Dan Kraker
MPR News
Duluth, MN, United States
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Past articles by Dan:
More than 11,000 expected for the Birkie; country's largest cross-country ski race
Despite a major winter snowstorm, more than 11,000 skiers — and 30,000 spectators — are expected in northwestern Wisconsin beginning Thursday for the American Birkebeiner, the country’s largest cross-country ski race. → Read More
These Minnesotans farm ice — and it’s drawing climbers from across the U.S.
Ice farming is the art and science of making climbing ice on cliffs. Minnesota has three city-owned parks with volunteer-run ice farming systems for climbing, more than any other state in the country. → Read More
Winter Play: Ice climbing on the North Shore
As part of MPR News’ Winter Play series, reporter Dan Kraker tried ice climbing for the first time on a cliff north of Two Harbors, an experience he found challenging, rewarding and — when it was over, at least — fun. → Read More
Bringing back the white pine, a foundational American tree
In a state renowned for its forests, there is arguably no Minnesota tree more majestic than the white pine. After logging nearly wiped out the species a century ago, longstanding efforts to bring them back are beginning to take root. → Read More
Why Lake Superior's legendary gales blow especially hard in November
Gale force winds and 20 foot tall waves are whipped across Lake Superior today, on the anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald. There are specific reasons why the wind and waves tend to whip up the same time of year around the Great Lakes. → Read More
City park funding on the ballot in Duluth, St. Cloud this year
Voters in Duluth and St. Cloud are voting on park funding this election in addition to choosing political candidates, as cities in Minnesota and across the country increasingly turn to voters to help pay for parks. → Read More
Wolf researchers record rare video of a mountain lion in northern Minnesota
Researchers studying wolves in far northern Minnesota have released rare footage of a mountain lion recorded last month on state land about 10 miles south of Voyageurs National Park. → Read More
World's biggest rubber duck: A Duluth man's quacky idea has outsized impact
The world’s largest rubber duck was created nearly a decade ago by a Duluth entrepreneur. This weekend it’s back in the region at the tall ships festival in Two Harbors. → Read More
Duluth mural project connects city to its Ojibwe history
Recently a group of young people from the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa in northern Wisconsin traveled to Duluth to contribute to the mural honoring their ancestors. → Read More
‘We’ll fight through it together’: Locals endure emotional grind of living beside flooding Rainy Lake
Earlier this month the flooding broke the lake's all-time record set in 1950, and it's only come down a few inches since. → Read More
Wet conditions bring onslaught of mosquitoes, biting flies across Minnesota
After a relative reprieve from mosquitoes and biting flies due to drought conditions last summer, Minnesotans are facing an onslaught of those pesky insects this year. → Read More
MacKenzie Scott makes 'transformative' donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities
Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott’s $6 million donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities is slightly larger than the Twin Cities nonprofit’s annual budget. → Read More
77 years after his death in WWII, a Minnesota soldier to be buried in Washington
“Yankee Gal” was one of 21 bombers lost during the mission. German forces recovered Nando Cavalieri's body and ID tags and buried him in Doberitz, Germany, a small town outside Berlin, about four days later. → Read More
Anglers can keep one walleye for part of the upcoming Mille Lacs fishing season
Anglers will be allowed to keep one walleye during parts of the upcoming fishing season on Mille Lacs Lake. The Minnesota DNR has strictly regulated walleye harvest on the popular lake for the past several years to try to boost the fish’s population. → Read More
State Rep. Jennifer Schultz announces bid for Congress in Minnesota's 8th district
State Rep. Jennifer Schultz is seeking the DFL nomination in the race for Congress in the state’s 8th District. The Duluth lawmaker said she’s a better choice for the vast district in northeastern Minnesota than Republican incumbent Pete Stauber. → Read More
Biden touts new money for bridge, road repair in Superior speech
One day after delivering his first State of the Union address, President Joe Biden traveled to the Twin Ports Wednesday to talk about the expected impact of his $1.2 trillion infrastructure spending package on Minnesota, Wisconsin and the nation. → Read More
Ancient cooking vessel found in Boundary Waters dates back more than 1,600 years
Broken pieces were discovered on a dig in 2003. → Read More
Ancient cooking vessel found in Boundary Waters dates back more than 1,600 years
The findings indicate the long history of Native Americans using the site in the border lakes region during the summer months, for fishing and processing of wild rice. → Read More
Rising health needs drives new Minnesota effort to draw Native students to medical school
Last year, nearly 21,000 students graduated from medical schools in the United States. Only 160 of those new doctors — fewer than 1% — were Native American. → Read More
Cities across Minnesota declare climate emergencies, demand action
From Moorhead to St. Louis Park, cities around the state are working with the Minnesota Cities Climate Caucus to draw local attention to the climate crisis, calling on state and federal governments for legislative and financial support. → Read More