News and Current Affairs Posts

Duluth curler among stray Olympians in Beijing streets

John Landsteiner of Duluth, at right in the image, was among “hundreds of stray Olympians” who “had been left behind after the 2022 Winter Games,” according to the satirical news website the Onion. With Landsteiner in the photo is his curling teammate Matt Hamilton of McFarland, Wis.

Trapp family in Esko tallest in the world

Averaging 6 feet, 8.03 inches, the members of the Trapp family in Esko are the tallest in the world. Pine Knot News reports that Guinness World Records has declared it official. In the article the heights of each family member are broken down: “Adam Trapp 7-foot, 3.7 inches; Savanna 6-foot, 8.5 inches; dad Scott Trapp 6-foot, 8.2 inches; Molly (Trapp) Steede 6-foot, 5.8 inches and mom Krissy 6-foot, 3.5 inches.”

R.I.P. Esmond Building

The Duluth News Tribune reports the former Seaway Hotel, also known as the Esmond Building, was demolished on Wednesday. The building had been gutted by a fire on Jan. 10.

Uncle Jim and Aunt Susie in Duluth

Episode 5 of Pam & Tommy, the biographical drama series about Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee, mentions Duluth. The same Duluth joke comes up twice, and it’s also used as the title of the episode: “Uncle Jim and Aunt Susie in Duluth.” The episode premiered today on the streaming service Hulu.

The two scenes with the Duluth mentions are strung together in the video above. The setting for both scenes is the writer’s room for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in 1995.

Final Jeopardy Duluth clue a real stumper

The episode of Jeopardy! that aired on Valentine’s Day ended with this clue: “At about 90,000 it’s the most populous U.S. city on North America’s biggest lake.” All three contestants failed to answer Duluth. Two answered Green Bay and one answered Minneapolis.

R.I.P. Herb Bergson

Herb Bergson, mayor of Duluth from 2004 to 2008, and mayor of Superior from 1987 to 1995, died Feb. 10 of sepsis, a complication from a cancer surgery. He was 65.

MNDOT names eight more plows for 2022


After tallying 60,000 votes, MNDOT has named eight more plows in the fleet. They join Plowy McPlowface and Duck Duck Orange Truck from last year’s naming contest. In Duluth, you can be on the lookout for No More Mr. Ice Guy to be clearing the roads.

PDD Quiz: January 2022

Welcome to 2022! This week’s quiz looks at headlines and happenings from this first month of the new year.

In honor of the upcoming games, the next PDD quiz will look at Northland Olympians; it will skate your way on Feb. 13. Submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at [email protected] by Feb. 9.

Radisson restaurant and bar rebranding

The Duluth News Tribune reports the Radisson Hotel Duluth-Harborview is rebranding its top-floor rotating restaurant and its ground-floor drinking establishment. The restaurant will become the Apostle supper club and piano lounge; the bar will become the False Eyedoll retro Tiki bar.

Alan Sparhawk and Nat Harvie in Talkhouse

Musicians Alan Sparhawk and Nat Harvie talk about how Duluth informs both their music and their outlook on the website Talkhouse, a media outlet where artists share firsthand perspectives and offer insight into their creative work.

DECC COVID-19 testing tips

In the midst of the Omicron-variant surge the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center has published an “Insider’s Guide to COVID Testing.” Best walk-in hours? From 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Parking? Free in the DECC lot if you tell the attendant that’s what you’re there for.

R.I.P. Louie Anderson, sitcom Duluthian

Comedian Louie Anderson died today at age 68. Part of his credentials in the entertainment industry is a CBS sitcom set in Duluth. Six episodes were produced; five were aired in 1996.

LEAN Duluth Citizen Blotter: January 2022

The Citizen Blotter is the monthly newsletter of LEAN Duluth — Law Enforcement Accountability Network — a volunteer-run data-analysis group and public communications resource for organizers working for police accountability. To support LEAN’s work, email leanduluth @ gmail.com.

Jane Yolen awarded Sophie Brody Medal for 2022

Duluth’s Holy Cow! Press author Jane Yolen, author of Kaddish: Before the Holocaust and After, has been awarded the Sophie Brody Medal for 2022.

PDD Quiz: 2022 Coming Attractions

Glensheen – Minnesota History Theatre

This week’s quiz looks ahead to new things coming (or returning) to the Duluth area in 2022. As with everything these days, all future events and shenanigans are subject to change; quiz on to test your knowledge of things to get cautiously excited about!

The next PDD quiz, heading your way on Jan. 30, will cover January 2022 headlines. Submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at [email protected] by Jan. 26.