Recent content from Christa Lawler
Landfill in Virginia, Minn., will turn heat from garbage into energy used to treat wastewater
The 10-acre cell at the St. Louis County landfill is the first of its kind in the state.
NTSB announces cause of fatal plane crash that destroyed Hermantown house
The National Transportation Safety Board cited the pilot's likely "spatial disorientation" in its report on a single-engine plane crash that killed all three on board — but not those in the house the plane hit.
Gophers complete women's hockey sweep of Minnesota Duluth
Minnesota, ranked third, rolled past the No. 4 Bulldogs two days in a row and hasn't lost to them since March 2022.
No. 3 Gophers pound out women's hockey win over No. 4 Minnesota Duluth
The Gophers gave UMD goalie Eve Gascon a 48-save workout in the first of back-to-back meetings.
Police: Duluth man suspected of killing family, himself got gun permit in September
Anthony Nephew got the gun despite a violent incident two months earlier. He told officers that voices had been telling him President-elect Donald Trump was going to take control and he needed to kill his family to protect them.
In Duluth, hundreds walk in candlelight vigil to honor slain family
Hundreds of people turned out to walk from the Nephews' home to the Abramson house, nearly a mile through the West Duluth neighborhood.
St. Louis County marks the end of project that brought fixes to 21 bridges and culverts
Dubbed the "bridge bundling project," it was a three-year, $25 million collaboration between the northern Minnesota county and the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Man charged in burglaries, assaults on elderly in their Duluth homes
Jeffrey Scott Montana faces five felony charges from last week's spree.
Police: Duluth man fatally shot two sons, wife, ex-wife and himself
Anthony Nephew, whose sons were ages 7 and 15, had written about his struggles with mental illness.
What are Lake Superior's most famous shipwrecks?
The Edmund Fitzgerald sank nearly half a century ago in "the gales of November." But the lake has taken hundreds of other ships, too.
Police find five dead, including two juveniles, from shootings in two Duluth homes
It's unclear how the incident unfolded, but police said more information would be released at a news conference Friday.
Former church youth leader in Duluth pleads guilty in sexual assault case
Jackson Gatlin, whose father, Michael Gatlin, was the pastor at Duluth Vineyard Church, will likely serve 13 years in prison after five women came forward with allegations of abuse, grooming.
Shawn Reed tops Duluth's former city attorney in 'unusual opportunity' judicial race
Reed, who says he's been involved with more than 11,000 cases in 27 years, outlasted the other three candidates, including Gunnar Johnson, on the primary ballot.
Northern Minnesota woman charged with voter fraud in forgery of dead mom's name
Danielle Christine Miller of Nashwauk told a deputy that her mother was an avid supporter of presidential candidate Donald Trump.
Duluth's Haunted Ship plays on its lore in last gasps of tourist season — and Forbes likes it
The made-over William A. Irvin got a shoutout on a Top 7 list of "Scariest Haunted Houses."
With a familiar name, DFL tries to win back long-held Minnesota House seat it lost last election
A retired judge and political newcomer is challenging one-term Republican Natalie Zeleznikar in the northern Minnesota district.
St. Louis County OKs $1.4M for upgrades to Damiano Center, a makeshift shelter, while Chum expands
Churches United in Ministry, with its $10 million in state and federal grants, is expected to break ground on a project that will double its size.
Gophers pour it on, complete weekend men's hockey sweep of Minnesota Duluth
An overnight stay in Duluth, uncommon recently but about to become the norm, produced two comfortable victories for sixth-ranked Minnesota.
Gophers roll early, start series with victory over Minnesota Duluth
The Gophers scored the first four goals, including two in the first five minutes. In a change from the norm, the series will remain in Duluth for a Saturday game.
Rick Nolan, former northern Minnesota congressman, has died
The former U.S. representative won the northeastern Minnesota seat in 2012 and followed with two tricky re-election campaigns. He had served earlier in Congress and the Minnesota House.
Two sentenced for distributing meth that led to two fatal overdoses in northern Minnesota
The men each received more than 13 years after two men died and a women was critically injured in 2022.
Bong Bridge will get upgrades next summer in time for Blatnik construction reroutes
Spot painting, concrete surface repairs and more are expected in 2025 on the lesser-traveled bridge between Duluth and Superior.
Duluth man who says he can't remember killing girlfriend sentenced to 20 years
Dale John Howard killed Allisa Marie Vollan in March, days after she had gotten a no-contact order.
Longtime owner of Gunflint Lodge & Outfitters dies at 85
Bruce Kerfoot was a local force and champion for Cook County businesses.
Memorial set for fallen northern Minnesota park ranger; service will stream online
Kevin Grossheim died while attempting to rescue a stranded family on a windy, wavy day on Namakan Lake.
Duluth mayor picks new city attorney as former one becomes a judge
Terri Lehr, who has been deputy city attorney for four years, replaces Jessica Fralich, who was appointed to the bench by Gov. Tim Walz earlier this week.
Duluth man involved in chaotic aftermath of fatal stabbing turns himself in 6 months later
Trayvon Joseph Walters fired at least two shots in downtown Duluth the night a young mother died of a stab wound.
Ranger who died attempting Voyageurs National Park rescue, a 'true public servant,' is identified
Kevin Grossheim had spent decades as a ranger and on the volunteer EMS crew in Northern Minnesota.
Walz appoints Duluth's City Attorney to Sixth District judge
Jessica Fralich will replace retiring Judge David M. Johnson.
Wisconsin man sentenced to 11 years for his role in mutilating the body of a St. Paul man
Robert Thomas West is already serving prison time in Minnesota for charges tied to the murder and dismemberment of Ricky Balsimo Jr.
Final report on 2023 fatal plane crash near Duluth offers few answers
The NTSB reports no evidence of mechanical malfunction.
Duluth's Grandma's Marathon 2025 races filling at record pace
Some entrants reported more than a 90-minute wait as they tried to register.
Duluth teen sentenced for fatally shooting childhood friend in 2022
Corey Devon Young, 19, was sentenced to over 27 years in prison in St. Louis County Court for killing Xzavier "Zane" Aubid-St. Clair.
Duluth manuscript museum has old, obscure documents. Then there is the historical loot tucked into the walls.
Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum turns 30 this year, just in time to unveil the contents of a time capsule left behind by former church's keepers.
St. Louis County OKs a 7.23% max tax levy increase; new development will blunt that
The tax base in Minnesota's geographically largest county grew about $265 million in mostly residential construction last year.
Edina man killed, woman injured in North Shore crash
Douglas Paul Junker died Tuesday night at the scene along Hwy. 61.
Inmate at Moose Lake prison found dead in cell
The death of the 39-year-old man is under investigation.
Duluth man pleads guilty to killing girlfriend who had a no-contact order against him
Dale John Howard, 25, said he doesn't remember killing Allisa Marie Vollan, 27.
Walz makes appeal for hard work from Wisconsin voters at Superior rally
The governor, making his fourth appearance in the battleground state as the Democratic vice presidential candidate, asked voters for 'All gas, no brakes.'
Northern Minnesota school bus driver faces charges of drunken driving with students on board
The 44-year-old man was arrested Sept. 4 after a concerned bystander saw him, seemingly intoxicated, at the bar the night before his morning route.
School bus driver, believed to be 'highly intoxicated' at a bar, arrested on Iron Range route the next morning
There were 17 students on board the bus when the driver was arrested, with a preliminary BAC of 0.16%.
Long-dead Duluth priest's body exhumed to begin winding path to sainthood
The Roman Catholic Church has recognized upward of 10,000 saints over the centuries, though few with ties to the United States.
Duluth drive-by shooter tied to death of teen sentenced to 30 years
Sanussi Tamsir Bangoura was part of a drive-by shooting that killed Paris Allen in 2023, a death that weighed heavy on Allen's late father.
Canadian railway bridge across border from International Falls collapses
An environmental team had contained a biodegradable hydraulic oil that had been released during the incident.
Gunnar Johnson, Shawn Reed survive tight primary in northeastern Minnesota judicial race
The two lawyers will face off in November to fill the role currently held by outgoing Judge Dale Harris.
Minnesota youth leader charged with swimming naked with young girls
One girl's family has submitted a letter to the court that it was OK.
Retirement of northern Minnesota judge sets up uncommon judicial election without incumbent
Five men are vying for the Sixth District seat that will be vacated with Judge Dale Harris' upcoming retirement.
Barbie exhibition comes to Duluth, adding pink to the city's convention center
"Barbie: A Cultural Icon," which includes 65 years of Barbie history, is on display at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center through Sept. 22.
Olympic marathon is the grittiest test yet for Minnesota's Lindwurm
Dakotah Lindwurm of St. Francis, known for her grittiness and tenacity, thrives on challenging courses like Paris' hilly marathon route past many of the city's historic landmarks.
Downtown Duluth homeless encampment removed early Wednesday
Police began dismantling tents about 6 a.m. on the lawn near City Hall, where dozens of people experiencing homelessness had been living for months.
Homeless encampment near Duluth City Hall lives another day as eviction deadline passes
Police and fire officials stopped by the site Tuesday morning and left a city truck behind to collect garbage.
Iron Range man sentenced to 46 years in prison for death of Babbitt couple who took him in
Roger A. Beldo had been living with Clifford and Christine Johnson for a month before he bludgeoned them to death.
Duluth family that claimed years of race-based harassment get settlement from city
Aaron Kirk, who has had close to 100 interactions with the Police Department, will receive $135,000.
St. Louis County places 5-month moratorium on new cannabis businesses
The move allows local government more time to figure out how to regulate the industry, according to a news release.
St. Louis County gets $35 million for Rice Lake Road corridor project
Construction likely will run two construction seasons: 2028-29.
Sauna culture is front and center at Duluth's FinnFest, along with Asahi and floorball
Finns have taken over the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center, as the celebration of all things Finnish enters its second consecutive year in Duluth.
First look at Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan in trailer for upcoming biopic
Chalamet's vocals will be used in the film.
Wedding celebration turned to chaos after Duluth tourist boat hit rocks during cruise
The groom's grandmother hit her head, wine glasses shattered and guests helped hand out life jackets.
'Extravagant example of Western prosperity': Hibbing High School turns 100
The building, dedicated in 1924, has modern classrooms but its common areas retain the look of yesteryear.
Crystal man indicted in ruby slippers case could face more charges for organized theft ring
Crystal police asked the Hennepin County Attorney's Office to file formal charges against Jerry Hal Saliterman.
Bail set for Michael Carbo, as he awaits retrial in cold case murder
Carbo's new trial date for the decades-old murder of Nancy Daugherty is in January 2025.
Dear Duluth newbies in search of climate security: Can you pronounce 'sauna' and politely decline a zipper merge?
A climate refugee committee is an in-progress web series that considers what happens when people looking for sanctuary actually get here.
A multilingual army of immigrants helped build the Iron Range. How did they communicate in the mines?
People from more than 40 countries navigated dangerous conditions to extract the precious and plentiful iron ore of northern Minnesota.
Man who allegedly stabbed Duluth woman arrested 2 months later in Michigan
Darrius Plummer was taken into custody Wednesday, accused of fatally stabbing Chantel Moose in April.
Pride event draws 2,000 in Grand Rapids — and complaints to City Council
At the first Itasca Pride, about a dozen protesters countered with a "straight pride" event and complained to the city about children being "groomed."
Second Duluth man found guilty for role in 2023 drive-by shooting death
Sanussi Tamsir Bangoura, 22, was one of two men who fired gunshots that killed Paris Allen and injured another man during altercation.
What are the wildest sights, sounds, smells from Grandma's Marathon? Bacon, for one.
Grandma's Marathon, in Duluth this weekend, can be a spectacle. Here's what you will find during the iconic race along the North Shore.
Hibbing man sentenced again to life in prison for 2019 murder
Deshon Israel Bonnell confessed, was sentenced, then appealed a 2019 ruling -- landing a more harsh sentence the second time around.
Once 'credibly accused' Duluth priest wins fight to return to church, retires weeks later
The Rev. William C. Graham briefly returned to his old church, but not everyone was happy to see him.
Jill Biden appeals to Duluth seniors with pro-aging, pro-Biden pep talk
The first lady kicked off a Seniors for Biden-Harris campaign, meant to draw older supporters, at Duluth's Lincoln Park Senior Center.
Storms leave trail of damage across north-central and northeastern Minnesota
A National Weather Service team will head to Aitkin, Crow Wing and Carlton to survey damage and determine if a tornado touched down.
Jill Biden to make campaign stop in Duluth on Thursday in push for older supporters
Pickleball, bingo and pancake breakfasts are part of the Seniors for Biden-Harris push.
Man shot through door by Duluth police gets $600,000 settlement
The Duluth City Council approved the payment during Monday's meeting.
Duluth 19-year-old found guilty in death of childhood friend
Corey Devon Young was on probation for a previous gun charge when he fatally shot Xzavier Louis Aubid-St. Clair in 2022.
Body of final missing canoeist recovered near Curtain Falls in Boundary Waters
Reis Grams' body was found Monday after more than two weeks of searching.
