WTIP North Shore Community Radio

06/10/2026

Thunderstorms and severe weather are expected throughout the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and areas across the northeast region of Minnesota on Wednesday afternoon and evening.

The highest probability for severe weather is between 3 and 9 p.m. this evening, according to the National Weather Service in Duluth.

Starting at approximately 3 p.m., the storm will reach the western edge of the BWCAW before continuing east into Lake and Cook Counties by approximately 6 p.m.

The storm is expected to bring damaging wind gusts and large hail, potentially up to 2 inches in diameter, to the region.

Thunderstorms and severe weather are expected throughout the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and areas across the northeast region of Minnesota on Wednesday afternoon and evening. The highest probability for severe weather is between 3 and 9 p.m. this evening, according to the National Weather...

06/10/2026

Melinda Spinler was a local farmer and maple syrup producer who operated Maple Hill Sugarbush and Farm with her husband Mark in Grand Marais. She passed away unexpectedly in May, and we will honor her legacy and impact on the local food community in Cook County on this month’s show. Listen in to Northern Gardening to hear clips of Melinda being interviewed on the show over the years, and special stories honoring her passion for local agriculture.

Northern Gardening, Thursday, June 11 from 7 to 8 p.m.
Rebroadcast on Saturday, June 13 from 6 to 7 a.m.

Tune in or listen online at wtip.org

Image submitted by the Spinlers
Image submitted by Joan Farnam

06/09/2026

Have an unwanted vehicle that’s collecting dust (or rust)?
You may be able to turn it into a gift of support for WTIP. Vehicle donation is a great way to dispose of a car or truck you no longer need and support community radio at the same time. And because WTIP is a nonprofit organization, your contribution is tax deductible.

Get started: https://careasy.org/nonprofit/North-Shore-Community-Radio

06/09/2026

Starting next month, North Shore Health will begin offering orthopedic services in Cook County through a new partnership with Orthopedic Associates of Duluth.

The new partnership will bring orthopedic surgeons to Cook County once a month to provide a range of services, including initial consultations, post-procedure follow-up care, treatment for conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, and other minor procedures that do not require anesthesia.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to get up there and start working with patients,” said Dr. Phillip Thomas, an orthopedic surgeon with Orthopedic Associates of Duluth.

For many Cook County residents, routine orthopedic appointments can require a two-hour drive to Duluth for an initial consultation, a brief procedure, or follow-up care. By bringing those services closer to home, North Shore Health hopes to reduce travel time and improve access to specialized care.

Starting next month, North Shore Health will begin offering orthopedic services in Cook County through a new partnership with Orthopedic Associates of Duluth. The new partnership will bring orthopedic surgeons to Cook County once a month to provide a range of services, including initial consultation...

06/08/2026

The celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Superior Hiking Trail at several locations last weekend. WTIP spoke with a father-daughter team beginning their through-hike at the Northern Terminus on Saturday, June 6. How much of the trail have you hiked?

06/08/2026

Over the weekend, three wildfires in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness were discovered during a routine fire patrol flight.

Superior National Forest officials have determined that the three separate wildfires were sparked by lightning during a storm that moved through the area on June 4.

Over the weekend, three wildfires in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness were discovered during a routine fire patrol flight. Superior National Forest officials have determined that the three separate wildfires were sparked by lightning during a storm that moved through the area on June 4. The...

06/06/2026

Two wildfires were reported in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness on Saturday afternoon, near the border between the U.S. and Canada.

The Tiger Fire was reported to authorities at 2:40 p.m. on Saturday and is located on the east end of Lac La Croix, approximately 22 miles east of Crane Lake.

The Shell Fire was reported to authorities seven minutes later at 2:47 p.m. east of Loon Lake, approximately 11 miles east of Crane Lake. Both wildfires sit within the LaCroix Ranger District.

“Firefighting resources are currently assessing suppression options,” Superior National Forest officials said

Two wildfires were reported in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness on Saturday afternoon, near the border between the U.S. and Canada. The Tiger Fire was reported to authorities at 2:40 p.m. on Saturday and is located on the east end of Lac La Croix, approximately 22 miles east of Crane Lake.....

06/06/2026

The multi-year process to transfer the North Superior Station property, which includes the Coast Guard building in Grand Marais, from the federal government to the city is still ongoing.

The Coast Guard station, which spans 1.21 acres along the Grand Marais harbor near Artist’s Point, closed in the summer of 2022. Since its closure in 2022, the Coast Guard has been working to return the property to the city, as per the terms of the original deed.

One required step in the process was completed in late fall of 2025, during which environmental contractors visited the site and conducted an environmental due diligence assessment.

The multi-year process to transfer the North Superior Station property, which includes the Coast Guard building in Grand Marais, from the federal government to the city is still ongoing. The Coast Guard station, which spans 1.21 acres along the Grand Marais harbor near Artist’s Point, closed in th...

06/05/2026

Fire personnel continue to work on containing the Birch Bay Fire near Ely, which was detected in the Superior National Forest on June 1.

The wildfire is approximately eight miles northwest of Ely on the edge of Burntside Lake. As of June 5, the fire has burned about 35 acres.

Since the fire was discovered, firefighting aircraft and ground crews have been able to slow the spread of the wildfire and, by Friday, had reached 45% containment.

Fire personnel continue to work on containing the Birch Bay Fire near Ely, which was detected in the Superior National Forest on June 1. The wildfire is approximately eight miles northwest of Ely on the edge of Burntside Lake. As of June 5, the fire has burned about 35 acres. Since the fire was disc...

06/05/2026

Cook County Public Health and Human Services voted at its May meeting to transfer mobile crisis response services to First Call for Help, an organization that specializes in the state-mandated services.

Cook County previously provided mobile crisis response services with in-house staff. A temporary worker staffed the phone line Monday through Thursday, while evenings and weekends were covered through the telehealth service Brightwater.

“I think it would be ideal to have weekend in-person coverage, overnight in-person coverage,” Public Health and Human Services Director Grace Grinager told the board, “but we just have not found staffing to support that.”

The county hopes First Call for Help’s infrastructure and experience will strengthen support for the community.

Cook County Public Health and Human Services voted at its May meeting to transfer mobile crisis response services to First Call for Help, an organization that specializes in the state-mandated services. Cook County previously provided mobile crisis response services with in-house staff. A temporary....