Business

Take Action Duluth Wants Paid Sick Leave

Could Sick Leave Become A Reality

DULUTH, Minn. – How would you like to earn paid sick leave from work no matter your yearly earning’s? Take action Minnesota met in 6 locations state wide today to join resistance efforts and take action on pressing issues including paid sick leave. According to recent surveys, employees not earning paid sick leave makes those on low income based salaries…

Duluth Pack Remodel is Finished

Has More Modern Look

DULUTH, Minn.-The remodel at Duluth Pack is over. After a seven-week process, the downstairs of the store has a new look with more of a cabin-theme. It’s all part of their goal of making the store look more modern. “A lot of people were attached to the feel of the old store, so we wanted to keep that same outdoorsy-woodsy…

JCPenny Closing 19 Stores Between Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan

Retailer JCPenny has announced that 138 stores nationwide will begin closing in mid April. In addition to the closure of retail locations, the company will be closing one of its supply chain facilities in Florida, and relocating another to California. Stores closing in Minnesota include Baxter, Fairmont, Faribault, Hibbing, Hutchinson, Red Wing, Thief River Falls, and Winona. Wisconsin locations include…

‘Great Harvest’ To Expand To Downtown Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – The popular Great Harvest Bread Company in Duluth is expanding to the downtown area. Owner Lee Davidson tells FOX 21 the second location will be in the Medical Arts Building on West Superior Street – across from Starbucks. The new space is the former location of How Sweet It Is bakery. Great Harvest plans to feature mostly…

‘Visit Duluth’ Moving To Holiday Center

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth’s convention and visitor’s bureau, known as Visit Duluth, is preparing to move to a new downtown location. That location is in the former Brownie Furniture building in the Holiday Center on West Superior Street. Anna Tanski, Visit Duluth’s CEO, tells FOX 21 the new 5K square-foot facility will have a better skywalk connection with great visibility…

Duluth Armory Building Redevelopment Shoots For ‘Rooftop Dining’

Plans also include turning the space into a mixed-use commercial building, along with some additional multifamily housing

DULUTH, Minn. – In 2001, the Duluth Armory was condemned by the city after sitting vacant for more than 20 years. Now, a new developer out of the Twin Cities is working to bring new life back to the historic site. Over the last two years, the Boisclair Corporation has been working through a due diligence phase, after signing a…

Art Of Local Food

Good Food And Art All In One Place

It was all about good food, local artist, and great company tonight at Clyde Iron Works. It was the 6th annual Art of Local Food fundraiser to benefit the Duluth Community Garden Program and the Arrowhead Professional Chefs Association. It was 40 years ago that a few gardeners saw the need for fresh locally grown food and now 220 families…

Preparations Underway for St. Patrick’s Day

Dubh Linn Irish Brew Pub Believes Record Numbers May Turn Out

DULUTH, Minn.- Many local pubs are gearing up for a big day of business, including Dubh Linn Irish Brew Pub. It was recently voted the second best event in Minnesota to attend on St. Patrick’s day. Dubh Linn representatives say they are expecting record crowds. “Most years you get two things: people come out on the day, or people come…

Former Bagley’s Building To Be Sold To Texas Investor

Two Remaining Tenants Will Stay Put After Closing Day

  DULUTH, Minn. – The downtown Duluth building that was, up until last year, once home to Bagley & Company Jewelers for 131 years has been sold to an investor in Texas. We’re told the building on the 300-block of West Superior Street will continue to house Apricot lane Boutique and Stout Chiropractic Care. Rick Heimbach, who owned Bagley’s and…

Downtown Parking Meters From 80 Minutes To 2-Hour Limit?

Downtown Businesses Are Being Asked To Weigh In

DULUTH, Minn. – Changes could soon be coming to a parking meter near you – at least in Downtown Duluth. As FOX 21’s Dan Hanger reports, it means the time limit on meters could significantly increase. “When folks got to go out and plug their meter, they often just get in their car and drive away. So let’s not make…

Lake Superior College Job Fair

Manufacturing Employers Ready To Talk Jobs

Duluth, Minn If you need a job in manufacturing hopefully you made it to Lake Superior College’s career night tonight. The demand for manufacturing jobs in the twin ports is high. Manufacturing Representatives were on hand to talk to potential future employees and the many diverse jobs our area offers. “There are tons of jobs available and in so many…

Superior Mayor Forum

Candidates Answer Questions For Citizens

We’re just weeks away from a new mayor in Superior. Two candidates Jim Paine and Brent Fennessey were left standing after February’s Primary. Tonight they met face to face trying to sway votes their way. The conversation between the two candidates included topics such as budget, personnel, services and facility concerns. The Superior Library was full of citizens eager to…

PetSmart Opens in Duluth

New Store Will Have Grand Opening on Saturday from 9 a.m. Until 9 p.m.

DULUTH, Minn. – PetSmart is now open in Duluth at the Village Mall near Hobby Lobby and Savers. Store managers say PetSmart has had its eyes on the Northland for years and they finally decided to open a store when their new location became available. They think Duluth has been an under represented area for pet stores and hope PetSmart…

Duluth’s Most Endangered Properties

Local Preservation Group Published List

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Preservation Alliance recently published its list of the city’s ten most endangered properties. Among the buildings on the list are Pastoret Terrace; otherwise known as the Kozy Apartments, the Temple Opera Block on Superior Street, Old Duluth Central High School, the Duluth Armory, and sections of the Lake Superior Mississippi Railroad line in West Duluth….

Volunteers Spruce Up Maritime Museum

Museum Cleaned Up Ahead of Tourist Season

DULUTH, Minn. – As Duluth slowly emerges from winter, local attractions prepare for tourist season. A crew of about 15 volunteers spent Wednesday cleaning the Duluth Maritime Museum. The workers cleaned the museum, made sure the electronic displays were ready, and polished all the brass in the museum’s engine room. According to park rangers, the museum gets too busy for…

Unemployment Rises in Wisconsin’s 32 Largest Cities

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Unemployment rates rose across all of Wisconsin’s largest cities between December and January. A new report from the Department of Workforce Development released Wednesday shows the unemployment rate went up in the state’s 32 largest cities. Racine had the highest unemployment rate at 5.7-percent, up from 5.4-percent in December. Madison and Fitchburg had the lowest rates…

Propane Leak the Cause of Fortune Bay Resort Casino Evacuation

TOWER, Minn. – Fortune Bay Resort Casino was evacuated Tuesday evening due to a propane leak. Several area law enforcement agencies and fire departments were called to the scene around 6 p.m. As a safety precaution, the entire Fortune Bay property, along with homes within a one-mile radius were evacuated. “We just wanted to take all the necessary precautions,” said…

Evacuation Order Lifted After Gas Leak At Fortune Bay

Fortune BayTOWER, Minn. – An emergency evacuation was lifted late Tuesday after a gas leak situation at Fortune Bay Casino. The alert was sent out just after 7 p.m. for people enrolled in the Honeywell Alert system. Law enforcement officials evacuated everyone in a one-mile radius of the casino. Evacuees were sent to the Civic Center in Tower, Vermilion Wellness…

Lake Avenue I-35 Exit Will Close Thursday

DULUTH, Minn. – The southbound I-35 ramp 256B to Lake Avenue and 5th Avenue West in Duluth will close at 9 a.m., Thursday March 16 to allow maintenance crews to clean plugged freeway drains. Southbound motorists traveling to downtown and Canal Park should take alternate routes. During the closure, MnDOT and the City of Duluth maintenance crews will clean the…

Wisconsin Legislators Introduce Family Medical Leave Insurance Act

Proposal gives working families needed benefit to care for family or themselves without giving up pay

MADISON, Wis. – State Senator Janis Ringhand (D-Evansville) and Representative Sondy Pope (D-Cross Plains) have introduced the Family Medical Leave Insurance Act (FMLIA). This Act creates a Family Medical Leave Insurance program which is completely paid for by employees. Under the program, a participating employee is eligible to receive a percentage of their pay during a time when they take…

House aims to stem health rate hikes, stabilize market

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota Republicans are preparing to plow more than $300 million into a new state program meant to reduce health insurance premiums next year. Minnesota has grappled with some of the largest rate increases in the nation. Premiums jumped by as much as 67 percent for shoppers buying insurance on their own this year, leading lawmakers…

Roseville bans sale of dogs, cats at pet stores

ROSEVILLE, Minn. (AP) – A Minnesota city is banning the sale of dogs and cats at local pet stores. The Roseville City Council adopted the ban Monday following a citizen-led movement to end the practice which has been criticized by animal rights advocates who say keeping the animals in cages is harmful. Minnesota state director Christine Coughlin of the Humane…

Celebrating Pi Day with Johnson’s Lakeside Bakery

On March 14, the Nation Honors the Mathematical Constant, While Indulging in a Slice of Pie

DULUTH, Minn. – If you’re looking for a reason to crunch some numbers on this Tuesday, math lovers can get excited! Tuesday, March 14 (3.14) is National Pi Day. Not the pie as in the dessert, but as in the math symbol. Megan Spitzley with Johnson’s Lakeside Bakery stopped by the FOX 21 Studios with a few fresh baked pies…

New Entry Way To Be Added At Superior Middle School

Safety Comes First With New Entry Way

Superior, Wis For the School District of Superior, safety and the student’s education come first. The Superior School Board met tonight to approve the go ahead notion to restructure their middle school entry way for security purposes. The cost of the project will be nearly 200 thousand dollars. The money will be coming from the already approved school improvement referendum….

Project Bringing Life to Forgotten “Pocket Park”

The Lincoln Park Business Group is asking for public opinion for the park at 19th Avenue West and Superior Street

DULUTH,Minn. – As the revitalization of Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood continues, a local group is working to bring life to a forgotten park. Tonight, the Lincoln Park Business Group heard feedback from residents about the “Pocket Park” at 19th Avenue West and Superior Street. The park sits in the heart of Lincoln Park. Businesses in the area saw this as…

Duluth City Council Takes Up Uber Ordinance

Cab Companies are Pushing Back

DULUTH, Minn.-Tonight, the Duluth City Council, will review an ordinance to allow ride-sharing services in Duluth. Businesses like Uber and Lyft have been clamoring to get into the area for months, but there has been push-back from local cab companies on the ordinance. Tonight at 9 we’ll hear more from Duluth City Councilors on what this ordinance means for the city….

Minneapolis Liquor Store Receives 30-Day Suspension, Starting on First Legal Sunday

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) – The city of Minneapolis on Monday handed down its penalty for Surdyk’s Liqour owner Jim Surdyk for opening his store for Sunday liquor sales this weekend, months ahead of the first legal date of July 2. Surdyk’s has been fined $2,000 and will face a 30-day license suspension, beginning July 2 – blocking Surdyk’s for participating in…

Slip Bridge to See Some Improvements Beginning Next Week

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth has continuously been working since last year with its consultant engineer LHB Corp, on a new design for the blue, Minnesota Slip Bridge in Duluth’s Canal Park. The City’s consultant engineer has been working to design new custom manufactured parts for the 26-year-old bridge, which has been riddled with numerous repairs and closures…

Vikre Celebrates Anniversary with New Single Malt Whiskey

Iron Range American Single Malt is Vikre's 3rd anniversary blend

DULUTH, Minn. – Today is a happy birthday for Vikre Distillery and they’re celebrating with a brand new whiskey. Iron Range American Single Malt is Vikre’s 3rd anniversary blend.  This release is a little more special, because it’s the first batch of whiskey distilled when Vikre opened. “We sat down the other night with a bottle of it off the…

New MDI Facility Coming to Hibbing

100 New Jobs Expected Over the Coming Years

HIBBING, Minn.-Iron Rangers will be gaining more job opportunities at a new Minnesota Diversified Industry manufacturing facility in Hibbing. The facility, which will be 35,000 square feet, will be funded by a $1 million loan from the IRRRB and a $350,000 infrastructure grant. The new facility will improve working conditions from its current facility which is nearly 100-years-old, and expand…

Minnesota Power’s Competitive Rate Advances Following Utilities Commission Decision

DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota Power has received a decision form the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) that advances the approval of its new competitive rate for some of northeastern Minnesota’s largest employers. The 2015 Minnesota Legislature enacted a law authorizing Minnesota Power to submit discounted rate plans for a limited number of its large industrial customers, including taconite mines and…

Wisconsin Company Wins U.S. Championship Cheese Contest

(Barry Adams/State Journal) GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) – A Wisconsin company can lay claim to having the best cheese in America. The Sartori company in Antigo won the title at this year’s U.S. Championship Cheese Contest with its Sartori Reserve Black Pepper BellaVitano, by master cheesemaker Mike Matucheski. The U.S. championship is considered the largest technical cheese, butter, and yogurt…

Sampling Spring Wines with an Expert

Marc Carrigan, Regional Sales Manager for Foley Family Wines Samples Spring Wines

DULUTH, Minn. -Marc Carrigan, Regional Sales Manager for Foley Family Wines, stopped by the FOX 21 Studios Friday morning, with a few spring wine samples, and a whiskey. Carrigan noticed the weather starting to warm up, and change for the better, deciding it was time to think spring and cleanse the winter palate. “The Wine Guy” brought along two white…

Duluth Workforce Workshops

Getting You Ready For The Job Fair

Duluth, Minn Are you looking for a job and need help putting the finishing touches on that resume? Well stress no more because help is here and it’s free! The Minnesota workforce is teaming up with the Duluth public library every Thursday in March to get you that jump start that you need. The Northland job fair is just over…

Minnesota Lawmakers Debate Permitless Carry, ‘Stand Your Ground’ Bills

Rob Olson FOX 9 KMSP

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) – Two gun bills making their way through the Minnesota legislature are raising concerns among some in the law and law enforcement community. One of the bills would do away with permit to carry. The other would redefine self-defense laws. Nearly every person who testified for over two hours on Wednesday about the two gun bills…

Duluth Pack Unveils New City Portfolio Product

The Handcrafted Bag Comes to Duluth Pack's Line of Products after Receiving Community Feedback

DULUTH, Minn. – After months of gathering community feedback, staff members at Duluth pack are excited to release their newest product for consumers to enjoy. The City Portfolio bag was developed with a lightweight, affordable style in mine. Portfolio bags already produced by Duluth Pack can run anywhere from $200 to $300 dollars. The new product costs $145 dollars. The…

Miner’s Inc. Super One Foods Purchases Grand Rapids Cub Foods

This will bring the Miner's Inc. to 38 grocery stores and liquor stores

  GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – Miner’s of Grand Rapids, Inc. has reached a tentative agreement to sell its Grand Rapids, Minnesota Cub Foods location to Miner’s Incorporated d/b/a Super One Foods. The Miner family has operated grocery stores in the region since the 1940s. President of Miner’s Grand Rapids, Inc, Jerry Miner and his family have owned and operated several…

DEDA Selects Developer for Lot D

City Entered into Agreement with Same Firm that Developed Pier B Resort

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth is ready to move forward in its waterfront development. “Lot D” is the last piece of mixed use real estate available for redevelopment on the waterfront, a process now closer to fruition. “This waterfront has been waiting 150 years for a vision like this,” said Mayor Emily Larson.  “It will combine housing with…

Miracle Eleven Provides Donations to CHUM, Other Shelters

Nearly $6,000 was Donated to Three Local Charities in Dultuh Wesdnesday Morning

DULUTH, Minn. – The CHUM Food Shelf and Shelter in Duluth received a big donation Wednesday from a local non-profit organization. Miracle Eleven was created by a group of brave men and women after a skydiving plane crash happened over Superior in 2013. You may recall, nine skydivers and two pilots walked away from the incident with minor injuries. The…

Duluth Coffee Company Expanding

Owners Adding Second Storefront to Serve as Roastery

DULUTH, Minn. – There’s exciting news for the Duluth Coffee Company. The company is adding a new 1,000 square foot roastery and event space two doors down from the current shop on East Superior Street. Duluth coffee currently roasts its beans right there in the store.  Those beans are then served in the shop or are shipped to stores as…

Wisconsin Men Arrested in Theft of 100,000 Diapers

FOX CROSSING, Wis. (AP) – Two Wisconsin men are accused of stealing 100,000 diapers. The Post-Crescent reports the police allege the men stole nearly 1,800 cases of diapers — valued at more than $45,000, from a charitable organization that provides goods to families in need. Authorities say the diapers were stolen during several thefts between January 3 and February 13…

Duluth Airshow, DARE2B to Provide Free Airshow Tickets to Students

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Air & Aviation Expo, presented by St. Luke’s and Twin Ports D.A.R.E.(DARE2B) held an event today to announce that tickets to the most anticipated event happening this summer, will be free for more than 7,500 elementary school students in grades K-5, thanks to underwriting from DARE2B. Judy Weber, the founder of Twin Ports DARE Inc,…

Two Harbors 7th Ave/Hwy 61 Getting Face Lift

Resurfacing Project To Start Spring Of 2018

Two Harbors, Minn Two Harbors will be getting a face lift during the summer of 2018. Construction along 7th ave (Hwy 61) will make things easier for the locals and those passing through. Currently the three lights that are along 7th Ave (Hwy 61) are the oldest set of lights in the area. By replacing the lights and adding left hand…

Dayton Repeals Old Sunday Liquor Sales Ban

Sales will begin in July

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – It’s official, come July, Minnesotans can begin buying liquor on Sundays. Governor Mark Dayton signed a bill on Tuesday repealing the decades-old ban. Minnesota liquor store can open their doors on Sunday between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. beginning in July. His signature is the final chapter in years of efforts to repeal the Prohibition-era…

U-Haul to Settle in Vacant Superior Kmart Space

The Development will Invest Six Million Dollars in the City of Superior, Adding 35 Jobs

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – After closing its doors nearly a year ago, the Superior Kmart building will soon have a new beginning. U-Haul is set to be moving into the location off Tower Avenue. The building has been on the market for over two years, and vacant for one. Florida based Kin Properties currently owns the property, but will soon finalize…