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Christa Lawler

@christalawler

Duluth based reporter for the Minnesota Star Tribune, writing about the Duluthiest place I've ever lived. I might write about the Blatnik Bridge; I might write about hockey. WHO KNOWS.

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12.11.2024
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Latest posts by Christa Lawler @christalawler

It is wild outside in Duluth. There are massive ice chunks falling from trees and the streets look like they’re covered in broken glass.

06.03.2026 19:27 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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He was in players’ weddings and held their babies: Duluth hockey remembers beloved β€˜Hoagie.’ Dale β€œHoagie” Haagenson, a volunteer assistant equipment manager, was the longest-serving volunteer in the history of UMD’s athletics program.

Here's the scene from a lovely memorial for Hoagie on Tuesday at Amsoil Arena. www.startribune.com/minnesota-du...

25.02.2026 16:58 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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It’s a mighty rip-roaring weather day, which is not visible in this image. :(

18.02.2026 18:28 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Live: Follow Minnesota’s Olympians in action today at the Milan Cortina Games Korey Dropkin and Cory Thiesse of Duluth will go for the gold medal in mixed doubles curling while Jessie Diggins and Paula Moltzan are also in action in Italy.

Korey Dropkin and Cory Thiesse of Duluth will go for the gold medal in mixed doubles curling today at the Winter Olympics. Get live updates on all the Minnesota Olympians in action here:

10.02.2026 13:43 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Live: Duluth mixed doubles curling team will play for the gold medal at the Winter Olympics Korey Dropkin and Cory Thiesse of Duluth beat Italy in the semifinals Monday to advance to Tuesday’s gold medal match.

Let's go! www.startribune.com/2026-winter-...

09.02.2026 21:29 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Who is Bryce Campbell, accused of torching Lutsen Resort? Campbell had dreams of making the former North Shore landmark a fine dining destination, drawing the same wealthy patrons who flock to Vail and Glacier National Park.

Here's what we know about Bryce Campbell, accused of burning down Lutsen. (Also, traveling around with @janahollingsworth.bsky.social for a story is among my favorite things. She makes sure we eat well.) www.startribune.com/lutsen-lodge...

09.02.2026 16:57 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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At Duluth Curling Club, everyone’s rooting for β€˜Boy Korey’ and β€˜Girl Cory’ Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin, Team USA’s mixed doubles team, has big support at its home club.

If you've never curled, and you visit the Duluth Curling Club, at least one person will offer to teach you by the time you leave. www.startribune.com/at-duluth-cu...

09.02.2026 16:55 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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What’s the story behind the abandoned Cold War station in Finland, Minn.? Now a ghost town, the remote spot on Lookout Mountain was once part of a secret defense network.

Hobbies include reading old newspapers. www.startribune.com/whats-the-st...

06.02.2026 19:39 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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Vikings fullback C.J. Ham officially announces retirement Vikings fullback C.J. Ham, one of the most unlikely captains in team history, has officially announced his retirement after 10 NFL seasons.

It's official. Story by @andrewkrammer.bsky.social : www.startribune.com/vikings-full...

04.02.2026 20:46 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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David Brom, a teenager when he killed family members with an ax decades ago, granted parole Brom said the transition to work release has been relatively smooth.

Here's an update on a case I've been following since I was 12. www.startribune.com/david-brom-a...

28.01.2026 15:12 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Meet Abbey Murphy, the Gophers women's hockey star who is going viral Abbey Murphy, a standout forward for the Gophers and Team USA, is going viral in her pursuit of a national championship and Olympic gold medal.

I know I'm more of a UMD person, but this is my favorite player see in action in the modern era. www.startribune.com/meet-abbey-m...

22.01.2026 20:09 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Renee Good came to Minneapolis seeking a safe place. Less than a year later, she was killed. After years as a military wife, Good was starting over when an encounter with ICE agents cut her new life short.

Here is a lovely story about Renee Good by @kimvhyatt.bsky.social and @cvondracek.bsky.social : www.startribune.com/renee-good-f...

14.01.2026 19:13 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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These northern Minnesota brothers went from campfire songs to full-fledged jam band Jacob and Owen Mahon of jam band Saltydog reflect on their musical journey ahead of album release in the new year.

And here's a fun story from Kim Hyatt about Duluth band Salty Dog. www.startribune.com/two-brothers...

02.01.2026 15:00 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Gophers star safety Koi Perich to enter transfer portal The Esko native hasn’t ruled out returning to Minnesota but will explore his options, ESPN reported.

Esko's Perich news: www.startribune.com/gophers-star...

02.01.2026 14:46 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Your all-week, all-access pass awaits β€” don’t miss out | Strib Varsity Stats, scores and schedules are always free, but this week, nonsubscribers can enjoy all Strib Varsity has to offer.

Heads up, prep sports fans. There is no paywall on Strib Varsity this week. Get scrolling. varsity.startribune.com/strib-varsit...

15.12.2025 16:24 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 3 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Uh oh. I can never remember what it means.

15.11.2025 03:20 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Every time I encounter a woolly bear I take a photo of it? Not sure why. In case it’s the last one of the season? They don’t translate well to photo. Anyway, yesterday in Hermantown. (Though my phone is full of these)

14.11.2025 20:40 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Brooks: Smile! Time for mandatory fun on your Target run Why would Target force Minnesotans to make prolonged eye contact?

"In the end, they voted no: eye contact is terrible." It's early, but this from a column by @stribrooks.bsky.social is my favorite sentence of the day.

www.startribune.com/brooks-smile...

12.11.2025 13:59 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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50 years later, the mystery of the Edmund Fitzgerald still haunts the children of its lost crew β€œThis time of year when the gales of November kick up, it’s almost impossible not to think of the men on the Fitz.”

β€œThis time of year when the gales of November kick up, it’s almost impossible not to think of the men on the Fitz.”

www.startribune.com/50-years-lat...

10.11.2025 14:02 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Ope. Here we go. It’s winter.

09.11.2025 17:03 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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What’s β€˜The Birds’ star Tippi Hedren’s Minnesota connection? Star of Alfred Hitchcock thriller was born and raised in the state.

Obsessed with this Curious Minnesota by @ericapearson.bsky.social. It's a perfect Halloween read. Ten minutes ago I didn't even know Tippi Hedren was from Minnesota. www.startribune.com/tippi-hedren...

31.10.2025 13:59 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

I had the same reaction! Tears, LOLs, delight at the earnestness.

28.10.2025 16:02 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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172K views Β· 3.4K reactions | Perhaps the most quintessential Minnesota town. | Bryan Clapper Perhaps the most quintessential Minnesota town.

I've watched this three times and plan to watch it 20 more. www.facebook.com/reel/1893290...

28.10.2025 15:25 πŸ‘ 14 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 3 πŸ“Œ 1
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Seed meets 'Speed': Keanu Reeves gets an introduction to Minnesota crop art A crop art fan waited by the stage door after a production of "Waiting for Godot" to show actor Keanu Reeves how good he looked, rendered in grains and seed at the Minnesota State Fair.

Here's a classic Minnesota tale, starring a Duluth crop art artist by @stribrooks.bsky.social. www.startribune.com/seed-meets-s...

27.10.2025 13:14 πŸ‘ 7 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

I just drove from West Duluth to Canal Park on a fully functioning I35. No delays. No merging. Exits open. No zipper merge deniers. I’m not crying you are.

17.10.2025 16:52 πŸ‘ 9 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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The Nature Conservancy buys more than 12,000 acres in northeastern Minnesota for conservation The global nonprofit plans to restore the area north of Two Harbors’ habitats, including those burned in the Greenwood Fire.

www.startribune.com/the-nature-c...

15.10.2025 16:24 πŸ‘ 5 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

I’ll take it!

07.10.2025 19:33 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Emily Pohl, hockey state champion at Hill-Murray, commits to Wisconsin | Strib Varsity Both of her parents, John Pohl and Krissy Wendell-Pohl, represented the Gophers, but junior forward Emily Pohl committed to the reigning national champion Badgers on Monday.

Sometimes my inner Former College Women's Hockey Beat Writer comes out and posts things here that have nothing to do with Duluth. varsity.startribune.com/emily-pohl-h...

07.10.2025 19:22 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0
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Want to run the 50th annual Grandma’s Marathon? Get in the line today. Organizers are expecting the busiest registration day in the event’s history on Oct. 1.

Happy Grandma's Marathon signup day, everyone! Happy clicking! www.startribune.com/want-to-run-...

01.10.2025 15:02 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

β€œAnyway, we were flush with cash because we had just sold our tickets to see David Copperfield …” β€” my partner, just now, tucking a delicious sentence into a completely different story.

30.09.2025 23:19 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0