Environment

Wisconsin at High Risk of Wildfires After Dry Weather

Burning Permits Halted in Multiple Counties

GREEN BAY, Wis.-The Department of Natural Resources has deemed most of Wisconsin at a “high” or “very high” risk of wildfires following several days of sunny weather with no rain. According to reports, the department has also halted burning permits in multiple counties with the concern that dry grass and high winds provide the perfect equation for a wildfire to…

Council Approves Spirit Mountain Budget Amid Financial Woes

Two Years With Tough Weather Has Resort On Edge

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth City Council voted unanimously Monday to approve Spirit Mountain’s new budget for the upcoming season. This, as the attraction on the hill is coming off a nearly 10 percent revenue drop and 6.5 percent increase in expenses, according to councilor Joel Sipress.  And when those numbers are balanced out, Spirit Mountain saw a profit of…

Bills to Fight Homelessness in Wisconsin Up for Vote

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Proposals designed to fight homelessness in Wisconsin are up for a vote before the Legislature’s budget committee. The Joint Finance Committee was scheduled to vote on approving the measures Monday. The bills have won praise from housing advocates who have applauded Republican lawmakers for addressing the problem of homelessness for the first time in years. One…

UMD’s Department of Art and Design Opens for the Public Today

Students displayed creative work

DULUTH, Minn. – UMD’s Department of Art and Design had their doors open for the public today. Students displayed creative work and demoed various art processes such as stone lithography printmaking, screen printing, ceramics wheel throwing, welding, stop motion animation, and digital art techniques including interactive activities. “It’s really nice to see such a concentrated amount of their work put…

Grant Allows LSC Fire To Purchase New Training Tools

Students Get Real Life Fire Experience

DULUTH, Minn. – Today Lake Superior Colleges Fire Tech Program conducted official test burns in a whole new way. Instructors a Lake Superior College Fire Tech Program now have an easier more cost effective way to train our up and coming fire fighters. Using a grant they were able to purchase recycled shipping containers. Instructors then remodel the inside to…

Report: Voyageurs Visitors Add Over $24 Million to Local Economies

INTERNATIONAL FALLS, Minn. – A new report from the National Park Service estimates the local economic impact of visitors to Voyageurs National Park to be around $24 million in 2016. The report states that 241,911 people visited the park in 2016 and spent an estimated $19,780,200 in communities surrounding the park. That spending supported 310 jobs in the local area and…

Volunteers Needed For Spring Cleaning Along Lake Walk

From Brighten Beach To Superior Point, Trash Needs To Be Picked Up

Duluth, Minn. The snow is gone and the temps are warming up. It’s time to clean up the mess left behind so we can enjoy the beaches and the lake walk Volunteers are needed this Saturday. Which also happens to be earth day, to pick up trash from Brighten Beach to Superior Point. Organizers are looking for 150 people to…

Port Has Now Been Blessed For The Year

Ceremony Held Today Blesses The Port

Duluth, Minn. As of today the port has been blessed. Each year the Twin Ports ministry to seafarers hosts the ceremony of blessing for all in the maritime industry in the Twin Ports. “It’s a way for all businesses and people and ships and lakers that are part of the port to realize that we’re in this together. That’s there’s…

Roundabout Proposed At Midway And Maple Grove Roads

T–bone accidents account for up 70-percent of crashes at the intersection

Saint Louis County is hoping to cut down on serious crashes at a busy Hermantown intersection, proposing a single lane roundabout to be installed at Midway and Maple Grove Roads. T–bone accidents account for up 70-percent of crashes at this intersection, making it one of the most dangerous along the Midway corridor. Engineers conducted a study to look at the…

Downtown Duluth Shines Bright Once Again

City Crews Along with Business and Property Owners Pitched in to Clean up Downtown Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – Downtown Duluth is shining bright once again, after residents and city workers pitched in for a little spring cleaning. The Greater Downtown Council had to postpone the annual event due to Tuesday’s heavy rainfall. However, business and property owners, the Clean and Safe Team, along with City Street crews helped wash away the winter dirt from 10…

Lake Levels Are On A Rapid Rise

Due to early snow melt and recent rain, the Great Lakes have significantly risen by several inches.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Great Lakes water levels have been rapidly rising within the past two weeks. There has been a large amount of water added to each of the lakes due to early snow melt and recent rain according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Their weekly update on April 14, said that Lake Ontario rose 14 inches in the past…

19 Minnesota Dairy Farms Affected by US-Canada Trade Dispute

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (AP) – A U.S.-Canada trade dispute has spread to Minnesota, where officials say 19 dairy farms are affected. Lucas Sjostrom, executive director of the Minnesota Milk Producers Association, said Wednesday that 19 Minnesota producers are among the 70 to 75 initially reported as all being from Wisconsin. Canada recently changed its policy on pricing domestic milk to cover more…

Industry Leaders Talk Future of Mining at Annual Conference

THE SME Conference in Duluth is generating a lot of discussion about where the mining industry is headed

DULUTH, Minn. – Mining industry leaders are in Duluth this week as part of the 90th annual SME Conference at the DECC. The conference features more than 200 companies showing off the latest trends in mining and plenty of discussion about where the industry is headed. “We truly believe we can mine here, we can keep it local, use our…

St. Louis River Alliance Works to Fight Invasive Species

Open House and Panel Focuses on Non-native Phragmites

DULUTH, Minn. – As the weather continues to warm many Northlanders will be focusing on getting in the water or heading out on hikes, so the St. Louis River Alliance is hoping to educate the public about a certain invasive species. They’re hosting an open house and panel discussion to highlight the prevention and control on non-native phragmites in the…

Great Outdoors: Gearing Up For Camping Season

Great Outdoors: Local Experts Give Camping Tips

Although it’s been rainy and chilly to start the week, Spring is here and many are gearing up for the camping season. Local outdoor experts spoke with FOX 21 to give some tips on having a successful trip. “As soon as the weather begins to warm up and the days get longer you start thinking about camping,” said Greg Pinther,…

Deer Tags On The Rise In Wisconsin

More Antler-less Deer Tags To Be Issued

Superior, Wis. For 3 consecutive years winters have been relatively warm. Because of the warmer weather the deer population has continued to grow according to Wisconsin department of natural resources. The herd needs to be thinned so the DNR plans to issue 50% more antler-less deer. “We think we’re at a point where we can issue a few of those…

Duluth Parks to Receive Sixty New Recycling Bins

Bins will be Donated to the City of Duluth by Keep America Beautiful and Dr. Pepper Snapple Park Bin Grant Program

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth is moving one step closer to become a more eco-friendly City! Recycling will soon be easier thanks to a grant from the Keep America Beautiful program and the Dr. Pepper Snapple Park Bin grant program. Sixty new recycling bins will be placed in 17 parks across the City. The City of Duluth was…

Wildfire Week Sparks Awareness from Minnesota DNR

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is Looking to Bring Awareness of Wildfire Danger April 16-22

DULUTH, Minn. (DNR) – The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is raising wildfire awareness throughout the week of April 16-22. The DNR is asking Minnesotans to be thoughtful when it comes to using fire, and how they are using it. Many wildfires occur during the spring due to dry vegetation. Experts say this material can quickly catch fire between the…

Technology In Nature

Hartley Nature Center Issues A Challenge

DULUTH, Minn. – In an effort to get more community involvement in the outdoors, the Hartley Nature Center is issuing a challenge to four local communities. Not everybody can walk up to a tree and know exactly what they’re looking at “This right here is a White Pine.” Wouldn’t it be nice to know what you were looking at? Did…

WLSSD Compost Site Open For Yard Waste

DULUTH, Minn. -As temperatures get warmer, it’s time for people to get back into their yards and start cleaning up old leaves and brush. It is illegal to burn yard waste within the city limits of Duluth; it’s also illegal to throw these materials in the garbage. The Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD) will take your yard waste and…

Spring Burning Restrictions Begin April 24

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will implement burning restrictions in Cook, Lake and Northern St. Louis counties beginning on April 24. Conditions for wildfires are at their prime with warmer temperatures, little to no snow, and dry vegetation, so dead grass and brush can easily light and burn quickly. During spring restrictions, the state will not give out burning…

Wildfire Breaks Out in Duluth

The blaze broke out just before 11 a.m. near Hartley Nature Center

DULUTH, Minn. –  A wildfire fire broke out early this morning just before 11 a.m. near the Hartley Nature Center and Glen Avon Overlook near the rock face. All fire units were called to a report of four to five separate areas burning with smoke filling the air. A Woodland resident who was out on her daily walk noticed the…

Mercury In Our Water

The Bigger The Fish The More Mercury It Could Contain

Superior, Wis. Air pollution leads to mercury and that ends ups contaminating the natural resources right here including our lakes and rivers, even the fish that live in those water sources. According to one UMD professor, Minnesota has some of the highest levels of mercury in the region. Should this cause any concern for anglers gearing up for the fishing…

Duluth Announces Energy Pilot Project

Project Helps Move City to Mayor's 80% Emission Reduction Goal

DULUTH, Minn. – Mayor Emily Larson and other city officials announced a new initiative to reduce Duluth’s carbon footprint. The Canal Park steam plant, Duluth Energy Systems, is going completely coal free for the next seven months. Mayor Larson believes this pilot initiative is a big step toward her goal of reducing Duluth’s carbon emissions by 80% before the year…

Salmon Season Hits Canal Park Pier

Coho Salmon are Running and Chasing their Primary Food Source, the Smelt.

DULUTH, Minn. – Each Spring anglers take the shores of Lake Superior in hopes of a tasty salmon biting their line. Right now the Coho Salmon are running and chasing their primary food source, the smelt. Fishing is good along the south pier of the Canal in Duluth where many anglers try their luck in hopes to catch the prize…

Study: Road Salt Levels Spike, Threaten Twin Cities Lakes

Lakes could be uninhabitable within three decades

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (AP) – A freshwater chloride contamination study shows that many lakes in the Twin Cities are so contaminated with road salt that they’ll no longer support native fish and plants within three decades. The Star Tribune reports the study, published Monday, looked at freshwater contamination across the country’s northern region, an area with one of the highest lake…

Prescribed Fires Coming to Superior National Forest

Fires Could Reduce Invasive Species

DULUTH, Minn.-Superior National Forest crews will have multiple intentional fires in the coming weeks with the goal of creating and improving the habitat for native wildlife and plants. The fires are also expected to prepare sites for planting, while also reducing the threat of a future wildfire as they would be “reducing fuel build-up.” “Prescribed fires are carefully planned far…

Glensheen Gardens to Undergo Renovations

Historic Plants along with a Revised Geometrical Vision Will be Brought Back to the Mansion

DULUTH, Minn. – For the first time in nearly 20 years, Glensheen Mansion is now home to a Head Gardener. Emily Ford has been working since November in the gardener’s cottage with old documents from Chester’s botanical vision. Ford is creating new designs, using the English, French and Italian themes originally used by Chester when constructed in the early 1900s….

Bulldog Fan Makes Tough Decision To Go See Game

Surgery Wouldn't Stop One Young Fan From Seeing The Bulldogs Play For The National Title

Plenty of fans made the trip to Chicago for this can’t miss game. One fan had to rely on his gut feeling. You could say the Anderson’s love the Bulldogs. “He tells young ladies. Even before we started courting, before he asked me to be his steady girlfriend. He said I need to let you know if you don’t like…

Rock Village Forming Along Duluth’s Lakewalk

Dozens of Rock Towers are Being Built by Artistic Northlanders

DULUTH, Minn. – Northlanders choosing to enjoy the nice weather with a stroll on Duluth’s Lakewalk might notice a new village taking shape near the Fitger’s Complex. Nearly 100 handmade rock creations have been constructed along the shoreline. The rock village includes tall formations and some that are shorter. No word on who the creative natural artist is, or how…

Minnesota Governor Says He’d Veto Pipeline Replacement

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Democratic Governor Mark Dayton says he would veto a bill allowing a Canadian energy company to bypass Minnesota regulators and build a replacement for an aging pipeline. Dayton said Friday that Enbridge Energy’s $7.5 billion Line 3 pipeline replacement should be vetted by the Public Utilities Commission before it gets approval to begin construction. The…

Road Sand Collection Sites Set Up Around Duluth

Duluth residents are urged to use these sites to keep from washing into streams and Lake Superior

DULUTH, Minn. – ‘Tis the season for spring cleaning, and the City of Duluth is asking residents to dispose of excess road salt, sand, or asphalt chunks from sidewalks, curbs, and boulevards, at any of the four Road Sand Collection Sites set up around Duluth. Street sweepers are currently working to collect and remove road sand from the streets as…

Community Gardens Being Created in Virginia

Sixty Plots Are Available in Five New Gardens

VIRGINIA, Minn. – Now that spring has arrived, people in Virginia are ready to get outside and do some gardening. This summer, Virginians will have the chance to maintain their own plot in one of the city’s five new community gardens. The Growing Together Project started to give people better access to healthy foods, now the program has also grown…

Water Emergency Involving ATV near Voyageur National Park

LAKE KABETOGAMA, Minn. – On the afternoon of April 4, around 3:04, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to Lake Kabetogama regarding a water emergency involving an ATV. The ATV had gone through the ice north of the Ash River Visitor Center in Voyageur National Park and north of Sullivan narrows. Thirty-six-year-old Jay Podpeskar of Britt, Minnesota and…

Public Urged to Stay off Duluth Trails Until Conditions Improve

Could be Ready in a Few Weeks

DULUTH, Minn.-The Duluth trails are still in rough shape after the winter. City officials told us today they are just too muddy to use right now. If Northlander’s do decide to go out on them, they could damage them greatly which could cost the city. “Right now there are people using the trails,” said Jim Shoberg, parks project coordinator. ”…

Itasca County Burning Restrictions Begin April 10

Burning restriction do not apply to campfires

ITASCA COUNTY, Minn. – With the warmer temperatures and dry vegetation, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will implement burning restrictions in Itasca County beginning April 10. Fire danger can vary greatly from one part of the state to another, and will locally be determined by fire managers, to restrict burning in areas where fire risk is elevated. During spring…

Duluth Gives Proclamation For Awareness

April Is National Abuse Awareness Month

Mayor Emily Larson teamed up with County Attorney Mark Rubin who issued their own proclamation. St. Louis County Court House was littered with supports of the cause as they declared April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Experts spoke up for the need to understand that it is a difficult subject to talk about, but silence is never the answer. “You…

First Saltie Arrives in Twin Ports

Will be Loading up on Grain and Heading to Italy

DULUTH, Minn.-The first saltie arrived in the Twin Ports over the weekend. The event is the unofficial kick-off to the shipping season. The ship the Lake Ontario, will load up on grain and then set sail for Italy on Tuesday. The ship’s captain told us it was smooth sailing most of the way. “The voyage was good,” said Captain Costelus…

Birch Trees Stolen from Minnesota and Wisconsin Forests

Trees Being Resold in Urban Areas

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.– County sheriffs and state natural resource officials are trying to respond to a rash of thefts of birch trees in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. Thieves are quickly cutting down the young, paper–white trees. The Minneapolis Star Tribune  reports the logs are sold to city residents who want a touch of the northwoods in their homes. Chief Deputy Mike…

Lung Association Exhibit

Students Display Art Work Based On Tobacco Stories

Duluth, Minn. The American Lung Association wants raise awareness about tobacco’s effects in the Twin Ports. Tonight the Lung Association put on a short program displaying art created by area students. It’s the result of a weeklong photography workshop designed for youth to share the impact tobacco’s had on their lives. The goal is to steer the next generation away…

Minnesota House Passes Environmental Finance Bill

Bill Worth $1.2 Billion

ST. PAUL, Minn. –The Minnesota House passed its environmental finance bill that Republicans say will help “slow down the government spending spree.” The $1.2 billion legislation passed 80–53 late Thursday night. Republican Rep. Dan Fabian, of Roseau, says the bill will speed up the environmental review process and restructure how some state agencies operate. Democrats had fought hard, saying the…