Health

Seniors Learn Healthy Tips at Fair

Fair Provided Residents with Easy Access to Health Information

DULUTH, Minn. – Local health providers and students from the College of St. Scholastica teamed up to help seniors stay healthy. The Benedictine Living Community held its 2nd annual Senior Health Fair Tuesday.  In addition to exhibits from local businesses, CSS Exercise Physiology students were on hand for health checks creating a one–stop shop for residents’ health needs. “It’s hard…

Miller Hill Mall Expands Support for Breast Cancer Research through Bowling Tournament

Bowling for a Cure

DULUTH, Minn. – The Miller Hill Mall is a long-time supporter of the Susan G. Komen organization. This year, the mall is stepping up their support for the organization through a new event. That event is the Miller Hill Bowling for a Cure Tournament. It’s being held at Skyline Lanes on Thursday, April 27 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Skyline Lanes is…

Northlanders Walk to End Multiple Sclerosis

The Annual Walk to End MS is Happening Saturday, May 6, Starting in Duluth's Canal Park

DULUTH, Minn. – This year those in the Northland living with and affected by multiple sclerosis are looking for your help in raising over $36,000 dollars. Multiple sclerosis is a disease in which the immune system eats away at the protective covering of nerves. The annual MS Walk will be happening Saturday, May 6, starting at the Canal Park Hampton…

Minnesota Receives Over $5 Million to Combat Opioid Addiction

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded Minnesota with $5,379,349 to combat opioid addiction. The $5.3 million grant will support an array of prevention, treatment, and recovery services throughout the state. “As I’ve traveled across Minnesota, I’ve heard time and again how opioid addiction is tearing apart communities and…

Wisconsin Awarded Over $7 Million to Combat the Opioid Epidemic

The funding was made available under the federal 21st Century Cures Act

MADISON, Wis. – Governor Scott Walker has announced that the state will receive $7,636,938 in federal grant money to help combat the state’s opioid epidemic. “We will continue our work to implement the most effective and efficient practices, aimed at prevention, recovery, and treatment, to bring healing to the individuals, families, and communities overwhelmed by this public health crisis,” said…

Duluth Parents Promote Healthy Playgrounds

Fundraiser for School Support on Earth Day

DULUTH, Minn. – A group of concerned parents has been working together to create what they believe is the best environment for their children on the school playground. Duluth Parents for Healthy Playgrounds worked to have tire mulch removed from Duluth schools playgrounds and replaced with wood mulch. This weekend they’re hosting a fundraiser to help with the process of…

Medical Experts Bring History to Life

Karpeles Manuscript Library Museums Displays Medical Miracles

DULUTH, Minn. – History is coming to life at the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum in Duluth. The exhibit currently on display shows medical discoveries throughout the years, including an original sample that first confirmed penicillin defeating bacteria. There are manuscripts and artifacts connected with Benjamin Franklin, Christian Bernard, Bernard Crick, Albert Schweitzer, and Dorothea Dix. Next week local experts will be…

Annual Bike Swap to Support Two Charities this Year

Coffee Conversation: Continental Ski & Bike

DULUTH, Minn. – Spring is here and Summer is quickly approaching, getting many Northlanders excited for the bicycling season. The 11th Annual Continental Ski and Bike Swap is coming up on April 21st-23rd. Discounted retail bikes and gently used bikes are available for purchase. Free bike helmets will be provided for those who purchase a children’s bike. Anyone can donate a…

Medical Marijuana Will Soon Be Legal In North Dakota

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – Medical marijuana will soon be legal in North Dakota. Legislators approved a regulatory plan last week after voters approved the drug last fall. The state health department is aiming to have a system operating in a year, with registered patients able to get the drug from eight state-approved dispensaries. Two state-approved manufacturers will make it. There…

Tackling the Jungle Gym at Green Light Fitness

Active Adventures: Gym Offers Kettlebells, Spin Classes and Jungle Gym

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Spring is here and many Northlanders will be working to get ready for bikini season. At Green Light Fitness in Superior, Paul and Amanda Rockwood are helping those folks get in shape. The fitness center offers kettlebell workouts, spin classes, and Jungle Gym XT training. Amanda also coaches a Booty Camp. For this week’s Active Adventures, FOX…

Officials: Dry Conditions, Human Error Cause Fire

Homeowner Was Burning Pine Needles

Duluth, Minn. The winter snow pack is gone, wildfires have begun and on top of that human error mixed in has created devastation for one Duluth home owner. It all happened at this home on the 500 block of 18th avenue east. Using a handheld torch to burn dry pine needles quickly turned into an all-out inferno. Human flames that…

Mercury In Our Water

The Bigger The Fish The More Mercury It Could Contain

Superior, Wis. Air pollution leads to mercury and that ends ups contaminating the natural resources right here including our lakes and rivers, even the fish that live in those water sources. According to one UMD professor, Minnesota has some of the highest levels of mercury in the region. Should this cause any concern for anglers gearing up for the fishing…

Take Action Minnesota Is Taking Action

A Rally Was Held In Support Of Paid Sick Time For All

DULUTH, Minn. – People rallied in Duluth today to support earned sick and safe time. The rally was part of Take Action Minnesota. There was also a listening session where perspectives were given on the issue. The task force is in the 2nd faze of the resolution that would allow low income families gain much needed sick leave from work….

Giving Life through Organ Donation

National Donate Life Month Highlights Organ Donation in April

DULUTH, Minn. – April is National Donate Life Month and Tuesday there’s a chance to learn more about organ donation at St. Luke’s Hospital. The Head of the Lakes Transplant Group is collaborating on a Donation and Transplantation Q & A, for community members and hospital staff. It’s an opportunity to meet transplant recipients, their families and donor families and…

Minnesota House Plans Vote on Bill to End Health Care Exchange

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – The House plans to take up a $14.3 billion social services bill that would end the state’s health care exchange and send Minnesota residents to the federal marketplace instead. The bill to be heard Friday increases spending by nearly $2 billion compared to the last two years. But that increase wouldn’t keep pace with rising…

St. Luke’s Urologists Raise Awareness of Testicular Cancer

Doctors Emphasize Importance of Monthly Checks

DULUTH, Minn. – This month doctors around the world are bringing light to a disease not often talked about. April is Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, so Dr. Rebekah Beach, a Urologist with St. Luke’s Urology Associates, visited FOX 21 to talk about this cancer. Dr. Beach says this is the most common cancer among men ages 15-44. According to the…

Community Gardens Being Created in Virginia

Sixty Plots Are Available in Five New Gardens

VIRGINIA, Minn. – Now that spring has arrived, people in Virginia are ready to get outside and do some gardening. This summer, Virginians will have the chance to maintain their own plot in one of the city’s five new community gardens. The Growing Together Project started to give people better access to healthy foods, now the program has also grown…

Furry Friends Aid in Rehabilitation Process

Essentia Health Miller-Dwan Rehabilitation Center is Using Therapy Dogs for Recovering Patients

DULUTH, Minn. – Injuries are often unpredictable. When a crash, stroke or any type of trauma to the body happens, it can be devastating to our mental health. However, Essentia Health Medical Center in Duluth is looking to change that mindset, one pet at a time. “They need to be healthy to do this job. I want them to be…

Study: 88 Percent of Mayo Clinic Referrals for 2nd Opinion Get New Diagnosis

FOX 9 - KMSP

ROCHESTER, Minn. (KMSP) – Eight-eight-percent of patients who go to the Mayo Clinic in Rochster, Minnesota for a second opinion, leave with a new or refined diagnosis, according to a new study. The study found approximately one in every five patients may initially receive an incorrect diagnosis, the Mayo Clinic said in a news release. Researchers studied the records of…

Boxing Basics with Lorenzi’s

Active Adventures: Boxing

PROCTOR, Minn. – For this week’s Active Adventures FOX 21’s William Seay traveled to Proctor to get in the ring at Lorenzi’s Boxing. The owner, Joe Lorenzi, has been boxing for 20 years. Lorenzi opened the gym nine years ago and has been at the Proctor location for two and a half years. For the workout, Coach Joe had William…

Shopping Made Easier with Groceries-to-Go

Groceries-to-Go Started in January 2017, Offering Seniors in Duluth, Hermantown and Proctor Help with Grocery Shopping

DULUTH, Minn. – When it comes to getting older, independence can often start to slip away, however, one local organization wants to change the outlook. Age Well Arrowhead is working to connect senior citizens in the Northland with volunteers, so living at home can continue for as long as possible. A trip to the grocery store can oftentimes be a…

Life House Sees Huge Increase In Attendance

Helping Teens Contribute To The Community

  Duluth, Minn Duluth’s homeless shelter for teens known as Life House has crunched attendance numbers and the growth is large. A surge of more than 400% since 2012. The numbers stem from the rise in teenage homelessness in our area. For instance, in 2012 the number of teens seen only about 25% of them were homeless. If that isn’t…

Allergy Season Arrives in the Northland

Many Allergy Symptoms Can Be Mistaken for a Common Cold

DULUTH, Minn. – Spring is in the air, which means that allergy season has arrived in the Northland. Many people may start to notice a runny nose, itchy eyes, and sore throat, which can mimic a common cold, but are actually caused by allergies. Doctors say about half of adults in the Northland experience some types of allergies. “People with…

Northland Community Wellness Day

Event at UMD Promotes Healthy Families and Communities in the Northland

DULUTH, Minn. – Saturday was Northland Community Wellness Day at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. With over eighty interactive exhibits, the event promoted healthy families and communities across the Twin Ports region. It was a fun way for Northlanders young and old to learn about health and wellness, public safety, sustainability, and financial literacy. “It’s a perfect way for people to…

Local Groups Come Together to Support Obamacare

Fear Many Will Lose Insurance if ACA Replaced

DULUTH, Minn.-Some local doctors and politicians came together today to express their dismay over the possibility of repealing the Affordable Care Act. The Northland HealthCare Alliance, headed up the event, with the goal of making the community aware of what a repeal of the ACA would mean. One Duluth City Council also expressed concern, believing many Northlanders would lose health…

GOP Pulls Health Care Overhaul Off House Floor

WASHINGTON (AP) – Speaker Paul Ryan has abruptly pulled the Republicans’ troubled health care overhaul off the House floor. The decision was a humiliating setback for President Donald Trump and congressional leaders. The bill had appeared all but certain to be defeated Friday. The roll call was on track to occur in about an hour. The measure has been a…

Mayo Clinic Helps Reunite Boy Battling Cancer with Lost Teddy Bear

The teddy bear received a police escort back to his owner

Courtesy Tracy Remme ROCHESTER, Minn. (AP) – A 5-year-old boy who briefly lost the teddy bear that has helped him through cancer treatment was reunited with his stuffed animal thanks to Mayo Clinic workers, a round of social media shares, and a police escort. Aiden Remme, of Brewster, Minnesota, was undergoing his 60th round of chemotherapy when Teddy went missing….

Award-Winning Author to Speak on Addiction & Recovery

Two Presentations to be Held in Moose Lake

MOOSE LAKE, Minn. – Addiction to drugs and alcohol is an issuing affecting families around the country. Many Minnesotans have had friends and family members suffer from some type of addiction. One Minnesotan who has faced these challenges is award-winning author and public speaker Daniel D. Maurer. Maurer’s non-fiction brand deals with personal transformation and how a person’s story affects…

Minnesota Marijuana Oil Sent to New York Stirs Anger

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Some top Minnesota lawmakers want to crack down on a medical marijuana company whose former executives face felony charges for shipping marijuana oil to New York. County prosecutors charged two ex-executives at Minnesota Medical Solutions with felonies alleging they collaborated in late 2015 to ship $500,000 worth of marijuana oil to New York. The charges…

House GOP Leaders Postpone Health Care Vote

WASHINGTON (AP) – House Republican leaders have postponed a vote on their health care bill in a setback for President Donald Trump and Speaker Paul Ryan. Prospects for the Republicans’ showcase health care bill had looked grimmer by the minute Thursday, despite Trump’s personal lobbying of conservatives. That still left the legislation short of the votes needed for passage. A…

Wisconsin DHS Head Doesn’t Know How Many May Lose Insurance

Asked about it during a forum, Tuesday

Linda Seemeyer MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The head of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services says she doesn’t know how many people may lose insurance in the state under the proposed federal health care overhaul. Linda Seemeyer was asked about the proposal Tuesday during a forum hosted by Wisconsin Health News. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office predicted 24 million would…

New Michigan Ad Campaign to Raise Awareness for Child Vaccinations

LANSING, Mich. (AP) – Michigan health officials are launching a vaccination campaign aimed at preventing serious diseases in children. The “I Vaccinate” campaign by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the Franny Strong Foundation and other health officials will use television, radio, digital, social, and outdoor advertising to stress the importance of vaccinations. A website also was launched…

Wellness Advocate Promotes Essential Oils

Coffee Conversation: Doterra Essential Oils

DULUTH, Minn. – For thousands of years, people have healed with nature’s touch. Essential oils are used around the world and found in the seeds, bark, stems roots, flowers, and other parts of plants. They have been used historically for food preparation, beauty treatment, and healthcare practices. This morning, doTERRA Wellness Advocate, Linda Carrillo, explained how essential oils have changed…

Group Hopes to Spread Meaning of Wellness

Northland Community Wellness Day

DULUTH, Minn. – This weekend Northlanders are promoting wellness in the region and at home for the whole family for the Northland Community Wellness Day. This is a free community event highlighting local wellness resources and services through interactive exhibits, workshops, and family-friendly activities. There will be more than 80 wellness-related exhibits in Romano Gym at the University of Minnesota –…

Mayo Clinic Faces Questions After CEO Comments on Insurance

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Mayo Clinic is facing some questions from the state of Minnesota after its CEO told employees that if patient conditions are equal, its hospitals should prioritize the privately insured patients over those under government-subsidized programs like Medicaid. John Noseworthy’s comments came late last year in a videotaped speech to staff but surfaced only this week, after a…

Duluth YMCA Adds Lumberjack Tradition to Aquatic Activities

Active Adventures: Log Rolling

DULUTH, Minn. – A lumberjack sport is now offered at the Duluth YMCA. For this week’s Active Adventures, FOX 21’s William Seay tried out Log Rolling. Log rolling is available for people of all ages. According to aquatic instructors, not only does the sport preserve the rich history of lumberjack sports in North America, but it’s fun and good for…

Art Of Local Food

Good Food And Art All In One Place

It was all about good food, local artist, and great company tonight at Clyde Iron Works. It was the 6th annual Art of Local Food fundraiser to benefit the Duluth Community Garden Program and the Arrowhead Professional Chefs Association. It was 40 years ago that a few gardeners saw the need for fresh locally grown food and now 220 families…

March Madness Could Lead to Trouble

March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month

DULUTH, Minn. – Maybe it’s a coincidence with the NCAA Basketball tournament going on, but March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month. Every year, millions of dollars are wagered on the tournament, both in sportsbooks, and on those bracket sheets you likely filled out for your office pool According to a counselor at Duluth’s Center for Alcohol and Drug Treatment, brackets…

Smoking Forum Held in Duluth

Discussions Focused on Menthol Cigarette Use Among Minors

DULUTH, Minn.-The American Lung Association held it Kick Butts event today, which focused on how young minorities are targeted using menthol tobacco products. Data was also shared from the Menthol Cigarette Intervention Report from the Minnesota Legislature. One piece of information they found out from the study, is that young people in poorer neighborhoods are targeted through psychological lures like…

Walker Optimistic for “Meaningful Reforms” to Medicaid

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Governor Scott Walker says he is optimistic that President Donald Trump’s administration will be able to make “meaningful reforms” to the Medicaid program, even as other Republican governors oppose a proposal that would drastically cut payments to the states. Walker, on Wednesday released a letter that U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price sent to…

Local Experts give Gardening Tips to Northlanders

Get Ready to Grow

FLOODWOOD, Minn. – The official start of Spring is just days away and many folks around the Northland are getting anxious to start gardening. This morning Bob Olen, Horticulturalist and Educator for St. Louis County, stopped by FOX 21 to chat about an upcoming gardening program. The county is hosting a seminar to give new home fruit and vegetable growing tips. The program…

Bill lets Minnesotans choose what health insurance covers

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – A House bill moving through committee would allow Minnesotans to choose what conditions their health insurance covers. The author, Republican Rep. Steve Drazkowski of Mazeppa, says the bill would cut costs by giving people the freedom to drop options they are unlikely to need. Democratic opponents say the proposal would raise costs by reducing the…

Wisconsin Leads Nation in Interlock Driving Stops Last Year

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A new report says Wisconsin led the country last year in drunken drivers blocked from starting vehicles by an ignition interlock. Mothers Against Drunk Driving released a report Tuesday that found interlock devices stopped 37,299 people form starting their vehicles from December 2015 to December 2016. California was second with 35,756 stops. The report is based…