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EDA approves final round of business development grants for 2026
The Grand Marais/Cook County Economic Development Authority Board met Tuesday, Oct. 20, approving five business development grants and the hiring of Redpath and Company to conduct a financial audit, among other agenda items. The meeting marked the third and final round of the EDA’s 2026 business development grants, which began the year with a $200,000...
Cook County Public Health encourages vaccinations as respiratory illness season approaches
As temperatures drop and residents spend more time indoors, Cook County Public Health and Human Services is reminding residents to get vaccinated against influenza and COVID-19. Respiratory illnesses become more common during the colder months as people gather indoors, increasing opportunities for viruses to spread. “From a public health perspective, this is a good time to...
Local Business Spotlight: Johnson's Foods
From customer appreciation cookouts and shopping-spree giveaways to monthly donations to the local food shelf, owners Jacob Muus and Crystal Clemons have made community involvement central to running Johnson’s Foods. For Muus and Clemons, giving back is a way to support the community they call home. Since taking over Johnson’s Foods four years ago, the...
‘A tsunami and an earthquake’: Rural health care braces for Medicaid cuts
North Shore Health and other health care providers are bracing for the effects of H.R. 1, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Changes to Medicaid from the new law are being phased in over several years, with some provisions extending into 2028. In Minnesota, however, some eligibility restrictions took effect Oct. 1....
2026 Fall Gala honors business owners, workers
Visit Cook County and the Cook County Chamber of Commerce hosted its 2026 Fall Gala on Wednesday night. The event, which drew a crowd of hundreds of community leaders, entrepreneurs, and dedicated hospitality professionals for an evening of networking, recognition, and appreciation. The night includes the Cook County Chamber Business Awards, which recognize outstanding businesses...
Cook County fall sports season begins with volleyball, cross-country competition
The Cook County High School fall sports season gets underway next week as the volleyball and cross-country teams begin competition on the road. The boys cross-country team will compete in its first meet at 10 a.m. Aug. 27 at the Chub Lake Cross Country Course. The meet will feature 10 other teams from across the...
July wildfires contributed to $9.4 million decline in Cook County business sales, survey finds
For Cook County businesses, the July wildfires across northern Minnesota hit during the height of the summer tourism season, when businesses rely on a steady flow of visitors and revenue. A new survey estimates the fires, smoke, and related closures contributed to a $9.4 million decline in total sales compared with July 2025. The Cook...
Local Business Spotlight: Schroeder Short Stop
A year after opening its bar on the West End of Cook County, the Schroeder Short Stop continues to grow, adding new food and drink options and expanding its staff. Owners Tim Saetre and Emma Sievers opened the Schroeder Short Stop bar just over a year ago, adding to their existing Electric Trails e-bike rental...
Fall sports season approaches as ISD 166 holds Aug. 11 meeting
ISD 166 will hold a fall sports meeting Tuesday at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The meeting will give parents and students an overview of Minnesota State High School League expectations and bylaws for student-athletes. The school’s fall athletics programs are scheduled to begin before the start of the...
Cook County survey seeks input on public health vending machine
Cook County Public Health and Human Services is seeking public input on its public health vending machine initiative. In a survey, the department is asking residents for feedback on what items should be stocked in the machine, where it should be located and their level of support for the initiative. Public health vending machines have...
Silver Bay clinic closure draws concerns over rural health care access
Aspirus Lake View’s Silver Bay Clinic will close Dec. 31. The health care provider announced that future clinic visits, laboratory services and radiology will relocate to the Lake View Two Harbors Clinic. The Minnesota Department of Health held a hearing July 28 to provide a forum for community members to discuss the change in services....
Governance committee proposal advances after lengthy debate at North Shore Health
The North Shore Health Hospital board debated forming a governance committee during its July 23 meeting. After a half-hour of debate, the board voted to form a pilot committee to evaluate the appropriate nature of a governance committee made up of two board members and appropriate members of the public. The motion comes after a...
Voyageur Canoe Outfitters navigates business impacts from BWCAW closures, wildfires
Summer days at the end of the Gunflint Trail usually begin with tow-boats idling at the dock, canoes entering the water, and the excited chatter of guests and outfitter guides before a Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) trip begins. This week, however, the atmosphere around Voyageur Canoe Outfitters and other outfitter businesses along the...
New state, federal laws bring changes to North Shore Health
State and federal legislation passed in 2025 is beginning to take effect at North Shore Health, according to the latest administrative report from North Shore Health CEO Kimber Wraalstad. One of the measures is Minnesota’s “swing bed” legislation, which Wraalstad worked on with state Sen. Grant Hauschild and state Rep. Roger Skraba. The law allows...
Reporter talks environmental, health impacts of mining efforts near Boundary Waters
WTIP spoke to Benji Jones, Senior Correspondent at Vox Media, about what environmental and health experts are saying about the proposed Twin Metals mining project in the Boundary Waters Watershed. Jones’ article “Mining these metals could be a boon for the climate — but there’s one big catch,” is currently available at vox.com. Below is...
Rural health network aims to strengthen independent hospitals
The North Shore Health Board received a presentation from Cibolo Rural Health Network on the benefits of the Headwaters Network, a high-value network made up of Minnesota’s rural independent health care providers. “I would say a relevant correlator to the high-value network is that of a farmers’ co-op,” Brittany Sachdeva, chief operating officer for Cibolo,...
Local Business Spotlight: Loon Lake Lodge
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...
Flower business proves "life-giving" for Lily of the Valley florist
Andrea Patten started arranging and selling bouquets as Lily of the Valley Floral just for fun. But just a few months into the venture, she’s selling bouquets at a local grocery store regularly and has done special orders for holidays and events. Patten told WTIP that she’s always enjoyed working with flowers, but never saw...
North Shore Health introduces custom ambulance as the summer season approaches
North Shore Health Emergency Medical Services will add a custom ambulance this summer as crews respond to calls across Cook County. The vehicle is the first four-wheel-drive ambulance in the fleet, a feature that helps responders navigate the county’s varied terrain in all types of weather. “What makes this unique is that we worked as...
Local Business Spotlight: The Fisherman's Daughter
Four years ago, Katie and Parker Slanga became stewards of The Fisherman’s Daughter, taking over a business long shaped by local ownership. It was less a reinvention than a continuation. “It’s an honor to own The Fisherman’s Daughter,” said Katie Slanga. “Some really amazing entrepreneurs have been in that business before us and have paved...
North Shore Health continues CNA training program with new sessions
North Shore Health is continuing its certified nursing assistant (CNA) training program this spring, with a session scheduled from late April through July and another planned for September. The program includes 75 hours of training and provides students with opportunities to work near the end of the course. Participants can have their training costs covered...
Citizen science trail camera project studies winter tick impacts on moose in northeast Minnesota
Winter ticks continue to pose a significant threat to moose in northeastern Minnesota, and a newly launched citizen science project is now using trail camera photos to document their impact. On April 2, the Northern Moose Alliance, a collaborative initiative of tribal and state agencies to study moose, particularly juvenile moose, launched a website, and...
North Shore Health weighs EHR options, potential partnerships
North Shore Health is exploring options for a new electronic health record system while also considering adding another partnership to its existing network. The hospital currently uses MEDITECH for its electronic health record system. However, Epic Systems, based in Madison, Wisconsin, has become increasingly prevalent across Minnesota and the broader Midwest. “I think North Shore...
Cook County public health grant threatened by federal funding cancellation
Grant funding for Cook County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) is at risk after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) canceled millions of dollars in public health investments for Minnesota. The Public Health Infrastructure Grant awarded Cook County more than $30,000. Statewide, about $38 million in public health funding was canceled, effective...
Gunflint Trail lodges see boost in winter business after latest snowfall
A stretch of snowfall in recent weeks has put winter in Cook County and the northeast region back on familiar footing. The recent snowfall, totaling over two feet in some areas, has brought a resurgence of winter visitors eager to enjoy outdoor activities. “People are really happy,” said Ruth Wagner, owner of Golden Eagle Lodge....
Local Business Spotlight: Drury Lane Books
In downtown Grand Marais, Drury Lane Books has been a steady presence for both residents and visitors to the North Shore. For some, it’s a ritual stop on a vacation. For others, it’s a refuge, a quiet seat by the window with a view of Lake Superior, and a story to get lost in. “This...
Local Business Spotlight: Borderland Lodge
When guests arrive at Borderland Lodge, owners Dave and Stephanie Shea say they want visitors to experience what many find along the Gunflint Trail, a “sense of magic and wonder.” For the past five years, they have been doing just that. When guests call to book a room or cabin, Dave, Stephanie, and their staff...
Local Business Spotlight: Cedar Grove Veterinary Clinic
For nearly a decade, Cedar Grove Veterinary Clinic has provided care for dogs, cats, lizards, guinea pigs, and other unique pets in Grand Marais. The clinic, owned by Dr. Nadder Samari, DVM, and his wife, Lee, began in 2017 and has been a staple in the small town since opening. “We fell in love with...
McKnight foundation honors founding member of Oral Health Task Force
Paul Nelson has been awarded the 2025 Virginia McKnight Binger Heart of Community Honor for the Northeast Region. The award recognizes seven Minnesotans from across the state who demonstrate compassion and service in their communities. Each recipient receives $10,000 in recognition of their impact. The announcement was made on Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, by the...