DULUTH, Minn. — A winter with warm temperatures and minimal snowfall has significant impacts on the environment. We talked to a specialist about how ice and water are affected during mild winters. UMD Professor Jay Austin works at the Large Lake Observatory at the college, he says the northland’s unusually warm temperatures can result in environmental and economic delays. Austin…
DULUTH, Minn. — Minnesota Power says it is adding six new electric vehicles to its fleet as part of its commitment to the climate. Minnesota Power is in the early stages of switching a large portion of its current fleet to electric vehicles. Five electric Chevrolet Silverado pickups and an electric Volkswagen were shown as part of the fleet Friday….
Even with the mild winter, concern over grass and forest fires might seem a ways off. But that is not delaying the Minnesota DNR in looking for additional wildfire fighters. The agency says it is looking to fill two different kinds of positions. One is Smokechasers. No experience is needed and those hired would be trained. The schedules are flexible,…
(AP) — A stretch of unusually warm weather has forced federal officials to suspend researchers’ annual wolf-moose count in Isle Royale National Park for the first time in more than six decades. Isle Royale is a 134,000-acre (54,200-hectare) island situated in far western Lake Superior between Grand Marais, Minnesota, and Thunder Bay, Canada. The park is a wildlife biologist’s dream…
The mild winter we’re having has been a mixed bag for a certain group of outdoor enthusiasts. Between Duluth and the Iron Range is the Sax-Zim Bog. It’s a popular hangout for both humans and critters that like the woods, water and sky. Perhaps best-known for its owls, the bog is actually home to a cross section of bird life….
DULUTH, Minn. — Jonathan Thornton has been fascinated by the electric vehicle industry for many years. He is a recent owner of an electric vehicle buying his sedan just a few years ago. Thornton says his parent’s sensibility around environmental issues provided the foundation for his interest in getting his first electric car. And when his kids bought one, he…
DULUTH, Minn. — Food waste is about 20% of the garbage we throw away, according to the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District. That’s why the organization is hoping to keep food waste out of the landfill and use it for its benefits. WLSSD says when food scraps are put in the landfill it can create a greenhouse gas so, keeping…
DULUTH, Minn. — The warm, low snow fall winter can impact a plants life cycle and health. One college professor is looking at what these affects are. Jessica Savage works for the Department of Biology at UMD and studies plants for a living. She says outside plants are used to having winter so, when they don’t get the colder temps,…
People interested in the new natural gas-powered electric plant being planned in Superior had a couple of chances to get their questions answered Tuesday. Two open houses were put on in Superior for the Nemadji Trail Energy Center. At mid-day and late afternoon sessions, representatives were available to answer questions, and citizens could learn more about the plant. Although the…
LITTLE FALLS, Minn. — The 148th Fighter Wing is hosting airmen from across the U.S. for a special training at Camp Ripley this week. The training is all about teaching skills needed for operating in extreme cold weather. The first day pictured here, showcases the airmen doing a 7-mile ruck march, building fire with matches and materials found in nature…
TWO HARBORS, Minn. — With the lack of snow up until recently this winter, visitors at Gooseberry Falls State Park have had the opportunity to see things they otherwise would not have seen. A park naturalist took Fox 21 on a hike to check out one of the park’s most misjudged critters. Categories: Environment, Great Outdoors, Minnesota, News, News –…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – Organized labor came together inside Superior City Hall Tuesday to debunk what they call false information from Mayor Jim Paine and some city councilors involving the proposed Nemadji Trail Energy Center (NTEC). Members of the Northern Wisconsin Buildings Trades took to the podium for a press conference Tuesday night. They’re calling on the community to educate themselves…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – Billboards and yard signs are beginning to pop up in Superior in support of building the Nemadji Trail Energy Center (NTEC). This comes as Mayor Jim Paine says he’s continuing to do whatever he can to derail the natural gas power plant for good. Mayor Paine is banking on Wisconsin state regulators to change their approval of…
The long wait for winter is beneficial for some wildlife, but potentially deadly for others. Ironically, the lack of snow actually makes life more challenging for some animals. An example of that is a snowshoe hare that was hiding under some brush and branches at Gooseberry Falls State Park on Wednesday. The hare was spotted by park interpreter and naturalist…
HAYWARD, Wis. – The 2024 American Birkebeiner is expected to attract 14,000 to as many as 15,000 skiers for the race’s 50th anniversary. Organizers say, the lack of snow isn’t going to ruin the fun. “It’s non-negotiable. We will be doing something in Hayward during Birkie week,” said Blair Flickinger, marketing director for the race. “I would say we are…
A big announcement was made Tuesday night involving the 40th annual John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon. Officials told FOX 21 the race will not go on as planned because of a serious lack of snow. The Beargrease board members voted on the decision late Tuesday to put on the 40th annual Beargrease on Jan. 26, 2025. The Beargrease was originally…
The cautionary tone about being careful on lake and river ice was echoed this week as outdoor enthusiasts get antsy. At Duluth’s Marine General, this month they had customers torn between both ice and open-water fishing. Some anglers were rigging up their boats and heading out on the lake. But with the weather now turning back to a little bit…
While the weather has forced many businesses to adjust, others keep on trucking. Or maybe swimming? The Great Lakes Aquarium is finishing the year in record-breaking fashion. In fact, they’ve broken their attendance record for the second year in a row. In 2023 they had ten thousand more visitors than last year—hitting the 210,000 mark. Aquarium leaders say the holiday…
MINNESOTA — The week between Christmas and New Year’s has become a popular time for ice fishing, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources but that doesn’t mean ice conditions are safe. The DNR and county sheriffs are warning Minnesotans of poor ice conditions across the state. The recent rain, wind, and unseasonably warm weather has caused ice to…
The rain has forced a change in plans for Chester Bowl in Duluth. The ski hill was going to start its annual Holiday Ski and Snowboard lessons Tuesday. But the endless rain has changed that, and the hill was closed. Chester Bowl says it is disappointed to be closing, but felt that the best chance to preserve the snow they…
DULUTH, Minn. — It is officially treecycling time for the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District as sites are now open to drop your tree off. Holiday trees like yard and garden waste are illegal to put into the trash, according to WLSSD. They are a big resource the company can use and save landfill space. All of the trees collected…
DULUTH, Minn. — It is normal to have a lot of waste over the holidays, but the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District says a lot of it can be recycled. The ways to reduce waste include gift wrapping a present in a cloth, scarf, or tote. Recycling traditional gift wrap without glitter or foil. Any stretchy plastics that gifts arrive…
The Environmental Protection Agency is investing $22 million to clean up a polluted section of the St. Louis River in Carlton. The funding will tackle 330 acres of contaminated sediment in the Thomson Reservoir, according to the EPA. A thin layer of activated carbon pellets will be placed over the sediment. Officials say the carbon rapidly binds to the contaminants,…
DULUTH, Minn. — Snowmaking season began at Spirit Mountain Tuesday evening. This comes after frustrations from staff because of the unseasonably warm weather for much of November. Usually the ski hill opens on Black Friday, but that won’t be happening this season. None the less, opening day will arrive soon, as temperatures are forecast to continue to be well below…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A lack of snow and warm temperatures that suppressed deer movement led to a lackluster opening weekend of Wisconsin’s nine-day gun season, with hunters killing thousands fewer deer than last year. The state Department of Natural Resources released preliminary data Tuesday that showed hunters registered 92,050 deer compared with 103,623 deer last year. That’s a 16%…
As the weekend approached, the winds changed and the temperatures dropped just in time for the end of Minnesota’s firearms deer season, and the opening of the Wisconsin firearms season. In the Badger state’s Douglas County, deer stands have been checked out to make sure they’re still safe and make any needed repairs. Woods that have been quiet will soon…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – If Superior Mayor Jim Paine has it his way, Minnesota Power and its partners will not be allowed to build a natural gas plant (Nemadji Trail Energy Center) near the Enbridge Energy Terminal and Cenovus Energy. “All this project will do is raise our utility rates, pollute our city, and desecrate a cemetery. I don’t know who…
Duluth, Minn. — A backpacker from Duluth spoke to students in Duluth today about how they can impact the environment. Emily Ford is passionate about introducing people to the outdoors in safe and healthy ways. She was the first woman to thru-hike Wisconsin’s 1,200-mile Ice Age Scenic Trail in winter.Youth in Action, a group focused on the positive change young people…
ITASCA COUNTY, Minn. — The invasive water species known as Zebra Mussels have recently been identified in three Itasca County lakes. The mussels were found on a pontoon boat and other equipment being removed for the season in Jessie, Turtle, and Trout lakes. The invasive species were first discovered in the Great Lakes in 1988 and have spread from there….
MINNESOTA — This Saturday is the Minnesota Firearms Deer Hunting Season Opener. Here in Northeast Minnesota, hunters can expect deer populations to be down after a harsh winter last year, making deer harder to find. For those of you planning to head out this weekend, the DNR suggests you have a thorough plan in place, not only where you will…
DULUTH, Minn. — Next summer, there will be a new 92-acre restored and permanently protected riverfront green space where the US Steel plant once stood in West Duluth. After more than three years of remediation efforts at the site on the St. Louis River. the clean-up is nearly finished Wednesday morning representatives of the city, US Steel, and the EPA…
DULUTH, Minn. — Climate change was the topic of a conference at UMD on Monday. Everyone from environmental activists to students came together to discuss how the change will affect our area. They also discussed other issues that come from climate change and what the community can do. Jonna Korpi from Duluth is the director of sustainability office at UMD….
Minnesota Power is helping the Duluth community celebrate Energy Awareness Month. They put on their annual Energy Awareness Expo at Salvation Army earlier today. It featured community groups and free energy-saving kits. The event aimed to educate people about energy assistance and provide resources for home efficiency, safe housing, and other affordability programs. As the winter months approach, Minnesota Power…
DULUTH, Minn. — One of Duluth’s most popular destinations is preparing for the cold months ahead. The City of Duluth and Lake Superior Rose Society hosts the annual Tipping of the Roses events. Roses in the Rose Garden at Leif Erikson Park go through the process to protect roses for winter. That involves cutting the flowers down, tying them up,…
DULUTH, Minn. — A historic halt in seaway operations has sent a ripple effect throughout the system, including the Duluth-Superior Port. “Definitely a cascading series of effects throughout the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway system. It’s a system that it prides itself on reliability. And right now that reliability is being impaired by this unfortunate issue,” said Jayson Hron, communications…
DULUTH, Minn. — Harbor Drive behind the DECC is temporarily closing for the next 12 months. It’s all part of the seawall-waterfront reconstruction project. Crews will work through the winter to build the new seawall. When all is said and done in early 2025, the public space between the wall and the DECC will be transformed into a new plaza…
Superior’s first community solar garden has more than utilities and construction crews eager to see it get started. Wednesday, Superior Water Light and Power unveiled the facility that will generate enough electricity to power 115 homes, and many residents were excited about the prospect and showed up for the ribbon cutting. A lot of those celebrating Wednesday were those who…
SAGINAW, Minn. – A day of Partridge hunting turned into an eye-popping view of a Barred Owl for a Minnesota teen. Taylin Brouse, 17, was hunting in Saginaw when he spotted the owl and was able to capture a few pictures. Nice work, Taylin! Categories: Environment, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News
Those considering swimming on Park Point beaches Saturday were warned to be careful. And that warning carries into Sunday. The Duluth Fire Department said there was a high risk of rip currents, and they issued a warning about noon Saturday. The warning continues until 10 a.m. Sunday morning. The department says the warning means that wind and wave conditions can…
DULUTH, Minn. — Minnesota Power is celebrating National Drive Electric Week by adding 8 new all-electric pickups to its fleet. The power company believes electric vehicles will help play a role in achieving a carbon free future and plan to convert 50% of their vehicles to electric by 2030. The new additions will bring them up to 34%. The company…
NEAR ASHLAND, Wisc. — The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act provided $40 million dollars to increase and expand the scope of infrastructure updates. The Forest Service turned to Trout Unlimited, one of its oldest and strongest partnerships to help restore watersheds, streams, and habitat. “We sat down with Trout Unlimited and created a national agreement, our largest…
DULUTH, Minn. — Inches of rain fell across portions of Duluth Saturday night into Sunday. Roads were flooded up by the Miller Hill Mall, and St. Louis County reported multiple washed-out roads. Click the video above for more. Categories: Environment, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News
DULUTH, Minn. – Flash flooding Monday night in parts of Duluth sent piles of sand, dirt and other materials from nearby construction onto East Superior Street. Tuesday morning compared to Tuesday evening at First Avenue E. and Superior Street The National Weather Service said 2 to 6 inches of rain fell fast on parts of Duluth. All that water sent…
The wildfire that had people scrambling near Barnum Monday night, continued to cause problems when the sun came up Tuesday morning. It all started in a swampy marshland area in Carlton County, southeast of Barnum. Fire crews from several communities responded on the ground to try and knock the fire out. Air equipment was also brought in, so that both…
DULUTH, Minn. — Around sunrise this morning, a team of swimmers along with support boats could be seen on Lake Superior making their way toward Duluth. A small crowd had gathered at Lakewalk Beach in Canal Park to cheer them on and welcome them when they arrived just after 7:30 am. It was an exciting moment for six swimmers who…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – Just one day after an emergency evacuation at Cenovus Energy because of a propane leak, another emergency situation unfolded Thursday involving a “heavy fuel oil release,” according to the Superior Fire Department. The call for help came in around 1 p.m. Superior fire crews responded to a report of a “release of heavy fuel oil in a…
MAPLE, Wis. We’re getting a look at just how bad some of the severe weather was Wednesday in parts of the Northland, like in Maple. Jason and Mandy Crozier of Maple took dramatic video of straight-line winds outside their home that had rain almost falling sideways. After the storm passes, five large trees partially ripped out of the ground. Two…
DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth City Council passed an ordinance Monday night banning the smoking of marijuana and other controlled substances involving smoke from city parks, like cigarettes and vaping. This comes after the state of Minnesota passed a law legalizing adult recreational use of marijuana beginning Aug. 1. The smoking violation fines became a discussion Monday night between some…
SUPERIOR, Wis. — Superior Water, Light, and Power is creating its first community solar garden. It’s located near Heritage Park in Superior. The garden contains nearly 1,300 panels large enough to power around 115 homes. The community solar garden is expected to produce energy by October. The project is currently subscribed to 80 customers. “The community solar garden is really…
MINNESOTA — Enbridge is partnering with a conservation non-profit to create a new grant program in support of the Line 5 Segment Relocation Project. It is a 2 year $500,000 Ecofootprint Grant Program. The new grants will focus on these priorities: Improving and/or protecting surface water and/or groundwater quality in watersheds crossed by project. Advancing research and science related to…
