Christa Lawler
Duluth Reporter
Duluth/SuperiorBefore joining the Star Tribune in 2022, Christa Lawler was a sports reporter-turned-arts and entertainment reporter at the Duluth News Tribune. She started at the Rochester Post-Bulletin, her hometown newspaper, after graduating from the University of St. Thomas. She has lived in Duluth since 2000 and likes trail running, yoga, paddle boarding and reading.
Latest from Christa Lawler
What’s the story behind the abandoned Cold War station in Finland, Minn.?
Now a ghost town, the remote spot on Lookout Mountain was once part of a secret defense network.
February 6, 2026
What’s it like to live in Minnesota right now? Life in the shadow of ICE.
We asked people how their lives have changed, or not changed.
February 3, 2026
Overall maritime tonnage down at Port of Duluth-Superior in 2025
The year had a 14% decline from last, with most of its main cargos taking a downward turn.
January 30, 2026
David Brom, a teenager when he killed family members with an ax decades ago, granted parole
Brom said the transition to work release has been relatively smooth.
January 28, 2026
Minnesota businesses shut down, protesters hit the streets in bitter cold to protest ICE
Hundreds of small businesses closed their doors Friday to demonstrate against federal immigration enforcement.
January 23, 2026
How skiers spent 4 hours stalled on chair lifts above Lutsen Mountains — and then hit the slopes again
Forty-four skiers were on the Raptor Express when it malfunctioned on Saturday in wind and temperatures below zero.
January 20, 2026
‘We don’t want to be like Minneapolis’: Feelings on ICE surge reveal deep divide across state
As the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s immigration enforcement stirs up the Twin Cities, ideological fault lines are appearing between the metro and greater Minnesota.
January 18, 2026
After allegedly shooting the wrong guy one night, man charged in fatal follow up in Duluth the next night
Branden Russell King faces second-degree murder charges in the death of Chazz Toney.
January 13, 2026
Duluth police officer with troubled history no longer with the department
Tyler Leibfried, who has more than a dozen complaints against him, was out as of Dec. 23.
January 3, 2026
Team USA ‘hungry’ following back-to-back gold medals at World Juniors
The American team set up at Amsoil Arena in Duluth for more than a week of pre-tournament games, practices and team bonding.
December 22, 2025
Duluth police officer, acquitted of on-duty shooting, now under different internal investigation
Tyler Leibfried, the department’s only officer to stand trial for an on-duty shooting, has been on paid administrative leave for a year for a separate inquiry.
December 11, 2025
Police: Superior, Wis., officer shot before suspect crashes van into middle school
The suspect, who allegedly holed up in a room at Superior Middle School for several hours, is expected to be charged with attempted murder.
December 7, 2025
