Health

Essentia Found Guilty of 6 OSHA Violations

DULUTH, Minn. — Essentia Health in Duluth is paying close to $30,000 after being found guilty of OSHA violations. The were a total of 6 fines filed with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry some relating to improper training, lack of safety equipment, and exposure to corrosive materials. All of them were deemed serious. According to official documents an…

Tenants Report Piles Of Trash In Lincoln Park Apartments Bldg.; Owner Responds

Submitted by tenant DULUTH, Minn. —  Tenants of the Lincoln Park Apartments, formerly a middle school, are not happy with growing trash in and outside the building. Submitted by tenant Photos and video show overflowing garbage shoots and piles of trash in hallways, along with bugs. Click here for video. When FOX 21 reached out to the building’s owner, Sherman…

Pediatrician Encourages Good Sleep Before School

DULUTH, Minn.–As summer is winding down, soon enough, kids will be hitting the books. Being well rested before school translates to having a better mood. Which in return gives kids a better classroom performance. Phasing out of late summer nights can be a challenging time for young ones. Pediatrician Dr. Knutson says, forming a solid bedtime routine with children early…

Essentia Health Hosts Bone Marrow Registry Drive

DULUTH, Minn.– Essentia Health hosted a different type of match-making event today. One that could possibly save lives. And for the Essentia Health family, it’s personal. Nurse Kristine Hautamaki was recently diagnosed with leukemia. She is not able to work at the hospital right now. But her co-workers aren’t forgetting her by organizing this drive in hopes of finding a…

Doctors Make Checkups Fun With Super Hero Week

SUPERIOR, Wis. — It’s back to school season, which means students across the northland are scheduling their routine check-ups. While some dread the doctor’s office, Dr. Emily Anderson and her team at Lake Superior Community Health Center in Superior IS making the visit a so-called super experience. “So, this week is what we call Super Hero week,” said Dr. Anderson….

Perdue Recalls 167K Pounds Of Chicken Nuggets

(AP) ASSOCIATED PRESS: Check your freezer. Perdue Foods is recalling more than 167,000 pounds of frozen chicken nuggets and tenders after some customers reported finding metal wire embedded in the products. According to Perdue and the U.S. Agriculture Department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, the recall covers select lots of three products: Perdue Breaded Chicken Tenders, Butcher Box Organic Chicken…

Singles Take On Love With Duluth Speed-Dating Event

FOX 21's Dan Hanger emceed the love-finding night.

DULUTH, Minn. — Love was truly in the air Wednesday evening at Hoops Brewing in Duluth for some speed dating. More than a 100 men and women signed up for the free chance to make a connection. Superior Choice Credit Union, which put on the event, said more than 56 percent of couples said their money philosophies aren’t compatible with…

Carlton County WIC Granted Award for Breastfeeding Support

CLOQUET, Minn.–The USDA recognized Carlton County Women, Infants and Children for their top-notch breastfeeding support. The “Breastfeeding Award of Excellence” given to the small clinic is just one of three WIC agencies in the state to be honored. They have virtual visits, and even help out patients during pregnancy to help prepare them in advance. The team is dedicated to…

FDA Approves First Nasal Spray To Treat Dangerous Allergic Reactions

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health officials on Friday approved the first nasal spray to treat severe allergic reactions, offering an alternative to injectable products like EpiPen. The Food and Drug Administration said it approved the spray from drugmaker ARS Pharmaceuticals Inc. as an emergency treatment for adults and older children experiencing life-threatening allergic reactions known as anaphylaxis. The spray is…

Calling All Superheroes! Back-to-School Exams Offered in a Fun Way

DULUTH, Minn. — Going to the doctors can be stressful, especially for kids. So in honor of National Health Center Week, a local center is putting a spin on health care. Lake Superior Community Health Center is hosting a Super Hero Week! Throughout the week young hero’s could get their super powers examined for their yearly checkup. From “laser vison…

Rescue Divas EMS Camp For Girls Happening This Week

ASHLAND, Wis. — It was a ruff and rescue day at Northland College on Monday. The Rescue Divas group started nearly a decade ago. It brings middle school girls together to learn important life skills. The weeklong program consists of everything from CPR training to K-9 aided search and rescue. Those involved with it think it’s a dog-gone good time….

Ovarian Cancer Survivors Go On a Shopping Spree at Maurices

DULUTH, Minn. — The Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance partnered with Duluth-based Maurices to bring ovarian cancer survivors on a shopping spree. Maurices brought local ovarian cancer survivors on a special shopping trip at its downtown headquarters, giving the women and their families a chance to forget the mental and physical stressors of the disease. The event allowed survivors to grab…

Essentia Health Introduces New Surgical Robots

DULUTH, Minn. — Essentia Health held an event for the community to meet their new surgical robots. Four different robots were on display. Each of them provides a minimally invasive surgery that reduces both the time under anesthesia and recovery time. Surgeons were on hand to ask questions. People could touch and play with the robots to learn how they…

New Healthcare Education Center Opens its Doors

SUPERIOR, Wis. — There’s a new opportunity for people to learn the ways of being a Certified Nursing Assistant. The Workforce Training Insitute, a nonprofit organization, kicked off their CNA education course Monday morning. The nonprofit is located in the Dove Healthcare center in Superior. It covers a wide range of students. They achieve hands on learning, labs, and even…

Local SANE & Registered Nurse Wins International Award

DULUTH, Minn. — A well-deserved individual received an award for her 17 years of dedication towards helping others. Being named the heart and soul of PAVSA’s SANE, or Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program, Alisha Blazevic has left quite the impact over the years. Blazevic is involved with numerous organizations including the Sexual Assault Response Team. Since 2007, she has completed…

CarFit Event Helps Seniors Feel Safe and Comfortable Behind the Wheel

Aspirus St. Luke's focuses on injury prevention with senior drivers

DULUTH, Minn. — Aspirus St. Luke’s held their CarFit event Friday afternoon. The goal? Make senior drivers safer and feel more comfortable in their vehicles. As part of their injury prevention work, Aspirius St. Luke’s is doing their part to keep seniors safe on the road. At Friday’s CarFit event, seniors went through a 12-point checklist with volunteers. Trauma nurse…

How Much Caffeine is Too Much?

DULUTH, Minn — For many people the mornings don’t start until you’ve had your first cup of coffee and the caffeine that’s in the coffee. But very often that is not the only caffeine you will have during your day. Now there are some questions about how safe caffeine is when taken in large amounts. If you need a little…

Minnesota Rural Health Conference Going on in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn — Health professionals from across the state are at the DECC for the Minnesota Rural Health Conference. The workforce shortage is one of the main topics during the two-day conference. The issue is not limited to doctors and nurses, but the whole spectrum of providers.This includes administrative workers who can help manage and keep costs in check. Alyssa…

Esko Contamination Cleanup

ESKO, Minn.– An ongoing contamination issue in Esko is currently being fixed. Near the post office, a clean-up project is in progress. Soil contaminated with harmful chemicals will be removed and replaced around the parking lot. With this being fixed, they are preventing the spread of contamination that could ruin surrounding water sources. They are also installing a groundwater treatment…

Minnesota Mission of Mercy Gives Free Oral Health Cleaning at DECC

DULUTH, Minn. — In 2023, an estimated 27% of Americans were found to not have dental insurance. Although the Minnesota Depart of Health has shown numbers of Minnesotans without dental insurance to be downward. Still the number of older adults without dental healthcare are still on the rise. Thankfully, Minnesota Mission of Mercy is trying to bridge that gap of…

St. Luke’s Partners with Aspirus Health

DULUTH, Minn. — The new partnership between St. Luke’s and Aspirus was celebrated today. A ribbon cutting representing the St. Luke’s rebranding happened Tuesday at the Duluth hospital. St. Luke’s, as well as Lake View in Two Harbors, are currently replacing their logos and signs. Although the name will change, administrators say many other things will not. “I assure you…

First Responder Training For Worst-Case Scenarios In The Wilderness

DULUTH, Minn. — An important training took place at the College of St. Scholastica Monday, preparing those who spend a lot of time outdoors for worst-case scenarios. Longleaf Wilderness Medicine is hosting an 80-hour first responder course preparing people for back-country travel. Those who participated are emergency medical providers, guides, and recreators that wanted additional knowledge. On Monday they focused…

Runners Take to the Lakewalk for Food Allergy Awareness

The ALEIA Project held the Northland 5k for Food Allergy Saturday morning along Lake Superior in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — The ALEIA Project hosted the Northland 5k for Food Allergy on Saturday morning along the Duluth Lakewalk. Runners and walkers of all ages crossed the finish line at Leif Erikson Park in support of allergy awareness. The ALEIA Project held its annual 5k fundraiser, with over a hundred participants. For many of them, the run along the…

Big “Thank You” to EMS Workers; Professionals and Extensive Volunteer Network

Annual St. Luke's cookout designed to show appreciation for everyone's role.

DULUTH, Minn. — The rains cleared early enough for a big thank you Wednesday, although this cookout had plenty of shelter. It was a big appreciation day for everyone who helps with emergency medical responses. St. Luke’s has been putting on the event for over a decade. Inside the emergency ambulance garage, there was warm food and a warm “Thank…

Duluth’s ‘Substance Use Response Team’ Coordinator Talks Opioid Crisis

DULUTH, Minn. —  Last year in Duluth, a record number of opioid-related overdoses were recorded. There were a total of 480 opioid-related overdoses, including 46 deaths. In 2013, there were 42 opioid-related overdoses and one death. Jessica Nickila, coordinator of the Duluth Police Department’s Substance Use Response Team (SURT), said the over prescribing of opioids decades ago in our area…

Superior Woman Receives Electric Shock At Edgewater Hotel

DULUTH, Minn. — An enjoyable day swimming at the Edgewater Hotel ended badly for a Superior mom and her daughter. The family says the two received an electric shock, hospitaliizing the mother. The family says the mother, Heather Paquette, reached to open the gate to the outside whirlpool area and received a strong electric shock. According to her mother, Melissa…

Garage Sale With No Price Tags–For a Good Cause

In Carlton tables of donated goods will raise money for scholarships and more.

Who doesn’t like a garage sale?  Especially if it’s for a good cause– and there are no price tags! That’s the deal in Carlton at the Four Seasons Sports Complex. Tables are filled with toys, kitchen items, books– you name it. It’s put on and organized by volunteers– literally and officially. The Volunteers Services Organization does it every year. It helps…

Fit-N-Fun Run Gets Duluth Students Active and Outside

ISD 709 elementary school students raced around the track at UMD's Malosky Stadium

DULUTH, Minn. — Tuesday morning was an opportunity to get outside and get active for students from Duluth Public Elementary Schools. The Essentia Health Fit-N-Fun Run took over Malosky Stadium at UMD. More than 1,500 students from third to fifth grade raced around the track to celebrate the approaching end of the school year. Kids ran 400 meters, or one…

Melanoma Monday Skin Cancer Screenings Raise Awareness

DULUTH, Minn. — Every year, over a hundred thousand people get skin cancer. You could be one of them. Essentia’s Melanoma Monday screenings took place May 13th to raise awareness about the most dangerous of all skin cancers. Chris Mitchell, who is responsible for screening and outreach says the cancer may start on the skin, but quickly can metastasize to…

Local Vets See More Tick-Borne Diseases This Year

DULUTH, Minn. — Fleas and ticks don’t completely die off in the winter, especially with this year’s milder weather. The Duluth Veterinary Hospital has seen more diseases than usual and earlier than normal. The main disease being Lyme Disease. Tick-borne illnesses can be bothersome for dogs causing tiredness, fevers, limping, and soreness. For fleas the main symptom is itchiness. Vets…

Damiano Center Opens Hygiene Unit To Public

DULUTH, Minn. — The Damiano Center’s shower facility is now open to the public. The Hygiene Unit has 6 units, each with a shower, sink and toilet. Guests can shower Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Everyone is provided a fresh towel and wash cloth. There is soap, shampoo and conditioner in every unit. The Executive Director…

Organ Donor’s Mother Urges Others To Do The Same

Part of the effort to raise awareness; 17 people die every day while waiting for an organ.

We often hear about the need for human organ donations, but we can sometimes get immune to the message. Every day across the country, seventeen people die while waiting for an organ. That is why a very special flag was raised Wednesday outside Duluth’s Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center. The flag read “Donate Life,” as part of national Donate Life…

Superior Students Clean Park on Earth Day, Learn Dangers of Tobacco Products

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Students in Superior got their hands dirty with a clean-up and education effort on Monday. The Northwestern Wisconsin Lung Health Alliance led the Earth Day efforts. The fourth and fifth-grade students from Lake Superior Elementary and Northwest Middle School got their buckets out and their eyes wide for trash at Wade Bowl Park. The main focus was…

Spring Allergies In Full Force This Season

DULUTH, Minn – Are you spending more time in the allergy relief aisles at your pharmacy?  It’s that time of year, the spring allergy season. A local allergist says allergy seasons are lasting longer and the pollen is becoming more potent. The lack of snow this past season and warmer temperatures had minimal impact on allergies. Dr. Minto Porter an…

16th Annual ‘Continental Bike Swap’ Set For April 26-28

DULUTH, Minn. — If you’re looking to sell, donate or buy a bike, the 16th annual Continental Bike Swap is the place to be next weekend. Continental Ski and Bike puts on the event every year at its store in Duluth.  This year’s even happens April 26-28. The goal is to help Duluthians stay healthy and active. The Bike Swap…