At least this cold weather could come in handy for something.
Duluth and other Midwest cities have a chance to go all the way this year in the Toughest Weather City Tournament on weather.com.
Minnesota boasts Duluth, International Falls and Minneapolis as its heavyweights. Green Bay, Wis., and Fargo, N.D., also are in the tournament. All of the aforementioned cities had healthy first-round leads as of Tuesday afternoon. Voting for the opening round ended at 3 a.m. today.
This is not an endorsement, but we were asked to mention that Minnesota United in Duluth is hosting a fundraiser Saturday to help build momentum to pass the Freedom to Marry bill into law.
Chester Creek Café, Duluth Grill, Lake Avenue Restaurant & Bar, New Scenic Café and Savories Catering will provide finger food, and local artists have donated work for a silent auction.
The free and public event is 7-9:30 p.m. at Zeitgeist Arts Café, 222 E. Superior St.
As we’ve reported several times, the Northland is seeing an influx of owls from Canada this winter. They’ve moved south in search of food, such as mice and voles.
While many owls are finding good pickings in our area, some owls, inevitably, will perish here. But some good may come of that. The Duluth Audubon Society reports the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is collecting dead boreal or saw-whet owls this winter for use in research.
If you find a dead owl, place it in a plastic bag with the date and general location where it was found, and take it to the nearest Minnesota DNR wildlife office — in Duluth, Cloquet, Two Harbors, Tower or wherever you may be.
Three Northland teachers are among the 134 candidates for the 2013 Minnesota Teacher of the Year.
Luanne Ellingsen of Lake Superior, Julie Stauber of Proctor and Mary Warner of Hibbing school districts were named this week. The winner will be announced May 5.
The state flag outside of the Capitol flies upside down Tuesday in St. Paul. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Papas)
Eh? knows that Minnesota faces a budget deficit, but are things really that bad?
The state flag flying outside of the Capitol in St. Paul on Tuesday was upside down. A flag flown upside down can be interpreted as a sign of distress.
Northland jack of all trades Jeff Papas, while visiting the Capitol, snapped a photo and brought it to the attention of the Eh? desk.
While things might not exactly be golden in the Minnesota Legislature, we think it’s more likely an oversight than a cry for help.
Who wants to be a millionaire? We know at least the holders of the 600,000 Minnesota Millionaire Raffle tickets do.
Tickets for the Jan. 1 drawings for $1 million and others prizes sold out Dec. 19, nearly two weeks ahead of the Dec. 31 deadline. The drawing includes 112 cash prizes and 38 bonus prizes.
Drawings will be televised on the Minnesota State Lottery’s official drawing stations at 7:59 p.m., 8:59 p.m. and 9:59 p.m. All winning numbers will be revealed at mnlottery.com by 10:15 p.m. Go there for more information, too.
If you intend to celebrate the holidays using alcohol while away from home, plan ahead for a safe and sober ride home, the Minnesota Patrol advises.
Law enforcement agencies around the state are beefing up their enforcement of drunken-driving laws in December.
The State Patrol, with the help of about 400 state police officers and deputies, will patrol the highways with the goal of keeping drunken drivers off the road.
“We all need to work together to make a strong traffic-safety culture in Minnesota,” State Patrol information officer Sgt. Curt Mowers said. “One way to do that is to make impaired driving socially unacceptable.”
Holiday parties and special local events in regions around the state will be targeted. Specific dates and times for the project will be ongoing during the month of December, Mowers said.
In 2011, Minnesota recorded 136 alcohol-related traffic deaths — accounting for 37 percent of all traffic deaths. Overall, males and young adults are overrepresented in alcohol-related crashes and account for a disproportionate share of fatalities. Along with the risk of injuries and deaths, penalties for drunken driving can include fines of hundreds or thousands of dollars and loss of driver license, license plates and even your vehicle.
Split Rock Lighthouse during the Edmund Fitzgerald ceremony on Nov. 10, 2011 (2011 file, Andrew Krueger / akrueger@duluthnews.com)
Today marks the 37th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald in Lake Superior gale, and once again a bell will toll in memory of the lost ship’s crew — and all lost mariners — during a ceremony at Split Rock Lighthouse.
The lighthouse on the North Shore will be open from noon to 6 p.m. today. At 4:30 p.m., the lighthouse will close briefly for a ceremony in which the names of the Fitzgerald’s 29 crew members will be read, and a bell tolled for each man. The bell will be tolled a 30th time for all those lost at sea.
After the ceremony, Split Rock’s beacon will be lit and tours will resume. It’s the only time each year when visitors can tour the lighthouse while the beacon is lit and revolving.
The cost of $5, free for Minnesota Historical Society members.
The day finally has arrived: just a few more hours until we’re free from all of those lousy campaign ads and yard signs. Plus, you’ll get to add another “I Voted” sticker to your collection.
Election Day is today, and most polls in Minnesota and Wisconsin are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Find your polling place, at pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us in Minnesota and myvote.wi.gov in Wisconsin.
As part of our annual duty, we promise to provide the most comprehensive results in print and online beginning moments after the polls close. Go to duluthnewstribune.com throughout tonight and into Wednesday for the latest on the races that are important to you.
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You have until November to choose between President Obama, challenger Mitt Romney and smaller-party candidates. But you only have until next week to nominate your favorite hog farmer.
The Minnesota Pork Board is seeking nominations for the annual Minnesota Pork Awards.
The awards recognize families and individuals for their commitment to Minnesota’s hog farmers or their ability to educate consumers and promote pork. The award has five categories — distinguished service, environmental steward, pork family of the year, pork promoter of the year and swine manager of the year. Winners will be recognized at a special program Jan. 15 at the Minneapolis Hilton before the start of the 2013 Minnesota Pork Congress.
Nomination forms are available at mnpork.com. The nomination deadline is Oct. 19.
