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
Barno, Hagans win Grandma's men's, women's titles
Edit storyOndoro returned to Duluth this year as the defending champion and finished as the runner-up, trailing Barno by 45 seconds and finishing with a time of 2:09:59. This marked the first-ever Grandma’s Marathon in which two men broke the 2:10:00 mark in the same race.
Pike, Fesemyer win Grandma's wheelchair races
Edit storyAaron Pike has become somewhat used to being on top of the podium at Grandma’s Marathon, while it was a new feeling entirely
Montoya breaks Goucher's record, Reichow bests own PR to win
Edit storyKara Goucher was adamant this week that her record in the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon was going to fall this year. Turns out, she
Shea, Cerbin-Bohach win William A. Irvin 5K
Edit storyBy Zach Schneider Mason Shea and Flannery Cerbin-Bohach were crowned the men’s and women’s champions at the 30th annual William A.
Vikings announce additions and promotions to 2023 personnel and operations staff
Edit storyThe Minnesota Vikings on Friday announced additions and promotions to their football operations and personnel staff in preparation for the 2023 NFL season. "
Photo of the Day
Edit storyDezuwon "Pez" Davila cheered on finishers at the annual Whipper Snapper youth races on Friday afternoon at Bayfront Festival Park.
This week’s record-breaking air pollution, in one chart
Edit storyThis summer’s smoke is being driven by a Canadian wildfire season that’s started much earlier than usual, and which is expected to last until the fall or winter.
Minnesota Power receives EEI Emergency Response Award
Edit story“This was the worst winter storm Minnesota Power has ever faced in terms of the number of outages and reports of wires down.” -- ALLETE Chair, President and CEO Bethany Owen.
Public comment period for the draft Hillside Sport Court Park Plan
Edit storyBy Kelli Latuska The public is invited to review and comment on the draft Hillside Sport Court Park Plan. The public comment period will
Public comment period for the proposed commemorative naming of the historic pavilion at Lincoln Park
Edit storyBy Kelli Latuska The public is invited to comment on the proposed commemorative naming of the stone pavilion at Lincoln Park. The public comment
Photo of the Day: Celebrating Sertie's legendary grand slam
Edit storyThe Eskomos waited to celebrate as Isaak Sertich headed for home after hitting a grand slam home run in a Class AA state semifinal
Photo of the Day: Ken Buehler
Edit storyNorth Shore Scenic Railroad executive director Ken Buehler spoke at a recent press conference at the DECC.
New Highway 133 bridge near Meadowlands opens
Edit storyConstruction of a new bridge crossing the Whiteface River near Meadowlands is complete and County State Aid Highway 133 is now open again. The
Minneapolis police officers continue to rack up hefty overtime as understaffing continues
Edit storyMinneapolis Police Sgt. Stephen McBride was the department’s top earner in 2022, earning over $390,000 — more than three times his base salary.
Duluth falls to Rochester in series finale at Wade
Edit storyBy Jake Sirkus The Huskies' four-game winning streak came to a conclusion as they fell victim to the Rochester Honkers 8-4.
Historic 1954 locomotive returns to the Twin Ports
Edit storyIt began its career in Superior as #573 working the GN ore docks in Allouez and in ore transfer service. It was one of the very first diesel engines working in the Twin Ports.
2023 Great Duluth Race ups the ante with prize for winning team
Edit storyThe Great Duluth Race is set to captivate both residents and visitors as teams of five compete in an action-packed race that will take them through the vibrant streets, iconic landmarks, and hidden gems of Duluth.
City of Duluth to build manufacturing workforce strategy
Edit storyBy Kelli Latuska The City of Duluth will join a new peer-learning cohort led by the National League of Cities and the US
2023 Esko Football Schedule
Edit storyThursday, August 31 – at Duluth East, 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8 – Proctor, 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15 – at Mora, 7 p.m.
2023 Duluth East Football Schedule
Edit storyThursday, August 31 – Esko, 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8 – at Hibbing, 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15 – Cloquet, 6 p.m. Friday, Sept.
Photo of the Day: Ben Sunne
Edit storyBen Sunne of International Falls captured this photo of a bald eagle. Ben's Facebook page.
2023 Cloquet Football Schedule
Edit storyFriday, Sept. 1 – at Two Harbors, 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8 – Hermantown, 7 p.m. (Game played in Proctor) Friday, Sept. 15 – at
Duluth Playhouse announces big summer musical
Edit storyFollowing the 10-year anniversary of KINKY BOOTS sweeping broadway audiences off their feet, Duluth Playhouse is proud to produce the first regional theatre
Lt. Gov. Flanagan, nonprofits praise additional $3.3 million for prepared meals program
Edit storyThe prepared meals are for Minnesotans experiencing food insecurity who have trouble cooking meals due to lack of access to a kitchen or because they have a disability.
Duluth Playhouse Youth Theatre presents Disney’s Newsies JR.
Edit storyBased on the rousing true story of the newsboys’ strike of 1899, the newsies make friends in unexpected places and learn that a couple of ragtag Davids can take on the Goliath.
MPCA, Lake Superior College to address PFAS contamination at Sargent Creek in Duluth
Edit storyThe Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Lake Superior College today announced plans to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances contamination near Sargent Creek in Duluth.
Trump pleads not guilty in federal documents case, heads back out on campaign trail
Edit storyThe charges stem from Trump retaining 102 documents with classification markings, which federal authorities recovered only through an FBI raid.
2023 Hermantown Football Schedule
Edit storyFriday, Sept. 1 – at Proctor, 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8 – at Cloquet, 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15 – North Branch, 7 p.m.
2023 Denfeld Football Schedule
Edit storyFriday, Sept. 1 – Mora, 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8 – Grand Rapids, 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15 – at Pine City, 7 p.m.
Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce and Titanium Partners to host groundbreaking celebration
Edit story"We are so grateful for their (Titanium Partners') continued investment in our region, their strong community partnership and how they intentionally use local labor and talent on their projects." -- Daniel Fanning
