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Midday Update 6-22-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Monday, June 22, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Arman Rahman and Meteorologist William Seay for a local look at news and weather making headlines Monday, June 22, 2020. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Monday, June 22

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 33,227 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Monday morning and 4 new deaths bringing the death total to 1,384 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 513,137 tests have been completed to date. There are 29,065 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 3,830 patients have required hospitalization…

Morning Update 6-22-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Monday, June 22, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Arman Rahman and Meteorologist William Seay for a local look at news and weather making headlines Monday, June 22, 2020. Categories: Community, News – Latest News, Political

2020 Bayfield Apple Festival Canceled

BAYFIELD, Wis. – The 59th Annual Bayfield Apple Festival has been canceled due to COVID-19 concerns. The Bayfield Chamber & Visitor Bureau and it’s Board of Directors made the announcement Friday that the three-day event that draws in thousands of people every year will be postponed until 2021. “After nearly 60 years, Apple Festival has become a strong part of…

Ashland Police Chief to Retire Next Month

ASHLAND, Wis. – Ashland Police Chief Jim Gregoire announced Friday that he is retiring next month. Gregoire says his last day will be July 3. He has been with the Ashland Police Department for over 23 years. The news of Gregoire’s retirement comes shortly after Ashland Mayor Debra Lewis announced that a federal lawsuit had been filed against the city…

Federal Lawsuit Filed Against Ashland Police

ASHLAND, Wis. – A federal lawsuit has been filed against the city of Ashland and five Ashland Police Officers, according to a recent news release from the Ashland Mayor, Debra Lewis. The release states the lawsuit is in connection to the 2018 arrest of 39-year-old Andres Rodriguez who pointed a gun at a minor child while trying to intervene in…

Gov. Walz Declares Friday ‘Juneteenth Freedom Day,’ Calls on Legislature to Make it a State Holiday

(FOX 9) – Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has declared Friday “Juneteenth Freedom Day” in Minnesota to commemorate this day in 1865 when slavery ended in the United States. Walz is also calling on the state Legislature to make Juneteenth a state holiday. “Juneteenth marks our country’s second Independence Day, celebrating freedom and justice and emphasizing education, achievement, and tolerance,” the governor’s proclamation reads….

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Friday, June 19

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 32,031 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Friday morning and 17 new deaths bringing the death total to 1,361 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 475,152 tests have been completed to date. There are 27,709 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 3,748 patients have required hospitalization…

Bishop-Elect Appointed by Pope for Dioceses of Duluth

(courtesy: Diocese of Duluth) DULUTH, Minn. – A Bishop-elect has been appointed for the Diocese of Duluth. According to a Friday press release, Pope Francis has appointed Father Michael. J. Mulloy, from the Diocese of Rapid City, South Dakota, to be the 10th bishop of the Diocese of Duluth. Mulloy’s episcopal ordination and installation will be held on Thursday, October…

Duluth Mayor Larson to Recommend New City Attorney

DULUTH, Minn. – Mayor Emily Larson announced Thursday that she will nominate Rebecca St. George as Duluth’s new City Attorney. For the past six years St. George has served as the staff attorney to the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. City officials say the City Council will vote on the nomination at the City Council meeting on…

Level 3 Predatory Offender Relocates in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Police say a level 3 predatory offender has moved to the West Duluth neighborhood earlier this month. According to the police, 47-year-old James Demetrius Redd has a history of sexual conduct and contact with known female teenagers. The conduct has included taking sexually explicit pictures of victims. The contact did include penetration. Redd is described as…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Thursday, June 18

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 31,675 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Thursday morning and 19 new deaths bringing the death total to 1,344 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 460,879 tests have been completed to date. There are 27,566 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 3,718 patients have required hospitalization…

City: East Superior Street Reconditioning Project Construction to Begin Tomorrow

DULUTH, Minn. – Tomorrow the City of Duluth says they will begin construction on the East Superior Street Reconditioning Project. In a recent press release, the city says a temporary traffic signal will be activated tomorrow at the 60th Avenue East and London Road intersection. The road closures for this project will begin at Lester River and Highway 61. The…

Hibbing Taconite to Extend Layoffs Another Month

HIBBING, Minn. – Hibbing Taconite will be extending layoffs for 650 employees and idling operations for another month according to union leaders. The United Steelworkers Union says employees are now be expected to be brought back the week of July 26 with full production starting on August 6. ArcelorMittal USA first announced the decision to idle the plant at the…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Wednesday, June 17

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 31,296 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Wednesday morning and 12 new deaths bringing the death total to 1,325 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 448,587 tests have been completed to date. There are 27,404 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 3,689 patients have required hospitalization…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Tuesday, June 16

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 30,882 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Tuesday morning and 9 new deaths bringing the death total to 1,313 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 429,145 tests have been completed to date. There are 27,006 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 3,658 patients have required hospitalization…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Monday, June 15

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 30,693 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Monday morning and 6 new deaths bringing the death total to 1,304 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 422,922 tests have been completed to date. There are 26,609 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 3,630 patients have required hospitalization…

Duluth Public School Playgrounds to Reopen Next Week

DULUTH, Minn. – Many Duluth Public School playgrounds will reopen next week for school programs and public use, according to ISD 709 officials. On Monday, playgrounds at Lester Park, Lowell, Laura McArthur, and Ordean East will open for Duluth KEY Zone program and the public. The KEY Zone program will use the playgrounds from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 o.m. Monday…

Minnesota Senate Votes to end Walz Peacetime Emergency

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – The Minnesota Senate has voted 38-29 to end Gov. Tim Walz’s peacetime emergency over the coronavirus, though the governor’s broad powers are likely to stay in place. Three Democratic senators — Paul Eken, Melissa Franzen, and John Hoffman — joined with all 35 Republicans voting yes. The House is currently debating a similar resolution, which majority…

City on the Hill Music Festival Postponed

DULUTH, Minn. – DULUTH, Minn. – The City on the Hill Music Festival has been postponed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Event organizers announced Friday that the music festival will now take place on August 6-7, 2021. City on the Hill President and Co-Founder Walt Aplin says the decision was made due to health and safety concerns, “It…

Minnesota Couple Charged With Murder

ANOKA, Minn. – The two suspects arrested Thursday afternoon in connection to the murder of a Makinen man have been formally charged. Authorities say 53-year-old J. Nicholas Cramer and 46-year-old Michelle L. Cramer have been charged with second-degree murder in the death of 47-year-old Frank Gerald Meyer. Meyer’s body was found in his garage on October 8, 209 by police…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Friday, June 12

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 29,795 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Friday morning and 25 new deaths bringing the death total to 1,274 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 395,202 tests have been completed to date. There are 25,028 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 3,557 patients have required hospitalization…

Minnesota Board Grants Historic Posthumous Pardon for Black Man Wrongly Convicted in 1920 Duluth Rape

DULUTH, Minn. (FOX 9) – The Minnesota Board of Pardons posthumously pardoned a man who was convicted in a 1920 rape case, which sparked the Duluth lynchings. The three-person pardon board, which includes Attorney General Keith Ellison and Gov. Tim Walz, voted unanimously Friday to pardon Max Mason. Mason was one of six black circus workers arrested for the alleged rape of a…

Lake Superior College to Resume On-Campus Courses for Fall

DULUTH, Minn. – Lake Superior College announced on Thursday that it will be resuming on-campus classes for the fall semester. LSC says they will continue online, blend/hybrid courses, and on-campus courses this upcoming fall semester which will begin on August 24. “Schools within the Minnesota State system, including LSC, were officially informed on Tuesday that we can resume on-campus courses…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Thursday, June 11

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 29,316 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Thursday morning and 13 new deaths bringing the death total to 1,249 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 381,841 tests have been completed to date. There are 24,870 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 3,522 patients have required hospitalization…

Black Bear Casino Resort Reopening Next Week

CARLTON, Minn. – Black Bear Casino Resort announced Thursday that it will be reopening next week. According to Black Bear’s website, they will be re-opening at 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 15. During Phase 1 of reopening the new hours of operation will be 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. every day. Some changes that have been implemented for reopening include new…

UWS to Resume Some On-Campus Classes in Fall

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Superior announced Thursday that it is planning to resume some on-campus classes this fall. “The UW-Superior Recovery Team has been hard at work on the plan to bring students and employees back to campus,” said Renée Wachter, UW-Superior chancellor. “It is cautious and phased in its approach. Details of the plan are being finalized…

Gov. Walz Announces Pardon Hearing for Man Connected with Clayton-Jackson-McGhie Case

DULUTH, Minn.-During an announcement today about calling a special legislative session for Friday to extend the state’s peace time emergency, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz also said the state will hold a pardon hearing this week for Max Mason, a black circus laborer who was accused of raping the same white woman Isaac Mcghie, Elmer Jackson, and Elias Clayton were accused…

Fond-du-Luth to Reopen Next Week

DULUTH, Minn. – Fond-du-Luth Casino announced Wednesday that they will be reopening next week. The casino said in a recent press release that they will open their doors once again at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 15. Face masks will be made available to guests on opening day while supplies last. Casino staff says some temporary adjustments have been made…

Itasca County Board Approves Plan for new Jail

ITASCA COUNTY, Minn. – On Tuesday, the Itasca County Board approved in a 3-2 vote one of the plans for a new jail facility. According to the Itasca County Sheriff, the plan calls for taking over three downtown Grand Rapids businesses for expansion which include North Print, Northland Flooring, and Vanity Cleaners. Earlier this year a special jail task force…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Wednesday, June 10

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 28,869 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Wednesday morning and 19 new deaths bringing the death total to 1,236 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 369,795 tests have been completed to date. There are 24,675 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 3,482 patients have required hospitalization…

Minneapolis Police Chief Announces Withdrawal From Contract Negotiations With Police Union

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo announced Wednesday he is withdrawing from contract negotiations on the unfinished contract with the police union and restarting an effort to identify troubled officers through early warning signs. The chief held a news conference Wednesday morning to discuss structural and policy changes he is planning for the police department in the wake of the death…

Duluth YMCA to Reopen Next Week

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Area Family YMCA announced Wednesday that they will be reopening the facility next week. According to a recent press release, the YMCA will open for members on June 15. “While many of the things you love about the Y will be the same, you will notice some changes as well,” said Duluth Area Family YMCA…

FDL Band Member Tests Positive for COVID-19

CLOQUET, Minn. – Minnesota health officials announced on Tuesday that a Fond du Lac Band member has tested positive for COVID-19. The Fond du Lac Human Services Division says they were notified late afternoon on Monday and that the member lives at Mino-Bimaadizi Waakaa’igan in Minneapolis. The Minnesota Department of Health says they will be working with the Human Services…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Tuesday, June 9

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 28,523 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Tuesday morning and 20 new deaths bringing the death total to 1,217 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 360,991 tests have been completed to date. There are 24,221 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 3,441 patients have required hospitalization…

Authorities: Tree Intentionally Cut to Block Traffic to Cook County

COOK COUNTY, Minn. – The Cook County Sheriff’s Office believes someone intentionally cut down a tree to block both lanes of traffic on Highway 61. According to a recent post on the Cook County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, deputies responded to reports of a large tree blocking the highway around 1:52 a.m. Monday. The Sheriff’s Office believes the tree was…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Monday, June 8

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 28,224 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Monday morning and 11 new deaths bringing the death total to 1,197 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 354,226 tests have been completed to date. There are 23,657 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 3,401 patients have required hospitalization…

‘Taste of Duluth’ Event Postponed

DULUTH, Minn. – The ‘Taste of Duluth’ event has been postponed, according to a recent press release from event organizers. In a joint statement, Tracy Lundeen of Lundeen Productions and Walt Aplin of Twin Ports Entertainment said, “This decision has been made due to the Governors continuing restrictions being placed on large gatherings due to COVID-19.” The event was originally…

Defunding the Minneapolis Police Department Would Likely Require Public Vote

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Sunday, nine Minneapolis City Councilmembers joined a call for the city to defund and dismantle the Minneapolis Police Department. Speaking during a rally, which was hosted by two groups that promote community-led policing, nine councilmembers put their backing behind the major change that has been pushed in the days following the death of George Floyd while in the…

Veto-proof Majority of Minneapolis City Council Announces Support for Dismantling MPD

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Nine members of the Minneapolis City Council announced their support for de-funding the Minneapolis Police Department and replacing it with a community-based public safety model at a rally in Powderhorn Park Sunday afternoon. At the end of the rally, the councilmembers and some community activisits committed to ending the Minneapolis Police Department through the budget process. The group…

Gov. Walz Gradually Lifts Restrictions on Indoor Dining, Entertainment, Gyms Starting June 10

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Gov. Tim Walz announced on Friday phase 3 of the Stay Safe Plan, which includes gradually loosening restrictions of indoor dining, gyms, and entertainment venues. Starting June 10, limited re-openings will be allowed with occupancy rates limited based on risk. “Thank you, Minnesotans, for the sacrifices you’ve made to slow the spread of COVID-19,” Governor Walz said. “Thanks…

Watch Live: Walz to Announce Next Steps in States Reopening

UPDATE: ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will announce he’s loosening more coronavirus-related restrictions on Minnesota businesses Friday afternoon. Walz will allow restaurant indoor dining, fitness centers, and some entertainment venues to reopen at a limited capacity on June 10, multiple sources said ahead of the governor’s news conference. ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Minnesota Gov. Tim…

College of St. Scholastica Announces More Budget Cuts

DULUTH, Minn. – The College of St. Scholastica announced more budget cuts on Thursday due to significant financial losses stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. According to recent reports, the college experienced over $5 million in lost revenue during the spring semester. Bob Aschenmacher, Executive Director of College Communication for CSS says upcoming cuts will include a salary reduction for staff…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Friday, June 5

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 26,980 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Friday morning and 33 new deaths bringing the death total to 1,148 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 322,340 tests have been completed to date. There are 21,864 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 3,289 patients have required hospitalization…

2020 Itasca County Fair Canceled

ITASCA COUNTY, Minn. – The 2020 Itasca County Fair has been canceled, according to a Wednesday Facebook post from the Itasca County Agricultural Association President. Itasca County Agricultural Association President Melissa Johnson wrote: “This has not been an easy decision to make, but circumstances beyond our control have made it necessary. While disappointed that our gathering of friends and neighbors…