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
The Wilfs — and let’s just call it like it is — chose not to invest in your prime. They picked the cheaper path, then wrapped it in branding and buzzwords and Kevin O’Connell’s “quarterback lab” fantasy. You’re now the face of a franchise that seems more focused on optics than outcome.
Are the Wilfs actually in this to win? Because if you strip away the branding, the marketing jargon, and the empty optimism, the facts paint a troubling picture: the ownership group is acting like financial strategists, not football visionaries.
A total of 11 University of Minnesota Duluth men’s hockey newcomers, including 10 freshmen, were named to the 2024-25 NCHC Academic All-
UMD’s Athletic Hall of Fame was established in 1991 and inducted its first class on Sept. 20, 1991, marking 61 years since the university’s first varsity athletic contest. With this year’s inductees, the Hall of Fame will grow to 151 members across 21 sports.
EAGAN — You can slap a fresh coat of purple optimism on it, you can flood the team site with highlight reels and slo-mo
Let’s start with the truth no one in Eagan will say out loud: the Wilf family doesn’t want to spend real money on a starting quarterback. Not this year. Not when they can pitch a rookie lottery ticket, cash in on “development” buzz, and pocket the difference.
“This campaign has redefined what healthcare workers in Duluth — and across Minnesota — are willing to fight for. From clinics to hospital floors, from RNs to APPs, the message is clear: patients must come first.” -- MNA prepared statement
DULUTH — The College of St. Scholastica has appointed Dr. Rick Revoir and Jennifer Carlson to key leadership roles on its president’s cabinet. Revoir
In a fractured system plagued by duplication, denial, and delay, United’s scale might just be the first draft of a national solution — messy, evolving, and deeply imperfect, but far more functional than we’re often willing to admit.
Maybe he would’ve learned to explain the why. Maybe not. But I know this: he would’ve still found a way to win. Because tough coaching still has its place, and young men still want to be challenged, led, and held to a standard.
Known for its signature blend of classical, electronic and modern holiday arrangements, Mannheim Steamroller Christmas promises an evening of festive nostalgia and high-end production.
Advanced metrics tell the story loud and clear. Samberg ranked among the Jets’ leaders in defensive-zone starts, shot suppression, and expected goals against per 60 minutes at even strength. In simpler terms: when Samberg was on the ice, the puck didn’t go in the Jets’ net.
"And now, through our partnership with First Tee of Minnesota, we can improve upon the Junior Golf legacy that was built by PGA Professional Paul Schintz here at Enger Park. We look forward to bringing kids into this game that will last a lifetime." -- Enger Park Golf General Manager Craig Smith
But let’s not pretend McCarthy walked into this job. The Vikings didn’t sign a bridge quarterback to block him — they didn’t even really try. They rolled the dice on him winning the job by default, not dominance. And in 2025, that might be enough.
DULUTH — It took a few decades, a couple of course corrections, and more than one fishy forecast, but the Great Lakes Aquarium has quietly
After three uncharacteristically sub-par seasons, Minnesota Duluth loads up with elite goaltending, blueline talent and NHL-aspiring lineup for a return to NCHC contention.
This is one of the biggest blue-line additions for the Bulldogs in recent memory. Not just because of what Siepmann is today — but because of what he could become by next spring.
But the NFL might still have its say. Under the league’s personal conduct policy, a suspension — possibly three games — could be in the cards, regardless of how the case played out in court.
If everything holds, the I-35 and Highway 53 connection should be wide open by the first week of November. After that, maybe — just maybe — we can start seeing I-35 through Lincoln Park as more than a never-ending construction zone.
“Great Lakes Aquarium didn’t have an easy start. There were many loud critics. But today, thanks to strong leadership and a clear commitment to its mission, it has not only survived — it’s thriving.” -- Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert
Terry Fawcett has built a life on two unwavering pillars: helping kids and chasing football dreams — his own and everyone else’s. That mission’
Duluth’s the perfect sandbox for your off-book genius experiments. Want to pilot direct wind-to-HPC microgrids? Try novel battery chemistries that need stable cool ambient temps? Prototype closed-loop lake-assisted liquid cooling that halves compressor hours?
We can’t bet the farm on whether it rains for Grandma’s Marathon. We need long-haul industries, fresh tech, world-class freshwater diplomacy, and new-school manufacturing. And we need to protect Lake Superior like it’s the last ace we’ve got — because in many ways, it is.
DULUTH — Four attorneys at Fryberger, Buchanan, Smith & Frederick, P.A. have been recognized by Super Lawyers for 2025, the firm announced Monday. Stephanie
The 911 center received a call reporting that a resident on Heritage Trail near East Pioneer Road had sprayed a family member with gasoline and set their house on fire. Moments later, another neighbor reported the same suspect was armed with a rifle, and that his own home was also in flames.
Duluth’s tourism taxes — a combination of lodging, food-and-beverage, and admissions surcharges — pump roughly $13 million to $15 million annually into the city’s general fund. ... Each year, officials note, it effectively trims the property tax levy by about 20%.
DULUTH – I’m working on a new sports column for HowieHanson.com, asking a classic Northland barstool question: Who are the Duluth area’s
When C.J. stopped and dropped to one knee, we captured every second from twenty feet away, giggling like kids on a prank. Steph didn’t spot us until after she said yes and C.J. waved us over. All four of us cracked up at how covert it all felt.
CLOQUET — Bennett Thomas capped a brilliant final round with a two-under-par 70 on Sunday to surge past the field and claim the
At the center of that effort is news director Michael Baldwin, who Wentworth described as “likely the best news director that our building has ever seen.”
Shoot us a quick email reply when you have a minute. Would love to weave some community picks into the final piece. And if you have any great stories, even better — send them along.
