News – Latest News

Mask Mandates Return To Twin Cities; No Plans In Motion For Twin Ports

Duluth and Superior mayors told FOX 21 Wednesday there are no immediate plans to bring back a mask mandate for their cities after Minneapolis and St. Paul both announced indoor mask mandates returning at 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 6. Duluth Mayor Emily Larson’s office released the following statement: “The City is tracking the infection and spread of COVID-19 in Duluth,…

“Freshwater”, Documentary on Lake Superior, Premiers in February

NORTH SHORE, Minn. – Lake Superior will be the focal point of a new documentary set for release next month. “Freshwater” began with a surfing only focus for filmmaker Ian Planchon after seeing people ride the lake’s waves in 2019. “I never knew this group of people existed until we started this documentary,” says Planchon. It has been expanded to include…

Sen. Tina Smith Applauds Bi-Partisan Passage Of ‘No Surprises Act’ Involving Emergency Medical Bills

Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith is applauding lawmakers on both sides of the isle in D.C. for a new law now in effect to stop surprise medical bills for most emergency care. The “No Surprises Act” went into effect Jan. 1. Smith said Americans have faced unexpected medical bills for years after seeking emergency care ranging from hundreds to tens of…

DTA Talks About Further Impact From Route Temporarily Shutting Down

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Transit Authority is updating the public on the further impact from shutting down one route temporarily. The DTA is experiencing staffing shortages, and some employees are calling out sick with COVID and seasonal illnesses. For now, the trips on Route 5 are on pause. It’s a direct connection between West Duluth and the Miller Hill…

UMD’s ‘Preschool at the Park’ Reopening On-Campus Nature-Based Program

The Preschool at the Park is set to open on January 10th after being closed since the beginning of the pandemic in March of 2020.

DULUTH, Minn.- After almost two years UMD will be welcoming back some much younger students to their campus little preschoolers. The Preschool at the Park is set to open on January 10th after being closed since the beginning of the pandemic in March of 2020. Located in the Chester Park Building, the program is nature-based enhancing the 3 to 5-year-old’s…

Duluth Warming Centers at Capacity as New, Larger Facility’s Opening Delayed

The new warming center in Lincoln Park was supposed to open in December, but COVID supply chain issues pushed that to February.

DULUTH, Minn- Duluth’s homeless population is truly feeling the pain from these types of cold nights. And that’s fueling a desperate call for more attention and investment in affordable housing — as a new and bigger warmer center has been delayed for months. A new warming center in the lower level of the Lincoln Park Center is in its final…

Cousins Returns From COVID-19 Absence to Vikings for Finale

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Kirk Cousins has returned to the Minnesota Vikings from COVID-19 reserve. He missed the previous game while experiencing mild symptoms. That loss at Green Bay eliminated the Vikings from contention for the playoffs. They play Chicago on Sunday in a meaningless finale game. Vikings coach Mike Zimmer plans to play Cousins and all of the other regulars…

Minneapolis, St. Paul Reinstate Indoor Mask Mandates

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Minneapolis and St. Paul reinstated indoor mask mandates Wednesday as the state grapples with a surge in COVID-19 cases due to the omicron variant. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey signed an emergency regulation reinstating the city-wide mask policy, which requires patrons, employees, and visitors to wear a mask in businesses and places of public accommodation. St. Paul…

Snow Emergency Declared for City of Washburn

WASHBURN, Wis. – A snow emergency has been declared for the City of Washburn effective at midnight on Thursday. The snow emergency will end at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday. The City of Washburn says a snow emergency means that all vehicles must be removed from all city streets, alleys, and parking lots to allow city streets to be cleared completely…

Spirit Mountain Skating Rink to Open Friday

(courtesy: Spirit Mountain) DULUTH, Minn. – Spirit Mountain’s new Grand Avenue skating rink is set to open this Friday at the Grand Avenue Chalet. A grand opening event will be held on Friday starting at 5:30 p.m. and will include a bonfire and hot cocoa with marshmallows. The skating rink, located at 8551 Grand Avenue in West Duluth, is free…

Midday Update 1-5-22

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, January 5, 2022

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Rusty Mehlberg for a look at local news and weather making headlines Wednesday, January 5, 2022. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, midday update, News, Rusty Mehlberg, weather

Child Tax Credit 2021 Payments: How To Know if You Owe, IRS Letter to Watch For

WASHINGTON (FOX-TV via Fox 9) – Many parents across the U.S. received monthly payments in 2021 as part of the expanded Child Tax Credit program, and with tax season coming up, there is some important information to know and look out for in 2022. The Internal Revenue Service began sending letters to recipients of the program in late December and…

School Closings, Delays for Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022

Closed:  Bayfield Schools – Closed Bessemer Area School District – Closed Maple Schools – Closed Northwood School District – Closed Solon Springs School – Closed South Shore School District – Closed Superior School District – Closed Opening 2 Hours Late:  Lake Superior School District – 2-hour delay Early Dismissal: Ashland School District – Elementary released at 1 p.m., Middle and…

Local Animal Shelters Taking Part in Viral #BettyWhiteChallenge

Participants Can Donate on or Before Jan. 17 -- What Would Have Been White's 100th Birthday

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The late Betty White is being honored with a new social media challenge. The idea says that on Jan. 17 — which would have been white’s 100th birthday, people should pick a local rescue or animal shelter in their area and donate $5 in White’s name. White was a lifelong animal lover and wrote an animal book…

Morning Update 1-5-22

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, January 5, 2022

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Rusty Mehlberg for a look at local news and weather making headlines Wednesday, January 5, 2022. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Local News, morning update, News, Rusty Mehlberg, weather

Wisconsin Tax Burden Rises for First Time in Decade

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin’s state tax burden increased slightly last year for the first time in a decade due largely to a pandemic-related economic surge, according to a report released Wednesday. The nonpartisan Wisconsin Policy Forum’s study found total state and local taxes in Wisconsin grew to $34 billion last year, up 7.1% from 2020. Overall, combined state and…

Winter Freezing Fish Lake Energizes Anglers, Local Businesses

When the fish start biting, anglers start biting at the products and services of local businesses.

DULUTH, Minn.- For residents and businesses around smaller bodies of water like Fish Lake in Duluth, winter with its frozen water and snowy trails bring back anglers, snowmobilers, and a much-needed boost to local business and life.   “Especially when we get snow on the ground, we get more snowmobilers that want to stay and the trails just right up…

Preparing Christmas Trees for Proper Disposal

DULUTH, Minn. – The end of the Christmas holiday season means people with live trees will need a place to properly dispose of them. The Western Lake Superior Sanitary District is reminding people that they cannot be part of curbside pickup.  They will need to be dropped off at one of 11 locations in Duluth and Carlton County. Environmental Program Coordinator…

Superior School District Ends Mask Mandate For 4K-6th Grade Classrooms

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Masks are no longer required in the Superior school district. The mandate, which was only in place for students in 4k through sixth grade and the staff and visitors who were around them, was lifted on Monday when the holiday break ended. The superintendent, Amy Starzecki, said that there has been a decline in cases within the…

Sen. Klobuchar Meeting with Capitol Police Chief to Discuss Safety Improvements Since Jan. 6 Insurrection

The U.S. Capitol Was Invaded January 6, 2021 Ahead of the Certification of Electoral Votes

WASHINGTON, D.C. – One year after a mob of disgruntled protesters invaded the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar is preparing to meet with the new Capitol Police Chief Wednesday regarding progress made on policies and security measures moving forward. Sen. Klobuchar also serves as the Chairwoman of the Senate Rules Committee, which oversees the Capitol Police….

Push Continues to Get Children, Teens Vaccinated for COVID

DULUTH, Minn. – The FDA’s recent approval for COVID vaccine booster shots for kids ages 12 through 15 has local healthcare providers encouraged that parents will take their kids to get them. Sherry Johnson, a Certified Nurse Practitioner in Infectious Disease at St Luke’s says they have seen a steady demand for kids’ vaccine shots during the recent winter break.  She hopes…

Walz Announces More COVID-19 Testing Sites as Omicron Surges

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Gov. Tim Walz has announced plans to open three more community testing sites for COVID-19 as the rapid spread of the omicron variant puts new strains on Minnesota’s testing capacity. According to updated figures Tuesday, Minnesota is coming off its deadliest month of the pandemic for 2021, with 874 deaths in December. The state’s seven-day test positivity…

Early Morning Duluth House Fire Causes $70K in Damages

(photo: Twitter/Duluth Fire) DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth firefighters say a condemned house in the Observation Hill neighborhood sustained $70,000 in damages after a fire broke out early Tuesday morning. Fire crews responded to the 700 block of West 2nd Street around 6:15 a.m. on reports of a fire at the home. When fire crews arrived at the scene they found…

Midday Update 1-4-22

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, January 4, 2022

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Rusty Mehlberg for a local look at news and weather making headlines Tuesday, January 4, 2022. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, midday update, News, Rusty Mehlberg, weather

CDC Signs off on Pfizer Extra Dose Measures

NEW YORK (AP) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has signed off on two measures to increase access to additional doses of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine. The CDC on Tuesday recommended shortening the recommended interval of time between when people who had an initial series of Pfizer vaccinations and when they receive a Pfizer booster shot, from six…

Morning Update 1-4-22

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, January 4, 2022

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Rusty Mehlberg for a local look at news and weather making headlines Tuesday, January 4, 2022. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, morning update, News, Rusty Mehlberg, weather

Trial Opens for Wisconsin Man Accused of Killing Parents

(Dane County Sheriff’s Office via AP) MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Opening statements were scheduled for Tuesday in the trial of a 23-year-old Wisconsin man charged with killing and dismembering his parents. A jury was selected Monday in Dane County Circuit Court to hear the case against Chandler Halderson, who faces charges of first-degree intentional homicide and mutilating and hiding a…

Minnesota’s Blood Bank Donations Are at a 10-Year Low

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Officials say Minnesota’s blood bank donations are at a 10-year low. Red Cross spokeswoman Tonia Teasley says many people are not donating because they are worried about their own health during the coronavirus pandemic. Teasley says across the region blood donations are down 10 percent. Sen. Amy Klobuchar hosted a virtual roundtable discussion on the issue Monday…

Downtown Duluth YMCA Seeing More Taking Steps Toward Healthier 2022

Staff at the facility on First Street said they've seen a steady increase of people signing up the past few days.

DULUTH,  Minn.- With the New Year comes New Year’s resolutions for many and the Downtown Duluth YMCA has seen more people hoping to start 2022 on a healthier note. Staff at the facility on First Street said they’ve seen a steady increase of people signing up the past few days. They say having a variety of programs like group exercise,…

Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month Continues Education, Prevention

Over time officials say measures like breathing apparatuses and washing gear and skin immediately after calls have become more common.

DULUTH, Minn.- January is Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month as fire crews across the nation work to educate more people about job-related cancer, the leading cause of death among firefighters. Duluth crews hope more people in and out of the firehouse can learn about the toxic carcinogens such as smoke, char, and newer building materials like plastics and technology which firefighters…

Hermantown Night Riders Hosting Dinner to Raise Money for Trail Grooming

The club helps maintain trails in the greater Proctor, Duluth, and Hermantown areas

PROCTOR, Minn.- All this snow is bringing snowmobilers out to area trails and one club is hoping to get more members to help maintain those trails for everyone to enjoy. Hermantown Night Riders snowmobile club will host a dinner fundraiser next Thursday at Blackwoods Grill and Bar in Proctor. The club helps maintain trails in the greater Proctor, Duluth, and…

Vitta Pizza Uses Mostly Wood-Burning Stove, Not Thermostat, To Heat Business

DULUTH, Minn. — Heating bills can get high in the winter, unless you have a business that generates its own warmth. Vitta Pizza in Canal Park barely has to touch the thermostat, as its wood-burning pizza oven helps heat up the restaurant. The oven can heat up to 900 degrees, cooking pizzas in just 90 seconds. While the heating bill…

Ursa Minor Welcomes Guests To Covered Patio For Outdoor Beers

DULUTH, Minn. — One business taking advantage of how hardy Minnesotans can be when the temperatures drop is Ursa Minor Brewing, which is going into its first winter season with an added roof on its patio. The roof was first added back in August. The brewery’s founder tells us even before the patio became a little more sheltered from the…

Duluth Schools Superintendent on Returning to School In-Person Amid Post-Holidays COVID Surge

According to the superintendent, the mask requirement on campuses that started at the beginning of the school year will remain in effect.

DULUTH, Minn.- As the omicron variant fuels a surge of COVID cases nationwide the day kids return to schools after the holidays, Duluth ISD 709 superintendent John Magas said the plan is to continue in-person learning with a heavy dose of caution. “We certainly need to take it very seriously we’re doing everything possible to make sure we’re ensuring safety…

Walz Expects COVID-19 Case Spike as Minnesota Schools Reopen

Walz told Minnesota Public Radio on Monday that school administrators across the state are right to be concerned.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Gov. Tim Walz says coronavirus cases due to the fast-spreading omicron variant will most likely race through Minnesota’s public schools in the next few weeks now that students are back in class. Walz told Minnesota Public Radio on Monday that school administrators across the state are right to be concerned. He noted that modeling by the Mayo…

FDA Expands Pfizer Boosters for More Teens as Omicron Surges

UNDATED (AP) -The U.S. is expanding COVID-19 boosters as it confronts the omicron surge. The Food and Drug Administration on Monday allowed extra Pfizer shots for children as young as 12. Boosters already are recommended for everyone 16 and older, and the FDA says they’re also warranted for 12- to 15-year-olds. The FDA also said everyone eligible for a Pfizer…

Milwaukee Schools Going Virtual Due to Staff COVID-19 Cases

MILWAUKEE (AP) – Wisconsin’s largest school district will transition to virtual instruction beginning Tuesday because of an increase in staff testing positive for COVID-19. Milwaukee public schools were scheduled to resume in-person learning Tuesday, but because of an influx of reported positive COVID-19 cases among district staff, the emergency safety measure is being implemented. The district says its goal is…

Trump, Ivanka, Don Jr Subpoenaed by NY Attorney General

Trump has sued attempting to end the probe, which he says is politically motivated.

NEW YORK (AP) – New York’s attorney general recently issued subpoenas to former President Donald Trump and his two eldest children in connection with an ongoing civil investigation into the family’s business practices. Attorney General Letitia James’ office said in a court filing Monday that it is seeking testimony and documents from Trump, Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka Trump “in…