WTIP North Shore Community Radio

06/03/2026

KEEP IT WILD - GET THE LEAD OUT TO SAVE LOONS
An estimated 25% of loon deaths each year are caused by lead poisoning. In this interview with MPCA "Get the Lead Out" administrator Kelly Amoth we learn about the connection between lead fishing tackle and the health of loons.

Kelly shares tips on loon-safe fishing techniques and tells us about the MPCA's rebate program for small businesses in Minnesota who want to make the switch to lead-free products in stores. (Photo by Nina Schoch)

Loons are an icon of the Boundary Waters Wilderness and are the State Bird of Minnesota. But did you know that the time between Memorial Day and the 4th of July is the most dangerous time for loons, and that about 25% of loon deaths are attributed to lead poisoning? In this conversation with Kelly.....

06/03/2026

For several years, Cook County has had two advisory councils: the Cook County Local Mental Health Advisory Council and the Public Health and Human Services Advisory Council. In June, the councils will again consider merging.

The two councils will meet on June 9 at 1 p.m. to discuss their future as separate entities and how to best engage the community.

“The thought process around considering whether to merge them again is really trying to clarify our mission, our vision, how it is that we, these councils, do the work of supporting our department and understanding and advising our department,” Public Health and Human Services Director Grace Grinager told WTIP.

For several years, Cook County has had two advisory councils: the Cook County Local Mental Health Advisory Council and the Public Health and Human Services Advisory Council. In June, the councils will again consider merging. The two councils will meet on June 9 at 1 p.m. to discuss their future as s...

06/02/2026

With election season on the horizon, the filing period for federal, state, and county offices is underway, giving prospective candidates the opportunity to secure a place on the ballot.

Candidates seeking a spot on the ballot have until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2, to file. The filing period opened on May 19.

In Cook County, three county commissioner seats in Districts 1, 3, and 5 are up for election this year. Two seats on the Soil and Water Conservation District Board, representing Districts 2 and 4, will also appear on the ballot. The Cook County Sheriff’s seat is also on the ballot this year.

See a list of candidates who filed for those races as of June 1 in the article.

With election season on the horizon, the filing period for federal, state, and county offices is underway, giving prospective candidates the opportunity to secure a place on the ballot. Candidates seeking a spot on the ballot have until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2, to file. The filing period opened on...

06/02/2026

Fire personnel are responding to a wildfire that was detected in the Superior National Forest on Monday afternoon, approximately eight miles northwest of Ely, Minn.

As of late Monday evening, fire officials estimate the Birch Bay Fire has burned about 30 acres. The wildfire is northwest of the North Arm of Burntside Lake area.

Firefighting aircraft and ground crews worked Monday to suppress the Birch Bay Fire. Firefighters remained on scene late last night and will return to the fire Tuesday morning to resume fire suppression efforts.

“An early morning flight will help calculate the size of the fire more accurately and determine safe locations where crews can safely engage in fire line construction,” U.S. Forest Service officials with the Superior National Forest said in a late Monday evening Facebook post.

Fire personnel are responding to a wildfire that was detected in the Superior National Forest on Monday afternoon, approximately eight miles northwest of Ely, Minn. As of late Monday evening, fire officials estimate the Birch Bay Fire has burned about 30 acres. The wildfire is northwest of the North...

06/01/2026

Over the past week, a small yearling black bear has been spotted around Grand Marais, checking bird feeders and garbage in search of food.

Several Grand Marais residents have spotted the yearling bear in the vicinity of 11th Ave. and 8th Ave, near Homestead Cooperative. Sightings of a yearling bear have also been reported farther east on 3rd Ave W, north of Cook County Higher Education.

The bear has been “fairly active during the day and hitting people’s bird feeders during daylight hours,” said Nancy Hanson, the Two Harbors area wildlife manager for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

The Two Harbors office received several calls regarding the yearling bear in Grand Marais on Thursday and Friday of last week.

Over the past week, a small yearling black bear has been spotted around Grand Marais, checking bird feeders and garbage in search of food. Several Grand Marais residents have spotted the yearling bear in the vicinity of 11th Ave. and 8th Ave, near Homestead Cooperative. Sightings of a yearling bear....

06/01/2026

An 88-year-old man was rescued Sunday afternoon after falling nearly 30 feet down a steep embankment of the Caribou River gorge along the North Shore.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office received a call about the incident at 1:01 p.m. on Sunday. The fall occurred on the Caribou River Trail, a popular hiking route that begins at the Caribou Falls State Wayside just west of the Cook County line.

Lake County Rescue members were dispatched to the scene and used ropes to rescue the man who had been hanging onto a tree over the river.

Several agencies assisted with the rescue. Authorities said the man had no other injuries besides cuts and scrapes.

An 88-year-old man was rescued Sunday afternoon after falling nearly 30 feet down a steep embankment of the Caribou River gorge along the North Shore. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office received a call about the incident at 1:01 p.m. on Sunday. The fall occurred on the Caribou River Trail, a popular...

05/31/2026

When guests arrive at Loon Lake Lodge, they are welcomed by Andrea and Derek Hofeldt and their three boys into an atmosphere filled with outdoor adventure, family connection, and relaxation along the Gunflint Trail.

From donut fishing and watermelon-eating contests to hydro bikes and quiet time by the lake, the Hofeldt family—who own and operate the historic lodge work to make each stay memorable.

“What truly makes it stand out, I think, is not only for its historic charm, but it’s a Ma and Pa resort,” Andrea said.

Andrea and Derek Hofeldt have owned Loon Lake Lodge for a decade and have worked to maintain the lodge’s small, family feel. Next year, the two owners will reach a milestone in the lodge’s history. 2027 marks 100 years since the lodge was established.

When guests arrive at Loon Lake Lodge, they are welcomed by Andrea and Derek Hofeldt and their three boys into an atmosphere filled with outdoor adventure, family connection, and relaxation along the Gunflint Trail. From donut fishing and watermelon-eating contests to hydro bikes and quiet time by t...

05/30/2026

Starting in early June, the county will begin a months-long process, working with the architectural firm BKV, which will include meetings with department heads and a full 3D scan of the Cook County Courthouse to compile into a feasibility study for capital improvements.

Over the past year, the county has been working to address space and security needs in county buildings, as well as to address deferred maintenance at the courthouse.

During the May 26 Cook County Board of Commissioners’ meeting, the board approved a proposal for professional services for the BKV architect team to revisit, revise, and expand the previous study associated with improvements to the courthouse.

Starting in early June, the county will begin a months-long process, working with the architectural firm BKV, which will include meetings with department heads and a full 3D scan of the Cook County Courthouse to compile into a feasibility study for capital improvements. Over the past year, the count...

05/29/2026

Prescribed burns are in progress around Superior National Forest. These are scenes from a prescribed burn on Sawbill Trail north of Tofte this morning. Link in the comments for the U.S.F.S. page on planned and prescribed burns including maps. Video by Chuck Olsen.

05/29/2026

With what feels like the official start to summer this week, the Cook County Highway Department is preparing to begin several of the 2026 summer projects.

This summer, the highway department will begin work on a multi-use trail in Grand Marais, carry out several improvement projects on the Arrowhead Trail and on Chicago Bay Road, and improve a five-mile section on the Gunflint Trail.

While most of the projects remain on schedule and unchanged in scope, plans for the five-mile section of the Gunflint Trail project have been altered over the last month.

Initially, the highway department planned to resurface a five-mile section of the road and replace approximately 20 culverts north of the mid-trail area between Co Rd 92E and 92W, with traffic being detoured onto Co Rd 92 in the interim.

Due to long stretches of narrow road on Co Rd 92 in several areas, the highway department determined it was not suitable for motorists to use as a detour route.

Cook County Highway Engineer Robbie Hass said that for those who live up the Gunflint Trail or frequent the area often, many know it’s “not a good road for the volume of traffic we would potentially be putting on there.”

He said it was an “oversight” on the highway department’s part, and that plans have been changed.

With what feels like the official start to summer this week, the Cook County Highway Department is preparing to begin several of the 2026 summer projects. This summer, the highway department will begin work on a multi-use trail in Grand Marais, carry out several improvement projects on the Arrowhead...