Health

Minnesota Power Reminds Customers of “Cold Weather Rule”

DULUTH, Minn. — With the seasons changing and cold air on the way, Minnesota Power is reminding customers about the state’s “Cold Weather Rule.” The rule prevents residential customers from getting their natural gas or electric service shut off for non-payment between Oct. 1, and Apr. 30. Minnesota Power encourages customers, who believe the higher winter bills will be too…

What we know about autism’s causes

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) — A White House announcement about autism is expected Monday afternoon after President Donald…

Trump administration suggests Tylenol during pregnancy causes autism, a link experts say is unproven

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) — President Donald Trump suggested Monday that the use of Tylenol during pregnancy may…

Dozens Turn Out For Annual ‘Walk To End Alzheimer’s’ In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — A Walk to End Alzheimer’s brought out families, caregivers and people affected by the disease over the weekend in Duluth. Walkers were there to help raise money to find a cure for the disease. They carried flowers that symbolized the different ways the Alzheimer’s touches their lives. But one color was missing, and that is the driving…

Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Neil Young Highlight 40th Farm Aid Concert In Minnesota

Farm Aid 40 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Farm Aid — the annual fundraising concerts launched by Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp during the farm crisis of the 1980s — celebrates its 40th anniversary on Saturday in Minneapolis. The star-studded festivals are still raising public awareness of the challenges facing family farmers, and assisting struggling producers connect with help. Nelson…

Blessings, Prayers as CHUM Begins Renovations and Residents Move to Damiano Center

DULUTH, Minn. — It was move-out day for chum and its residents on Sep. 18, as the organization prepares for significant renovations. The current, longtime facility on Duluth’s 1st Avenue West will be undergoing major renovations and an expansion to increase the size and improve the living conditions, as the temporary location for the residents will be at the nearby…

Great Lakes Elementary Adds Puppy Staff Member

SUPERIOR, Wiss. – Great Lakes Elementary School has added a fluffy new staff member making this the first dog to become a part of the Superior School District. The school brought in a five-month-old purebred Labrador Retriever named Libby as a therapy dog, whose main job is to help students feel calm and supported throughout the school day, making learning…

Essentia Lights up Atrium for Childhood Cancer Awareness

DULUTH, Minn. – Doctors, patients, and families gathering in the atrium at Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center to shine a light on childhood cancer awareness month in a brand new way. The hospital kicked off the event with an inaugural lighting up of the lakeside of the building for the first time with the color blue, chosen by young cancer…

2 MN Firefighters Take On 150-Mile Walking Journey From Duluth To St. Paul

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Fire Department’s downtown headquarters became the start of a 150-mile walking journey for two Minnesota firefighters and an important cause. Excelsior firefighter Doug Foote and St. Paul firefighter Kyle Bode got a round of applause as they walked out of the Duluth fire station to make their way to St. Paul by foot. Over the…

Essentia Health rolls out promising Alzheimer’s disease detection method

DULUTH, Minn.– After nearly one hundred years of research, a recent break through with Alzheimer’s disease has already seen success in the Northland. The innovation involves an injectable radio pharmaceutical called “Amyvid.” It is injected shortly before the patient has a routine PET or CT scan. Before Duluth invested in this, patients near and far had to travel to the…

Bridge to Health Survey Collecting Data in the Northland

MINN/WIS. — UW-Superior has partnered with Generations Health Care Initiatives on Bridge to Health survey. The survey assesses health conditions, access to medical care, mental well-being and more. The survey is sent out at random and aims for around 7,500 responses from nine counties in Minnesota and Douglas County in Wisconsin. The data is anonymous and won’t be sold. It…

Bridge to Health Survey Looks at Health of Northland

DULUTH, Minn. — Bridge to Health launched its survey to find out how healthy the Northland is. Households will be chosen at random to receive a survey asking about physical, mental, and cultural health in their area. Over 40 organizations across nine northern Minnesota counties and Douglas county in Wisconsin have joined to conduct the survey. “This year, we’re adding…

London Road Businesses Host Blood Drive

DULUTH — Minn. Statistics show that 1 in 3 people will need a blood transfusion of some kind during their lives, so when supplies get low, especially during holiday weekends, it’s blood drives like the one hosted by London Road businesses, Fox21 included, and Memorial Blood Centers that become critical for maintaining the Northland’s supply. “Right now we are in…

More than 100 lives impacted from London Road Business Blood Drive

DULUTH, Min. – The donations are still being counted and processed, but it is very safe to say at least 100 people had their lives impacted or saved at our recent blood drive. That the results of the London Road Business Blood Drive on August 28, 2025. The London Road Business Blood Drive was sponsored by FOX21, Cora Christman State…

Minnesota Nurses Association agrees to terms with Essentia for nurses at downtown Duluth clinics and Superior

DULUTH, Min. – Nurses with the  The Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) at Essentia Health’s 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Street Clinic locations in Duluth, as well as Essentia Health St. Mary’s Superior Clinic, voted to ratify tentative agreements on their first contracts. The union says the vote was cast by more than 200 nurses on Thursday, August 28, 2025. The agreements…

Todd Johnson Named Executive Director for Northern Lights Foundation

DULUTH, Minn. — The Northern Lights Foundation has announced its new Executive Director, Todd Johnson. Johnson has nearly 3 decades of experience in non-profit leadership. He previously served as Chief executive Officer of the Boys and Girls Club of the Northland. The Northern Lights Foundation helps support families with children facing life-threatening illnesses. With the announcement, Johnson said “The Foundation’s…

Donors at upcoming London Road Blood Drive quality for all-expense-paid vacation for two sweepstakes

DULUTH, Min. – Blood donors to Memorial Blood Centers (MBC) from Wednesday, August 27th, through Wednesday, September 3rd will be entered into a sweepstakes for an all-expense-paid vacation for two. The vacation is provided by Winspire. It will also include a $1,500 Flightgift gift card for airfare. The location option are La Costa Golf Escape (San Diego, CA), Farmhouse Luxury…

Historic White Coat Ceremony at UMD Medical School

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth campus of the University of Minnesota Medical School held their annual White Coat Ceremony for the class of 20-29 August 22nd. The White Coat Ceremony is a rite of passage that welcomes new medical students to the profession 65 Students received their first white coat in front of family and friends, medical school administration and…

Essentia Health & MNA reach tentative agreements for clinic nurses in Duluth and Superior

DULUTH, Min. – Essentia Health has announced they have reached a tentative agreement with Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) nurses at he Essentia Health-Duluth Clinic 1st, 2nd and 3rd street buildings and Essentia Health St. Mary’s Superior Clinic. The nurses are first contracts covering ambulatory care nurses. The tentative agreements will last through March 31, 2027. Upon making the announcement Essentia…

London Road Blood Drive taking place August 28

DULUTH, Min. – The London Road Business Blood Drive is taking place Thursday, August 28th.  CLICK HERE to sign-up to donate. It’s more necessary than ever with blood shortages around our area. Any one can donate – you don’t have to live or work on London Road. FOX21 is a sponsor.  Another co-sponsor is Peace of Mind Duluth. Caelee Buell, a Team…

Boil water notice for parts of Duluth’s upper Lakeside neighborhood

UPDATE: Test results confirm that no biological or bacterial contamination has entered the water system and that the drinking water remains safe to consume. The precautionary boil water notice is ended effective immediately. DULUTH, Min. – Residents between 43rd Avenue E to 54th Avenue E, from Norwood Street up to Skyline are under a boil water notice. During the evening…

London Road Blood Drive announced; Urgent need for blood

  DULUTH, Min. – The London Road Business Blood Drive is taking place Thursday, August 28th.  CLICK HERE to sign-up to donate. It’s more necessary than ever with blood shortages around our area. Any one can donate – you don’t have to live or work on London Road. The state’s blood supply has dropped below a 2-day inventory, far below…

Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College Holds Reopening of Nursing Facilities

CLOQUET, Minn. — Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College held its grand reopening of its nursing facilities after an extensive renovation on Aug. 13, this coming just in time for students to return to school this Fall. While other schools continue to see enrollment dropping, Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College is welcoming an even larger crop of…

Fairview Range designated a Level 4 Trauma Center

Trauma Team at Fairview Range medical center HIBBING, Minn. — Fairview Range Medical Center is now a level 4 trauma center. The designation was earned after an intensive process to become part of the Statewide Trauma system. That process included an outside review of the hospital’s resources and capabilities. In joining the trauma system, Fairview Range can decrease the time…

Third Annual Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance Shop and Social at Maurices

DULUTH, Minn. – Ovarian cancer survivors and their loved ones were treated to a shopping spree at no cost in Maurice’s sample room in downtown Duluth as part of their 3RD annual shop and social. Kristine Greer, a survivor of ovarian cancer and board member with the Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance, says it’s all about connecting with others who have faced…

Solvay Hospice House reopens after pause for MNA strike

DULUTH, Min. – Essentia Health and the Miller Dwan Foundation is resuming hospice patient care at Solvay Hospice House in Duluth. The facility had temporarily suspended services as a result of the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) strike. Starting Thursday, July 31 Solvay Hospice House will reopen and be ready to provide hospice care. Solvay will welcome residential hospice patients and…

Air Quality Alert for northern half of Minnesota until Wednesday night

Air Quality Alert 07/28/2025 DULUTH, Min.- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an air quality alert for the northern half of Minnesota. Northwesterly winds will transport heavy surface smoke from wildfires across Manitoba and Saskatchewan into northern Minnesota, beginning Tuesday morning. Smoke will spread south into central Minnesota through the day Tuesday and may continue into southern Minnesota overnight…

MN Nurses Association To End Strike With Essentia Health

DULUTH, Minn. — The Minnesota Nurses Association sent out a news release late Monday that said the remaining striking nurses at Essentia Health in the Twin Ports will end the strike. News Release: July 21, 2025 – Tomorrow, Tuesday, July 22 at 10:00 AM, striking members of the Minnesota Nurses Association at Essentia’s clinics, surgery center, hospice house and East…

MN Among 3 Democrat-led States To Roll Back Medicaid Access For People Lacking Permanent Legal Status

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — For nearly 20 years, Maria would call her sister — a nurse in Mexico — for advice on how to manage her asthma and control her husband’s diabetes instead of going to the doctor in California. She didn’t have legal status, so she couldn’t get health insurance and skipped routine exams, relying instead on home remedies…

Weekend Air Quality Alerts across Northern Minnesota

DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued varied air quality alerts across Northern Minnesota for the upcoming weekend. The alerts range from Very Unhealthy to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. The alerts takes effect 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, 2025 and run until 9 a.m. on Monday, July 21, 2025. Heavy surface smoke from Canadian wildfires will…

Essentia says nominations in Washington, D.C. will help with APP strike negotiations

DULUTH, Minn. – President Donald Trump on July 17, 2025 nominated two people to join the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Essentia has been saying their discussions with the Advanced Practice Practitioners (APPs) are stalled due to an appeal to the NLRB. Essentia says they are concerned about the size and reach of the proposed bargaining unit. Essentia has asked…

MNA Accuses Essentia of ‘Intimidation’ and ‘Retaliation’ Amid Strike

DULUTH, Minn. — The Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) blasted Essentia Health Wednesday by saying the healthcare provider is intimidating and retaliating against some of the union’s Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) who have chosen to leave the group’s strike and go back to work. The strong words from the MNA came after Essentia Health sent out the following release to the…

One Week of Continued Striking: APPs Joins MNA with Essentia Health Strike

SUPERIOR, Wis.– Advanced Practice Providers, commonly referred to as ‘APPS’, have joined Essentia Health nurses in the ongoing strike. The MNA held a press conference in Superior Tuesday morning, to provide updates. For one week now, Essentia Health nurses and providers have been on strike around Minnesota. APPs from Baxter, Duluth, and Superior joined in on the strike. “What has…

Voting concludes on some MNA contracts with agreement ratified

  DULUTH, Minn. – Thousands of nurses across the Twin Cities Metro area and Duluth finished voting to ratify the new contracts. The announcement was made on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. Nurses in the agreement include all nurses at Aspirus – St. Luke’s and Critical Care Nurses at Essentia. RELATED: Solvay Hospice House temporarily pausing care due to looming MNA…

Air Quality Alert extended – again

DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has extended its air quality alert through Tuesday, July 15 for northern Minnesota. Areas around the Northshore and Carlton County will still be in the level considered unhealthy for everyone. That area includes Two Harbors, Duluth, and the Tribal Nations of Grand Portage and Fond du Lac. The rest of Northern…

Air Quality Alert extended

Red air quality: Unhealthy DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has extended the air quality alert for northern Minnesota. The alert now runs until 6 p.m. on Monday, July 14,m 2025. The affected area includes Duluth, International Falls, Two Harbors, Hibbing, Ely, Grand Portage, Brainerd, Hinckley, Bemidji, East Grand Forks, Moorhead, Roseau, and the Tribal Nations of Mille Lacs,…

Air Quality Alert issued for all of Minnesota

DULUTH, Minn. & ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued an air quality alert for all of Minnesota. The alert runs until 9 a.m. on Monday, July 14, 2025. The highest levels of alert are for Northern Minnesota. That includes the areas to the north of the Alexandria, St Cloud, and Hinkley. Heavy ground-level smoke from…

Mama Duck Hatches Ducklings In Essentia Health Courtyard For Third Time

SUPERIOR, Wis. — A mama duck recently hatched ducklings in the courtyard at Essentia Health in Superior. But because it’s enclosed, the only way out is to prop open a few doors and let her do the rest by guiding her babies to safety. Melissa Walrath and her fellow co-workers in Outpatient Surgery took this video. Melissa says this is…

APP strike begins, bargaining stalled by legal review

  DULUTH, Minn. — Today, July 01, 2025, marks the start of the Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) striking at Essentia. APP’s joined the picket lines at the Duluth, Superior, and Virginia locations. Negotiations are currently off the table as Essentia awaits a legal review from the National Labor Relations Board. The MNA proposed creating the APP bargaining unit in a…

Acute Care Nurses Approve Agreement with Essentia

DULUTH, Minn. — Acute Care nurses at Essentia have voted to ratify the agreements made last week. Nurses voted on the agreement Wednesday, July 9, 2025. The agreement includes provisions that will give nurses more scheduling predictability and flexibility. It also provides a nearly ten percent increase in pay spread over the next three years. RELATED: Minnesota Nurses Association Nurses…

Minnesota Nurses Association Nurses at Essentia Health Begin to Strike

DULUTH, Minn.– Tuesday morning, at multiple locations around the Northland, more than 290 Essentia Health nurses and health care professionals with the Minnesota Nurses’ Association are making their voices heard. “Since issuing our strike notice, we have offered to meet every single day, and Essentia has declined every single time, only offering two meetings this month, we are here demanding…

Fire Damages Longtime Manufacturing Plant In Floodwood

FLOODWOOD, Minn. — Firefighters in Floodwood remained on the scene Monday after a large fire ignited Friday at a longtime business. Courtesy: Northland Fire Wire The fire broke out around 10:30 p.m. Friday at the Mat, Inc. facility on Highway 2. When firefighters arrived, they encountered an 18,000-gallon propane tank with 40-foot flames, according to the Northland Fire Wire. A…

Tiffany, Stauber, and other members of Congress send letter to Canadian Ambassador about wildfire concerns

WASHINGTON, DC – Representatives Tom Tiffany (WI-07) and Pete Stauber (MN-08) along with other members of Congress sent a letter to Canada’s Ambassador. Rep. Tom Tiffany (R) Wisconsin It urged stronger forest management practices to mitigate wildfire risk after consecutive years of heavy smoke blowing south from Canada to Minnesota and Wisconsin. It read in part, “We know a key…

Minnesota Nurses Association announces agreement with Essentia for acute care nurses; other strikes loom

DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Nurses Association and Essentia Health have reached a tentative agreement, averting the strike for acute care nurses in the area. The agreement affects roughly 1,500 Essentia Health hospital nurses at Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center, Essentia Health-Duluth and Essentia Health St. Mary’s Hospital-Superior. According to a release from the MNA the agreement includes updates to…

MNA Cancels Proposed Strike Against Aspirus St. Luke’s As Tentative Agreement Nears

DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Nurses Association has cancelled their proposed Unfair Labor Practice strike against Aspirus St. Luke’s as a tentative agreement for a new contract nears. On Thursday, the MNA said “significant movement was made across the bargaining table” following more than 30 hours of negotiations over the past week.  Minor details will still be finalized early next…