Business

Port Authority: Closure Of CHS Superior Terminal Is ‘Disappointing Blow’

SUPERIOR, Wis. – “Disappointing blow.”  Those are the words from the Duluth Seaway Port Authority about the shutdown of one of the Twin Ports oldest and largest grain shippers. Employees at the CHS Superior Terminal told FOX 21 they were notified Thursday that they will be out of a job on Sept. 8. The grain facility has been operating at…

Scammers posing as St. Louis County Planning and Zoning Office

DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office is warning about a new scam appearing in people’s in-boxes. St, Louis County Seal The Sheriff’s Office has “taken numerous calls” about scammers are sending invoices via email that claim to be from St. Louis County Planning and Zoning. The invoices demand money be wired to various locations. The Sheriff’s Office…

Duluth Transit Authority General Manager to retire

DULUTH, Minn. – After a nearly 40-year career with the Duluth Transit Authority (DTA), General Manager Rod Fournier has announced his retirement. Rod Fournier Fournier’s last day will be on July 24th. He began as a part time Bus Operator in August of 1988, working in Dispatch, Supervisor, and Scheduling roles. Fournier became Director of Operations, which laid the groundwork for…

Parking ramp behind St. Louis County Courthouse in Duluth closing for repairs

  DULUTH, Minn. – The parking ramp behind the St. Louis County Courthouse in Duluth will be temporarily closing for repairs. The ramp is off of Third Street. Beginning Monday, July 14, the ramp which connects by skywalk to the rear of the St. Louis County Courthouse in Duluth, will close for scheduled maintenance. The closure for resurfacing work is expected…

Aerial Lift Bridge and Minnesota Slip Bridge to have special hours during Festival of Sail

DULUTH, Minn. – The Aerial Lift Bridge and Minnesota slip bridge will have special lift schedules during Festival of Sail. On Thursday, June 10, 2025 the Parade of Sail will travel under the Aerial Lift Bridge. The parade is scheduled to begin at 11:00 am and end around 1:00 pm. During the Parade of Sail, the public should expect longer…

More than 360,000 pounds of Turkey Bacon recalled

Fully cooked turkey bacon products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), WASHINGTON, D.C. – Kraft Heinz Foods Company is recalling approximately 367,812 pounds of fully cooked turkey bacon sold under the name Oscar Mayer Turkey Bacon Original. The Food Safety and Inspection Service says the product that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm). The problem was discovered after the establishment’s…

Fire Damages Longtime Manufacturing Plant In Floodwood

FLOODWOOD, Minn. — Firefighters in Floodwood remained on the scene Monday after a large fire ignited Friday at a longtime business. Courtesy: Northland Fire Wire The fire broke out around 10:30 p.m. Friday at the Mat, Inc. facility on Highway 2. When firefighters arrived, they encountered an 18,000-gallon propane tank with 40-foot flames, according to the Northland Fire Wire. A…

Minnesota Nurses Association announces agreement with Essentia for acute care nurses; other strikes loom

DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Nurses Association and Essentia Health have reached a tentative agreement, averting the strike for acute care nurses in the area. The agreement affects roughly 1,500 Essentia Health hospital nurses at Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center, Essentia Health-Duluth and Essentia Health St. Mary’s Hospital-Superior. According to a release from the MNA the agreement includes updates to…

President’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Would Cost St. Louis County At Least $16M, County Says

DULUTH, Minn. — St. Louis county leaders put out a warning to residents Wednesday to say President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” – if passed — would cost the county at least $16 million. As written now, the federal bill would shift Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) costs from the federal government to the states, according to the county. For…

Pre-Independance Day Fireworks Excitement is Skyrocketing

SOUTH RANGE, Wis.– Customers are wasting no time getting their firework fix. “I think everybody’s feeling pretty patriotic this year and looking to celebrate good,” beamed Jason Deatherage, owner of ‘KG Fireworks’. But before it gets to the customers, there’s a lot to keep in mind leading up to it. “We always try to be prepared and have a lot…

Solvay Hospice House temporarily pausing care due to looming MNA strike

DULUTH, Minn. – Miller-Dwan Foundation and Essentia Health announced they will be temporarily pausing care at Solvay Hospice House beginning July 8. The announcement was made in response to the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) plan to begin an open-ended strike at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. Solvay is owned by Miller-Dwan Foundation and care within Solvay is provided by…

‘Lola Farms’ Opens up Honeyberry Fields

WRENSHALL, Minn.–When it comes to owning a farm, it leads to a ton of passion ideas. Such as raising chickens and eventually expanding into an ‘AirB-n-Bawk’. And right now, it’s full steam ahead for Farm Lola with all things honey berry. They’re showcasing rows upon rows of ripe berries ready to be picked. But with this special fruit, there’s more…

Essentia responds to Minnesota Nurses Association strike notice

DULUTH, Minn. – Essentia Health says they received a notice of the Minnesota Nurses Association’s (MNA) intent to strike, starting July 8, 2025. Essentia says the strike notice is open-ended. A news release from Essentia stated, “The notice from the MNA comes on the heels of months of union delays and refusal to dedicate time with Essentia at the bargaining table.”…

Minnesota Nurses Association announce intent to strike

DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) has announced nurses and other union members will strike at Duluth-area hospitals. The union said hospital acute care nurses at Essentia Health’s St. Mary’s Duluth Hospital, Miller-Dwan Hospital and St. Mary’s- Superior Hospital, and Aspirus Health St. Luke’s Hospital will be beginning their strike on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at 7:00 a.m. Nurses…

Superior man sworn-in to run federal waterway agency

Mike McCoshen (left) and his wife Julie McCoshen (middle) as he was officially sworn in as 12th Administrator of the Great Lake St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation by USDOT Deputy Assistant Secretary Keith Washington (right) WASHINGTON & SUPERIOR, Wisc. – J.M. (Mike) McCoshen has been sworn in as the twelfth Administrator of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Great Lakes St….

Aspirus St. Luke’s responds to Minnesota Nurses Association strike vote

DULUTH, Minn. – Aspirus St. Luke’s released a statement following Minnesota Nurses Association announcing the union had authorized a strike. They have not declared a strike, but the vote authorizes leadership to trigger a strike if they wish. The statement reads: Unfortunately, it appears that the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) has authorization to call a strike against Aspirus St. Luke’s…

Sheriff’s Office: Convincing phone scam going around

  ITASCA COUNTY, Minn. – The Itasca County Sheriff’s Office is warning people about a very convincing phone scam. They said there a “dangerous new scam going around”. The caller is pretending to represent a collection agency. They say the caller knows your name, Social Security number, current and past addresses, and even details about vehicles you’ve owned. The Sheriff’s…

Minnesota Nurses Association Votes on Strike Authorization

DULUTH, Minn. – Members of the Minnesota Nurses Association vote for whether or not to authorize a strike. Members of the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) voted Monday over whether or not to authorize the union to strike. A vote ‘to authorize’ would allow the union to strike after giving a 10-day notice to hospital employers. Local members could cast their…

Volunteers & Staff Prepping for Annual ‘Michelina’s Spaghetti Dinner’

DULUTH, Minn.– The volunteers and staff for this weekend’s big race is running a marathon of their own. They’re working around the clock to make the city’s largest batch of spaghetti. Chef Jerry, and his brigade of volunteers and staff are working around the clock to chop up the oregano, basil and rosemary. By the time they’re finished, they will…

Minnesota cannabis tax rising to 15% in 2025 to support regulation rollout

  ST. PAUL, Minn. – Cannabis Taxes in Minnesota are on the rise. They’re sitting at 10-percent now, but will go up to 15-percent on July 1, 2025. The 10-percent rate was from July 1. 2023 to June 30. 2025. All sales and purchases of taxable cannabis products are subject to the new tax rate. RELATED: Minnesota issues first cannabis…

Patty Salo Downs retiring from Alworth Memorial Fund

DULUTH, Minn. – Patty Salo Downs is retiring as executive director of the Marshall H. and Nellie Alworth Memorial Fund. She had held the role for nearly 19 years. Salo Downs helped the organization grant more than $26 million in scholarships to over 1,400 northern Minnesota high school students. She said, “Whether they’re participating in study abroad, installing a water distribution…

Minnesota issues first cannabis business license

Issued for Herb-Quest LLC ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has issued the first cannabis business license in the state of Minnesota. It is going to Herb-Quest, LLC. Herb-Quest is a microbusiness located in Brook Park in Pine County. Its initial primary business activity will be outdoor cultivation of cannabis plants. OCM Interim Director Eric Taubel…

President to have “Golden Share” in future of Nippon Steel & U.S. Steel partnership

CALGARY, Alberta & DULUTH, Minn. – President Donald Trump would have unique influence over the operations of U.S. Steel under the terms of the investment being made by Nippon Steel. Administration officials over the past few days provided additional insight into the so-called golden share arrangement that the federal government made as a condition for supporting the partnership. US Steel…

Superior Lidgerwood Mundy Breaks ground on New Facility

  SUPERIOR, Wis. — Superior Lidgerwood Mundy broke ground at the location of their new facility today. The new facility was prompted by the Blatnik Bridge replacement project which required them to move out of the way. SLM manufactures a variety of products from winches to kitchen equipment. While being forced to move did seem inconvenient, the improvements the new…

Hospitals say union announced strike vote prior to presenting full plans

DULUTH, Minn. & ST. PAUL, Minn. – Wednesday afternoon (June 11) the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) announced that they will hold an Unfair Labor Practice strike vote. The strike vote will be on Monday, June 23. Chris Rubesch an RN at Essentia Health and President of the Minnesota Nurses Association said in a statement, ““Given the egregious unfair labor practices…

Incline Village Developer responds to Duluth letter admitting to some breaches

DULUTH, Minn. – The lawyer for Luzy Ostreicher, the leader of Chester Creek View, LLC, sent two letters responding to the City of Duluth concerns about their development. Renderings of Incline Village On June 2, 2025 the Duluth Economic Development Authority (DEDA) sent a letter titled “NOTICE OF BREACH” to Ostreicher. Ostreicher’s companies STC Building, LLC, Chester Creek View, LLC,…

KYN: Bailey Builds Crafts a Coffee Shop

DULTUH, Minn. — Bailey Builds is a community driven space right off of North 56th Avenue in Duluth. They’re known for their impressive art display, or simply a place to get to know some peers. But now, they recently crafted something new for everyone to enjoy. “I know they love community. You know, it’s that’s the whole, the whole idea of…

New Downtown Housing Opening in July

DULUTH, Minn. — We’re getting a look at what will soon become Duluth’s newest downtown living opportunity. Titanium Partners is behind the project they are calling “Force on Fifth Avenue.” It’s located in the former Ordean Building across from Maurices. The building is being converted into short term, midterm, and extended stay residential rental units, set to open in early…

Governor Walz appoints new judge covering north central Minnesota

DULUTH, Minn. & ST. PAUL, Minn. – Governor Tim Walz today announced the appointment of Daniel Hawley as a District Court Judge in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District. Hawley’s chambers will be in Aitkin in Aitkin County. Hawley is replacing the Honorable Erik J. Askegaard. In a news release Governor Walz said, “(Hawley has had a) distinguished career, marked by a breadth…

Company in charge of old Central High School development gets warning letter

DULUTH, Minn. – The group in charge of Incline Village, a proposed complex with apartments, condos and retail on the site of the old Central High School, has received a warning letter saying it is not lived up to some of its agreements with Duluth Economic Development Authority (DEDA). DEDA Executive Director Tricia Hobbs sent the letter to Luzy Ostreicher…

Wired Whisker celebrates success with drinks, music, and adoptable cats

DULUTH, Minn.– Wired Whisker has been the cat’s meow for the Duluth area, and tomorrow, there’s lots to celebrate. From 10 Am to 4 PM, they will be joined by 18 vendor and rescue partners for a maker’s market. Throughout the year, the business has seen quite the success. And for one of the workers, she told FOX 21 seeing…

Kevin Beardsley Announced as New CEO of Duluth Seaway Port Authority

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Seaway Port Authority has announced its new CEO. Kevin Beardsley will be officially taking over as CEO on June 3rd, following current CEO Deb Deluca’s retirement. Beardsley has served as Chief Financial Officer to the Authority since 2014. “Some of the first priorities, obviously, is going to be replacing myself as CFO, so that’ll be…

Nearly $100,000 lottery winner at Side Lake

SIDE LAKE, Minn. –  One Minnesota Lottery players won the nearly a $100,000 jackpot playing Minnesota’s Progressive Print-N-Play game. The winning ticket was sold at C C Campground 717, located at 7595 McCarthy Beach Road in Side Lake on May 23. C C Campground will receive a $1,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket. Progressive Print-N-Play is an instant-win style…

Great Lakes Aquarium Steps Back in Time with New Exhibit

DULUTH, Minn. — Great Lakes Aquarium is taking the public back in time with a new exhibit. The exhibit, “Lava to Lakes,” looks to explore Minnesota’s origin story when this land was covered by giant, ancient seas. The moon jellyfish touch pools makes a return with Lava to Lakes. Plus the exhibit features some of Minnesota’s most pre-historic creatures to…

‘ANANG Native Cannabis Co.’ Opens on Fond du Lac Reservation

FOND DU LAC, Minn.– ‘ANANG Native Cannabis Company’ held their official grand opening today, after a soft launch earlier this week. The dispensary sits on the border of Cloquet and the Reservation on Big Lake Road. With their slogan being ‘Products with Purpose, From Soil to Soul’. The company is excited to bring in a new economic option to the…

NLX Project Stalled After Lawmakers Reallocate Funds

The project's future is now in the complete hands of the Federal Government.

DULUTH, Minn. — The Northern Lights Express has stalled at its next approval station. This comes after some Minnesotan Lawmakers tried to gut the funding the state has already received. In 2023, the NLX was approved of $194.5 million from the state’s legislators. The amount was Minnesota’s 20% share of the project and was waiting on the federal government for…

Bass Pro Shops Hold Grand Opening for Hermantown Location

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Lines stretching out the parking lot, for the grand opening of Bass Pro Shops newest location. Bass Pro Shops opened the doors of its newest location in Hermantown on Wednesday, with a line of customers that stretched out the parking lot. Once inside, crowds were greeted by live country music, cabin-like walls lined with local artwork, and…

MN House Unanimously Passes Iron Range Miners Relief

HIBBING/VIRGINIA, Minn. — On Monday, members of the Minnesota House almost unanimously passed House File 3023, a piece of legislation co-authored by Rep. Pete Johnson (DFL-Duluth) to extend Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits to impacted Iron Range miners. The bill looks to give the approximately 630+ Iron Range miners, who will be laid off by the end of May, with up…

Amazon Distribution Center Officially Opens in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn.– Despite beginning operations in late March, the Amazon Distribution Center officially opened its doors today. But in the meantime, Duluth has already seen an impact from this. “This site currently employs 80 folks, there’ll be some indirect employment from that. In addition, the site also employs a delivery service partner, which is not an employer of Amazon but…

Bass Pro Shops To Host Grand Opening Of Hermantown Location Wed.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — Bass Pro Shops is gearing for their big opening ceremony this week. This location will be Minnesota’s 5th Bass Pro Shops in the state. To ensure quality help for shoppers, the sale associates got the chance to pick the department they know the most about to help connect with guests. The new 70,000-square-foot retail space is looking…

New weekly bus service between Ely and Virginia

DULUTH, Minn. – Arrowhead Transit is launching a new weekly service connecting Ely to Virginia. Arrowhead Transit Logo The bus will have stops in Babbitt, Embarrass, and Tower.  The service will start on Tuesday, June 24. This route, called the Boundary Waters Loop, is designed to improve and expand access to essential services, expanded healthcare options, grocery stores, and major Iron…