Business

Funding and Planning Aimed at Rural Health Care

Recruiting and training are two of the goals and challenges

Health care in smaller, rural communities faces some special challenges. A federal grant has providers hoping it can help in some ways. A project for finding and developing health care employees was the subject of a meeting at St. Luke’s Monday. Wilderness Health is a collaborative group of independent, rural health care providers serving patients in Northeast Minnesota and Northwest…

Bus Drivers Needed Now

BARNUM, MINN. — In just over a week Barnum Schools, like most schools in Minnesota will start the day after Labor Day. Last year Barnum had eight routes and eight drivers, bringing students to and from school. This year they have just 5 drivers. That’s a real problem and the Transportation Supervisor for both Barnum and Willow River schools is…

Shipping Industry Applauds Stauber

Minnesota's 8th district congressman touted for his support for navigation on the Great Lakes

Shipping on the Great Lakes is crucial to the regional economy and how the U.S. gets many of the things it needs. Friday, a coalition of those relying on and advocating for the navigation system, thanked Minnesota Eighth District Congressman Pete Stauber for his efforts. Stauber was named Legislator of the Year by the Great Lakes Maritime Task Force. Eighty…

New Natural Gas Plant Coming To Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. — The planned new natural gas plant in Superior took another major step toward completion. Thursday, Minnesota Power and Northern Wisconsin Building and Construction Trades signed a letter of intent on the construction of the Nemadji Trail Energy Center. Officials tell Fox21 it’ll fill the gap between retiring coal facilities and future renewable energy. Minnesota Power will hire…

Local Non-Profit Receives National Award

DULUTH, Minn. — Udac received the 2023 Organizational Best Practice Award for their approach in supporting education and employment development for those with disabilities. Udac works with the Duluth Area Community Foundation and other partners to create a unique model of servicing those in need. Their approach involves working with companies to find opportunities for clients where support is offered…

BB & Friends Preparing For Minnesota State Fair

DULUTH, Minn. — The company known as Bailey Builds is changing its name to BB & Friends and for the third straight year, the company that creates wood art will have a presence at the Minnesota State Fair. The company makes a big impression at the fair each year as they build their own building to display and sell their…

Mixed-Income Housing Development Underway In Duluth’s East Hillside

DULUTH, Minn. — Construction is underway in Duluth’s East Hillside for 52 mixed-income apartment units. The property is located on the corner of 6th Avenue East and 4th Street. One Roof Housing and Three Rivers Community Action are developing the property. The site used to be a gas station, which was heavily contaminated, making the prime real-estate difficult to develop….

Work On Lincoln Park Housing Development Temporarily Suspended

DULUTH, Minn. — Construction work is temporarily suspended on a new apartment building in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. Merge Urban Development told FOX 21 there are two reasons for the delay in the Urbane218 project at the former Esmond and Seaway Hotel site. Engineers are making changes to the heating and cooling design per the request of the city’s building…

Downtown Duluth High Rise Delayed, City Optimistic For Completion

DULUTH, Minn. — The site of a proposed 15-story high rise in downtown Duluth continues to sit idle, but officials tell FOX 21 they are optimistic the project will happen. The site is located between the Sheraton Hotel and Essentia Health on the 300 block of East Superior Street, which is the former site of the Voyageur Lakewalk Inn. The…

2 Local Wrenshall Farms Take On Sauerkraut Business

WRENSHALL, Minn. — Two local farms in Wrenshall are now the proud makers of sauerkraut. Northern Harvest Farm and Uff-da Organics took over Spirit Creek Farm after they had been growing cabbage for them for over a decade. Now they’re taking on the new task out of their Farmer’s Kitchen. Which means they’ll produce enough sauerkraut for around 70 stores…

New Gift Store Coming To Miller Hill Mall

DULUTH, Minn. — A new gift store is coming to the Miller Hill Mall in Duluth. The mall announced the new store called BoxLunch, which offers apparel, accessories, collectibles, and a whole lot more. It’s a sister store to Hot Topic with exclusive licensed merch for big names such as Stranger Things and Star Wars. The new store will be…

Reinert Takes Duluth Mayoral Primary Win Over Incumbent Larson

100 percent of precincts reporting DULUTH, Minn. — For the first time in Duluth Mayor Emily Larson’s run for the city’s top job, she is facing her biggest challenger — Roger Reinert.   That was made clear Tuesday when results came in for the Primary Election. Reinert secured 63% of the vote Tuesday night with 8,223 votes.  Larson secured just under…

Gov. Walz Endorses Duluth Mayor Emily Larson For Reelection

DULUTH, Minn. —  The most power political figure in the state of Minnesota, Gov. Tim Walz, is officially endorsing Duluth Mayor Emily Larson for re-election. Larson’s campaign provided the following statement to FOX 21 from Gov. Walz late Monday night: “Emily Larson is a workhorse who has dedicated her career to making Duluth a better place for everyone to live…

Noodles & Company, Boulder Tap House Coming To Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Demolition is underway in Superior to make way for the city’s first Noodles & Company restaurant. Crews were out Thursday continuing to remove what’s left of the former Huntington Bank building on the 1600 block of Belknap Street, which is between the Superior Public Library and Hardee’s. The city confirms Noodles & Company will open sometime in…

Anchors End Officially Open at Old Electric Fetus Location

DULUTH, Minn. – After purchasing the Electric Fetus building in downtown, Anchor’s End Tattoo says they’re excited to open. Anchor’s End opened downtown officially on Monday. Artists say that since the location became available, they thought about purchasing the space. But now getting to the point of opening, the Anchor’s End crew had to put in a lot of work…

Confusion Over Hemp CBD and THC

DULUTH, MINN. — For the past five years, Craig Sutherland has been selling both CBD and THC products made from Hemp, at his stores in Duluth and Superior. Hemp-based products have been legal nationwide since 2018. Sutherland says Minnesota’s new marijuana law has caused some confusion for many of the people who visited his Duluth store on Tuesday. “Well, everyone thinks…

Knowing Your Neighbor: Duluth Driftwood Art

DULUTH, Minn. — By taking a casual stroll down Greysolon Ave. there’s a yard filled with sculptures that draw the eyes of neighbors and passersby.Behind these intricate sculptures, lies an artist who’s journey into the art world is anything other than ordinary. “Sometimes it’s like magic,” said Wilmer Roballo, the artist behind Duluth Driftwood Art. “Sometimes I feel the attraction…

Feline Like a Coffee, Purr-haps?

DULUTH, Minn. — Soon you’ll be able to have a cup of coffee served alongside a feline companion. That’s right! Currently in the works is Duluth’s first cat café! Wired Whiskers Cat Café is hoping to open their doors this fall offering baked goods and coffee from local Duluth businesses like Positively Third Street Bakery and Kitty Town Coffee; all…

Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan Makes a Stop at the Duluth Armory with Construction Set to Begin Next Year

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Armory revitalization project has been in the works for the better part of 20 years, and it recently received a financial boost from the Minnesota legislature.  $4.5 million from the state’s largest-ever infrastructure package was allocated to the project which has a total estimated cost of $55 million. The Armory has played host to the…

Owner Of Duluth’s Frost River Talks Lawsuit Against ‘Indiana Jones’ Maker

DULUTH, Minn. — The owner of Duluth’s Frost River Trading Company spoke out Wednesday about a federal lawsuit his company has filed against the filmmaker of “Indiana Jones 5,” claiming violation of federal trademark law. Image provided in the federal complaint In a federal lawsuit, Frost River claims the new Indiana Jones movie has some scenes where the star of…

Frost River Sues Lucasfilm Over Backpack In ‘Indiana Jones’ Film

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth-based Frost River is suing the film company behind “Indiana Jones 5” over a backpack. Picture provided in the federal complaint. The clothing company says Lucasfilm used its signature backpacks without approval and then marketed them as a competitor’s product. The lawsuit filed in California federal court said Frost River’s Geologist Pack was intertwined in promotional video…

Knowing Your Neighbor: Loch Café and Games

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluthian, Erin Glesner has a passion for baking and creating delicious treats, “I love food, I had my own cottage food bakery since 2015, “said Glesner. Her husband Matt has a passion for tabletop games, “My husband actually grew up going to game shops,” said Glesner. Together they decided to combine their two hobbies to create Loch…

Cirrus Expands Footprint With Purchase of Building From City of Duluth

DULUTH, MINN. –Cirrus Aircraft is continuing its expansion in Duluth by purchasing the incubator building from the City of Duluth. The purchase price was not disclosed. The 79,000-square-foot incubator building was a city project aimed at supporting advanced aircraft manufacturing, which met its goal of creating higher-wage employment opportunities. The building was constructed in 2002 with a $3.45M grant partnership…

Blandin Workers on Strike

GRAND RAPIDS, MINN.  In Grand Rapids Friday, members of Teamsters Local 346 held a strike rally. Roughly 170 workers walked off the job on July 15th and have been on strike since. The union has concerns about staffing levels, management performing their work, and their wages which they say are 10 dollars an hour behind inflation. Blandin Paper Company says…

Sidewalk Sales Starts In Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Sidewalk Sales kicked off Thursday in downtown Superior. The streets are filled with music, delicious food and super sales from local stores. Over 35 local businesses are participating in this year’s event that began Thursday and runs through Saturday. “Sidewalk sales is a great way for people to come and get deals. And for us, the business…

Blandin Paper Union Members Call Contract Offer ‘Laughable’ & ‘Pathetic’

Courtesy: Teamsters GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. — Members of Teamsters Local 346 in Grand Rapids are calling Blandin Paper Company’s contract offer “laughable” and “pathetic,” according to a news release Thursday. This comes as roughly 170 workers plan to hold a rally strike Friday from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. along Highway 2 in Grand Rapids. The Teamsters walked off the…

Larson Secures DFL, Labor Endorsements; Reinert Lands Police, Fire Unions

DULUTH, Minn. — The Aug. 8 primary election is less than three weeks away. Duluth Mayor Emily Larson and former state Sen. Roger Reinert are the likely two candidates headed to the general election Nov. 7. “I doorknock five days a week. I’ve been out since January door-knocking. The campaign itself is really resonating with people. It is clear people…

Chick-fil-A Is Officially Coming To Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — Chick-fil-A is officially coming to Duluth. The Atlanta-based restaurant will be located on the north side of the Miller Hill Mall’s property facing Miller Trunk Highway, according a news release. This will be the first Chick-fil-A in the Twin Ports area, joining 17 other Chick-fil-A restaurants in the Twin Cities area. Construction is expected to start in…

Thanksgiving In July At Chum

DULUTH, Minn. — Thanksgiving is on the minds of the folks at Chum Food Shelf. The spirit of giving is alive and well at Chum. Chum is asking for donations so they can purchase food for their Thanksgiving food boxes. Even though we are in the middle of the summer, planning is already underway to feed local families for Thanksgiving….

Teamsters Workers At Blandin Paper To Hold Strike Rally Friday

Courtesy: Teamsters GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – A worker strike continues at Blandin Paper Company in Grand Rapids. 170 members of Teamsters Local 346 will hold a strike rally Friday from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. along Highway 2. The union has concerns around staffing levels, management performing their work and wages they say are 10 dollars an hour behind inflation….

Hundreds Of Northshore Mining Workers Join United Steelworkers Union

Hundreds of workers at Cleveland Cliffs’ Northshore Mining Company have joined the United Steelworkers Union. The union said in a statement Tuesday that Northshore Mining was the last remaining taconite mine on the Iron Range without a union. Roughly 400 workers mine taconite in Babbitt and make iron ore pellets in Silver Bay. “We chose to unionize so that we…

Essentia Nurses To Picket Friday, Call Staffing Levels ‘Disastrous’

The informational picket will be on the same day Essentia will hold an open house of its new downtown medical center

DULUTH, Minn. — Essentia nurses with the Minnesota Nurses Association are headed back to the picket line this week amid continued concerns over what they call “disastrous staffing levels.” It’s been six months since nurses at Essentia reached a new contract that gave them more input in the staffing process.  But the Minnesota Nurses Association says Essentia executives aren’t listening…

Essentia Employees With United Steelworkers To Hold Picket Friday

The informational picket will happen with the Minnesota Nurses Association

DULUTH, Minn. — Essentia Health coworkers with United Steelworkers Local 9460 will be holding an informational picket Friday along with Essentia workers with the Minnesota Nurses Association. Below is the full statement from USW: “Our union is locked in tough contract negotiations with Essentia Health for our Red Book contract, as well as a Year 3 wage re-opener for our…

Honeyberry Picking Open 7 Days A Week At Farm LoLa

WRENSHALL, Minn. — Farm LoLa is celebrating big news. They are open every day in July for honeyberry picking, the first time since the bushes were planted in 2016. There are about 10,000 honeyberry bushes at the farm in Wrenshall. A honeyberry originates from northern Russia which is great for our climate. The flavor is a cross between a wild…