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SNAP Benefits Set to Drop in March

DULUTH, Minn. – The extra money from pandemic emergency funding that was going into Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits will expire this March. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says it will sunset for all states Wednesday, but 18 states have already ended the pandemic funding program. The 2023 farm bill in Congress could be one way SNAP benefits…

One Dead After Head-On Collision On Highway 63

LENROOT, Wis. — One person is dead after a head-on collision on Highway 63 in the Town of Lenroot Tuesday morning. The Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office says a 27-year-old man from Cable, Wisconsin named Harley Karow was driving north on 63 when he suddenly crossed over the center line and crashed head-on into a semi-trailer truck. Karow was found dead…

Minnesota GOP Minority Lawmakers Roll Out $13B Tax Cut Plan

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Leaders of the Republican minority at the Minnesota Legislature rolled out a $13 billion “Give It Back” plan Tuesday to tap most of the state’s $17.5 billion budget surplus for one-time and permanent tax cuts, including rebate checks and fully eliminating taxes on Social Security. The GOP plan would use one-time money for rebate checks of $1,250…

Yung Gravy To Play At The Minnesota State Fair This Summer

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Yung Gravy, with special guest bbno$, will play at the Minnesota State Fair 2023 Grand Stand Concert Series this summer. The Minnesota native sold out three tours in North America, two tours in Europe, and performed in Australia and New Zealand. He will now perform at the Minnesota State Fair on Wednesday, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. Tickets go…

Republican Lawmakers Propose Limiting UW Tuition Increases

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Republican head of the state Assembly’s higher education committee wants to limit future University of Wisconsin tuition increases to no more than the rate of inflation, an idea unveiled Tuesday that comes after a decade of frozen tuitions. The proposal from Rep. David Murphy and Sen. Andre Jacque, both Republicans, would prohibit the UW Board…

Supreme Court Weighs Biden Student Loan Plan Worth Billions

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has begun hearing arguments in a partisan legal fight over President Joe Biden’s plan to wipe away or reduce student loans held by millions of Americans. The high court, with its 6-3 conservative majority, heard arguments on Tuesday on two challenges to the plan, which has so far been blocked by Republican-appointed judges on lower courts. Arguments were scheduled to last…

Northern Waters Smokehaus To Move Into Former Amazing Grace Café Space

DULUTH, Minn. – Northern Waters Smokehaus announced Tuesday it will be moving the business within the DeWitt-Seitz building and into the former Amazing Grace Café location. This announcement comes just one day after Amazing Grace closed its doors after nearly 30 years.  The decision to close, according to the owner Connor Riley, was very difficult to make but the right…

Knowing Your Neighbors: David Austin Gallery

DULUTH, Minn.–“It was the next day,” said Marketing Director for David Austin Gallery and wife, Kristen Austin. “Was it the nest day? We’re coming across the bridge from Wisconsin and I think we look at each other and said we’re going to move here,” said Artist David Austin. Originally from Boyne City, David Austin didn’t feel like Michigan fit into…

Man Sentenced For Involvement In 2019 Murder Of Timothy Nelson

DULUTH, Minn. — A man has been sentenced for his involvement in the September 2019 murder of 33-year-old Timothy Nelson, who was a father of five. James Michael Peterson was sentenced to more than 28 years in prison. The St. Louis County Attorney’s Office says Peterson was convicted of aiding and abetting the second-degree murder. The shooting happened on the…

Burger Paradox Coming to Lincoln Park

DULUTH, Minn. – The owners of the Lincoln Park businesses Duluth Grill, Corktown, OMC Smokehouse and more are set to open a new restaurant in the neighborhood. Burger Paradox is what they are calling it, and it will be where the Coach’s Bar and Grill had been on West Superior Street. The name Burger Paradox stems from their concept of…

Minnesota FoodShare Month Kicks Off

DULUTH, Minn. – CHUM along with more than 300 other food shelves across Minnesota are asking for your help with donations of both food and money during a time of year when it may be needed the most. “In the coming months, the need will increase, and we’ll see an incredible demand for supply in a normal time of year…

BCA Reviewing Incident Of Bayfield Man Who Shot Himself Dead After Car Chase On I-35

MINNESOTA — A Bayfield, Wisconsin man has been identified from a chase on I-35 last week that ended with him being found deceased. The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office says 34-year-old Kyle Bazant died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound last week. According to the Minnesota BCA, a trooper with the Minnesota State Patrol attempted to pull over Bazant on I-35 on…

Minnesota State Fair Names New CEO

FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. (FOX 9) – The Minnesota State Fair announced Monday that Renee Alexander has been named the new CEO of the fair. This is Alexander’s second stint with the Fair. She worked in entertainment and marketing from 1989 to 1994 before leaving and returning in 2005. For the past 13 years, she had the role of deputy general manager where she…

Bon Iver Schedules Tour Stop In Duluth This Summer

DULUTH, Minn. –American indie folk band Bon Iver is coming to Duluth this summer. A representative with the DECC says Bon Iver will perform at Bayfront Festival Park on August 2nd. The band’s most recent album, “i, i,” was nominated for four Grammys, including record of the year and the album of the year. Tickets go on sale this Friday…

Supreme Court Student Loan Case: The Arguments Explained

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is about to hear arguments over President Joe Biden’s student debt relief plan, which impacts millions of borrowers who could see their loans wiped away or reduced. So far, Republican-appointed judges have kept the Democratic president’s plan from going into effect, and it remains to be seen how the court, dominated 6-3 by conservatives, will respond. The justices…

Minnesota’s Budget Surplus Stable At $17.5 Billion

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Minnesota’s budget surplus was stable at a projected $17.5 billion, according to the latest numbers released on Monday. This projection includes more than $12 billion left over from the current two-year budget cycle because the state Legislature failed to agree on a grand bargain to spend much of it in 2022. Monday’s budget projection comes after…

Coffee Conversation: Singing With The Stars Happening Friday

DULUTH, Minn. — A one-night event is happening this Friday at the NorShor Theatre to raise money for the Duluth Playhouse. It’s called “Singing with the Stars” and Wes Drummond, Executive Director of the Duluth Playhouse came on the morning show to talk about it. FOX 21’s Dan Hanger will be kicking off the show with a song from Disney’s…

Cirrus Releases Statement About Plane Crash That Killed Company’s Longtime Engineer

Courtesy: Cirrus DULUTH, Minn. —  Cirrus Aircraft released a statement to FOX 21 Monday involving the death of their longtime employee, David Rathbun, who died in a plane accident Friday in Duluth’s St. Louis River. Courtesy: Daniel Rathbun “Dave Rathbun, Vision Jet Chief Engineer, was involved in a fatal aircraft accident while on a personal flight Friday afternoon in a…

Award And Author Event Supporting Duluth Public Library

DULUTH, Minn. — The Greysolon Ballroom was packed Sunday afternoon with the Duluth Public Library’s supporters. The Olga Walker Awards were presented to some of the biggest donors to the library. The event also featured Korean American author Maria Myung-Ok Lee who read an excerpt from her novel titled “The Evening Hero,” which she also signed copies of. Lee also…

International Fly-Fishing Film Festival Gathered Anglers To Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — The film industry in Duluth has been growing in recent years, but one winter festival in particular looks to reel in some action. Over at Clyde Iron Works, more than a dozen films directed by fly fishermen were shown in the International Fly-Fishing Festival. This year’s event was hosted by Gitchee Gumee Trout Unlimited in partnership with…

Monday School Closings, Delays, E-Learning

The following schools are closed, delayed or operating as e-learning for Monday, Feb. 27: Cloquet School Dist.: E-learning Barnum School Dist.: Closed Birchwood School Dist.: E-learning Esko School Dist.: E-learning Hayward School Dist.: Closed Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe School: Closed Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University: Closed McGregor School Dist.: 2-hour delay Moose Lake School Dist.: E-learning Northwoods School Dist.: Closed…

Thousands Gather for Birkebeiner Ski Race

HAYWARD, Wisc.– Covering 50 kilometers the Slumberland American Birkiebeiner started in the city of Cable Saturday morning and finished in Hayward. The race started in 1973 and has now expanded to a 5 day long event. The Birkie is the largest cross-country ski marathon in North America. Besides the main event held Saturday, there was a junior race and a…

Pilot Who Crashed Into St. Louis River Was Cirrus Design Engineer

2/25/23: DULUTH, Minn. – The pilot who died after the plane he was operating crashed into the St. Louis River Friday has been identified as David Rathbun, of Hermantown, according to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office. Courtesy: Daniel Rathbun According to David’s brother, Daniel, he was a “brilliant” design engineer for Cirrus Aircraft in Duluth. “David was instrumental in…

Attempted Felony Arrest Ends In Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth police confirmed Friday evening that a man shot by a Duluth police officer during an attempted felony arrest has died. The shooting happened around 2:20 p.m. on the 1500 block of East Third Street. The 34-year-old suspect, who was not identified Friday, was taken to a hospital where he later died. Duluth Police Chief Mike Ceynowa…

US Commits $2 Billion In Drones, Ammunition, Aid To Ukraine

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon announced a new package of long-term security assistance for Ukraine on Friday, marking the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion with a $2 billion commitment to send more rounds of ammunition and a variety of small, high-tech drones into the fight. The announcement comes just days after President Joe Biden made an unannounced visit to Kyiv and pledged America’s continuing commitment to…

Duluth Man Charged In Alleged Involvement Of Drive-By Shootings

DULUTH, Minn. — A Duluth man has been formally charged in his alleged involvement in multiple drive-by shootings that occurred the end of January. The Duluth Police Department says 19-year-old Kristopher Kautz is charged with 11 counts of Drive-By-Shooting, two counts of Possessing a Machine Gun, and 6 counts of Possessing a Firearm with no Serial Number. He was charged…

Pedestrian Killed By Snowplow In Rochester

ROCHESTER, Minn. (FOX 9) – A pedestrian was killed in a crash with a snowplow in Rochester Friday morning. The incident, which involved a City of Rochester plow, happened at 8:54 a.m. Friday on Pinewood Road Southeast, the city said. Police responded to the incident and confirmed the pedestrian was dead. The Minnesota State Patrol is investigating the crash. “The City of Rochester…

Key US Inflation Measure Surges At Fastest Rate Since June

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge rose last month at its fastest pace since June, an alarming sign that price pressures remain entrenched in the U.S. economy and could lead the Fed to keep raising interest rates well into this year. Friday’s report from the Commerce Department showed that consumer prices rose 0.6% from December to January,…

148th Fighter Wing Members Return From Norway

Duluth, Minn. — They’re back, Airmen from the 148th Fighter Wing, are back after taking part in the 50th exchange of military personnel between Norway and Minnesota. Two of the nearly 100 National Guard members who took part in the training talked with Fox 21 about their experience. “Sometimes you think you know everything but you don’t until you’re taught…

Lone Movie Theatre in International Falls to Close

INT’L FALLS, Minn. — The only movie Theatre within a 60-mile radius of International Falls, Cine 5, announced plans to shut down due to a pipe issue following Tuesday, Feb. 28. The announcement came as multiple Facebook posts on Thursday. Owners stated that an ongoing pipe problem has prompted the closure. “Yes we are closing due to the pipe issue….

Tears, Defiance And New Tanks In Ukraine For War Anniversary

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s leader pledged Friday to push for victory in 2023 as he and other Ukrainians marked the somber anniversary of the Russian invasion that upended their lives and Europe’s security. It was Ukraine’s “longest day,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, but the country’s dogged resistance a year on has proven that “every tomorrow is worth fighting for.” On a day of commemorations, reflection…

UPDATE: Winter Storm Shuts Down Ashland Roadway For 9 Hours

Highway 2/13 was declared "impassable."

UPDATE (Feb. 24, 8:30 a.m.) — The Wisconsin Department of Transportation says the stretch of US 2/Wisconsin 13 is open. The roadway had been closed for about 9 hours Thursday. It opened back up at 4:05 p.m. ORIGINAL POST: Howling winds and driven snow are blowing through Ashland, and at least one roadway has said, “Okay, Enough Already!” The Wisconsin…

Third Annual “Spirit Loves Duluth Days”

DULUTH, Minn. — A local ski resort is saying thank you to Duluth residents by offering special discounted rates Thursday and Sunday. Spirit Mountain is putting on its third annual Spirit Loves Duluth Days. They’re offering $5 passes on lift tickets, Nordic passes, rentals, and tubing. The hill puts this on to show appreciation for the City of Duluth, which…

Snow Slows, But Doesn’t Shut Down, Northwest Wisconsin

Northwestern, Wisc. —  The snow came, just not as much as we thought there would be…none-the-less…people stayed hunkered down in their homes. With schools closed, business and government offices shut down, there was not too much vehicular traffic in Superior and these was even less pedestrian traffic. While the city didn’t have as many issues with the wind, it was…

Future Of Bergquist Imports In Cloquet ‘Uncertain’ After Fire

CLOQUET, Minn. – The future of Bergquist Imports in Cloquet is uncertain after fire ripped through a large portion of the business Wednesday night. While most of the warehouse houses Bergquist Imports, part of the building also housing Erbert and Gerbert’s as a storefront along the 1400 block of Highway 33. Alan Kurtz, owner of the sandwich shop, told FOX…

Duluth Public Library Partnership in Remodel Plans

DULUTH, Minn.– The Duluth Public Library will soon upgrade their community service center. Mayor Emily Larson revealed a partnership with the Library Foundation at a press conference on Wednesday. Redesign on the facility is expected to start late 2024, with construction hoping to start soon after. The extent of the remodel has not be determined yet, but will be centered…

Minnesota Legislature Making Progress On Bill To Discourage Catalytic Converter Thefts

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota is one of the top states for catalytic converter thefts, and after years of roadblocks, the state legislature is now making some progress on a bill that would discourage it. On Monday, the state House passed a bill that would make it illegal for scrap metal buyers to accept catalytic converters cut off of vehicles….

On Stand, Alex Murdaugh Denies Killings But Admits Lying

(AP) — Disgraced South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh denied killing his wife and son but admitted lying to investigators about when he last saw them alive as he took the stand in his own defense Thursday. Murdaugh, 54, is charged with murder in the fatal shootings of his wife, Maggie, 52, and their 22-year-old son, Paul, who were killed near kennels on…

NTSB: No Alert For Train Crew Until Just Before Derailment

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (AP) — The crew operating a freight train that derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, did not receive a critical warning about an overheated axle until just before dozens of cars went off the tracks, federal safety investigators said in a report Thursday as U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg made his first visit to the crash site. An…

Raimondo Seeks To Rally US Behind $52 Billion Chip Program

WASHINGTON (AP) — Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo on Thursday called on the country to unite around a $52 billion effort to restore the U.S. as the world leader in advanced computer chips, saying it will require training of tens of thousands of workers. “The research, innovation and manufacturing sparked by this law will enable us to be the technological superpower, securing our…