center of it all proudly proclaim their commitment to the community — even as the community quietly disappears around them.

Howie: The smartest college decision in the Northland? Lake Superior College, hands down

This isn’t a backup school. This is the first choice for anyone who wants to get to work — or transfer to a four-year school later — without drowning in debt or spending their freshman year stuck in a 300-seat lecture hall learning theories they’ll never use.