Recent content from Brooks Johnson
High lead levels found in old Duluth homes' drinking water
There are 4,600 city-owned lead service lines still in use, largely in pre-1930 homes.
Duluth may gain thousands of acres of parkland to protect
City to gain 2,400 acres in tax-forfeit land transfer with St. Louis County.
New $440 million wood plant planned on Iron Range
Project would be "the biggest development in the forest products industry in 40 years."
![Melissa Cramton stopped to chug a free beer as she ran down London Rd during Grandma’s Marathon on Saturday morning. ] ALEX KORMANN • alex.korm](https://chorus.stimg.co/22669206/ows_ed77c326_23b5_4f68_87c9_14f2156044a1.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Recovery run: Grandma's Marathon brings the crowds back to Duluth
"I think we saw the community had missed the event maybe just as much as the runners."
Pandemic made 'unusual' Duluth rental market
Fewer college students in the area meant more options for renters
Bhupesh Pattni tapped to be Iron Range district judge
"In a lot of ways it's a privilege to help diversify the judiciary and the bench," Pattni said.
Duluth's Northern Waters Smokehaus deli out, pickup window stays
DULUTH – The winding line through the DeWitt-Seitz Building was long a hallmark of the Northern Waters Smokehaus experience. Now it's just a memory.The Canal…
Researchers asking for public's help measuring Duluth streams
Crowdsourced data will help inform decisions that affect waterways.
Four people charged in alleged 'gunfight' amid Duluth homicide
Several shots were fired toward homicide suspect Patrick W. Battees Jr. as he fled, police say.
Native American contractors' letter seeks end to protests over Line 3 pipeline
The letter said it's a 'false narrative that there is no Native American support for this project.'
Man drowns in St. Louis River after jumping in to save two kids in Duluth
Kevin Ingles, of Superior, Wis., had tried to save two children.
Duluth weighs options for spending more than $58 million in federal pandemic relief money
The city may also request $44 million in additional funding from Congress.
Line 3 opponents turn up the heat with protest, confrontation
Dubbed the "Treaty People Gathering" and organized by a host of Indigenous, environmental and faith groups, Monday's protest was split between the peaceful march and pump station confrontation.
Ely custard shop settles sexual harassment case, kind of
But lawyer wants state to retract new release announcing settlement.
Watch for Park Point beach closures this summer as debris is cleaned
The affected stretch is near the shipping canal.
Why can't Duluth just sell Spirit Mountain? It's complicated.
Federal and state laws, Indigenous concerns make sale an impractical answer.
Walz appoints first Black judge in Duluth
Shawn Pearson has been active in child protection cases and as a mediator.
Superior mayor outlines initiatives to 'leave normal behind'
The state of the city address highlighted broadband, policing and housing plans.
'Fast and furious' Duluth housing market keeps breaking records
Median home sale price in the Twin Ports region passed $216,000 in April.
Masks off, doors unlocked: Pandemic restrictions ease in Duluth
Pandemic restrictions are easing, although masks still required at some sites.
Teen opened fire into Duluth crowd, killing man, charges say
Police records identify the victim as 22-year-old Juamada K. Anderson, of Duluth.
Duluth school board to pay $329K to settle lawsuit brought by former principal
Tonya Sconiers said she is "happy to be moving forward."
Charges: Paroled murderer kidnaps, rapes woman near Duluth
Dennis J. Hannuksela was convicted of murder in 1987.
Essentia Health, CHI merger falls through
Essentia acquisition of Minnesota, N.D. clinics and hospitals off the table for now.
Many Minnesotans eagerly wait as Canadian border talks start
COVID border closure isolated Northwest Angle, stifled tourism.
Iron Range man charged with fatally stabbing former girlfriend
Derek E. Malevich of Virginia was charged Friday.
How much gold is hiding underground in northern Minnesota?
The precious metal has not been mined in Minnesota since the turn of the 20th century.
Duluth mayor proposes $24 million investment in Spirit Mountain
$12 million in state bonding money will be requested.
Nurses 'anxious' over planned Essentia Health acquisition of CHI hospitals
The Duluth-based health system's merger leaves some staff skeptical.
State pulling leases for long-stalled Mesabi Metallics taconite mine
State says company had "no more than $100 million" available of a $200 million requirement.
Duluth's Haunted Ship returns this fall after years on hiatus
The William A. Irvin floating museum opens for normal tours on May 21.
New plan for Duluth's former Seaway Hotel: Tear it down, replace with housing
Redevelopment plans for the building fell through.
More work, fewer applicants: Duluth Fire Department steps up recruiting
DULUTH – Evan Jamar didn't know what his dream job was until his dream came true."It's like waking up for Christmas every morning," he said…
Another movie shoot coming to Minnesota's North Shore
Local producer calls the region an "untapped frontier for production."
State aid sought to reopen Duluth paper mill
ST Paper plans to convert the shuttered mill to make tissue paper.
Victim, suspect missing in downtown Duluth shooting
Police say there is no current threat to the public.
Duluth to take closer look at police race bias, traffic stops
Outside audit to examine lopsided demographics.
Enbridge shells out $750K to law enforcement for Line 3 protest costs
A fund set up by the state PUC reimburses agencies for enforcement tied to project.
Duluth has COVID-19 vaccines to spare; come and get them, hospitals urge
St. Luke's and Essentia are both seeking to increase the reach of the local supply.
Duluth housing market in 'new normal' as listings remain scarce
Homes for sale dropped by half between March 2020 and last month.
Minnesota Supreme Court: Environmental review not needed for Wisconsin gas plant
The ruling benefits Minnesota Power, which plans to build a $700 million plant in Superior, Wis.
Chauvin verdict celebrated in Duluth: 'A lot of shock, followed by relief'
City Council President Renee Van Nett said "There is always work to do."
Shipping season officially kicks off with first saltie in Duluth
The Federal Biscay was the first overseas vessel to arrive this season.
Hotel coming to Duluth's historic former City Hall
Four of 13 rooms will be "affordable hostel-style"; summer opening set.
It's on! Indie TV fest returns to Duluth with bold plans
Catalyst Content Festival returns to Duluth theaters this fall
Daunte Wright's killing resonates in Duluth: 'We will not give up'
The local NAACP reissued its demands for Duluth Police Department reform.
Shard cleanup on Duluth's Park Point beach should be finished in June
More beach nourishment will close a stretch of the beach this summer.
Woman dies in single-vehicle crash north of Duluth
Authorities said alcohol and high speeds were likely factors.
Duluth's Spirit Mountain turns profit, plans to add new lounge, skate rink
New amenities will be coupled with increased prices.
Moose Lake prison properly handled COVID-19 risks, appeals court rules
An ACLU suit sought release for inmates, which the Minnesota Court of Appeals denied.
Last year of Superior Street construction kicks off Monday in Duluth
It's a busy year for road work around Duluth.
Border tensions rise for Northwest Angle residents: 'We don't matter'
Pressure from U.S. officials has not yielded concessions from Canada.
Minnesota Power planning fast-charge EV stations — for residents and tourists
Customers, for a cost, could recharge across the service area.
Duluth man who died in Easter Sunday fire identified
Another man died in an accidental fire at the same apartment building in August.
Minnesota, Canadian lawmakers search for border solutions
No "vaccine passport" for travelers to or from Canada yet.
Duluth mayor eyes 'a better normal' as city recovers from pandemic
Equity and sustainability were themes of Monday's state of the city address.
Minnesota breweries drained by pandemic as on-site sales dried up
600 jobs lost, contribution to state economy slips.
Duluth City Council considers declaring climate emergency
The resolution will require city officials to outline "concrete steps" toward
Duluth sees most fires in a decade in 2020 as more people cooked at home
Fire damage in the city more than doubled from 2019 levels to $3.8 million.
Workforce shortage constrains growth in Duluth area
Thousands have yet to rejoin the workforce as employers in the region seek more applicants.
COVID-19 outreach team breaks down barriers in Duluth's most diverse neighborhood
Local nonprofit promotes health equity in diverse Hillside neighborhood.
Cloquet man pleads guilty to shooting friend on Fond du Lac Reservation
Thomas A. Micklewright accepted a plea deal Tuesday that brings a sentence of seven years in prison.
![Theresa Thornton, a motor-coach operator for Landline, checked passengers in as they boarded at Duluth International Airport. ]](https://chorus.stimg.co/22382583/ows_42e0da80_ad3c_4dd0_a02d_2e9b652a6fff.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Car service expands ride options for Sun Country flights in Minnesota, Wisconsin
A partnership with Sun Country was just starting to roll when the pandemic hit.
Lake Superior surfer saves man, dog from drowning in Duluth
High waves and frigid temps made the lake attractive for surfers Wednesday but potentially deadly for others.
Strong steel demand fuels hopes for solid Great Lakes shipping season
The Port of Duluth-Superior is coming off its lowest tonnage year since 1938.
Duluth's Lakewalk set to reopen by Grandma's Marathon in June
Until then, officials say to keep off the unfinished trail in Canal Park.
Duluth-area home inventory drops in half, but buyers keep looking
The median sales price in Duluth jumped 22% in February to $174,000.
Virus relief package a 'lighthouse' for Duluth restaurants and bars
DULUTH – Restaurant and bar owners are calling the $28 billion in grants included in the federal coronavirus stimulus package a lifeline for Duluth's hard-hit tourism…
Duluth hospitals recovering, but not back to normal yet
Essentia and St. Luke's both made major cost cuts to weather a drop in patient volumes.
Co-CEOs will continue to run St. Luke's in Duluth
They have led the regional health system on an interim basis since December.
Report recommends investing $23M in Duluth's Spirit Mountain
A report recommended investing another $23 million in the ski hill.
Lake Superior ice disappears as fast as it formed
After maxing out at 50% coverage two weeks ago, the lake has lost nearly all of its ice.
Duluth's 'offshore to the North Shore' tech firm acquired by Wayzata firm
Saturn Systems will remain in Duluth as an RBA subsidiary.
First Johnson & Johnson one-shot vaccines arrive in Duluth
St. Luke's will be distributing its initial batch of 100 doses on Saturday. The hospital's vaccine clinic has averaged 450 shots per day and can handle 600.
Flight attendant sues Duluth over pothole she says broke her ankle and foot
City contends injuries caused by her negligence.
