News and Current Affairs
New York Times Dylan-themed crossword has Duluth ties
The New York Times published a special Bob Dylan-themed crossword puzzle Oct. 1. A subscription is required to access the puzzle, but the introductory article is not behind a paywall.
The puzzle editor gives a nod to her father, Duluth’s Ed Newman, a local writer and artist who serves on the Duluth Dylan Fest committee. Though Dylan was born in Duluth, there are no Duluth shoutouts in the puzzle, but Hibbing is the answer to one of the clues. (more…)
Duluth 2026 General Election Sample Ballot
The Minnesota State General Election is Nov. 3. Polling place hours in Duluth are from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The sample ballot above is specifically for Duluth precinct 29; some items on the ballot differ in other precincts. Descriptions of the differences are below, but a customized sample ballot is available by using the Minnesota Voting Information Portal(opens in new tab).
The backside of the sample ballot, which appears at the bottom of this post, is the same throughout the city. (more…)
Dog Water Rescue Emergency
Video from the Oct. 2 rescue in the Duluth Ship Canal after a dog jumped onto and over the pier wall into the water. The United States Coast Guard, Duluth Fire Department, St. Louis County Sheriff’s rescue boat and Duluth Fire Boat Marine 19 all responded.
Meanwhile, the bulk carrier Algoma Niagara waited to depart through the canal. (more…)
Looking Back at A & Dubs with Syl and Sandy Hantz
The reopening of the A & Dubs drive-in restaurant in June was huge news for just about anyone who grew up on the west side of Duluth over the past 75 years. The seasonal burger spot had been a summer tradition for untold scores of people over the decades, but health issues forced its owners to keep the business closed in 2024 and 2025.
When new owners took over in 2026, it launched another era for the long-beloved Lincoln Park institution. It was a big change: Syl and Sandy Hantz had operated A & Dubs since 1979. Prior to that Sandy’s parents, James and Lois Kent, ran it for 20 years. (more…)
PDD Quiz: September 2026 in Review
Close out the month with a look back at September headlines and happenings.
The next PDD quiz highlights spooky season shenanigans; it will be published on Oct. 11. Submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at alisonlinnaemoffat @ gmail.com by Oct. 8. (more…)
Historic building tour features eastside icons, Carnegie library
Dennis Lamkin stands in the dining room of the “Highpoint” home. Lamkin and Jon Niemi purchased the property in 2003 and the home will be part of the 2026 Duluth Preservation Alliance Historic Properties Tour. (Photo by Mark Nicklawske)
After exploring the west side of Duluth last year, history lovers will tour two grand mansions, several repurposed landmarks and a century-old church clustered on the city’s eastern side this weekend.
The Duluth Preservation Alliance’s 2026 Historic Properties Tour is from 11 a.m to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20. The annual self-guided event raises funds for the nonprofit organization and its mission to protect and preserve Duluth’s unique architectural heritage. Tickets are $32. (more…)
PDD Quiz: August 2026 in Review
The PDD Quiz is back! Wake up your brain and see how many of this month’s headlines you remember.
A harvest-themed quiz comes your way on Sept. 13. Submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at alisonlinnaemoffat @ gmail.com by Sept. 10. (more…)
Duluth 2026 Primary Election Results
With 4,105 of 4,105 precincts reporting statewide, here are the Minnesota Primary Election results for races relevant to Duluth. (more…)
Duluth 2026 Primary Election Sample Ballot
The front of the Duluth’s primary election ballot features federal and state offices in which voters must choose a party and vote for the same party in all races. All of the candidates in the primary are either Republican or Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidates. There are third-party candidates running for these offices, but they are unopposed in the primary and automatically advance to the general election. (more…)
Underwood Coffee opens in historic Board of Trade building
Jake Underwood has opened his first brick and mortar coffee shop in the historic Board of Trade building. Underwood started roasting coffee about 10 years ago and has been wholesaling his specialty brands to coffee shops and grocery stores in Duluth, the Twin Cities and beyond since 2020. (Photo by Mark Nicklawske)
A Duluth coffee roaster who found early success in local restaurants, cafés and grocery stores has opened a new brick and mortar shop in one of the city’s most iconic downtown buildings.
Underwood Coffee launched its first retail store and coffee shop in a street-level corner space at the Duluth Board of Trade Lofts, 301 W. First St., in June. The business celebrates its grand opening with music, special events and free samples Friday, July 10. (more…)
Reopened A & Dubs overwhelmed in first days
New A & Dubs owners Ryan Spears and Michael Koralia at the counter of their tiny Lincoln Park restaurant. (Photo by Paul Lundgren)
Anticipation had been building for three months when the A & Dubs drive-in restaurant quietly reopened on June 12. By the next day the news had spread and the new staff was clearly not prepared for the onslaught of hungry Duluthians. (more…)
Duluth 2026 Primary Election Primer
The filing period for Minnesota state and county offices closed on June 2. Below is a tally of candidates who filed for races pertinent to Duluth-area ballots. Names that appear in red are hyperlinked to the candidates’ websites. (more…)
ARDC receives Excellence in Regional Transportation Award
A partnership between the University of Minnesota Duluth and the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission has won recognition from the National Association of Development Organizations. (more…)
Brewery Creek Terrace project turns eyesore into award winner
The turn-of-the-century brownstone at 627 E. Fourth St. has undergone a $4.3 million renovation by Heirloom Property Management. The public can tour the 20-unit building during an open house Tuesday, May 26. (Photo by Mark Nicklawske)
A once stately turn-of-the-century brownstone neglected for decades and widely considered one of Duluth’s biggest eyesores has received a complete top-to-bottom restoration and begins accepting tenants this summer. (more…)
Bug Ball fundraiser has Prøve Gallery buzzing
Dressed in gowns that look like they came straight out of a doll house, a few artists met at Prøve Gallery last week to shoot a promotional video for their upcoming gala. As soon as the bug garments and masks were placed on the models’ heads, the poses came out.
“A mask is transformative,” artist and Prøve Collective board member Cherry Koch said, watching the models move around the room in playful bug-like fashion. (more…)
West Duluth luxury laundro-loft hits the market again
The Spirit Valley Laundromat building in West Duluth includes living space with a racquetball court, pool and sauna. (Photos via EasyLiving)
An industrial-sized, coin-operated laundry facility hiding upper-floor luxury living quarters and a stunning basement swimming pool is looking for a new owner.
Spirit Valley Laundromat was sold for $650,000 by original owner Valaree Hammond to EasyLiving Services LLC in 2024. Now the peculiar property at 232 N. Central Ave. has returned to the market. (more…)
Canal Park Brewing takes silver medal at 2026 World Beer Cup
Duluth’s Canal Park Brewing Company won a silver medal in the wood- and barrel-aged beer category at the World Beer Cup, held April 22 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. Night Trekker Baltic Porter, aged in a Vikre Distillery Aquavit barrel, with its hints of coffee, dark fruits and caramel, earned the award. The beer also won a gold medal in 2025 at the Minnesota Brewers Cup. (more…)
Embracing the Nordic of the North Shore
American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis. (Photo by Julia Guttenfelder)
The overall culture of Minnesota connects to a broad array of ethnic backgrounds. From the indigenous Anishinaabe and Dakota people to the influx of European immigrants and more recent growth of Black, Hispanic and Asian populations, the state is becoming more and more diverse.
Still, it seems Norwegian, Swedish and Finnish traditions hold an outsized influence on what’s considered Minnesotan. Those traits — most famously the “Minnesooota” accent — took hold in the 20th century and remain prevalent. (more…)
A & Dubs set to reopen this summer
Computer-generated illustration of A & Dubs in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood courtesy of the restaurant’s Facebook page.
Duluth’s iconic A & Dubs seasonal drive-in restaurant will reopen after sitting idle for two summers. The new owners, Mike Koralia and Ryan Spears, wrote in a post on the A & Dubs Facebook page they plan to announce an opening date soon. (more…)
Ursa Minor Brewing cooks up new Bean & Bear Bagels shop
Amanda Agamaite, left, and Ben Hugus of Ursa Minor Brewing stand in front of the future home of Bean & Bear Bagels. The Lincoln Park brewery is remodeling the north end of its production facility at 202 S. 26th Ave. W. A deck will be built in the current parking lot. (Photo by Mark Nicklawske)
A Lincoln Park brewery famous for its beer and wood-fired pizza combination is opening a new restaurant space that will specialize in made-from-scratch bagels for the breakfast and lunch crowd.
Ursa Minor Brewing will open Bean & Bear Bagels, a grab-and-go bagel shop, on the north end of its brewery and warehouse facility at 202 S. 26th Ave. W. this spring. The new location will feature fresh bagels, bagel sandwiches and specialty coffee. (more…)
Duluth in the Olympics
Big news from a few days back, posted now because it must be acknowledged here.
MPR News: “Duluth curling team claims silver medal at Winter Olympics” (more…)
Hermantown wellness center plans expansion into Lincoln Park
The Well Co. owner Melanie Dubbin purchased the former Kaski Inc. headquarters at 2321 W. First St. in Lincoln Park. She will be relocating her business into the historic former Duluth Public Market building this spring. (Photo by Mark Nicklawske)
A Hermantown hub for healing massage and holistic health is adding a natural food cafe to its services and will relocate into a remodeled, historic building in Lincoln Park this spring.
The Well Co. owner Melanie Dubbin purchased the former Kaski Inc. construction headquarters at 2321 W. First St. in November. St. Louis County property records show Dubbin paid $742,000 for the 6,800-square-foot building which was constructed in 1925. (more…)
PDD Quiz: 2026 Coming Attractions
Peek into the future with this week’s quiz, which previews 2026 business openings, shows, and shenanigans.
A quiz reviewing January 2026 headlines comes your way on Feb. 1 or as soon as possible, technology permitting. Please submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at [email protected] by Jan. 21. (more…)
New Duluth restaurants served up comfort classics in 2025
Minnesotans have a soft spot for comfort food, and three new Duluth restaurants are serving up hearty, warming dishes to help locals through the coldest winter months. (more…)
PDD Quiz: 2025 in Review
Close out the year with this week’s quiz, which reviews 2025 headlines and happenings.
A quiz previewing 2026 coming attractions will greet you in the new year on Jan. 4. Please submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at [email protected] by Dec. 31. (more…)