Staff Directory 8761943

Christa Lawler

Duluth Reporter | Duluth/Superior

Christa Lawler covers Duluth and surrounding areas for the Star Tribune. Sign up to receive the new North Report newsletter.


Before 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.
Recent content from Christa Lawler
A pair of red women's slippers adorned with sparkles and a tiny bow toward the toe

Bids for ruby slippers stolen from Grand Rapids museum surpass $1 million in online auction

The live auction for the shoes, worn by Judy Garland in "The Wizard of Oz," starts at 11 a.m. Saturday.
The Duluth International Airport had a great start to its year before air travel was all but halted by the global pandemic.

Duluth airport sets flight record in September, and makes push for funding

The airport's air traffic control tower is the third-oldest in the country and no longer meets a key FAA requirement.
St. Louis County commissioners approved a cannabis ordinance during Tuesday's meeting at the courthouse.

St. Louis County approves 'conservative' cannabis ordinance, allowing room to adjust in the future

Only Commissioner Ashley Grimm voted against the ordinance during Tuesday's meeting at the St. Louis County courthouse.
Victims gathered in a downtown law office following Jackson Gatlin's hearing. He pleaded guilty to felony-level sexual conduct and has since been sent

Fired Duluth church youth leader sentenced in 3 more sex assault cases

Jackson Gatlin was sentenced Tuesday for sexually assaulting three more victims, but it doesn't add to his prison time.
Jackson Gatlin, a former youth leader at Duluth Vineyard, was sentenced Monday to 13 years in prison for sexual misconduct with young girls. Earlier t

Former Duluth youth leader sentenced to 13 years in prison for sexual abuse of young girls

Jackson Gatlin, his parents and Duluth Vineyard church are also facing civil lawsuits from at least nine victims.
At a landfill in Virginia, a 10-acre cell has been outfitted with a geothermal liner that will collect heat from garbage, then distribute that energy

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.
The pilot of a single-engine plane that crashed into a house in Hermantown in 2022 had expressed that he was worried about the flight because he was n

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.
The Gophers' Peyton Hemp, shown in an October game, scored in the team's victory Saturday over Minnesota Duluth.

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.
Gophers forward Ella Huber, shown during an October game, scored twice Friday against Minnesota Duluth.

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.
Community members raise their lights outside of the home where Kathryn Ramsland, Oliver Nephew and Tony Nephew before last week's murder-suicide.

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.
Adelle Keppers leaves flowers outside the Nephew home in Duluth during a walking candlelight vigil Wednesday evening memorializing the two families.

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 and the Minnesota Department of Transportation marked the end of a bridge bundling project that brought fixes to 21 spots in northern

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.
Jeffrey Scott Montana was charged Tuesday with a handful of felonies for alleged home invasions in Duluth over three consecutive days last week.

Man charged in burglaries, assaults on elderly in their Duluth homes

Jeffrey Scott Montana faces five felony charges from last week's spree.
Erin Abramson and Jacob Nephew were found dead from gunshot wounds Thursday in West Duluth. Duluth police had been called to the house for a welfare c

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.
A diver with the Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society explored the stern winch on the Madeira, a schooner barge that sank in Lake Superior in190

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.
Two people were found dead from gunshot wounds Thursday in West Duluth. Officers had been called to the house for a welfare check. Duluth police later

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.
Victims gathered in a downtown law office on Wednesday following Jackson Gatlin's hearing. He pleaded guilty on a count of sexual assault and entered

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 was elected Sixth District judge on Tuesday, replacing retiring Judge Dale Harris.

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.
In Itasca County, a woman faces three felony charges for voting twice in the 2024 election.

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.
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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."
Mark Munger and Natalie Zeleznikar are in the running for Minnesota House 3B, considered one of the top races in the state.

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.
Duluth's Damiano Center will get upgrades to its third floor so that Chum can move in during its construction project.

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.
Forward Jimmy Snuggerud, shown in a game last season, was among Gophers goal scorers Saturday.

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.
The Gophers' Oliver Moore, shown in a March game, was among the standouts Friday against Minnesota Duluth.

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.
Rep. Rick Nolan -- one of three of Minnesota's freshly re-elected Democrats along with Colin Peterson and Tim Walz -- broke with their party Friday to

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.
The federal courthouse in Minneapolis

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.
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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.
Dale John Howard was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Monday. He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder charges in September, following the strangul

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.
Bruce Kerfoot, longtime owner of the Gunflint Lodge, died earlier this week. He was 85.

Longtime owner of Gunflint Lodge & Outfitters dies at 85

Bruce Kerfoot was a local force and champion for Cook County businesses.
Kevin Grossheim

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.
If approved by Duluth's City Council, Terri Lehr will be the new City Attorney.

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.
Trayvon Walters turned himself in to authorities on Wednesday morning and was in St. Louis County District Court in the afternoon for his role in the

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.
Kevin Grossheim died Sunday while rescuing a family on Namakan Lake in northern Minnesota.

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.
Gov. Walz and Lt. Gov. Flanagan have appointed Jessica Fralich Sixth District judge.

Walz appoints Duluth's City Attorney to Sixth District judge

Jessica Fralich will replace retiring Judge David M. Johnson.
Ricky Balsimo Jr. of St. Paul. Robert West was sentenced Thursday to 11 years in Douglas County (Wis.) Court for his role in Balsimo's murder and dism

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.
Entries for Grandma's Marathon filled fast Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

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.
Corey Devon Young was sentenced to more than 27 years in prison for fatally shooting Xzavier Aubid-St. Clair in 2022.

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.
Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum celebrates its 30th anniversary with the unveiling of a time capsule that was stuck into the cornerstone of the bui

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 commissioners voted Tuesday on the maximum levy during at meeting at the courthouse.

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.
The state prison at Moose Lake, Minn.

Inmate at Moose Lake prison found dead in cell

The death of the 39-year-old man is under investigation.
The St. Louis County Courthouse. Dale John Howard pleaded guilty to killing his girlfriend in March. Allisa Vollan had a no-contact order from a previ

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.
Minnesota Governor and U.S. Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz and his wife Gwen Walz wave to supporters as they wrap up their campaign s

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.'
A St. Louis County school bus driver faces two misdemeanor charges of driving while intoxicated after he was arrested while taking students to South R

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.
A bus driver on the Iron Range was arrested Wednesday morning and is in St. Louis County jail pending charges of driving while intoxicated.

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%.
The Diocese of Duluth is investigating whether it should proceed with the process of canonization for Monsignor Joseph Buh, who died here in 1922.

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.
Sanussi Tamsir Bangoura was sentenced for his role in the 2023 death of Paris Allen, who was killed by a bullet during a drive-by shooting.

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.
The Rainy River Rail Lift Bridge, known as the 5-Mile Bridge, collapsed Wednesday near Fort Frances.

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, left, and Shawn Reed advanced to the general election in a northeastern Minnesota judicial primary race on Tuesday.

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.
Five attorneys are in the running for the Sixth District judicial seat.

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.
Duluthians Carmen Latterell and Lily Latterell pose in the Barbie Corvette Thursday at the Mattel exhibit inside the Duluth Entertainment Convention C

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.
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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.
Police officers lined the perimeter of a piece of land in downtown Duluth where there had been an encampment for the past three months.

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.
Tuesday's deadline for voluntarily evacuating the encampment at Duluth's Civic Center passed without action from city officials. Members of the city's

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.
The Kirk family will receive a $135,000 settlement from the city after Aaron Kirk was arrested following a road rage incident in which the other drive

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.
Minnesota faced Fort Worth in floorball on Thursday during the second day of Finn Fest in Duluth.

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.
Actor Timothée Chalamet stopped by Hibbing High School for a rehearsal of the drama department's production while preparing for the role of Bob Dylan

First look at Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan in trailer for upcoming biopic

Chalamet's vocals will be used in the film.
The cruise vessel Vista Star leaves for a lunchtime tour of the area and the bridge needs to rise only about 1/2 way to accomodate it.

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.
hibbing high school

'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.
Judy Garland's stolen ruby slippers were recovered in a sting operation earlier this summer after disappearing 13 years ago from the Judy Garland Muse

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.
Nancy Daugherty, 38, was found murdered July 16, 1986, in the bedroom of her Chisholm, Minnesota, home. She had been sexually assaulted. Daugherty was

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.
Duluth's status as climate-proof is the topic for an in-progress comedy web series about climate refugees. 

ALEX KORMANN • alex.kormann@startribune

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 group of miners posed for a photograph at an unknown Iron Range location around the turn of the 20th Century.

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.
U.S. Marshalls in Michigan arrested a man in connection with the April stabbing death of Chantel Moose.

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.
Grand Rapids hosted its first Itasca Pride event last weekend without much interruption from a planned protest. Detractors hit Monday's City Council m

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."
Sanussi Tamsir Bangoura was found guilty of charges relating to the 2023 drive-by shooting death of Paris Allen.

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.
Thousands of runners, spectators and volunteers will be a part of Grandma's Marathon events this weekend.

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.
Fr. William Graham returned to St. Michael's Church in mid-May, after he had been sidelined for years with allegations of abuse. He resigned just week

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.
First Lady Jill Biden greets guests after she spoke at the Lincoln Park Community Center to mostly seniors in Duluth, Minn., on Thursday, June 13, 202

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.