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Former Gannucci’s Owner Charged With Sexually Assaulting 2 Children

DULUTH, Minn. – The longtime owner of Gannucci’s Italian Market in West Duluth is charged with sexually assaulting two children. William Kalligher, 61, is facing seven felonies, including one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. This comes after numerous allegations came to light this summer. Court documents say a 25-year-old man told police that Kalligher forced oral sex on him…

Duluth’s ‘Sled Sheds’ Are Back This Winter!

DULUTH, Minn. -The Duluth Parks and Rec has brought back “Sled Sheds” this winter. A free sledding opportunity, Sled Sheds can be utilized by anyone who wants to go out and have some fun in the snow. These sheds can be found at three locations, Lincoln Park, Leif Erickson Park, Portland Square, and a fourth shed location will be coming…

NAPA Auto Parts Gives Away $1,000 Certificates

DULUTH, Minn. -Nine lucky winners were awarded $1,000 gift certificates to be used at auto care centers around the Twin Ports. NAPA Auto Parts in west Duluth hosted the certificate giveaway today in light of the holiday season. Recipients were nominated by their loved ones, and were selected by shop owners after being determined to be the most deserving of…

Santa Visits Steve O’Neil Apartments

DULUTH, Minn. -The Steve O’Neil Apartments had a special visitor today. Santa Claus stopped by to visit with families in celebration of the holiday season. Children in attendance received gifts as well as cookies made from staff. Families were able to take pictures with Santa while enjoying Christmas classics from keyboardist Samuel Black. “A real festive day for the community…

Christmas Lighting Challenge Winners Announced

DULUTH, Minn. – Some of the best Christmas light displays in the Twin Ports region earned special recognition Wednesday. Over 2,700 voters helped to determine the winners of the 7th annual Christmas Lighting Display, covering homes and businesses in Duluth, Superior, Hermantown, Cloquet and other nearby regions. For some, the event is a chance to continue a holiday tradition.  Bill and…

Businesses See Rush of Last Minute Holiday Shoppers

DULUTH, Minn. – With only a few more shopping days left before Christmas, businesses across the Northland are seeing plenty of last minute shoppers. At Fitger’s Mall, business managers say they have been busy the past few days, continuing what has been a strong season. Denise Kaitala, a manager at Duluth Kitchen Co. and Market Gourmet, says she has done her…

Midday Update 12-22-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News, weather

Blood Donors Needed to Avoid Delays in Patient Care

The American Red Cross Blood Supply at Historically Low Levels, Continuing to Decline

DULUTH, Minn. – The American Red Cross blood supply is at historically low levels and it continues to decline. Officials with the American Red Cross say if more donors don’t come out to give, hospitals may be forced to delay care to patients relying on blood transfusion. The Red Cross is announcing all who come to give through Jan. 2…

U.S. Consumer Confidence Rises Despite Omicron, Higher Prices

WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. consumer confidence rose this month as Americans shrugged off concerns about rising prices and COVID’-19’s highly contagious omicron variant. The Conference Board, a business research group, said Wednesday that its consumer confidence index – which takes into account consumers’ assessment of current conditions and their outlook for the future – rose to 115.8 in December, the…

Morning Update 12-22-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, News, weather

Mask Mandate To Be Lifted For Superior School District Jan. 3

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Superior School District is ditching its mask mandate after the holiday break, Supt. Amy Starzecki said in an email Tuesday evening to the Spartan community. Starting Monday, Jan. 3, students, staff and visitors can choose whether to wear a mask in any of the district’s buildings because Starzecki says COVID cases have been on the decrease…

Hartley Nature Center Hosts Winter Solstice Luminary Hike

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Parks and Recreation Department celebrated the Winter Solstice Tuesday with Hartley Nature Center. A half-mile loop was lit up for a luminary hike, along with hot chocolate, a photo booth and a fire pit – all to celebrate winter’s the shortest day of the year. “Especially at night when we’re in the darkest days is…

Itasca County Health Officials Urge Caution Ahead of Holiday Gatherings

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – Interest in new COVID-19 vaccinations is slowing in Itasca County. Leaders with Itasca County Public Health say roughly 60 percent of eligible residents in the county are vaccinated, a number that hasn’t grown as of late. Four percent of vaccinated residents in the county have still tested positive for COVID-19. The Public Health Dept. is reporting…

New Snowfall Brightens Landscape, Doesn’t Stop Dog Owners

DULUTH, Minn. – Several inches of snow Tuesday morning helped to make the Northland look more appropriate for the upcoming Christmas holiday. Most who were clearing it away from sidewalks and driveways had their usual complaints, but one person prefers the light and fluffy flakes. “I’d rather have snow than cold,” says Curt Timmerman of Duluth, “I mean it stays…

Fairlawn Mansion Hosts Twinkling Evenings

DULUTH, Minn. –Fairlawn Mansion in Superior hosts Twinkling Evenings. Each room in the mansion is decorated with trees and other Christmas décor. Guests are welcome to treats and are challenged to find all the hidden snow globes throughout the mansion. Though the tour is self-guided, hosts are there to share the history and customs once held at Fairlawn. “Christmas was…

20-Member FEMA Headed To Overwhelmed Green Bay Hospital

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A 20-member team from the U.S. Navy is headed to Green Bay’s Bellin Hospital to help the overwhelmed facility treat patients with COVID-19. Gov. Tony Evers announced Tuesday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency dispatched the team to assist. Wisconsin hospitals are struggling to keep up with a surge in COVID-19 patients while also dealing with…

Evers Signs Gambling Deal With St. Croix Chippewa

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ administration has signed a deal allowing gambling on sports and other events at St. Croix Chippewa tribal casinos. Evers’ administration announced Monday that it has amended the state’s gambling compact with the tribe to offer event wagering. The St. Croix Tribal Council approved the amendment on Nov. 30. The U.S. Department of…

Midday Update 12-21-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News, weather

Gov. Walz Tests Positive for COVID-19

(courtesy: Fox 9) ST. PAUL, Minn. – Governor Tim Walz on Tuesday announced he has tested positive for COVID-19 along with his wife and son. A statement released from his office this morning reads: “Yesterday, my 9th grade son tested positive for COVID-19. Gwen and I were both tested that same day, and after initially testing negative yesterday morning, last…

US Population Growth at Lowest Rate in Pandemic’s 1st Year

(AP) – U.S. population growth dipped to its lowest rate since the nation’s founding during the first year of the pandemic as the coronavirus curtailed immigration, delayed pregnancies, and killed hundreds of thousands of U.S. residents, according to figures released Tuesday. The United States grew by only 0.1%, with only an additional 392,665 added to the U.S. population, from July…

Minnesota Regulators Reaffirm Air Permit for Proposed Mine

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — State regulators who three years ago issued an air quality permit for a proposed copper-nickel mine in northwestern Minnesota stood by their decision in a report released Monday that said the mine did not provide misleading information on its plans. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency report is a blow to several environmental groups and the…

Morning Update 12-21-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021.   Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, News, weather

Biden to Pledge 500M Free COVID-19 Tests to Counter Omicron

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Joe Biden plans to deliver 500 million free COVID-19 tests to Americans, increase support for hospitals and expand the availability of vaccines to confront a winter surge of coronavirus cases driven by the fast-spreading omicron variant. Biden will stress in a Tuesday speech the importance of getting vaccinated to protect from a wave of infections as…

Jury at Kim Potter Trial in Wright Death Returns Tuesday

(Court TV, via AP, Pool) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A jury will resume deliberations in the trial of a suburban Minneapolis police officer who says she meant to use her Taser instead of her gun when she shot and killed Daunte Wright. The jury returns Tuesday after meeting for about a half-day Monday following closing arguments. Prosecutors accused Kim Potter of…

Grand Rapids Attorney Charged With Criminal Sexual Conduct Of Client

A Grand Rapids attorney is facing serious charges after being accused of sexually assaulting a client multiple times. Jesse Powell, 32, of Powell Law, is facing five charges ranging from 3rd degree to 5th degree criminal sexual conduct. According to court documents, Powell raped her in his office after episodes of non-consensual touching of her body, including kissing. Powell faces…

Wisconsin Health Officials Concerned For COVID Surge Caused By Holidays, Omicron

96% of ICU beds and 98% of immediate care beds are full statewide.

WISCONSIN – State health officials in Wisconsin echo the desperate pleas of those regionally and across the country, declaring a public health advisory as they anticipate a surge in disease activity due to the Omicron variant. There were more than 13 hundred new COVID cases reported in the state yesterday, with 19 Omicron cases detected so far. Experts expect that…

Former Duluth Police Chief Is Back, Might Run For St. Louis County Sheriff

DULUTH, Minn. – Former Duluth Police Chief Gordon Ramsay and his family have moved back to Duluth, and Ramsay, 49, is eyeing what’s next locally for his career, which could include a run for St. Louis County sheriff. For the last six years, Ramsay has been the top cop for Kansas’ largest police department in Wichita where he has managed…

Plans Unveiled to Give Duluth Armory New Life as Multi-Use Community Building

The multi-use building will include a public marketplace in the street-level drill hall and the lower level -- a community kitchen for nonprofits and small businesses.

DULUTH, Minn.- The stars of a vision, plan, and developers have aligned to bring new life to the Duluth Armory, as its redevelopment was announced via press conference Monday, inside the building which has sat largely unused on London Road for decades. “They say good things come to those that wait, and if that’s true the Armory project is going…

Omicron Sweeps Across Nation, Now 73% Of US COVID-19 Cases

NEW YORK (AP) – Omicron has raced ahead of other variants and is now the dominant version of the coronavirus in the U.S. Federal health officials said Monday that omicron accounted for an estimated 73% of new infections last week. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention numbers show nearly a six-fold increase in the proportion of infections in only…

Environmental Testing Finds Presence of Chemical Styrene at Spooner Middle School

SPOONER, Wis. – After a chemical exposure forced an evacuation of the Spooner Middle School, sickening several students and staff last month, district officials say in-person will resume tomorrow. Environmental testing, industrial hygiene, and occupational medicine reviews were conducted in the school, which indicated the presence of the chemical styrene. According to the school district, symptoms of styrene exposure include dizziness,…

Local Hospitals, Public Health Partner in Public Service Announcement

DULUTH, Minn. – Healthcare resources are strained. Medical workers are as committed as ever to caring for their patients, but they’re exhausted and pleading with people: Take COVID-19 seriously and do what you can to minimize virus spread. That is the message in a new public service announcement (PSA) created by Essentia Health, St. Luke’s, and St. Louis County Public Health…

Dec. 15 Storms Across North-central US Classified as Derecho

O’FALLON, Mo. (AP) – A line of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes that swept across the north-central U.S. last week has been classified by the National Weather Service as a serial derecho – the first on record December. At least 45 tornadoes have been preliminarily confirmed in the Dec. 15 storms that crossed the Great Plains and Midwest amid unseasonably warm…

Police: No ‘Obvious Trauma’ in Deaths of 7 Minnesota People

MOORHEAD, Minn. (AP) – Authorities say preliminary autopsy results show seven people whose bodies were discovered inside a Minnesota home did not die from “any obvious trauma.” Police say all seven victims, including three minors, lived at the residence in south Moorhead. The Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office in St. Paul conducted the autopsies but did not determine a cause…

Midday Update 12-20-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Monday, December 20, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Monday, December 20, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News, weather

With Christmas in the Balance, Nations Eye UK Omicron Surge

LONDON (AP) – Britain’s main nurses’ union has warned that exhaustion and surging coronavirus cases among medical staff are pushing them to the breaking point. That is adding to pressure on the government for new restrictions to curb record numbers of infections driven by the omicron variant. The warning Monday throws into stark relief the unpalatable choice Prime Minister Boris…

Intertribal Agency Faults Wisconsin Review of Line 5 Reroute

SUPERIOR, Wis. – An intertribal agency says Wisconsin’s draft environmental review for a reroute of an oil and gas pipeline is incomplete and flawed. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources released its draft environmental impact statement last week for a roughly 40-mile reroute of Enbridge’s Line 5 in Ashland and Iron counties. The pipeline carries up to 23 million gallons…

Prosecutor: Minnesota Cop Negligent in Daunte Wright’s Death

(Court TV, via AP, Pool) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A prosecutor is telling jurors that the suburban Minneapolis police officer who says she meant to use her Taser instead of her gun when she shot and killed Black motorist Daunte Wright knew what she did was wrong. The jury will get the case against Kim Potter following Monday’s closing arguments. Prosecutor…

Morning Update 12-20-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Monday, December 20, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Monday, December 20, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, News, weather

‘Make Every Child Smile Toy Drive’ Makes Sure Hundreds Have Presents to Open on Christmas

500 gifts went to families in the Twin Ports who may have been experiencing hardships before and because of the pandemic.

DULUTH, Minn.- T’ was the weekend before Christmas, and all through Shake It juice shop were hundreds of toys, and just outside sat a line of rides for the Make Every Child Smile Toy Drive. “I think holidays are hard for everybody and especially the last 2 years with COVID and hardships,” said Tara Aase, volunteering for her second year…