News – Latest News

US Employers Add a Weak 194,000 Jobs as Delta Maintains Hold

WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. employers added just 194,000 jobs in September, a second straight tepid gain and evidence that the pandemic still has a grip on the economy with many companies struggling to fill millions of open jobs. Friday’s report from the Labor Department also showed that the unemployment rate fell sharply to 4.8% from 5.2% in August. The economy…

LSC Integrated Manufacturing Open House

DULUTH, Minn. — Lake Superior College hosted the annual integrated manufacturing open house today at their downtown location. That’s campus offers computerized machines, 3D printers and scanners, robotic welders, and a variety of other high tech equipment, all at affordable costs for students interested. There’s a strong work force demand for machinists, welders and engineers right now, which means this…

Haunted Ship is Back by the DECC

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth’s Haunted Ship is back tonight for its first haunting of the season after taking a break for three years due to repairs and the pandemic. The S.S. William A. Irvin is completely decked out for the spooky season and is themed, “What Are You Afraid of?” From touch to smell, the haunting experience utilizes all of the…

Local Food Bank Needs Volunteers

DULUTH, Minn.- Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank is looking for volunteers to help with its BackPack Program, distributing food to schools. The BackPack Program sends food to various Northland schools on Wednesdays, twice a month, so that kids can have meals provided on the weekends. Volunteers are needed to pick up food from the food bank facility and transport…

Family Freedom Center to Host Community Event

DULUTH, Minn.- The Family Freedom Center partners with local organizations for Freedom Farm’s Big Tent Event on Saturday. Executive Director Jacob Aaron Bell stepped up to take over Family Freedom Center after his late father Xavier Bell founded the organization in July 2018. “It gets big sometimes,” said Bell. “I always say I’ve got big shoes to fill, but we’ve…

Most State Workers Get COVID Shots, but Some Face Discipline

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Some Minnesota government employees say that a month into the COVID-19 vaccine policy for state workers, their agencies are ramping up discipline for employees who either won’t get the vaccine or submit to weekly testing. State officials say more than 500 employees have declined both options, Employees who decline to be vaccinated or tested can…

Duluth Police Ask for Public’s Help in Identifying Vandalism Suspects

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department says the individuals have been identified. UPDATE: The individuals in relation to the below incident have been identified and charges will be pending. We want to thank the community for helping us identify the individuals. — Duluth MN Police (@DuluthMNPolice) October 7, 2021 DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department is asking for…

US Jobless Claims Fall to 326,000, First Drop In Four Weeks

WASHINGTON (AP) – The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell last week, another sign that the U.S. job market and economy continue their steady recovery from last year’s coronavirus recession. The Labor Department said Thursday that unemployment claims were down by 38,000 to 326,000, the first drop in four weeks. Since surpassing 900,000 in early January, the weekly…

Midday Update 10-7-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, October 7, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, October 7, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News, weather

Doctors Say Flu Shot is Extremely Vital in a COVID-19 World

Doctors with MedExpress Recommend Patients Receive Both the COVID-19 Vaccine, and a Flu Shot this Season

DULUTH, Minn. – Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re also approaching one of the most critical seasons for the health of Americans – flu season. Although COVID-19 safety measures, such as wearing a mask, staying home, social distancing, and handwashing contributed to a decline in 2020-2021 flu incidence, flu viruses are constantly changing and it’s not unusual for new flu viruses…

Agreement on Short-term Debt Ceiling Fix, Averting Crisis

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci) WASHINGTON (AP) – Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says an agreement has been reached with Republicans to extend the government’s borrowing authority into December. That temporarily averts a debt crisis. Schumer made the announcement as he opened the Senate on Thursday. He said he hoped the Senate could vote later in the day. Republican leader Mitch McConnell…

Morning Update 10-7-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, October 7, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, October 7, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, News, weather

Healthcare Workers Terminated for Refusing COVID Vaccine

DULUTH, Minn. — Local hospitals are now losing some of their employees over their vaccine requirements. It’s a small percentage for Essentia Health and St. Luke’s, but both will have to work through some resignations and terminations. Both Essentia and St. Luke’s announced in early August, that they would be requiring the vaccine for all of their employees by October…

Giant Pumpkin Arrives at Lake Superior Zoo

DULUTH, Minn.- Boo at the Zoo is making its return to the Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth with an extra-large addition. The pumpkin made its arrival just in time for Boo at the Zoo’s kick-off on October 16th. The Halloween event welcomes people of all ages for trick or treating, food trucks, a pumpkin patch, and more. “Having the giant…

College of St. Scholastica Holds 22nd Annual Community Day

DULUTH, Minn.- College of St. Scholastica students are participating in the school’s 22nd annual Community Day, where students volunteer to help the community. “The mission of the college is to provide opportunities for our students to transform the world,” said Vice President of Academic Affairs. Students were sent all over the Northland to work on various projects. Cleaning up the…

Los Angeles OKs One of Strictest Us Vaccination Mandates

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Los Angeles leaders have voted to enact one of the nation’s strictest vaccine mandates. The sweeping measure requires the shots for everyone entering bars, restaurants, nail salons, gyms, and even a Lakers game. The City Council on Wednesday voted 11-2 in favor of the ordinance. Supporters say it’s a way of preventing more COVID-19 surges. Critics…

Minnesota Court Denies Chauvin’s Request for Public Defender

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Supreme Court on Wednesday denied former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin’s request to have a public defender represent him as he appeals his murder conviction and sentence in the death of George Floyd. The state’s high court said Chauvin has not established that he is entitled to a public defender. The justices made that decision…

Student Taken Into Custody Hours After Texas School Shooting

(Arlington Police Department via AP) ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) – Police in Texas have arrested a student suspected of opening fire during a fight at his Dallas-area high school, leaving four people injured. Police say 18-year-old Timothy George Simpkins fled from Timberview High School in Arlington and drove away in a 2018 silver Dodge Charger after the Wednesday morning shooting. Simpkins…

Semitruck Hauling Leinenkugel’s Beer Crashes on I-94 in Wisconsin

HIXTON, Wis. (FOX 9) – Officials are clearing the scene after a semitruck hauling Leinenkugel’s beer crashed Wednesday morning near Hixton, Wisconsin. According to the Wisconsin State Patrol, at about 9:15 a.m., authorities responded to a rollover crash involving a semitruck on I-94 in Jackson County. The right lane was closed for a period of time as officials cleared the…

Parents File Lawsuit Against Rock Ridge School District Over Mask Mandate

VIRGINIA, Minn. – Following last week’s announcement that Rock Ridge schools would be implementing a mask mandate for all students, staff, and visitors a group of parents has responded by filing a lawsuit against the district on Monday. The group of nearly 300 parents is asking in the lawsuit to cease implementation of the district’s “COVID-19 Mitigation Plan” and to…

Midday Update 10-6-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, October 6, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, October 6, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News, weather

Target Submits Application for Expansion, Remodel Project in Duluth

  DULUTH, Minn. – The Target Corporation has submitted a development application for an expansion and remodel project for the Duluth Target location. According to the application submitted to the Planning Commission, the Target store will undergo a complete store remodel and an exterior upgrade and expansion of 16,448 square feet on the north side of the building. “The new…

Texas High School on Lockdown Amid Reports of Shooting

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — A Dallas-area school district said Wednesday that law enforcement was responding to reports of an “active shooter situation” at a high school. The Mansfield Independent School District said in a news release that Timberview High School was on lockdown Wednesday morning. The school is in Arlington, which is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. An…

Pet Oxygen Mask Helps Save the Life of 3-Year-Old Ozzy the Pug

The Duluth Fire Department First Started Receiving Pet Oxygen Masks in 2014

DULUTH, Minn. – Pets in distress. It often happens when a fire breaks out, or during traffic emergencies. Now thanks to a partnership between the Duluth Fire Department and Duluth Veterinary Hospital, local first responders are better equipped to handle our four-legged friends. “I treat them like my kids,” said Coralie Anderson, owner of 3-year-old Ozzy the Pug. It’s a…

Morning Update 10-6-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, October 6, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, October 6, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, News, weather

West Duluth Standoff Suspect Facing 21 Charges in Day-Long Crime Spree in Duluth, Superior

The 21 charges he faces include third-degree burglary, first-degree aggravated robbery, fleeing police, and reckless discharge of a firearm.

DULUTH/SUPERIOR- A wild day Friday in the Northland, as police charged Cody Lee Walker-Nelson, 30 with 21 counts in a day-long crime spree leading to a six-hour standoff. According to court documents, the 30-year-old started the string of crimes Friday morning, allegedly burglarizing a house on the 3800 Block of Karky Road in Superior, and stealing 12 firearms. Later that…

American Red Cross Spreads Fire Safety Awareness

DULUTH, Minn.- It’s Fire Prevention Week, and the American Red Cross is reminding Northlanders about resources they offer to help stop house fires. The Red Cross gives out free smoke detectors and home installations to anybody who needs them in Northern Minnesota. Since 2015, thousands of smoke alarms have been installed in our area by the Red Cross. “We’ve installed…

College Of St. Scholastica Students Take Elementary Kids through World of STEM

Students from the College of St. Scholastica set up tables with different experiments like making ice cream with liquid nitrogen and little sculptures out of instant foam.

DULUTH, Minn.- Students at Myers-Wilkins Elementary School in Duluth got to try out some cool science experiments with the help of some college kids. Dozens of general chemistry students from the College of St. Scholastica set up tables with different experiments like making ice cream with liquid nitrogen and little sculptures out of instant foam. Organizers say it helps young…

Kaleidoscope of Fall Foliage Shows Off at Lutsen Mountains

From Red to Orange, Yellow and Gold, the Colors Continue to Change Along Highway 61

LUTSEN, Minn. – By now, many of the maple leaves have fallen at Lutsen Mountains, making way for the thick birch and aspen forests to glow for a few more weeks. “We spend all summer working on winter projects,” said Jim Vick, director of operations at Lutsen Mountains. Before flakes fly, fall foliage captures a crowd of seismic proportions. “Some…

Glensheen Mansion Pumpkin Hunt is Back

DULUTH, Minn.- The Glensheen Mansion is preparing for the spooky season with a new theme for its daily scavenger hunt. Aside from the historical site’s weekly events, as of October 1, they are officially set up for the daily Great Glensheen Pumpkin Hunt, running through October 31. People can grab a map for the pumpkin hunt when buying their tickets,…

CHUM Receives Large Donation

DULUTH, Minn.- Last week, the CHUM Food Bank was asking for the public’s help in completing its goal to provide 300 Thanksgiving meals, and although they still need donations, they just received a large donation that will make those holiday food boxes a reality. CHUM received a check donation of $18,000, allowing the food bank to buy all of the…

Walz Calls for Vaccine and Testing Requirements for Teachers

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Gov. Tim Walz is calling on lawmakers to approve a series of new measures to respond to the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, including vaccine and testing requirements for teachers and school staff, and for long-term care workers. The Democratic governor detailed his proposal in a letter to lawmakers that he released after meeting privately with…

Mohamed Noor To Be Resentenced Oct. 21

(Renee Jones Schneider/Star Tribune via AP) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The former Minneapolis police officer who fatally shot a woman who called 911 to report a possible rape behind her home is being resentenced this month after the Minnesota Supreme Court threw out his murder conviction. Mohamed Noor was initially convicted of murder and manslaughter in the 2017 death of Justine…

Judge Refuses To Toss Weapons Charge Against Rittenhouse

(Antioch Police Department via AP) MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A judge has declined to dismiss a weapons charge against an Illinois man accused of shooting three people during a protest against police brutality in Wisconsin last year. Prosecutors charged Kyle Rittenhouse with homicide and other crimes, including being a minor in possession of a firearm, after he killed two men…

Midday Update 10-5-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, October 5, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Tuesday, October 5, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News, weather

Duluth Man Facing 21 Charges Following Friday Standoff With Police

DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth man involved in a 6-hour standoff with police Friday evening after allegedly attempting to rob a bank at gunpoint in Superior, in addition to multiple other crimes, is now facing 21 criminal charges. According to the criminal complaint, Cody Lee Walker-Nelson, 30, began his hours-long crime spree around 7:45 a.m. Friday morning when he’s accused…

Optimism on the Iron Range as New Event & Convention Center Opens

The New Iron Trail Motors Event & Convention Center is a Project 20 Years in the Making

VIRGINIA, Minn. – A massive project 20 years in the making is now a reality, and standing tall in the City of Virginia. Now the City of Virginia Parks and Rec Department is proud to bring people inside the new Iron Trail Motors Event and Convention Center. “This is a game-changing facility for the entire Iron Range,” said Brian Silber,…

Morning Update 10-5-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, October 5, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Tuesday, October 5, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, News, weather

J&J Seeks US Clearance for COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Doses

WASHINGTON (AP) – Johnson & Johnson has asked U.S. regulators to allow booster shots of its COVID-19 vaccine as the U.S. government moves toward shoring up protection in more vaccinated Americans. J&J said Tuesday it filed data with the Food and Drug Administration on giving a booster dose between two to six months after vaccination. The U.S. government last month…

Northland Health Experts Warn of ‘Severe’ Flu Season to Come, On Top of Pandemic

The shadow looming over all this, according to experts, is the stress healthcare systems nationwide are already under.

DULUTH, Minn.- According to Northland health experts, the outlook for this year’s flu season is not good, as they prepare for a one-two punch of the flu and the ongoing COVID-19 surge. “A lot of people are back out doing their normal activities, we’re not in quarantine so those factors will play a role in what could be a severe…