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  1. 6 a.m.Heavy rain.52°
  2. NoonShowers.52°
  3. 6 p.m.Rain.50°
  4. MidnightRain.47°

Sunrise 6:55 a.m. Sunset 4:48 p.m.

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  1. 6 a.m.Heavy rain.52°
  2. NoonShowers.52°
  3. 6 p.m.Rain.50°
  4. MidnightRain.47°
  1. TodayHeavy rain. High 53° Low 39°
  2. ThuPartly cloudy. High 41° Low 28°
  3. FriPartly cloudy. High 43° Low 28°
  4. SatPartly cloudy. High 48° Low 37°
  5. SunPartly cloudy. High 50° Low 38°

Sunrise 6:55 a.m. Sunset 4:48 p.m.

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Today’s edition · Wed., Nov. 4

Duluth voters pass both school referendum questions

Plus, Minnesota Power asks for a 17.8% rate increase and Blatnik Bridge prep work shifts lanes.

The Daily Duluth team2 stories14 sources5 min read

SchoolsTop story

Duluth voters approve both school referendum questions with at least 60% support

Both Duluth school referendum questions passed with 60%-plus yes votes

Sources: Northern News Now, Fox21Online

View as table
Value
Question 164%
Question 261%

If you live in the Duluth school district, you just said yes twice. Voters approved a two-question referendum on Tuesday, according to unofficial results from St. Louis County. Fox21Online reports Question 1 passed with 64% yes votes and Question 2 passed with 61%.

  • Question 2 only takes effect if Question 1 passed
  • Count: 99% of precincts reporting
  • Cuts would likely still be needed in the next budget

The district was seeking a funding increase over 10 years. Leaders had said a failed referendum could mean millions in cuts, including larger class sizes, fewer electives and athletics, and school closures. Superintendent John Magas has said the budget problem is a structural deficit, with state funding not keeping pace with inflation.

What the district asked of voters

$7.3 million
funding increase sought over 10 years
$15
more a month for a $300,000 home, the district estimates

“Our school district has built strong momentum over the last several years as graduation rates, test scores and enrollment have been improving.”

Superintendent John Magas

Utilities

Minnesota Power asks state regulators for a 17.8% rate increase

If you get your power from Minnesota Power, a bigger bill may be coming. The company asked state regulators for a $134 million, or 17.8%, increase in revenue. That would raise the average residential bill by about $24 a month, and 97.9 WEVE says the company filed Monday.

Minnesota Power's interim ask is smaller than its full request

Full requestMeasureInterim, from January 2027
17.8%Revenue increase15.0%
$24Residential bill, per month$15
  • Customers: about 150,000 in northeastern Minnesota
  • Last rate request: 2023
  • Review: likely a year or longer
  • Refund with interest if final rates land below interim

The company points to operating costs, grid and renewable investments, and inflation. It also says the idling of the and partial idling of the Hibbing Taconite mine cut its sales without changing grid costs. It says the proposed Hermantown data center isn't a factor.

The will set an interim increase. Minnesota Power is asking for a net 15%, about $15 a month for residential customers, starting in January 2027. Public meetings will be held for customers to comment, and details are at mnpower.com.

70%of the interim increase offset by bill credits in 2027

Minnesota Power says recently announced bill credits would offset about 70% of the interim increase in 2027.

Asked

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Asked

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News Notes · More

Blatnik Bridge

Drivers may hit lane and ramp closures this week as prep work continues for the replacement. Crews are reworking lanes and signals on Belknap Street in Superior, plus entrance and exit lanes where Highway 2 meets I-35 and 46th Avenue West in Duluth. If you're curious about the project, the Hard Hat Happy Hour meets the first Monday of each month at Earth Rider Brewery. Full closure comes no sooner than March 1, 2027, and the new bridge should open by Oct. 31, 2031. 95 KQDSWDIO.com

The Blatnik Bridge project runs to 2031

  1. Nov. 2First Hard Hat Happy Hour held at Earth Rider Brewery
  2. March 2027Earliest the could fully close
  3. Oct. 2031New Blatnik Bridge should be open to traffic

Sources: 95 KQDS, WDIO.com

Library

The children's section at the downtown library is getting a $350,000 upgrade, its first since 1980, and the space is set to reopen in December. The Duluth Library Foundation is covering a large part of the bill through community donations. Fox21Online

UMD soccer

The UMD women's soccer team beat Augustana 2-0 on Monday for its first postseason win since 2014, and meets Bemidji State in the semifinals on Friday. A win would put the Bulldogs on the verge of their first conference title since 2009. Fox21Online

UMD football

UMD beat Jamestown 50-3 and now sits 7th in the NPI rankings for Super Region 3. The Bulldogs play their last road game of the regular season this weekend at Bemidji State, a team they've beaten seven of their last 10 meetings. Fox21Online

State soccer

The Esko girls beat Cannon Falls 2-0 and play St. Croix Prep in the semifinals Thursday, Nov. 5, at 5 p.m. The Duluth East boys scored twice in the final 15 minutes to beat Eastview 2-1. Hermantown's boys lost 4-0 to Breck. wdio.comFox21Onlinehometownsource.com

Home

Two home kitchen upgrades under $24 while sales last: super-absorbent dish towels that come in an eight-pack and include a hanging loop, and a water-absorbing stone sponge holder that’s minimalist, compact, and keeps counters and sponges dry with natural diatomite stone. Advertising from Amazon.

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Asked

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Asked

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Today’s puzzles

A new puzzle in each one every morning, played right here.

All 13 games

Quoted

You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.

— Jack London

Things to Do

Things to Do

Duluth, MN

Wednesday, Nov. 4

See every Duluth eventFeature your event

Jobs

Jobs

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Do you know just the job for our readers? Post it on our Jobs board.

Around the Block

Around the Block

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Neighbors

Curious about a neurological condition affecting the squirrels in my yard- South 64th Ave.

“W, near the start of the Western Waterfront Trail (Waabizheshiikana).. About a month ago, a gray squirrel that frequented our yard for unsalted peanuts began showing signs of illness: he was tippy, falling over as he'd run, missing his target, and finally, started losing his fur. Today, we just noticed the same…”

— A neighbor, Irving

4 likes · 14 comments

View post

The Wrap

Ever wanted to walk inside a Christmas tree? The Kettle Karnival at Bayfront / Bentleyville moved to Wednesday, Nov. 11, because of the forecast. Donors get a ticket into the 128ft LED tree, the only time all season guests can step inside. Good things come to those who wait.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Minnesota Power asks for a 17.8% rate increase; polls are open today

Read yesterday’s edition

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Every source in this edition14 links · 9 outlets
  1. The Weather Channelweather.com
  2. Northern News Nownorthernnewsnow.com
  3. Fox21Onlinefox21online.com
  4. hometownsource.comhometownsource.com
  5. 97.9 WEVE979weve.com
  6. 95 KQDS95kqds.com
  7. WDIO.comwdio.com
  8. Fox21Onlinefox21online.com
  9. Fox21Onlinefox21online.com
  10. Fox21Onlinefox21online.com
  11. wdio.comwdio.com
  12. Fox21Onlinefox21online.com
  13. hometownsource.comhometownsource.com
  14. Duluth events calendardailyduluthnews.com

Past issues

  1. Tues., Nov. 3Minnesota Power asks for a 17.8% rate increase; polls are open today
  2. Mon., Nov. 2Hermantown council unanimously approves Google's data center
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Daily Duluthto me · Wed., Nov. 46:00 a.m.

Duluth voters pass both school referendum questions

Plus, Minnesota Power asks for a 17.8% rate increase and Blatnik Bridge prep work shifts lanes.

The TLDR

  1. Duluth voters pass both school referendum questions
  2. Minnesota Power asks for a 17.8% rate increase
  3. Blatnik Bridge prep may bring lane and ramp closures this week
Read this edition

More stories this week

From Daily Duluth’s other editions

All the news

Around Duluth

From KAXE, 95 KQDS and 2 more newsrooms, gathered by 6AM News, 6AM City’s local news service.

More local news
  1. KAXE2 hours ago

    Hauschild holds onto Senate District 3 seat in Zupancich rematch, on KAXE

    In a rematch of District 3's 2022 election, Grant Hauschild has defeated Andrea Zupancich to return to St. Paul in 2027.

  2. 95 KQDS2 hours ago

    Prep Work Continues For Bridge Replacement Project, on 95 KQDS

    SUPERIOR, WI/DULUTH, MN (KDAL) – Drivers may encounter some lane and ramp closures this week as prep work continues in advance of the Blatnik Bridge replacement project. Lane configuration and traffic signal work will be done on Belknap Street in Superior and entrance and exit lanes are being reconfigured where Highway 2 connects with I-35

  3. Northern News Now4 hours ago

    Roger Skraba wins Minnesota House District 3A race, on Northern News Now

    Skraba will represent District 3A in the Minnesota House.

  4. WDIO.com4 hours ago

    Stauber wins Minnesota 8th Congressional District seat for 5th term, on WDIO.com

    As of 1:11a.m. on Wednesday, the Associated Press called the race for Minnesota's 8th Congressional District in favor of Incumbent Pete Stauber.

    Also reported byNorthern News Now

  5. Northern News Now4 hours ago

    Rep. Pete Stauber wins Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District race, on Northern News Now

    Pete Stauber defeated Trina Swanson in the race for Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District