Monday, April 27, 2026

Heads up for pet parents: An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.*

Northbound-only access coming: Highway 61 London Road construction begins today, with a roundabout at 26th Ave East and work at 40th Ave East. Detours last into mid-June, virtual updates begin May 6 -- see traffic impacts and timeline.

Beloved chain returns locally: KornerStore has opened a second Godfather's Pizza Express in the Northland, now at Gary New Duluth and Lincoln Park, serving favorites like pizza, wings, pizza rolls, and dessert pizza -- read the full story.

School creativity reaches care: Congdon Park Elementary students have turned Essentia Health spaces into rotating galleries, with art brightening the pediatrics waiting area, Great Waters Cafeteria, and the NICU. More community displays are planned -- see what's planned next.

The bill everyone over 50 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.*

Retirees are making moves: After gold's best year in nearly five decades, more folks than ever are moving part of their savings into precious metals. Not all of it... just enough to hedge against inflation. AHG put together a free guide that explains how it works -- grab your copy here.*

Local pint upgrade: Whether you’re craving a crisp pilsner or the smooth, roasty black ale, Bent Paddle Brewing Co. keeps the taproom lineup dialed for real Duluth weather moods. Grab a neighbor, claim a table, and let a couple well-made pours turn an ordinary evening into peak local contentment.

Indoor browsing bliss: When you want a quick Canal Park reset without braving the elements, DeWitt–Seitz Marketplace delivers multiple floors of locally owned shops and tasty spots in a beautifully restored historic warehouse. Easy to wander, hard to leave empty handed... perfect for a low-key Duluth afternoon.

Cards, stickers, sanity: Hucklebeary is a Duluth gift shop with a curated mix of locally made goods, artisan crafts, home decor, greeting cards, fun stickers, ornaments, and even toys. Ideal for last-minute birthdays or a little North Shore charm for your place, minus the big-box vibes.

The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →

Your homeowners insurance has a blind spot: It covers your house if a tree falls on it. It doesn’t cover your furnace when it quits in January, your AC when it dies in July, or your water heater when it starts leaking on a Tuesday. Those are all classified as "normal wear and tear," and they're 100% on you. American Home Shield can help fill that gap for ~$1/day (even if your appliances and systems are really old).*See what it covers →

Selling your house doesn't have to take months: If you need to sell quickly — because you're downsizing, relocating, or just ready to close this chapter — Liz helps seniors sell their houses fast. As-is. No repairs, no showings, no drawn-out back-and-forth. You pick the closing date. *See how it works →

Unknown-number calls aren't random: Scammers don't just pick numbers out of a hat. They pay data brokers a few bucks and get everything they need to harass you, trick you, rob you, or steal your identity outright. Incogni removes all of your personal info from these data broker sites and keeps an eye out to make sure it stays gone for good. *Get protected →

For women who've been feeling off for years: The fatigue, the weight creeping up, the mood swings, the sleep that won't hold. Turns out most of those "it's just aging" problems are actually caused by hormones, and proper HRT can get you back to feeling like yourself. The catch? You can't get it without a full hormone panel and a doctor who understands what those numbers mean. Most women never get either, but Hone Health gives you both. *See how it works →

🎁 Spring at Last Craft & Gift Show @ Miller Hill Mall | Friday (5/1) at 10:00 AM – Spring at Last Craft & Gift Show is taking over Miller Hill Mall with handmade goods, local makers, and giftable finds. Stroll a few laps without calling it cardio, escape whatever nonsense Lake Superior is doing outside, and score something that isn’t from aisle 7.

🎶 Homegrown Music Festival @ Spirit of the Lake Community Arts | Friday (5/1) at 5:45 PM – Craving a Homegrown stop without crossing town? SOLCA’s the only Lakeside/Lester Park venue, serving two nights of sets from Old Love to a Mad Violin Scientist, plus a cozy Homegrown, Homemade, Homespun, Home art show. Free, snacks, N/A sips, Carmody’s beer.

🧼 Cold Process Soap Making Class @ Duluth MakerSpace | Friday (5/1) at 6:30 PM – Roll up your sleeves and learn cold process soap from scratch, lye, oils, and all. They cover safety, tips, and resources, then you leave with bars that make thoughtful gifts for the scent-sensitive, and skin that might finally forgive Duluth winters. Sign up: https://duluthmakerspace.com/classes.php?SHOWCLASS

🌕 May 1 Full Moon Hike @ Park Point Nature Trail | Friday (5/1) at 8:30 PM – Chasing May’s first of two full moons at Park Point Nature Trail, because the moon does better mood lighting than our streetlamps. All ages, five bucks, meet at 5000 Minnesota Ave, bring a layer, and register here: bit.ly/FullMoonHike2026.

🌷 May Day @ Duluth Farmers Market | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – May Day at the Duluth Farmers Market means spring is officially on speaking terms with us again. Bring the crew for Maypole shenanigans, kid-friendly chaos, good eats, and a reunion tour with your favorite vendors, then pretend you only came for asparagus.

🧺 Upcycle Market Basket @ North Shore Basket Guild | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Channel your recycling guilt into something useful at this advanced beginner workshop with Kathy Melton and Mark Boyce. Weave an 8x14 market basket from upcycled plastic strapping with fabric handles, $60, two $20 kits available on request, only six seats, so register at NorthShoreBasket.org.

📚 Free Comic Book Day @ Collector's Connection | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Free Comic Book Day at Collector’s Connection means one glorious word: free. Hit Duluth or Superior for FCBD exclusives, stacks for newbies and diehards, and a Smarg creator signing, then bask in guilt-free nostalgia before the popular titles disappear.

Perched in downtown Duluth, this waterfront-view condo frames Lake Superior through walls of glass and offers skywalk convenience to hospitals and the Sheraton pool and fitness center. A Cheryl Fosdick kitchen pairs gum wood cabinetry with waterfall granite. Highlights include engineered hardwoods, gas fireplace, designer baths, a balcony primary suite, den with wine cooler, two parking spots, and EV charging.