Billionaire has bought, demolished 7 Park Point homes in last year

In December 2023, I broke the story of Kathy Cargill, wife of billionaire James R. Cargill II, buying up and tearing down homes on Duluth’s Park Point.

US Steel buying up homes, last business in Kinney

U.S. Steel bought 11 of the 14 Kinney properties sold in 2023, representing a large swath of the north half of town. Most properties were homes, but the company also bought and razed the last business in a town that once boasted two grocery stores, several bars, a cafe, auto dealership, a church and a school.

Minnesota’s taconite industry not on pace to meet state’s mercury reduction targets by 2025

Plans submitted by mining companies show an industrywide reduction of 15% by 2025, far less than the 72% required by the state.

This story won second place in the investigative reporting category at the 2020-21 Minnesota Newspaper Association, Better Newspaper Contest, multi-day division of newspapers with circulations 10,000 and more.

Ethical concerns lead to recall of Two Harbors mayor

A January 2022 article I wrote about Chris Swanson, then the mayor of Two Harbors, and the ethical concerns surrounding his underwater hotel and cryptocurrency pursuits spurred significant backlash among residents and inquiries by the city attorney and Minnesota State Auditor. In the end, I had more than 20 bylined stories on the mayor, including several more scoops on other potential conflicts of interest and ethical concerns. In August, 86% of voters voted to recall him.

3 years after Superior refinery blast, beleaguered federal agency has yet to release investigation as backlog grows

Former employees, watchdogs and labor and industry groups say the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board has been slow to release its report into the April 16, 2018 explosion and fire due to underfunding and turnover of investigators and unfilled board positions, leading to a backlog of recommendations and investigations, including on the Husky refinery.

Infrastructure designed with climate change in mind survives flood

Dozens of culverts and roads washed out during June 18’s storms, but a culvert replacement project in Lake County built to aid brook trout and withstand 100-year-rain events held firm.

Experts: Climate change driving additional, more intense rain in Minnesota

Heavy rain is already more common and intense in the state, and that trend is expected to persist as emissions continue to rise.

Northland researchers look to biochar as possible climate solution

Wood heated to a high temperature in a low-oxygen setting creates a charcoal that holds its carbon. It also improves soil health and filters water. Will it become widespread?

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.

Isle Royale visitors weren’t always told its full Indigenous history. Now, Grand Portage Band, US flags fly together

Band leadership hopes it’s the beginning of even deeper ways for them to experience their traditional cultural land.

Cabins remain occupied by families that predate the island national park

The first part in a three-part series on families that still have cabins within Isle Royale National Park. We take a look at the past — how these families came to the island and what life was like.

Island life in 21st century full of restoration work, sharing history

In Part 2 of our series on families that have cabins in Isle Royale National Park, we look at what life is like on the island today — the restoration work needed to maintain the cabins and the volunteer work some families do to keep using their cabins.

What does future hold for historic cabins — and families — that predate national park?

We look at how the park service and historic families grapple with what the future could look like on Isle Royale as an era winds down in the third and final part in the News Tribune’s series on families that have cabins in Isle Royale National Park.

In WSJ report, Kathy Cargill details Park Point plan and why she’s now dropping it

On March 25, 2024, I appeared on Kare 11’s “Breaking the News” to discuss Kathy Cargill, wife of billionaireJames R. Cargill, purchasing and razing homes on Park Point, a story I broke in December 2023.

Two Harbors Mayor Removed From Office

I discussed the overwhelming recall of the Two Harbors mayor with Twin Cities Public Television’s “Almanac” program on August 12, 2022.

Lessons from COVID, Pandemic Policy Review

PBS North’s Alamanc North interviewed me for their April 9, 2021 episode about my March 2020 article comparing COVID-19 in Duluth to the 1918 Spanish Flu outbreak.

Recall petition for Two Harbors mayor garners nearly 1,000 signatures

I spoke on Minnesota Public Radio’s “Morning Edition” about the ongoing recall effort of the Two Harbors mayor on May 3, 2022.