William Volkmanlien

Nearly 500 city of Duluth employees will be working under new three year contracts. The City of Duluth’s tentative agreement with AFSCME focuses on retaining their staff numbers, and recruiting more employees. Another key aspect to the new labor contracts is having competitive wages.

The wildfires in California continue to ravage the Los Angeles area, with evacuation orders still in effect. At the moment, at least five people have died along with thousands of buildings destroyed in the flames. While firefighters are continuing to extinguish the flames, the American Red Cross is sending volunteers to help. Nearly 20 American Red Cross volunteers from Minnesota and Wisconsin are assisting with disaster relief efforts.

There’s been a nationwide egg shortage, and now, it’s hitting our grocery store shelves in the Northland. One note found at a Duluth Super One location says they’re experiencing low stock levels and getting limited warehouse allocations. There are a lot of factors going into this egg shortage, but the bird flu is a big one.

The Northland Foundation is providing grants to tribal citizens and descendants working on projects to strengthen Native American culture.

Chum needs donations to continue their Warming Center this winter

The longest SEIU strike continues with nearly 40 days of an ongoing strike. Essentia Health’s Deer River workers decided to bring their picket line down to St. Mary’s Hospital. Several other labor groups joined in solidarity like AFSCME, MNA and the United Steelworkers.

Throughout the week, people in the Northland have experienced bitter cold temperatures. But what steps can residents take to protect their homes and cars in below zero temps? Folks in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin need to be proactive with preparing their homes and cars for negative temperatures. Towing companies have already been busy around the clock moving vehicles that won’t start. Car batteries can’t hold a charge and things are just going to get colder.

This weekend is your opportunity to take your kids fishing anywhere in Minnesota, for free! No license is required, thanks to the DNR. With cold temps in the forecast, another popular angling sport you might consider Darkhouse spearfishing.

Residents in the Northland understand how frigid temperatures below zero can be. Many school districts decided to close because of the harsh cold weather. Meanwhile in the Twin Ports, students in Superior schools were still required to attend classes.

Crime in downtown Duluth occurs, on average, every 18 hours according to new data from law enforcement. Local public safety officials met Wednesday afternoon to address concerns of rising crimes.