A look back: WTIP's top news stories from 2021

Though local outdoor and environmental news coverage remains a primary focus of the news department, 2021 saw a mix of local, state and national issues covered by WTIP.  

One needs to look no further than Jan. 6 and the WTIP News Department’s reporting on the storming of the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. to understand how WTIP takes a national story and localize it for our listeners. The morning after the violence in the nation’s capital, WTIP News Director Joe Friedrichs spoke live on Daybreak with U.S. Sen. Tina Smith about her experience being in the Capitol during the insurrection.

The WTIP News Department also continued extensive reporting on the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, including in-depth interviews with local healthcare officials and the Cook County Public Health Department.

Among the top stories this year that highlight WTIP’s ongoing news coverage of significant local events and happenings were coverage of wildfires in and around the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the proposed expansion of Lutsen Mountains, the ski resort on the North Shore.

To reflect on the top stories from 2021, the nearly two-hour audio segment below is a detailed summary of 2021 when it comes to local news. You’ll hear a comprehensive list of the top stories reported on by WTIP in 2021 and audio excerpts from the past 12 months.

Happy New Year from the WTIP News Department!