News – Latest News

120 Foot Tall Snowman Postponed From Bentleyville

DULUTH, Minn. — The cost of building material is now partly responsible for the delay in the debut of one of Bentleyville’s newest and biggest attractions. Back in May, the founder of Bentleyville announced that a 120-foot lit-up iron snowman was going to be built for the site. Bentleyville was partnering with LHB, Braun Intertech, and the local ironworkers 512…

Duluth’s Snow Removal Assistance Program is Now Accepting Applications

DULUTH, Minn.- The city of Duluth’s snow removal assistance program is back for its third year, helping senior residents or people with disabilities remove the snow on their property. The snow removal assistance program only accepts 25 seniors or people with disabilities who need extra help this winter. To qualify for the assistance program, seniors must be 60 years or…

Two Dogs Die After Mobile Home Fire in Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Shortly after 11 p.m. Tuesday, a mobile home in East Superior caught fire, leaving two dogs dead. Superior’s Station 3 fire crew responded to the scene on the 4900 block of Bay Drive, where flames were shooting out of the home’s windows. Eventually, all three stations were called to the scene and remained on site until 2 a.m….

St. Luke’s Now Offering COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments for Children Ages 5 to 11

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Luke’s announced Wednesday that parents can now schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments for their kids between the ages of 5 to 11 years old. Appointments are available at St. Luke’s COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic starting on Monday. Appointments can be made by logging into your child’s St. Luke’s myCare patient portal or by calling 218.249.4200. St. Luke’s COVID-19…

Frey Wins 2nd Term as Minneapolis Mayor After Bitter Race

(AP Photo/Christian Monterrosa)   MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minneapolis voters have reelected Mayor Jacob Frey after a bitter race that focused on calls for changes to policing and racial justice. More than a dozen candidates ran to be mayor, including many who took issue with the way the Democratic incumbent has handled changes to the police department since one of its…

One Arrested in Cass County Drug Investigation

CASS COUNTY, Minn. – A Pine River man was arrested Saturday in connection to an ongoing drug investigation in Cass County. According to the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, investigators, along with the Minnesota State Patrol, made a traffic stop on a vehicle Saturday in the Motley area. The driver, a 44-year-old Pine River man, was detained. Authorities say a search…

Update: Embarrass Man Facing Arson, Burglary Charges in Connection to Iron Range Fire, Accident

  UPDATE: BALKAN TOWNSHIP, Minn. – A Minnesota man is facing multiple charges, including first-degree arson and third-degree burglary in connection to the Tuesday night Iron Range fire that destroyed a garage and four vehicles. According to the St. Louis Couty Sheriff’s Office, authorities responded to reports of a fire on the 5900 block of Krogerus Road around 7:12 p.m….

COVID-19 Vaccinations for Younger Children Begins This Week

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz said Wednesday health care providers and others will begin vaccinating 5- to 11-year-old children this week, now that the Pfizer coronavirus shot has received federal approval. The vaccine will arrive in waves this week and that Minnesota providers have ordered as many doses as possible from the federal government, Walz said. More…

Midday Update 11-3-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, November 3, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, November 3, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News, weather

Report: Packers QB Aaron Rodgers Tests Positive for COVID-19

GREEN BAY, Wis. (Fox 9) – Aaron Rodgers has tested positive for COVID-19 and will not play on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs, according to a report by Tom Pelissero, NFL Network reporter. Sources: #Packers QB Aaron Rodgers tested positive for COVID-19 and is out for Sunday’s game against the #Chiefs. — Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 3, 2021 Rodgers…

Morning Update 11-3-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, November 3, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, November 3, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, News, weather

Two Dogs Die in Superior Mobile Home Fire

SUPERIOR, Wis. – A mobile home in Superior was completely destroyed and two dogs were killed in a fire that broke out late Tuesday night. Superior fire crews were dispatched to 4920 Bay Drive around 11:09 p.m. on reports of a structure fire. According to the Superior Fire Department, when crews arrived at the scene they found a mobile home…

General Election – November 2, 2021 Results

Below is the up to date results of the key races in Tuesday’s Minnesota General Election Council Member at Large – Elect 2 Azrin Awal -6,882 votes (30.75%) Joe Macor -6,131 votes  (27.39%) Terese Tomanek  -7,959 votes (35.56%) Timothy L. Meyer – 1,302  votes (5.82%)   Council Member District 2 Dave Zbaracki -636 votes (24.80%) Mike Mayou -1,911 votes (74.53%)…

Loose Cat Dumped Outside Animal Allies Highlights Issue of Illegal Abandonment

A cat let loose outside of a car prompted a day-long search and renewed calls for the proper drop-off of animals.

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth’s Animal Allies Humane Society is used to seeing animals brought in, but not animals jumping out of a car in their parking lot. That’s how one person dumped a cat there Tuesday, prompting staff to plea for people to properly drop off animals. In surveillance video, around 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, someone just pops open a door, lets…

Bent Paddle Helping Raise Money, Awareness of Mental Health Services with New Beer Launch Thursday

$1 for each pint and $5 for every growler or crowler of the new Pay It Forward pale ale purchased will go back to Amberwing.

DULUTH, Minn.- Experts say mental health issues in kids and teens are rising, so one organization and brewery are teaming up to promote a new beer that raises money for mental health resources. Bell Bank’s Pay-It-Forward Launch Party at Bent Paddle Brewing this Thursday is raising funds for Amberwing, a Duluth-based center for youth and family wellbeing. In a survey…

Indigenous Business Owners Network at First-Ever Tribal Contractors Council Summit in Duluth

They also hope the event will help them connect and build relationships not only within the more than 65 industry members present but with other outside businesses or entities.

DULUTH, Minn.- Indigenous business owners throughout Northern Minnesota got together to network and discuss their industry at the first-ever Minnesota Tribal Contractors Council Summit at Pier B Resort in Duluth. Organizers say many tribal contractors and businesses who worked on the Enbridge Line 3 Pipeline replacement project are in need of new work. They also hope the event will help…

Firefighters, Neighbors Keep Voting Going After Power Outage In Gary-New Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – A power outage in Gary-New Duluth Tuesday evening didn’t stop votes from being counted there. When the Rec Center voting location went dark, Councilor Derek Medved said neighbors brought in generators, coffee and candles to keep the voting going. The Duluth Fire Department showed up with big bright lights, too. The power eventually came back on, and…

Proctor Runners Present Medal to Junior High Runner

PROCTOR, Minn. – This week, Noah Harnell competed in the 2400 meter race at the junior high meet as a special needs athlete. His goal was to run it all the way with no walking. Rails alum and current St. Scholastica runner Annika Voss has been Noah’s pacer for the past two seasons. Knowing that he would reach his goal…

US Gives Final Clearance To COVID-19 Shots For Kids 5 to 11

(AP) — U.S. health officials on Tuesday gave the final signoff to Pfizer’s kid-size COVID-19 shot, a major expansion of the nation’s vaccination campaign. The Food and Drug Administration already authorized the shots for children ages 5 to 11 — doses just a third of the amount given to teens and adults. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention…

Glensheen Mansion is in Decorating Mode for the Holidays

DULUTH, Minn.- It’s about that time of year again. The historic Glensheen Mansion is decking the halls for the holiday season with Christmas trees, lights, ribbons, and more. The estate workers are decorating both the insides and outsides of the property. Twenty-five Christmas trees are spread throughout the inside of the mansion, coordinating colors with the theme of each room….

Upper Lakes Foods Fall Food Show Comes Back

DULUTH, Minn.- Local and national food vendors gathered at the DECC in Duluth this morning for the Upper Lakes Foods Fall Food Show. The event is back after taking a break for two years due to the pandemic, and hundreds of people attended to learn about the food industry, share tips, and network, all while sampling food. General Mills, Kemps,…

49 Essentia Health Staff Members Fired Over Vaccination Status

DULUTH, Minn.- Essentia Health says 49 employees have been fired after failing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine by the set deadline or not applying for an exemption. The hospital confirmed that the employees were let go on Monday. In August, Essentia Health announced all employees and other contractors who work inside the facilities must get their first vaccine dose by…

Thanksgiving Burrito is Back at Burrito Union

DULUTH, Minn.- Burrito Union in the East Hillside neighborhood has brought back its Thanksgiving burrito and sold 150 burritos in just one day Monday. Turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, stuffing, and cranberry salsa in a tortilla make one of the Northland’s favorite seasonal menu items. The popular burrito spot came out with a burrito 13 years ago and returned as a…

Judge: No Release for GOP Donor Accused of Sex Trafficking

(courtesy: Fox 9) MINNEAPOLIS – A federal judge says a prominent Minnesota GOP donor charged with multiple counts of sex trafficking must remain in jail as he prepares his defense. U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz cited “very troubling” testimony that Anton Lazzaro threatened law enforcement and prosecutors after he was arrested. Lazzaro allegedly told Minneapolis police officer, Brandon Brugger, he…

US Advisers Urge COVID Shot for Kids 5-11, Final OK Due Soon

(AP) – An influential U.S. advisory panel is recommending that all children ages 5 to 11 should get Pfizer’s pediatric COVID-19 vaccine. If the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention agrees with Tuesday’s vote, the U.S. will embark on a major expansion of vaccinations. Pediatricians are getting ready to put kid-size doses into little arms as soon…

Minnesota Opening up Alternate Care Site for COVID-19 Patients

SHAKOPEE, Minn. (FOX 9) – As COVID-19 cases in Minnesota continue to overwhelm hospitals that are already struggling with staffing, Governor Tim Walz announced Tuesday the state will open up its first alternate care site. The state will transform Benedictine St. Gertrude’s, a senior care facility in Shakopee, Minnesota, into an overflow facility for COVID-19 patients. The governor’s office says…

Facebook To Shut Down Face-Recognition System, Delete Data

(AP Photo/Richard Drew, File) MENLO PARK, Calif. (AP) — Facebook said it will shut down its face-recognition system and delete the faceprints of more than 1 billion people. “This change will represent one of the largest shifts in facial recognition usage in the technology’s history,” said a blog post on Tuesday from Jerome Pesenti, vice president of artificial intelligence for…

U.S. Military Weighs Penalties for Service Members Who Refuse COVID Vaccine

(courtesy: U.S. Navy) WASHINGTON (AP) – As deadlines loom for military and defense civilians to get mandated COVID-19 vaccines, senior leaders must now wrestle with the fate of those who flatly refuse the shots or are seeking exemptions, and how to make sure they are treated fairly and equally. The vast majority of the active-duty force has received at least…

COVID-19 Vaccine To Be Ready for Children in Wisconsin Later This Week

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Health care providers and other coronavirus vaccine distributors in Wisconsin say they could have doses that are ready to be administered to younger children by the end of the week. On Tuesday, a special advisory panel to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will meet to consider recommendations for administering the Pfizer vaccine to younger…

Midday Update 11-2-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, November 2, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Tuesday, November 2, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update

Morning Update 11-2-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, November 2, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Tuesday, November 2, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, News, weather

Blatnik Bridge Commute to Duluth Diverted for at Least a Year

Crews have also installed a temporary traffic light at the intersection of Garfield Avenue and Railroad Street to help control the added traffic.

DULUTH, Minn.- Some big road closure signs are dotting the Blatnik Bridge as you drive into Duluth, as the Twin Ports Interchange or Can of Worms reconstruction project will divert traffic onto the Garfield Avenue exit for at least the next year. A big light-up sign greets drivers getting on the Blatnik in Superior, warning them of the big change…

U of M Offering Free, Reduced Tuition to Native American Students on All Campuses

First-year or tribal college transfer undergrads from families making under $75,000 will be eligible to have 100% of their tuition waived. 

DULUTH, Minn.- The University of Minnesota will be offering free or reduced tuition for Native American students at all five campuses, including UMD. In the Native American Promise Tuition Program, first-year or tribal college transfer undergrads from families making under $75,000 will be eligible to have 100% of their tuition waived. Students from higher-earning families (up to $125,000 annually) will…

Minnesota Power Requesting 18% Rate Increase to Offset Clean Energy Investments

An interim rate increase of 14% will start January 1st lasting until the Commission approves 18%.

DULUTH, Minn.- Minnesota Power is filing a request with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to increase its annual operating revenue by $108 million. This would mean an 18% increase or about $15 dollars more on customers’ monthly bills. But as the commission takes up to a year to approve their request, the company asked for an interim rate increase of…

Produce Prices on the Rise Due to Supply Chain Issues

DULUTH, Minn.- The current national supply chain issue is starting to affect grocery stores and shoppers in the Northland. Produce prices are rising as distribution delays and weather have played a considerable role in this year’s harvest season. Not only is there a shortage of product due to rough farming conditions, but with the lack of employees in larger distribution…

Essentia St. Mary’s Medical Center Receives New Lung Cancer Detecting Technology

DULUTH, Minn.- Essentia St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth is making treatment advancements with new technology. The medical center received a new Monarch Platform machine that detects early lung cancer in patients this past September. Created in 2018, the new technology device helps the hospital catch cancer earlier than they’ve ever been able to do before. Doctors use the machine…

U of M Offering Free Or Reduced Tuition To Native American Students

(University of Minnesota) MINNEAPOLIS, (FOX 9) – The University of Minnesota is offering free or greatly reduced tuition for Native American students on any of its five campuses. Starting in Fall 2022, the U of M will provide a scholarship covering full tuition at the Crookston, Duluth, Morris, Rochester or Twin Cities campus for first-year or Tribal college transfer undergraduate…

Midday Update 11-1-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Monday, November 1, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Monday, November 1, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News, weather

Wisconsin Gun Dealers Continue to Struggle with Ammo Shortage

Gun Dealers Report Ammo Continues to be in Short Supply

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin gun dealers continue to struggle with keeping shelves stocked with ammunition. Supply chain disruptions from the coronavirus pandemic and increased demand for guns and ammunition have left shelves empty in some cases. And when a shipment does arrive at local gun stores, ammunition is quickly snapped up. The National Shooting Sports Foundation estimates about 8.4…

Minnesota Power Requests 18% Rate Increase

Minnesota Power Files Request for Rate Change to Support Sustainable Energy Future

DULUTH, Minn. — Minnesota Power announced Monday it’s filing a request with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) to increase its annual operating revenue by $108 million and adjust rates for its retail electric customers. The company says the approximately 18% increase reflects changes in revenue and expenses related to Minnesota Power’s ongoing EnergyForward clean energy transition, evolving customer demand,…

MNsure Open Enrollment Period Begins Nov. 1

Open Enrollment for MNsure Runs Through Jan. 15, 2022

ST. PAUL, Minn.— Nov. 1 marks the beginning of MNsure’s open enrollment period. Open enrollment refers to the once-a-year opportunity when all Minnesotans can enroll in affordable, comprehensive health and dental coverage through MNsure, Minnesota’s health insurance marketplace. This year, Minnesota’s open enrollment will run from Nov. 1 until Jan. 15, 2022, with two important deadlines: Minnesotans must enroll by…

Judge Hopes to Seat Kyle Rittenhouse Jury Within a Day

Rittenhouse Could Face Life in Prison if Convicted of one of the Homicide Counts Against Him

KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) – The trial of Kyle Rittenhouse has begun with the challenging task of seating jurors who haven’t already made up their minds about the man who shot three people, killing two, during a violent night of protests last summer. Rittenhouse was 17 when he traveled from his home in Illinois, just across the Wisconsin border, during protests…

Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan Tests Positive for COVID

Lt. Gov. Flanagan Received the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Last Spring

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan has tested positive for a breakthrough case of COVID-19, she announced over the weekend. Flanagan says she received the positive test after caring for her 8-year-old daughter Siobhan, who tested positive on Oct. 22. The lieutenant governor received the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine last spring. Flanagan said she and her husband, Tom, had…