News and Current Affairs Posts

Chief Osaugie Gathering on Wisconsin Point

Interview with Donna Ennis Chief Osaugie Descendant

This has come up on PDD before, but I did this interview with Donna Ennis today and I thought it was something to share. Romance, intrigue, ancient ceremonies, and even a shameful grave desecration make an appearance in just 8 short minutes of community radio.

I haven’t posted in awhile, it’s been a busy summer this gives you a little idea of where I’ve been, I guess.

Wednesday Night at the Races

The rain cleared just in time for Wednesday Night Races at UMD, leaving behind a puddle for Josh Birchhill’s daughter to play in.

The rain cleared just in time for Wednesday Night at the Races. It has become a summer tradition for hundreds of families throughout the Northland. The youth race series is held on six consecutive Wednesday evenings in July and August, and draws an average of over 500 children per night.

Check out the photo gallery at Duluth Outdoors!

Cold, Colder, Coldest

Has anyone else noticed that for the past two months Duluth city tap water doesn’t seem as cold as it used to? I mean, it’s cold, it’s just not the same level of… coldness it has been in the past. Is this a result of the Flizzard, the amazingly long streak of hot days, a combination, neither?

Duluth activist & cohorts shut down high-security nuke plant

Today on the Reuters newswire:

The U.S. government’s only facility for handling, processing and storing weapons-grade uranium has been temporarily shut after anti-nuclear activists, including an 82-year-old nun, breached security fences, government officials said on Thursday.

McPants on Fire?

I’ve been watching that god-awful fortress of a retaining wall around the London Road McDonald’s slowly bulge outward over the past months with a mixture of bemused amazement and horror. Now comes word via the News Tribune that the wall is being knocked down and rebuilt … as part of a cosmetic enhancement?

He got married but … you get the presents!

If you haven’t become a member, or even if you have, check this sweet deal out on Blacklist’s Beer+Art Project! Only a few more days left to back this Kickstarter project and make it happen in Duluth!

Northland’s NewsCenter and Charter Communications reach carriage deal

The Northland’s NewsCenter has announced that the Northland’s CW 2 (KDLH DT 3.2) and My 9 (KBJR DT 6.2) will be returning to the Charter cable lineup after being absent since early March.

“Today is a great day for fans of CW 2, My 9 and most of all, the community,” said David Jensch, vice-president and station manager. “Whether you watch UMD hockey or America’s Next Top Model, fans of the great programming on these stations can now enjoy their shows without interruption.”

My 9 and the CW 2 have been off the Charter system since March 12. Charter Communications has noted it will return the signals as soon as possible.

Minnesota Flood 2012: Is that the best name we’ve come up with for it?

It seems to me the best local storm names tend to be tied to a holiday or otherwise significant date:

Leap Day Snowmageddon 2012
The Geek Prom Blizzard of 2008
The Halloween Megastorm of 1991

The Great Thanksgiving Blizzard of 1983

Following that tradition, our recent flood would be the Summer Solstice Flood of 2012. But I haven’t heard anyone call it that, and it’s been over a month.

What are you calling it? Any good ideas? Maybe if we come up with a good one there will be more federal relief money sent our way, so perhaps we should work the word “disaster” in.

Google Fiber up for registration in Kansas

I think Duluth needs to start a pre-registration campaign to show Google we are serious and want to be next to get Google Fiber. Pre-register here.

No FEMA aid for individuals

What do you think about that?

FEMA rejects individual flood aid in Northland; state will appeal decision

The Flame Nightclub, Duluth version

The new Flame Nightclub at 26 N. First Ave. W. in Downtown Duluth opens on July 29.

Lake Superior Barrels Project Blog

The Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa has started a project blog for its investigation into the Lake Superior barrels. The site lakesuperiorbarrels.wordpress.com will be used to update the public during the field work this summer.

Summer bicycle and pedestrian count

On July 25, Duluth’s bicyclists and pedestrians in the Duluth Hillside area will be counted. The Healthy Duluth Area Coalition and Duluth-Superior Metropolitan Interstate Council are collaborating on the effort. From 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., volunteers will be out counting and surveying pedestrians and bikers at five locations. Volunteers are still needed, and people can sign up through the registration survey.

City offers low interest loans to replace flood-damaged furnaces and water heaters

Comfort Systems, the utility provider in the city of Duluth, is offering a low-interest Home Energy Loan program for victims of the Northland Flash Flood who may need to replace furnaces, water heaters, or insulation in walls due to flood damage. The program offers low monthly payments, energy and costs savings for participants, and a low interest rate of 4.99%.

R.I.P. Tom Davis

Tom DavisTom Davis, one of the first writers on Saturday Night Live, died of cancer today. He was 59.

During the 1980s he appeared with his comedy partner Al Franken in three television commercials promoting Duluth.

New York Times Article