Howie: Kaprizov signs for $136M — taxman skates off with the Cup
The Wild got their man. Kirill Kaprizov got security. But the real winners are Uncle Sam and the Minnesota Department of Revenue. They’re the only ones guaranteed to cash in.
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First Gourd Days set for Duluth waterfront
A new fall festival will debut on Duluth’s waterfront this weekend, featuring local vendors, food, live animals and autumn-themed activities. The inaugural
Howie: Duluth Public Schools still drowning in Red Plan debt
Since 2008, Duluth Public Schools has paid more than $300 million toward Red Plan debt service, with $175 million remaining. By the time the bonds are gone, Duluth will have spent half a billion dollars servicing a plan that shrank the district, buried its budget, and doubled property taxes.
Lake Superior College to host annual Student Success Day
“In a single day, students can access resources, build skills, and make connections that support their success throughout their entire college journey and career.” -- Nicola Scott
Howie: Minneapolis’s half-billion-dollar habit
Debt service alone — bond redemptions and permanent improvements — is north of $65 million a year. Legacy pension obligations for police and other retirees tack on another $10 to $15 million. That’s before you fund a single squad car or snowplow.
Howie: Duluth Schools' formula for levy creep
Duluth Schools' levy creep isn’t an accident. It’s a feature of the system, baked into Minnesota law, and the district has leaned on it harder than any of its neighbors. The taxpayers? They’re the audience at a rigged show, asked to clap politely while the board insists there’s no other way.
Howie: The Duluth Transit Authority is knocking again
The DTA’s union contract, signed in 2022, runs through 2026 and requires $2.5 million a year in pension contributions. That wasn’t fine print. That was bold type. They knew it, signed it, and now pitch it like an act of God.