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Midday Update 10-26-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, October 26, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Tuesday, October 26, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News, weather

Judge in Chauvin Trial to Release Names of Jurors on Nov. 1

(Mark Hertzberg/Pool Photo via AP) MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A Wisconsin judge is setting the final ground rules for what evidence will be allowed at Kyle Rittenhouse’s trial next week. The Illinois teen shot three people, killing two of them, during a protest against police brutality in Kenosha in August 2020. He faces multiple charges, including homicide. He has argued…

Morning Update 10-26-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, October 26, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Tuesday, October 26, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, News, weather

Minnesota on Track for Most Traffic Deaths Since 2007 If Driving Doesn’t Improve, Officials Say

There have been 401 traffic-related fatalities since Jan. 1, the earliest the state's reached 400 since 2007.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Minnesota Department of Safety reporting a scary milestone on Minnesota highways — 401 deaths as of Monday. They’re calling for drivers to shape up, as this year is on track to be the deadliest on the state’s roads in 14 years. “There are some people who are afraid to go out and use that roadway because of…

Best High School Singers in State Perform At UMD Honor Choir Concert

40 high school students who made auditions started rehearsing songs Monday morning for the concert later in the day.

DULUTH, Minn.- What do you get when you take some of the best high school singers from across Minnesota and put them together? Sweet music. That’s what was on display at UMD’S High School Honor Choir Concert. 40 high school students who made auditions started rehearsing songs Monday morning for the concert — just later in the day. This was…

Update: Names Released Following Fatal Small Plane Crash Near Ashland

Courtesy: Ashland Daily Press via AP MARENGO, Wis. (AP) – The brother and sister who died when their small plane crashed into a house in a tiny, northern Wisconsin town were known to the homeowners, who escaped injury. The single-engine plane went down Saturday afternoon in the Ashland County community of Marengo, home to about 400 residents located about 80…

St. Louis County Atty. Will Conduct ‘Careful Review’ Of Proctor H.S. Football Investigation

DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Louis County Attorney’s released its first statement Monday involving the recent criminal investigation involving some members of the Proctor High School football program. County Attorney Kimberly Maki said her office has received the Proctor Police Department’s reports on the investigation and “will conduct a thorough and careful review of the evidence before making any charging…

Whistleblower Haugen Says Facebook Makes Online Hate Worse

LONDON (AP) — Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen told British lawmakers Monday that the social media giant stokes online hate and extremism, fails to protect children from harmful content and lacks any incentive to fix the problems, providing momentum for efforts by European governments working on stricter regulation of tech companies. While her testimony echoed much of what she told the U.S. Senate this month,…

Midday Update 10-25-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Monday, October 25, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Monday, October 25, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News, weather

School Board Resignations Triple in Minnesota

Nearly 70 Board Members Have Resigned in 2021, Triple the Number of Resignations in a Regular Year

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Contentious disagreements over COVID-19 policies and critical race theory have caused a significant increase in the number of local school board resignations in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota School Boards Association, nearly 70 board members have resigned from their positions this year, triple the number of resignations in a regular year. The association says that equates…

New This Year: Nominations for ‘Best Christmas Ever’ Due by Monday, Nov. 1

More Than 150 Families will be Chosen to Receive the 'Best Christmas Ever' in 2021

DULUTH, Minn. – The clock is ticking! Nominations for this year’s Best Christmas Ever are coming to a close. Northlanders have until Monday, Nov. 1 to nominate a family in need this holiday season. Don Liimatainen, founder of Best Christmas Ever, says the organization plans to surpass its goal of helping more than 150 families this year. Each year from…

Road Closed in Duluth During Water Line Replacement

Work is Expected to be Complete by 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 25

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth will be replacing a portion of a lead water line located at 56th and Grand Avenue on Monday, October 25. A copper line will replace a lead line that has been leaking. Grand Avenue will be closed between 56th Avenue West and 57th Avenue West. Sidewalks will remain open while crews are working…

Morning Update 10-25-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Monday, October 25, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Monday, October 25, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update

DuluCon Blasts Through 2021 in New Space at Miller Hill Mall

The Convention was able to spread out their main stage and videogame tournament, panelists, vendors, and more end-to-end throughout the mall.

DULUTH, Minn.- DuluCon has gone through quite a few evolutions in its three-year history. From starting out just at the Encounter Youth Center downtown in 2019 to going virtual during the pandemic last year, the event came back in full force in 2021. “This was a very experimental year. It was, briefly, it was a success,” said Josh Effinger, member…

CASDA Holds Bowl-A-Thon To Raise Awareness About Domestic Violence

SUPERIOR, Wis. — CASDA  held ‘No Time To Spare’ bowl-a-thon at Village Lanes in Superior to raise awareness about domestic violence, and to support the services that help adult and children survivors of it. October is domestic violence awareness month, and the center against sexual and domestic abuse holds multiple events during it to bring attention to the issue of…

COVID-19 Wave Overwhelms Rural Hospitals Short On ICU Beds

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The case of a rural Minnesota man who waited two days for an ICU bed and later died is among several examples that have frustrated officials in rural hospitals whose facilities are overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients. Bob Cameron spent two days in his hometown hospital in Hallock, Minnesota, where caregivers searched nonstop for space in a larger…

Fire Damages House For Homeless In Virginia, 7 Displaced

Courtesy: Northland FireWire VIRGINIA, Minn. – Seven residents of a house for people who are homeless were displaced by fire Saturday in Virginia. The flames broke out around 4 p.m. at Bill’s House on the 200-block of 3rd Street North, according to the Northland FireWire. Courtesy: Northland FireWire When firefighters arrived, they found a mattress on fire.  One bedroom was…

Small Plane Crashes into Wisconsin Home, Kills 2 Onboard

MARENGO, Wis. (AP) – Authorities say two people died when a single-engine plane crashed into a home in northwestern Wisconsin. The Ashland County Sheriff’s Office received numerous 911 calls about 2:40 p.m. Saturday with reports of the crash in the town of Marengo. No one on the ground was hurt. The sheriff’s department says the victims are a 29-year-old man…

Duluth Preservation Alliance Annual Awards Recognize Cities History

DULUTH, Minn. — The West Theater held the 40th Duluth Preservation Alliance Awards this week which help recognize some historical properties in the area and how they have been preserved. Some of these properties have been standing since the 1800’s, and have gone through heavy preservation work. Award recipients include places like the George A. Tomlinson house on Hawthorne Road,…

Duluth Police Union Local 807 Calls for Transparency from City Administration in Labor Negotiations

The wage and healthcare negotiations come amid one of the police department's worst staffing shortages they've seen in years.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Police Union Local 807 is speaking out, asking for transparency from Mayor Emily Larson’s administration as they continue negotiating wage and healthcare changes — amid one of the police department’s worst staffing shortages they’ve seen in years. Union members say they met with city leaders to talk about a 15% bump in pay to police officers’…

MEA Weekend Drawing In Crowds

DULUTH, Minn. — MEA weekend comes at the perfect time of year, where students and teachers K-12, get a few extra days off to enjoy the fall. People and families from all over the state travel this weekend, and the preferred destination for many seems to be the North Shore. Crowds gathered on the Lakewalk Friday in Canal Park to…

Duluth Children’s Museum Costume Drive Aims to Help All Families Have a Fun Halloween

The costumes are free to anyone in need and will be available for pick up Friday through Sunday during regular business hours.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Children’s Museum is hosting a costume drive so all families can look forward to a fun Halloween. The museum is accepting all gently used or new children’s costumes from size birth and up. The costumes are free to anyone in need and will be available for pick up Friday through Sunday during regular business hours. Organizers…

Minnesota Fire Chiefs Gather for Conference at the DECC

DULUTH, Minn.- The Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association hosts a conference at the DECC with about 545 fire chiefs and crew members in attendance. The conference’s primary goal is to bring Minnesota fire chiefs and trainees together to network, learn, and improve their tactics. “This is a great turnout to see all of our chief officer colleagues and firefighters and…

City of Duluth Encourages Residents to Sign Up for Northland Alert

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth City Officials encourage residents to sign up for Northland Alert. This automated messaging system will notify people of snow emergencies and other hazardous events occurring in designated areas. The alert system services Duluth, Hermantown, Virginia, and more. The service allows residents to receive a text message, phone call, or email about a nearby incident. The city will…

U of M System To Require Proof of Vaccination for Faculty, Staff

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The University of Minnesota will require all faculty and staff system-wide to submit proof of vaccination to comply with President Joe Biden’s executive order that requires federal contractors and subcontractors to show proof of employee vaccinations. The university previously only required faculty and staff to attest to their vaccination status. How is the U of M…

Bud Light Seltzer Announces Egg Nog Flavored Holiday Drink

(Bud Light) (FOX Business) – This year, Bud Light is trying something new by adding an egg nog-flavored hard-seltzer to its 2021 Ugly Sweater Pack. According to a press release, a variety of holiday-themed flavors will be featured this year, including one called Seltzer Nog. The pack will also include Sugar Plum, Cherry Cordial and Cranberry flavored seltzers. Bud Light’s…

US Budget Deficit Hits $2.77 Trillion in 2021, 2nd Highest

WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. budget deficit totaled $2.77 trillion for 2021, the second-highest on record but an improvement from the all-time high of $3.13 trillion in 2020. The deficits in both years reflected trillions of dollars in government spending to counteract the devastating effects of a global pandemic. The Biden administration said Friday that the 2021 deficit, for the…

‘Northland Alert’ Notifies Residents of Snow Emergencies and More

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth is encouraging residents and visitors to sign up for “Northland Alert” notifications for when a snow emergency is declared in the city. Northland Alert is a partnership between the City of Duluth and St. Louis County. Other cities, including Hermantown, Hibbing, and Virginia, also partner on the program. By signing up, residents in…

Minneapolis Officer Charged in Pursuit That Killed Motorist

(courtesy: Fox 9) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A prosecutor says a Minneapolis police officer has been charged with manslaughter and vehicular homicide in a fatal crash in July that occurred while the officer was pursuing a stolen vehicle. Officer Brian Cummings was driving nearly 80 mph in Minneapolis with his siren and lights activated when his squad car slammed into a…

Pfizer Says COVID-19 Vaccine More Than 90% Effective in Kids

(AP) – Pfizer says kid-size doses of its COVID-19 vaccine are safe and nearly 91% effective at preventing symptomatic infections in elementary school children. Details of the study were posted online Friday as U.S. regulators consider opening vaccinations to youngsters 5 to 11. The shots could begin early next month if regulators give the go-ahead. If the FDA authorizes the…

Duluth Firefighters Rescue Cat From Burning Building

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth firefighters rescued a cat from a burning building Thursday night. Firefighters could be seen giving the cat some oxygen after taking in too much smoke. The fire broke out around 7:15 p.m. on the 1600-block of Commonwealth Avenue in the Gary-New Duluth neighborhood. When crews arrived, flames were seen from the second floor of the four-plex….

St. Louis County Rescue Squad Trains Through Big Waves In Ship Canal

DULUTH, Minn. – Training was at an extreme for the St. Louis County Rescue Squad Wednesday in the Duluth Ship Canal. The waves were fierce, creating perfect conditions for the rescue squad crews to take out four boats and practice their swift-water rescue skills. At one point, their small Zodiac boat overturned in the big waves, but Capt. Rick Slatten…

MN Air Rescue Team Holds Demonstration At The DECC

DULUTH, Minn. – The DECC became ground zero for an aerial search and rescue demonstration for Minnesota firefighters. The mock rescue was performed by the Minnesota Air Rescue Team, which is a joint venture between the Minnesota State Patrol and the St. Paul Fire Department. The team is available to assist hundreds of fire departments across the state for high-risk…

Duluth’s Clure Public Maritime Terminal to Receive More International Shipping

DULUTH, Minn. — Thursday, the Port of Duluth-Superior receives about 800 vessels and average of 35 million tons of cargo annually. But port officials made an announcement Thursday that could project these rates increasing, and the impact it’s going to have on surrounding areas. Duluths Clure Public Maritime terminal is expanding its capabilities now as larger volumes of international shipping…

Mayor Emily Larson Talks Proposed 2022 Tourism Tax Allocations

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth Mayor Emily Larson talked about the proposed 2022 Tourism Tax allocations and why those numbers changed compared to last year. One of the most significant changes involves funding for Visit Duluth. In August, Mayor Larson announced Bellmont Partners as Duluth’s new tourism marketing firm for the next three years. Last year Visit Duluth received $1.5 million from…

It’s Time to Prep Your Gardens for Winter

DULUTH, Minn.- As we move into the colder months, freezing temperatures are here, and local garden experts have advice on how to prep your plants. A Resident Urban Farmer at the Duluth Community garden recommends preserving your harvest by drying your plants and removing any that may attract pests. Experts say prepping your garden with mulch and compost will help…

CHUM Announces “Fresh Fridays” Food Boxes

DULUTH, Minn.- CHUM food bank in Downtown Duluth is making a new addition to its battle against hunger in the city. Starting tomorrow, they will be distributing produce as part of their new “Fresh Fridays” food box giveaway. They were struggling to find fresh food items for the community, but they could offer lettuce, milk, potatoes, and more with a…

BREAKING: Remains Found in Florida Reserve Belong to Brian Laundrie FBI Confirms

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The FBI on Thursday identified human remains found in a Florida nature preserve as those of Brian Laundrie, a person of interest in the death of girlfriend Gabby Petito while the couple was on a cross-country road trip. The remains, a backpack, and notebook believed to belong to Laundrie were discovered Wednesday in a Florida…