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…
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…
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…
DULUTH, Minn. — It’s the start a new season, and the American Red Cross is still in need of blood donations and volunteers. March has been National Red Cross Month, and there are still blood drives left before this month is done. One was today at the Red Cross office, but there’s another opportunity to make a blood donation tomorrow…
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…
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…
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…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is calling for the U.S. House to vote on the Republican plan to overhaul the national health care law. Walker said on Twitter Friday morning that “House members need to vote to repeal Obamacare today.” He says this is the chance to “more process forward” to get rid of the current law,…
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….
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…
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…
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…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The American Red Cross is issuing a call for type O negative and AB blood donors, after severe winter weather in areas of the country caused around 250 blood drives to cancel in March alone. Type O negative blood and type AB plasma are two of the most in-demand blood products by hospitals. Type O negative…
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…
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…
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…
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 –…
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, 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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
SUPERIOR, Wis. — A technical college in Superior is hoping to inspire high school students to get a job in the medical field. High school students from all around northern Wisconsin visit the Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in Superior to get a crash course in what it takes to work a job in the medical field. Medical Discovery Day is…
MILWAUKEE, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker says he plans to talk with other Republican governors and the White House about possible changes to the GOP health care overhaul bill in Congress. Walker said Tuesday the call with governors would happen later in the day. He did not offer specifics during or after a speech to the Rotary Club…
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…
MADISON, Wis. – State Senator Janis Ringhand (D-Evansville) and Representative Sondy Pope (D-Cross Plains) have introduced the Family Medical Leave Insurance Act (FMLIA). This Act creates a Family Medical Leave Insurance program which is completely paid for by employees. Under the program, a participating employee is eligible to receive a percentage of their pay during a time when they take…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota Republicans are preparing to plow more than $300 million into a new state program meant to reduce health insurance premiums next year. Minnesota has grappled with some of the largest rate increases in the nation. Premiums jumped by as much as 67 percent for shoppers buying insurance on their own this year, leading lawmakers…
ROCHESTER, Minn. (AP) – Mayo Clinic is kicking off a five-year, $217 million expansion of its Saint Marys Hospital campus in Rochester. Mayo officials announced the plan last week. The proposal includes adding three floors to the Generose Building, moving and upgrading the cardiac surgery facilities and expanding the Neonatal Intensive Care and Pediatric Intensive Care units. The Post-Bulletin reports…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Madison School District officials say drinking fountains at six schools have leads levels higher than the national standard. District facilities manager Chad Wiese tells the Wisconsin State Journal the district tested drinking fountains at East High School, Blackhawk, and Sherman Middle schools, and Gompers, Lapham, and Lowell Elementary schools. All of the schools had at least…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota Republicans are preparing to plow more than $300 million into a new state program meant to reduce health insurance premiums next year. Minnesota has grappled with some of the largest rate increases in the nation. Premiums jumped by as much as 67-percent for shoppers buying insurance on their own this year, leading lawmakers to…
DULUTH, Minn. – It’s been an unseasonably cold Mid-March day across the Northland and it’s likely the last cold snap of the season. A Wind Chill Advisory was in effect earlier this morning until 9am, feel like temperatures dropped down to -30° below zero. This frigid Friday didn’t stop some Northlanders from their daily routine though. “I like the weather…
DULUTH, Minn. – Every year millions of people die prematurely due to complications from kidney diseases. Today is World Kidney Day. The health awareness campaign helps raise awareness on kidney disease and what people should be aware of as they age. This year’s theme focuses on the relation between kidney disease and obesity. Duluth Kidney Services provide care to those…
EDINA, Minn. (AP) – Edina soon could become the first city in Minnesota to require buyers of tobacco to be 21 rather than 18. The Star Tribune reports the City Council this week voted to draft an ordinance and schedule a public hearing on the proposal, which is intended to curb youth tobacco use. Dr. Caleb Schultz of the city’s…
DULUTH, Minn. – This week, March 5-11, marks MS Awareness Week. Multiple Sclerosis happens when a body’s immune system attacks the central nervous system. This can cause many symptoms including fatigue, walking difficulties, vision problems, dizziness, pain, and cognitive changes. The National MS Society works to improve the quality of life for people affected by MS. They do this by…
MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) – Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota announced Monday it is ending its contract with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota effective on July 5, unless a new contract agreement is reached. Children’s says Blue Cross is demanding a double-digit reduction in payments to the hospitals to provide care for patients insured through Medicaid. “The reductions to…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – A new report released Thursday, highlights the impacts of opioids on Minnesota Tribal communities across the state. The report is a summary of the Tribal-State Opioid Summit that took place last fall with Gov. Mark Dayton, Lt. Gov. Tina Smith, and Minnesota’s 11 tribal nations, as an effort to develop strategies for prevention, treatment, and recovery….
