ST. PAUL – Governor Mark Dayton, today, January 17, signed an agreement with the United State Department of Agriculture, to secure $350 million in federal funding to protect and improve waters in 60,000 acres across 54 Minnesota counties. The new state-federal effort, the Minnesota Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), will target areas of southern and western Minnesota facing significant water…
MADISON (AP) – The Wisconsin state Senate has passed a bill extending tax incentives to help a cheese distributor. The Senate unanimously passed the bill Tuesday that is designed to assist with Plymouth-based Masters Gallery Foods building of a $30 million cheese packaging and distributing plant in the village of Oostburg. The bill would allow Oostburg, in Sheboygan County, to…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota is the fourth state in the nation to extend subsidized health care coverage to those participating in the Obama administration’s deportation reprieve program. The Star Tribune reports that this month the state opened subsidized health coverage to recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which gives short-term work permits and deportation stays to…
MIAMI – The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation today, January 17, 2017, announced 144 finalists, including 3 in Duluth, in the third annual Knight Cities Challenge, a national call for ideas to make the 26 communities where Knights invests more vibrant places to live and work. Applicants were asked to answer the question: What’s your best idea to…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – Health officials say the majority of more than 200 workers tested for lead exposure at a Superior shipyard had elevated levels of lead in their blood. Wisconsin and Minnesota health departments began a joint investigation last spring after workers at Fraser Shipyards were exposed to lead while retrofitting the Herbert C. Jackson originally built in 1959. Wisconsin…
DULUTH, Minn. – The 2016 shipping season is coming to a close, with the last Last Laker of the Season, the Lee A. Tregurtha arriving in the Twin Ports earlier today. Duluth Seaway Port Authority representatives say this year’s shipping season was a bit steady. Though grain shipping saw record numbers, The Iron Ore shipments didn’t pick up until the…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The United States Department of Justice has sued a Minnesota bank for allegedly engaging in mortgage lending practices that discriminate against minorities. In a lawsuit filed Friday, the DOJ says KleinBank engaged in “redlining.” The DOJ says that’s when banks will actively deny or avoid providing credit services to consumers because of racial demographics or because of…
ATLANTA (AP) – Civil rights leaders and activists are gathering around the country to celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. In a message sent on Twitter on Monday, Trump said: “Celebrate Martin Luther King Day and all of the many wonderful things he stood for. honor him for being the great man that he was!” As American’s celebrate…
DULUTH, Minn. — For people suffering from joint pain or other chronic pain, the extreme cold in winter can make certain symptoms even worse. At Duluth Natural Medicine and Chiropractic, several natural remedies are recommended to help relieve body pain during these frigid months. Massages or regular chiropractic visits come to mind, as well as light and laser therapy. Dr….
DULUTH, Minn. – Reed Elling and his brother Joel Elling grew up in West Duluth. “Kind of in a poverty, I would say, lower in-come, we had a habitat house,” said Reed. As children, the brothers would ride their bikes to the Spirit Valley area of West Duluth to buy candy and small toys. “If we didn’t have stuff discounted,…
DULUTH, Minn. – Many people use indoor plants to liven up the inside of their homes. And though taking care of indoor plants can seem effortless, it’s important to learn about the type of plant to have to avoid giving it too much or not enough water or light. In the winter time, keep plants away from the window to…
DULUTH, Minn. – The 2016 Great Lakes commercial shipping season wraps up this weekend with the Soo Locks (Sault Ste. Marie) set to close at midnight Sunday, January 15. The last four freighters heading into the Port of Duluth-Superior for winter layup will be the Philip R. Clarke, Arthur M. Anderson, Lee A. Tregurtha, and the Roger Blough. Two outbound vessels left the…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Governor Mark Dayton today signed a bipartisan legislation cutting taxes by $21 million for more than 200,000 Minnesota taxpayers. The cuts signed by Dayton today, were included int he Dayton-Smith Administration’s original tax bill proposal, which in total would provide $300 million in tax cuts for more than 450,000 Minnesotans. The bill would provide relief to…
Duluth Mayor Emily Larson has officially made it one year on the job as the city’s top leader. Larson says she’s proud of a year full of creating, mending and building relationships. But now for 2017, it’s time, she says, to really get work done. “It’s like, phew, we got that done. Now we can actually start accelerating and getting…
ST. PAUL (AP) – Minnesota’s Senate has passed a bill providing relief for massive health insurance premium hikes. Thursday’s action on a major priority in the 2017 legislative session, doesn’t mean the work is over. The House is expected to pass similar legislation next week, but they’ll need to iron out major difference with Governor Mark Dayton before checks start…
DULUTH, Minn.-Ascena Retail Group, which owns Maurices, announced today that they eliminated 165 positions across the country including 25 corporate positions in Duluth. Fox 21 has been told, that the company’s stock fell nearly 11 percent today after they announced some weak sales results for the holidays. Maurices, which is headquartered in Duluth, told us that the terminations today…
DULUTH, Minn. – Snow blowers have gotten quite a work out this season. Duluth has seen nearly 40 inches of snow since November. Denny’s Lawn and Garden has seen increased sales on snow blowers compared to the past few years. The business has done a lot of repairs on them as well. The owner tells us sales typically drop off…
2017 Duluth Outlook
Once again, the city of Duluth saw an increase in their tourism tax dollars. Receipts from the hotel/motel tax are up over 10% for January through November of 2016. The food and beverage tax is up over 4%. The city credits marquee events like Grandma’s marathon, the Tall Ships festival, and Hockey Day Minnesota for the big gains. They also…
DULUTH, Minn. – The new Lucky’s 13 Restaurant is close to opening at the Miller Hill Mall in Duluth. This will be the seventh Lucky’s 13 location, and the second one outside of the Twin Cities area. The menu is described as feel–good cooking, is all made from scratch, and will feature some local food and beer choices. “We’re glad…
DULUTH, Minn. – There are new developments tonight involving the sale of the vacant Nettleton Elementary School. The Duluth School District has entered into an agreement with a property developer. Meanwhile, Many Rivers Montessori School sits on the sideline with an offer on Nettleton as well. The Duluth School District now says it intends to move forward with the sale…
DELTA, Wis. – How much do you tip at a restaurant? 15? Even 20 percent? Well one Wisconsin restaurant says zero tipping necessary. The Delta Diner, recently implemented a new no tipping policy. Although no tipping is far from an industry standard, the decision at the Delta has been popular with both staff and customers. Todd Bucher, owner of the…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Lt. Governor Tina Smith and the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced, today, grants totaling $34 million for 42 broadband infrastructure projects that will provide 16,627 households, 2,240 businesses, and 71 community institutions across Minnesota access to reliable, affordable high-speeds internet. Smith and Gov. Dayton first proposed a $100 million investment during the 2016…
WASHINGTON (AP) – President-elect Donald Trump held his first full news conference on Wednesday, since winning the 2016 presidential election. The last time Trump held a news conference, he was plunging into a heated general election campaign with Hillary Clinton and suggested Russia could help dig up some of his rival’s emails. At the news conference, Trump beamed over plans by…
ST. PAUL (AP) – Minnesota’s solar energy capacity made great strides in the last year and state officials don’t expect the pace of growth to slow down. In 1996, enough solar energy was generated to power 16 homes in Minnesota. By 2015, 35 megawatts of capacity was generated, or enough to power more than 39,000 homes, and last year, that…
GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – Law enforcement reports that two individuals were arrested and taken into custody on January 9, 2017, in connection with burglaries in Deer River and Grand Rapids. Michael Hanson According to Grand Rapids Police Investigator, Kevin Ott, on the morning of January 7, a burglary was reported as a flower shop in Deer River. During the investigation,…
DULUTH, Minn. – Zero Hour Escape Rooms unveiled a new challenge today called “The Wheelhouse”. Players take the role of an engineering team trapped aboard the sinking “Bill E. Irvin” Lake Superior cargo vessel. The room took about a couple months to build and test out before it was ready for the public to take on. “We thought it would…
DULUTH, Minn. – If the cold, snowy conditions outside have kept you from filling up your gas tank this winter, a Duluth business is offering a new service to help its customers. The ICO gas station at the corner of London Road and 21st Ave. East will now pump your gas for you. They’re offering the free service Monday through…
Obama’s Farewell Speech Preview
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Two environmental groups are suing to block a land exchange for the planned PolyMet copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota, saying the project would destroy important habitat for the gray wolf and Canada lynx. The Center for Biological Diversity and Earthworks on Tuesday filed the legally required 60-day notice of intent to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife…
MADISON – Governor Scott Walker delivered his 2017 State of the State Address at the Wisconsin State Capital, today, January 10, 2017. One of his many topics included jobs creation and a drop in the unemployment rate. He noted “during the four years before we took office, Wisconsin had lost more than 133,000 jobs and the unemployment rate peaked at…
Duluth, Minn.-The Duluth city council voted Joel Sipress as their president for 2017. The selection usually comes without a lot of fanfare, but this year brought some added interest to the council chambers. Councilor Noah Hobbs is on his first term on the council and was also vying for the seat. The city council was clearly divided on the issue,…
As a tradition, the Duluth City council votes on a new president each year. Political expert Cindy Rugeley says in Duluth, the city council president is usually almost pre-determined, with the person with the most experience taking on the leadership role. “In this instance, a new council member is saying, I want to change this. I want to be the…
ST. PAUL (AP) – Officials at Minnesota’s state-run insurance exchange say more than 103,000 people signed up for health coverage in the latest enrollment period. MNsure officials say the 103,578 signups set a record by about 15,000, even as premiums have been rising as much as 67-percent. Exchange officials say tax credits are sparing many people the worst of the…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota state auditor Rebecca Otto announced Monday, she is planning to run for governor next year. Otto is the third Democrat to announce a campaign to replace Democratic Governor Mark Dayton who will leave office when his term expires. St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman said in December he will launch a campaign. State Representative Erin…
DULUTH, Minn. — It was a day for safety at the DECC in Duluth for members of the local oil and gas industry. United Piping, Inc., held its annual safety day all day today. Company employees, clients, and subcontractors, met for various presentations about the latest safety topics. This is just one of several training sessions these workers will attend…
WASHINGTON (AP) – It’s official: Congress has tallied the Electoral College votes and Donald Trump has been elected president. Mike Pence was elected vice president. Democrats raised plenty of objections as the votes were counted Friday in a joint session of Congress, but they didn’t have the votes to sustain them. All 538 electors met in their respective state capitals…
It’s estimated that one Duluth grocery store alone that nearly 1.5 million plastic bags go out its doors in one year and are only used once. A new campaign wants to reduce that waste and create a city ordinance aimed at eliminating single use plastic bags and phase out styrofoam take-out containers. Bag It Duluth hopes the city council takes…
Republican lawmakers in Minnesota announced their plan to bring relief to those who are paying rising health insurance premiums. Some of those currently insured face premium increases of up to sixty-seven percent. Healthcare facilities around the Northland say they’re keeping tabs on the legislative process. The GOP plan provides both some short and long term solutions to the problems MnSure…
DULUTH, Minn. – People are definitely noticing the cold weather when it comes to their car this time of year. Over at London Road Car Wash, employees have been very busy de-icing cars as well as cleaning off salt from the roads. There really is only a couple of ways to keep your car clean this time of year. Sam…
FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -Gov. Mark Dayton wants to see tax relief for low-income families, parents with child care costs and farmers. The governor unveiled his proposal Thursday for a $300 million tax bill in 2017 just days after the Legislative session began. But Dayton’s vision for how to dedicate part of a $1.4 billion budget…
FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Republicans who control the Minnesota Legislature have their own plans to address health insurance costs. GOP lawmakers vowed to quickly move a relief package for the residents paying premium increases of up to 67 percent this year on the individual market. But disagreements with Gov. Mark Dayton over how to shape…
SUPERIOR, Wis.—Fraser Shipyards has reached an agreement with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in an effort to reduce a proposed fine and improve safety. “We appreciate the opportunity to work with OSHA and respect their oversight as well as our joint commitment to the health and safety of all workers at Fraser,” said James Farkas, President and Chief Operating…
Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton has proposed the largest bonding bill in the state’s history. The $1.5 billion bill would fund projects all over the state. Several projects around the Northland have made the governor’s list. Many of them were on last year’s bonding bill as well. Some are hoping that the 2017 version of the bill passes and that it…
DULUTH, Minn. – Yesterday a federal appeals court tossed out an earlier ruling that the Minnesota sex offender program is unconstitutional. The program keeps sex offenders confined indefinitely after their release from prison. Over 700 people are currently in sex offender program. Only a handful of offenders have been released from the program over its 20 year history. Governor Mark…
DULUTH, Minn – The burrito is full of Minnesota comfort foods like beef, corn, green beans, cheese and of course, tater tots. Anyone who grew up on hot dish will soon recognize the burrito’s unmistakable flavors. “The college kids come in and have a taste of going back to their mom and dad’s house, and just something that’s comforting and…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – O’Neill’s Pub and Liquor in Superior has closed its doors for good. The bar had been open for 23 years and was the only drive–through liquor store in Superior since moving to its new location on Tower Avenue about 10 years ago. Owners Tom and Nancy O’Neill thanked patrons in a Facebook post and closed the bar…
ST. PAUL – Governor Mark Dayton and Lt. Governor Tina Smith, today, January 4, released their 2017 Jobs Bill, which would invest around $1.5 billion into community infrastructure projects and create 22,950 Minnesota jobs. What Minnesotans Need to Know: $3 Billion – Thanks to the Dayton-Smith Administration’s sound fiscal management over the last six years, the State of Minnesota has…
LANSING, Mich. (AP) – Governor Rick Snyder has signed legislation to further shield municipalities from lawsuits filed by people who trip and fall on sidewalks. The law enacted Wednesday lets cities defend themselves by saying sidewalk defects are “open and obvious.” Supporters say Detroit pays millions annually in sidewalk-injury settlements and should have a defense that is available to businesses….
ST. PAUL (AP) – Governor Mark Dayton is asking the Legislature to gear up for public construction projects. The Democratic governor unveiled his $1.5 billion wishlist, Wednesday of infrastructure upgrades, new buildings, and early learning centers. The major borrowing package comes just one day into the legislative session and after the Legislature failed to pass such a package last year….
