News – Latest News

UMD Continues Mask Requirement, Students Mixed on Duluth’s New Mandate

DULUTH, Minn. – While the City of Duluth is resuming its mask mandate Friday evening, mask requirements are nothing new for students, faculty, and staff at UMD. People have been asked to wear one, regardless of vaccination status, inside campus buildings since early August. For some students, wearing a mask elsewhere in the city will help keep everyone safe from the…

Eveleth’s Historic Hippodrome Turning 100 in 2022

EVELETH, Minn. – A piece of Eveleth’s history will celebrate a major milestone this weekend. Residents from near and far are thrilled to be honoring the Hippodrome’s 100th anniversary of being a staple in the community. “It’s a community building,” said Mike Newman, former crew leader with Eveleth Parks and Rec. In every community, there’s a heart. “It was more…

Duluth Police Welcomes First Mother-Daughter Duo Officers in Department’s History

Officer Angela Robertson got to pin the badge on her daughter, Maddyson.

DULUTH, Minn.- Friday’s pinning ceremony at the Duluth Police Department was a special one for two officers with a special bond. Officer Angela Robertson got to pin the badge on her daughter, Maddyson. It’s the first mother-daughter duo in the department’s history. Ever since she was a child going on ride-alongs with Officer Angela Robertson, Maddyson knew she wanted to…

UMD Students Signing Petition to Protest Vaccine Form for Enrollment

DULUTH, Minn. – The start of the spring semester at UMD saw one recent student begin an effort to end the vaccine requirement to attend classes. Lucius Lafromboise is protesting against the form required by the University of Minnesota system that identifies a person’s vaccination status, or list a medical or religious exemption against getting one.  He chose not to fill…

Duluth Fire Suspects Human Cause of Esmond Building Fire

DULUTH, Minn.-An official cause of the fire at the condemned Esmond building in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood is still unknown tonight, but Duluth fire officials suspect it was human-caused. Due to the extent of the damage, it is still unsafe for crews to conduct thorough investigation. Construction services through the city of Duluth have issued a demolition order allowing thirty…

Hospitals in Carlton County Meet to ‘Crisis Plan’ as COVID Continues Surging

Crisis planning is to prepare the hospitals, and make a course of action in case they become overwhelmed and have to send patients elsewhere.

CLOQUET, Minn. — Doctors from the Community Memorial Hospital met on Thursday to “crisis plan”, concerned that the latest surge of the Omicron variant might overwhelm medical facilities. Crisis planning is to prepare the hospitals, and make a course of action in case they become overwhelmed and have to send patients elsewhere. But with so many medical facilities bogged down…

University Of Minnesota System Announces Temporary Proof of Vaccination

DULUTH, Minn. — The president of the University of Minnesota System announced a new temporary change to how they are allowing people into events with more than 200 people. The university system, across the 5 campuses in the state, will be requesting proof of vaccination or a negative test 72 hours prior to the event in order to attend. This…

Proctor Teen Charged With Criminal Sexual Conduct

PROCTOR, Minn. – A Proctor teen has been officially charged in connection to the “sexual misconduct” allegations made in September against members of the Rails football team. According to the St. Louis County Attorney’s Office, a 17-year-old male has been charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct. According to the criminal complaint, on September 16 the Proctor Police Department received an…

U of M Systems Announces Temporary Proof of Vaccination Policy at Indoor Events

DULUTH, Minn. – The University of Minnesota on Friday announced a new temporary proof of vaccination policy for all indoor events on any of its University campuses. According to a Friday message from University President Joan Gabel, this policy will be in effect from Wednesday, January 26 through at least Wednesday, February 9. The policy includes all University events of…

St. Luke’s Updates Visitor Policy

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Luke’s is updating its visitor policy once again due to the high community spread of COVID-19. Effective Monday, the hospital will be requiring visitors of inpatients, surgical/procedural care, and the Emergency Department to show proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test within 72 hours of their visit. To view the current visitor policy, click here….

Winter Blues? Join the Lake Superior Kubb League

Active Adventures: Kubb in the Twin Ports

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s a game that has origins back to the Vikings. Kubb, which has a strong presence in the Twin Cities and Eau Claire regions, required a small outdoor space, six batons, and 11 blocks of woods. Fox 21’s Rusty Mehlberg met up with Erik Linge, a co-founder of Lake Superior Kubb, to learn more about the game,…

Midday Update 1-14-22

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Friday, January 14, 2022

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Rusty Mehlberg for a local look at news and weather making headlines Friday, January 14, 2022. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, midday update, News, Rusty Mehlberg, weather

Waukesha Parade Suspect To Stand Trial for Murder

(Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department via AP)   MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A Wisconsin court commissioner has ordered a Milwaukee man accused of plowing his SUV through a suburban Christmas parade, killing six people and injuring dozens more, to stand trial. Waukesha County Court Commissioner Kevin Costello ordered Darrell Brooks Jr. bound over for trial on more than 70 charges, including…

Morning Update 1-14-22

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Friday, January 14, 2022

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Rusty Mehlberg for a local look at news and weather making headlines Friday, January 14, 2022. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, morning update, News, Rusty Mehlberg, weather

Heavy Snow in Midwest Slows Travel, Closes Scores of Schools

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Heavy snow spread across a large swath of the Midwest, where travel conditions deteriorated and scores of schools closed or moved to online instruction. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for parts of Minnesota, the Dakotas, Iowa, and Illinois, where forecasters were expecting up to 10 inches of fresh snow. The weather service tweeted…

Duluth City Councilors Join Mayor Larson For Inauguration

DULUTH, Minn. – Four Duluth city councilors were sworn in Thursday through a virtual ceremony with Mayor Emily Larson. Therese Tomaneck, Azrin Awal and Mike Mayou were all inaugurated as the newest members of the council. Tomanek has already served on the council after winning a special election previously. Awal is the first Asian-American to join the council. And Mayou…

Acting St. Louis Co. Atty. Kimberly Maki Running For Official Office This Nov.

DULUTH, Minn. – Acting St. Louis County Attorney Kimberly Maki, who recently took over for Mark Rubin who retired after more than 40 years of service, has announced she’s running to keep that seat in the next election. Maki announced her campaign Thursday outside the Virginia County Courthouse where she says her interest in law began nearly 30 years ago…

Mayor Larson Announces 30-Day Duluth Mask Mandate; Restaurant Assoc. Not Thrilled

DULUTH, Minn. — Just days after the Duluth City Council was unable to unanimously vote to pass a new city-wide mask mandate, and after councilors agreed Mayor Emily Larson should take the lead on emergency orders of that kind, Larson stepped to the podium Thursday afternoon announcing just that — a new mask mandate for the next 30 days effective…

St. Louis County’s Size, Local Governments Within County Make It Unlikely For Mask Mandate

The only mask mandate within the county has been inside county buildings.

DULUTH, Minn. — St. Louis County’s Public Health Director, Amy Westbrook, spoke in support of Duluth’s mask mandate Thursday, and the county released a statement on its take on a possible county wide mask mandate. Westbrook, along with Essentia’s Chief Medical Officer, pointed to growing concerns over hospitalization rates.  Out of the 342 hospital beds at Essentia in Duluth, 58…

Eveleth Celebrating 100th Anniversary Of Hippodrome On Saturday

EVELETH, Minn. – The 100th anniversary of the Hippodrome opening in Eveleth will be celebrated this weekend. For the past century, it’s been the venue where quite a few famous hockey stars have graced the ice, and it’s now somewhat of a mecca for Iron Range hockey history. It was also home to many basketball games, fundraisers, and even concerts…

Songwriters Encouraged to Enter North of Nashville Competition

DULUTH, Minn. – Songwriters have their chance to earn a spot to showcase their talents at Duluth’s Fourth Fest. The North of Nashville showcase is asking for original song submissions through January 21 to highlight area talent.  The organizer says it’s a chance to bring a bit of the Nashville experience to the Northland, regardless of music genre. “Country music today…

Wisconsin Healthcare Systems Under Pressure

Wisconsin healthcare systems are still under pressure due to the increase of COVID cases and staffing shortages. In Wisconsin, 95 percent of intensive and intermediate care beds are currently in use, and 13,000 thousand new cases were reported in the state. To provide relief to Wisconsin hospitals, since October, DHS has recruited 626 new healthcare workers, and the state is…

Aerial Lift Bridge Temporarily Shut Down After Person Climbs To Top

DULUTH, Minn. –   The Aerial Lift Bridge was temporarily shut down Thursday evening after authorities said someone climbed to the very top of the structure. The city alerted people to stay away from the area around 7 p.m. “We are asking the public to stay away from Lake Avenue and Morse Street while we provide assistance to the individual. The…

Mayor Larson Announces 30-Day Mask Mandate

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Mayor Emily Larson on Thursday announced at a City Hall press conference that she is putting a 30-day mask mandate in place effective Friday at 5:00 p.m. The mask mandate will last through 5:00 p.m. on February 12. “The City has spent the last two days rewriting this proclamation and declaration,” Mayor Emily Larson said. “I…

Mining Ban Near Boundary Waters Once Again on the Table

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) – The ongoing tug-of-war over whether mining should be allowed near the pristine Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness has been resurrected with strong opinions on both sides of the issue. Federal officials once again gathered feedback from the public in a virtual meeting Wednesday that comes more than five years after a 20-year mining ban was first…

BWCA Quota Permit Reservations Available at End of Month

DULUTH, Minn. – Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness quota permit reservations will be available starting January 26 at 9:00 a.m. for the 2022 season. Visitors are encouraged to book their reservations for May 1 through September 20 online at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. A permit is required for visitors taking an overnight paddle, motor or hiking trip, or a…

National Guard to Staff Wisconsin Hospitals, Nursing Homes

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin National Guard troops will help fill staffing shortages at the state’s hospitals and nursing homes over the coming weeks due to a surge in COVID-19 patients, Gov. Tony Evers announced Thursday. The governor said troops are being trained as certified nursing assistants. About 50 soldiers were deployed to six nursing homes during the past week….

Supreme Court Halts COVID-19 Vaccine Rule for US Businesses

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Supreme Court has stopped the Biden administration from enforcing a requirement that employees at large businesses be vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing and wear a mask on the job. At the same time, the court is allowing the administration to proceed with a vaccine mandate for most health care workers in the U.S. The…

Minneapolis Schools Move Instruction Online as Virus Surges

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minneapolis Public Schools will pivot to online instruction for two weeks because the coronavirus has significantly reduced the number of school staff available for in-person learning. Virtual education will begin Friday with students returning to the classroom on Jan. 31. Minneapolis joins a growing list of school districts planning to move to distance learning, including Osseo, Prior…

Midday Update 1-13-22

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, January 13, 2022

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Rusty Mehlberg for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, January 13, 2022. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, midday update, News, Rusty Mehlberg, weather

The Heat Stays On: Earth Hits 6th Warmest Year on Record

(AP) – Two U.S. science agencies say 2021 was the sixth hottest year on record globally, part of a long-term warming trend. NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Thursday released measurements showing how hot last year was. It wasn’t record hot, but the year’s 58.5-degree average is not much behind the record. The last eight years have been…

Spirit Mountain Invites Community to Experience New Outdoor Ice Skating Rink

The Rink is Open Tuesday - Sunday

DULUTH, Minn. – If you’re looking to beat the winter blues, the staff at Spirit Mountain invites you to check out their new, free ice skating rink that’s now open to the public. “I’m really excited. Spirit Mountain has been around for 48 years, we’ve been around for a long time,” said Ann Glumac, Interim Director at Spirit Mountain. This…

Morning Update 1-13-22

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, January 13, 2022

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Rusty Mehlberg for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, January 13, 2022. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, morning update, News, Rusty Mehlberg, weather

Fire Dept.: Cause Of Superior Warehouse Fire May Never Be Known

The extensive damage to the building is hindering the investigation into a cause.

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s been almost a week since two warehouses went up in flames in Superior’s North End district, and now FOX 21 is learning there’s a strong chance a cause may never been known. Light smoke could be seen Wednesday coming from the rubble of what’s left of the 1980s-era buildings near the Blatnik Bridge. Old Main Park…

Douglas County Public Health Reports Rapid Rise in New COVID-19 Infections

In the Past 30 Days, 11 Residents Have Been Hospitalized with COVID-19 in Douglas County

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Douglas County Public Health is reporting a steady rise in new COVID-19 cases, with reports coming from PCR and rapid testing. Throughout the month of December, the health department reported 439 cases. In the first two weeks of 2022, the department has reported 349 new cases. Officials say the virus is spreading throughout all ages, however, more…

Red Cross Blood Crisis Continues in the Northland

DULUTH, Minn. — As the blood shortage crisis continues throughout the country, the Northland Red Cross chapter is doing what they can to keep donation numbers up. Since the pandemic, donation levels have decreased by 10%. And while getting donors has been a challenge, finding volunteers to work drives has also been hard. But now the Red Cross is promoting…

Cloquet Gets Funding For Expanding Broadband, Asks Residents To Take Survey

CLOQUET, Minn. – A foundation is recognizing Cloquet as an area of rural Minnesota that could use some help boosting its access to broadband internet. The Blandin Foundation offers $75,000 matching grants to help advance technology goals for communities that apply to be a part of the program, and Cloquet is one of the newest cities to receive funding from…

North Shore Scenic Railroad Resuming Volunteer Training

DULUTH, Minn. – After seeing record attendance in 2021, the North Shore Scenic Railroad is hoping to see this trend continue in 2022. They are in need of volunteers to help run their various excursions, and they are offering free training starting next month for those interested.  Unlike in years past, there will be no waiting for new trainees to get…

Proctor Schools, Essentia Health Host Student Career Fair

PROCTOR, Minn. – Students at Proctor High and A.I. Jedlicka Middle schools got the chance to learn more about the various job opportunities the medical field has to offer. Proctor Pathways and Essentia Health showcased nearly two dozen different departments, ranging from nursing to athletic training to sterile processing tech. Organizers say this is the first time since the start…

Grand Rapids Attorney Arrested, Arraigned on Charges of Sexual Criminal Conduct

DULUTH, Minn. – A Grand Rapids attorney charged with five counts of criminal sexual conduct was arrested and arraigned today on five counts of criminal sexual conduct. According to court records, Jesse Powell, 32, missed his initial court appearance on Monday resulting in a warrant being issued for his arrest. An email from the judge filed with the case states,…