CLOQUET, Minn. – An employee at the USG plant in Cloquet has tested positive for COVID-19. A USG spokesperson confirmed to FOX 21 that the company learned of the positive test on Friday, April 24th. The company has temporarily suspended the department where the employee was working to allow for thorough cleaning in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO)…
DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth glass studio is finding creative ways to keep the community engaged in their artistic process during the shutdown. Every Monday through Friday at 10:00 a.m., Lake Superior Art Glass does a live glass-blowing demo on Facebook. Owner Dan Neff tells us the demo gives customers a behind-the-scenes look at how the shop’s art is created….
SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Twin Ports’ only remaining video rental store is open again for curbside pickup. Video Vision in Superior has been closed for the last month under Wisconsin’s ‘Safer at Home’ order. But now, the store that’s the last of its kind in the city is renting movies once again. Customers can order videos over the phone, pull…
DULUTH, Minn. – Golfers are speaking out against Duluth Mayor Emily Larson’s decision to close Lester Park Golf Course for the entire 2020 season. “We wait sometimes until almost May, early May to start playing and we’re patient. And now we have nothing to look forward to,” said frequent golfer Phil Fitzpatrick. Golfers met outside the Lester Park clubhouse, showing…
DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Public Schools will continue providing meals and childcare to certain families, and distance learning to all students for the rest of the school year. Superintendent Bill Gronseth tells us the district is planning to hold awards nights and graduations this spring despite schools being shut down. “We’re working with our schools and our students and our…
DULUTH, Minn. – Summer camps have been canceled across Northern Minnesota by Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry. The organization operates Camp Hiawatha in Deer River and Camp Vermilion in Cook. The executive director tells us the camps host up to 1,000 kids and 60 staff members every year. The programs have been canceled for the season to help keep everybody safe during…
ASHLAND, Wis. – Kindergartners around the Northland are not in school right now because of the coronavirus shutdown, but that didn’t stop Ashland teachers from celebrating National Kindergarten Day with students and parents driving by Lake Superior Elementary School. A procession of cars was packed with families greeting their favorite kindergarten teachers in-person for the first time in more than…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Gov. Tim Walz is calling on Minnesota residents to make homemade masks for those most at risk of the coronavirus. Walz said Saturday that people should drop off the masks at their local fire departments next Saturday so that they can be delivered to senior living facilities and other group homes for employees and residents to wear….
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Wis. – Families and business across Wisconsin are being impacted by Gov. Tony Evers extending Wisconsin’s Safer at Home Order. Public and private schools will be closed for the rest of the academic year. Dr. Sara Croney, superintendent of the School District of Maple, tells us that’s no surprise to her. She’s happy her district now has a…
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Wis. – Going to camp is a summer tradition for many families but, with so much uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, nobody knows if kids will have the chance to attend Northland camps this year. “What we provide is the opportunity to get outdoors and to learn in the outdoors and we really feel that families, kids are going to…
WASCOTT, Wis. – People are trying to get out of cities as much as possible during the pandemic. That means campgrounds in rural areas can be packed. While the owners appreciate the business, they tell us it’s up to campers to act responsibly and maintain social distance. Rick Maas, owner of Up North Resort in Wascott, tells us there are…
BABBITT, Minn. – Cleveland-Cliffs has announced Northshore Mining will shut down by the end of the month, leaving 470 workers without a job. Idiling the facility will have a big economic impact on the city of Babbitt, where the mine is located. The mayor of the small city of around 1,500 people says the mine shutting down will impact all…
ASHLAND COUNTY, Wis. – A second case of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Ashland County, according to the county public health department. The individual who tested positive has a history of domestic travel and has been self-isolating since returning home. Ashland County Public Health tells us they are working with the individual to identify any people they were in close…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Health reports 64 people have died from COVID-19 statewide as of Saturday, April 11th. That’s seven more deaths than were reported Friday, April 10th. 1,427 Minnesotans have now tested positive for the virus, 91 more than on Friday. Of the people who tested positive, 793 are no longer needing isolation. As of…
DULUTH, Minn. – Three deaths related to the novel coronavirus have been confirmed at St. Ann’s Residence in Duluth. The assisted living center has 17 total cases. COVID-19 fatality rates can be as high as 40 percent in assisted living facilities. That’s what makes the outbreak so concerning to St. Ann’s 138 residents and 100 staff members. The Minnesota Department…
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Wis. – Restaurants and bars across Minnesota and Wisconsin are struggling to make ends meet during the COVID-19 shutdown. Businesses in small towns have been hard particularly hard by the pandemic, with at least half of some restaurants’ normal business gone. The owners are doing what they can to keep the establishments open, but it’s a struggle with…
SAWYER COUNTY, Wis. – Sawyer County, Wisconsin has its first confirmed COVID-19 case. We’re told one person there tested positive and is now at home in isolation. The Sawyer County Health Department is now working to contact anybody who the infected person may have been in contact with. Hayward Area Memorial Hospital has been preparing for coronavirus patients for months….
DULUTH, Minn. – COVID-19 has been confirmed at Superior View Apartments, a long-term care facility in Duluth. The facility is included on the long-term care facilities with outbreaks list on the Minnesota Department of Health website. Superior View Apartments is the only facility in St. Louis County that appears on the list. According to the Department of Health, an outbreak…
DULUTH, Minn. – Costco no longer plans to build a long-awaited store in Duluth. The company was planning to build near the intersection of Haines Road and West Arrowhead Road. The real estate agent working on the project said Costco had issues with the city’s Project Labor Agreement (PLA) as well as with rising costs associated with the project. The…
DULUTH, Minn. -The Lake Superior Zoo has been forced to lay off twelve full-time employees including its CEO. The coronavirus outbreak is to blame as the zoo has been closed to the public for the past two weeks with no signs of opening up anytime soon. Now, much of the staff is laid off and others have been reduced to…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Damiano Center is serving meals to kids through its ‘Kids Kitchen’ program. It normally provides academic support and interaction for the students, but now because of social distancing, they program is handing out meals and activity bags to-go. The meals include sandwiches, granola bars, milk, and other healthy snacks. “Without this, where else would they be…
MINONG, Wis. – At Northwood School in Minong, library media specialist Stephanie Birdsill started a daily Facebook live event called ‘Evergreen Storytime.’ She reads a picture book to younger elementary kids and a chapter book to older elementary and middle school students. She tells us it’s her way to encourage kids to stay positive during the pandemic. “We as teachers…
DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Public Schools’ teachers and students are using this week to get familiar with online learning tools like Google Classroom. Superintendent Bill Gronseth tells us the district is making sure all students have access to materials. “Families that have internet service but maybe not a device for their student to use, we’re making sure that they are…
SOLON SPRINGS, Wis. – U-Roast-Em sells more than forty kinds of green coffee beans sourced from growers and suppliers around the world. The company ships them to customers who roast their own coffee. “Once you’ve tried fresh roasted coffee, you will never go back to store bought again,” explained U-Roast-Em co-owner Jane Russo. Russo and her husband bought the business…
DULUTH, Minn. – Memorial Blood Centers has canceled all blood drives through April 30th, so an extreme shortage in the blood supply is expected. Memorial is the only supplier of blood to more than thirty hospitals across the region, including Essentia and St. Luke’s. They are still collecting donations at donation centers and encourage everybody to keep donating, even during…
DULUTH, Minn. – Local healthcare systems are preparing for a surge in coronavirus cases in the Northland. Healthcare officials warn that more than two million Minnesotans could get COVID-19 before the end of the pandemic, so enough hospital beds and equipment have to be ready to take in a surge of patients. Both Essentia Health and St. Luke’s are offering…
DULUTH, Minn. – There’s now a designated drop-off site for the community to donate medical supplies to Essentia Health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Donors can drive up to a loading dock around the back of the Miller Hill Mall. They’re asked to stay in their cars, call one of the phone numbers on the nearby poster, and wait for Essentia…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – Restaurants everywhere have switched their business over to carry-out and delivery. Now, one Superior business is delivering grocery products to its customers. KD’s Restaurant has seen a big decline in business since dining is no longer allowed. Now, they’re selling and delivering customers the bulk products they get directly from suppliers. The owner tells us the new…
DULUTH, Minn. – Health and fitness studios are closed across Minnesota and Wisconsin. Now, local studios are offering online classes to promote healthy lifestyles and keep their businesses going during the coronavirus pandemic. Ignite Studio in Duluth has been offering live fitness classes on Facebook and their website for free to keep people moving and active while they’re stuck at…
DULUTH, Minn. – Blood donations are severely needed across the country because many blood drives have been canceled during the pandemic. The American Red Cross tells us the need for blood is not higher, but the amount of donations has gone way down. Red Cross workers are committed to make donating a safe experience for everybody involved. Both donors’ and…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – People are packing local gun stores to stock up on ammunition amid the coronavirus outbreak. In the last couple weeks, handgun ammunition sales have tripled at Superior Shooters Supply on Winter Street. The sales rush started with 9mm rounds and has expanded to all kinds of ammunition store-wide. People have recently started buying up handguns too. Owner…
DULUTH, Minn. – An estimated $4 million has already been lost by the Duluth tourism industry because of canceled sporting events, conferences, and performances. Tourism is the third largest industry in Duluth, so all those cancellations have been devastating to local businesses. Visit Duluth has been limiting its promotions while the shutdowns continue. “We are pulling back on our promotions…
CARLTON COUNTY, Minn. – Colleges and universities are switching to all-online classes as the coronavirus spreads. That can be a big challenge for teachers who have to change their curriculum to fit the current situation. Annie Dugan is teaching in a unique space for the rest of the semester. “Right now we have this big open greenhouse that I can…
DULUTH, Minn. – Artists could face dire situations in the coming months as performances and art shows are being cancelled across the world. The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council now has a grant to help local artists impacted by the shutdowns. The grant is for artists who have had a performance or gig canceled. They can get up to $750 if…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – All Broadway shows have been canceled for the next month because of the coronavirus pandemic. Now, local theatre performances are being canceled and postponed at universities and other venues in the Twin Ports. Theatre performances require months of work from dozens of cast and crew members. Because of COVID-19, current productions are shutting down, some before they’ll…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department awarded officers and civilians for their exceptional work this year. The annual Commendation Ceremony brought dozens of police officers, department employees, community members, and their families together to celebrate great efforts. Awards were given for police partnership, saving lives, and great service. Officer Ethan Roe was named ‘Police Officer of the Year.’ “I…
DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Public Schools are making sure they’re prepared should the coronavirus outbreak reach the Northland. School leaders tell us they’re focused on preventative measures now, but they are in constant contact with state and federal officials about if and when more action has to be taken. Because the virus hasn’t been found in this area, the school…
DULUTH, Minn. – A member of the Harlem Globetrotters stopped by Lakewood Elementary in Duluth. Flip White showed off some of his moves for the kids while teaching them about the dangers of bullying in schools. “I come in with the tricks, get their attention, they look like what’s going to happen next, boom, hit them with the message. They’re…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth City Council passed an ordinance giving census workers access to multi-unit housing structures, like apartment buildings, as they conduct the upcoming 2020 census. “Meaning that we can now officially access residents who want and need and deserve to be counted that we were previously unable to get to on a door to door basis,” explained…
DULUTH, Minn. – Construction on the Twin Ports Interchange, also known as the ‘Can of Worms,’ has been delayed a year because of unexpected problems. The I-35 and Highway 53 Interchange Project is budgeted at $343 million, but the whole project is expected to cost millions more. Construction was supposed to start this spring. It’s been pushed back largely because…
ASHLAND, Wis. – For more than forty years, Hugo’s has been serving up made-from-scratch pizzas in Ashland. Owner Tim Ledin tells us some loyal customers have been stopping by the restaurant since the day it opened. “They’ll get a great pizza at a great price,” said Ledin. His dad opened Hugo’s in 1976. “We follow our recipes that we’ve been…
DULUTH, Minn. – Duluthians spoke out against a proposal that would add more vacation rental properties across the city. The proposal was a recommendation from the planning commission. It would increase the number of short-term rental permits from sixty to one-hundred. At the March 9th city council meeting, multiple people spoke against that proposal saying it would make Duluth’s housing…
DULUTH, Minn. – The city of Duluth is eliminating two positions as part of its 2020 budget. The employees in those positions have been offered new jobs with the city, but it’s unclear if their pay will be reduced. One position from the Parks and Recreation Department and one position from Fleet and Maintenance have been cut, according to Duluth…
DULUTH, Minn. – Spring must be here because the West Duluth Dairy Queen is now open for the season. Customers have been flocking to the store, waiting in line at the front window and in the drive-thru to get their favorite ice cream treats. The owner tells us it’s exciting to open the store every year in the first week…
GORDON, Wis. – A well known public servant in Gordon, Wisconsin passed away one day after his 72nd birthday from complications caused by cancer. George Booth served on the Gordon Fire Department for twenty years, including as a captain and chief. After that, he was the town’s police constable and worked at the Gordon Transfer Station. According to those who…
MELLEN, Wis. – Enbridge is rerouting part if its Line 5 pipeline around the Bad River Reservation. Line 5 is now designed to pass through Mellen, Wisconsin. On March 3rd, a deal was finalized between the city of Mellen and Enbridge allowing the pipeline to be built underneath a piece of land just north of the city. Enbridge presented a…
(FOX NEWS) Health officials in Washington confirmed Saturday that one person has died from coronavirus, marking the first disease-related death in the U.S. Seattle and King County Public Health officials issued a vague media advisory announcing the first COVID-19 death in the U.S., adding that there was an undisclosed number of new cases as well. News of the death comes…
DULUTH, Minn. — With a use-of-force policy now in place for Duluth’s newly purchased protective gear, officers are going through specialized training for those rare events when protesters can turn violent. And while full-blown riots are not a common occurrence in Duluth by any means, Chief Mike Tusken believes it’s his responsibility to be prepared for the worst to keep the…
BARNUM, Minn. – Prom dresses can be a huge expense for families, but the local non-profit ‘If the Dress Fits’ is here to help. The organization has given away close to a thousand dresses to local families over the last five years. This prom season, they’re taking the donated dresses on the road to small towns across the Northland. “I…
CARLTON, Minn. – The sunshine and warmer air had families getting outside at places like Jay Cooke State Park to enjoy mother nature. From on top of the swinging bridge, visitors could see great winter landscapes and the St. Louis River flowing over ice. Hikers told us they were excited to get outside for a long walk without having to…
