News – Latest News

One Injured in Tuesday Morning East Hillside Drive-By Shooting, Officers on the Scene

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth police are one the scene of an apparent drive-by shooting that happened Tuesday morning in the area of 15th Avenue East and Superior Street. Authorities say one person was shot in the incident and is in the hospital with unknown injuries. Officers have identified a suspect and believe the suspect is in the area of the…

Duluth City Council, Boards, and Commissions to Return to Virtual Meetings Aug. 12

DULUTH, Minn.-Effective Aug. 12, the city of Duluth will revert to virtual meetings for city council and boards and commissions. City Attorney Rebecca St. George and Chief Administrative Officer Noah Schuchman sent a determination to the city clerk’s office today that due to the substantial risk in transmission rates within St. Louis County and Duluth, public meetings would again be…

University of Minnesota to Require COVID-19 Vaccine for Students Once it Gets FDA Approval

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The University of Minnesota will require students to get the COVID-19 vaccine once it receives full FDA approval, which is expected to happen in the coming weeks, according to a letter from University President Joan Gabel. Gabel said the COVID-19 vaccine will be added to the list of immunizations already required for students, with some exemptions. Details for…

Vehicle Fire at Hermantown U-Haul

Hermantown, Minn.-At about 1 p.m. the Hermantown Police Department and Hermantown Volunteer Fire Department responded to a report of a vehicle fire at U-Haul Moving and Storage, located on Miller Trunk Highway in Hermantown. “Initial reports indicated a GMC U-Haul moving truck was on fire next to the concrete building,” a press release said. “Additional reports indicated that the fire…

REMINDER: Duluth Primary Tuesday

DULUTH, Minn.-The Duluth primary election is Tuesday with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The following races are on the ballot: Duluth City Council At-Large (Two Seats) Duluth City Council Second District Duluth City Council Fourth District The St. Louis County Health Division is recommending mask wearing for all indoor, public places in St. Louis County, therefore it’s…

Nebraska Surgeon, Two Family Members Killed in Minnesota Plane Crash

VICTORIA, Minn. (AP)-A relative has identified three people killed in the fiery crash of a small plane in southeastern Minnesota as a surgeon from Omaha, Nebraska, and two of his family members from Wyoming. Jo Mertes, of Mantador, North Dakota, told the Star Tribune Sunday that her nephew, 42-year-old Jacob Mertes and his 37-year-old wife, Sara Mertes, of Libby, Montana,…

Lake County Fair Enjoys Last Day of Event

TWO HARBORS, Minn. – After four days of fun for the community, the Lake County Fair in Two Harbors wrapped up its events with horse relays and carnival games. The county fair was able to continue through this past weekend’s temperamental weather conditions. Bouncy houses, horse shows, and exhibits were among the many activities they had. The community run event…

Bike Duluth Festival Comes to a Close

DULUTH, Minn.- It is the last day of the 7th annual Kraus Anderson Bike Duluth Festival, and cyclists of all ages showed up rain or shine. The three day event marks a successful year at Spirit Mountain, with more than 600 participants overall. “So today is cross country portion, so we’ve got a lot of racers from around the state,…

Day Out with Thomas Sees Record First Weekend Back

Day Out with Thomas has already sold more than 20,000 tickets online for the two-weekend event.

DULUTH, Minn.- Thomas the Tank Engine and his friend Percy wrapped up a successful first three days of his return to the Twin Ports, bringing record attendance to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum. Day Out with Thomas has already sold more than 20,000 tickets online for the two-weekend event, according to Railroad Museum Executive Director Ken Buehler. Monday’s free Sensory…

Decades-Old WWJC Radio Station Heavily Damaged In Early Morning Fire

The former General Manager shares his memories working at WWJC, and his hopes it hits the airwaves again soon.

DULUTH, Minn.- Burned wreckage and memories are all that’s left of the building that housed WWJC radio in Gary New Duluth, after an early Sunday fire took out the nearly 60-year-old station’s transmitters, taking it off the air. “We were the first Christian station in the Twin Ports,” said the Station’s Former General Manager, Ted Elm. “Sad to say that…

Mixed Bag: Erratic Pandemic Olympics Come To A Nuanced End

TOKYO (AP) — It began with a virus and a yearlong pause. It ended with a typhoon blowing through and, still, a virus. In between: just about everything. The Tokyo Olympics, christened with “2020” but held in mid-2021 after being interrupted for a year by the coronavirus, glided to their conclusion in a COVID-emptied stadium Sunday night as an often surreal mixed bag for…

Evers OKs Use-Of-Force Bill, Vetoes Plan To Defund Cities

(Steve Apps/Wisconsin State Journal via AP, File) MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Gov. Tony Evers has signed a bill that establishes a uniform use-of-force policy for police across Wisconsin. Evers announced he signed the bill on Friday. Under the bill, police can use force based on a situation’s circumstances and whether a suspect is fleeing or resisting arrest. Deadly force is…

Packers WR Funchess Apologizes For Slur Against Asians

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Green Bay Packers wide receiver Devin Funchess has apologized for using a racial slur against Asians during a news conference on Saturday night. “I want to apologize for the disparaging remark I used tonight,” Funchess said in a statement posted on Twitter late Saturday night. “It was not OK. I have grown to develop deep personal and…

WWJC Christian Radio Heavily Damaged in Structure Fire

Damage in equipment alone is estimated at over $500,000. Damage costs to the structure are estimated to be around $75,000.

DULUTH, Minn.- A Duluth Christian radio station was left heavily damaged in a structure Sunday, with the cause unknown, according to the Duluth Fire Department. According to a spokesperson with the department, at approximately 3:08 a.m. Sunday morning someone driving by reported that flames were coming from the building housing WWJC AM 850 Radio at 1120 East McCuen Street. On…

Healthcare Workers Among Rally Against Vaccine Mandates Days after St. Luke’s, Essentia Announce Policies

Earlier in the week, St. Louis County Public Health pointed to those who still aren't vaccinated for the recent surge in community spread.

DULUTH, Minn.- Dozens of protesters from across the Northland, including several area healthcare workers, held a rally against COVID-19 vaccine mandates Saturday just days after Duluth hospitals announced new vaccine requirements, and as experts warn the country needs to boost vaccine numbers now more than ever. “This is an anti-mandate rally. I think we have people here that believe in…

Bus Races Back with Special Tricks at Proctor Speedway

DULUTH, Minn.- Midsummer Night of Mayhem at Proctor Speedway is back after a yearlong break. The bus races kicked off at six o’clock Saturday and crowds came out rain or shine. The event mostly brought together by volunteers, showcases a series of races including school busses, reverse racing, and special tricks. “I can’t even tell you it was raining when…

Billings Park Days Comes to a Close After Successful Two Days

After last year's activities were canceled by the pandemic, the community was anxious to celebrate together again.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Billings Park Days was back in Superior with two-day of fun for the community. Billings Park Days kicked off Saturday’s events with a parade where even dogs participated. “My favorite part is just seeing the families and kids coming down with a smile on their face,” said President of Billings Park Days Keith Kern. “This parade this morning…

Ride or Die Pizzeria Holds Grand Opening

Ride or Die upholds the name with motorcycles hanging from the ceiling and local graffiti art on the walls.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- A new late-night pizzeria and bar just opened up on Broadway Street with its own special biker theme. Ride or Die pizzeria held their grand opening Saturday until 2 a.m., bringing a new late night spot to the area. From pizza to arcade games and slot machines, Ride or Die upholds the name with motorcycles hanging from the…

Duluth Fire Rescues 20-Year-Old Woman from Rip Currents off Park Point

Two rescue swimmers from rescue 1 were able to use a rescue surfboard to reach the victim, and help her to shore.

DULUTH, Minn.- A 20-year-old woman was swept up in those violent waves Saturday and had to be rescued by the Duluth fire Department. Fire officials responded to the report of a woman pulled away 200 yards from shore on the 2800 block of Minnesota Ave around 4:00 p.m. The water was actually too choppy to use the Marine 19 boat,…

Duluth Fire Warns of Dangerous Swimming Conditions Due to High Rip Current Risk

Officials warn to stay out of the water regardless of your swimming experience.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Fire Department issued a dangerous swimming condition warning for Park Point beaches Saturday, due to the high risk of rip currents, effective immediately. According to the Duluth Fire Department the warning lasts until 10:00 a.m. August 8. This warning means that wind and wave conditions can support rip currents. Rip currents are life-threatening to anyone entering the…

UMD Students Showcase Research Projects

DULUTH, Minn.– Up at UMD this afternoon, some science students got the chance to show off months of work. Undergraduate Biology and Chemistry students showcased their summer research projects for their summer semester at the Swenson Science Building. Around 20 students took part in one of the two projects. And students there tell us it’s a rewarding feeling to put…

7th Annual Bike Fest Returns to Spirit Mountain

DULUTH, Minn.– Meanwhile, the 7th animal Kraus-Anderson Bike Duluth Festival is underway at Spirit Mountain after not bring able to race last year. 600-800 chain-rattling adrenaline junkies raced Friday on the downhill courses. In the past six years this event has raised around $240,000 for local charities and Duluth mountain biking trials. And volunteers and participants couldn’t be happier to…

City on the Hill Music Festival Returns

DULUTH, Minn.– The City on the Hill Christian Music Festival made its way to Bayfront Park. Over 10,000 spectators are expected to show up over the weekend to watch performers such as Matthew West, The Newsboys, and more took the stage Friday and Saturday. The event wasn’t able to take place in 2020 due to the pandemic, and organizers are…

Pause on Student Loan Payments Extended Through January

(AP) – The Biden administration has announced that federal student loan payments will remain suspended through January 2022, extending a pause that was scheduled to expire next month. The Education Department says this will be the final extension. Borrowers will not have to make payments on federal student loans during the moratorium, interest rates will be set at 0% and…

Target Won’t Require Office Workers to Return Before 2022

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Target says it will not require its downtown Minneapolis headquarters employees to return to the office for the rest of the year, due to a surge in COVID-19 cases. Target has about 8,500 workers at its headquarters offices, making it the largest downtown employer. In an update sent to employees Friday, Target said it is still planning…

Poplar Man, Former NFL Player, Pleads Not Guilty to Child Sexual Assault Charges

DULUTH, Minn. – Former NFL football player and Poplar native, Tom Burke, 44, has pleaded not guilty to the charge of first-degree criminal sexual conduct of a 7-year-old girl. In June, Burke was arrested after a female contacted the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office in February to report that the young victim confided in her that Burke had been performing…

United Airlines Will Require US Employees to Be Vaccinated

(AP) – United Airlines will require U.S.-based employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by late October, and maybe sooner. United announced the decision Friday. The airline joins a growing number of big corporations that will require vaccinations. This is happening as a mutant variation of COVID-19 drives a surge in new infections. United CEO Scott Kirby says he knows some…

Active Adventures: Mountain Biking Down Spirit Mountain

DULUTH, Minn.- In this edition of Active Adventures, we take you Mountain Biking down the trails at Spirit Mountain, ahead of the Kraus Anderson Bike Festival this weekend. Categories: Active Adventures, Community, Entertainment, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News Tags: Active Adventures, Duluth Bike Festival, jon regenold, Kraus-Anderson Bike Festival, Max Fierek, Mountain biking, Spirit Mountain

Brighton Beach to Close on Monday

  DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth announced Friday that Brighton Beach will close to users beginning Monday. At that time construction will begin on the Lakewalk extension through the park as part of the Brighton Beach Mini-Master Plan. The Plan recommends the extension of the Lakewalk, relocation of the road to move it away from the shoreline, and…

Help Set the Record for Most Candy Canes on a Christmas Tree

The goal is to place more than 6,500 candy canes on a Christmas tree to break the record.

DULUTH, Minn.-A new world record could be set in Bayfront Park this weekend. The goal is to place more than 6,500 candy canes on a Christmas tree to break the record. It’s all part of a fundraiser for the organization The Best Christmas Ever. The group is selling thousands of candy canes for a dollar each during the City on…

Apple to Scan U.S. Iphones for Images of Child Sexual Abuse

(AP) – Apple is planning to scan U.S. iPhones for images of child abuse, drawing applause from child protection groups but raising concern among some security researchers that the system could be misused by governments looking to surveil their citizens. The tool Apple calls “neuralMatch” will detect known images of child sexual abuse without decrypting people’s messages. If it finds…

University of Minnesota Professors Call for Vaccine Mandate

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A growing number of professors and staff at the University of Minnesota are calling on the school to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations this fall. Many faculty members say they are anxious about returning to the classroom as COVID-19 cases are surging due to the delta variant of the virus. More than 500 people have signed a letter supporting…

US Added 943,000 Jobs in July; Unemployment Rate at 5.4%

WASHINGTON (AP) – Hiring surged in July as American employers added 943,000 jobs. The unemployment rate dropped to 5.4% as the U.S. economy continues to bounce back with surprising vigor from last year’s coronavirus shutdown. The July numbers exceeded economists’ forecast for more than 860,000 new jobs. Hotels and restaurants, reopening and doing brisk business, added 327,000 jobs last month….

Spirit Valley Days Parade Returns

DULUTH, Minn.– In West Duluth Thursday evening, a little downpour didn’t stop people from getting out to enjoy the Sprit Valley Days Parade. The parade has been a staple in the community for more than four decades. Local businesses and organizations filled up 40 different floats for more than 1500 kids and families who were lined up to watch the…