Author: Matt McConico

Senator Tina Smith hospitalized

Senator Tina Smith WASHINGTON, D.C. & DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota Senator Tina Smith is in the hospital. Senator Smith’s staff posted on her X account, “While at work at the Capitol today, Sen. Smith started to not feel well. She went to the Capitol physician who recommended she undergo more thorough examination at GW hospital. Out of an abundance of…

Duluth Federal Prison Camp to stay open

  DULUTH, Minn. – The Federal Prison Camp in Duluth will be staying open. Representative Pete Stauber say the decision followed a recent visit to the camp by William Marshall, the newly appointed Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. In a statement Rep. Stauber said, “I am overjoyed by the news that the Federal Prison Camp in Duluth will remain open,…

Air Quality Alert extended – again

DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has extended its air quality alert through Tuesday, July 15 for northern Minnesota. Areas around the Northshore and Carlton County will still be in the level considered unhealthy for everyone. That area includes Two Harbors, Duluth, and the Tribal Nations of Grand Portage and Fond du Lac. The rest of Northern…

Air Quality Alert extended

Red air quality: Unhealthy DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has extended the air quality alert for northern Minnesota. The alert now runs until 6 p.m. on Monday, July 14,m 2025. The affected area includes Duluth, International Falls, Two Harbors, Hibbing, Ely, Grand Portage, Brainerd, Hinckley, Bemidji, East Grand Forks, Moorhead, Roseau, and the Tribal Nations of Mille Lacs,…

ALLETE sale now just one step away

  DULUTH, Minn. – In May of 2024 ALLETE, the company that runs Minnesota Power and Superior Water, Light and Power of Wisconsin along with other energy related companies announced it reached an agreement to be acquired. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) and Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) offered to pay $6.2 billion for the company. But before the deal…

Air Quality Alert issued for all of Minnesota

DULUTH, Minn. & ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued an air quality alert for all of Minnesota. The alert runs until 9 a.m. on Monday, July 14, 2025. The highest levels of alert are for Northern Minnesota. That includes the areas to the north of the Alexandria, St Cloud, and Hinkley. Heavy ground-level smoke from…

Rice Lake expected to name Acting Mayor

UPDATE: The City of Rice Lake says in a news release they still consider Suzanne Herstad to be Mayor until her resignation letter is presented at their Monday, July 14 city council meeting.  The news release says if the letter is accepted which it “most likely” will be, then Jayme Heim would officially become Acting Mayor. Heim was selected to…

Scammers posing as St. Louis County Planning and Zoning Office

DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office is warning about a new scam appearing in people’s in-boxes. St, Louis County Seal The Sheriff’s Office has “taken numerous calls” about scammers are sending invoices via email that claim to be from St. Louis County Planning and Zoning. The invoices demand money be wired to various locations. The Sheriff’s Office…

Duluth Transit Authority General Manager to retire

DULUTH, Minn. – After a nearly 40-year career with the Duluth Transit Authority (DTA), General Manager Rod Fournier has announced his retirement. Rod Fournier Fournier’s last day will be on July 24th. He began as a part time Bus Operator in August of 1988, working in Dispatch, Supervisor, and Scheduling roles. Fournier became Director of Operations, which laid the groundwork for…

Parking ramp behind St. Louis County Courthouse in Duluth closing for repairs

  DULUTH, Minn. – The parking ramp behind the St. Louis County Courthouse in Duluth will be temporarily closing for repairs. The ramp is off of Third Street. Beginning Monday, July 14, the ramp which connects by skywalk to the rear of the St. Louis County Courthouse in Duluth, will close for scheduled maintenance. The closure for resurfacing work is expected…

MNA Labor Relations Field Manager to run for Congress

DULUTH, Minn. – Chad McKenna has announced he will be running for Congress. Chad McKenna McKenna says he’ll be running for Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District – the seat currently held by Pete Stauber. In a news release McKenna said. “I’m running for Congress because Pete Stauber has stopped working for us – his constituents… He seems more focused on appeasing…

Aerial Lift Bridge and Minnesota Slip Bridge to have special hours during Festival of Sail

DULUTH, Minn. – The Aerial Lift Bridge and Minnesota slip bridge will have special lift schedules during Festival of Sail. On Thursday, June 10, 2025 the Parade of Sail will travel under the Aerial Lift Bridge. The parade is scheduled to begin at 11:00 am and end around 1:00 pm. During the Parade of Sail, the public should expect longer…

Cars crash in front of Tortoise&Hare Footwear

DULUTH, Minn. – A car crashed right in front of the Tortoise&Hare Footwear store Wednesday morning. Duluth Police tell FOX21 at approximately 8:50 a.m. on July 9, 2025, Duluth Police responded to a two-vehicle crash in the area of North 40th Avenue West and Grand Avenue. Initial information shows a vehicle was traveling southbound on 40th Ave W. The other vehicle, traveling…

Video shows 2024 Duluth Drive-By Shooting; Suspect Sentenced

DULUTH, Minn. – Doorbell video shows a 2024 Lakeside/Lester Park drive-by, where a man shot at his brother’s home. In doorbell footage, obtained by FOX 21, 43-year-old Justin Lee Miller is seen rolling to a stop in his truck on Sep. 22, 2024, and firing one shot into his brother’s Lakeside/Lester Park neighborhood home. The bullet struck the bedroom of…

More than 360,000 pounds of Turkey Bacon recalled

Fully cooked turkey bacon products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), WASHINGTON, D.C. – Kraft Heinz Foods Company is recalling approximately 367,812 pounds of fully cooked turkey bacon sold under the name Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon Original. The Food Safety and Inspection Service says the product that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm). The problem was discovered after the establishment’s…

St. Louis County waiving permit fees for wildfire rebuilding

DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Louis County Board has voted to temporarily waive the fees associated with land use and septic permits for those trying to Jenkins Creek fire in the distance. Camp House fire in the forefront. rebuild after the 2025 spring wildfires. They are waiving permit fees through January 4, 2026. It’s specifically for replacement of structures and…

Travelers may no longer be required to remove shoes before boarding a plane

  (AP) – For the first time in almost 20 years, travelers may no longer have to take off their shoes during security screenings at certain U.S. airports. The Transportation Security Administration is looking to abandon the requirement, according to media reports. If implemented, it would put an end to a security screening mandate put in place almost 20 years ago,…

Tiffany, Stauber, and other members of Congress send letter to Canadian Ambassador about wildfire concerns

WASHINGTON, DC – Representatives Tom Tiffany (WI-07) and Pete Stauber (MN-08) along with other members of Congress sent a letter to Canada’s Ambassador. Rep. Tom Tiffany (R) Wisconsin It urged stronger forest management practices to mitigate wildfire risk after consecutive years of heavy smoke blowing south from Canada to Minnesota and Wisconsin. It read in part, “We know a key…

Minnesota Nurses Association announces agreement with Essentia for acute care nurses; other strikes loom

DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Nurses Association and Essentia Health have reached a tentative agreement, averting the strike for acute care nurses in the area. The agreement affects roughly 1,500 Essentia Health hospital nurses at Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center, Essentia Health-Duluth and Essentia Health St. Mary’s Hospital-Superior. According to a release from the MNA the agreement includes updates to…

Rep. Pete Stauber statement on One Big Beautiful Bill Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) issued the following statement after voting for H.R. 1. H.R. 1 is also called the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. “In November, the American people elected President Trump and gave him the majorities in both the House and Senate with a clear mandate: to restore safety and unleash prosperity across our nation. Today,…

Rep. Tom Tiffany statement on One Big Beautiful Bill Act

Tom Tiffany (R) Wisconsin 7th Congressional District WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Tom Tiffany (WI-07) issued the following statement after voting for H.R. 1. H.R. 1 is also called the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. “The top priorities going into this election were clear: secure the border and deliver relief to hardworking families. This bill keeps those promises by providing tax…

Minnesota Nurses Association comes to agreement with Twin Cities hospitals; Duluth strike still imminent

DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) has announced it has come to tentative agreements with Twin Cities-area hospitals. In their announcement they said, “Duluth prepares for action”. MNA agreed to the tentative terms with Allina Health, Children’s Minnesota, M Health Fairview, HealthPartners and North Memorial Health. The MNA is still working to get deals with Aspirus St. Luke’s…

Spongy Moth aerial spraying in Northland to start soon

Exact dates will depend on weather conditions

Spongy Moth spraying plane DULUTH, Minn. & ST. PAUL, Minn. –  The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is preparing to do aerially spraying across parts of Aitkin, Carlton, Itasca, Pine, and St. Louis counties to slow the spread of Spongy Moth. There will be 24 sites sprayed across the area. The Spongy Moth is a destructive invasive forest pest. The spray…

St. Louis County opening Brimson Wildfire Complex debris collection site 

Photo CourtesyMinnesota National Guard DULUTH, Minn. – St. Louis County Environmental Services is opening a temporary solid waste collection site in the Brimson-area to dispose of materials damaged by recent wildfires. The collection site will be at the old County garage, 3115 Highway 44 in Brimson. This site is for wildfire debris only. Beginning Monday, July 7, the site will…

Solvay Hospice House temporarily pausing care due to looming MNA strike

DULUTH, Minn. – Miller-Dwan Foundation and Essentia Health announced they will be temporarily pausing care at Solvay Hospice House beginning July 8. The announcement was made in response to the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) plan to begin an open-ended strike at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. Solvay is owned by Miller-Dwan Foundation and care within Solvay is provided by…

State Disaster Assistance for St. Louis County approved

Photo CourtesyMinnesota National Guard DULUTH, Minn. & ST. PAUL, Minn. – Governor Tim Walz announced the authorization of emergency assistance for areas of St. Louis County that suffered damage caused by wildfires in May. The funding and public assistance will aid in rebuilding public infrastructure damaged by the fires. In making the announcement Governor Walz said in a news release, “I’m…

Sign installed for Senator David J. Tomassoni Memorial Cross Range Expressway

DULUTH, Minn. – Signs are now up recognizing the “Senator David J. Tomassoni Memorial Cross Range Expressway”. The expressway is Highway 169 between Itasca County Road 69 in Marble and St. Louis County Road 7 in Mountain Iron. In 2024 the Minnesota State Legislature passed bills to designate the highway sections for the areas Tomassoni served. He was elected to…

Hibbing Police Department’s newest K9 duo ready to go to work

Hibbing Police Department Office Sydney Haugan and K9 Officer Gunner HIBBING, Minn. – Hibbing Police Department Officer Sydney Haugan and K9 Officer Gunner have taken their first big step. They graduated from McDonough K9 School on Friday, June 27. The school is an intensive 15-weeks of training in firearms detection and criminal apprehension. Gunner is a 1-and-a-half year old male German…

Bicyclist hit by truck in Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. – A person riding a bicycle was struck and killed by pickup truck in Superior. It happened of Friday, June 27, 2025 at nearly 4:00pm. The Superior Police Department says in a news release that Jamie Lee Perry, 48, of Superior died from injuries following the crash. Officers say the crash happened near the intersection of E. 2nd…

Essentia responds to Minnesota Nurses Association strike notice

DULUTH, Minn. – Essentia Health says they received a notice of the Minnesota Nurses Association’s (MNA) intent to strike, starting July 8, 2025. Essentia says the strike notice is open-ended. A news release from Essentia stated, “The notice from the MNA comes on the heels of months of union delays and refusal to dedicate time with Essentia at the bargaining table.”…

Minnesota Nurses Association announce intent to strike

DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) has announced nurses and other union members will strike at Duluth-area hospitals. The union said hospital acute care nurses at Essentia Health’s St. Mary’s Duluth Hospital, Miller-Dwan Hospital and St. Mary’s- Superior Hospital, and Aspirus Health St. Luke’s Hospital will be beginning their strike on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at 7:00 a.m. Nurses…

Name of man found dead in St. Louis County jail revealed

DULUTH, Minn. – The person found dead in the St. Louis County Jail early Wednesday morning has been released. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) says Keith Jrome Taylor, 56, of Duluth was the deceased person. The BCA’s preliminary investigation did not find any obvious signs of trauma on Taylor and his cause of death is pending. The BCA is leading…

Superior man sworn-in to run federal waterway agency

Mike McCoshen (left) and his wife Julie McCoshen (middle) as he was officially sworn in as 12th Administrator of the Great Lake St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation by USDOT Deputy Assistant Secretary Keith Washington (right) WASHINGTON & SUPERIOR, Wisc. – J.M. (Mike) McCoshen has been sworn in as the twelfth Administrator of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Great Lakes St….

Hortman family to Lie in State

MINNESOTA — Tuesday morning governor Tim Walz announced Melissa and Mark Hortman will Lie in State Friday, in Saint Paul. They will be joined by their golden retriever, Gilbert. They were assassinated in their home two weekends ago. Hortman will be the first woman and one of fewer than 20 Minnesotans to Lie in State in the capitol. The rotunda…

Death in St. Louis County Jail

  DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office has announced an inmate has died in their custody. The inmate was discovered unresponsive in their cell. At 9:35 AM on Tuesday, June 24th, 2025 jailers called 911 for medial assistance. Life saving measures were immediately taken by jail staff and later by first responders. Those attempts were unsuccessful, and the…

Aspirus St. Luke’s responds to Minnesota Nurses Association strike vote

DULUTH, Minn. – Aspirus St. Luke’s released a statement following Minnesota Nurses Association announcing the union had authorized a strike. They have not declared a strike, but the vote authorizes leadership to trigger a strike if they wish. The statement reads: Unfortunately, it appears that the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) has authorization to call a strike against Aspirus St. Luke’s…

Sheriff’s Office: Convincing phone scam going around

  ITASCA COUNTY, Minn. – The Itasca County Sheriff’s Office is warning people about a very convincing phone scam. They said there a “dangerous new scam going around”. The caller is pretending to represent a collection agency. They say the caller knows your name, Social Security number, current and past addresses, and even details about vehicles you’ve owned. The Sheriff’s…

President Trump: Israel and Iran have agreed to a “complete and total ceasefire”

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Monday on social media that Israel and Iran have agreed to a “complete and total ceasefire” to be phased in over 24 hours. The U.S. president said on Truth Social that the ceasefire would bring an “Official END” to the war, a major change in the hostilities that follows a U.S. strike over…

Emerald Ash Borer found in new areas of Carlton County; Emergency quarantines enacted

CARLTON COUNTY, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has confirmed Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has been found in new areas of Carlton County. Emerald Ash Borer in hand It was discovered near Holyoke, Sawyer, and Wrenshall. The MDA is enacting emergency quarantines in Carlton. The quarantine excludes the Fond du Lac Reservation. The quarantine limits the movement of…

Iran launches missile attack on US base in Qatar

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran says missile barrage on Qatar was same number as bombs used by US on nuclear sites, signaling desire to de-escalate. Iran launched a missile attack Monday on a U.S. military base in Qatar, retaliating for the American bombing of its nuclear sites. Witnesses reported seeing missiles in the skies, followed by explosions, but…

Lake Superior Zoo bear will become first to have a metal crown

DULUTH, Minn. – A Lake Superior Zoo Alaskan Coastal Brown Bear will become a ground breaker. Tundra, an Alaskan Coastal brown bear, will become the first bear in the world to have a metal crown placement. Dr. Grace Brown, board certified veterinary dentist, recently repaired a tooth for Tundra. Dr. Brown will be installing a talladium crown made by Scott…

Minnesota cannabis tax rising to 15% in 2025 to support regulation rollout

  ST. PAUL, Minn. – Cannabis Taxes in Minnesota are on the rise. They’re sitting at 10-percent now, but will go up to 15-percent on July 1, 2025. The 10-percent rate was from July 1. 2023 to June 30. 2025. All sales and purchases of taxable cannabis products are subject to the new tax rate. RELATED: Minnesota issues first cannabis…