DULUTH, Minn. — The 2026 National Blood Donor Month press conference highlighted a critical blood shortage in Minnesota. Over the past few weeks, blood donations fell 40% below hospital needs, leaving less than a two day supply of blood available for patients across the state. Blood donations are typically down during the winter season, but this year’s donation rate is…
Jakub Tolar, MD, PhD TWIN CITIES, Minn. — The Dean of the University of Minnesota Medical School has decided to step down. Dean Jakub Tolar served as the Dean and Vice President for Clinical Affairs. He will be taking on a new role as CEO and President of Baylor College of Medicine in Texas. “I know that this is one…
DULUTH, Minn.– Memorial Blood Centers has issued a “blood emergency” because their network of donation sites only has a two-day supply, compared to the usual seven-day supply. Kathyrn Hamm, with Memorial Blood Centers in Duluth, said the recent holidays and busy flu season have contributed to the lack of donations. “So, the seven days on the shelf, that reserve is…
Morgan Sylvester Johnson NORTHOME, Min. – A Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) investigation says a caregiver at a Lutheran Social Services facility in Northhome sexual assaulted a vulnerable adult. The report from DHS says the caregiver helped the vulnerable adult get into bed. The caregiver then got into that bed with the vulnerable adult and began to kiss them. …
DULUTH, Min. – A staff person at a residential facility in Duluth took a vulnerable adult to a home, where the staffer used illegal drugs, and then drove the vulnerable adult back to the facility. Yet with those allegations, the staff person is still able to care for vulnerable adults according to Minnesota state regulations. The state report where the…
DULUTH, Minn. — A 52-team bags tournament raised $12,000 Saturday to help support local families with children who have life-threatening illnesses. The tournament teams at The Other Place included law enforcement and fire departments from around the area. Money raised from the tourney and raffle items will go to the Northland Lights Foundation. The event was put on by the…
Minnesota Department of Human Services Logo DULUTH, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Human Services have announced in a press release that it is set begin a freeze on new provider enrollments in 13 categories of Medicaid services which it deems at a high risk for fraud. A start date for the freeze is not yet determined, with the pause…
DULUTH, Min. – A staff person at a TBI Residential & Community Services facility in Duluth took a vulnerable adult to a home, where the staffer used illegal drugs, and then drove the vulnerable adult back to the facility. That’s the allegation in a Minnesota Department of Human Services investigation. The report said the vulnerable adult asked the staffer for…
U.S. Department Of Health And Human Services (HHS) Logo (AP) – President Donald Trump’s administration said Tuesday that it is withholding funding for programs that support needy families with children in five Democratic-led states over concerns about fraud. “For too long, Democrat-led states and Governors have been complicit in allowing massive amounts of fraud to occur under their watch,” U.S….
SUPERIOR, Wis. — The Superior School District and Essentia Health announced a new partnership to allow students to receive healthcare while still at school. The “Spartan Clinic” is a virtual health clinic for students grades 6-12 to receive care through Essentia Health. The initiative is designed to help students miss less time at school for doctors’ appointments, in addition to…
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. took the unprecedented step Monday of dropping the number of vaccines it recommends for every child — leaving other immunizations, such as flu shots, open to families to choose but without clear guidance. Officials said the overhaul to the federal vaccine schedule won’t result in any families losing access or insurance coverage for vaccines, but…
SUPERIOR, Wis. — The New Years Resolution of getting to the gym has been one of the most common for years, and with the turn of the calendar, local gyms often see a spike in those looking to make good on their promise. At Doc’s Gym in Superior, gym memberships typically rise dramatically during and directly after the holidays, before…
Shane Drift DULUTH, Min. & NETT LAKE, Min. – The day after making it official and signing a Tribal-State cannabis compact with Minnesota, we’re learning more about what is next for the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa and cannabis. The agreement signed on December 30, 2025 provides a blueprint for a shared goal of safeguarding the health of Minnesotans regarding…
DULUTH, Min, – Thank you so much for coming out to our inaugural Twin Ports “12 Hours of Giving,” blood drive. We may have impacted more than 275-lives with your donations. FOX21 and the Red Cross teamed-up to help fill the holiday shortage of blood. FOX21 & Red Cross Blood Drive This blood drive was a serious thing, but also…
DULUTH, Minn. — People across the Twin Ports are giving the gift of life by donating blood during the Red Cross “12-Hours of Giving” Blood Drive at The Garden Event Center. As an official media sponsor, FOX21 is proud to be involved in Duluth’s first-ever 12 Hour Blood Drive, which began today and will continue throughout tomorrow. As a thank…
President Donald Trump speaks in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, in Washington, as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., left, and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz listen. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday unveiled a series…
DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth East Choralaires brought some of their music to Essentia Health, as the performers spent time going from floor to floor singing to patients at the facility. For many of the students, getting to share their music with those around is one of the best parts of the holiday season. “My favorite part is just singing…
MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Department of Health Services have released a stated that they will continue to recommend the Hepatitis B vaccine for children within the first 24 hours of being born. The statement coming in direct response to the CDC’s reversal of their own recommendation of the vaccine. The Wisconsin DHS says there is “no new evidence” to…
Taylor Welman and Adrian. DULUTH, Min.- FOX21 is a proud sponsor of the Red Cross “12-Hours of Giving” blood drive. It’s a two-day event from noon to 6pm on Thursday, December 18, 2025, and 9am to 3pm on Friday, December 19, 2025. FOX21 talked to Taylor Welman. Her son, Adrian, needed a blood donation a short time after he was…
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate on Thursday rejected legislation to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits, essentially guaranteeing that millions of Americans will see a steep rise in costs at the beginning of the year. Senators rejected a Democratic bill to extend the subsidies for three years and a Republican alternative that would have created new health savings accounts — an unceremonious end to a monthslong…
DULUTH, Minn. — In continuing with Fox 21’s partnership with the Red Cross’ 12 Hours of Giving Blood Drive, Fox 21 is taking the weeks leading up to the event to tell the stories of those whose lives have been affected for the better through blood donation. The event itself will be Dec. 18. and 19, at The Garden Event…
DULUTH, Minn.– Aspirus St Luke’s in Duluth is the first hospital in the country to be designated by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) for their level 2 NICU. The designation shows that they’ve met new guidelines for proper equipment, protocols, and staff training. The AAP implemented these designation guidelines in 2023 to help standardize NICUs across the country. A…
DULUTH, Minn. — Fox 21 is proud to announce that we are the official media sponsor of the Red Cross 12 Hours of Giving Blood Drive. The event will be Thursday Dec 18th and Friday the 19th at The Garden Event Center. All donors will receive a long sleeve shirt and be eligible to win prizes. The need for blood…
DULUTH, Min. & EAGAN, Min. – Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Minnesota and Aspirus St. Luke’s have made a new multi-year contract agreement. The existing contract was set to expire at midnight on December 31, 2025. Both side had expressed public concerns that they would not reach a deal. The new contract is in effect through 2027. Aspirus Health Minnesota…
VIRGINIA, Minn, — Essentia Health and the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) have reached a tentative agreement on contracts for more than 100 nurses in Virginia. Friday, Essentia announced the tentative agreement on a three-year contract for the nurses. “This milestone comes after productive discussions and reflects our deep appreciation for the extraordinary work these nurses do every day,” said Rhonda Kazik,…
Robert W. Malone NEW YORK (AP) — A federal vaccine advisory committee voted on Friday to end the longstanding recommendation that all U.S. babies get the hepatitis B vaccine on the day they’re born. A loud chorus of medical and public health leaders decried the actions of the panel, whose current members were all appointed by U.S. Health Secretary…
SUPERIOR, Wis. — The American Red Cross is hosting a special double-edition blood drive with their “Battle of the Badges” events. The two-part blood drive, the second part of which taking place at First United Methodist Church in Duluth on Dec. 4, allows each person donating to vote for their favorite department of Twin Ports first responders, in a friendly…
Captain Dan Smith, Mustache Madness Winner DULUTH, Minn. — Captain Dan Smith took home the trophy in the DFD’s first Mustache Madness competition. In the last week of November, the Duluth Fire Department has held a contest for which firefighter had the fan favorite mustache. Captain Smith narrowly won with 1,497, with less than fifty votes separating him from his…
Byheart Infant Formula (AP) – More than three dozen babies have been sickened in an infant botulism outbreak tied to contaminated formula, federal health officials say. The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday reported 37 cases of confirmed or suspected illness in babies who consumed ByHeart formula since August. The most recent case was reported on Nov. 19. No deaths have been…
Lakeview Behavioral Health UPDATE: Lakeview Behavioral Health has released a statement following the closure of their Virginia office. The full statement from COO Zack Kahmeyer: “After extensive evaluation and careful consideration, we made the difficult decision to close our Virginia location. This choice was rooted in our commitment to providing the highest quality mental health care. Consolidating our services will…
DULUTH, Minn. — More than 300 community members gathered at the Great Lakes Aquarium on the evening of Saturday, Nov. 22, during National Epilepsy Awareness Month. The event, hosted by the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota, featured a catered dinner, arts and crafts, and opportunities for people in the epilepsy community to connect. More than 55,000 Minnesotans live with epilepsy. Epilepsy…
Willard Munger Trail DULUTH, Min. – The first mile of the Willard Munger State Trail in Duluth will be closed starting Monday, November 24, 2025. It’s the area between Pulaski Street and Riverwest Drive. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is removing “a significantly undersized culvert and replacing it with a bridge over Lower Knowlton Creek”. The bridge installation will…
Essentia Health Apprenticeship Graduation DULUTH, Minn. — A new program designed to bridge a crucial gap in health care has its first graduates. Jake Galatz and Elijah Zielke are the first graduates of the Surgical Technologists Apprenticeship at Essentia Health – St. Mary’s. Surgical technologists work alongside surgeons to ensure procedures are conducted safely and efficiently. This apprenticeship program is…
Minnesota Department of Human Services Logo DULUTH, Min. – A Minnesota Department of Human Services investigation found a staff member at Northland Adult Foster Care (Northland AFC) provided THC to a resident. The resident, who in the report is referred to as an “Vulnerable Adult”, had a history of substance use and the goal to remain sober. The report said…
Michael Edward Rahja Jr. DULUTH, Min. – The court case is moving forward against the group home employee accused of crashing a group home vehicle while drunk and high. The state is also looking into what happened. Court documents say Michael Edward Rahja, Jr told law enforcement that he had been puffing on a 80% THC vape all night prior…
DULUTH, Min. – A personal care assistant is accused of stealing the credit card of one of his clients and changing thousands of dollars to it. Court documents allege Henry Opoku Ware Jr. visited his client’s home in late July, 2025. The same day he visited the the client, Ware used their credit card to pay bills for the College…
Minnesota DNR Logo DULUTH, Min. – The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is waiving vehicle fees to all 73 state parks and recreation areas on Friday, November 28, 2025. The DNR offers four “Free Park Days” each year to encourage Minnesotans to explore the parks. Director of the DNR Parks and Trails Division Ann Pierce said, “After Thanksgiving celebrations, we…
DEER RIVER, Min. – A staff member at Essentia Health – Deer River, 24-hour skilled nursing facility, is accused of taking “narcotic pain medications from the resident’s medication supply for personal use”. The investigation revolved around medicine intended for three patients. One patient had been receiving medication because they “experienced almost constant pain”. The investigation report from the Minnesota Department…
President Donald Trump’s administration is demanding states “undo” full SNAP benefits paid out under judges’ orders last week, now that the U.S. Supreme Court has stayed those rulings, marking the latest swing in a seesawing legal battle over the anti-hunger program used by 42 million Americans. The demand from the U.S. Department of Agriculture came as more than two dozen…
DULUTH, Minn. — Local Essentia Health employees have come together to donate their old cellphones for a good cause. The old phones were donated to Safe Haven Shelter and Resource Center in Duluth, a center for survivors of domestic abuse, where the devices can be repurposed in order to help bring safety to those in need. “These cell phones will…
Dairy products, which are covered by the USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), is displayed for sale at a grocery store Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. PROVIDENCE, R.I (AP) — President Donald Trump’s administration said Monday that it will partially fund SNAP after a pair of judges’ rulings required it to keep the food aid program running. It’s not clear…
DULUTH, Minn. — A press conference took place highlighting food resources available in the community and across the northland today. Essentia Health, Second Harvest Northland and St. Louis County gathered to share information and resources in the wake of the Snap Benefit freeze. Second Harvest is using resources available to strengthen their support of area food shelves and their programming….
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, in Madison MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin resumed scheduling abortions on Monday after a nearly monthlong pause due to federal Medicaid funding cuts in President Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill that took effect at the beginning of October. Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin said it was able to resume scheduling abortions as of noon on Monday because…
Smoking Cigarette DULUTH, Min. & ST. PAUL, Min. – Starting in 2026 the sales tax on a 20-pack of cigarettes will go up more than 6%. In 2025 the tax on a 20-pack of cigarettes is 78.6 Cents. Starting January 1, 2026 the sale tax will rise to 84 Cents per pack. There will still be a 15.2 cent per cigarette…
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz expresses frustration with President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans over the federal government shutdown during a news conference at the State Capitol in St. Paul, Minn., Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. DULUTH, Min. & ST. PAUL, Min. – Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is expected to announce $4 million in emergency one-time funding for Minnesota and Tribal nations…
USDA Logo (AP) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture has posted a notice on its website saying federal food aid will not go out Nov. 1, raising the stakes for families nationwide as the government shutdown drags on. The new notice comes after the Trump administration said it would not tap roughly $5 billion in contingency funds to keep benefits…
DULUTH, Minn. — Children’s Dental Services held the grand opening of their new Dental Hub in Downtown Duluth. This celebration marks the full installation of 10 dental chairs, new dental equipment, and housing for rotating providers to stay overnight after serving patients. This clinic will be a central point to their ‘hub and spoke’ method, bringing portable clinics across surrounding…
CLOQUET, Min. – The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa has signed a Tribal-State Cannabis Compact with the State of Minnesota. The deal was facilitated by the Office of Cannabis Management. The compact outlines how both governments will, “advance lawful, cooperative, and mutually respectful cannabis regulation while promoting public health and safety.” Official Fond du Lac Band Logo The…
Joseph Minowanigogezhig Legarde DULUTH, Min. – The man accused of assaulting two nurses at Essentia’s St. Mary’s Emergency Department had previously been convicted of assaulting Emergency Department staff. The recent assault allegedly happened at approximately 3a.m on Thursday, October 16, 2025. Duluth Police tell FOX21 he is accused of assaulting two female nurses. In November of 2017, Legarde was arrested…
Joseph Minowanigogezhig Legarde DULUTH, Min. – Joseph Minowanigogezhig Legarde has officially been charged with two counts of assault from his alleged action in the Essentia St. Mary’s Emergency Department. It happened on October 16, 2025. According to charging documents Legarde was in a emergency room and activated his call light. When a nurse responded to the call light, Legarde allegedly…
