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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.

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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.

4 Minute Read
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Howie: Three wins, two QBs, one big mess

That’s Vikings football. Never boring, rarely logical, always exhausting. The highs, the lows, the quarterback merry-go-round, the running game that doesn’t exist, the offensive line held together with medical tape — it’s the same play, different actors.

3 Minute Read
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Howie: City of Duluth levy up 52% in eight years
Downtown Duluth. Howie / HowieHanson.com

Howie: City of Duluth levy up 52% in eight years

In 2025, for instance, they raised the levy by 1.85 percent but declared it a “0 percent” year for current taxpayers because new development supposedly absorbed the increase. But that’s a shell game. The levy still grew by nearly $800,000.

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Howie: The Sunday morning NFL traveling circus

Respect the game? That would mean staying home, keeping the shield where it belongs, and remembering that football is supposed to be a sport, not a traveling carnival. But the owners can’t hear you. They’re too busy counting the money.

2 Minute Read
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Howie: Write the Minnesota media industry obituary

And the only voices that still carry weight are the hyper-locals, the independents, the ones who refuse to let their towns go silent. That’s where the future is. That’s where the trust is. That’s where the eyeballs and ears are. And no rebrand, paywall, or quarterly reorg will ever change that.

5 Minute Read
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Howie: Sandelin admits, "It’s been a little bit harder than I thought.”
Legendary Scott Sandelin at Wednesday's presser at Amsoil. Howie / HowieHanson.com

Howie: Sandelin admits, "It’s been a little bit harder than I thought.”

“I want kids that really want to play here. We’re not in the $700,000 sweepstakes, nor do I want to be. We’ve always had that focus — high-character kids. That’s been our M.O.” -- Scott Sandelin

4 Minute Read
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Howie: Vikings, Jefferson marriage already in trouble

Minnesota is being snuffed out for deception. The “quarterback lab” is nothing more than cheap business theater. The Wilfs chose accountants over ambition. Jefferson deserves better, and deep down, he knows it. We all know it.

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Howie: Duluth election forecast cloudy with a chance of change

Incumbents might sneak by if the weather is lousy. If it’s bright and clear, expect a few surprise names on the winner’s list. Either way, don’t expect voters to rediscover patience suddenly. Because in Duluth, sunshine doesn’t just melt the snow — it melts incumbents too.

3 Minute Read
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