ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Governor Mark Dayton has vetoed two GOP-backed bills that sought to limit abortions in Minnesota. The bills would have restricted public health programs from covering the procedure and created a permitting system for facilities that perform abortions. Republicans who control the Legislature argued greater protections were necessary both for the safety of women and for…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota’s health commissioner is asking state legislators to provide $5 million for an emergency fund to deal with an outbreak of measles and other infectious diseases. Dr. Ed Ehlinger says public health officials are dealing with the largest measles outbreak in Minnesota in nearly 30 years and in recent months have responded to drug-resistant tuberculosis…
DULUTH, Minn. – As many of us know, dealing with a broken bone can be difficult. When it comes to animals, chances are the diagnosis is even harder to pinpoint. Now, thanks to generous donors in the Northland, the Lake Superior Zoo is now equipped with the latest and greatest X-ray technology. “Monty is the kind of snake that doesn’t strike,…
DULUTH, Minn. – A federal grant recently received by the Superior Fire Department is going toward improving the quality of health for firefighters. Tuesday morning, firefighter Cameron Vollbrecht responded to his stress test appointment at the St. Luke’s Regional Vascular Center. Experts are using the tests to take a closer look at lung capacity and heart rate under intense situations….
SUPERIOR, Wisc. – While Sexual Assault Awareness Month is in April, folks over at the University of Wisconsin-Superior are continuing the conversation, and bringing more awareness to the issue. UWS was the host for the “Speak Out Superior: Changing the Culture and Engaging New Voices. Trained advocates were on hand to talk with the community about ways to prevent sexual assault,…
ROCHESTER, Minn. (AP) – Mayo Clinic says its surgeons have performed the first gender reassignment surgery in Rochester. Doctors helped Michael Keller of Rochester transition to Marisa Ann Bella in a nearly six-hour procedure. The 1980 Rochester Lourdes graduate was on eof the first patients to enroll in Mayo’s Transgender and intersex Specialty Care Clinic when it opened more than…
DULUTH, Minn. – Fitbit has named Duluth, Minnesota as the fittest city in America. After looking at aggregated user data such as daily steps, active minutes, resting heart rate, and sleep duration, from more than 10 million Fitbit users nationwide, Fitbit names the top 20 fittest cities in America. The top 20: Duluth, Minn. Appleton, Wis. Eau Claire, Wis. Boulder,…
DULUTH, Minn. – Staff at the Lake Superior Zoo spent their Monday morning working with new equipment donated to them. The Zoo’s Burmese Python, Monty, was lucky number one to receive routine X-rays thanks to St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth. St. Luke’s recently donated a $50,000 dollar machine to the Zoo after replacing it with newer diagnostic equipment in their…
DULUTH, Minn.-The Duluth Branch of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation held its annual celebration today. LISC gathered together numerous business and public officials to talk about the future of Duluth. Subjects discussed including housing, the schools, and the workforce. “What we’re doing today is celebrating what’s been done and talking about how we move forward and do more,” said Pam Kramer,…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The Wisconsin Department of Justice says a preliminary tally shows people around Wisconsin may have turned over a record amount of unused medications during a drug take-back day in April. The DOJ says preliminary estimates show 66,039 pounds of medications and more than 300 receptacles around the state during drug take-back events April 29. The record…
DULUTH, Minn. – Mother’s Day is coming up this weekend and if you haven’t found the perfect gift yet, no need to worry. St. Luke’s Plastic Surgery Associates is hosting a Mother’s Day Sale this week. The sale is offering products for mothers to pamper themselves. Veronica Ramos and Michelle Bohlman, aestheticians for St. Luke’s Plastic Surgery Associates, say these…
CLOQUET, Minn. – Runners raced through Cloquet to raise funds for breast cancer research at the 10th annual Save Our Hooterz Fun Run. The event helps pay for four women to participate in a three day walk for breast cancer in Minneapolis. Organizers say the fun run is a great way for the runners involved to help a good cause…
IRON RIVER, Wis. – Dorothy Kangas celebrated her 100th birthday today. She was a teacher in Northern Wisconsin for 32 years. Today, hundreds of friends, family, and former students wished her well on her centennial birthday. “Been a friend to all and she’s still active at 100 years old and gets out in the community and does her thing,” said Dorothy’s…
DULUTH, Minn. – The College of St. Scholastica now offers more options for health care students. A physician assistant program starts next fall. The program accepted 30 full-time students for courses at the CSS Health Science Center. Today, incoming students, faculty, and officials from the school celebrated the program’s accreditation. “I think that’s probably what excited me the most is…
DULUTH, Minn.- Minnesota is seeing the state’s biggest measles outbreak since 1990. As of Thursday, 44 cases of the measles had been confirmed statewide. There have been no confirmed cases of the measles in the Northland as of Thursday, but experts are warning parents: If you haven’t already, Get your Kids Vaccinated. Measles Symptoms start as fevers, coughs, sore throat…
MILWAUKEE, Wis. (AP) – The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office has confirmed a 4-year-old boy has died from a methadone overdose. Tyranne Beckless is the seventh child in Milwaukee County under the age of 5 to die of an opioid overdose in the last 19 months. Authorities have not said how the boy ingested the drug because the April 15…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – A Republican lawmaker wants to bump up Minnesota’s smoking age to 21 in an effort to lower the number of teen smokers. The Star Tribune reports that a bill introduced Thursday would raise the minimum age to buy tobacco in Minnesota from 18 to 21. The bill was brought to the Legislature days after Edina…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth YMCA is doing its part to get people moving more throughout the month of May. Anybody is invited to take part in “Walking Wednesdays”. It’s all part of the city’s Bus Bike Walk month. Wednesday night, a group of walkers made its way from the YMCA down to Canal Park. Organizers say it’s a great…
DULUTH, Minn. – If you’re just getting your bike out for the season, it might be time for a little tune up. This evening, the Duluth Folk School hosted a beginner bike maintenance class. Instructors gave hands-on lessons to bikers, showing them how to properly fix breaks and gears, as well as how to change a flat tire. Organizers say…
(KQDS) – A tick-borne disease, Powassan, has been confirmed in six Minnesota counties so far this year, including Pine, Anoka, Cass, Clearwater, Houston, and Morrison, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. Since 2008, there have been 22 reported cases in the state of Minnesota, one fatal, and researchers warn that the number could grow. The Powassan (POW) virus is…
EDINA, Minn. (AP) – A Twin Cities suburb has raised the age to purchase tobacco to 21, angering businesses who say they will lose business to nearby communities. Edina is believed to be the first city in Minnesota to raise the age to buy tobacco from 18 to 21. The City Council passed the resolution unanimously Tuesday night. Mike Sheldon…
DULUTH, Minn.-Today is Melanoma Monday – a day dedicated to reminding the public about the dangers of skin cancer. Skin care professionals told us today that one in five people develop skin cancer at some time in their life. Today, Twin Ports Dermatology offered free skin checks to anyone who wanted them. “A lot of times, skin cancer can start off…
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Agency, and local law enforcement agencies will be holding Drug Take Back events across the state on Saturday, April 29. The event is held to prevent misuse and abuse of prescription drugs and other pharmaceuticals by taking unwanted medications. Drug Take Back Day offers a safe, convenient and responsible means…
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (KMSP) – The Minnesota Department of Health has confirmed there is one case of measles outside of Hennepin County. As of Thursday, there are a total of 29 confirmed cases of measles in the state. Twenty-eight of the cases are in Hennepin County, one case is in Stearns County. Of the 29 cases, one child had the measles,…
DULUTH, Minn. – Spring is here and soon rummage sales will be popping up across the Northland. One in Duluth this weekend will be giving back to a good cause. It’s the Annual Rummage and Bake Sale for the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota. Money raised through the sale will go to teams walking in the 2017 Rise Above Seizures Walk….
DULUTH, Minn. – Happening Saturday, April 29 at The College of St. Scholastica, students on the football team will be raising money to help fight childhood cancer. Put on by the CSS football team in coordination with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, Saints will be shaving their heads with the hope of finding a cure for children diagnosed with cancer. They…
DULUTH, Minn. — Certain sexually transmitted infections are on the rise; so the Women’s Health Center in Duluth offered free testing all day today. “Free STI Testing Day” is an effort from the Minnesota Department of Health to curb the rates of certain diseases. A urine sample will test for chlamydia and gonorrhea, and a blood sample will test for…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
WASHINGTON (AP) – The White House is expressing confidence that a breakthrough on the stalled Republican health care bill could emerge in the House next week. But House GOP leaders are dubious, and there are few signs that an emerging plan to get the bill on track is gaining enough votes to succeed. The White House optimism is driven largely…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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….
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (AP) – A report finds Minnesota health plans had their worst financial results in a decade last year. The Minnesota Council of Health Plans, a trade group for insurers, issued the report Monday. The Star Tribune reports nonprofit insurers overall reported an operating loss of $687 million on $25.9 billion in revenue in 2016. The report cites losses…
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…
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…
