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Check out the LakeVoice’s new additions to its website. Our banner and logo has been updated along with a new tab that lets you look inside the news room and meet our staff. We have also opened our comment section and would appreciate the community sharing their opinions with us.

Top stories on LakeVoice this week include an introduction to the 2011 Homegrown Music Festival, a local business owner recalls the floods of 1972, and learn how you can get involved in feeding people in the community by exercising.

Also be sure to check out this week’s top photos from around the area.

LakeVoice News is a weekly online publication produced by UMD journalism students. The stories are reported on and written by students, but the content is for the community.

Part of the Public Insight Network

An economic evolution is underway in Northeastern Minnesota. New mining projects, continued development along the North Shore, the growth of health care and increasing numbers of self-employed workers present a fresh generation of choices.

While the economy shows signs of life, the path to prosperity raises tough questions about jobs and quality of life. So what do you want for your future?

MPR News and the Northland’s NewsCenter are holding a community-wide forum on the economic outlook for Duluth and the Arrowhead. We want you for this important discussion. If so, please click here to RSVP.

Cirrus Industries, parent company of Cirrus Aircraft of Duluth, announced today it will be acquired by China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Co. of Zhuhai, China. The transaction is expected to close by midyear.

Cirrus will apparently continue to assemble airplanes in Duluth. Mayor Don Ness issued this statement:

“We anticipate that this merger will give Cirrus the additional financial resources and stability to ensure their recovery and grow operations and employment as the economy rebounds. I appreciate the assurances that Cirrus management has given us that operations will remain in Duluth; obviously that is our primary concern. We look forward to continuing the partnership with Cirrus not only to retain local operations, but also to grow jobs and support the company’s future success.”

Here it is, in its 30-page glory:

Citizen’s Perspective, Priorities & Performance
City of Duluth Focus Group Research
Compiled by Zenith Research Group