PDDTV
Drop Dead Gorgeous: Miss Duluth
The 1999 mockumentary film Drop Dead Gorgeous hit theaters July 23, 1999 — 27 years ago today. It includes a very brief reference to Duluth, which is in the short embedded clip above.
Actress Kari Ann Shiff, in the role of Miss Duluth, gets about three seconds of screen time, shortly after the line, “C’mon Miss Forest Lake, get that stick out of your ass or I will.” (more…)
The Last Log Drive in Minnesota
The last log drive in Minnesota was filmed on the Little Fork River, about 100 miles northwest of Duluth, during the spring of 1937. The scenes were captured by Carl H. Henrikson Jr. during the drive. In the mid-1970s, the Minnesota Historical Society hired TCR Productions to compile a documentary film using Henrikson’s footage, along with recorded commentary and narration. A new version, embedded above, is digitized from Henrikson’s original 1937 reels and recut to match the completed film.
Rafe Carlson – “Blowin’ Smoke”
Hermantown native Rafe Carlson performed at Two Harbors Heritage Days on July 10 and sat down for a private session for KTWH Two Harbors Public Radio. He wrote the song “Blowin’ Smoke” in 2024; it is about blowing figurative smoke and has nothing to do with recent air-quality issues related to wildfires.
Sydney Hansen – “Blue Side of the Mountain”
Duluth’s Sydney Hansen opened for country music superstar Dwight Yoakam at Black Bear Casino Resort in June. The song in this video is a cover of The SteelDrivers’ 2008 hit “Blue Side of the Mountain.”
Eveleth Clown Band – “America the Beautiful”
Always a hit at the Two Harbors Heritage Days Parade is the Eveleth Clown Band, seen here performing “America the Beautiful” this past weekend.
Dāv Kaufman hits up four more Duluth restaurants
Dāv Kaufman is back for another round of visits to Duluth restaurants. The Minneapolis native travels far and wide for his web series Dāv Kaufman Eats the World. His latest installment is exclusively at restaurants recommended to him by Duluthians. (more…)
Sophie Hiroko – “Ashes” and “Cashmere Candles”
Duluth native Sophie Hiroko and her bandmates — bassist Kara Hageman and drummer Skye Sutherland — performed two songs during a live taping of The Local Show on the Current, recorded in the Forum at Minnesota Public Radio.
Scenes from an Old Logging Road in Northern Minnesota
The latest montage of trail-camera footage from Voyageurs National Park stars a fox who seems fairly adept at catching snowshoe hares.
The Voyageurs Wolf Project has roughly 350 cameras set up in the park, which is about 100 miles north of Duluth. This footage is from a camera on an old logging road used by many animals.
Making it Up North: Hungry Hippie
From hiking the Appalachian and Pacific Crest trails to transforming an old horse barn into a high-end hostel and campground, Jeremy and Kate Keeble share their journeys owning Hungry Hippie Tacos and the Hungry Hippie Hostel.
Making it Up North is a PBS North series that explores stories of creative artists, artisans and entrepreneurs engaged in honing their skills, following their passion and realizing their dreams.
Video Archive: Bicentennial Parade in Hibbing
On America’s semi-quincentennial, we take a look back 50 years to the 1976 Bicentennial Parade in Hibbing, with all the marching bands, clowns, Shriners and civic floats necessary to properly celebrate the anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
Making it Up North: Love Creamery
Love Creamery founder Nicole Wilde talks about the journey from hobby farming to crafting high-quality, small-batch artisanal ice cream.
Making it Up North is a PBS North series that explores stories of creative artists, artisans and entrepreneurs engaged in honing their skills, following their passion and realizing their dreams.
Between Howls – “Wascott Waltz”
Duluth band Between Howls has a new video for the instrumental track “Wascott Waltz” from the 2025 album Cabin Fever.
The video is directed by Megan McGarvey of Beyond the Birches Productions and shot by Luckie Ann Diamond and Ansley Fleming. It features Ricky Francois in the role of “The Illustrator”
Gaelynn Lea on That Show With That Midwestern Mom
Duluth musician and author Gaelynn Lea is the musical guest on the premiere episode of That Show With That Midwestern Mom, a web-only variety show hosted by Amber Estenson, aka That Midwestern Mom. The full episode is embedded above; the Gaelynn Lea segment begins at the 29:09 mark.
Duluth Hockey: There Goes the Neighborhood
In Duluth, community hockey is neighborhood hockey. From late-night flood squads at outdoor rinks to the iconic Duluth Heritage Center, it’s all made possible by the Duluth Amateur Hockey Association and legendary hockey families like the Frybergers. While the rest of the hockey world may have changed, Duluth continues to find success with a proven recipe, serving up community hockey at the neighborhood level.
The short documentary embedded above is voiced by the notorious hockey-hair video guy John King and produced by Pulltab Sports for Minnesota Hockey, the governing body of youth and amateur hockey in the state. It is part of a web series called The Association, which delves into nonprofit community hockey organizations throughout Minnesota.
Making it Up North: Northern Raven Studio
Dive into the meditative and deeply connected world of Lake Superior agate hunting, lapidary and jewelry making with Abby Schaefer of Northern Raven Studio and her best friend, artist Amanda Penley.
Making it Up North is a PBS North series that explores stories of creative artists, artisans and entrepreneurs engaged in honing their skills, following their passion and realizing their dreams.
Grandma’s Marathon 2025 Double: Thunderbolts and Lightning
Eric Strand has been running what he calls the “Grandma’s Marathon Double” since 2012. Along with a handful of other runners, he starts at the marathon finish line, runs to the starting line, then turns around and runs the regular marathon. He releases videos of the runs each year, usually shortly before the next year’s run. (more…)
Making it Up North: Ursa Minor Brewing
From a high school teacher’s garage experimentation to launching the beloved Lincoln Park taproom in 2018, Ursa Minor Brewing has always been about more than just great beverages.
Making it Up North is a PBS North series that explores stories of creative artists, artisans and entrepreneurs engaged in honing their skills, following their passion and realizing their dreams.
This is America: Duluth in 1946
This clip is from a 16-minute educational film from 1946 called This is America: Great Lakes, focusing on the segment mentioning Duluth. The full film, embedded below, explores the industrial powerhouse of the Great Lakes, detailing the crucial roles of navigation, shipping and the Coast Guard in transporting iron ore, coal and grain to fuel America’s postwar economy. (more…)
Making it Up North: Grizz Works Wood Sculpture
Grizz Works is a full-time chainsaw carving business that ships custom art all over the world.
Making it Up North is a PBS North series that explores stories of creative artists, artisans and entrepreneurs engaged in honing their skills, following their passion and realizing their dreams.
Making it Up North: Highbridge Hills
Highbridge Hills is a 225-acre disc golf paradise tucked away in the woods of northwestern Wisconsin. It features six unique disc golf courses designed by Chuck Kennedy, ranging from tight, technical woods to wide-open bomber lines.
Making it Up North is a PBS North series that explores stories of creative artists, artisans and entrepreneurs engaged in honing their skills, following their passion and realizing their dreams.
Sparking a Larger Story: Return of Fire to Minnesota Point
For the first time in more than 150 years, fire (“Ishkode” in Ojibwe) is returning to Minnesota Point. A prescribed cultural burn this fall will clear accumulated underbrush and tree debris to restore the ecosystem, allowing native species like red pine and blueberries to regenerate while also mitigating wildfire hazards. (more…)
International Falls: Icebox of the Nation
The Dispatch is a new travel documentary series visiting 50 cities in 50 states, “searching for the best stories, food, people, and experiences off the beaten path in the USA.” Host Sam Neumann is from Chisago City in central Minnesota, and he chose International Falls and neighboring city Ranier to represent his home state. Some of the stops include the Cantilever Hotel, Hallett Brewing and Border Country Outdoor Adventures.
Making it Up North: Warrior Printress
Janelle Miller and Stacie Renné are the creative duo behind Warrior Printress. From their beloved 1910 printing press, “Gertie,” they create custom, hand-carved, limited-edition posters for iconic regional landmarks like Glensheen Mansion and Bob’s Cabins.
Making it Up North is a PBS North series that explores stories of creative artists, artisans and entrepreneurs engaged in honing their skills, following their passion and realizing their dreams.
Lee Clark Allen – “S.I.I.T. (Said I’m in Trouble)”
Duluth’s Lee Clark Allen has a new music video for a track from his 2025 album My World is Yours. It was shot primarily in Downtown Duluth and Canal Park.
Barker Bark
The James R. Barker’s security call to the Aerial Lift Bridge announcing her departure is known as the “Barker Bark.” The ship is one of 13 thousand-footers built for the Great Lakes. Built in 1976 by the American Ship Building Company, the Barker is celebrating 50 years of service.
This video was shot April 28 by Jon Columbus, who shoots Duluth-area shipping videos for Dre Designs Great Lakes Marine Products.