Local

Judge won’t toss Target lawsuit by shareholders

Target’s motion was turned down by U.S. District Judge John Badalamenti, who said the available evidence shows that Target might have misled investors about the risks of its new ‘Pride Month’ campaign.

Another long delay: Walz’s DNR stalls NewRange mine permit until late 2025

Obligation or not, the Minnesota DNR is under the direction of a Gov. Tim Walz appointee made when he first took office in 2019: commissioner Sarah Strommen.

Strommen is on record as stating she has “no opinion” on the copper-nickel mining process—but she was previously policy director for Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness, a hyper-aggressive Twin Cities nonprofit that that does little else than oppose both PolyMet and Twin Metals since their beginnings. Strommen was also associate director of the Minnesota Land Trust—another Twin Cities anti-mining outfit.

Employees at Duluth hospital cry ‘fowl’ over free lunch

While Essentia staff voiced complaints about the free lunch program, they have remained silent on some of their employer’s other barbaric actions.

The hospital offers cross-sex hormones and surgical services to minors.

According to the Stop The Harm database, Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Children’s Hospital has reportedly performed at least five sex-change operations on minors.

Our elections are not OK

The main problems are ridiculously extended voting periods, mass absentee ballots, lack of voter ID, flimsy signature verification, unsecured drop boxes, voting machines with opaque software and connectivity to the internet, and sloppy, inaccurate voter rolls. We wouldn’t accept any of these third-world standards in our personal banking or accounting practices—why are we OK applying them to our precious votes?

Bois Forte memorial keeps the stories of veterans alive

There are many. Per capita, American Indians have the highest rate of representation in the U.S. military. Morrison and his wife, Arlene, began compiling and collecting as many veterans photos as they could.
Today, about 250 pictures are displayed on the Memorial Wall—it’s actually three walls—as well as other items and pictures.

Study: Government schools spent $3.2B tax dollars fighting against parents last year alone

Government school districts across America spent a staggering $3.2 billion of taxpayer money last year fighting against parents and school board members concerned about the indoctrination and sexualization of children, according to a new study that examined costs nationwide. Critics blasted education officials over the news.

Sweden warns parents: Quit plopping your baby in front of brain-rotting screens

Recently, Sweden released updated guidelines for screen use for children. According to Fortune, the guidelines state that children under the age of 2 should not have any time on screens. The new guidance from Sweden’s Public Health Agency suggests that children between the ages of 2 and 5 should have no more than an hour of screen time, including watching television, video chatting, and playing games on phones and tablets.

New ‘onX Fish Minnesota’ app offers anglers a comprehensive digital toolkit for lakes statewide

OnX Fish, as it’s called, has been free to anglers since it went live in April. The new fishing platform is modeled after onX Hunt, an industry leader in the digital mapping industry. Developers are still in the “feedback-gathering stage,” said Joel Nelson, senior regional vertical marketing manager for onX. A fishing pro and outdoors enthusiast from Cannon Falls, Minn. Nelson has a 25-year background in GIS (Geographic Information System) technology and joined onX in April.

Mark your calendars for Nov. 29

On Friday, November 29, we’re celebrating a different kind of Black Friday deal—Free Park Day in Minnesota’s state parks.

Visitors will enjoy free entrance to all Minnesota state parks and recreation areas—no vehicle permit needed. Opt for outside with us and enjoy the crisp autumn air, stillness of our forests, wonders of our trails, and maybe even some snow?

Step away from the shopping frenzy and into the tranquility of nature. Bring your friends and family, pack a picnic, and make memories that will last a lifetime.

St. Louis County encourages people to turn on a green light in support of veterans

With Veterans Day coming up, the St. Louis County Board and Veterans Service Office are encouraging residents and businesses to shine a green light as a show of support for people who serve or have served in our nation’s military. Whether it be a single green light bulb or a string of green lights, people are asked to display them November 4-11, the week leading up to Veterans Day.

Frosty reception for Walz in hometown: ‘Don’t care for the man’

By Liz Collin, Alpha News – October 30, 2024 Alpha News paid a visit to Blue Earth County, Minn., this week to talk to voters in Mankato, the one-time home of Minnesota governor and vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz, who’s originally from Nebraska. For 10 years, Walz worked as a social studies teacher and football coach at Mankato West High School until he left to make his successful run for Congress. Still, he kept his home in Mankato during his time […]

Where were you during the Halloween Blizzard of 1991?

Photo from Dan Toel ~ Tower’s Main Street, Lake Vermilion Chamber of Commerce The 1991 Halloween blizzard was a powerful storm that caused a period of heavy snowfall and ice accumulation  from October 31 to November 4, 1991. The first 12 inches were wet and heavy—with thundersnow—the remainder turned dry and drifted with 50 mph winds and temperatures dropping from 55 degrees to 10 degrees. By the time the snowfall ended on November 4, the storm had dropped up 36.9 […]

Three-person legislative race in northeastern Minnesota could determine who controls House

Republican Roger Skraba is running for reelection in what could once again be one of the closest legislative elections of the year. By Luke Sprinkel, Alpha News – October 23, 2024 In 2022, just 15 votes separated Republican Roger Skraba from DFL incumbent Rob Ecklund in what was the closest Minnesota House of Representatives race that year. Skraba, a carpenter, former mayor, and Army veteran, prevailed in that election and has represented House District 3A for the last two years. […]

New helipad enhances emergency services in the Lake Vermilion area

The Lake Vermilion Fire Brigade (LVFB) added a new helispot landing site for emergency flight evacuation and a direct access dock for boat deployment. IRRR supported the project with a $165,000 Community Infrastructure grant to LVFB. Total project investment including grants from St. Louis County and other private supporters is $274,593. Prior to the improvements, the LVFB Fire Hall was surrounded by a gravel parking lot that was used as a pad during medical emergencies. During emergency transports, the gravel […]

Mesabi Metallics employees volunteer in Highway 169 cleanup

On Wednesday, Mesabi employees picked up trash and debris along Highway 169 from Nashwauk to Keewatin as part of the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship. Wednesday, October 16, 2024 NASHWAUK—Employees of Mesabi Metallics Company, LLC dedicated their day to picking up trash and debris along Highway 169 on Wednesday from Nashwauk to Keewatin. Mesabi Metallics sponsors this portion of the highway through the State’s Adopt a Highway volunteer program. “When it comes to taking care of our community, Mesabi Metallics employees […]

Youth deer and early antlerless-only deer hunting seasons now thru Oct. 20

October 17, 2024 Minnesota’s youth deer season will take place statewide Thursday, Oct. 17, through Sunday, Oct. 20. The season coincides with statewide teacher workshops, so many Minnesota students don’t have school during the youth season. There’s also the early antlerless-only deer season Oct. 17-20. The season increases opportunities for hunters in deer permit areas where deer populations are above population goals or where there is an increased risk of chronic wasting disease. Permit areas open during the hunt are […]

City discusses 2025 budget and future projects

City of Tower By Steve Altenburg – October 16, 2025 TOWER—The monthly meeting of the Tower council was held on October 15th and was mostly informative as the city has no major projects going on due to seasonal change. Although no actual budget for 2025 has been set details that of spending and income were shared. Currently 80% of the city’s property tax is used just to pay city employees, not including ambulance salaries. The city is now saying it […]

Yet more bickering dominates Greenwood’s three-hour town marathon meeting

By Terry Carlson – October 8, 2025 GREENWOOD TWP.—The gloves came off again in Greenwood as Preponderance Past triggered a back-and-forth volley with Preponderance Present at last Thursday’s town meeting in Greenwood. The fuse was lit when previous board member Sue Drobac questioned various payments made by the township and went on to level criticisms against town clerk Debby Spicer. This has actually been a monthly pattern since the people of Greenwood decisively ousted the previous board’s majority in March, […]

Potentially larger helium deposit than first thought near Babbitt.

By Lee Bloomquist for Mesabi Tribune BABBITT, Mn—Seismic testing is showing promise of a larger helium deposit near Babbitt. Pulsar Helium Inc., said it has received information from a seismic reflection survey revealing potential for additional helium wells to be drilled at the company’s project site. The seismic survey looked at 20.4 kilometers at Pulsar Helium’s Topaz project near Babbitt, according to Pulsar Helium. Results show a continuous reflective package at a helium-bearing interval about 1.5 kilometers to the west […]

Pulsar doubles land for helium exploration, prepares for more drilling

BABBITT, Mn—Pulsar Helium now has twice as much land to explore following an agreement for leasing private land east of Babbitt. The increase in land position expands the company’s interest in the Topaz Project from 2,089 to 4,181 net acres. The terms state that after the initial five-year lease extension, any developed tract can be extended further as long as Topaz continues producing gas. Pulsar is also pursuing additional acreage through the newly legislated state leasing process. Pulsar also announced […]

3rd annual ‘Tacos with Cops’ more popular than ever

By Terry Carlson Okay, picture this: while doing my best John Wayne impression, I stroll up to the food table and, in a misguided attempt to speak French, I drawl to the lady, “Mad-a-moysel, I’d like some take-ohs and tor-tillahs.” – she dishes it up – “Mer-cee. Oh reservoiree!” and John Wayne strolls away to a table. … Thankfully, this did NOT happen. Instead, a steady stream of people allowed the servers little time to take a breather as they […]

Community Get-Together and Big Truck Night

Events galore in 2024-2025’s first month at Tower-Soudan Elementary School On September 26, the Tower-Soudan school and Breitung Township teamed up to host the Tower-Soudan Community Get-Together and Big Truck Night. The day began at the T-S school. Mr. Jirik opened up the ceremony with a speech in the newly renovated gym. Community members were given a chance to see the renovations (a big thank you to Lake Country Power for the grant) and look at the new tables in […]

NER students dive into trout rearing program

Paul Zollinger, science teacher at Northeast Range (NER) School, has been working alongside Minnesota’s Trout in the classroom program to introduce students to trout rearing. Northeast Range is one of 72 schools in the state participating in this program. During the spring of 2024, Zollinger applied for a grant through the Northeast Service Cooperative, focusing on Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities. Thanks to this grant, the science classroom now has an aquarium and specialized equipment to rear trout. The […]

Greenwood board lauded for road repair, pickleball courts

Two ‘cabal’ board members, treasurer walk out based on a perceived technicality in a failed effort to disrupt meeting. By Terry Carlson – September 12, 2024 In one of the shortest regular monthly meetings in memory—just 1 hour—the board moved smoothly through the agenda last Thursday evening. Well, sort of. This is Greenwood, after all. The evening began with two of the supervisors, John Bassing and Rick Stoehr, citing a policy which they misinterpreted to mean that the meeting—as a […]