Last Friday, July 16, 2021, we published the first edition of the Rainy Lake Gazette, a brand-new newspaper serving International Falls and Koochiching County. The paper was distributed exactly two weeks after the previous local newspaper, the International Falls Journal, published its last edition. We hope that what seemed so bleak two weeks ago has...
April 19, 2026
Category: Columns
Howie: East’s Randolph calls it like he sees it
One of the many things I appreciate about Duluth East boys hockey coach Mike Randolph is how refreshingly candid he is. He’s always been a great quote, right from the outset of both of our careers. Ol’ Randy, a personal friend, is old-school in this regard, and today I’m proud to announce that an elite,...
John Magas: Duluth Public Schools preparing to begin anew in the fall
This week we honored our graduating seniors, held end of the year celebrations for students and families and began transitions to summer programming. Being part of those celebrations was the highlight of this year for me, especially the high school commencements. Best wishes to our Class of 2021 and best hopes as they begin the...
Jennifer Carollo Fischer: Great Expectations School Director Peter James to retire after 16 years
A few months ago, when I first began reporting on topics in education, I had the privilege of speaking with Peter James. Mr. James has been the director of Great Expectations School (GES), which opened in the fall of 2003, for the past 16 years. It is a k-8 facility that enrolls roughly 110 students...
Rob Perez: The Legend lives on
By Rob Perez In previous years, Joe Paulik played Thursday nights for the season, usually going up to Labor Day. But in 2020, Paulik played by a campfire on Lutsen Resort’s beach well into October. “Last year was incredible. We were getting freezing temperatures, but people were so hungry for live music,†Paulik said. Originally...
Howie: Bulldogs to recognize players on Senior Day
The Minnesota Duluth softball team will honor its 2020 and ’21 seniors on Saturday — before and between games of a highly-anticipated Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference home doubleheader against defending NCAA Division II national champion and second-ranked Augustana University. The first pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. at historic James S. Malosky Stadium. “We can’t...
Howie: Bulldogs eye men’s hoops opener against Winona
The Twin Ports has a strong appetite for competitive college basketball, Bulldog men’s basketball coach Justin Wieck said in a phone interview earlier this week. “We’ve seen that hunger from our fans and alumni base over the last two years, as we’ve battled down the stretch for a conference championship and an NCAA tournament berth,”...
Howie: Bulldogs blitz Crookston
The Bulldogs turned up the defensive heat on Minnesota Crookston in the nightcap of Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference men’s basketball back-to-back victories at historic Romano Gym on Saturday afternoon. UMD was allowing 76 points per game, but held the Golden Eagles to 29 percent shooting (16 of 54) with a cohesive, man-to-man team defensive gem....