Author: Rusty Mehlberg

Duluth to Observe Transit Equity Day Friday, DTA Offers Free Rides

DULUTH, Minn. – Friday would have been Rosa Parks’ 109th birthday.  The civil rights icon will be remembered in Duluth and dozens of other communities nationwide through Transit Equity Day. A proclamation from Mayor Emily Larson honors Parks’ role in pushing for equal rights on public transit, which also comes during Black History Month. “Making sure that we are affirming and…

Cold Front Duluth Returns to Bayfront Festival Park

DULUTH, Minn. – After taking last year off due to the pandemic, Duluth Parks and Recreation will be holding their annual Cold Front Duluth event at Bayfront Festival Park Saturday. “We’re just excited to be able to provide a great opportunity for people to come together in an outdoor park space,” says Megan Lidd, City of Duluth’s Recreation Specialist, “and then…

UMD Hosts Annual Outdoor Job Fair

DULUTH, Minn. – Students at University of Minnesota-Duluth got their chance to find employment for the upcoming summer season. Around 30 organizations took part in the university’s annual outdoor job fair Wednesday, which has been happening every spring semester since the early 80s. Organizers say it’s a chance for students to connect personally with summer camps, environmental education centers, conservation groups…

Superior Police Receive Reach Bags to Help Kids at Emergency Sites

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Superior Police Department is the latest emergency responders in Wisconsin to get a donation from Reach a Child. The Madison-based organizations gave them 35 backpacks, one for each squad vehicle.  They contain around 15 books that can be handed out to kids to help distract them from emergency calls like fires and domestic situations. “The police officer…

Spirit Mountain Looking To Hire As One Of Many Businesses Hit By Staffing Shortage

DULUTH, Minn. – Ideal weather conditions have plenty of people going to Spirit Mountain to enjoy some outdoor fun.  The attraction is doing its best to keep everything open despite having staffing issues with fewer people employed and the impact of COVID-19 when staff has to quarantine. Interim Executive Director Ann Glumac says they are doing their best with the staffing…

New Business in Superior Sells Vehicle Audio Equipment, Accessories

SUPERIOR, Wis. – A new business in Superior is available to help people get the best sound from their vehicles, whether it’s their car, truck, SUV, UTV, ATV, motorcycle or boat. Soundtronics offers a variety of audio products, ranging from speakers to subwoofers to batteries.  They also sell accessories such as light bars, wheels, and tires. “We offer all kinds of…

Congdon Elementary 1st Graders Enjoy Own Version of John Beargrease Race

DULUTH, Minn. – As the John Beargrease race comes to an end, students at Congdon Elementary in Duluth took part in their own version of the race Tuesday. Participants were first graders in Alaina Pilates’ class.  They were broken up into teams of four, with each taking turns either being one of the dogs pulling a sled or the musher who…

Great Outdoors: Winter Camping at Jay Cooke State Park

CARLTON, Minn. – People can enjoy plenty of activities year round at Jay Cooke State Park near Carlton, but many may not consider camping once the temperature drops and snow covers the ground.  Still, some people do it. “Winter camping definitely is something that some people do enjoy,” says Park Manager Lisa Angelos, “and also people with RVs as well that…

Humane Society of Douglas County Exceed Expectations in Betty White Challenge

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Humane Society of Douglas County is thanking everyone who took part in the Betty White Challenge. People were encouraged to donate $5 to a local animal shelter on what would have been the television icon’s 100th birthday, who also advocated for animal rights. Since the challenge began after White’s passing on New Year’s Eve, the Humane Society…

UMD Continues Mask Requirement, Students Mixed on Duluth’s New Mandate

DULUTH, Minn. – While the City of Duluth is resuming its mask mandate Friday evening, mask requirements are nothing new for students, faculty, and staff at UMD. People have been asked to wear one, regardless of vaccination status, inside campus buildings since early August. For some students, wearing a mask elsewhere in the city will help keep everyone safe from the…

UMD Students Signing Petition to Protest Vaccine Form for Enrollment

DULUTH, Minn. – The start of the spring semester at UMD saw one recent student begin an effort to end the vaccine requirement to attend classes. Lucius Lafromboise is protesting against the form required by the University of Minnesota system that identifies a person’s vaccination status, or list a medical or religious exemption against getting one.  He chose not to fill…

Winter Blues? Join the Lake Superior Kubb League

Active Adventures: Kubb in the Twin Ports

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s a game that has origins back to the Vikings. Kubb, which has a strong presence in the Twin Cities and Eau Claire regions, required a small outdoor space, six batons, and 11 blocks of woods. Fox 21’s Rusty Mehlberg met up with Erik Linge, a co-founder of Lake Superior Kubb, to learn more about the game,…

Songwriters Encouraged to Enter North of Nashville Competition

DULUTH, Minn. – Songwriters have their chance to earn a spot to showcase their talents at Duluth’s Fourth Fest. The North of Nashville showcase is asking for original song submissions through January 21 to highlight area talent.  The organizer says it’s a chance to bring a bit of the Nashville experience to the Northland, regardless of music genre. “Country music today…

North Shore Scenic Railroad Resuming Volunteer Training

DULUTH, Minn. – After seeing record attendance in 2021, the North Shore Scenic Railroad is hoping to see this trend continue in 2022. They are in need of volunteers to help run their various excursions, and they are offering free training starting next month for those interested.  Unlike in years past, there will be no waiting for new trainees to get…

Proctor Schools, Essentia Health Host Student Career Fair

PROCTOR, Minn. – Students at Proctor High and A.I. Jedlicka Middle schools got the chance to learn more about the various job opportunities the medical field has to offer. Proctor Pathways and Essentia Health showcased nearly two dozen different departments, ranging from nursing to athletic training to sterile processing tech. Organizers say this is the first time since the start…

Cold Weather Not Slowing Down Can of Worms Work Much

DULUTH, Minn. – Monday was too cold to work on the Can of Worms project, but it doesn’t happen very often.  As long as the temperature is warmer than 10-below, workers are on site getting the I-35 interchange completed. Construction managers says workers know how to dress for the weather, staying active on the site to keep warm, and using warming…

Safe Heating Tips as Temperatures Drop Below Zero

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Recent deadly building fires in New York City and Philadelphia are bringing extra attention to safe home heating practices. The Superior Fire Department says heating equipment is one of the top causes for fires in the fall and winter.  By taking several action steps before turning out equipment, such as having a professional check it and using space heaters…

Bitter Cold Increases Risk for Dead Car Batteries

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Below zero temperatures can create a number of problems for vehicles, none more prevalent than a battery that isn’t working properly. One auto mechanic retailer says the design of a vehicle’s alternator helps to keep batteries better charged than in the past, but human error such as leaving lights on or charging chords plugged in after leaving…

Below Zero Temperatures Add More Challenges for Firefighters

SUPERIOR, Wis. – There are many challenges firefighters deal with at any fire scene.  Battling flames when temperatures are below zero adds a new factor of uncertainty. Thursday’s warehouse fire on Superior’s north side occurred when temperatures were around 10-below. Crews need to make sure their equipment does not freeze as water can quickly turn to ice once it leaves their…

Happening Now: Large Warehouse Fire in North End of Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Superior Fire Department crews are actively fighting a warehouse fire in the North End district of Superior. Smoke from this fire did affect traffic along the Blatnik Bridge, which was closed in both directions for nearly two hours. Superior Police say North 3rd Street connecting downtown Superior to Highway 2 remains open at this time. It is advised…

Cold, Snowy Days Helps Duluth Public Library Stay Busy

DULUTH, Minn. – When the weather gets snowy and windy, you may choose to stay inside.  That is what the Duluth Public Library hopes people do this winter. Leaders there say plenty of people choose to make their three locations a gathering place, using their physical and online resources, and just to relax in a warm setting with a good book….

“Freshwater”, Documentary on Lake Superior, Premiers in February

NORTH SHORE, Minn. – Lake Superior will be the focal point of a new documentary set for release next month. “Freshwater” began with a surfing only focus for filmmaker Ian Planchon after seeing people ride the lake’s waves in 2019. “I never knew this group of people existed until we started this documentary,” says Planchon. It has been expanded to include…

Preparing Christmas Trees for Proper Disposal

DULUTH, Minn. – The end of the Christmas holiday season means people with live trees will need a place to properly dispose of them. The Western Lake Superior Sanitary District is reminding people that they cannot be part of curbside pickup.  They will need to be dropped off at one of 11 locations in Duluth and Carlton County. Environmental Program Coordinator…

Push Continues to Get Children, Teens Vaccinated for COVID

DULUTH, Minn. – The FDA’s recent approval for COVID vaccine booster shots for kids ages 12 through 15 has local healthcare providers encouraged that parents will take their kids to get them. Sherry Johnson, a Certified Nurse Practitioner in Infectious Disease at St Luke’s says they have seen a steady demand for kids’ vaccine shots during the recent winter break.  She hopes…