Matt McConico, Author at Fox21Online

Essentia Health Recognized as Outstanding Disability Employer

October 8, 2024

Matt McConico,

DULUTH, Minn. — Essentia Health is receiving recognition for its commitment to hiring people with disabilities. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development awarded Essentia with the Outstanding Disability Employer Award. The presentation took place in the hospital’s new atrium on Second Street and included an exhibit by the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities. Essentia’s Support Services Director describes…

Duluth’s Haunted Ship Kicks Off With Creepy Crawl

October 4, 2024

Matt McConico,

DULUTH, Minn. — A Creepy Crawl through Canal Park helped celebrate the opening of this year’s Haunted Ship. The crawl brought together monsters of a kinds, even attracting Beetlejuice. “Hey, hey, hey. If there’s any ladies out there, I’m single, alright? Ya,” said the Beetlejuice actor. This will be the 29th Haunted Ship, and the monsters we talked too, say…

Senator Takes Issue of Rural EMS to D.C.

September 30, 2024

Matt McConico,

DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota lawmakers in Washington last week, drew attention to improving Emergency Medical Services across the state. Meeting with White House officials and congressional delegations, a task force of state politicians worked to get federal funding to address lapses in the state’s EMS. For one member of the group, Minnesota’s 3rd District State Senator Grant Hauschild, representing a…

Essentia Encourages Preparation Before Flu Season

September 30, 2024

Matt McConico,

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s that time of year again, as the temperature begins to drop, the likelihood of catching a seasonal illness goes up. Essentia Health is encouraging everyone six months and older to prepare for the increase in cases by getting up to date on their vaccines. Erin Labatt, Essentia’s Immunization Program Coordinator, clarified exactly why vaccines for the…

Murder Sentence for 2022 Duluth Shooting

Shooter in deadly 2022 Duluth shooting learns his sentence

September 30, 2024

Matt McConico,

DULUTH, Minn. – A 19-year-old Duluth man has been sentenced to 27.5 years in prison today. Corey Devon Young was sentenced for the July 2022 shooting of 17-year-old Xzavier Aubid-St. Clair near East 1st St in Duluth. When police reviewed security cameras in the area, they “showed the Defendant and Victim talking back and forth when the Defendant pulls out…

Superior Police Department Working to Improve Pedestrian Safety

September 27, 2024

Matt McConico,

SUPEIROR, Wis. — The Superior’s Police Department is working to emphasize pedestrian safety, to improve what they say is the walkability of the city. The public safety campaign will include Facebook posts explain laws and statutes for both pedestrians and drivers. Superior’s Chief of Police Paul Winterscheidt explains just what the public can expect. “We’re starting a pedestrian safety campaign…

Douglas County Steps Up Road Enforcement

September 27, 2024

Matt McConico,

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Drivers in Douglas County can expect to see an increased law enforcement presence on the roads. With a recent uptick in deadly crashes, especially in rural areas, the Sheriff’s office is cooperating with Wisconsin State Patrol to increase traffic enforcement in the county. Douglas County’s Sheriff Matt Izzard has more about what’s behind the most recent crashes,…

FDLTCC Announces Changes to Law Enforcement Program

The program will now be called the Criminal Justice/Peace Officer program

September 26, 2024

Matt McConico,

CLOQUET, Minn. – Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College is changing the name of its Law Enforcement program, to the Criminal Justice/Peace Officer program. The new name is just one of several changes made to the program, that the school says will reflect the modern changes in how officers serve their communities. The program’s coordinator, and former Duluth Police…

Duluth Drive-By Suspect Charged

Suspect fires at house, hits nephew's bedroom

September 25, 2024

Matt McConico,

DULUTH, Minn. – A 43-year-old Duluth man has been charged in a drive-by shooting that occurred at his own family’s home in the Lakeside/Lester Park neighborhood. Authorities say Justin Miller drove past the 5400 Block of Oakley St. shortly after 4:00 p.m. on Sunday before he aimed and fired a bullet that would end up striking the room of his…

Duluth Council Approves Maximum Property Tax Levy For 2025

September 25, 2024

Matt McConico,

DULUTH, Minn. — Property owners in Duluth may be seeing a bit of relief come next tax season. The city council has unanimously approved the mayor’s max levy proposal, just one part of the mayor’s 2025 budget. The proposal sets a maximum property tax levy at 1.85 percent, which according to the city, is equal the amount of new tax…

Early Voting Begins for Minnesotans

Minnesota has some of the earliest absentee voting in the country

September 20, 2024

Matt McConico,

DULUTH, Minn. – Voters across Minnesota can begin casting their absentee ballots for president, today. That’s right, with 46 days until the presidential election, Minnesota and South Dakota allow their residents to vote earlier than in any other state. Early voting became increasingly popular during the 2020 General Elections, that occurred in the shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic. With lockdowns…

UW-Superior Opens Fall Theatre Auditions Up To St. Scholastica Students

September 17, 2024

Matt McConico,

SUPERIOR, Wis. — St. Scholastica students will again have the opportunity to participate in theatre, after their longtime program came to a close at the end of last year. The college community was up in arms after the cut was announced, leaving student thespians without their creative outlet. But after cooperating with the University of Wisconsin Superior, the university is…

Gov. Evers Visits UWS

Gov. Evers continues tour of public universities

September 16, 2024

Matt McConico,

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Another governor made a stop in the northland today. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers visited the University of Wisconsin Superior as part of his state-wide tour of public universities. Evers met with students, toured the school’s nearly complete stadium, and discussed his plans to address funding shortfalls within the UW school system. According to the Wisconsin Policy Forum,…

Gov. Walz Brings Dems’ 2024 Campaign Through Northland

Govenor tries to go "from Midwest nice to Midwest vice"

September 15, 2024

Matt McConico,

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Minnesota Governor, and vice-presidential candidate, Tim Walz brings the 2024 Democratic presidential campaign through the northland. Hundreds of supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz’s journey to the White House, filed into the University of Wisconsin Superior’s Marcovich Wellness Center, yesterday. State and local political figures like Superior’s Mayor Jim Paine, and Wisconsin Secretary…

Troop 221 Boy Scout Trailer Stolen, Missing Since Saturday

September 12, 2024

Matt McConico,

SUPERIOR, Wis. — The search is on for a stolen trailer filled with equipment belonging to a Boy Scout troop in Superior. This is a surveillance photo of the get-away pick-up truck that stole the trailer. It happened around 8:15 Saturday night in the parking lot of United Presbyterian Church off North 28th Street. On Wednesday, the scouts were holding…

City of Eveleth Looks to Take Action Against Hells Angels Clubhouse

September 11, 2024

Matt McConico,

EVELETH, Minn. – Eveleth’s city council is looking into purchasing the Hells Angels clubhouse, located in the heart of downtown. According to property records, the clubhouse is owned by Jerand French, who prosecutor say is the President of the Hells Angels’ Iron Range Charter. French is facing kidnapping, false imprisonment, and assault charges, in connection to a 2023 incident that…

Presidential Debate Watch Party

Douglas County Democrats host watch party for Presidential Debate

September 10, 2024

Matt McConico,

DULUTH, Minn. – New stage, new hosts, and one new candidate. It was the second Presidential Debate tonight, but the first between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Haris. To watch their party’s new nominee, members of Douglas County Democrats held a watch party at their headquarters in Superior. Despite the change in candidates since the previous debate,…

Wrenshall School District Sees Rise In Student Enrollment

September 10, 2024

Matt McConico,

WRENSHALL, Minn. — One of the Northland’s smaller schools has gotten a bit bigger this year. District officials tell us Wrenshall is experiencing an almost 10% bump in total enrollment. The school serves grades K through 12. Most of the new students are in kindergarten and 4th grade. School Board Chair Mary Carlson believes that’s a good sign for the…

YMCA & Essentia Partnerships Bridges Gap with Childcare & Housing Needs

September 7, 2024

Drew Kerner, Matt McConico,

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth is in need of over one-thousand spaces reserved for childcare. Although this problem is far from reaching a complete solution the Duluth Area Family YMCA and Essentia Health are adding more than 100 childcare spots in the Central Hillside neighborhood. Duluth Area Family YMCA has committed more than $1 million and Essentia Health more than $2.6…

The Intrepid Boutique Hotel Now Open in Downtown Duluth

September 6, 2024

Matt McConico,

DULUTH, Minn. — A new boutique hotel in the heart of Downtown Duluth is celebrating its grand opening. The Intrepid Boutique Hotel is located on the 200 block of East Superior Street with views of Lake Superior. Owners tell Fox 21 the goal was to bring luxury accommodations to the historic arts and theatre district. “Really gives a concept of…

Eveleth Hells Angels Clubhouse Shooting: Suspect Charged

Suspect charged for shooting at Hells Angels clubhouse in Eveleth

September 4, 2024

Matt McConico,

DULUTH, Minn.– A woman is facing felony charges in connection to a shooting outside of the Hells Angels’ clubhouse in Eveleth, MN, according to court documents. Adrien Marie Gunderson, 39, of Forbes, MN is charged with ‘Drive by Shooting Toward Occupied Building’ and unlawful possession of a firearm. The charges stem from an early morning shooting on Labor Day, which…

Bear Season Opens in Wisconsin

Hunting season for Black Bears begins in Wisconsin

September 4, 2024

Matt McConico,

WISCONSIN– Black bear hunting season got underway in Wisconsin Wednesday. Hunters need to enter a lottery to get a license. Despite the extra steps, DNR officials are seeing an interest in bear hunting steadily increase, while other hunts, such as during deer season, seem to be declining. “When people compare it to deer hunting, they quickly, I think, realize…

St. Scholastica’s $17M Student Center Opens

September 3, 2024

Matt McConico,

DULUTH, Minn. — A longtime dream has become a reality for the St. Scholastica community. On Tuesday, school officials, trustees, students and alumni gathered for the ribbon cutting of a new student center. The building is a culmination of years of fundraising and planning to ensure this center will serve the needs of students. “The student center is the dream…

Unions Hold Labor Day Picnic

AFL-CIO holds annual Labor Day Picnic in Bayfront Park

September 2, 2024

Matt McConico,

DULUTH, Minn. — Today’s weather brought together the public and politicians alike for a picnic in Bayfront Park. The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) has held their annual Labor Day picnic for several decades now. Members say that the historical ties to labor unions here in the Northland, has kept attendance strong over the years….

Cloquet Slashing Suspect Charged

A man allegedly slashes woman for 'snitching'

August 30, 2024

Matt McConico,

CLOQUET, Minn. — A Cloquet area man is accused of slashing a woman’s throat, after accusing her of snitching; according to Probable Cause Documents filed in District Court. 25-year-old Toby Ray Smith is being held in the Carlton County Jail on $100,000 bond, after police alleged, he stabbed a woman in the neck on Aug. 22, on the Fond Du…

Aurora Shooting Suspect Charged

22-year-old charged with attempted murder

August 30, 2024

Matt McConico,

AURORA, Minn. — A 22-year-old Biwabik man was booked into the St. Louis County Jail today, according to jail records. Court documents show that Landon Tuomala is facing several charges, including attempted second-degree murder, stemming from a Tuesday shooting in Aurora. Tuesday, East Range Police Department responded to a 911 call from a man, reportedly Tuomala, claiming they had shot…

Old World Meats is Good as New

August 27, 2024

Matt McConico,

DULUTH, Minn. — Old World Meats is back open, and good as new, after being closed for a few months due to building repairs. Paul Wrazidlo is the third-generation owner of Old World Meats. He’s worked for about 50 years in his family’s meat shop, learning the trade, and the repeat customers. He described how it feels to be open…

Spartan Staff get in Spirit

August 27, 2024

Matt McConico,

SUPERIOR, Wis. — While most back to school events are geared towards getting students excited about being back in the classroom, the Superior School District is getting its teachers and staff in the spirit. Faculty from all of Superior’s schools gathered at the high school for some socializing, food, and Olympic themed fun. Dressed to represent their individual schools, staff…

Council Discusses Encampments

A much quieter council meeting this week, as long-term homeless response is still a hope.

August 27, 2024

Matt McConico,

DULUTH, Minn.– Earlier this month the homeless encampment outside Duluth City Hall was shut down, making for a packed City Council meeting with strong voices on all sides of the issue. Monday’s City Council meeting on encampment response, however, was much quieter, with much of the speaking done by Duluth Fire Department and Union Gospel Mission officials. The two, along…

Haunted Ship ‘Creepy Crawl’

After nearly 30 years, the Haunted Ship finds new ways to engage the public.

August 27, 2024

Matt McConico,

DULUTH, Minn. — Every fall for nearly 30 years the William A. Irvin is transformed from a place of history to one of horror. The Haunted Ship is a seasonal stop for many Halloween fanatics across the Midwest. Organizers said that this year, there will be even more ways for the public to join in the spooky fun. Steve Rankila,…

Final First Day for LSC President

The LSC President is stepping down after what will be six years in the position.

August 27, 2024

Matt McConico,

DULUTH, Minn. — Students at Lake Superior College were back on campus Monday, greeted with food, root beer floats and Rock N’ Roll. But it marks the last ‘first day’ of classes for one member of the LSC community. After 5 years as the school’s president, Patricia Rogers announced she is stepping down at the end of this year. Rogers…