Ryan Kern’s vision took flight — and Duluth’s sky hasn’t been the same since
At a time when the city was searching for ways to reinvent itself beyond shipping and snow, Kern dared to see Duluth as a destination. The airshow he created has now become a staple of the summer tourism calendar, injecting millions into the local economy year after year.
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Howie: The Great Scanlon Data Center caper
We headed down to the bridge for what we called a “feasibility study.” Translation: three guys staring at the water with thermoses. “Looks cold enough to me,” Dale said. “Yep,” Roger nodded. “Perfect for servers.”
Howie: Downtown Duluth embraces for another long winter
You can’t police despair. You can shuffle people from doorway to doorway, but that’s optics, not safety. The folks drifting between shelters and liquor stores aren’t statistics.
Howie: The Great Duluth Spin Parade: Everyone’s cheering, nobody’s buying it
It’s civic theater, and everyone knows their lines. The officials announce. The media nod. The television anchors beam. The advertisers clap. And the citizens — the actual audience — sit at home wondering if they’ve accidentally tuned into satire.
Howie: We’ve seen this movie before. Same script, different salesman.
The old fellas at the café won’t need a study to understand it. They’ve seen this dance too many times before. They’ll sip their burnt coffee, shake their heads, and say what they always say when the next “big thing” blows through town: “Should’ve just built another rink.”
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Howie: Darren Danielson, WDIO's statesman
That perfectionism has made WDIO what it is — the region’s dominant newscast for years running. Viewers know exactly what they’ll get: no chaos, no stunts, just clean, confident journalism. Danielson’s the face of that brand, but also its conscience.
Howie: Dan Hanger’s quiet reign over the Twin Ports airwaves
If you watch Hanger closely, you’ll notice he occasionally glances at the prompter with a smirk, like he’s reminding himself not to take any of it too seriously. That’s a healthy instinct in an industry where self-importance runs rampant.
Howie: When hospitals become economic engines
Dr. David Herman sees hospitals as ecosystems — living, breathing networks that keep small towns from disappearing. Duluth’s skyline now offers proof in steel and glass. The new St. Mary’s Medical Center doesn’t just treat patients. It sends a message: downtown Duluth still matters.
Howie: Monsters’ leap to Arena Football One marks a defining moment for Duluth sports
The Monsters’ place in AF1 provides Duluth with a team competing at the highest level currently available in indoor football. It offers players a chance to prove themselves in a national setting, and it offers fans a more polished, credible product.