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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
DULUTH, Minn. — St. Louis county leaders put out a warning to residents Wednesday to say President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” – if passed — would cost the county at least $16 million. As written now, the federal bill would shift Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) costs from the federal government to the states, according to the county. For…
DULUTH, Minn. – Miller-Dwan Foundation and Essentia Health announced they will be temporarily pausing care at Solvay Hospice House beginning July 8. The announcement was made in response to the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) plan to begin an open-ended strike at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. Solvay is owned by Miller-Dwan Foundation and care within Solvay is provided by…
DULUTH, Minn. – Essentia Health says they received a notice of the Minnesota Nurses Association’s (MNA) intent to strike, starting July 8, 2025. Essentia says the strike notice is open-ended. A news release from Essentia stated, “The notice from the MNA comes on the heels of months of union delays and refusal to dedicate time with Essentia at the bargaining table.”…
DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) has announced nurses and other union members will strike at Duluth-area hospitals. The union said hospital acute care nurses at Essentia Health’s St. Mary’s Duluth Hospital, Miller-Dwan Hospital and St. Mary’s- Superior Hospital, and Aspirus Health St. Luke’s Hospital will be beginning their strike on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at 7:00 a.m. Nurses…
DULUTH, Minn.– Today, the Minnesota Nurses Association announced they have voted to authorize a strike. That involves more than 15,000 nurses statewide. It doesn’t trigger an immediate strike, but it gives union leaders the power to call for one if they choose. Union President Chris Rubesch made the announcement at a news conference. He listed a number of things…
DULUTH, Minn. – Aspirus St. Luke’s released a statement following Minnesota Nurses Association announcing the union had authorized a strike. They have not declared a strike, but the vote authorizes leadership to trigger a strike if they wish. The statement reads: Unfortunately, it appears that the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) has authorization to call a strike against Aspirus St. Luke’s…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) has announced their union members voted to authorize a strike. The announcement was following the Monday June 23, 2025 vote. A strike has not been called for at this point. The union did not release the voting tallies other than saying it was enough to authorize a strike. The vote was made…
DULUTH, Minn. – Members of the Minnesota Nurses Association vote for whether or not to authorize a strike. Members of the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) voted Monday over whether or not to authorize the union to strike. A vote ‘to authorize’ would allow the union to strike after giving a 10-day notice to hospital employers. Local members could cast their…
Courtesy: Associated Press MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Tens of millions of people across the Midwest and East endured dangerously hot temperatures again on Sunday as a rare June heat wave that gripped much of the U.S. was expected to last well into this week. Most of the northeastern quadrant of the country from Minnesota to Maine was under some type…
DULUTH, Minn.– All volunteers for the big race are preparing for everything. And with the medical tents set up, they are no exception. Over 250 medical volunteers will participate for Grandma’s Marathon. Essentia Health is stocked up with cots, wheelchairs, air conditioning, and hydration stations. The ski patrol from Giant’s Ridge will also be stationed throughout the course to aid…
DULUTH, Minn. — Negotiations between the Minnesota Nurses Association and Aspirus-St. Luke’s have stalled, after MNA claims of Aspirus walking away from the bargaining table. At their final scheduled bargaining session, MNA claims their nurses were met, “not with compromise, but with cuts.” The nurses association then said Aspirus’ proposal would limit sick time, vacation, dental, and health coverage for…
MINNEAPOLIS – The Minneapolis VA Health Care System has announced a misprinting of lab results may have impacted as many as 500 Veterans in the Minneapolis VA Health Care System in May 2025. A news release said “On May 3, 2025, 1,130 patient lab result letters written directly through an automated patient record system failed to print due to a failed…
Issued for Herb-Quest LLC ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) has issued the first cannabis business license in the state of Minnesota. It is going to Herb-Quest, LLC. Herb-Quest is a microbusiness located in Brook Park in Pine County. Its initial primary business activity will be outdoor cultivation of cannabis plants. OCM Interim Director Eric Taubel…
DULUTH, Minn. – Memorial Blood Centers (MBC) has issued an urgent call for blood donors. They need specifically type O- and type B- blood. The region’s supply of O- and B- blood is currently at a 2-day level, far below what is needed to meet hospital demands. Seasonal declines in blood donations are common, as school breaks, holiday travel, and busy…
DULUTH, Minn. — Hundreds of health care professionals from across the state are at the DECC this week for the annual Minnesota Rural Health Conference. The two-day conference aims to improve care efficiency and access. The event features keynote addresses, breakout sessions and a variety of vendors. Around 500 hundred health care professionals attend the event each year. The theme…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Human Development Center took part in Give OUT Day to support mental health services for LGBTQ+ individuals. The Human Development Center, among many other organizations, participated in Give OUT Day, a national fundraiser supporting LGBTQ+ communities. The donations from this fundraiser will help HDC to expand their Queer Community Connections program. “This is a group that I’m…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – A new work-out program, Building Champions, is launching to box your body into shape this summer in Superior — and you don’t need to be a professional boxer. It’s called “Building Champions Boxing Boot Camp Workout.” Former boxing coach, John D’Auria, is behind the new venture, offering a 12-week boot camp at the Salvation Army’s basketball gym….
Essentia Health DULUTH, Minn. — Essentia Health is announcing a key new hire this week — Samuel Moose has been named Director of Tribal Government Relations. In this new role, Moose will act as the primary liaison between Essentia and tribal governments across Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. His mission: to strengthen partnerships with Indigenous communities, support culturally responsive care,…
DULUTH, Minn. – The 30th annual Kolar Toyota Fishing Tournament on Island Lake raises $315,650 to help people living with ALS. The Kolar Toyota Fishing Tournament on Island Lake has brought anglers out for 30 years to ‘cast for a cure’ for ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) also known as ‘Lou Gehrig’s disease.’ This year, the tournament reeled in a record…
DULUTH, Minn. — An air quality alert has been released across Minn. as wildfire smoke makes its way throughout the state. Due to wildfire smoke drifting from Canada, the entire state of Minn. has been issued an air quality alert by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. This alert will remain in effect until noon on Wednesday, June 4, as the…
DULUTH, Minn. & ST. PAUL, Minn. – For the first time ever the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued a “Maroon Alert” which means hazardous air quality. The alert is issued from Monday, June 2, through Wednesday, June 4, 2025. The Maroon Alert is for Northwest Minnesota including the areas generally from Red Lake to the north and west including…
More than 40 students from Denfeld High School and Duluth East High School participate in hands-on activities DULUTH, Minn. — More than 40 high school students in Duluth got a unique opportunity today—to step into the world of medicine. The University of Minnesota Duluth Medical School hosted a “Mini-Medical School” event, designed to give students a hands-on look at biomedical…
Photo CourtesyMinnesota National Guard DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has extended an air quality alert for northeast Minnesota until 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 15. The Camp House and Jenkins Creek fires in the Superior National Forest remain active and will continue to produce heavy ground-level smoke through Thursday. The affected area includes International Falls, Hibbing,…
DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Students raced in the annual Essentia health Fit N Fun Run. Students between third and fifth grade ran the quarter-mile race. Each student received a ribbon and commemorative T-shirt. Families and other students were also able to cheer classmates on. “I think it’s really great to have kids be part of this race style atmosphere, especially…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued an air quality alert for northeast Minnesota due to the wildfires in the area. Air Quality Alert (May 12 – May 13, 2025) Air quality is expected to reach the orange AQI category or worse. Orange is unhealthy for sensitive groups. Ely is in the middle of the Purple zone…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Fire Department claimed victory in the 2025 Battle of the Badges. 9Memorial Blood Centers) It’s a friendly competition between local first responders to save lives through blood donation. Led by Katie Sandstrom, whose passion and drive were key to their success, the Fire Department edged out their fellow heroes with 35 donors. They were followed by…
DULUTH, Minn. – Keep an eye out for small cyclists. Tomorrow is National Bike to School Day. Students all over the northland are encouraged to bike to school tomorrow. Bike to school day helps raise awareness of pedestrian and cyclist safety and promotes healthy outdoor exercise. If your kids are biking to school, ensure they have a properly fitted helmet…
DULUTH, Minn. — Benedictine and the College of St. Scholastica paired up for their annual Health Fair today. The event was open to the community but really helped with the assisted living residents. RELF Optical was there doing eyeglass adjustments, Tortoise and Hare were testing feet and recommending shoes, and CSS students were there providing health assessments. “The students that…
DULUTH, Minn.– This week is all about celebrating the volunteers that are the backbone of many establishments, such as Aspirus St. Lukes in Duluth. Two of the volunteers has dedicated 20 years of helping at not just Aspirus St. Lukes, but other places as well. Sharon Buchanan and Penny Derth helps with checking in patients and keeping families updated during…
DULUTH, MN – The City of Duluth is introducing it’s Clean Streets, Strong Communities Courtesy Notice Program. Example of a Courtesy Notice from Duluth Life Safety It’s a new initiative designed to encourage voluntary compliance with city ordinances before formal enforcement actions are taken. Rather than beginning with a citation or formal inspection process, residents out of code compliance may…
DULUTH, Minn — Four individuals were recognized for their work in public health by St. Louis County today. Dr. Jan Baldwin, Christina Trok, Mel Alvar, and Nathan Kesti were each given a Public Health Achievement Award. Each has shown leadership and commitment as they worked to address a variety of public health concerns. Those include perinatal substance use, birth…
Two U-S senators, including Minnesota’s Amy Klobuchar, are working across the aisle to combat human trafficking. Senator Klobuchar, a democrat, has co-sponsored three bills with Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn, a republican. They held a virtual press conference today to announce their newest bill called “The Combating Trafficking and Transportation Act.” This act aims to provide federal funding toward a public…
DULUTH, The Minnesota Nurses Association is about to begin new contract negotiations with Essentia Health and Aspirus St Lukes in Duluth, as well as the Twin Cities Metro Area. The goal is to reach an agreement before the current three-year contract expires in June. The MNA contract represents 15,000 nurses total. But in Duluth, 2,500 nurses are involved. The nurse’s…
VIRGINIA, Minn.– Essentia Health has announced a 14-million-dollar expansion and renovation of its emergency room in Virginia. Right now, the emergency department has seven rooms to care for patients. But when all is completed within the next year, the facility will double to 14 rooms. The Virginia hospital has been operating for more than a decade. Officials say it’s all…
DULUTH, Minn.– State healthcare leaders, providers, and advocates are holding a series of roundtables to discuss the future of Medicaid. Right now, changes are being proposed for Medicaid funding for the federal level. This would result in 880 billion dollars in cuts over the next ten years. In Minnesota specifically, it would mean the loss of 1.6 billion dollars annually….
GOODLAND, Minn.– Engines roared to life this morning as one of the state’s largest snowmobile fundraising races began. After last year’s event was canceled, the recent snowfall brought in over 200 racers to compete in the three-day Blizzard Tour event. The money raised from this race will toward ALS research. The course spans about 180 miles. Starting at Black Bear…
DULUTH, Minn. — A 49-day strike ended Sunday between Essentia Health and 70 employees at its Deer River Hospital. On Sunday evening, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which represents the Deer River workers, said Essentia “significantly” improved its latest offer compared to the original offer before the strike began. SEIU said the agreement includes a 12 percent raise…
MINNESOTA — Essentia Health and the University of Minnesota are looking to build a more sustainable future together with $1 billion dollars investment over the several years. Both organizations’ leaders have proposed the formation of a new non-profit health care organization, which aims to improve patient outcomes, expand access to health care, and combine both institution’s visions towards a stronger…
DULUTH, Minn. — Piedmont Dental hosted a winter blood drive Monday, honoring an employee who passed away from cancer. The Kathy Andrews Memorial Blood Drive started in 2020 after front desk supervisor Kathy was diagnosed with Leukemia and under went multiple blood transfusions. Since then Piedmont Dental holds an annual blood drive for employees, patients and other community members….
DULUTH, Minn. — One of the biggest emergency services expos took place last week at the DECC. The EMS Expo provided an opportunity to equip first responders with practical knowledge of management skills. It also aimed to help first responders deal with trauma that follows some calls. First responders from around the state attended various seminars, like how to aid…
