Simply Superior

We feature migratory bird season on this week’s “Simply Superior.” If an inordinate number of birds seem to have descended on your backyard of late, it’s not your imagination. The long winter has meant a shorter migratory season with more birds crowding local feeding spots. Program host Robin Washington visits one of them – Wisconsin Point – with members of Duluth Audubon and the Friends of the Lake Superior Reserve. And if you missed the World Migratory Bird Day events last Saturday, chirp up: The migration window continues this week. Also, they grew up in Duluth and got together in the Twin Cities as a band – with a psychedelic twist not normally associated with their hometown. Washington speaks with “White Line Darko” as the group releases its new EP, “Turning Out.”

A look back at the week’s news highlights, including the return of migratory birds, with Shelley Nelson of the Superior Telegram.

This week on “Simply Superior,” from waffles to flying machines, we discuss new businesses in Northwest Wisconsin. Despite the pandemic, northwest Wisconsin has seen a surprising number of business launches in the past two years. Many are from entrepreneurs stuck at home from their regular jobs who decide now is the time to pursue a lifelong dream. Program host Robin Washington speaks about this trend with Andrew Donahue of the Superior Small Business Development Center. He also reviews the roster of local startups, such as the popular Superior Waffles, with Superior Telegram reporter Shelley Nelson. Plus, we take a deep dive – or leap skyward – with one innovator: mechanical engineer Daniel Gant, who’s developing a human-carrying drone in his Poplar garage.

Today on “Simply Superior,” we feature an exclusive report by WPR News reporter Danielle Kaeding, as documents obtained from federal regulators show that officials at the Superior refinery knew for years about issues with equipment believed to be responsible for the massive explosion at the company’s Superior oil refinery in 2018. For her report, Kaeding reviewed nearly 1,300 pages of documents from the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration. She also speaks with individuals connected to the incident and subsequent investigation in a special extended report for “Simply Superior.” Also, it’s Homegrown Music Festival week – the region’s biggest concert event with dozens of bands playing at Twin Ports venues continuing through the weekend. “Simply Superior” host Robin Washington speaks with Homegrown Executive Director, Melissa Ginger, who shares musical selections from the annual event that started out as an ambitious birthday party in 1998.

A look back at the week’s news highlights with Duluth News Tribune executive editor Rick Lubbers and Wisconsin Public Radio Superior-based reporter Danielle Kaeding.

A look back at the week’s news highlights with Duluth News Tribune executive editor Rick Lubbers and Wisconsin Public Radio Superior-based reporter Danielle Kaeding.

We discuss the world supply chain disruption and the port of Duluth-Superior on today’s “Simply Superior” program. University of Wisconsin-Superior Professor of Transportation and Logistics Richard Stewart joins host Robin Washington to analyze the international supply chain disruptions due to the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, and how they affect our port – and even your trip down the interstate. Plus, last summer, Twin Ports-based singer-songwriter Sarah Krueger collaborated with musicians from Low, Trampled by Turtles, Bon Iver and Taylor Swift’s band to create the supergroup LANUE. She makes a return appearance on the show to share selections from their newly released second album, “Fire in My Mind.”

A look back at the week’s news highlights with Duluth News Tribune executive editor Rick Lubbers and Wisconsin Public Radio Superior-based reporter Danielle Kaeding.

Today on “Simply Superior,” we begin our program with an update on the tragic killings in Duluth this week. Duluth News Tribune Executive Editor Rick Lubbers shares the latest on this developing story with host Robin Washington. Next, in honor of Earth Day, we discuss how the Duluth Bag Fee is working out, and why it isn’t in Wisconsin. Three years ago, Duluth city councilors debated imposing a fee on plastic bags at stores. The ordinance passed - but its enactment was postponed when Covid 19 hit. It finally took effect last October, and, if shopper behavior is an indication, appears to have succeeded beyond its planners’ expectations. Washington discusses the results with Jamie Harvie, a leader of the “Bag It, Duluth” campaign. Also, if the pandemic delayed the start of Duluth’s bag fee, it also saw singer-songwriter couple Rich Mattson and Germaine Gemberling using their shut-in time to create a wealth of tunes. With their Iron Range-based group the Northstars, they’ve recorded them and are hitting the road again in Minnesota, Wisconsin and beyond. Mattson and Gemberling join Washington to share their latest work.

A look back at the week’s news highlights with Duluth News Tribune executive editor Rick Lubbers and Wisconsin Public Radio Superior-based reporter Danielle Kaeding.