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Jimmy Lovrien

@jimmylovrien.bsky.social
406 followers 346 following 49 posts

Environmental reporter at the Duluth News Tribune dabbling in data journalism. Mountain biking, Nordic skiing and backpacking around the Northland. Washed-up runner.

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Jimmy Lovrien @jimmylovrien.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Portions of the East Hillside and Endion neighborhoods have the highest childhood elevated blood lead level rates in the state, at 9.1% and 9.2%, respectively. Produced as part of the @chjreportinghealth.bsky.social 2025 Data fellowship. www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/d...
duluthnewstribune.com
Duluth’s aging and lead-laden homes are poisoning children
Portions of two Duluth neighborhoods have the highest rates of children with elevated blood lead levels of any census tract in the state, according to new Minnesota Department of Health data.
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Reposted by Jimmy Lovrien
Duluth News Tribune @duluthnews.bsky.social · 21/07/2025
On Monday, some employees at the freshwater lab received reassignments to other offices within the agency and relocation was not required. But others have not, sparking fear of looming layoffs.
duluthnewstribune.com
Duluth EPA lab to remain open
On Monday, some employees at the freshwater lab received reassignments to other offices within the agency and relocation was not required. But others have not, sparking fear of looming layoffs.
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Jimmy Lovrien @jimmylovrien.bsky.social · 11/07/2025
The EPA placed several of its Duluth laboratory employees on leave for signing a letter criticizing the Trump administration’s politicization of the agency, a move the union and Democratic politicians said violates federal workers’ free speech. www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/e...
duluthnewstribune.com
EPA places 6 Duluth lab staff on leave for signing dissent letter
The union representing federal workers said the move violated the employees' free speech rights and vowed to take legal action.
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Duluth News Tribune @duluthnews.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
Over 10 years, the bill will increase the deficit by nearly $3.3 trillion, cut Medicaid spending by $1 trillion and lead to 11.8 million more uninsured people, the Congressional Budget Office said.
duluthnewstribune.com
Stauber plans to vote for Trump megabill
Over 10 years, the bill will increase the deficit by nearly $3.3 trillion, cut Medicaid spending by $1 trillion and lead to 11.8 million more uninsured people, the Congressional Budget Office said.
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Jimmy Lovrien @jimmylovrien.bsky.social · 06/06/2025
Chris Dunham, The Nature Conservancy’s associate director of resilience forestry in Northeastern Minnesota, said a post-fire landscape provides “a restoration opportunity” amid climate change and biodiversity loss. www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/a...
duluthnewstribune.com
As wildfires cool, replanting begins with resilient forest future in mind
Planted last spring but burned in last month's Camp House Fire, The Nature Conservancy returned to a plot of land along Murphy Lake to replant 5,000 tree saplings into the ash-covered ground.
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Jimmy Lovrien @jimmylovrien.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
A wildfire is burning near Brimson in eastern St. Louis County, about 20 miles northwest of Two Harbors www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/2...
duluthnewstribune.com
200-acre wildfire burning near Brimson, prompting evacuations
The sheriff's office said "a number of cabins, garages and other structures have been affected," but no injuries were reported as of late Sunday afternoon.
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Jimmy Lovrien @jimmylovrien.bsky.social · 02/05/2025
Last year, there were 14,500 AmeriCorps members in Minnesota and 8,400 in Wisconsin, but it is unclear how many in each state were affected by the $400 million in cuts on April 25. The cuts hit several Northland organizations that rely on AmeriCorps members www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/a...
duluthnewstribune.com
AmeriCorps cuts hit Northland
Minnesota and Wisconsin attorneys general joined a lawsuit Tuesday calling the Trump administration and Department of Government Efficiency's moves against the service organization “unlawful.”
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Reposted by Jimmy Lovrien
Duluth News Tribune @duluthnews.bsky.social · 30/04/2025
Republican Keri Heintzeman and DFLer Denise Slipy face off for the seat vacated by Sen. Justin Eichorn, R-Grand Rapids, who resigned and was charged with attempting to solicit a minor.
duluthnewstribune.com
Live election results: Minnesota Senate District 6 special election
Republican Keri Heintzeman and DFLer Denise Slipy face off for the seat vacated by Sen. Justin Eichorn, R-Grand Rapids, who resigned and was charged with attempting to solicit a minor.
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60 Minutes @60minutes.bsky.social · 28/04/2025
And now, a note on Bill Owens who, until this past week, was the executive producer of 60 Minutes. We’ll be back next week with another edition of 60 Minutes.
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Jimmy Lovrien @jimmylovrien.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
The fees would have had a significant effect on shipping in the Port of Duluth-Superior, as two-thirds of the port calls made by oceangoing cargo ships — salties — last year were made by ships built in China. Additionally, Canada has 17 lakers built in China, some of which regularly stop here.
duluthnewstribune.com
Trump administration's fees on Chinese-built ships appear to spare Great Lakes vessels
The new proposal explicitly exempts lakers. The oceangoing vessels that travel on the St. Lawrence Seaway and Great Lakes are generally too small to trigger the fees.
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Jay Gabler @jaygabler.com · 22/04/2025
As the federal government shrinks to “essential functions,” @kayleefabulous.bsky.social is about to lose her job as a park ranger supporting public safety and maritime education.
duluthnewstribune.com
Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center to face peak season with skeleton crew
President Trump's federal hiring freeze is costing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers facility one of its few rangers. The Corps acknowledges the popular attraction's operating hours may be affected.
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Jimmy Lovrien @jimmylovrien.bsky.social · 18/04/2025
Sea Grant programs, the National Estuarine Research Reserve System and Coastal Zone Management Grants would not be not funded under the White House's passback budget. All of those conduct work in Lake Superior, along its north and south shores, and in the estuary.
duluthnewstribune.com
Proposed NOAA cuts put Great Lakes research, safety at risk, experts say
A White House budget proposal would slash funding for Minnesota and Wisconsin Sea Grants, Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve, Great Lakes Observing System and others.
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Jimmy Lovrien @jimmylovrien.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
The order to boost logging on national forest land included a map that made no distinction between wilderness areas, where logging is banned, and non-wilderness The USDA later clarified that it would reduce the BWCAW's high-risk wildfire areas with prescribed burns and other methods, not logging
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Jimmy Lovrien @jimmylovrien.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
The number of homes in the wildland-urban interface, or WUI — where development and vegetation meet and where wildfires present an increased risk to people and property — is growing throughout the Northland. www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/n...
duluthnewstribune.com
Northland housing expands into wildfire-risk areas
From 1990-2020, most counties in the region saw a double-digit percentage increase in home units where vegetation and development mingle, increasing the risk of property damage.
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Reposted by Jimmy Lovrien
Duluth News Tribune @duluthnews.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber, R-Hermantown, who has supported President Trump and billionaire Elon Musk's cuts, said he would stick to telephone town halls.
duluthnewstribune.com
As Northland events mount in response to Trump's cuts, attendees ask: Where’s Stauber?
U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber, R-Hermantown, who has supported President Trump and billionaire Elon Musk's cuts, said he would stick to telephone town halls.
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Reposted by Jimmy Lovrien
Duluth News Tribune @duluthnews.bsky.social · 27/03/2025
While they support bolstering the U.S. shipbuilding industry, officials warned millions of dollars in fees each time a Chinese-built ship stops at a U.S. port would threaten Great Lakes shipping.
duluthnewstribune.com
Shipping, port officials say fees on Chinese-built ships would cost jobs
While they support bolstering the U.S. shipbuilding industry, officials warned millions of dollars in fees each time a Chinese-built ship stops at a U.S. port would threaten Great Lakes shipping.
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Jimmy Lovrien @jimmylovrien.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
Protesters urged the federal government to keep the facility open and offered support for its nearly 150 employees whose future was thrown into uncertainty last week when reports surfaced that the agency would cut its science and research arm.
duluthnewstribune.com
Hundreds rally in support of Duluth EPA lab
A reduction in force plan submitted by the EPA reportedly calls for shuttering the agency's science and research arm.
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Duluth News Tribune @duluthnews.bsky.social · 23/03/2025
Trump has entertained the privatization of the USPS, while Postmaster General DeJoy has signed an agreement with Elon Musk's cost-cutting Department of Government Efficiency to find "efficiencies."
duluthnewstribune.com
Letter carriers, Duluthians rally against postal service cuts, privatization
Trump has entertained the privatization of the USPS, while Postmaster General DeJoy has signed an agreement with Elon Musk's cost-cutting Department of Government Efficiency to find "efficiencies."
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Jimmy Lovrien @jimmylovrien.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
Cleveland-Cliffs said it would temporarily idle two of its Iron Range mines and pellet plants and lay off 630 workers. www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/c...
duluthnewstribune.com
Cliffs to idle Minorca mine and 'partially idle' HibTac, company says
Cliffs said 630 employees will be laid off in 60 days. A state senator said Cliffs has excess pellets, and the auto industry, which uses Cliffs steel, faces "challenging economic conditions."
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Jimmy Lovrien @jimmylovrien.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
The EPA has drafted plans to "eliminate" the Office of Research and Development and up to 75% of its staff. The ORD includes the EPA's Duluth lab and its 136 employees. The lab develops scientific protocols used worldwide to measure how toxic chemicals affect the environment.
duluthnewstribune.com
Duluth EPA lab’s future uncertain under plan to cut research arm
At virtual meetings Tuesday, employees were told to focus on wrapping up current projects and to download personnel files from their work computers, two people who attended the meetings said.
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Jimmy Lovrien @jimmylovrien.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
The mercury limits, finalized a year ago under the Biden administration but in the works for several decades, were included in a list of regulations targeted by the EPA as part of what it called "the greatest and most consequential day of deregulation in the history of the United States."
duluthnewstribune.com
EPA to consider rolling back mercury limits on taconite plants
Finalized a year ago, the limits would reduce the mining industry's mercury emissions by 33%. The industry releases half of the state's emissions and missed Minnesota's 2025 reduction target of 72%.
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Jimmy Lovrien @jimmylovrien.bsky.social · 10/03/2025
Ontario's 25% charge on electricity exports to three states, including MN, would have little effect on Minnesota Power. The utility bought just under $310,000 of electricity from Ontario's system in 2024 But the company spent $108 million on electricity from Manitoba, Ontario’s provincial neighbor
duluthnewstribune.com
Ontario threat would have little effect on Minnesota Power
However, the company gets 11% of its power from neighboring Manitoba, which would be exposed to the Trump administration’s 10% tariff on electricity imports into Canada.
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Duluth News Tribune @duluthnews.bsky.social · 02/03/2025
Northeastern Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin has more than 2,300 federal employees as the Trump administration makes reductions in the workforce.
duluthnewstribune.com
Current, former Northland federal workers describe stress of cuts
Northeastern Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin has more than 2,300 federal employees as the Trump administration makes reductions in the workforce.
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Reposted by Jimmy Lovrien
Duluth News Tribune @duluthnews.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
A couple dozen probationary federal employees at the region's national parks and forests lost their jobs in the “St. Valentine’s Day Massacre.” Deeper cuts across federal agencies are expected.
duluthnewstribune.com
Northland national parks and forests were already strained. Then came Trump administration cuts
A couple dozen probationary federal employees at the region's national parks and forests lost their jobs in the “St. Valentine’s Day Massacre.” Deeper cuts across federal agencies are expected.
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Jimmy Lovrien @jimmylovrien.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
According to a union official, eight Superior National Forest employees and 11 Chippewa National Forest employees lost their jobs earlier this month, but several had roles tied to timber and their firings were now being reversed. www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/n...
duluthnewstribune.com
Northland national parks and forests were already strained. Then came Trump administration cuts
A couple dozen probationary federal employees at the region's national parks and forests lost their jobs in the “St. Valentine’s Day Massacre.” Deeper cuts across federal agencies are expected.
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Reposted by Jimmy Lovrien
Duluth News Tribune @duluthnews.bsky.social · 21/02/2025
There are more than $6 million active National Science Foundation and National Institute of Health research grants in the Twin Ports and Fond du Lac Reservation.
duluthnewstribune.com
Federal grant freeze, likely cuts chill local scientists, universities
There are more than $6 million active National Science Foundation and National Institute of Health research grants in the Twin Ports and Fond du Lac Reservation.
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Jimmy Lovrien @jimmylovrien.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
Current or former federal worker in the Northland? Work with federal grants? The Duluth News Tribune wants your tips: Email: jlovrien@duluthnews.com Call or text: 218-461-9718 Signal: jimmylovrien.90 Postal mail: Duluth News Tribune, c/o Jimmy Lovrien, P.O. Box 16046, Duluth, MN 55816
QR code for jimmylovrien.90 on Signal app
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Duluth News Tribune @duluthnews.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
If you currently work in the federal government, have recently lost your federal job or work with federally funded grants or research, reach out to the Duluth News Tribune with information on how changes at the federal level are affecting Northeastern Minnesota and Northwestern Wisconsin.
duluthnewstribune.com
Are you a federal employee?
If you currently work in the federal government, have recently lost your federal job or work with federally funded grants or research, reach out to the Duluth News Tribune with information on how chan...
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Reposted by Jimmy Lovrien
Duluth News Tribune @duluthnews.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
The court said the state agency must determine, again, whether the planned expansion of a basin holding back mine waste near Lake Superior requires an environmental impact statement.
duluthnewstribune.com
Appeals court tells DNR to revisit Milepost 7 environmental study decision
The court said the state agency must determine, again, whether the planned expansion of a basin holding back mine waste near Lake Superior requires an environmental impact statement.
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Barrett Chase @barrettchase.duluthnewstribune.com · 03/02/2025
We've placed all these stories outside the paywall. This is some of our best stuff. Check it out!
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Duluth News Tribune @duluthnews.bsky.social · 04/02/2025
Canadian oil, natural gas and electricity all flow into region and face a 10% levy in 30 days.
duluthnewstribune.com
Northland energy prices likely to increase if Trump tariffs take effect
Canadian oil, natural gas and electricity all flow into region and face a 10% levy in 30 days.
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Jimmy Lovrien @jimmylovrien.bsky.social · 29/01/2025
Last update from the Arrowhead 135. Hermantown’s Michael Koppy, 74, dropped out just 6.5 miles from the finish of the 135-mile race www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/i...
duluthnewstribune.com
‘I thought I had it’: 74-year-old Hermantown man drops out of 135-mile-race with just 6.5 miles to go
Participants in the race have 60 hours to reach the finish line near Tower on bike, ski or foot. They started in International Falls on Monday morning.
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Jimmy Lovrien @jimmylovrien.bsky.social · 29/01/2025
Some think they’re hallucinating when they see signs of foxes with stanzas of Robert Frost’s “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” as they approach the final checkpoint A previous sponsor would put mannequins in the trees and signs telling racers the checkpoint was a lot closer than it really was
duluthnewstribune.com
Through the night, racers pass through final checkpoint of Arrowhead 135
Participants in the race have 60 hours to reach the finish line near Tower on bike, ski or foot. They started in International Falls on Monday morning.
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Duluth News Tribune @duluthnews.bsky.social · 29/01/2025
The 135-mile endurance race, which takes snowmobile trails from International Falls to Tower, has "on foot," bike, ski and kicksled categories.
duluthnewstribune.com
St. Louis Park-born man, Grand Rapids woman win Arrowhead 135 'on foot' category
The 135-mile endurance race, which takes snowmobile trails from International Falls to Tower, has "on foot," bike, ski and kicksled categories.
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Jimmy Lovrien @jimmylovrien.bsky.social · 29/01/2025
Kristoffer Jonson wanted to finish his race from International Falls to Fortune Bay Resort Casino before 9 p.m. Tuesday. After all, that's when the restaurant at Fortune Bay closes. He had more than two hours to spare, finishing in 35 hours 47 minute www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/s...
duluthnewstribune.com
St. Louis Park-born runner wins Arrowhead 135
The 135-mile endurance race, which takes snowmobile trails from International Falls to Tower, has "on foot," bike, ski and kicksled categories.
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Jimmy Lovrien @jimmylovrien.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
“You know when you have to open your car window to stay awake? It’s like the worst version of that,” Rachel Utecht said. “And then you kind of stumble, and that’s what wakes you up.” www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/c...
duluthnewstribune.com
Competitors report 'sleepwalking' to Arrowhead 135 halfway point
Participants in the race have 60 hours to reach the finish line near Tower on bike, ski or foot. They started in International Falls on Monday morning.
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Jimmy Lovrien @jimmylovrien.bsky.social · 27/01/2025
The scene at the first checkpoint — just 98 miles to the finish. www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/1...
duluthnewstribune.com
'One leg at a time:' With 100 miles to go, Arrowhead racers rest, refuel at first checkpoint
Participants have 60 hours to reach the finish line near Tower on bike, ski or foot. They started in International Falls on Monday morning.
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Jimmy Lovrien @jimmylovrien.bsky.social · 27/01/2025
Steve Tannen, of Minneapolis, 1 of 2 kick sledders in the race. Expects 1/3 of 135-mile race to be kicking behind the sled, 1/3 pulling the kick sled behind him and 1/3 riding it down hills
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Jimmy Lovrien @jimmylovrien.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
The 135-mile foot, bike, ski, or kicksled race from International Falls to Tower starts Monday at 7 a.m. when temperatures are forecasted to be 20 degrees. The race director wishes it had started a week earlier when it was 42 below zero. www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/n...
duluthnewstribune.com
Northern Minnesota's Arrowhead 135 tests endurance limits
The ultramarathon from International Falls to Tower starts Monday. The forecast temperature is 20 degrees, but the race director wishes it had started a week earlier when it was 42 below zero.
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Jimmy Lovrien @jimmylovrien.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
In a recent journal article about the "1679 DU LUTH" stone, @archaeomather.bsky.social, the National Register archaeologist for the Minnesota State Historic Preservation wrote, "there is a greater likelihood of the inscription being authentic than not.” www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/n...
duluthnewstribune.com
Northlandia: Did Duluth namesake etch on Pine County rock?
In a recent journal article about the Du Luth Stone, a Minnesota State Preservation Office archeologist wrote, "There is a greater likelihood of the inscription being authentic than not.”
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Duluth News Tribune @duluthnews.bsky.social · 16/01/2025
The notice came after the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency denied U.S. Steel's request allowing downstream Hay Lake to have sulfate levels nearly 8 times higher than the state wild rice standard.
duluthnewstribune.com
EPA alleges Keetac exceeded sulfate limit nearly 300 times
The notice came after the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency denied U.S. Steel's request allowing downstream Hay Lake to have sulfate levels nearly 8 times higher than the state wild rice standard.
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Jimmy Lovrien @jimmylovrien.bsky.social · 05/01/2025
“It is a little easier to break records than it used to be, because our baseline conditions are warmer now,” said Kenny Blumenfeld, senior climatologist at the DNR. “We have more heat available, there’s generally less cold air available and so it is easier to break those warm records in particular.”
duluthnewstribune.com
2024 was the warmest year ever in Duluth
With an average temperature of 44.6 degrees, Duluth felt the effects of El Nino punctuating a decades-long warming trend due to greenhouse gas emissions released by human activities.
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The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 03/01/2025
President Joe Biden has decided to officially block Nippon Steel’s proposed purchase of U.S. Steel, a once-iconic American company whose sale to a foreign buyer he publicly opposed for months.
wapo.st
Biden decides to block U.S. Steel sale to Japanese buyer
The move comes after a year of political and economic drama. It leaves the future of the once-iconic American business in doubt.
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Barrett Chase @barrettchase.duluthnewstribune.com · 27/12/2024
Another fascinating read from our Northlandia series and reporter @jimmylovrien.bsky.social !
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Duluth News Tribune @duluthnews.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
Come work with us! We're looking for a reporter to cover K-12 and higher education in Duluth. This is a union position with health benefits, retirement plan, PTO, parental leave and more. Details here: tinyurl.com/dntedjob
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Jimmy Lovrien @jimmylovrien.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
But the world's FIRST monument to McKinley is in Tower, Minn. www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/n...
duluthnewstribune.com
Northlandia: Why Tower has world's first monument to President McKinley
The small mining and logging town erected a memorial within two months of the commander-in-chief's 1901 assassination.
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Barrett Chase @barrettchase.duluthnewstribune.com · 15/12/2024
Out of curiosity, I looked up the first time the Last Place on Earth was ever mentioned in the DNT. Here you go: Dec. 19, 1981.
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Duluth News Tribune @duluthnews.bsky.social · 15/12/2024
A White House fact sheet said those receiving a commutation had been serving sentences at home "for at least one year." #duluth #duluthmn #duluthnews
duluthnewstribune.com
Biden commutes former Last Place on Earth owner's synthetic drug sales sentence
Jim Carlson, 67, was among the nearly 1,500 people who received commuted sentences. The White House said those receiving a commutation had been serving sentences at home "for at least one year."
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Jimmy Lovrien @jimmylovrien.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
The increase in cash-only home purchases comes as the median home price increases, mortgage interest rates remain high and the city — like much of the country — faces a housing shortage. www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/1...
duluthnewstribune.com
1 in 4 Duluth single-family homes was bought with cash last year
It's 5.7 percentage points higher than 2015 and 10.5 points higher than 2019.
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Duluth News Tribune @duluthnews.bsky.social · 04/12/2024
ICYMI: Minnesota winters are warming quickly. But the effects of shorter lake ice duration? That hasn’t been studied as much. Reporter @jimmylovrien.bsky.social digs in.
duluthnewstribune.com
Minnesota lakes have lost 2 weeks of ice cover in 50 years
Ted Ozersky, a UMD associate biology professor and interim director of the Large Lakes Observatory, co-authored a review outlining the environmental and societal consequences of less lake ice.
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