State briefs: Duluth mayor selects interim police chief

Deputy Chief Mike Tusken will temporarily take the helm of Duluth's police department during the search for a permanent chief.

Mayor Emily Larson named Tusken, a 23-year-veteran in the department, as interim chief last week. Longtime chief Gordon Ramsay left his post for a similar job in Wichita, Kan.

Tusken, who has served as both a sergeant and lieutenant, was appointed Deputy Police Chief in 2006 to oversee the patrol division.

"I'm confident that the Duluth Police Department will continue to provide the highest quality services under Mike's leadership," Larson said. "Our search for a permanent police chief should prove to be insightful, comprehensive and engaging of the community."

Pam Louwagie

@pamlouwagie

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has steered a $350,000 grant to Fond du Lac Tribal Community College to develop a program to train employees of Sappi Fine Paper in Cloquet.

The grant is part of more than $37 million in job training assistance the state has used to train more than 44,000 workers since 2011. The Sappi paper mill employs 698 people, and the state's forest products industry employs more than 40,000 workers.

Jennifer Brooks

@stribrooks

High school hockey players from across the Iron Range are throwing their support — and their lip syncing skills — behind a campaign to end domestic violence.

The teams will star in lip-sync videos featuring "songs that promote love, respect, and show young hockey players in a positive light having fun and partnering for National NO MORE Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Awareness week March 6-12," the campaign said.

Other videos will feature players from the Eveleth-Gilbert/Mesabi East Golden Bears, the Hibbing High School Bluejackets and the Greenway High School Raiders of Coleraine, Minn. To see earlier videos featuring high school athletes, or to get information or help, visit stopdomesticabuse.org.

Jennifer Brooks