Business

Craft Brewers Fear Last-Minute Regulations In Budget

MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Wisconsin’s craft brewers and wineries are trying to head off a plan they fear legislators will tuck into the state budget that would prevent them from selling their products on-site and force them into contracts with distributors. The Wisconsin Tavern League and the Wisconsin Beer Distributors Association have been trying to convince lawmakers to adopt legislation clearly…

Emily’s Restaurant Reopening Along Scenic Highway

The popular Knife River restaurant is expected to open up in mid-July under new ownership

KNIFE RIVER, Minn. – Nearly two years ago the popular Lighthouse at Emily’s in Knife River closed up its doors, but later this summer the restaurant along the North Shore will be opening back up under new management. Earlier this year, a group of investors decided to bring Emily’s back to the community and brought on a young, motivated couple…

SWL&P Employees Pitch In For Harbor House

Volunteers Took Part in United Way Day of Caring

SUPERIOR, Wis. – About 20 volunteers from Superior Water, Light and Power worked in the sunshine Wednesday to make the Harbor House Crisis Shelter a little homier. “The whole idea is to make it hospitable, more like a home,” said Rev. Barbara Certa-Werner, Executive Director of Harbor House, which is Douglas Co.’s only crisis shelter for homeless single women and…

Praying For The Men And Women In Blue

Ashland's Our Lady Of The Lake Catholic Church Hosts Blue Mass

Ashland, Wis. So far this year in the United States 47 police officers have been killed in the line of duty. That’s up 34 percent from this time last year. It’s a scary rise in statistics that some Northlanders are hoping to pray away. Tonight was the 9th annual emergency services blue mass to bless current departments and especially the…

Firework Sales Taking Off in Wisconsin Ahead of Fourth of July

KG Fireworks Warehouse in South Range is stocking up for its busiest season

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – Firework stands in Wisconsin are now opening for Fourth of July festivities. Over at KG Fireworks Warehouse in South Range, walls are lined with more than 300 different types of fireworks. Crews have been bringing in boxes of inventory for the past few weeks to prepare for the busiest season of the year. Staff here says the…

Health Professionals Discuss Rural Care Options

More Than 600 Groups Attended Rural Health Conference

DULUTH, Minn. – Quality health care can be tough to find for many rural Minnesotans.  So the Office of Rural Health and Primary Care and the Minnesota Rural Health Association joined forces with the Duluth–based National Rural Health Resource Center to find solutions. “We’re working in approaches to provide resources for rural health communities and providers,” said Sally Buck, CEO,…

It’s ‘Yappy Hour’ At The Boat Club

Enjoy Food Or Drinks With Your Four Legged Friend

Happy hour with your best friend might be a great way to end your Tuesday. Now there’s an option to do that, even if your best friend has four legs. “Yappy Hour” at the Boat Club in the Fitger’s courtyard is a partnership with A Place For Fido, which is a pet boutique. They even have a special doggie menu with…

Moving Parts Within The School District

Some Parents Aren't Happy; Duluth School Board Believes It's The Right Move

Duluth, Minn. Tonight’s school board meeting in Duluth highlighted multiple topics drawing a big crowd. One of those topics included the move of a successful principal from one school to another sparking concern for West Duluth parents and staff. It’s a move that happens sometimes often in school districts around the country. Districts making moves with highly respected personnel. For…

Superior Business Will Temporarily Close During Belknap Construction

Once Again Used & New will close up for about two weeks because of the road closure

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – Construction along a portion of Belknap Street in Superior is about to be shut off later this week, leaving some local businesses with some difficult decisions. Store owners have known for years this road construction project would affect them this summer and for some, they’re now facing the reality of what it will mean for their future…

Original Deep Fried Cheese Curds Stand Won’t Return to Minnesota State Fair

Allie Johnson - Fox 9

Photo: Original Deep Fried Cheese Curds ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) – The Original Deep Fried Cheese Curds is officially moving on from the Minnesota State Fair. In a letter posted online Tuesday, Tom Mueller, the son of co-owners Dick and Donna Mueller, announced the stand would not be returning to the fair in August. Mueller had hoped to continue running…

New Walking Tour Showcases Duluth’s Historic Arts & Theater District

The tour will make stops at the Duluth Coffee Company, Lake Superior Art Glass, Blacklist and Zeitgeist

DULUTH, Minn. – A new guided tour is giving visitors a behind the scenes look at Duluth’s Historic Arts and Theater District. The HART of Duluth walking tour was created by The Duluth Experience with hopes to educate visitors and residents about the history of this downtown area and connect them with local businesses. The tour will make stops at…

Grandma’s Restaurant Still Recovering from Record Flood

The restaurant took on nearly three feet of water from nearby Miller Creek

DULUTH, Minn. – Five years ago, relentless rain clogged pipes, overflowed sewers and blew manholes into the air. Miles of roads and streets crumbled and washed out, leaving some stranded and others forced to evacuate. History was made by mother nature on June 19, 2012. Grandma’s restaurant took on nearly three feet of water from nearby Miller Creek, surrounding the…

Grandma’s Marathon Celebrates Another Successful Year

DULUTH, Minn.-After bringing thousands of runners together for all the Grandma’s Festivities this weekend, plans for next year are already coming forth. Registration for all of next year’s races begins October 1, with the full marathon being held on June 16. Event organizers told us today the event could have gone any better, as the volunteers really stepped up again….

Zoo Camps to be Held Throughout Summer

DULUTH, Minn.-The little ones came out in droves today, for some of Lake Superior Zoo’s summer camps. The camps are all done with the goal of keeping kids more in touch with nature. “Our mission at the zoo is to connect people to animals,” said Sarah Wilcox, education director for the zoo. She went on to say that the more…

DTA Introduces More Trolleys

DULUTH, Minn.-The Duluth Transit Authority Port Town Trolley is back on the streets of Duluth this summer with an expanded route as they now have two trolleys along with a backup. The new route will go along Superior Street from 10th Avenue East to Sixth Avenue West. It will then go from Bayfront to Canal Park. The trolley is also…

17th Annual Lincoln Park Walleye Open

Supporting West Duluth And Area Businessess

Duluth, Minn. Grandma’s marathon wasn’t the only outdoor activity you could partake this weekend. It was also the 17th annual Lincoln Park walleye open put on by the Lincoln Park Business Group. Hundreds of anglers including Fox 21’s Joey Norton set out on the St. Louis River early Saturday morning hoping to bring in the big one. “We are offering…

Amazon Buying Whole Foods in Bold Move into Brick and Mortar

A deal valued at $13.7 billion

NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon is buying Whole Foods in a stunning move that gives it hundreds of stores across the U.S. — a brand-new laboratory for radical retail experiments that could revolutionize the way people buy groceries. The deal valued at $13.7 billion unites the company that persuaded people to buy books — and then everything else — online…

Olympics and McDonald’s End Sponsorship Deal

(AP Photo) (AP) – The Olympics and McDonald’s used to go together like a hamburger and fries, but they’re no longer a combo. In a surprise move, the International Olympic Committee announced Friday it was ending its Olympic sponsorship deal with the fast-food giant three years before it was supposed to expire – severing a relationship that dated back to…

Minnesota Resort Receives $150K from State

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Only one of the dozens of businesses impacted by fishing restrictions on an eastern Minnesota lake is getting financial help from the state thanks to language tucked into an economic development law. The Star Tribune reports the law’s language is so specific that only Hunter’s Winfield Resort on Mille Lacs Lake will receive $150,000 in…

Ascena to Cut 10 More Jobs

DULUTH, Minn.-Ascena Retail Group, which own multiple retail outlets including Duluth-based Maurices, announced more reductions in their workforce. Nearly 200 associates lost their job today including 10 in Duluth. The company expects to save between $250 and $300 million through the cuts by 2019. Earlier this month, Ascena announced they were closing 5 percent of their stores after losing about…

Running Tips from Austin-Jarrow

Active Adventures: Training Tips

DULUTH, Minn. – Grandma’s Marathon is just one day away and it’s inspiring some folks to get off the couch and try running. For this week’s Active Adventures we visited Austin-Jarrow to get some running tips for beginners. Jarrow Wahman, co-owner of Austin-Jarrow, says the most important piece of equipment is shoes. There are several types of shoes and many…

Differing Opinions on School District Debt

School Board Member Wants Bonds Rebudgeted

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth’s Public School District will pay $45 million out of its general fund over the next 15 years. The district took on the debt in the form of bonds which went to a variety of projects including construction of the new Duluth East and renovations at Denfeld High School. The city currently pays roughly $23 million a…

New Bridge Designed to Ease Marathon Traffic

Scaffold Bridge will Allow Spectators to Cross the Finish Line Area

DULUTH, Minn. – Canal Park is taking shape ahead of this year’s Grandma’s Marathon. One of the new features in Canal Park is a scaffold bridge just past the finish line. Organizers say adding the bridge will ease foot traffic around Canal Park while keeping spectators and runners safe. “It’s for people so they don’t have to walk all the…

KFC Closes in Hibbing

HIBBING, Minn. – The Hibbing KFC has officially closed. Management told us today the doors were closed Tuesday. There is new ownership for some of the local KFC’s and they made the decision to close the Hibbing location. The property is not on the market yet. Officials stated no other stores in the area are expected to be closed. Categories:…

Two Harbors Gears Up For Big Weekend

Grandma's Marathon Heading To Town

In Two Harbors, Hotels and restaurants are gearing up for their biggest weekend of their year. With the over 9,000 runners participating in the full marathon the city’s population will more than double during the race. The town hovers just under 4,000 residents. So doubling that number with just the racers and not even counting the tourist, you could imagine…

Austin Jarrow Honored by Grandma’s Marathon

DULUTH, Minn. — A running store in Duluth is being recognized for their commitment to the sport and contributions to Grandma’s Marathon. “The lake, the people, it’s really well run by the management and the race directors,” says Jarrow Wahman, co-owner of Austin Jarrow, the oldest running store in the city.  “They’re great people.  So it’s just a great experience…

Citizen Groups Oppose Minnesota Power Rate Hikes

Increase Could Cost Customers $225 per Year

DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota Power wants to raise your electric bill.  But citizen watchdog groups won’t let those hikes pass without a fight. Representatives from the Citizens Utility Board of Minnesota, the Minnesota Citizens Federation NE and Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light voiced their concerns with the proposed hikes Wednesday. These increases average out to about $225 a year per…

Bong Museum Dedicates New Exhibit

M60A3 Tank in Museum's Latest Permanent Display

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center unveiled a new exhibit Wednesday more than a decade in the making. Officials dedicated a U.S. Army M60–A3 tank, displayed in front of the museum.  Mayor Jim Paine proclaimed Wednesday as M60 Tank Day in Superior. Members of Superior’s American Legion Post 435 lobbied for nearly a dozen years to bring…

Superior Farmers’ Market Open in New Location

Market had to Move Because of Belknap Rd. Construction

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Belknap Rd. construction project forced the local farmers’ market to find a new home. The market moved to the 1200 block of Banks Ave., near the World of Wheels roller rink. Shoppers can browse a wide variety of vendors from produce to meats to crafts; and everything is made or grown in Douglas County. Organizers wanted…

Flower Baskets Add Color to Downtown

Downtown Duluth is Getting Spruced Up for Summer

DULUTH, Minn. – If you were downtown Wednesday, you may have noticed an extra splash of color. Members of the city’s Clean and Safe Team hung flower baskets on light poles throughout downtown. The Greater Downtown Council has done this for about 15 years and officials say the baskets help make downtown more hospitable just in time for Grandma’s Marathon….

Grandma’s Marathon Weekend Traffic Advisory

WILLIAM A. IRVIN 5K / GARRY BJORKLUND HALF MARATHON / GRANDMA'S MARATHON

DULUTH, Minn. – Events for the 41st annual Grandma’s Marathon weekend begin Friday evening and run through Saturday evening. The following advisories have been issued by the Duluth Police Department: Friday, June 16 – William A Irvin 5K:  Race begins at 6 p.m. Traffic on Harbor Drive behind the DECC will be closed beginning at 3 p.m. At 5:30 p.m….

Group Unveils $1M Plan to Address Super Bowl Sex Trafficking

Super Bowl LII will take place in Minneapolis in 2018

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Community leaders have come up with a plan to fight sex trafficking during the Super Bowl in Minneapolis. The Star Tribune reports the 40-member group unveiled a plan Tuesday that includes billboard campaigns and statewide law enforcement stings. The effort is estimated to cost around $1 million. The group is made up of representatives from counties, nonprofits,…

Shooting at San Francisco UPS Warehouse

KTVU - Fox 2

KTVU SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – A San Francisco hospital has received multiple victims from a shooting at a sprawling UPS warehouse and customer service center. Brent Andrew, spokesman for Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, said Wednesday that the hospital had received victims, but he did not know exactly how many or their conditions. KTVU reported that in a statement, UPS…

Local 1091 Celebrates 80 Years this Month

BBQ Planned to Recognize Milestone

DULUTH, Minn. – This month the Laborers International Union of North America Local 1091 is celebrating 80 years. The Local has helped bring several recognizable buildings to Duluth including the Amsoil Arena, the Duluth International Airport, Maurices Headquarters and Pier B. The group is celebrating with a BBQ at the Duluth Labor Temple on Thursday, June 15. This is open to the public from…

UMD’s Bushey Receives Honor

Radio Host Has Studio Named After Them

DULUTH, Minn. — After hosting KUMD’s long running radio show “Highway 61 Revisited” for half a century radio personality John Bushey receives a huge honor. The studio Bushey has sat in for more than 25 years was dedicated to him and will forever be named the John Bushey Studio. During Bushey’s weekly show he shares his understanding of everything there…

Foot Patrol Officer Now Assigned To Downtown, Canal Park Beat

Officer To Build Relationships, Perform Long-Term Problem Solving

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department is going old school in the way it patrols the downtown and Canal Park business districts. For the first time in a decade, a full-time police officer will now be on foot patrol, as FOX 21’s Dan Hanger reports. It’s a new day for Duluth police officer Mike Jambor. There’s no squad car…

St. Louis River Master Plan Relieved

Plans To Add More Access Points To Water And Connect Neighborhoods

The city of Duluth unveiled new details about the western waterfront and trail master plan tonight. After nearly a year of studies along the St. Louis River and multiple public input sessions have finally brought some insight to what the master plan might intel. The Morgan Park recreation center was packed with local citizens eager to see this master plan…

Spirit Valley YWCA Receives Sizable Donation

DULUTH, Minn. — The Spirit Valley YWCA in Duluth has been chosen to receive a pretty significant grant. The South St. Louis County Family Service Collaborative has awarded $225,000 to the local non-profit. Alice Jacobson, Director of External Programming, says she remembers screaming when she heard the news; she says funding like this can sometimes be difficult to come by….

Fate of Thousands of Recalled Volkswagens Undecided

At the Brainerd Industrial Center, a former paper mill, thousands of recalled Volkswagen diesel vehicles are being stored. Steve Fines for MPR News BRAINERD, Minn. (AP) – The fate of thousands of recalled Volkswagens that are being stored in central Minnesota is undetermined. Minnesota Public Radio reports the vehicles are being stored in Brainerd as part of a massive recall…

Trump to Tout Apprenticeships as a Way to Fill Jobs Gap

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump will be touring a technical school in Wisconsin Tuesday as part of his push to boost jobs by increasing apprenticeships. Trump says the learn-and-earn arrangements are going to be “a big, big factor” in his effort to add jobs that employers are having trouble filling. The idea is for students to work at paid…

Business Booming at Beaver Bay Sports

For Nearly Four Decades, Beaver Bay Sports Shop Has Offered Locals and Tourists Outdoor Recreation Opportunities

BEAVER BAY, Minn. – Summer is officially here which means business is starting to boom along Lake Superior’s North Shore. Many businesses rely on a summer rush while others have found opportunities to evolve, catering to customers year round. In this week’s Knowing Your Neighbors, FOX 21’s Brett Scott stopped by one shop doing just that. “Everybody’s getting their boats…

Duluth Receives Knight Foundation Grant for “Mega-Parklets”

"Making Canal Park Pop" is a Winner for Knight Cities Challenge

DULUTH, Minn. – There is big news for the City of Duluth, as $200,000 is coming its way in an effort to bring the community together. Some Duluth city leaders submitted the idea of “Making Canal Park Pop” to the Knight Cities Challenge. Canal Park is known for its great view of the lake, shops and also the many cars driving…

Electric Car Owners In Minnesota To Face $75 Annual Fee

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota owners of vehicles powered exclusively by electricity will face a new fee next year. Minnesota Public Radio reports the annual $75 surcharge approved by state lawmakers takes effect in January. Minnesota joins a growing number of states tacking on an extra registration charge on electric vehicles to make up for lost gas tax revenues….

Sprouting Up With Shoreview Natives

Shoreview Natives Look to Showcase Natural Landscaping

DULUTH, Minn. – Many of you may be looking into landscaping projects this summer. One local company is looking to transition outdoor spaces into ecological hubs. Shoreview Natives is stemming from a lesson taught in one Northland classroom. For Duluth Woodland resident Will Bartsch, it’s common to have folks drive past his home, looking twice and stopping with a few questions….

Intro To Kayaking

Duluth Folk School Teaches Amateurs How To Kayak

Island Lake, Minn. With the more than 10 thousand lakes in Minnesota and not even counting Wisconsin there’s always some type of aquatic activity you can get involved in. Apparently going to Walmart and buying a blow up kayak may not be in your best interest until you have the skills to hit the water. Today at Island Lake the…

Ascena Group, Owner of Maurices, May Close 250 Stores

DULUTH, Minn.-The Ascena Retail Group, which owns multiple retail outlet including the Duluth-based Maurices, has announced they will be closing 250 stores in the near future. Currently there are 4,850 retail stores owned by Ascena, with a thousand of them being Maurices. Other stores in their portfolio include Dress Barn, Catherine’s, and Lane Bryant. Representatives from the company told us…