Hello Duluth! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Permit refund changes, northern lights mystery, and family fun cruise + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Policy update under review: The U.S. Forest Service is weighing BWCA permit refund changes for next year, including 50% deposit refunds if canceled more than 28 days out. Input is open through July 22 -- see the proposed changes.
Roadwork reshapes the corridor: London Road construction is underway now after Grandma’s Marathon, bringing detours and closures. Expect roundabouts at 26th and 40th Avenues East and a northbound only stretch north of 40th -- see the full traffic plan.
Grid modernization returns: The Trump administration restored $50 million to Duluth-based Minnesota Power, reviving upgrades on the 465-mile HVDC line from Center, North Dakota, to Hermantown after an October 2025 review -- see the grid funding update.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
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02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Need a sky-high reset: Enger Park delivers a mood lift with a stone tower made for sweeping Lake Superior views, a serene Japanese peace garden, and easy walking paths, so even in June cabin-fever brain gets a reset; bring coffee, take pics, breathe for a minute... then remember you get to call this neighborhood home.
Grow smarter, Duluth: Whether you're coaxing tomatoes under LEDs, starting a home grow, or just hunting a lush new pothos, Grow Your Own Garden Supply brings the gear, seeds, and know-how to make it happen, plus classes and locally made goodies. Friendly Lincoln Park vibes, expert advice, and zero gatekeeping.
Arcade night, anyone? Skyline Social & Games is the reliable “we-need-something-fun right now” spot for Duluthians. Rally the crew for arcade battles, bowling or duckpin, maybe a little axe throwing, then refuel without leaving your lane. Bonus, their leagues are an easy fix for that group-chat indecision.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Need cash but can't take on another monthly payment? This gets you a lump sum from your home's equity with no monthly bill and no interest, because it isn't a loan. Use the funds for anything, whether that's home improvements, paying off debt, or a large purchase, and pay it back by the end of your 30-year term. Checking your offer is easy, fully online, and won't affect your credit score. *See your cash offer →
Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
Wish you had someone to talk to right now? The quiet hours are the hardest, especially when you just want someone to talk to. That's exactly what this is built for: real conversations, real matches, real people. Not endless swiping, but actual chats with singles who want to connect as much as you do. Someone to talk to could be a message away. *Join now and start chatting → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🐶 Adoption Event @ PetSmart | Wednesday (6/24) at 5:30 PM – Whether you're a seasoned pet parent or just susceptible to puppy eyes, this PetSmart Duluth adoption meetup delivers instant joy, fewer meetings, and more walks. Swap small talk for tail wags, meet adoptable cats and dogs, and upgrade your home to a fur-friendly zone.
🌌 Wonderstruck Wednesday: The Mystery of the Northern Lights @ UMD Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium | Wednesday (6/24) at 7:00 PM – Skip the Alaska airfare, this free planetarium show explains what causes the northern lights, where to see them, and whether Earth is hogging the glow. It runs about 30 minutes, seats are first come and disappear fast, and yes, no food or drinks inside.
📖 Storytime @ Wade Stadium | Thursday (6/25) at 10:30 AM – Grab the kiddos and head to Wade Stadium for storytime with the Duluth Huskies, a free morning that makes reading feel like a day at the ballpark. Players do the voices, kids conquer the inflatables, you finally drink a coffee while it's still hot.
🚢 Family Fun Cruise @ Vista Fleet | Thursday (6/25) at 3:25 PM – An hour on the Vista Queen, wedged between nap time and dinner, keeps kids busy before anyone melts down while you breathe and soak up Duluth harbor and Lake Superior. Snacks, beverages, and a full bar are available, though the boat is not wheelchair accessible.
🇬 Taste of Greece 2026 @ Marshall School | Saturday (6/27) at 11:00 AM – Loosen your belt and head to Taste of Greece for plates of souvlaki, spanakopita, and baklava, plus lively folk dancing that counts as cardio. It’s the annual Greek fest your kids will remember, your parents will approve, and your waistband will negotiate.
🎶 Summer Jam @ Gary-New Duluth Recreation Center | Saturday (6/27) at 4:00 PM – Summer Jam at the GND Rec Center means food trucks, family games, skateboard demos, and live music. Let the kids chase wheels while you chase the best taco, then park your lawn chair with your neighbors, your sunscreen, and the soundtrack to a good afternoon.
🎶 Live Music & Family Fun @ Park Point Art Fair | Saturday (6/27) – Nothing beats a Lake Superior breeze with live music and kid-friendly chaos at the Park Point Art Fair, that last-weekend-in-June tradition locals actually like. Stroll the sand, meet artists, let the kids wiggle, then brag about supporting community for 55 years, thanks to MPECU.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. 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 Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Duluth report Weather forecastToday — High: 59°F — Low: 47°F — Precip: 64%
A chance of rain showers and patchy fog before 7am, then rain showers likely and patchy fog between 7am and 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1pm and 4pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 4pm and 5pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. High near 59, with temperatures falling to around 57 in the afternoon. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 65°F — Low: 47°F — Precip: 7%
Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 47. Northeast wind 0 to 5 mph. This house is wildThis updated 4-bed, 4-bath Hartley home pairs modern comfort with serious outdoor appeal, backing to 700+ acres of Hartley Nature Center land. Cherry cabinetry, granite counters, a gas fireplace, and a remodeled lower-level walkout bring warmth and style. Add a sauna, steam shower, solar panels, EV charger, and oversized 3-car garage, and it stands out fast.
Take a peek inside → |
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