Story North

08/20/2026

Most people view banking as a transactional necessity... a series of boxes to check in a credit matrix.

But for Park State Bank, the transaction isn’t the end goal. It’s the start of the partnership.

We’ve been working on a strategic narrative that explores the single truth behind the bank’s impact on the region.

These are a few frames from the brand film debuting soon.

08/18/2026

We want to congratulate Tracie on the announcement of her upcoming retirement.

We've had the privilege of working with Tracie and First Witness Child Advocacy Center since before we were officially Story North.

Seven years and counting!

First Witness serves a critical need in our region and we're thankful to have the opportunity to continue telling their story year after year.

First Witness Announces Executive Director Leadership Transition - Executive Director Tracie Clanaugh will retire in March 2027, following more than nine years of transformative leadership.

Clanaugh joined First Witness as Executive Director in 2018 and guided significant growth across the organization. She strengthened programs and community partnerships, expanded prevention and specialized training efforts, and built the organization's capacity to serve more children, families, and professionals.

“Thirty-five years ago, our community made a commitment to children; it has been an honor to carry that commitment forward,” Clanaugh said. “My work with the First Witness staff has deeply humbled me. Their wisdom, expertise, and tireless commitment to our mission leave me honored to work alongside them each day. The First Witness Board of Directors and our Multidisciplinary Teams represent a beacon of hope in our community — a group of committed individuals dedicated to changing our world and working to end child abuse, our nation’s largest social problem.”

Following a comprehensive process, the Board has selected Associate Director Tyra Jaramillo-Kraemer as the organization's next Executive Director. With seven years of dedicated service to First Witness, Jaramillo-Kraemer brings deep knowledge of its programs and operations, strong relationships with regional partners, and a steadfast commitment to its child-centered mission. Clanaugh and Jaramillo-Kraemer will work closely with staff and the Board in the coming months to ensure continuity and a seamless leadership transition.

Read the full story at www.firstwitness.org/news.

08/08/2026

Summer time has us thinking about camp.

YMCA Camp Miller to be specific.

We produced this story-driven spot for the camp last summer.

What an amazing experience for kiddos!

07/29/2026

Are you building community policy for your citizens, or without them?

A look at some frames from our latest project with St. Louis County MN Public Health - "WITH US. NOT FOR US".

A strategic story is only as strong as the people at its center, and Ann and Jen are absolute forces of nature.

If you want to see what true community investment looks like, you need to hear what these two have to say.

Stay tuned!

07/23/2026

After an intensive selection process, we've found the person we'll be highlighting as part of FORWARD — our campaign celebrating five years of Story North.

This person spent years mastering something simple and rare: showing up, over and over.

This isn't just a film. It's a commitment to document the grit, the integration, and the real, systemic impact of one person who refuses to walk away.

We're keeping their name under wraps a little longer.

The work has already started.

We can't wait to share the journey and film with you.

Learn more at www.storynorthproductions.com/nominations.

07/21/2026

🚀 Every kid deserves a chance to see themselves as a scientist, an engineer, a problem-solver.

That's what Starbase Minnesota, Inc. - Duluth does, every single day.

We're proud to have captured a small piece of it in this impact film.

07/21/2026

Brunch or dinner?

These are a few stills from our latest work with Zeitgeist Duluth. Watch for the appetizing commercials on a TV near you soon.

07/15/2026

For years, many non-profits have been trapped in a "scarcity mindset" - just trying to survive the day. But Shaye Morris has led Second Harvest Northland into a new era.

By opening a massive new facility centered on the I-35 corridor, they’ve invested in the infrastructure required to move perishable, nutritious food into rural communities that have been historically underserved.

The lesson for every leader listening: You can't solve a 21st-century problem with a 20th-century system. You have to be nimble enough to pivot when the supply chain breaks, but visionary enough to build the warehouse before the next crisis hits.

This is FORWARD.

Link to the episode in the comments.

07/11/2026

Rise and shine!

Story North is ready to live stream the Duluth Airshow Live Preshow 8:30-10 with host Jason Vincent.

We’ll cover everything you need to know ahead of the two day event!

You can watch live on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/live/OkuGLDyGZNA?is=64QWQyBoJ0d60y5Y

07/10/2026

Did you know that across Minnesota, there's a group of Su***de Prevention Regional Coordinators working to support community-led su***de prevention efforts?

From a county government to a congregation to a grassroots community effort, Story North recently documented the impact of the regional coordinators work.

Thank you to Carlton County Public Health and Human Services and the Minnesota Department of Health for their trust and partnership to tell this story.

"A Collective Act"