Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert will commemorate the inaugural season of the Duluth Harbor Monsters by hosting the team at City Hall and presenting a proclamation in the Mayor's Reception Room today at 1 p.m.
Subsequently, at 2 p.m., Reinert will join the leadership of the Chester Bowl Improvement Club for a major announcement at the Chester Bowl Chalet.
The question is no longer simply whether Roger Reinert deserves another term. The question is whether Duluth believes it is on the path it wants — and if not, who has the discipline, clarity and courage to alter it. November 2027 will deliver the verdict. The work of deciding it begins now.
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.
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.
"As with any wild animal, we want to remind the community that you should exercise caution in their presence and never approach them." -- Duluth Police Department
The Hilltoppers, led by super-sophomore Chloe Johnson (31.3 points per game), enters the tournament as one of the favorites in the eight-team bracket and could meet No. 3 seed New London-Spicer or No. 6 Minnehaha Academy in the semifinals if both teams advance.
The Vikings could add another veteran quarterback, draft another young passer and force McCarthy to earn his way back into the starting job. Competition is the reality of the NFL, where roster spots — and careers — are constantly on the line.
Under the leadership of Chamber President Matt Baumgartner, Duluth and St. Louis County Days has become a respected presence at the Capitol. Legislators expect it. Policymakers notice it. And participants leave knowing their region’s voice has been heard.
