Howie: Hermantown hockey, Duluth Marshall girls basketball making headlines
Top-ranked Hermantown is 12-1-3 and No. 2 Hibbing-Chisholm 13-1-1 in boys hockey; super-sophomore Chloe Johnson scores career-high 45 points at Stevens Point
Howie: Max Plante is playing himself into the NHL/AHL, but only if he can stay healthy
The Detroit Red Wings are watching to see if the Bulldogs sophomore forward is ready to step into a much harsher world. Judging by the way he played this weekend, that question is starting to answer itself.
Obit: Robert "Bob" Mlodozyniec
Robert "Bob" Mlodozyniec, aka "Mr. Mudd" left this world on Wednesday, January 7,2026 after 95+ years. Bob’s parents Joseph & Josephine MLODOZYNIEC and his oldest sister, Sophie were born in Poland and came over thru Ellis Island in 1922. His parents had 14 children
Dougherty Funeral Home Obit: Olive Musolf Kirkland
Olive Musolf Kirkland age 100 of Duluth, passed away surrounded by her family on January 6, 2026. She was born at her grandmother's home in Duluth on December 24, 1925 to parents, Michael and Stella (Mosiniak) Musolf. On February 5, 1955 she married the love of her life,
At the DECC
Psychic medium Matt Fraser will bring his live show to DECC Symphony Hall on Friday, March 13, with an 8 p.m. performance in Duluth. Fraser, who bills himself as “America’s Top Psychic Medium,” is known for conducting live readings in which he says he communicates messages from deceased
Gary Compton: Hats off to NSC, Jimmy Kibble for a great week
The combine has expanded from a regional showcase into a national event with results tracked, archived and distributed to professional leagues and personnel departments.
Howie: When civic habits wear thin
People didn’t wake up wanting authoritarianism. They woke up tired. Tired of chaos. Tired of humiliation. Tired of politics that felt like permanent trench warfare. They stopped believing the system deserved their patience. That part should feel familiar.
Howie: Thursday Community News
Ten search warrants were executed. Twenty-four people were arrested. Cash, drugs and guns were taken off the streets: $28,609 in currency, more than 330 grams of methamphetamine, nearly 140 grams of fentanyl, close to 80 grams of cocaine, and an illegal firearm.
Howie: AF1 signs six players after NSC padded practice Wednesday
AF1’s approach — structured evaluation, real coaching, honest feedback and decisive action — has turned the National Scouting Combine into more than a showcase. It has become a proving ground. And for those who proved themselves once the pads went on, it has already paid off.
Howie: Wednesday Community News
Howie's community news column is powered by Lyric Kitchen · Bar THE CITY OF DULUTH WILL host a public open house Thursday, Jan. 15, to introduce a planned reconstruction project on Fourth Street between Mesaba Avenue and Sixth Avenue East and to gather early community feedback. The open house
2026 Albany Firebirds Schedule / Results
Week 1: vs. Minnesota Monsters — Apr. 11 Week 2: BYE Week 3: vs Oregon Lightning — Apr. 25 Week 4: vs Washington Wolfpack — May 2 Week 5: at Kentucky Barrels — May 9 Week 6: BYE Week 7: BYE Week 8: at Oceanside Bombers — May 30 Week 9: vs Beaumont Renegades — June
2026 Minnesota Monsters Schedule/ Results
Week 1: vs Albany Firebirds — Apr. 11 Week 2: BYE Week 3: vs Michigan Arsenal — TBD Week 4: vs Oceanside Bombers — May 3 Week 5: vs Michigan Arsenal — TBD Week 6: BYE Week 7: at Nashville Kats — May 22 Week 8: at Kentucky Barrels — May 30 Week 9: vs Oceanside
2026 AF1 Weekly Schedule
✅ Week 1 * Saturday, April 11 * Minnesota Monsters vs. Albany Firebirds — 7 p.m. EDT * Sunday, April 12 * Michigan Arsenal vs. Kentucky Barrels — 5 p.m. EDT * Beaumont Renegades vs. Oceanside Bombers — TBD * Oregon Lightning vs. Washington Wolfpack — TBD ✅ Week 2 * Sunday, April 19 * Oceanside Bombers vs. Kentucky Barrels — 3 p.
Howie: National Scouting Combine underway; AF1's Jeff Fisher to address attendees Wednesday
“A great first day here at the combine as we begin with players doing all of the on-field testing consisting of the short shuttle, three-cone drill, 40-yard dash, vertical and bench press." -- Gary Compton, AF1 director of football operations
St. Louis County selects Mike Jugovich as board chair for 2026
"This is going to be a challenging year, but I am confident we will be able to work together and with our state and federal partners to best serve our residents. We will be actively working to deliver needed services but know we must do our best to minimize cost impacts to taxpayers." -- Jugovich
Dougherty Funeral Home Obits: Eric Kiero
It is with deep sorrow we announce the unexpected passing of Eric Kiero, age 43, on January 1, 2026 with his partner and family by his side. He was a graduate of Duluth Central class of 2001. He was employed by Country Heath, Pan-O-Gold. A truly hardworking man, Eric took