Swim Creative marks 20 years in Duluth
Swim is entering its third decade with an updated brand and an increased use of emerging technology. The agency serves local, national and international clients.
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Kolenda’s hat trick powers Hermantown past North Branch 6-0
Vienna Kolenda scored three goals, including two during a decisive second-half stretch, as Hermantown shut out North Branch 6-0 in nonconference girls soccer. Kolenda opened the scoring in the ninth minute, converting a pass from Bryden Giesen. Kaitlyn Patterson extended the lead to 2-0 in the 28th
Imagine Downtown shifts from planning to action, targets 1,500 new homes
Thursday’s update revealed a broad community vision and made clear that its success will now depend on whether the participating organizations can establish the development corporation, finance housing and service expansions and turn conceptual public improvements into completed projects.
Before Duluth raises 2027 taxes, Reinert must account for recurring $4.5 million savings
Is the $4.5 million retiree health care savings included in the projected deficit? How much is being redirected to the West Duluth maintenance facility? Is that commitment legally binding or discretionary? And why should that money not be considered before Duluth asks property owners to pay more?
How Duluth Works: Community Action Duluth marks six decades of work addressing poverty
Community Action Duluth's current work includes free tax preparation, food access, employment training, financial coaching and assistance with public benefit programs.
Pat Francisco turned a Saturday morning idea into a Duluth landmark
Francisco's greatest investment may have been in the future of his own community. The finest evidence of that investment is not found in an old hockey record book, a client portfolio or a Hall of Fame plaque. It can be heard inside the Heritage Sports Center on a winter afternoon.
These Bulldogs have championship talent. They have not earned the comparison yet.
UMD is closer to the championship standard than it has been in years. It possesses the scoring, experience, coaching and roster depth required to win nationally. The 2026-27 team has earned the right to be measured against UMD’s champions. It has not earned the right to stand beside them.
Hermantown girls tennis opens 2-0 behind senior captains, experienced lineup
Hermantown has started the girls tennis season with two victories, including its first against Princeton, as three senior captains lead a program replacing a large graduating class while maintaining expectations in Section 7AA. The Hawks defeated Duluth Marshall and Princeton to open the 2026 season, establishing early momentum behind senior
Minnesota Star Tribune adds four advice columnists as it expands outside voices
The advice columns differ from Strib Voices’ opinion commentary, but both initiatives reflect the Star Tribune’s increasing use of contributors with strong individual identities and defined areas of expertise.
Duluth Playhouse names Brandon Raghu executive director
Raghu arrives as the Playhouse prepares to open its 2026-27 season with “A Chorus Line,” scheduled for Sept. 11-27 at the NorShor Theatre. Other upcoming productions include “Disney’s Descendants: The Musical,” “Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom” and “A Christmas Story: The Musical.”
Howie: Duluth schools want $103 million, but voters deserve an accounting first
The fund balance declined by roughly $11.5 million, an outcome almost $8.8 million worse than projected. A district that misses its own financial target by that margin cannot reasonably expect voters to accept a 10-year financial plan without examining the assumptions behind it.
Hermantown boys soccer faces immediate test as Hawks open with four games in eight days
Hermantown will not have the luxury of easing into the 2026 boys soccer season. The Hawks open Thursday at home against Holy Family, travel to Mesabi East the following day and face defending Section 7A champion Duluth Marshall before the first week of September is over. By the time they
Howie: Hermantown football has the enthusiasm. Now comes the evidence.
Mike Zagelmeyer has coached enough football to recognize the difference between a productive August and a successful November. He likes what he has seen from Hermantown through the opening week of preseason practice, but he also understands that effort, conditioning and enthusiasm have yet to win the Hawks a game.
Hermantown girls soccer turns section final disappointment into early-season motivation
Hermantown’s girls soccer team opens its season Thursday at home against North Branch with a rebuilt defense, an experienced group of attackers and the lingering memory of an overtime loss that ended last season one victory short of the state tournament. The Hawks finished 7-9-2 last fall
Howie: West Duluth doesn’t need another plan. It needs its turn.
West Duluth does not need another glossy redevelopment study, another round of listening sessions or another ambitious rendering that never advances beyond City Hall. It needs investment that residents can see, infrastructure that works, housing people can afford and a city government willing to treat Spirit Valley as essential to
Tim Meyer: West Duluth needs investment, not another redevelopment plan
Spirit Valley does not need another promise that its turn is coming. It needs evidence that its turn has arrived.