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Jon Nowacki

Sports reporter

Jon Nowacki joined the News Tribune in August 1998 as a sports reporter. He grew up in Stephen, Minnesota, in the northwest corner of the state, where he was actively involved in school and sports and was a proud member of the Tigers’ 1992 state championship nine-man football team.

After graduating in 1993, Nowacki majored in print journalism at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, serving as editor of the college paper, “The Aquin,” and graduating with honors in December 1997. He worked with the Associated Press during the “tobacco trial” of 1998, leading to the industry’s historic $206 billion settlement, before moving to Duluth.

Nowacki started as a prep reporter for the News Tribune before moving onto the college ranks, with an emphasis on Minnesota Duluth football, including coverage of the Bulldogs’ NCAA Division II championships in 2008 and 2010.

Nowacki continues to focus on college sports while filling in as a backup on preps, especially at tournament time. He covers the Duluth Huskies baseball team and auto racing in the summer. When time allows, he also writes an offbeat and lighthearted food column entitled “The Taco Stand,” a reference to the “Taco Jon” nickname given to him by his older brother when he was a teenager that stuck with him through college. He has a teenage daughter, Emma.

Nowacki can be reached at jnowacki@duluthnews.com or (218) 380-7027. Follow him on Twitter @TacoJon1.

Mirage forced overtime after Izy Fairchild’s power-play goal with 32 seconds remaining in regulation.
Mirage were attempting to win back-to-back titles but fell flat after a strong first period.
Mirage get two goals from Heitzman and three assists from Sieger to pull away from Orono.
Sieger and Graves score two goals apiece as Proctor/Hermantown advances to play Orono.
Senior netminder leads defending Class A champion Mirage back to the state tournament.
Defending-champion Mirage overcome penalties to return to state tournament.
Proctor-Hermantown, the defending Class A champions, sees a lot to like heading into playoffs.
Watkins, Mirage capture Northland’s first girls hockey state title since 1997.
Former UMD hockey player Bob Bell used his own issues with walking as inspiration to help others.
Minnesota Duluth's sports information director for 37 years works his final day Friday. He's been laid off after bearing witness to 19 national championships and six Hobey Baker Memorial Awards.