Health

Essentia Health’s Mall Facilites Set To Reopen Following Roof Collapse

DULUTH, Minn. — While the Miller Hill Mall will be closed through at least Sunday, Essentia Health says its mall facilities will be reopening starting Saturday. The roof collapse did not directly impact Essentia’s mall locations, but they were closed the last few days out of safety for patients and staff. Essentia officials say an inspection has been completed by…

FOX 21 Participates In ‘Hunger Bowl Twin Ports’ Bowling Tourney

FOX 21 was once again representing at this year’s Hunger Bowl Twin Ports bowling tournament. The event raised money for Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank. FOX 21’s Dan Hanger, Rusty Mehlberg and Ken Slama greased up their bowling shoes for the cause.  News Director Steve Goodspeed cheered them on. The tournament was held a Superior Lanes in Superior. For…

House Votes To Declassify Info About Origins Of COVID-19

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House voted unanimously on Friday to declassify U.S. intelligence information about the origins of COVID-19, a sweeping show of bipartisan support near the third anniversary of the start of the deadly pandemic. The 419-0 vote was final approval of the bill, sending it to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law. Debate was brief and to…

Former Wisconsin Governor “Tony” Earl Dies At 86

The state's 41st Governor had a stroke last weekend and passed away today.

Former Wisconsin Governor Anthony “Tony” Earl died today after suffering a stroke over the weekend. The announcement came from current Governor, Tony Evers. Evers said Earl had been hospitalized since the stroke, and had been surrounded by his close family. Earl was 86. Earl was governor from 1983 to 1987. You can read Evers full statement and background on Earl…

UMD Medical School Graduates the Second Highest Number of Indigenous Doctors

Duluth, Minn. –The University of Minnesota Duluth’s Medical School has the distinction of having graduated the second largest number of native or indigenous medical professionals in the nation.  Only Oklahoma State University has more. The Center of American Indian and Minority Health Department has been a part of UMD’s Medical School for more than 40 years. Dr. Mary Owen, an…

Indigenous Families Seek Support/Understanding in Loss of Loved Ones

Feel there is more urgency when other groups need help

The effort to remember Native American women who have been murdered or are missing was the focus of a community event in Duluth Tuesday.  But the issue of violence affects not only women, but also men and entire families. Sage Matthews of Duluth still mourns the loss of her niece and nephew who died separately four years ago.  She and…

Indigenous Women Missing and Murdered Are Remembered

Family and supporters ask that women not be forgotten and encourage action.

Tuesday was a day of remembering and honoring for the Native American community. Specifically, it was a day focused on indigenous women who have been murdered or are missing. The day began at the Robert Powless Cultural Center. A cross-section of groups and people gathered to talk about the issue, remember those who are gone, and to unite in going…

New Rules Would Limit Sugar In School Meals For First Time

(AP) — U.S. agriculture officials on Friday proposed new nutrition standards for school meals, including the first limits on added sugars, with a focus on sweetened foods such as cereals, yogurt, flavored milk and breakfast pastries. The plan announced by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack also seeks to significantly decrease sodium in the meals served to the nation’s schoolkids by 2029,…

Police Chief Thankful For Community’s Support After Deaths Of Superior Officer’s Daughter, Retired K-9

K-9 Marik died one day after Hailey Eastman's unexpected death from an undiagnosed cardiac condition

SUPERIOR, Wis. – It has been a painful and challenging time over the past couple of weeks for the Superior Police Department with the unexpected losses of Sgt. Nick Eastman’s teenage daughter and his retired K-9 Marik. Late Friday, Police Chief Nicholas Alexander expressed his thanks to everyone who has helped his department through this difficult time. Hailey Eastman In…

US Proposes Once-A-Year COVID Shots For Most Americans

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health officials want to make COVID-19 vaccinations more like the annual flu shot. The Food and Drug Administration on Monday proposed a simplified approach for future vaccination efforts, allowing most adults and children to get a once-a-year shot to protect against the mutating virus. This means Americans would no longer have to keep track of how…

Red Cross Hosts Blood Drive In Cloquet

Cloquet, Minn.– In Cloquet, American Red Cross hosted a Community Blood Drive. January is National Blood Donation Month, over the past week there has been multiple drives across the Northland Many stations were set up as over 15 people participating the day long donation in Cloquet…which ran from nine AM to three PM. Red Cross partnered with the NFL to…

Difference of Opinion for Non-Binding Referendum in Wisconsin

Superior, Wisc. — There’s a difference of opinion in Wisconsin about what the non-binding referendum question should be on the April ballot. Republicans want to ask voters if there should be work requirements for people receiving public benefits. Democrats counter that the work requirement had already passed in 2018. Democratic Governor Tony Evers would like to have the referendum ask…

A Change in the Weather Pattern Will Improve the Air Quality Across Minnesota

DULUTH, Minn — On Monday, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued an Air Quality Alert due to fine particulate pollution getting trapped near the surface. This pollution comes from everyday things such as vehicle exhaust, smokestacks, and chimneys. The pollution gets trapped near the surface due to light winds, poor atmospheric mixing, and moisture from melting snow. When this happens,…

US Approves Alzheimer’s Drug That Modestly Slows Disease

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health officials on Friday approved a closely watched Alzheimer’s drug that modestly slows the brain-robbing disease, albeit with potential safety risks that patients and their doctors will have to carefully weigh. The drug, Leqembi, is the first that’s been convincingly shown to slow the decline in memory and thinking that defines Alzheimer’s by targeting the disease’s…

Push to Legalize Marijuana in Minnesota Legislative Session

Democrats and advocates say expunging criminal records is important priority

A group of Minnesota lawmakers and others are pushing to legalize marijuana this legislative session. They gathered in St. Paul to say Minnesotans want marijuana legal for adults. The group also includes growers, business owners and those who want to sell cannabis. A key part of the legislation would expunge criminal records of pot-related charges or convictions. Sen. Clare Oumou…

Two Cases Of Legionnaires’ Disease In Duluth Apartment

DULUTH, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Health says two cases of Legionnaires’ Disease have popped up in a Duluth apartment building. One case happened in October, and the other was in December. Both people were living in the Woodland Garden Apartments, which is for low-income seniors. This type of pneumonia is caused by certain bacteria spreading through contaminated droplets…

Is Fruitcake Getting a Bad Rap?

DULUTH, Minn. —  A 2016 online article has the headline “7 Reasons you should never eat Fruitcake” And the sub head that reads Throw it in the Trash.” That’s a pretty harsh sentiment for a traditional Christmas Sweet. ” Do you like Fruit cake – no, not a fan” Scott Johnson of Johnson’s Bakery says he generally makes two batches…

Walgreens, CVS And Others Limiting Purchases Of Children’s Pain Relief Medicine As Respiratory Illnesses Rise

(FOX 9) — Pharmacies are limiting purchases of children’s pain relief medication as respiratory illnesses continue spreading throughout the United States, including the flu, RSV, and COVID-19. CVS Pharmacy put a two-product limit on purchases of all children’s pain relief products in stores and online. “We’re committed to meeting our customers’ needs and are working with our suppliers to ensure continued…

Congressional Law Protecting Vulnerable People Who Wander Renewed in Senate and Awaits House Approval

Washington, D.C.  —  A bill that helps protect vulnerable adults and children has been passed in the senate for renewal through 2027 and awaits house approval. For over 20 years, a program was in place to help family and law enforcement find those suffering from Alzheimer’s who had wandered off.  In 2017, Senators Amy Klobuchar and Chuck Grassley from Iowa…

Minnesota Nurses Association to Ratify New 3 Year Contracts With Hospitals

MINNESOTA–Members of the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) announced they have voted to ratify the tentative 3 year contract agreements with hospitals across the state. In a live press conference Wednesday afternoon, MNA President stated that nurses overwhelmingly voted to go forward with the tentative agreements that were reached last week. This vote has averted a strike planned to involve 15,000…

FDA Clears Updated COVID-19 Vaccines For Kids Under Age 5

(AP) — U.S. regulators on Thursday cleared doses of the updated COVID-19 vaccines for children younger than age 5. The Food and Drug Administration’s decision aims to better protect the littlest kids amid an uptick in COVID-19 cases around the country — at a time when children’s hospitals already are packed with tots suffering from other respiratory illnesses including the…

St. Luke’s And Essentia MNA Nurses Reach Tentative Deal Ahead Of Authorized Strike

DULUTH, Minn. — St. Luke’s and Essentia Health announced that a tentative contract agreement was reached between the hospitals and its nurses with the Minnesota Nurses Association ahead of a planned strike Dec. 11. St. Luke’s said in a written statement at 11:30 p.m. Monday: “We are pleased to announce that St. Luke’s and MNA reached a tentative contract agreement….

Pfizer Asks FDA To Clear Updated COVID Shot For Kids Under 5

(AP) — Pfizer is asking U.S. regulators to authorize its updated COVID-19 vaccine for children under age 5 — not as a booster but part of their initial shots. Children ages 6 months through 4 years already are supposed to get three extra-small doses of the original Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine — each a tenth of the amount adults receive —…

Poinsettias Make Their Yearly Appearance

DULUTH, Minn.–Poinsettias are  popping up all over. In fact, it’s estimated that during the six week, peak season for the plant, 35 million of them are sold. Shelly Tomlin of Engwall Flowers says the poinsettias are very popular in our area as well. This past week has been very busy for the flower shop as people are stopping in to…

Minnesota Nurses Association to Strike Beginning December 11

DULUTH, Minn. — It’s been just three months since nurses with the Minnesota Nurses Association were walking the picket lines. But in ten days, nurses with St. Luke’s and Essentia could once again be on strike. This time it could be for a much longer time than the three-day strike in September. At a Thursday morning news conference, Lisa Hulstrom,…

Sickness, Lack Of Subs Force Wrenshall School To Close Monday

WRENSHALL, Minn. – Sickness and a lack of substitutes forced the Wrenshall School District to close Monday. The outside of the school in the small community was very quiet Monday, and there were only a few employees inside answering phones. If school did open Monday, the building would have been 15 staff members short with only two available substitutes, according…

US Renews Push For COVID Boosters As Data Show They Protect

(AP) — Americans who got the updated COVID-19 booster shots are better protected against symptomatic infection than those who haven’t — at least for now, U.S. health officials said Tuesday. Updated boosters rolled out by Pfizer and rival Moderna in September have been a hard sell for vaccine-weary Americans. Only about 13% of U.S. adults so far have gotten a…

The Future of Rural Ambulance and EMS

DULUTH, Minn.–Thousands of people in rural areas rely on ambulances to travel long distances in responding to emergencies, but there are several challenges facing those trying to provide the services. That was what brought many people together Wednesday in Duluth. They are trying to tackle the issues in responding to 911 calls. The problems include a lack of money and…

Native-Owned Farm In Sawyer Celebrates Arrival Of Buffalo

SAWYER, Minn. – A native-owned farm in Sawyer celebrated the arrival of a dozen buffalo to its land on Friday. Native Wise farm sits on 380 acres. Community members gathered with a welcoming song for the buffalo and a meal for all to enjoy. The Nature Conservancy’s preserves in Nebraska helped make the delivery possible to help preserve Native American…

Non-stick Pans Could Release Millions Of Microplastic Particles In Possible ‘Health Concern,’ Study Says

(FOX) –Non-stick pots could be releasing millions of tiny plastic particles as users are cooking or washing. In a new study, Australian researchers said that just one surface crack on a Teflon-coated pan could release around 9,100 plastic particles. At a micro scale, Raman imaging and algorithmic modeling have identified that broken coating may lead to the release of 2.3 million…

MDH Ending Vaccine Clinic At The DECC

DULUTH, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Health is closing its vaccination site on November 14th. It’s been open on Sundays and Mondays. You can still have free COVID tests done at the DECC, as the Minnesota DHS offers PCR and rapid tests there with no plans to shut it down anytime soon. Categories: Health, News, News – Latest News

City: Reconfigured Parks Fund Referendum Critical, Equals $94 Annually For $200K Home

The Parks Fund levy referendum would replace the current levy from 2012 and will be voted on at the ballot Nov. 8.

DULUTH, Minn. – The November 8th election is just around the corner, and Duluth residents will be voting on whether to approve a new Parks Fund levy that would replace the current levy that took effect in 2012. Jim Filby Williams, the city’s Property, Parks and Libraries director, told FOX 21’s Dan Hanger Wednesday that many of Duluth’s 120 invested…

Paramedics Sent To Middle School After Students Get Sick From ‘One Chip Challenge’

EDINA, Minn. (FOX 9) – Several students at a middle school in Edina, Minnesota had to be treated by school staff and paramedics Friday after attempting the “One Chip Challenge,” a social media trend in which participants film their reactions after eating an extremely spicy tortilla chip. School officials at South View Middle School called an ambulance after several students complained of…

Essentia Health Holds Community Open House in Superior Today

SUPERIOR, Wisc.–The Essentia Health-Superior Belknap Pharmacy hosted an open house in Superior today. From open to close today over-the-counter products were 20% off. Goodies were onsite along with multiple pharmacists and front-end staff. Pharmacists were there ready to answer any questions and help patients navigate the many pharmacy care options out there. Including MyChart, a mobile way to access health…

High School Students Get Hands-On Healthcare Experience at St. Scholastica

DULUTH, Minn.–Local high schoolers got a hands-on glimpse of the healthcare field today at the College of St. Scholastica. It wasn’t your normal job fair either. The sophomores experienced real-world scenarios that healthcare professionals face every day. Such as a visual impairment simulator, blood type test, and a CPR station. Organizers tell us it’s all about exposing young people to…

MnDOT Forces Homeless Encampment Along Railroad Street To Leave

DULUTH, Minn. – A homeless encampment of about a half-dozen people along Railroad Street in Duluth was forced to pack up and leave Tuesday at the direction of the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The latest development comes exactly two weeks after MnDOT sent crews to the site under 5th Avenue West and I-35 across from Playfront Park to clean up…

Local Fire Departments Provide Parents with Car Seat Safety Clinics

Car seat clinics are held in Duluth, Superior and Cloquet, you can find a clinic close to you by visiting your local fire departments website.

DULUTH, Minn.- Three out of four car seats in America are not properly installed, which could potentially lead to your child not having enough protection in a crash. At a firehall in Duluth on Thursday, St. Luke’s provided parents an opportunity to learn how to properly install a car seat. The safety clinic is something provided every month in a…

Northern Lights Foundation To Host Charitable Children’s Gala

Lifting Local Spirits: Sept. 29 At The DECC

DULUTH, Minn. — The Northern Lights Foundation, which financially supports Northland families with children suffering life-threatening illnesses, is getting ready to put on its biggest fundraiser of the year. The Children’s Charitable Gala: Lifting Local Spirits is happening Thursday, Sept. 29 at the DECC. There will be a live and silent auction, raffles, social hour, dinner, and a presentation. For…

Essentia Health: Hospitals To Remain Open During Nurse’s Strike

DULUTH, Minn. – With a strike by members of the Minnesota Nurses Association scheduled to start Monday, Essentia Health says their hospitals in Duluth, Superior, and Moose Lake will remain open. In a statement Friday, Essentia says while contract negotiations continue, they have a wide range of contingencies to help them “maintain our high standards of patient care”.  That will include…

Wisconsin Chief Medical Officer Talks Monkeypox Vaccine

WISCONSIN — Earlier this week Wisconsin health officials announced they are going to make the Monkeypox vaccine available to more people. The Monkeypox outbreak was declared a national public health emergency last month. The announcement frees up federal funding to prioritize fighting the virus through vaccines. Wisconsin’s Chief Medical Officer says the criteria for eligibility will be expanded, but they…

Coffee Conversation: St Luke’s Proctor Fitness Center Talks Back-To-School Health

DULUTH, Minn. — Members of the St. Luke’s Proctor Fitness Center stopped by the morning show Monday with some students from Proctor High School to talk about and demonstrate healthy back-to-school tips, benefits of exercise and mental health awareness. Part 1: Part 2: Categories: Coffee Conversation, Education, Health, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News