News across Cook County
Candidate roundup: WTIP election coverage 2026
The 2026 election season is underway, with voters set to decide races ranging from local boards to state and federal offices. In recent weeks, the WTIP News Department has interviewed candidates running for several offices serving Cook County and the surrounding area. The…
West End candidate forum set for October 7 in Schroeder
Voters on the west end of Cook County will have a chance to meet candidates running for local and countywide offices at an upcoming candidate forum in Schroeder. The West End Candidate Forum is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, at Schroeder Township Hall on Cramer Road,…
Grand Marais planning commission approves accessory uses for schools, churches
The Grand Marais Planning Commission approved an amendment on Sept. 30 that will allow schools and churches in the city’s R-1 residential zoning district to have permitted accessory uses. The amendment follows an initial request from the Great Expectations Foundation, which…
Rising fuel prices prompt Minnesota to ease weight limits for farmers, loggers
State officials nationwide are focusing on rising gas and diesel prices tied to the war in Iran, offering gas tax holidays and other measures to ease costs as affordability remains a top voter concern in the critical midterm elections. The high gas prices took center stage in…
Hear from North Shore Health Board candidates
The Nov. 3 general election ballot includes races for representatives from three districts to serve on the North Shore Health Hospital Board. WTIP spoke individually with each candidate about issues facing the hospital. Conversations include discussion about HR1, Medicaid cuts,…
Hear from Grand Marais mayor and city council candidates
The Nov. 3 general election ballot includes a race for Grand Marais mayor and three candidates running for two Grand Marais City Council seats. WTIP spoke individually with each candidate about issues facing Grand Marais, including housing, short-term rentals, city services,…
Cook County sheriff candidates weigh in on issues ahead of election
As part of WTIP’s 2026 election coverage, WTIP hosted a live candidate forum on Tuesday, Sept. 29, featuring the two candidates running for the Cook County sheriff’s race. The Nov. 3 general election will include a contested race for Cook County Sheriff between Ben Hallberg and…
County commissioner candidates discuss local issues ahead of Election Day
Candidates running for Cook County commissioner in Districts 1 and 5 recently spoke with WTIP about local issues and their priorities ahead of the Nov. 3 general election. District 1 Candidate Forum – Deb White and Matt Kelm On Monday, Sept. 28, WTIP hosted a one-hour live…
Sawtooth Mountain Clinic announces fall vaccine event schedule
Sawtooth Mountain Clinic announced its schedule of vaccine events throughout Cook County this fall. Events will be held at the lower level of Sawtooth Mountain Clinic, the Gunflint Trail Schaap Community Center and the Bluefin Bay Tofte Room. Appointments are required for…
Fall migration brings strong numbers of birds along the North Shore
Fall migration is underway along the North Shore, with thousands of birds moving south across the region. At Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory in Duluth, the season is already producing some notable numbers. Margie Menzies, education director at Hawk Ridge, says the observatory counted…
Vikings Weekly: Volleyball wins tournament championship, football remains undefeated
Welcome to Vikings Weekly as we track the latest results for high school teams based in Cook County. Cross Country Both the boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams competed in the Hibbing Rotary Invitational. The boys’ race featured 20 schools, while 18 competed in the girls’ race.…
Fall colors starting to show across the North Shore
Fall colors are starting to pop across Cook County, making a weekend spectacle for outdoor lovers across the region. The DNR lists much of Cook County and a portion of Lake County as 25-50% peak with their Fall Color Finder, but areas throughout the county are turning quickly.…