News – Latest News

Feasibility Study Underway For Possible Convention Center In Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The city of Superior is looking into whether the city should be home to the area’s next convention center. A feasibility study is underway right now by a company out of the Twin Cities. The city’s planning director, Jason Serck, said the convention center wouldn’t be as big as the DECC in Duluth, but a size that…

Itasca County K-12 Schools ‘Strongly Recommending’ Masks this Year

Itasca County has seen 45 new positive cases in the last 7 days, according to health officials.

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn.- Many K thru 12 schools in Itasca County are now strongly recommending students mask up for the school year, as the County deals with the highest level of community transmission of any Northeastern Minnesota county. Itasca County has seen 45 new positive cases in the last 7 days, according to health officials. School leaders say they can…

Sled Dog Racing Community Helps Evacuate Almost 250 Dogs From Path Of Greenwood Fire

ISABELLA, Minn. — As the Greenwood Fire grows to 4,750 acres, members of the sled dog racing community rushed to help others who love the sport evacuate their sled dogs this week. Dr. Jen Freking, a veterinarian and Beargrease competitor who has trained and raised sled dogs for more than 30 years, knew that there wasn’t much time to evacuate…

No Planned Water Restrictions for Duluth

DULUTH, Minn.- Severe drought conditions throughout Minnesota have led to water restrictions for several Minnesota cities. The city of Duluth, however, does not have any planned water restrictions. Lake Superior is the primary water source for Duluth, Proctor, Hermantown, and other surrounding areas in St. Louis County. “So what we are trying to help and tell the public and our…

Greenwood Fire Update

LAKE COUNTY- As of Thursday afternoon, the Greenwood fire has reached 4700 acres, causing nearby residents to pack their belongings and evacuate the area. Residents in McDougal Lake, Sand Lake, the Highway 2 corridor, and the North of Highway 1 were ordered to get out. For two Isabella residents, leaving their homes became very real as both were tagged with…

Kids, Cops, and Cars is Back for the Community

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Police Department is back with their annual Kids, Cops, and Cars event at Bayfront Festival Park. The Thursday afternoon event was free to kids and families, showcasing various first responder vehicles for kids to play in. “Jaden is obsessed with cop cars and fire trucks, and he has lots of books about them, so we thought…

Itasca County Fair Begins

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn.-The Itasca County Fair has begun in Grand Rapids. Above, check out Fox 21 photojournalist Adam Jagunich’s story on the event. For more on the festivities, click here. Categories: News, News – Latest News

Line 3 Protesters Prevent Lift Bridge From Functioning for Short Time Thursday

  DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department says officers responded to the Aerial Lift Bridge Thursday afternoon due to protesters on the bridge that were preventing the bridge from functioning. Authorities were pulled from the Kids, Cops, and Cars event to help respond to the incident which lasted about 30 minutes. Officers were able to speak with the protesters…

UPDATE: Police Probing Report of Explosive in Truck Near Capitol, Suspect Surrenders

UPDATE: WASHINGTON (AP) — A man who claimed to have a bomb in a pickup truck near the Capitol surrendered to law enforcement after an hours-long standoff Thursday that prompted a massive police response and the evacuations of government buildings and businesses in the area. Police did not immediately know whether there were explosives in the vehicle, but authorities were…

Proctor Middle School Teacher Charged With Criminal Sexual Conduct of Former Student

PROCTOR, Minn. – A Proctor Middle School teacher has been charged with felony criminal sexual conduct after he allegedly sexually abused a former student multiple times over the course of a year. On Thursday, 51-year-old Todd Robert Clark was charged with one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, and one count of first-degree…

Wisconsin’s COVID-19 Breakthrough Cases More Than Double

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The number of fully vaccinated people in Wisconsin who tested positive for COVID-19 and were hospitalized more than doubled from February to July. But Wisconsin Department of Health Services data released Thursday shows the more contagious delta variant was still an exponentially greater threat to the unvaccinated during those months. The unvaccinated were three times as…

City Crews Responding to a Water Main Break in Lincoln Park Neighborhood

DULUTH, Minn. – City of Duluth Utility Operations crews are responding to a water main break in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. The break was reported around 11:20 a.m. Thursday and is located on the 3000 block of Devonshire Street. City officials say water has been shut off from Devonshire Street and Pacific Avenue to where Devonshire becomes a dead end….

Northeastern Minnesota Wildfire Grows to 6 1/4 Square Miles

ISABELLA, Minn.  — A wildfire in the Superior National Forest of northeastern Minnesota that crews have been fighting since the weekend has grown to 6 1/4 square miles, but U.S. Forest Service officials said Thursday morning that it grew little overnight. The fire near Greenwood Lake, about 25 miles southwest of Isabella, was first spotted Sunday. It grew from 5…

Cooking Connection: Cheese Curds, In Bread, On a Stick at Duluth’s Best Bread!

Stop by Duluth's Best Bread for their Unofficial State Fair, August 24–28 and August 31–September 4.

DULUTH, Minn.- In this week’s Cooking Connection, we take you to Duluth’s Best Bread as they are back with their State Fair event. After the Minnesota State Fair was canceled last year, Duluth’s Best Bread decided to do their own with special state fair-themed treats, and it was their biggest event ever. So August 24–28 and August 31–September 4, they’re…

Four New Wolves Found on Isle Royale on Lake Superior

HOUGHTON, Mich. (FOX 9) – In late April and May, researchers in Isle Royale National Park on Lake Superior captured five wolves and attached GPS radio collars to them—the first time they have been able to do so during the pandemic. The wolves include a male originally caught in Ontario, Canada, and relocated to Isle Royale as well as three…

State Imposes Water Restrictions as Drought Worsens

MINNEAPOLIS – The drought in Minnesota continues to get worse, exposing rocks, riverbeds, and islands in the St. Croix and Minnesota river drying up entire channels in the mighty Mississippi. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has imposed water restrictions for much of the state. Utilities are to limit water use to no more than 25% above January levels. The…

Workers Hold Rally Against Potential Vaccine Mandates

HIBBING, Minn.– Hundreds of people gathered in Bennett Park in Hibbing on Wednesday to hold a rally asking for a choice when it comes to vaccinations in the workplace. Cleveland Cliffs Inc. is the second largest steelmaker in America with 25,000 employees. According to Bloomberg, Cleveland Cliffs promised a $1500 bonus to employees who get vaccinated, and they could get…

American Red Cross Helps Greenwood Fire Shelters

LAKE COUNTY- The American Red Cross is staffing the Greenwood Fire temporary evacuation point, located at the Finland Community Center. The site is set up to help residents who are evacuating near the greenwood fire. Volunteers are supplying food, water, and medical help for people being temporarily displaced from their homes. As of today, nearly 80 homes and campsites have…

Firefighters on Scene of New Fire Detected Near Britt

BRITT, Minn. – A new fire was detected near Britt Wednesday afternoon and was estimated to be nearly 25 acres in size. The fire, named the Moose Lake fire, is located in the Lake Leander area, according to the U.S. Forest Service-Superior National Forest Facebook page. Seven aircraft, heavy equipment, and engines were previously on the scene to help contain…

Minnesota Issues Plan to Treat Water Marred by 3M Chemicals

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota pollution control and natural resources officials have released a $700 million plan to improve the drinking water for 14 Twin Cities communities whose groundwater was contaminated due to decades-long chemical disposal by 3M Co. The long-term plan aims to build or improve six water treatment plants and treat 33 municipal wells. It will also connect nearly…

Source: Biden to Require Vaccines for Nursing Home Staff

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Biden administration will require that nursing home staff are vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition for those facilities to continue receiving federal Medicare and Medicaid funding. Biden will announce the move Wednesday afternoon in a White House address as the administration continues to look for ways to use mandates to encourage vaccine holdouts to get shots….

Garth Brooks Cancels Tour Dates Due to COVID Surge

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Country star Garth Brooks is canceling his remaining stadium tour dates in five cities due to rising COVID-19 cases. Brooks had said weeks ago that he would be reassessing the tour in light of the surge in cases. Tickets will be refunded for shows scheduled in Cincinnati; Charlotte, North Carolina; Baltimore; Foxborough, Massachusetts, and Nashville, Tennessee….

TSA Extends Into January Mask Rule for Airline Passengers

(AP) – Federal officials are extending into January a requirement that people on airline flights and public transportation wear face masks, a rule intended to limit the spread of COVID-19. The Transportation Security Administration’s current order was scheduled to expire on Sept. 13. An agency spokesman said Tuesday that the mandate will be extended until Jan. 18. The TSA briefed…

Proctor Middle School Teacher Arrested for Alleged Criminal Sexual Conduct

PROCTOR, Minn. – A 51-year-old teacher at a Proctor middle school was arrested Tuesday afternoon on pending charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. According to the Duluth Police Department, the teacher was booked in the St. Louis County Jail and is awaiting formal charges. According to Proctor Schools Superintendent John Engelking, the teacher “is employed by the school district, but…

Minnesota State Fair Not Requiring Masks Inside Most Buildings

FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. (FOX 9) – Minnesota State Fair attendees will not be required to wear masks inside buildings on the fairgrounds during this year’s Great Minnesota Get-Together. Fair organizers were considering mandating masks indoors, however, the latest guidance released Wednesday says masks are recommended inside most buildings, but not required. They are also recommending people wear masks outdoors in…

US Health Officials Call for Booster Shots Against COVID-19

NEW YORK – U.S. health officials are recommending all Americans get COVID-19 booster shots. The plan, as outlined by the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other top health authorities, calls for booster doses eight months after people get their second shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. The booster doses could begin the week of…

Three People Rescued After Boats Gets Stuck in Beaver River

FREDENBERG TOWNSHIP, Minn. – Three people were rescued Tuesday evening after their boats became stuck in the mud and heavy vegetation in Beaver River, according to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office. Around 8:36 p.m. first responders and law enforcement responded to reports of two boaters getting stuck while boating on the river in Fredenberg Township. While waiting for authorities…

City Unveils Design Concepts For Waterfront Property Behind DECC

DULUTH, Minn.– The city of Duluth gave a first look Tuesday at what could soon be a new multi-million dollar overhaul of an experience behind the DECC, which has one of the city’s most pristine views of the waterfront and arguably one of the least invested. The new vision between the Great Lakes Aquarium and Minnesota Slip Bridge involves the…

Essentia Offering 3rd COVID Vaccine to Immunocompromised Patients

DULUTH, Minn.– A third COVID vaccine dose was approved by the FDA at this time for patients who are moderately to severely immunocompromised. Essentia Health announced today that they will be taking part in providing this third dose to those who are immunocompromised, and suggest receiving a dose of the same vaccine product patients received earlier, 8 months after their…

New Apartments to Help Homeless with Mental Health Issues

DULUTH, Minn.– People in Duluth who are homeless and battling mental health issues now have a new supportive housing development as an option to improve their lives. It’s called the Birchwood apartments located on Burning Tree Road in Duluth. The 30-unit one bedroom apartments are mostly furnished, and roughly 100 person have already inquired to live there. The $7 million…

Heritage Center Hosts Hockey Camp

DULUTH, Minn.-Despite the warm temperatures outside, kids are getting the chance to still enjoy winter sports like hockey at the Heritage Sports Center. This week they are hosting a camp focused on power skating so youth can build up those skills before the upcoming season. “If nothing else, we want them to feel more confident on their feet,” said Christian…

Vintage Sports Camps Continue

DULUTH, Minn.-Vintage Sports Camps are continuing this summer despite the pandemic. The director of the camp says the aim of them is to get kids out of the house and away from those electronics, while also taking part in some old school sports like dragon boat racing and dodge ball. “Part of what we are doing is not only teaching…

Extreme Dry Conditions Following Greenwood Fire

DULUTH, Minn.- Fires in the Northland continue to pose a threat, bringing a risk of dry conditions to surrounding areas of the greenwood fire. As of Tuesday afternoon, the Greenwood fire continues to cover around 2000 acres. The number of evacuated residents in the area is growing while first responders work to contain the fire. Local fire officials are concerned…

Superior School Board Brings Back Masks

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The Superior School Board has made multiple decisions about the upcoming school year, including which students need to wear masks. The school board determined that grades k-12 will be back full-time for in-person learning. Masks will be required for all elementary school students and staff until each student is vaccinated. Masks are optional for middle and high school…

Authorities Attack Minnesota Wildfire From Air and Ground

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Authorities are fighting a northeastern Minnesota wildfire from the air and on the ground following the evacuation of about 75 residences in the Superior National Forest. The fire was first spotted Sunday near Greenwood Lake. It has expanded to about 3.1 square miles. The Minnesota National Guard is assisting in the firefighting efforts; warm weather and gusty…

Full Business Liquidation Auction Planned for Gannucci’s

DULUTH, Minn. -West Duluth’s Gannucci’s Italian Market & Restaurant is holding a full business liquidation next week. According to a Facebook post by Nordic Auction, a full business liquidation auction will be held on Wednesday, August 25 at 301 North Central Avenue beginning at 4:00 p.m. Gannucci’s, originally named Conito’s Italian Village, was established in 1976 and was renamed Ganucci’s…

Superior School Board Votes to Require Masks for Elementary Students

SUPERIOR, Wis. – On Monday, the Superior School Board voted to require masks for elementary students for the upcoming school year. Additionally, all students and staff will be required to wear a mask while using Superior public transportation. During Monday night’s meeting, the school board said they also recommend the use of school cafeterias again. Current CDC guidelines recommend universal…

Mark Pavelich Rememberance Golf Scramble

BIWABIK, Minn.– Today at Giants Ridge Golf Course in Biwabik Minnesota, members of Minnesota college hockey teams, current and former NHL players, and teammates of the 1980 Olympic gold medal team came together in memory of Mark Pavelich, who passed earlier this year after a battle to mental illness. “Mark was just a special guy, and he was a great…

Fill the Boot Campaign Returns

DULUTH, Minn.– With boots in hand, the Duluth Fire Department took the streets of the city today for the annual fill the boot campaign. The department is raising money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association this year after the event was canceled last year. The ‘Fill the Boot’ program has gone on for 67 years where the International Association of Fire…

US to Recommend COVID Vaccine Boosters at 8 Months

WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. experts are expected to recommend COVID-19 vaccine boosters for all Americans, regardless of age, eight months after they received their second dose of the shot. The goal is to ensure lasting protection against the coronavirus as the delta variant spreads across the country. That’s according to two people familiar with the matter who spoke to The…

Council Approves Outsourcing Duluth’s $1.8M Tourism Marketing Contract

Councilors also voted to table a $400K contract offer to Visit Duluth to handle the city's convention sales and visitor center.

DULUTH, Minn. –  The city council made a historic vote Monday evening to approve a new $1.8 million tourism marketing contract to a firm in Minneapolis – Bellmont Partners and its partner Lawrence & Schiller — instead of Visit Duluth, which has held the job since 1935. Councilor Joel Sipress voted against the contract resolution.  Councilor Zack Filipovich abstained because…