Staff Directory 6370431

Pam Louwagie

Reporter | Regional
Phone: 612-673-7102

Pam Louwagie is a regional reporter for the Star Tribune. She previously covered courts and legal affairs and was on the newspaper's investigative team. She now writes frequently about a variety of topics in northeast Minnesota and around the state and region. Sign up to receive the new North Report newsletter.


Previously, Louwagie worked at The Times-Picayune in New Orleans and the Philadelphia Inquirer. She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota.
Recent content from Pam Louwagie
Northern lights dance across the Minnesota sky

What it was like to watch the northern lights dance across the Midwestern sky

The northern lights put on spectacular show across Minnesota and Wisconsin on Friday night into Saturday.
Manidoo-giizhikens, or Little Cedar Spirit Tree, sits under the stars on the shore of Lake Superior in Grand Portage, Minn. The tree is over 300 years

Minnesota's large dark sky areas are unique. How can we preserve them?

Light pollution is growing worse, but every Minnesotan can take steps to curb it.
Richard Warren, right, and Shirley Jaiyefimi paid their respect to George Floyd during the George Floyd Global Memorial on Tuesday in Minneapolis.

Events marking the two-year anniversary of the police killing of George Floyd

The events are going on Wednesday across Minneapolis and St. Paul
Ten years after hockey injury, 'Jabs' carves his own path

Ten years after hockey injury, 'Jabs' carves his own path

Jack Jablonski relishes his role as an insider in the sport that both shattered and helped him.

Ten years after a paralyzing hockey injury, Jack Jablonski is calling his own shots in California

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Children's Minnesota tackles racial health disparities: 'What gets measured, gets done'

Children's Minnesota is using a dashboard to show racial disparities in patient outcomes, and efforts to change them.
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The Rev. Cathy McDonald, who lent an ear to those whom society forgot, dies at 82

One dead, four wounded after shooting at Buffalo health clinic

One dead, four wounded after shooting at Buffalo health clinic

A 67-year-old male suspect has been detained after the shooting at an Allina Health clinic. He had a history of being unhappy with health care he had received and threatening medical workers, authorities said. Police found suspicious devices as well.
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Revered prep football coach gets heat for Diversity Club comments

Carl Fruechte questions whether a club at Caledonia High School in southern Minnesota will be open to differing views of homosexuality.
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Grand Marais mayor's dog survives wolf attack

Wolves cornered Blue, a two-year-old Weimaraner, on a trail in the woods.
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Federal stimulus will help pay internet bills, boost broadband access across Minnesota

The COVID relief bill includes $7 billion for increasing access and security.
Juanita Moran's daughters Becky Cusick, left, and Marie Zellner, right, joined her for a zoom call for a rosary prayer shortly after being cleared of

St. Paul matriarch, 99, and family survive COVID scare

The petite 99-year-old had been in good health until early November, when she started sleeping all day and eating only a few bites.
Minnesota U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar, left, and Tina Smith signed a letter protesting an executive order.

Senators challenge Trump order banning some diversity training concepts

Smith, Klobuchar join 21 senators challenging Trump executive order.
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N.J. tech firm buys Cook County News-Herald and looks to add others

The sale is a New Jersey company's first media purchase.
Mary Hamilton held up a flag in support of police at the "Pray America Great" event in Fergus Falls, Minn., in October.

Surroundings make racial reckoning look different in rural Minn.

Diversity levels, social norms and politicization play a role in shaping attitudes in both big cities and small towns.
The presidential candidates took the stage early Wednesday: Democrat Joe Biden, left, spoke in Wilmington, Del., while President Donald Trump made com

The wait over next president is agonizing, both sides in Minnesota agree

People turned to doughnuts, caffeine, yoga, wine, exercise and all other sorts of therapies — including the warm sun of a perfect autumn day — doing their best to peel themselves away from television, radio and smartphones in the name of staying sane.
Amanda Garcia offered advice to her sister-in-law in Nevada, who had called to ask how to go about voting in today's election. ] JEFF WHEELER • jeff

Two Apple Valley voters, divided in politics, agree on need for civility

Masks are available to anyone who needs one at the entrance to Youngblood Coffee Roasters in downtown Fargo.

North Dakota trying to cope as nation's new top virus hot spot

Mask policies are popping up, a hospital is supplementing its staff with contract nurses from out of town, and the state recently asked COVID-positive residents to conduct their own contact tracing.
Mark Pavelich

Defense argues to drop weapons charges against hockey star Mark Pavelich

Weapons seized at his North Shore home were found as a result of illegal searches, a defense attorney argues.
Daniel Hull, second from left, met with his managers Oct. 7 at the Nutty Squirrel Sports Saloon in River Falls, Wis.

Wisconsin struggles with new surge in COVID-19 cases

New restrictions are enacted after the state becomes a hot spot.
Protesters marched downtown to the Minneapolis Police Department's First Precinct on Aug. 24.

Poll: More Minnesotans acknowledge racial inequality

Still, about half of likely voters said they feel civilian violence in cities is a bigger problem than police violence against Black people nationwide, according to a new Star Tribune/MPR News/KARE 11 Minnesota Poll.
Mark Pavelich

Hockey star Mark Pavelich moves to less restrictive mental health facility

After making strides in treatment, the Miracle on Ice star will live in a facility offering more interaction as he awaits trial on assault charges.
A few people were detained outside the Target in downtown Minneapolis on Thursday night after the curfew went into effect.

Stunned Minneapolis picks up pieces after unrest

2 cities on curfew, officers stationed to quell violence
A few people were detained outside the Target in downtown Minneapolis on Thursday night after the curfew went into effect.

Curfews in Mpls., St. Paul start night calmly

Well into the evening, Nicollet Mall remained peaceful with only a few people on the streets. In Minneapolis, law enforcement arrested 30 people within the first hour, according to a police spokesman. St. Paul had reported no late arrests.
After most morning hockey games, buddies come over to Mark Sertich's house for coffee and conversation. Sertich hugged Bob Somers after he and Dane Yo

Mark Sertich, world's oldest hockey player, dies at 99 in Duluth

Mark Sertich was 99 when he died surrounded by family and friends in the Duluth house where he grew up and lived independently up until his last days. He skated until last month.
First year medical student, Emily Otiso, 25, stands for a portrait outside of Wayne State Medical School on August 9, 2020 in Detroit, Mich. Otiso fel

Young Black woman says she won't move back after three years of 'Minnesota Nice' racism

Emily Otiso's frustrations came pouring out after hearing co-workers discuss George Floyd's death.
Rachel Vrudny, of Brainerd, died June 8 of COVID-19 pneumonia.

Rachel Vrudny, an educator who battled adversity with optimism, dies of COVID-19 complications at 60

Vrudny, of Brainerd, was adventurous and tough despite a lifetime of health problems, her father said.

Caught in storm, Boundary Waters campers thankful to be alive

Nine wilderness campers from St. Paul are happy to be alive and healthy after a storm's swirling winds uprooted trees all around them in their Boundary Waters campsite Wednesday evening.
FILE-Father and son hikers, Tom and Ross Perigo enjoyed the evening view high above Bean Lake on the Superior Hiking Trail.

Superior Hiking Trail group gets new leader

Lisa Luokkala last worked as a senior parks planner for the city of Duluth.
Duluth Police Chief Mike Tusken spoke at the press conference discussing the measures the city would be taking to slow the spread of COVID-19. ] ALEX

Duluth police tactics during arrest called consistent with department policies

Three officers struggled to contain a man on the ground with one officer delivering knee strikes, chief said.

Northeast Minnesota casinos set to reopen

The casinos are following the lead of others in Minnesota which opened at the end of May.
Duluth Mayor Emily Larson

Duluth playgrounds opening, but not athletic fields

Budget woes mean not enough staff to maintain some facilities, city leaders said.
Outdoor exhibits at the Lake Superior Zoo will reopen Friday.

Outdoor spaces reopening at Duluth attractions, including Lake Superior Zoo and Glensheen

The zoo will reopen Friday.
Mourners stood outside to hear a broadcast of Thursday's memorial service for George Floyd. Hundreds stood outside the service at North Central Univer

Rousing memorial for George Floyd looks ahead to what's next

Politicians, civil rights legends and pro athletes joined family members at a Minneapolis memorial to mourn George Floyd, the man whose death after being pinned to the ground by Minneapolis police last week sparked global outrage.
Minneapolis Fire Chief John Fruetel parked in front of the burned-out Walgreens on East Lake St. He said he was doing damage assessments around Minnea

Tensions on streets ebb in wake of George Floyd's death

Gov. Tim Walz talked of pulling back a portion of more than 7,000 National Guard members that had been called in to help quell violence in the metro area. Hours were reduced on a Twin Cities curfew, and officials planned to leave freeways open.
Cragun's Resort on Gull Lake has implemented curbside check in to eliminate any chance of crowds forming in the main lobby during check in.

Minnesota resorts reinventing hospitality for COVID-19 era

"Maximum service with a minimum interface" was how one resort's general manager described the way forward with summer about to kick off.
Minnesota retail shops are open again, but foot traffic is light

Minnesota retail shops are open again, but foot traffic is light

The state is allowing all stores to open as long as they file safety plans and limit capacity to 50%.
A black bear waited at Duluth's Miller Hill Mall entrance near Noodles & Company.

Bad news, bear: This Duluth mall is closed

With nearby Miller Creek and a forest bordering the parking lot, the mall has seen visits from beavers, fox, rabbits and even coyotes over the years.
Governor Tim Walz announced at a press conference Tuesday that he was lifting a suspension on elective surgeries in Minnesota.. ] GLEN STUBBE •

COVID-19 puts some Minnesota rural hospitals on life support

Without elective procedures or COVID surges, already-stressed rural health care systems are taking an extra financial hit.
Chris Hanmer, owner of CH Patisserie, in Sioux Falls, S.D. Most bars and restaurants there have voluntarily switched to serving takeout only. But othe

South Dakota under fire for stance on fighting COVID-19

Despite an explosion of cases at a Sioux Falls pork plant, the state is one of the few that has yet to impose a statewide stay-at-home order.
Popular eatery in downtown Grand Marais engulfed in flames

Popular eatery in downtown Grand Marais engulfed in flames

Crooked Spoon restaurant, two gift shops destroyed in downtown fire.
(Left) Kaitlyn Rebarich worked on science homework while her brother, Colton, worked on choir homework in their mom's car in a McDonalds parking lot i

Spotty internet access is leaving many rural Minnesotans behind

As Minnesotans work and study from home amid the pandemic, access to high-speed internet has become more important than ever. For the rural households without high-speed internet or reliable connections, keeping up has been a struggle.
The Rev. John Henry III, pastor at St. James Lutheran Church in Northrop, Minn., says nine parishioners have tested positive for the virus.

Rural Martin County becomes unlikely hotbed for coronavirus

As of Monday, two county residents had died from the virus out of 23 who had tested positive — including nine from a local church congregation, according to the pastor.
Michael Sauser, who's family has run SauserÕs Hardware since 1909, says a run on chest freezers and household supplies has contributed to unseaso

Social distancing doesn't come easy to small-town Minnesota

In towns across the state, where neighbors rely neighbors, social distancing doesn't come easy.
Grand Marais, as seen from Pincushion Mountain Overlook on Friday March 20, 2020.

In Minnesota's small tourist towns, there's trepidation over visitors

Northern Minnesota's Cook County usually welcomes visitors, but now wants to keep COVID-19 at bay.
(Left) Seaman Sydney Unger and Petty officer second class Jordan Clark gathered line as they prepared to get the USCGC Alder underway Tuesday morning

As icebreaker preps for Great Lakes shipping, shippers hope for more

Mild temps and thin ice make shippers' pitch for better ice breaking equipment a tougher sell.
(Left) Wesley Frye, playing the role of Prince Charming, and Madison Holtze, playing the role of Cinderella, performed a scene at the royal ball in fr

A little opera in Minnesota's big North Woods

Duluth opera company brings cultural experience to young students in northern Minnesota.
A cave and ice formation nicknamed "big blue" is considered the most impressive of the formations on Red Cliff Point.

Ice cave formations draw curious to Lake Superior: 'It's so quiet out here'

Intrepid trekkers get their ice cave fix, sans crowds, on the world's largest freshwater lake.
Researchers filmed wolves eating berries last summer after looking at GPS collar data and finding a pack that was spending a lot of time in an area wi

Summer of Voyageur National Park wolf research reveals a berry surprise

Using real-time data from GPS collars to set up trail cameras, researchers found that blueberries may play a more important role in the canines' diet than researchers had known.

St. Louis County launches Safe Babies Court

Legal system teams with social services in a new St. Louis County initiative.
Seth D. Nelson, Artist S. Sanders, Jesse W. Merrill

Three charged with aiding murder in Duluth woman's overdose death

One of the victim's children called 911 after finding her passed out in the bathroom of their apartment.
Jack O'Callahan, left, and Mark Pavelich of the 1980 U.S. ice hockey team talked during the "Relive the Miracle" reunion at Herb Brooks Arena on Satur

Family hopes Olympic hockey player Pavelich's story helps others

He was once an American sports hero, a high-flying playmaker from Minnesota's Iron Range who competed with the best hockey players in the world. Now, his fall has been heartbreaking for his family and friends to see.
Durant and Splint, Keith Aili's lead dogs, ran along Old Hwy. 61 near Grand Portage, Minn., in the final leg of the John Beargrease sled dog marathon

Alaska musher wins Beargrease for second time in three years

Alaska's Ryan Redington wins Beargrease for the second time in three years
Laura Neese high-fived spectators near the starting line as she took off on the John Beargrease sled dog marathon from Billy's Bar in Duluth on Sunday

Dogs unleash pent-up energy at start of Beargrease

Beargrease mushers say they admire the sport, love the dogs
County assessors across the state are scrambling to address a conundrum as the short-term rental market continues to proliferate: At what point does a

Higher tax bills for Minnesota cabins rented part time raises fears Up North

Assessors are re-examining vacation properties rented out for part of the year.

Popular light display moves to Glensheen

The Spirit of the Lights has moved from its Park Point home.
Mark Pavelich

Judge rules former 'Miracle on Ice' star mentally ill, dangerous

Former U.S. Olympic hockey player Mark Pavelich was ordered committed to a secure treatment facility.
Great Lakes Gear Exchange co-owner Brooke Wetmore rang up a ski jacket for Joe Schiavone. "I couldn't pass it up. It's a great deal," he said.

Used-gear store in Duluth aims to get people outdoors

Duluth shop wants to offer a sustainable way to try activities.
December, 2019: The collapsed Tettegouche sea stack lay in Lake Superior with small waves crashing on it. The Minnesota landmark collapsed during the

Popular North Shore sea stack falls victim to powerful winter storm

The rock had been slowly eroding, losing an arch in 2010, before it became a casualty of a powerful storm over the weekend.
Mark Pavelich

Judge considers commitment decision on 'Miracle on Ice' player Mark Pavelich

Former hockey player Mark Pavelich awaits civil commitment decision.
Erosion on the coastline of Park Point in Duluth, MN as seen from an airplane on October 30, 2019.]
ALEX KORMANN • alex.kormann@startribune.com

Duluth's Park Point may be gradually crumbling away

The future is important to the more than 300 residential structures, hotels and other businesses that call it home, as well as the bustling shipping industry
A Minnesota Department of Natural Resources representative holds a zebra mussel at the North Arm Public Boat Access in Orono July 11, 2012. A new pilo

Larvae of zebra mussels found in Lake of the Woods, Minnesota DNR says

The Minnesota DNR added the Minnesota portion of the lake to the state's zebra mussel infested waters list.
Chris Aepelbacher and Mary Krull walked along a trail in Duluth's Lester Park with Krull's dog, Laila. The engaged couple both bought homes to live ne

Duluth's recreational trails are helping city remake its image

The pathways have become real estate selling points, a sign that Duluth's investments in rebranding itself as an outdoors haven are paying off.
Mark Pavelich

'Miracle on Ice' player Pavelich found incompetent to stand trial

A judge suspended the assault case against the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" hockey star.

Judge approves $40 million settlement with Duluth Diocese

Diocese must also open files on priests and develop plan to protect children.
People walked away from the community center in Fond Du Lac after the lock down was lifted. The gymnasium inside is where a man was shot in the head o

Minneapolis man arrested after shooting during Fond du Lac funeral

Mourners helped restrain the suspect until police could arrive
The William A. Irvin museum ore ship was carefully moved into its slip at the Duluth Harbor late Wednesday.

William A. Irvin museum ship is back in its Duluth slip

The masterful maneuver took place with just over a foot of clearance.
William A. Irvin in dry dock

Duluth's famous Irvin museum ship ready to come home as soon as Wednesday

Officials need a calm day to tow it through the pedestrian bridge.
A photo of Jayme Closs posted last January to Facebook by her aunt Jennifer Smith.

Jayme Closs, who freed herself from her captor, feels 'stronger every day'

Year after her kidnapping, parents' killings, teen is "reclaiming her life."
Lake Superior kicked up some spray in front of the peak foliage along the North Shore by the Split Rock Lighthouse in Two Harbors, MN. ]
ALEX KORMANN

You're hired! Split Rock Lighthouse gets new resident keeper

Hayes Scriven, who now directs a veterans historical museum in Superior, Wis., starts Nov. 1.
A cow moose is spotted on Isle Royale National Park.

Too many moose? Michigan lawmakers push for hunt on Isle Royale

The proposal comes about a year after the Park Service began the controversial move of introducing more wolves to the island, bringing the wild canines in from Minnesota, Canada and the park's home state of Michigan.
The tug Edna G., built in 1896, is on the National Register of Historic Places. It needs expensive repairs, and residents are divided on what to do.

Minnesota town of Two Harbors struggles with saving beloved tug

Historic Edna G. tugboat needs costly repairs and maintenance

Job coach at Duluth high school sentenced to probation for making threats

Former president of the synagogue's board, Rabbi Phillip Sher spoke on behalf of the Adas Israel congregation at the press conference on Sunday.

Homeless man charged in Duluth synagogue fire

Homeless Duluth man not charged with arson but with felony negligence.