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Hello Duluth! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. 

In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Essentia Health’s $12M ER expansion, robots storm Lake Superior Regional, and Sleeping Beauty ballet + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.

Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is something I wish I had before a late-night emergency vet visit left me with a $10,000 credit card bill. It’s cheaper than Netflix… and means you never have to choose between your pet and your savings. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up – get started here.

📰 In the news

New ambulance bay planned: Essentia Health plans a $12 million emergency department at its Duluth headquarters, with construction starting in April and completion expected in early 2027, adding space including rooms for behavioral health — see timeline and expansion plans.

Capital campaign gains momentum: Minnesota Power Foundation donated $100,000 to Second Harvest Northland in February, backing the Nourish the Northland campaign and plans to expand the distribution center serving northern Minnesota and Wisconsin — see what’s planned for expansion.

Exhibitions with musical flair: Duluth Art Institute features two Indigenous art exhibitions, Wendy Savage’s Ojibwe Adornment with eight Anishinaabe artists and Carl Gawboy’s Fur Trade Nation illustrations, with music by Minneapolis artist Tufawon — read the full story.

Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week:

• Make pizza from scratch together
• Experience Sleeping Beauty’s enchanting ballet
• Learn to sew an organizer pouch
• This top-tier home warranty is 50% off right now

🐾 One pet emergency can cost $10,000+

Together with our sponsor Spot Pet Insurance

Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache.

From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving.

As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Spot.

It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% on qualified vet bills. It was too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. Sign up today.

🫶 We got your back

Mediterranean to share: Ideal for graze-and-chat nights, Alto Pino serves Mediterranean-inspired plates and carefully crafted drinks downtown, easygoing and unfussy. With a friend or three, a generous spread, and time to linger, it becomes the kind of Duluth dinner that turns weeknights into small celebrations.

Upgrade your trail kit: Trailfitters keeps Duluth ready with rugged boots, smart layers that shrug off lake wind, and climbing or camping staples. For the Superior Hiking Trail, their crew knows local conditions and helps you land gear you’ll actually use and appreciate.

Indie movie night sorted: Whether you’re craving a new release, a documentary detour, or a cult classic on the big screen, Zeitgeist Zinema 2 keeps things fresh and neighborly. Nonprofit, local, and thoughtfully curated, it’s screen time Duluth can feel good about.

Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.

📆 Fun for the whole fam

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🤖 Lake Superior Regional @ Duluth Entertainment Convention Center | Wednesday (3/4) at 1:00 PM – Robots take over Duluth for Lake Superior Regional, with high school teams rolling in like pit crews on caffeine. It’s part sports, part science fair, all heart, with roaring crowds and the sweet aroma of solder and popcorn. Bring the grandkids, and your proud-parent clap.

🎨 The River Speaks: Art of the Estuary @ Wussow’s Concert Cafe | Thursday (3/5) at 5:30 PM – Nothing beats art with your coffee at Wussow’s, especially when the St. Louis River estuary gets top billing. Peek the new mixed-media show, then stick around for open mic where poems, songs, and brave neighbors flow like spring melt. Free, friendly, and very Duluth.

🎭 The Elixir of Love @ St. Louis County Depot | Thursday (3/5) at 6:00 PM – LOON’s Little Opera of the North is bringing a 45-minute Elixir of Love in English, joined by a chorus of local elementary kids. Opera you can actually follow, all-ages friendly, capped with a cast Q&A, $5 tickets, and free admission for sixth grade and under.

☘ Kids in the Kitchen St. Patrick’s Day Cooking Class @ Duluth Whole Foods Co-op | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – St. Patrick’s Day is coming, so let the kids learn Boxty here in Duluth with Northern Expressions Arts Collective while you play sous-chef. Kids 5+ cook and flip, a paid adult must come along, and Co-op Owners score a $5 Whole Foods Co-op gift card.

🌸 Spring Fling @ Spirit Mountain | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Spring Fling at Spirit Mountain is back with double GS and SL racing all weekend, plus the world-famous awards banquet. New this year, no USSS license, so sharpen those edges, rally your crew, and scoop early-bird, newbie, and Masters-license discounts before they melt.

🏃 Miles for the Mission 5K 2026 @ Leif Erickson Park | Saturday (3/7) at 11:00 AM – Start at Leif Erickson Park, cruise to an earn-your-beer finish at Bent Paddle, then stick around for the raffle. This 5k echoes the daily trek many unhoused neighbors face, with every step supporting Union Gospel Mission’s essential programs. Bring friends, and bring heart.

🍲 12th Annual Cook-off @ Norton Park United Methodist Church | Sunday (3/8) at 12:00 PM – Church folks are hosting the 12th annual cook-off, and this year it’s all desserts, bless our blood sugar. Tickets $6, or $5 with a Food Shelf donation, kids 5 and under free. Taste, vote for two favorites, and there’s a sandwich bar for the sensible.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.

• Thinning hair? Don’t wait – here are 3 treatments that work
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• Protect your pet from disaster with this pet insurance plan
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account
• Treat yourself: Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

📻 Duluth report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 46°F – Low: 28°F – Precip: 2%

Patchy fog between 7am and 8am. Partly sunny. High near 46, with temperatures falling to around 43 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. East wind 5 to 15 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 32°F – Low: 31°F – Precip: 10%

Mostly cloudy, with a high near 32. East wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Later: A slight chance of rain after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 31. East wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Someone Googled you this week 👀

It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.

Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.

Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.

This house is wild

This contemporary meets Northwoods retreat spans nearly five acres across four lots, delivering sun filled spaces with expansive windows, hardwood floors, and clean lines. An updated kitchen with sleek cabinetry, granite, and stainless opens to dining and outdoor living. Multiple living areas and a lower level family room add flexibility. Elevated decks survey serene woods. Two garages handle storage.

Take a peek inside →