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Former Wisconsin Governor “Tony” Earl Dies At 86

The state's 41st Governor had a stroke last weekend and passed away today.

Former Wisconsin Governor Anthony “Tony” Earl died today after suffering a stroke over the weekend. The announcement came from current Governor, Tony Evers. Evers said Earl had been hospitalized since the stroke, and had been surrounded by his close family. Earl was 86. Earl was governor from 1983 to 1987. You can read Evers full statement and background on Earl…

MSP Airport Flight Cancellations Top 200 So Far Thursday

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – After hundreds of cancellations at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on Wednesday, another 200 flights have already been canceled on Thursday morning. According to MSP Airport’s website, as of 8:50 a.m., 238 flights have been canceled, 10 have been delayed and zero have been diverted. That’s about 30% of outgoing flights and 20% of incoming flights. However, some flights have…

City Of Duluth Releases Winter Storm Information, Closings, Delays

DULUTH, Minn. — The City of Duluth’s communications office released the following information about the winter storm: Due to the impending winter storm, the City of Duluth is providing some updates to City facility availability and programming on City properties tomorrow: As of 5:00 PM Wednesday, City Hall will remain open tomorrow. Some departments may have limited in-person staffing tomorrow,…

Authorities: TV Reporter, Girl Fatally Shot In Florida

A central Florida television journalist and a little girl were fatally shot Wednesday afternoon near the scene of a fatal shooting from earlier in the day, authorities said. Orange County Sheriff John Mina said during a news conference Wednesday evening that they’ve detained Keith Melvin Moses, 19, who they believe is responsible for both shootings in the Orlando-area neighborhood. Besides…

St. Louis County Unveils New 911 Dispatch Center

Duluth, Minn. — The new 911 Emergency Communications Center in St. Louis County has 14 working stations that support 180 user agencies – police, fire and EMS. On an average year, dispatchers answer 205,000 calls throughout the county. The new state-of-the-art took a year of planning, and the actual switchover took about five months.  During that time, the dispatch center…

Minnesota Celebrates 7th Annual School Bus Driver Appreciation Day

MINNESOTA — Wednesday is all about our school bus drivers here in Minnesota as it’s School Bus Driver Appreciation Day. The day is held in hopes of drawing attention to these dedicated professionals and the statewide bus driver shortage. Governor Tim Walz proclaimed the day in the State of Minnesota saying: “Minnesota’s school bus drivers are in the fabric of…

Protasiewicz, Kelly Advance In Wisconsin High Court Primary

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A liberal Milwaukee judge and a conservative former state Supreme Court justice won Tuesday’s primary to face off in a pivotal Wisconsin Supreme Court race that will determine majority control with major issues looming. Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Janet Protasiewicz and ex-Justice Dan Kelly were the top two vote-getters in a four-candidate field and advance to the…

Local Library Hosts Mini Golf For Families

DULUTH, Minn. — Kids were putting their putt-putt skills to the test Tuesday at the Duluth Public Library. The library is taking advantage of many kids having the week off of school for winter break. And to get families to come out they set up 9-holes of mini golf that is absolutely free. Kids will even get to pick a…

Driver’s Licenses For All Bill Passes Minnesota Senate

St. Paul, Minn. (Fox 9) – The Minnesota Senate has approved the “driver’s licenses for all” bill, the culmination of a long-running campaign to give tens of thousands of undocumented immigrants the right to drive legally in Minnesota. The bill, dubbed “driver’s licenses for all,” would allow the estimated 81,000 undocumented immigrants in Minnesota to take the state’s knowledge test and receive…

UMD Medical School Graduates the Second Highest Number of Indigenous Doctors

Duluth, Minn. –The University of Minnesota Duluth’s Medical School has the distinction of having graduated the second largest number of native or indigenous medical professionals in the nation.  Only Oklahoma State University has more. The Center of American Indian and Minority Health Department has been a part of UMD’s Medical School for more than 40 years. Dr. Mary Owen, an…

Pine County Sheriff’s Office Involved In 2 ‘Use-Of-Force’ Incidents Tuesday

PINE COUNTY, Minn. – The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating two separate use-of-force incidents that unfolded Tuesday with the Pine County Sheriff’s Office. The first incident happened around 2 p.m. in Pine City in the form of a shooting. Deputing were trying to arrest a man wanted on a felony warrant. The BCA said at one point deputies fired…

Duluth Man Convicted Of Killing Then-Fiancé’s 3-Year-Old Son

DULUTH, Minn. — A Duluth man accused of killing his then-fiancé’s young son has been found guilty of the crime. St. Louis County Judge Teresa Neo convicting Jordan Carter, 32, of second-degree murder Tuesday. This comes after Carter waived his right to a jury trial. It was in September of 2020 when Carter told investigators he found 3-year-old Cameron Gordon…

Plant Swap at the Library

DULUTH, Minn. – People who really love their plants took that love to the next level Tuesday for a plant swap at the West Duluth Library. Plant buddings from a variety of species like jades, aloes, and spider plants were all involved in the swap. The only rule for these green thumbs: donate one plant to take one plant. But…

Protest Calls for Cloquet Schools to Get Tougher on Bullying

CLOQUET, Minn. – The issue of bullying in schools taking center stage outside Cloquet High School Tuesday. Some parents and students saying they’ve had enough. They say they want the school district to get tougher on bullying, saying the problem is at a breaking point. The district says it investigates and deals with concerns brought to them. People were holding…

Peacetime Emergency Declared By Gov. Walz Due To Upcoming Winter Storm

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Governor Tim Walz called for a peacetime emergency and authorized the National Guard to provide services during this week’s storm. With more than 20 inches of snow possible between Tuesday and Thursday and temperatures plummeting below zero, state emergency agencies are preparing to help stranded motorists throughout the state. “Minnesotans are no strangers to extreme weather, but this storm…

EPA Takes Charge Of Cleanup In Toxic Ohio Train Derailment

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (AP) — Federal environmental regulators on Tuesday took charge of the cleanup from the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment and chemical burn and ordered Norfolk Southern to foot the bill. The Environmental Protection Agency told Norfolk Southern to take all available measures to clean up contaminated air and water, and also said the company would be required…

Biden In Poland Says US And Allies ‘Have Ukraine’s Back’

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — President Joe Biden, returning on Tuesday to the Polish castle where he spoke shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine last year, said the war had hardened Western resolve to defend democracy around the globe. He warned that there were “hard and bitter days ahead,” but pledged that the United States and its allies would “have Ukraine’s…

Coffee Conversation: Lake Superior Modern Quilt Guild to hold Inaugural Quilt Show

DULUTH, Minn. — The Lake Superior Modern Quilt Guild (LSMQG) invites the public to its first ever quilt show to be held throughout the month of March in the Lincoln Park Craft District. LSMQG Leadership Team Members, Heidi Foltz and Jen Gustafson, joined FOX21 on the morning show to talk about the event. The LSMQG’s Modern Quilt Walkabout quilt show…

Parents Speak Out About Maple School Dist. Cuts, 2nd-Grade Changes

MAPLE, Wis. — Concerned parents spoke up Monday about cuts for the Maple School District next school year as it faces a nearly $600,000 deficit. The school board held a special meeting Monday evening about the cuts after approving them Feb. 13. There are more than a half-dozen teacher positions being eliminated. And while the parents FOX 21 spoke to…

“Robo Dweebs” From Two Harbors Win Award In State Competition

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Congrats are in order for a student robotics team from Two Harbors in the FIRST LEGO League Challenge state championship. The competition was held in St. Paul on February 12th. The team, which fondly calls themselves the “Robo Dweebs,” earned second place with the Minnesota Programming Award, which recognizes those who demonstrate iterations in their process…

Politicians Confirm Cleveland-Cliffs Will Restart Operations In April

MINNESOTA — Two politicians representing Minnesota confirmed on Monday that mining company Cleveland-Cliffs plans to re-open its idling facilities in Babbitt and Silver Bay this April. Senator Amy Klobuchar (DFL-MN) and State Senator Grant Hauschild (DFL-03) sent press releases applauding the company for the announcement. The mine in Babbitt and the pellet plant in Silver Bay, both owned by Cleveland-Cliffs,…

3 Dead, More Than 200 Hurt As New Quake Hits Turkey, Syria

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — A new 6.4 magnitude earthquake on Monday killed three people and injured more than 200 in parts of Turkey laid waste two weeks ago by a massive quake that killed tens of thousands, authorities said. More buildings collapsed, trapping some people, while scores of injuries were recorded in neighboring Syria too. Monday’s earthquake was centered in…

Presidents Day: A Look At Some Notable Presidential Speeches In US History

(Fox 9) — Presidents Day is a federal holiday in the U.S. celebrated on the third Monday of February each year. The day recognizes George Washington’s birthday, as well as honors the history of the American presidency and all of those who have served as our nation’s leader. From Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address to Ronald Reagan’s “tear down this wall” speech…

Coffee Conversation: Duluth Women’s Expo to Return for 14th Year

DULUTH, Minn. — The 14th annual Duluth Women’s Expo will return to the DECC Pioneer Hall on Saturday (2/25) showcasing more than 100 vendors and a range of offerings. The Lundeen Group Vice President Kynze Lundeen joined the FOX21 morning newscast on Monday to preview the event. Onsite you can expect to find food and drinks, shopping, activities, pampering, a…

Biden Declares ‘Kyiv Stands’ In Surprise Visit To Ukraine

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — President Joe Biden paid an unannounced visit to Ukraine on Monday to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a defiant display of Western solidarity with a country still fighting what he called “a brutal and unjust war” days before the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion. “One year later, Kyiv stands,” Biden declared after meeting Zelenskyy at…

Spirit Mountain Preps for Upcoming Events

DULUTH, Minn. – It has been a warm weekend and people were outside enjoying the weather. Over at Spirit Mountain, people are still hitting the slopes making the best out of warm winter conditions until spring finally arrives. However, the forecast might change some plans. “Looking ahead this week, we’re looking forward for more natural snow,” said Director of Resort…

Abortion Among Major Issues At Stake In Wisconsin Court Race

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A conservative tilt on the Wisconsin Supreme Court has given Republicans victories on voting restrictions, gerrymandered legislative districts and other high-stakes cases in recent years. Voters now have a chance to tip that balance toward the left, with implications for abortion rights and perhaps the outcome of the 2024 presidential election in one of the nation’s most closely divided political battlegrounds. Tuesday’s primary…

Duluth Sport Show is a Hit Once Again

DULUTH, Minn.– The Duluth Sport Show has finished is third of four days back at the DECC and so just one day remains to sees all kinds of things to enjoy. It’s Saturday, so the attendance was way up from the first two days. Vendors showing everything from RV’s and resorts to Fishing equipment and boats. Vendors showed off heir…

23rd Annual Polar Plunge for Special Olympics

DULUTH, Minn.– The temperature may be nice for February but the water is still freezing, but that’s not stopping anyone from jumping in to support of a great cause. Many brave souls are local, but country singer Frank Ray decided to take a cold dip before his performance at Amsoil Arena tonight. “I’m so fired up to be here, it’s…

23rd ANNUAL POLAR PLUNGE

Duluth, Minn. — Lake Superior played host to the 23rd Annual Polar Plunge in Duluth this afternoon.  Some 600 people were scheduled to take the plunge to help raise funds for Special Olympics. Ryan Temple of the Duluth Police Department said, “Law enforcement is the number one supporter and fund raiser for Special Olympics and the world. So to see…

AmeriCorps Members Help Local Students with SEL

Dultuh, Minn. — The pandemic had, in the words of the Brookings Institute, a devastating impact on students.  It not only affected academic levels, but with students not having interactions with other students their social skills were also impacted. True North AmeriCorps is helping 30 schools and other organizations work with children to help the students with their Social Emotional…

Superior Family, Pets Escape Burning Home; Firefighters Credit Working Smoke Detectors

SUPERIOR, Wis. — For the second time in a week, the Superior Fire Department is crediting working smoke detectors for allowing residents to safely exit burning structures. The latest fire happened around 7:47 p.m. Friday on the 800 block of North 19th Street. Fire crews arrived four minutes later to find fire in the kitchen of the home, according to…

Maple School Dist. Plans To Eliminate Teacher Positions Amid $575K Deficit

MAPLE, Wis. – More than a half-dozen teacher positions are planning to be eliminated within the Maple School District next school year because of an anticipated $575,000 deficit, according to Supt. Sara Croney. As of Friday’s announcement, a full-time math teacher, social studies teacher and part-time library aide are being eliminated at the high school. At the middle school a…

Duluth’s Amazing Grace To Host ‘Last Hurrah’ After 27 Years In Business

Amazing Grace Cafe & Grocery, a staple in Canal Park for 27 years, will close the doors for good at the end of February. The decision to close, according to the owner Connor riley, was very difficult to make but the right one after trying to fight through the pandemic and its aftermath. Amazing Grace has been providing locally sourced,…

Fire Destroys Two-Story Home Near Cook

Courtesy: St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office BEATTY TOWNSHIP, Minn. – Fire ripped through a two-story home north of Cook Friday evening. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said the fire broke out around 4:50 p.m. on the 8700 block of Raps Road in Beatty Township. When firefighters arrived, the structure was fully engulfed in flames. Nobody was inside the home…