Babbitt, MN Local News and More

Lossing, High and Myers win for Babbitt council

Claire High and Jacob Myers will bring a new generation of leadership to the Babbitt City Council, defeating former council member Glenn Anderson, former police chief Terry Switajewski and incumbent Joe White. High brought in the highest vote share at 403 supporters. Myers claimed the second of two available seats...

Babbitt, MN · 12h

Mesabi Tribune

Police ask hunters to keep an eye out for missing man

TOWER—The Breitung Police Department is again asking for help in locating Derek Lerfald, who was last seen on March 21 leaving the Vermilion Housing Apartment complete in the 100 block of Cedar Street in Tower, a news release from Police Chief Daniel Reing stated. The missing person case remains an active investigation several months after he went missing. “As the season has changed to fall, many of our area residents will take to the woods. We kindly ask our area hunters to be observant and report anything suspicious. If anyone has any information, please contact the Breitung Police Department at 218-753-6660 or 911.’’

Tower, MN · 6h

fastfoodclub.com

How Did Tiny Ely Become Home To A Bakery Café Hikers Plan Their Boundary Waters Trips Around?

Paddlers who spend a week deep in the Boundary Waters tend to come out with two things on their minds: a hot shower and a giant breakfast. In the small northern Minnesota town of Ely, one corner café has quietly become the answer to the second wish. The doors...

Ely, MN · 2d

northernnewsnow.com

St. Louis County voters reject both school referendum questions

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn. (Northern News Now) - The district says it is reviewing potential cuts after voters rejected measures that would have supported operations, transportation and technology. Voters rejected both St. Louis County school district referendum questions Tuesday, while school referendums in Ely and Duluth passed. Referendum questions rejected.

St Louis County, MN · 1d

FOX 21 Online

Former deputy sheriff, Tig's BBQ owner and fierce community supporter dies

DULUTH, Minn. (KQDS-TV) – Troy Fralich, a former St. Louis County deputy sheriff and owner of the popular Tig’s BBQ in Duluth has died at the age of 53. The news of Fralich’s death brought profound sadness among the local law enforcement community after learning one of their biggest champions died this week.

Duluth, MN · 21h

northernwilds.com

At Ely’s Northern Lights Clubhouse, Belonging Begins at the Table

On Wednesdays at Northern Lights Clubhouse in Ely, lunch might be homemade chili with cornbread, a taco bar or potato soup. Members help choose the menu, prepare food and set up tables in the living room. Then they sit down to eat together. The meal is one way Well Being...

Ely, MN · 2d

kaxe.org

Incumbents lose in Hermantown, St. Louis County races amid data center turmoil

HERMANTOWN — Challengers defeated incumbents in local races in St. Louis County amid ongoing tensions surrounding a proposed Google data center in Hermantown. Emma Richtman and Candi Mock, two Hermantown City Council candidates who have been critical of the Council's handling of the data center, defeated incumbent Andy Hjelle.

Hermantown, MN · 2d

Ely Echo

Ely Police Report - Phone Scams

The Ely Police Department has received reports of a phone scam targeting individuals by convincing them that their bank accounts have been hacked or compromised. Here’s how the scam typically works: Scammers will call and claim that someone has accessed your bank account or made unauthorized transactions. They may even provide specific details, such as how much money was supposedly taken or where a fraudulent charge occurred, to make their story sound legitimate.

Ely Echo

2142 school board approves updated contracts for drivers, secretaries and custodians

The ISD 2142 school board granted bus drivers, clerical staff and custodians pay raises at Tuesday, Oct. 27’s regular meeting, following recent negotiations with Local 70, International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE). School secretaries and the accounts payable specialist will notice a bump in hourly pay, with wages increasing...

northernnewsnow.com

Vicky Wanta appointed to St. Louis County judge’s bench

DULUTH, Minn. (Northern News Now) - Gov. Tim Walz has appointed longtime St. Louis County prosecutor Vicky Wanta to the judge’s bench. Wanta will fill the seat being vacated by retiring Judge Leslie Beiers. She will be chambered in Duluth. Wanta has worked in the St. Louis County Attorney’s...

Duluth, MN · 1d

Ely Echo

Two swimmers make all-IRC

Two swimmers earned all-conference honors and Northeast Range/Ely placed fifth as a team at the annual Iron Range Conference meet. Both Lucy Luthens and Evelyn Moran are part of the All-IRC Team after their performance at the Oct. 29 IRC event at International Falls, where the Nighthawks amassed. 190 points...

Mesabi Tribune

Driver transported following two-vehicle crash in Kugler Township

VIRGINIA—A 19-year-old male driver was transported to a local hospital on Thursday in Kugler Township, according to a report by the Minnesota State Patrol The driver from Aurora was traveling northbound on Highway 135 when the vehicle he was driving collided with a vehicle driven by a 55-year-old male from Embarrass near Wahlsten Road. The vehicle driven by the Aurora man came to rest in the westbound ditch, according to authorities. The driver from Aurora was treated for non-life threatening injuries at Northern Pines Medical Center. Road Condition were dry at the time of the crash. Both drivers were wearing seatbelts. Alcohol is not suspected for either driver. Tower Ambulance, Embarrass Fire, Virginia Fire, St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office assisted on scene.

Virginia, MN · 9h

FOX 21 Online

Fire inside Two Harbors Lighthouse gift shop causes extensive damage

TWO HARBORS, Minn. (KQDS-TV) – Days after a fire started inside the Two Harbors Lighthouse gift shop, the Lake County Historical Society said the building needs to be gutted to re-open. Pictures provided by the Historical Society on Thursday shows the extensive damage inside what's known as the Fog...

Two Harbors, MN · 21h

Mesabi Tribune

Bachschneider captures Virginia mayor spot

VIRGINIA — City Councilor Annie Bachschneider cruised to victory Tuesday night as she was chosen to be Virginia's next mayor. Bachschneider garnered 2,113 votes (69.14%) to outdistance fellow City Councilor Steven B. Johnson, who notched 892 votes (29.19%). Bachschneider was a newcomer to the council two years ago and will now take over for Mayor Larry Cuffe Jr. in January. Johnson was defeated by Cuffe in the 2022 mayoral election, as well. In the Virginia City Council election (three seats available), incumbent Justin Skalko took the top spot with 1,974 votes (41.89%), while newcomer Andrew S. Babbini came in second with 1,625 votes (34.49%) to also earn a seat. Incumbent City Councilor Liz Motley (running as a write-in) grabbed the third and final seat over write-in candidates Dave Hansen and Danielle Skye Barber. Motley garnered 557 votes, Hansen had 220 and Barber tallied 89.

Virginia, MN · 2d

northernnewsnow.com

Kris Eilers wins St. Louis County commissioner race

DULUTH, Minn. (Northern News Now) - Non-Partisian Kris Eilers won the race for St. Louis County commissioner in District 1 on Nov. 3, defeating Annie Harala, according to unofficial results from St. Louis County. Incumbent Annie Harala has served on the Duluth school board, owns a business and has chaired...

St Louis County, MN · 2d

Ely Echo

Donald Debler to be added to Ely’s Bataan Death March memorial

Ely will add another name to the Bataan Death March plaque at the Ely Area Veterans Memorial on Miners Drive. Donald Denver Debler, who died June 15, 1942 at the age of 25, will have his name engraved in granite. An article in the Nov. 25, 2025 Ely Echo that...

WTIP

Heavy rainfall sweeps across the Northland, breaking daily November records

Areas across northern Minnesota received more than four inches of rain following several consecutive days of precipitation that began Sunday. The weather system that brought substantial rain in Minnesota was part of a larger low-pressure system that moved across Colorado and the Southwest region of the U.S. several days earlier, causing historic flooding and widespread damage.

Minnesota · 1d

fox9.com

Highway 610 gives Minnesotans a lasting way to remember the Hortmans

(FOX 9) - A stretch of Highway 610 now carries the Hortman name on a road people close to Melissa Hortman said meant a lot to her. The drive between Coon Rapids and Maple Grove is a lot easier than it was a decade ago because of Highway 610. Thursday, the state unveiled signs naming a section of the road in honor of Mark and Melissa Hortman, who were assassinated in 2025.

Maple Grove, MN · 9h

northernnewsnow.com

Duluth, Ely school referendums pass as districts seek legislative help

ELY, Minn. (Northern News Now) - Voters in Duluth and Ely passed school operating referendums Tuesday, bringing additional funding to both districts. However, district leaders said they still need help from the Legislature to balance their budgets. Duluth Public Schools and Ely Public Schools celebrated the results, but the work...

Duluth, MN · 19h

Mesabi Tribune