Recent content from Jana Hollingsworth

Low enrollment drives University of Minnesota Duluth to examine majors, courses
A high number of low-demand courses and majors means less revenue, officials say.

State appeals court dismisses Duluth Preservation Alliance suit over Hotel Astoria demolition
The downtown building in a historic district needed millions in renovations.

An Iron Range region could lose ambulance service
The city of Nashwauk operates the emergency service but faces a growing deficit from escalating costs and unmatched reimbursement rates.

When a beloved YMCA closed, Iron Rangers didn't accept defeat
A grassroots coalition formed a nonprofit, bought a building and will open a new community fitness center in January.

Demolition of Duluth's former St. Mary's hospital set for summer
Essentia Health's new St. Mary's Medical Center opened July 30.

In 'Hockeytown USA,' longtime Warroad coach sues parents
Girls varsity hockey coach David Marvin filed a civil defamation lawsuit this week against several parents of current and former players.

'He couldn't walk on his own:' Duluth woman charged in fatal dog neglect case
The pit bull was largely confined to a crate for more than a month.

Duluth election results tip the city in a more moderate direction
Roger Reinert's mayoral win and a City Council that's mostly centrist could mean spending priority changes for Duluth.

Duluth Mayor Emily Larson concedes to challenger Roger Reinert
Voters in Duluth decided an intense race over the next leader of the city of 86,000: the two-term incumbent or a former state lawmaker.

Cold and frustrating: Car-living in Duluth
A downtown Duluth parking lot that serves people who live in their vehicles has finished its first season of operation.

PAC money fuels record spending in Duluth mayor's race
Mayor Emily Larson and challenger Roger Reinert have raised about half a million dollars combined, records show.
Two paddlers missing in northwest Wisconsin since Saturday
Family found the capsized canoe of the two men shortly after midnight.

Sale of former West Duluth Kmart tied up in court
The Minneapolis-based buyer has a vision that includes pickleball courts inside the former big-box store.

Once-polluted Duluth riverfront to reopen after $165M cleanup
The 92-acre U.S. Steel Superfund site in Morgan Park opens next summer with new trails and wildlife habitat.

Strike hits Great Lakes shipping, cutting off Duluth from international traffic
A union for the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp. in Canada went on strike Sunday following a 72-hour notice.

Duluth schools say innovative programs, jobs on the line unless voters approve levies
Pandemic aid that allowed schools to build up mental health and academic support runs dry next year.

After delays, Duluth begins $18 million seawall reconstruction
"This project is going to create a very distinctive and compelling new Duluth space," Mayor Emily Larson said.

Gripping Duluth mayoral race pits longtime DFLers against each other
Two-term Mayor Emily Larson faces former state lawmaker Roger Reinert.

Duluth Entertainment Convention Center lays off employees in wake of financial struggles
The publicly funded entertainment complex secured a $1 million line of credit from the Duluth City Council last week.

North Shore residents fear marina sale will harm community
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources owns the Knife River Marina on Lake Superior, and is eyeing a sale as costs to maintain the basin escalate.

Duluth-based Cirrus Aircraft opens $20 million innovation center
Duluth sold the building to Cirrus for $1.

Struggling Duluth Entertainment Convention Center gets $1 million line of credit
The Duluth City Council approved a $1 million line of credit to the publicly funded entertainment center, good for one year as the DECC looks to reduce spending.

Controversial group at U of M medical school in Duluth divides students
The Catholic group opposes gender-affirming care, sparking concern for future patients.

2,500 new homes in downtown Duluth in 5 years? Maybe.
Duluth is exploring the potential to replace vacant office space with places to live.

Duluth mayor, challenger clash in standing-room-only debate
Two-term Duluth Mayor Emily Larson faces off against Roger Reinert, a former state legislator.

'Everyone is welcome': What to know about attending a powwow
Tribes like the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe blend modern life with old traditions as they gather for powwows.

Duluth proposes new $72 million downtown library — if it gets federal and state help
A new library would house several city entities, including police units.
Carlton County wildfire continues to smolder despite rain; three homes remain evacuated
Hot and dry conditions contributed to rapid spread of flames on Labor Day.
Wildfire burns in Carlton County, threatening properties
The fire, estimated to be between 40 and 70 acres, was detected Monday.

Minnesota felon who turned in brother's gun pleads guilty
Steven Cooper's attorney said he will argue for probation at the October sentencing in Duluth.

Lake Superior swimmers battle towering swells, seasickness on 'magical' 48-mile route
Six marathon swimmers swam the relay to raise awareness about a warming lake.

Former IRRR Commissioner Mark Phillips dies at 73
He is remembered as a "true Iron Ranger" who leaves long-lasting benefits to northeastern Minnesota.

Second fuel leak in as many days at Superior refinery
The Superior Fire Department said the public isn't in danger.

Visits to the Boundary Waters dropped last year — and that's a good thing, forest officials say
The number of people paddling, hiking and boating in the BWCA last year returned to pre-pandemic levels and was in line with a reduction in the number of available permits.

Propane leak at Superior refinery, site of a 2018 explosion, sets off emergency response
Cenovus Energy's own crews handled the leak at the refinery.
Mountain lion captured on video in Duluth
Footage of the unusual sight was taken Aug. 20 near McQuade Harbor on the North Shore.

Duluth Mayor Emily Larson proposes 'good news' budget with influx of state money
The proposed budget, presented to the City Council on Monday night, follows her stunning defeat in the primary earlier this month.

After pushback, controversial MnDOT road plan in Duluth is altered
A roundabout at an intersection leading out of the city and up the North Shore would have meant the demolition of a house.

Lawsuit: Seizure, sale of properties over unpaid taxes is 'revenue-generating scheme'
A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision led to the Iron Range lawsuit.

Duluth bans smoking — cannabis, vapes and cigarettes — in city parks
The City Council approved an ordinance Monday night that leaves people with sidewalks and streets when it comes to smoking in public.

Suit against Duluth for overcharging stormwater fees certified as class action
Commercial property owners in the city each stand to recoup thousands of dollars.

Former state lawmaker stuns incumbent in Duluth mayoral primary
Roger Reinert and Mayor Emily Larson, who is running for a third term, both advance to the Nov. 7 general election.
Cook, Minn., man dead after crashing vintage Corvette into tree
The wreck happened around 8 p.m. Sunday night.
All aboard! Duluth train back in action after long hiatus along a changed St. Louis River
The Lake Superior & Mississippi Railroad returns with improvements to both the train cars and the scenery.

Two men charged in fatal Duluth shooting, the city's first homicide of the year
Paris Allen, 19, was killed Wednesday.

Two men arrested in fatal shooting in Duluth
A 19-year-old died and an 18-year-old was injured but is expected to survive.

Your Duluth 2023 primary election guide
The only primary election in Minnesota this year is in Duluth, which is Aug. 8. Find your precinct, and learn more about the candidates running for mayor, City Council and school board.
One dead in Duluth shooting, two arrested
A 19-year-old was killed and a second man, age 18, was shot and wounded, police said.

Proposed Lutsen Mountains expansion deferred as ski resort rethinks tribal rights
The resort had hoped to add 495 U.S. Forest Service acres to expand its offerings.

As marijuana becomes legal in Minnesota, cheering, dancing at Red Lake dispensary
The northern Minnesota reservation opened the first recreational marijuana dispensary in the state Tuesday.

Duluth News Tribune sells building to school district
The downtown property has been on the market since 2017.

Duluth tiny home listed for eye-popping $182,500: 'Everything that could go wrong did go wrong'
The asking price of the 205-square-foot home has drawn wide-ranging criticism.

Duluth poised to ban pot smoking inside city parks, impose $300 fine
The law would extend ban to cigarette and vape smoking as well.

Iron Range official takes new approach to population decline
The Department of Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation has a new, homegrown leader.

New Duluth Essentia Health hospital opens this month after four years and $915M
The project is the largest private investment in Duluth history.

Second whistleblower suit filed against Duluth college
Both suits allege retaliation for raising concerns about a toxic industrial chemical.

Duluth hotel opponents fail to post $1.6 million bond to halt construction
The proposed hotel would be built near an impaired trout stream.

In Duluth, major fixes ahead for oft-battered Lakewalk
More than $8 million in federal money paves the way for 2.5 miles of improvements for the city's trail along Lake Superior.

Grand Marais land tied to polygamy sect, Warren Jeffs is for sale
The 40-acre plot is largely undeveloped.

At $3 million, a lakefront penthouse is the most expensive listing in Duluth in decades
A luxury condo complex overlooking Lake Superior will open in 2024.

Self-driving car project flourishes on Iron Range
A free, on-demand car service makes public transportation more accessible in Grand Rapids.

Hibbing air tanker base gets overhaul to help fight wildfires
DULUTH - A Hibbing air tanker base used for fighting wildfires will get a major overhaul thanks to more than $6 million set aside in…

Opponents of Duluth hotel must pay $1.6 million to pause construction
The bond payment hinges on a Minnesota Court of Appeals decision.
Minnesota briefs: Solar power for church in Duluth
A new 34.4 kilowatt solar array will provide 40% of the power for the Unitarian Universalist Congregation.

New law forces some schools to confront mascot, nickname issues
Schools from Warroad to Sleepy Eye will need to change Native American-themed nicknames and logos — or go through a process to win an exception that involves working with the state's tribes.

Two dead after vintage plane crashes north of Duluth
The men were both employees of Cirrus Aircraft.

Boundary Waters closure area drastically reduced
A wildfire that began last week is completely contained.

Boundary Waters wildfire started by humans, officials say
The Forest Service detected the Spice Lake Fire last week. On Monday, it was 22 acres and 80% contained.

Duluth Central relics find a home for all to see
An auction of school memorabilia last summer galvanized alumni of the now defunct school in the center of Duluth.

What happens if 'unhealthy' air returns to Duluth for Grandma's Marathon?
Air quality is expected to be "moderate" Friday and Saturday with some lingering smoke.