News – Latest News

The Superior Vocation Center Changes Name

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The Superior Vocation Center is rebranding. The training facility is celebrating its name change to “Embark Supported Employment,” bringing in new ways of helping the disabled community. “Embark is very important for the people that we serve–people with disabilities,” said executive director Ashby Rawstern. “It gives them the opportunity to interact. A lot of times the people we…

Poor Air Quality Continues to Affect Health

DULUTH, Minn.- The current air quality alert in the Northland is moderate to unhealthy for sensitive groups, while other parts of Northern Minnesota are experiencing very unhealthy conditions. Medical experts advise people stay indoors and limit their physical exercise. “This predominantly affects high risk population. Patients that are under 18 or over 65,” said allergy specialist Dr. Minto Porter. “COPD,…

Current Drought Has Campers Thinking Twice Before Venturing North

Campfires Are Still Allowed Within Minnesota State Parks in Designated Fire Rings

SILVER CREEK TOWNSHIP, Minn. – Drought conditions in Northeastern Minnesota are causing some visitors to think ahead before making the trek up the North Shore. For Josh Killen and his 15-year-old son, Cody, visiting from Owatonna, Minnesota, is always something they look forward to. They visit roughly three times a year but have never experienced a camping trip when it’s…

Duluth Public School Return in the Fall

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth public schools are returning to in-person classes in September. All grades will go back for a full five-day week of learning, but social distancing alternatives are available for high school students through the district’s academic excellence online program. “There’s so much of a human connection that people are really looking forward to,” said superintendent John Magas. “I…

US Extends COVID-19 Travel Restrictions With Canada and Mexico Through August 21

(CNN) – The Biden administration is extending non-essential travel restrictions for the US northern and southern borders until August 21. The US has been limiting non-essential travel along both borders since the start of the pandemic and extending those restrictions on a monthly basis. The restrictions don’t apply to cross-border trade, US citizens and lawful permanent residents, as well as…

Duluth Public Schools Prep for Return to In-Person Learning This Fall

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Public Schools Superintendent John Magas says schools are prepping to return to five days a week, in-person learning for the upcoming school year. “Our schools will continue to prioritize student learning needs while protecting the health and safety for staff and students and monitor any impact of COVID-19 on school operations,” said Magas. “We’re providing families…

Midday Update 7-21-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, July 21, 2021

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

City of Hoyt Lakes Prepares to Welcome Thousands for Annual Water Carnival

Due to Drought Conditions, No Fireworks Show is Scheduled for 2021

HOYT LAKES, Minn. – The City of Hoyt Lakes is celebrating a summer tradition this year after a COVID-19 prompted hiatus in 2020. Community members have spent the past several months planning for the event, which draws thousands of people. Some of the festivities include a parade, live entertainment, games, a ski show, and much more. The family-fun gathering starts…

Local Veterinarians Experiencing Influx of New Patients

Many Local Vet Clinics Have Had to Turn Away New Patients

DULUTH, Minn. – The COVID-19 pandemic has shined a light on many issues over the past year and a half, and now local vets are speaking out about the impact they’re dealing with on a daily basis. The global health crisis has kickstarted a movement known as “pandemic pets.” Local breeders and animal shelters experienced high adoption rates over the…

Morning Update 7-21-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, July 21, 2021

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

Shootings During Milwaukee NBA Finals Celebrations Wound 3

MILWAUKEE (AP) – Police say two shootings in downtown Milwaukee early Wednesday as crowds celebrated the Milwaukee Bucks’ first NBA championship in 50 years left three people wounded. The shootings both happened about 12:42 a.m. at two locations near Water Street. TV station WISN had a reporter broadcasting when multiple shots were heard, prompting people to flee. Police say a…

Great Outdoors Explores Gooseberry Falls

TWO HARBORS, Minn.– Drought conditions are common throughout the upper Midwest right now and that’s impacting some of the many tourist destinations up the North Shore, but Gooseberry Falls is still expecting a busy peak visitation stretch, despite the current lower water levels. Gooseberry Falls is described as the gateway to the North Shore. Located just 15 minutes North of…

Saint Luke’s Hosting Hiring Event

DULUTH, Minn.– The healthcare industry is having trouble finding new workers, especially after it was overwhelmed with demand from the pandemic. Saint Luke’s is holding a hiring event Tuesday and Wednesday to encourage a new generation of healthcare workers to sign up. Some areas they are looking to fill are the nursing and hospitality departments. They also need medical assistants…

Wildfires Near Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST-  The Delta Lake fire is active now in the boundary waters. It covers 62 acres and currently at 35 percent containment. Multiple entry points to the Superior National Forest are also closed, in addition to fire bans remaining in place throughout Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. “It’s a very dynamic situation that we’re in right now because…

Waffle Bar Comes to Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis.- A Belgian waffle bar is opening next week in Superior. Superior Waffles on Tower Avenue is having a soft opening this Sunday, followed by a grand opening next Tuesday. Strawberry Cheesecake and raspberry jam, ham and cheese waffles are among their unique menu items. “We love waffles, we’ve made waffles for many years, we test different things in…

Duluth Police Investigating “Deceased Individual” Found Near the Rose Garden

UPDATE: DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department says officers responded to the Lakewalk in Lief Erickson Park just before 10:00 a.m. Tuesday on reports that a deceased individual was found near the train tracks by a North Shore Scenic Railroad employee. Authorities have identified the individual as a 50-year-old male. The identity of the male will not be released…

Trump Inaugural Committee Head Accused of Being UAE Agent

(AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File) NEW YORK (AP) – The chair of former President Donald Trump’s 2017 inaugural committee was arrested Tuesday in California on charges alleging that he and others conspired to influence Trump’s foreign policy positions to benefit the United Arab Emirates. Tom Barrack was among three men charged in New York federal court with trying to influence…

Mesabi Metallics Acquires Land in Itasca County

NASHWAUK, Minn. – Mesabi Metallics announced Tuesday it has bought 3,200 acres of land from Butlertac Holdings LLC. According to a company press release, the acquired land interests include both mineral and surface leases as well as a combination of undivided and whole-fee interests, all lying within the Biwabik Iron Formation in the vicinity of the former Butler mine corridor…

Midday Update 7-20-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, July 20, 2021

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

Duluth Fire Department Warns of Dangerous Swimming Conditions

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Fire Department has issued a warning for dangerous swimming conditions due to a high risk of rip currents today. The warning is effective immediately and is in place until 10:00 a.m. tomorrow. This warning means that wind and wave conditions can support strong rip currents. Rip currents develop randomly along the entire Park Point beachfront….

Pilot of Crop-Dusting Helicopter Killed in Minnesota Crash

(courtesy: Fox 9) ELGIN, Minn. – Sheriff’s officials say the pilot of a helicopter has died in a crash in southeastern Minnesota. Authorities say 40-year-old Corey James Adcock from Victoria County, Texas was crop dusting Monday afternoon when the helicopter blades got caught in some power lines near Elgin and the chopper crashed and caught fire. Adcock, the only one…

Morning Update 7-20-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, July 20, 2021

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

Dogs and Drinks Event Hosted by Northern Lakes Rescue

DULUTH, Minn.– Northern Lakes Rescue have been doing pop events where they’re bringing their dogs, like Yetti, out into the community to hopefully find their forever home. Northern Lakes Rescue is a foster home- based rescue for dogs, who are saved from a variety of situations, whether they are in kill shelters, chained and abandoned, or strays on the streets….

Lake Superior College Offering Firefighting Course

DULUTH, Minn.– Lake Superior College is offering a firefighting education course this fall that includes all of the requirements needed to become a full-time firefighter. 22 people are needed to fill the course, so the college is looking for at least 6 more to sign up. The class offers everything needed to pursue a firefighting career, like learning how to…

Construction Employment Opportunities on the Rise

DULUTH, Minn.– Although certain construction projects were put on hold throughout the country, Duluth has continued on, in full-force, and is looking for more employees to help continue growing the city. From Vision Northland to the “can of worms”, there is no shortage of construction projects around town. The Director of Planning and Economic Development with the city, says that…

Federal Infrastructure Potential Impacts on Duluth

DULUTH, Minn.– Leaders representing towns and cities across Minnesota, got together to talk about the federal infrastructure bill in Congress. Mayor Emily Larson spoke at the news conference, outlining the ways Duluth can benefit from the federal funding. She would like to see some of it go to the Duluth Port which brings in close to $1.4 billion dollars in…

North American Railcar Operators Association Comes to Duluth

DULUTH, Minn.- The North American Railcar Operators Association made a short stop in Duluth with their personal railcars today. Members from all over the nation began their railroad journey in Two Harbors and stopped by Lake Superior Railroad Museum in the lightweight vehicles, including one special car called a “Putt-Putt.” It’s called a Putt-Putt because of the unique sound it…

Fires Continue to Pose a Threat in the Northland

DULUTH/SUPERIOR- The combination of dry conditions, high temperatures and wind speeds is putting the Northland at a greater risk of more fires. Canadian wildfires continue to burn, causing smoke to move southeast into the Northland. Campfires and fireworks are not permitted around Northern Minnesota because of the extremely dry conditions. “I think common sense goes a long way and that’s…

Invasive Weed Starry Stonewort Confirmed in Leech Lake

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – An invasive weed that can choke out native plants and fish habitat has been found in one of Minnesota’s largest and most popular walleye lakes. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources on Monday confirmed the discovery of starry stonewort in Leech Lake, located in northwestern Minnesota. The DNR says the bright green microalgae plant has…

Minnesota Court Sends PolyMet Air Permit Case Back to Agency

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The proposed PolyMet copper-nickel mine in northern Minnesota has encountered a setback; the state Court of Appeals has ordered regulators to revisit a critical air emissions permit given to the project. The court ruled Monday that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency hadn’t sufficiently justified granting the permit after opponents raised allegations that PolyMet was planning a much…

St. Paul Man Found Dead of ‘Homicidal Violence’ in Lake Superior

The St. Paul Police Reported Balsimo Missing Last Tuesday

GRAND PORTAGE, Minn. (FOX 9) – A St. Paul, Minnesota man’s dismembered body was found in a tote and a bucket in Lake Superior over the weekend, according to charges filed last week. Dive teams working with investigators located the remains of Richard Balsimo, 34, in the lake off the coast of Grand Portage last Thursday and Friday, the Minnesota…

Capitol Rioter Who Breached Senate Gets 8 Months for Felony

(AP) – A Florida man who breached the U.S. Senate chamber carrying a Trump campaign flag has received an eight-month prison term, the first resolution for a felony case in the Capitol insurrection. Prosecutors wanted Paul Allard Hodgkins to serve 18 months behind bars, saying he and other Jan. 6 rioters “contributed to the collective threat to democracy.” A lawyer…

Midday Update 7-19-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Monday, July 19, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Monday, July 19, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update

Duluth Police Searching for Kwik Trip Robbery Suspect

(courtesy: Facebook/Duluth Police Department) DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department is asking for the public’s help identifying a man they say is allegedly involved in a robbery with a weapon at a Kwik Trip store in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. According to a Monday Facebook post on the Duluth Police Department page, the robbery happened on July 14, at…

Essentia Health to Launch Courtesy Shuttle for Patients, Visitors as Phase 2 Construction Begins

DULUTH, Minn. – Essentia Health is launching a courtesy shuttle for patients and visitors as the hospital enters Phase 2 of its Vision Northland project. Phase 2 of Second Street closures is set to begin on July 21 at which time Second Street will reopen from Fourth Avenue East to the Intersection with Fifth Avenue East, which will be closed….

American Academy of Pediatrics Recommends Universal Masking in Schools for Everyone Older Than 2

(CNN) – The American Academy of Pediatrics released new Covid-19 guidance for schools on Monday that supports in-person learning and, among other things, recommends universal masking in schools for everyone over the age of 2. “The AAP believes that, at this point in the pandemic, given what we know about low rates of in-school transmission when proper prevention measures are…