Recent content from Jana Hollingsworth
Duluth skywalk: A relic or still critical?
City leaders hope to study the system's future as post-pandemic use hasn't returned to previous levels.
Duluth undertaking major fixes in its complex, uphill water system
The EPA found a host of deficiencies in 2023, and a new property owner surcharge will replace a prior one to pay for upgrades.
Demolition begins on a historic downtown Duluth eyesore
The dismantling of the Pastoret Terrace, home to elegant townhomes in one era and the divey Kozy Bar in another, was approved last month after years of litigation.
New partnership hopes to restore this 'species of special concern' to the St. Louis River
Lake sturgeon, the largest of all Great Lakes fish and as ancient as dinosaurs, once thrived in the river until overfishing and pollution wiped it out.
First retail tenant announced for massive Duluth hilltop housing project
The first building in the Incline Village development is set to open next year.
Duluth federal prison camp closure in apparent limbo
The Federal Bureau of Prisons said it is conducting a facility assessment before determining next steps, as most inmates remain.
Duluth schools poised to eliminate athletics and activities directors as cuts loom
Duluth is among school districts across the state struggling to keep up with costs.
Federal funding for 'green' iron manufacturing study could be caught up in politics
Duluth-based University of Minnesota Natural Resources Research Institute pursues 'green' iron manufacturing in northern Minnesota but depends on a feasibility study.
Desegregation, overpopulation behind Duluth Spanish immersion expansion
About 650 kids attend Lowell Elementary, built for just 500. But access for underserved students plays a role in the decision to send part of a popular program to another school.
Duluth's notorious former Kozy Bar is poised for demolition, after long legal dispute
The once-stately structure, formally known as the Pastoret Terrace, has been largely destroyed by fire and decay. A settlement lays out design guidelines for the downtown historic district.
Duluth overdose deaths prompt questions of supportive housing provider
Within 15 months, three women died alone in Grace Place housing. Their bodies weren't discovered for days.
Campaign manager for Duluth mayor cleared of legal wrongdoing
Public records that showed Amber Gurske's direction of city employees on behalf of Mayor Roger Reinert didn't violate any statutes, external investigation says.
Duluth's historic Aerial Lift Bridge finally getting a major makeover
The city will be awarded an $11.2 million federal grant for the "unofficial symbol of Duluth."
500 Duluth city workers reach union contract, averting strike
The members of AFSCME Local 66 include snowplow drivers and utility workers and make up the city's largest union.
Hermantown trailer park owner on hook for lodging costs of displaced residents
A St. Louis County judge ordered Elevated Property Management to make immediate repairs to units without water.
Duluth man charged with stealing 40 hockey sticks in theft that derailed Mankato team
Cole Saice said he returned to the bus after the initial theft because another man "wanted in."
Duluth's new city administrator comes from same role in St. Cloud
Matt Staehling replaces Dave Montgomery, who served in an interim capacity for Mayor Roger Reinert's first year.
As Duluth's Vikre Distillery turns 10, it leads charge to shop local
New liquor laws have benefitted the Canal Park distillery, but business flowing to large corporations still hurts it, owners say.
Closure of northern Minnesota camp is 'the greatest story.' Here's why.
Willow River, Minn., camp One Heartland is for sale after serving kids there for nearly three decades.
Fond du Lac Band plans Munger Trail connection
The band is in planning and design stages on the trail that will link to Black Bear Casino and Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College.
Bois Forte Band member killed in hit-and-run near northern Minnesota casino
The FBI has identified a person of interest in the case.
Why did Biden release a Duluth head shop owner who created a public health crisis?
Convicted synthetic drug-trafficker Jim Carlson, whose products harmed many, lives in a Twin Cities halfway house. He is among the nearly 1,500 granted clemency by President Joe Biden.
Duluth's snowplow drivers, others in large union authorize strike, citing 'crushing' workloads
Nearly 500 members of AFSCME Local 66, which includes snowplow drivers and water line maintenance workers, could strike in mid-January.
Construction begins on Duluth's 'newest neighborhood,' at scenic former high school site
The vacant site of the former Duluth Central High School will become the home of a major housing development with some of Duluth's best views.
In controversial move, Duluth picks Arizona agency to push tourism
Duluth city councilors had the final say in a committee's recommendation to steer marketing of a $1 billion industry.
Owner of 'deplorable' Duluth-area mobile home park pleads guilty
The owner of Elevated Management will be sentenced Jan. 2 for failure to provide safe drinking water and other required public health and safety measures.
Hermantown, Minn., cracks down on trailer park owner over 'deplorable' conditions
From minor code violations to a condemned status, all 50-plus units have compliance issues, potentially forcing some residents out as temperatures plummet.
Duluth picks out-of-state agency over local firms to market tourism
In his successful campaign for mayor last year, Roger Reinert criticized incumbent Emily Larson for choosing a Minneapolis firm over locally connected groups to market the city. Now the city is looking outside Minnesota.
Duluth awarded legal win over stormwater fee class action suit
The lawsuit by two Duluth businesses, including Moline Machinery, was originally filed against the city in 2021.
Duluth school district expects to cut $5 million next year
The end of federal pandemic relief aid is a driver of projected reductions, which equates to about 50 full-time teacher positions.
Duluth chamber makes historic choice to lead board
Chiamaka Enemuoh is the first person of color appointed as board chair of the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce.
Republican U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber easily defeats Democrat Jennifer Schultz in northern MN rematch
Stauber, the incumbent, wins a fourth term in the Eighth Congressional District. Schultz is a former state legislator.
Northern Minnesota congressional candidates polite but pointed in only debate
U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber and challenger Jennifer Schultz face each other in an Eighth Congressional District rematch.
No jail time for convicted felon who turned in gun
Charges against Steven Cooper raised controversy after he called his parole officer in 2022 to say he had found a gun among his deceased brother's possessions.
Will Minnesota's long-blue Iron Range turn red in November?
Minnesota Republicans are hopeful the region's rightward shift will help them win every state House seat on the Range this year and end the DFL's trifecta control of state government.
Critics say Duluth judicial candidate fought improvements to domestic violence work as city attorney
Gunnar Johnson said he needed to vet opportunities intended to improve domestic violence case outcomes before agreeing to them.
Campfire ban lifted at Superior National Forest, including BWCAW
Recent rain and humidity have improved conditions on the Superior National Forest's 3 million acres and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota.
New employer-led nonprofit hopes to lure workers to Duluth with housing investments
Essentia Health is the first major employer to invest in Duluth-based Northland Housing Partners.
Former Duluth East hockey coach Mike Randolph created 'hostile' culture, report finds
One parent felt as if they were "condoning child abuse" when their son played for Randolph, according to a newly released investigation.
Duluth to investigate role mayor's girlfriend plays in city business
An internal review is complete, but city administration wants one done externally for transparency.
Superior National Forest widens Boundary Waters campfire ban
Because of "extreme" fire danger, Cook and Lake counties are included in expanded ban.
Duluth mayor's girlfriend and campaign manager is involved in city business, emails show
Amber Gurske ran Roger Reinert's first mayoral campaign against incumbent Emily Larson.
Duluth mental health crisis team is funded one more year after mayor proposes cut
Mayor Roger Reinert excluded money for the crisis response team to focus on core city services and avoid property tax increases.
Duluth in 'near-crisis' with child care shortage, task force says
The group convened by former Mayor Emily Larson shared results of a year-long study, with recommendations to invest in several strategies.
MacKenzie Scott gives $9 million to Duluth business nonprofit
The gift to the EFund is equal to 15% of the nonprofit's lending portfolio.
Iron Range school bus rolls with 21 kids on board
St. Louis County Schools superintendent said the children suffered non-life-threatening injuries and some were sent to area hospitals.
Is population-stuck Duluth finally growing?
For decades, Duluth has been a popular place to visit, but not so much to put down roots. New data suggests that might be changing.
Duluth could see 2% levy increase — but taxpayers won't feel it, mayor says
Projected revenue from new construction will blunt the tax increase in 2025, Mayor Roger Reinert says.
Duluth fish kill likely due to 1.7 million gallons of chloramine-treated water that drained into stream
The amount of water released is far greater than Duluth city officials initially reported.
Duluth's economic development arm sees rash of resignations
The city of Duluth's Planning and Economic Development Department has a leadership void after two top departures this month.
Grand Marais denies hillside townhouse project, but developer has a backup plan
Bjorkberg developer Jon Petters says he will work on a new plan to bring single family homes to the northeastern Minnesota city.
Despite housing shortage, Grand Marais resists new townhouse project
A plan to build 19 Lake Superior-facing townhouses, some designated for income-qualified residents, is likely to be scuttled.
In greater Minnesota, annual state aid is often considered 'lifeblood.' So why doesn't everyone get it?
Local government aid (LGA) is largely driven by a city's property tax base. So cities with high tax bases compared to their needs get little to nothing, even in rural Minnesota.
Fish kill, including hundreds of dead brook trout, found in Duluth creek
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is investigating the fish kill in Tischer Creek; it could take up to three years to repopulate the brook trout to previous levels.
Duluth zoo's newest red panda, Pip, has died
Pip came to the Lake Superior Zoo in the spring, joining Zoozee, who has been with the zoo for more than a year.
Meet the new University of Minnesota Duluth chancellor, 30 days into his new job
Meet the new University of Minnesota Duluth chancellor, 30 days into his new job
St. Louis County flood damage nears $12 million for property owners
IRRB approves $2.5 million for economic recovery of Cook, hit hardest by June flood.
Duluth council rejects push to criminalize homeless encampments
City officials notified an encampment outside Duluth City Hall that occupants had one week to leave.
Iowa housing developer broke contracts with Duluth
Merge Urbane Development Group was to benefit from millions in public aid for western Duluth housing projects.
Duluth Palestinian restaurant tagged by 'threatening' graffiti
Falastin, which offers food and wares central to Palestinian culture, opened in early May.
Duluth city leaders hear from more than 200 on criminalizing homeless encampments
The Duluth City Council will take up a slate of proposed nonviolent crime ordinance changes July 29.
Once a toxic soup, a Lake Superior estuary is now swim-worthy
The $186 million restoration of a section of the St. Louis River that divides Duluth and Superior, Wis., is complete, and officials say a new era of recreation can safely begin.
Duluth proposes criminal penalty for homeless encampments
A ban on outdoor camping is among a slew of ordinance changes city officials are proposing.
Damage leaves Minnesotans without flood insurance hoping for aid
Home and business owners are left reeling as they also await federal and state disaster dollars.
Sullivan Lake has disappeared after a century-old dam fails in heavy rains
Sullivan Lake, north of Two Harbors in Lake County, drained after a century-old dam failed.
Gov. Tim Walz tours northeast Minnesota flooding, promises help
The area will likely escape predicted rain this weekend, allowing floodwaters time to recede.
New Fond du Lac Chippewa tribe leader takes office in July
Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Chair Kevin Dupuis Sr. was voted out last week after 16 years in tribal leadership.
Families at YMCA camp near Ely stuck on wrong side of washed-out road
An official at YMCA of the North said about 170 campers are safe but unable to leave in vehicles after heavy rains flooded the road to the camp.
Flooding forces northeastern Minnesota town to 'a standstill'
St. Louis County declared a disaster Thursday to secure relief aid, with several rural residential areas under water.
'Rare' storm sends torrents of water down Duluth's hillsides
Parts of the Iron Range and the North Shore got more than 7 inches of rain, washing out roads, downing trees and forming walls of waterfalls from rock ledges along Hwy. 61.
Tornadoes confirmed across swath of northern Minnesota
Surveyors discovered extensive tree damage, with the worst at Whitefish Lake and Crosslake in Crow Wing County, north of Brainerd.
Rural North Shore residents oppose proposed Black-owned wellness sanctuary
A group of Lake County residents have filed a lawsuit to stop a wellness retreat aimed at people of color.
Duluth tiny house mocked for high sales price is poised to become an affordable rental
The house started with a $195,000 sale price, or about $950 per square foot.
Body found in North Shore river identified
A Finland, Minn., man was found in the Baptism River last month.
