News and Current Affairs
Ursa Minor takes gold at 2023 World Beer Cup
Ursa Minor Brewing in Duluth won a gold medal at the World Beer Cup on May 10. It’s the sixth medal for Duluth-area breweries at the annual competition.
Ursa Minor’s win was in the Irish-style red ale category for its beer Equanimity. (more…)
Interpretive signs will mark former Incline Railway sidewalk
The Duluth News Tribune reports the sidewalk and stairway that marks the location of the former Incline Railway at Seventh Avenue West, designated as a recreational hiking trail, will soon have interpretive signage.
PDD Quiz: April 2023
It’s time to take stock of another month of 2023. How many of the local headlines do you remember? Step up to this week’s current events quiz and find out!
The next PDD quiz, previewing upcoming summer events, will be published on May 14. Submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at [email protected] by May 11. (more…)
Edgewater Resort and Waterpark taking down abandoned wing
The Edgewater Resort and Waterpark will be tearing down a portion of its complex that served as its main motel for decades. (Photos by Mark Nicklawske)
A long-running and ever-changing Duluth hotel will tear down the oldest part of its sprawling complex as owners begin work on a new renovation plan for the Endion neighborhood tourist destination.
The Edgewater Resort and Waterpark, 2400 London Road, started demolition work this month on a vacant, two-story wing that was constructed in 1965 and served as the Edgewater Motel for decades. The Edgewater Resort and its adjacent waterpark will remain open during the project. (more…)
Record Breaker: Winter 2022-23 is snowiest in Duluth history
The Duluth News Tribune reports that the 2 inches of snow that fell overnight was enough to make the winter of 2022-23 the snowiest since records starting being kept in 1870. The season snowfall total as of 6 a.m. today sat at 137.1 inches.
Timber structure washes up near Lakewalk
A large timber structure has washed up on the Lake Superior shoreline just west of the Beacon Pointe condominium and hotel complex. (Photo by Mark Nicklawske)
Another large timber structure has washed up on the Lake Superior shoreline just west of the Beacon Pointe condominium and hotel complex.
The structure appeared on the shoreline below the Duluth Lakewalk trail following an April 4 snow and wind storm. It is made up of 12 x 12 timbers, metal cables and bolts and looks to be the size of Chevrolet Silverado crew cab pick-up truck. (more…)
Duluth Mail Bag: Potholes, TIF, Snowplow GPS and More
As a two-time Duluth city councilor, now in my final year of service, one of my goals is to make city government more accessible, or at least help citizens become more informed. I figure there are many Duluthians who would like some simple answers to some simple questions. I learned in school that if there is something you don’t understand it’s likely there are many others who feel the same way. Hence the idea of the Duluth Mailbag column.
I won’t divulge who is asking the questions, but I’ll answer them in this format about once a month. Feel free to put a question in the comments for next month’s “Duluth Mailbag” or tweet me via @Hobbs_Duluth or email me at hobbsforduluth @ gmail.com.
Also, if you want to have a longer conversation, you can sign up for a 45-minute cup of coffee through my 100 Cups of Coffee project.
OK, here we go! (more…)
Renovation of Androy Hotel ballroom in Hibbing underway
The Duluth News Tribune reports that BoomTown Brewery & Woodfire has partnered with Androy Hotel owner Trellis Co. to retrofit the 1920s ballroom of the historic Androy Hotel in Hibbing into an event space, expanding catering abilities with a new commissary kitchen.
Press releases supporting Giant Colossal Statues of Bob Dylan
The Committee for Building Giant Colossal Statues of Bob Dylan is pleased about the following press releases from the Building Trades and Essential Health:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MN Trades and Building Council Endorses Plan to Build 12 Giant Colossal Statues of Bob Dylan
[Duluth, MN] – The Minnesota Trades and Building Council (MTBC) is proud to announce its full support for the construction of 12 giant colossal statues of Bob Dylan.
The MTBC believes that this project will bring significant economic benefits to the local community, and we look forward to working with the Committee for Building Giant Colossal Statues of Bob Dylan to make this project a reality.
PDD Quiz: March 2023
Another month of 2023 is in the books; how much of it do you remember? Quiz on to find out!
An April Fool-ish quiz comes your way on April 16; submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at [email protected] by April 10. (more…)
New harbor commission seeks to buy Madeline Island Ferry Line
Minnesota Public Radio reports the town of LaPointe has formed a harbor commission is negotiating with the owners of the Madeline Island Ferry Line to purchase the business and transfer its assets to public ownership.
Video: Duluth State of the City Address 2023
Via PACT-TV, Duluth Mayor Emily Larson outlines priorities for Duluth with her State of the City address, which she gave on March 22 at the West Theatre.
Mayor Larson’s remarks begin at the 20:30 mark in the video.
London Road roundabout plan riles residents
Minnesota Public Radio reports that the Minnesota Department of Transportation is moving forward with a plan to install a roundabout at 60th Avenue East and London Road despite objections from residents.
New York Times back in ‘climate-proof Duluth’
The New York Times is vaguely claiming Duluth “has welcomed thousands of new residents from out of state” in the past four years, citing climate change as the “motivating factor.”
St. Paul nonprofit is new owner of Duluth North Pierhead Light
Minnesota Public Radio reports the historic lighthouse at the entrance to the Duluth Ship Canal is St. Paul-based Rethos, a nonprofit that plans to open the lighthouse to tours.
Efforts revived to assess mercury in St. Louis River watershed
Agate, an online magazine focused on the environment and people of Minnesota and the surrounding Great Lakes region, published a story this week about the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s recently revived effort to calculate how much mercury the St. Louis River watershed can handle and still meet established water quality standards. The goal is to determine the mercury reductions needed to meet water quality standards and support healthy consumption of fish.
PDD Quiz: February 2023
For such a short month, February was chockablock with news. Dig into this week’s current events quiz and see how many headlines you remember!
Another installment of Duluth movie mentions will come your way on March 12. Submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at [email protected] by March 9. (more…)
Duluth Grill group plans new Lincoln Park burger bar
The Duluth Grill Family Restaurant Group will take over operations at the former Coach’s Bar and Grill, 2113 W. Superior St. The new restaurant will be called Burger Paradox. (Photos by Mark Nicklawske).
A popular Lincoln Park restaurant group is adding another bar and grill to its neighborhood food empire.
Duluth Grill Family of Restaurants co-owner Tom Hanson said this week his organization has secured a 10-year lease on the longtime home of Mitch’s Bar and Grill, 2113 W. Superior St. The site was most recently home to the short-lived Coach’s Bar & Grill. (more…)
Amazing Grace Café and Grocery closing
Amazing Grace Café and Grocery in Canal Park will close on Feb. 27 according to a news release from owner Connor Riley. (more…)
Duluth Mail Bag: Snow Removal, Budgets and Bag Fees
As a two-time Duluth city councilor, now in my final year of service, one of my goals is to make city government more accessible, or at least help citizens become more informed. I figure there are a lot of Duluthians who would like some simple answers to some simple questions. I learned in school that if there is something you don’t understand it’s likely there are many others who feel the same way. Hence the idea of the Duluth Mailbag column.
I won’t divulge who is asking the questions, but I’ll answer them in this format about once a month. Feel free to put a question in the comments for next month’s “Duluth Mailbag” or tweet me via @Hobbs_Duluth or email me at hobbsforduluth @ gmail.com.
Also, if you want to have a longer conversation, you can sign up for a 45-minute cup of coffee through my 100 Cups of Coffee project.
OK, here we go! (more…)
Management shift at WDSE “The North” brings change
Under new station manager Brian Rickman, 103.3 FM WDSE has moved to new music programming software and begun considering changes to its schedule, the Duluth News Tribune reports.
West Duluth theater project moves forward, seeks city loan
The Alhambra Theater sits just to the east of the West Theatre on Central Avenue in West Duluth (Photos by Mark Nicklawske)
A long-lost vaudeville theater renovation gained ground this week when city officials authorized grant money to fund a business loan for the West Duluth entertainment district project.
The Duluth Economic Development Authority approved a $150,000 grant Jan. 25 to the city of Duluth 1200 Fund for restoration work at the Alhambra Theater, 321 N. Central Ave. The move allows the 1200 Fund to loan building owner Paladin Properties LLC a total of $200,000 for project completion. (more…)
PDD Quiz: January 2023
The first month of 2023 is nearly over; how many of its headlines do you recall? Jump into this week’s PDD quiz to find out!
A Valentine’s Day-themed quiz comes your way on Feb. 12. Submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at [email protected] by Feb. 9. (more…)
Superior FunLand is open at Mariner Business Center
The Superior Telegram reports that a new indoor play space for kids has opened in the Mariner Business Center, 69 N. 28th St. Superior FunLand had its grand opening on Jan. 14. It’s owned by Paul Bothun and Desiree Hughes.
Duluth reconsidering mandated parking minimums
The Duluth News Tribune reports that proposed changes to city code would eliminate requirements for developers to provide a specific number of parking spots.