Author: Site Staff

Essentia Drops Masking Requirement At Facilities, Except For Certain Situations

Essentia Health is dropping its mask requirement for patients and staff in most situations. The new policy takes effect on April 3rd. Patients, staff, and visitors no longer have to wear masks in Essentia’s clinics, hospitals, and home health care settings. Masks will still be required for Essentia’s assisted living and long-term care facilities. Essentia says as the COVID virus…

President Biden Plans Visit To Minnesota Next Week

(FOX 9) – White House officials announced Wednesday that President Joe Biden is headed to Minnesota next week to tout his economic agenda. “The President will discuss how his economic agenda has led to the strongest job growth in history, over $435 billion in major private sector investments nationwide, stronger supply chains here at home, and a Made in America manufacturing and clean energy boom,”…

Train Derails, Starts On Fire In Western Minnesota; Area Evacuated

RAYMOND, Minn. (FOX 9) – More than a dozen rail cars on a BNSF train derailed near Raymond, Minnesota, early Thursday, with several derailed tankers starting on fire. BNSF told FOX 9 approximately 22 rail cars derailed at 1:02 a.m. The Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office says the train was carrying ethanol and corn syrup liquid. Numerous rail cars were engulfed in flames,…

Car Crash in Carlton County Leaves 3 Injured

SILVERBROOK TOWNSHIP, Minn. — The Carlton County Sheriff’s Office says a car crash happened last Friday in the Silverbrook Township leaving 3 injured. It happened around 6:45 p.m. at the intersection of County Roads 1 and 4. A 21-year-old woman failed to stop at a stop sign and hit a car on the driver’s side driven by an 18-year-old with…

Vaping Trial: Juul, Altria Sued By Minnesota AG Over Youth Usage Epidemic

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Claiming the companies played large roles in propelling the vaping epidemic among the nation’s youth today, the trial of vape manufacturer Juul and tobacco marketer Altria, brought by the Minnesota Attorney General, is set to begin. One of 13 states that have sued the company since 2019, Minnesota will be the first case against Juul to go to…

More Stores Can Reopen Wednesday Inside Miller Hill Mall

DULUTH, Minn. — More stores will be allowed to re-open soon inside the Miller Hill Mall. Apricot Lane, American Eagle, Bath & Body Works, Custom World, Hot Topic, Spencer’s, Tradehome Shoes, and Victoria’s Secret can reopen this week. They’re cleared to return as early as Wednesday. At this point most stores have reopened, plus the food court. Tuesday will mark…

‘Trans Refuge’ Bill Closer To Becoming Law Despite Concerns Of Lacking Protection Safeguards

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Lawmakers in Minnesota are working to ensure transgender youth have a safe space when seeking gender-affirming healthcare, moving a new “Trans Refuge” bill closer to law after passing the House of Representatives early Friday on a vote of 68-62. Known as the “Trans Refuge” bill, H.F. 146, would prohibit the court-ordered removal of a child from…

Minnesota State Parks Are Free These Days In 2023

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Fees to visit Minnesota state parks and recreation areas will be waived on four different dates this year. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on Thursday revealed the four Free Park Days that vehicle permit fees will be waived at all 75 state parks and recreation areas: Saturday, April 22 (Earth Day) Saturday, June 10 Saturday, Sept. 9 Friday,…

Murder Charges Filed After Human Remains Found In Storage Container Near Mille Lacs Lake

MILLE LACS LAKE, Minn. (FOX 9) – A 21-year-old man faces felony charges for murder and concealing a body after a construction crew found human remains inside a plastic bin on the side of the road near Mille Lacs Lake on Tuesday. Prosecutors charged Bradley Weyaus Jr., 21, with second-degree murder, concealing a body, concealing evidence and fleeing police in a vehicle. According to…

Minnesota PFAS: $45 Million Requested In Walz Budget To Combat ‘Forever Chemicals’

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Reducing cancer-causing chemicals found in everyday household products and water are the focus of several political efforts this legislative session, and the result of more than $45 million in additional budget requests. On Thursday leaders from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and Department of Health (MDH) provided updates to the public on the state’s progress on addressing…

Human Remains Found In Tote Along Mille Lacs Lake

KATHIO TOWNSHIP, Minn. (FOX 9) – A homicide investigation is underway along the shores of Mille Lacs Lake after deputies say human remains were discovered in a tote. The tote was found in a ditch by a county highway maintenance crew while working along Twilight Road on the southwest shore of the lake on Tuesday. Deputies say the workers called them around…

Roger Reinert Reacts In Statement To Mayor Larson’s “State of the City” Address

© Lynnette’s Portrait Design 2016DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Mayor Emily Larson, who is up for re-election this year, delivered her “State of the City” address on Wednesday night at the West Theater, and now one of her opponents is responding through a statement. Roger Reinert released the statement after attending her speech, and he will host his own rebuttal speech…

Corrections Center Meat Retail Store Now Open In Northeastern Minnesota

SAGINAW, Minn. (FOX 9) – The Northeast Regional Corrections Center has announced the final steps in a decades-long effort to open a retail store in partnership with its facility are now complete. The new meat processing retail store is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday at the corrections center in Saginaw, Minnesota. The store offers a variety of poultry, beef, pork…

UMD Students Cheer On Basketball Teams In March Tournaments

DULUTH, Minn. — Some UMD men’s basketball team fans cheered on the guys on Tuesday around Duluth. The Bulldogs are ranked #6 in the division II NCAA men’s basketball standings. They played number-three ranked Black Hills State University in Indiana Tuesday afternoon. UMD hosted a watch part in its Kirby Student Center, where some students caught the game in-between classes….

Minnesota Experts Predict Mosquitoes Will Be ‘Out With A Vengeance’ Once It’s Warm

(FOX 9) – As winter slowly gives way to spring, Minnesotans are starting to think about the warmer temperatures and longer days that come with the change of seasons. But experts are thinking ahead to what else the warmer weather will bring: mosquitoes. It’s been cold and snowy this year, which tends to delay the mosquito season, according to the Metropolitan Mosquito…

Brandi Carlile To Perform At Minnesota State Fair

FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. (FOX 9) – Brandi Carlile is the latest act to be announced for the 2023 Grandstand Concert Series at the Minnesota State Fair. The nine-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, performer and producer will perform at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 29. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 22, via etix.com or by calling 800-514-3849. Tickets will…

Dubh Linn Brew Pub St. Patrick’s Day Preps

DULUTH, Minn. – Are you still making St. Patrick’s Day plans? Look no further than your local Dubh Linns Brew Pub. Starting at 11am the doors will be open for a full day of family friendly fun, this will include games, contests, and even Ceili dance lessons. Enjoy an array of authentic Irish meals with live music including a group…

Minnesota Unemployment Rate Remains Steady, 14k Jobs Added In February

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Minnesota gained 14,100 jobs in February, according to data from the Department of Employment and Economic Development. DEED says the private sector gained 12,000 and the state’s unemployment stayed near historic lows at 2.9%. Across the country, unemployment fell 0.1% to 3.4% as 517,000 jobs were added nationally. “Our biggest month-to-month job growth in nearly a year indicates our…

Order Protecting Gender-Affirming Care Signed By Gov. Walz

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Wednesday signed an executive order protecting the rights of the state’s LGBTQ+ community to seek and receive gender-affirming health care. “As states across the country move to ban access to gender-affirming care, we want LGBTQ Minnesotans to know they will continue to be safe, protected, and welcome in Minnesota,” Gov. Walz said in a…

AG Ellison Launches Civil Investigation Into Kia, Hyundai Over Vehicle Thefts

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced a civil investigation into Kia and Hyundai amid a surge of vehicle thefts in the Twin Cities. In a press conference on Tuesday, Ellison said the investigation will look into whether the two automotive companies violated Minnesota consumer protection and public nuisance laws for failing to equip their vehicles with the industry standard anti-theft…

‘Driver’s Licenses For All’ Becomes Law In Minnesota

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – New legislation that aims to provide “driver’s licenses for all” has officially been signed into law by Gov. Tim Walz. The official signing is the culmination of a long-running campaign to give a currently estimated 81,000 undocumented immigrants the right to drive legally in Minnesota, according to a news release. After progressing through the DFL-controlled House and Senate, Democrat lawmakers…

Hyundai, Kia Thefts: Twin Cities Mayors, AG Call For Safety Recall

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison are calling on Kia and Hyundai to issue a recall and outfit all vehicles with industry-standard anti-theft technology to curb the spike in vehicle thefts in the Twin Cities metro. In a joint letter to the North American CEOs of Kia and Hyundai dated March 2,…

BCA Says At Least 8 Minnesota Schools Hit By “Swatting” Calls This Week

MINNESOTA —  “Swatting” calls were made to eight schools in Minnesota in just the past two days, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Four schools in the St. Louis County area were targeted by those threats on Tuesday. The BCA says the calls all came from one person who made the calls through technology known as voice over…

Yung Gravy To Play At The Minnesota State Fair This Summer

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Yung Gravy, with special guest bbno$, will play at the Minnesota State Fair 2023 Grand Stand Concert Series this summer. The Minnesota native sold out three tours in North America, two tours in Europe, and performed in Australia and New Zealand. He will now perform at the Minnesota State Fair on Wednesday, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. Tickets go…

Man Sentenced For Involvement In 2019 Murder Of Timothy Nelson

DULUTH, Minn. — A man has been sentenced for his involvement in the September 2019 murder of 33-year-old Timothy Nelson, who was a father of five. James Michael Peterson was sentenced to more than 28 years in prison. The St. Louis County Attorney’s Office says Peterson was convicted of aiding and abetting the second-degree murder. The shooting happened on the…

BCA Reviewing Incident Of Bayfield Man Who Shot Himself Dead After Car Chase On I-35

MINNESOTA — A Bayfield, Wisconsin man has been identified from a chase on I-35 last week that ended with him being found deceased. The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office says 34-year-old Kyle Bazant died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound last week. According to the Minnesota BCA, a trooper with the Minnesota State Patrol attempted to pull over Bazant on I-35 on…

Minnesota State Fair Names New CEO

FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. (FOX 9) – The Minnesota State Fair announced Monday that Renee Alexander has been named the new CEO of the fair. This is Alexander’s second stint with the Fair. She worked in entertainment and marketing from 1989 to 1994 before leaving and returning in 2005. For the past 13 years, she had the role of deputy general manager where she…

Bon Iver Schedules Tour Stop In Duluth This Summer

DULUTH, Minn. –American indie folk band Bon Iver is coming to Duluth this summer. A representative with the DECC says Bon Iver will perform at Bayfront Festival Park on August 2nd. The band’s most recent album, “i, i,” was nominated for four Grammys, including record of the year and the album of the year. Tickets go on sale this Friday…

Minnesota’s Budget Surplus Stable At $17.5 Billion

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Minnesota’s budget surplus was stable at a projected $17.5 billion, according to the latest numbers released on Monday. This projection includes more than $12 billion left over from the current two-year budget cycle because the state Legislature failed to agree on a grand bargain to spend much of it in 2022. Monday’s budget projection comes after…

Pedestrian Killed By Snowplow In Rochester

ROCHESTER, Minn. (FOX 9) – A pedestrian was killed in a crash with a snowplow in Rochester Friday morning. The incident, which involved a City of Rochester plow, happened at 8:54 a.m. Friday on Pinewood Road Southeast, the city said. Police responded to the incident and confirmed the pedestrian was dead. The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating the crash. “The City of Rochester…

MSP Airport Flight Cancellations Top 200 So Far Thursday

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – After hundreds of cancellations at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Wednesday, another 200 flights have already been canceled on Thursday morning. According to MSP Airport’s website, as of 8:50 a.m., 238 flights have been canceled, 10 have been delayed and zero have been diverted. That’s about 30% of outgoing flights and 20% of incoming flights. However, some flights have…

Driver’s Licenses For All Bill Passes Minnesota Senate

St. Paul, Minn. (Fox 9) – The Minnesota Senate has approved the “driver’s licenses for all” bill, the culmination of a long-running campaign to give tens of thousands of undocumented immigrants the right to drive legally in Minnesota. The bill, dubbed “driver’s licenses for all,” would allow the estimated 81,000 undocumented immigrants in Minnesota to take the state’s knowledge test and receive…

Peacetime Emergency Declared By Gov. Walz Due To Upcoming Winter Storm

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Governor Tim Walz called for a peacetime emergency and authorized the National Guard to provide services during this week’s storm. With more than 20 inches of snow possible between Tuesday and Thursday and temperatures plummeting below zero, state emergency agencies are preparing to help stranded motorists throughout the state. “Minnesotans are no strangers to extreme weather, but this storm…

“Robo Dweebs” From Two Harbors Win Award In State Competition

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Congrats are in order for a student robotics team from Two Harbors in the FIRST LEGO League Challenge state championship. The competition was held in St. Paul on February 12th. The team, which fondly calls themselves the “Robo Dweebs,” earned second place with the Minnesota Programming Award, which recognizes those who demonstrate iterations in their process…

Presidents Day: A Look At Some Notable Presidential Speeches In US History

(Fox 9) — Presidents Day is a federal holiday in the U.S. celebrated on the third Monday of February each year. The day recognizes George Washington’s birthday, as well as honors the history of the American presidency and all of those who have served as our nation’s leader. From Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address to Ronald Reagan’s “tear down this wall” speech…

Company Fined $387K For Hiring Children To Clean Slaughterhouses In Minnesota

(FOX 9) – The company sued by the U.S. Department of Labor for using child labor at slaughterhouses and meat processing facilities in Minnesota and seven other states paid over $1.5 million in penalties on Friday, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The DOL said Packers Sanitation Services Inc (PSSI) paid civil penalties to facilities in Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Tennessee…

Eli Hart Killing: Mom Sentenced To Life In Prison For Murdering Her Son

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Eli Hart’s mother Julissa Thaler has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering her 6-year-old son on May 20, 2022. Thaler was sentenced Thursday, Feb. 16, to life in prison without the possibility of parole after being convicted of first-degree murder. Before the judge handed down her sentence, she said she was innocent, used an expletive and called everyone…

Blowing Snow In Northwestern Minnesota Leaves Vehicles Stranded; National Guard Responds

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The Minnesota National Guard is responding to Clay County, Minnesota, where vehicles have been left stranded during a blizzard warning along Interstate 94 between Fergus Falls and Moorhead. In a news release on Wednesday, Sen. Rob Kupec says Gov. Tim Walz has deployed the Minnesota National Guard to assist motorists and residents amid blizzard conditions. “In light of the severe…

Felon Voting Rights: Minnesota Supreme Court Makes Decision

(FOX 9) – More than a year after hearing oral arguments, the Minnesota Supreme Court has reached a decision on a highly anticipated case regarding voting rights for convicted felons. On Wednesday, the state’s highest court published its opinion, declining to overturn a Minnesota law (Minnesota Statute 609.165) that bars felons from voting while they’re on parole or probation, essentially leaving the decision to the…

Former Vice President Mike Pence To Visit Minnesota, Iowa This Week

(FOX 9) – Former Vice president Mike Pence will travel to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Wednesday. According to an announcement, Pence will deliver remarks, “on defending parents’ rights and combatting the Radical Left’s indoctrination of children.” The speech will be given during oral arguments in Parents Defending Education v. Linn-Mar Community School District, which challenges a policy “designed to…

US Teen Girls Experiencing Record-High Levels Of Sadness, Violence, And Suicide Risk, CDC Says

WASHINGTON (Fox 9) – New federal data shared by U.S. health officials details “record-high levels” of violence, sadness, and suicide risk among American teenage girls and those in the LGBTQ+ community, calling schools a “vital lifeline” to help struggling young people. Data shared Monday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that nearly 3 in 5 U.S. teen girls —…

MN Air National Guard Shoots Down Unidentified Object Over Lake Huron, Walz Confirms

(FOX 9) – Governor Walz confirmed Sunday that members of the Air National Guard 148th Fighter Wing based out of Duluth, Minnesota shot down the flying object over Lake Huron. This was part of a federal mission, according to Walz. According to a senior U.S. defense official, the object shot down over Lake Huron was shot down at approximately 20,000 feet, FOX News…