Howie: Cloquet can’t build its future on the past
The mills still give Cloquet its pulse, but they're also the anchors that keep it from moving. Try building a new identity when everyone asks, “How are the mills doing?”
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Howie: Even without Sleen, Hawks blitz Rock Ridge
“Holding Martin (Sleen, Minnesota's leading rusher) out allowed some of our younger guys to get valuable experience, especially since our JV game was canceled this past week. It was great to see some of them step up and contribute.” -- Hermantown coach Mike Zagelmeyer
Howie: Who locked the Bulldogs men's hockey weight room?
You can’t fake muscle in the NCHC. You can’t out-skill everyone forever. Eventually, you have to stand in front of a net and take a beating. That’s when we’ll see if this team has backbone or if they’re just another batch of Duluth waterbugs — fun to watch, easy to squash.
UMD stuffs Augustana in series opener
The Bulldogs erupted for four second-period goals and cruised past Augustana 4-1 in the nonconference college men's hockey series opener Friday night at Amsoil Arena. Scout Truman opened the scoring at 5:28 of the second, sneaking a shot through traffic and past goaltender Josh Kotai. Ty Hanson
Howie: Stella Maris Academy to join Polar League, host Falls Flannel Fest Saturday
“Being accepted into this conference offers our team and student athletes the opportunity to earn all-conference recognition and the ability to compete in conference sponsored events and competitions.” -- Stella Maris activities director Chris Lemke.
Howie: Bulldogs less than .500 at Amsoil the last three seasons
The numbers don’t lie: UMD went 7-8-2 at Amsoil last year. The year before? 7-10-1. In 2021-22, they were 8-7-2. That’s three straight years of mediocrity in a building that was supposed to intimidate.
Howie: Downtown Duluth plan isn’t the problem, the roadblocks are
Duluth has a plan. The question now is whether it has the guts — and the will — to knock down the roadblocks standing in the way.
Howie: Downtown Duluth won’t revive until it faces its hardest truth
Downtown won’t be saved by consultants, binders or cheerleaders. It will be saved when Duluth faces its most challenging problem — the needles, the psychotic breaks, the encampments in doorways — and chooses to act rather than avert its eyes.
Howie: Can Duluth finally execute?
The Imagine Downtown Duluth plan admits that downtowns are not guaranteed. Across the Midwest, cities are racing to reinvent themselves, and Duluth risks falling behind.
Howie: Duluth’s airport is flunking its own report card
Airports are economic mirrors. Strong, growing cities attract more flights, more routes, more airlines willing to gamble. Weak, stagnant economies don’t. Carriers aren’t sentimental; they’re accountants with wings. If you can’t fill the seats, they won’t stick around.
Hermantown shines in Lake Superior Conference all-conference soccer honors
No other program matched Hermantown’s total across both boys’ and girls’ squads, a reflection of the Hawks’ sustained strength in the sport and their ability to develop talent year after year.
Prep Sports Notebook
Hermantown’s cross country program made the most of its chance to serve as host at one of Minnesota’s premier meets, turning in standout performances at the Swain Invitational on Saturday at Enger Park Golf Course in Duluth. The Hawks girls finished second in the team standings, just seven
Essentia Health to offer walk-in flu shot clinics across Duluth area
Health officials recommend flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics both stress that the vaccine is one of the safest and most effective ways to protect against seasonal influenza.
Howie: If Hubert Humphrey were Minnesota’s governor today
At the 1948 Democratic National Convention, when many in his party wanted to avoid alienating Southern segregationists, Humphrey, 37, strode to the podium and declared it was time to get out of the shadow of states’ rights and walk forthrightly into the bright sunshine of human rights.
Howie: Don Ness set the bar for Duluth leadership
Plenty of mayors cut ribbons. Ness cut liabilities. He took on the most challenging problems and proved that authentic leadership isn’t about comfort but courage.