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Coffee Conversation: Duluth Dylan Fest Returns to Northland

DULUTH / HIBBING, Minn. — In honor of Minnesota born-and-raised Novel prize winner Bob Dylan, the 2023 Duluth Dylan Festival is set to return to Duluth and Hibbing on Saturday, May 20 through Sunday, May 28. Festival Volunteer Laura Whitney joined FOX21 on the morning newscast to talk about the event + Bob Dylan’s impact. The festival will feature a…

Essentia Health Calls MN Nurse Staffing Bill Flawed

DULUTH, Minn. — Essentia Health is speaking out against a nurse staffing bill at the Minnesota Legislature. The Keeping Nurses at the Bedside Act would establish committees to set specific staffing levels at hospitals. The levels would include a limit on the number of patients a nurse should safely care for. The bill’s sponsors believe it will help the crisis around…

Mark W. Barker, Newest Great Lakes Ship Since 1983, Runs Aground

The Barker hit the water in the summer of 2022 and made its first visit to Duluth in September

The Mark W. Barker, the first U.S. ship built last year on the Great Lakes since 1983, ran soft aground early Wednesday in the Detroit River after the freighter lost propulsion. The 639-foot vessel, which was built to navigate tight ends, suffered an “electronics malfunction” near Belle Isle around 8 a.m., according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Nobody was injured….

Duluth Farmers Market Back After a Rough Winter

DULUTH, Minn. — The snow has finally melting and that calls for farmer’s markets to be out in full swing after a long and exhausting winter. The Duluth Farmers Markets is officially back and bringing in customers. While some crops like vegetables are still growing, the market still has plenty of different vendors and stock lined up. From plants and…

Superior School District Honors Retiring Staff Members

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Wednesday the Superior School District held a Salute to Service celebration, honoring this years retiring staff members. The district honored 13 staff members with a ceremony and awards, which recognized the outstanding work that the staff did throughout their time in the district. A video was played at the celebration which had coworkers and friends speaking on…

Downs Funeral Home Announces New Location

SUPERIOR, Wis. — A funeral home that’s been around in Superior for the last 125 years is starting construction for a bigger, more modern facility. Locally owned, Downs Funeral Home in Superior will start constructing a new 11,400 square foot, single-story funeral home that is 100% handicap accessible. They say that although their current location on 19th and Ogden Ave….

JUUL, Altria Settle For $60.5 Million With Minnesota Over Vaping Epidemic

(FOX 9) – Following a settlement with e-cigarette manufacturer JUUL and tobacco marketer Altria over its role in the vaping epidemic, Minnesota is set to receive a payout of $60.5 million over seven years, according to an announcement from Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison on Wednesday. The settlement requires JUUL to pay more than one third of the settlement within 30 days, and 60…

Grand Jury Indicts Man In 4 University Of Idaho Stabbing Deaths, Eliminating Need For Hearing

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A grand jury has indicted a man who was already charged in the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students, allowing prosecutors to skip a planned week-long preliminary hearing that was set for late June. Bryan Kohberger was arrested late last year and charged with burglary and four counts of first-degree murder in connection with the Nov….

Prince Harry And Meghan Pursued In Their Car By Photographers In New York

NEW YORK (AP) — Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, were pursued in their car by photographers after a charity event in New York, an incident that the mayor and the couple’s office described Wednesday as potentially dangerous and that instantly drew comparisons to the 1997 fatal car crash of Harry’s mother, Princess Diana. The NYPD did not provide immediate…

Duluth’s A & Dubs Drive In Now Open

DULUTH, Minn. — In the restaurant department you know it’s almost summer when Duluth’s A & Dubs Drive In opens for the season. The loyal customers didn’t disappoint Tuesday as the parking lot was packed for another season kick-off of serving home cooked meals and other treats like homemade root beer. The business has been around since 1950. The menu…

Coffee Conversation: Denfeld Theater Presents First Production in 5 Years, “Chicago”

DULUTH, Minn. — After a five-year hiatus, the Duluth Denfeld High School Theater Dept. is back in the limelight; presenting a rendition of the classic musical “Chicago” (May 18-20.) Cast members Reagan Kern (Roxie) and Madi Watts (Velma) joined FOX21 on the morning newscast to talk about the departments renewed momentum + the upcoming performance. The storyline of Chicago is…

Suspect Arrested In Duluth Shooting That Hit Bystander With Stray Bullet

DULUTH, Minn. — The man accused of a shooting last weekend near downtown Duluth that struck an innocent bystander with a stray bullet was arrested Tuesday evening in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, according to the Duluth Police Department. The 36-year-old suspect was taken into custody without incident around 6:15 p.m. “on an arrest warrant for 2nd Degree Assault, Felon in Possession…

Authorities Say New Mexico Gunman Who Killed 3 Was Local High School Student; Still Seek Motive

FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) — The gunman who killed three people and wounded six others while roaming through his northwestern New Mexico neighborhood and apparently firing at random targets was a local 18-year-old high school student, authorities said Tuesday, noting they were still trying to determine a motive for the attack. Beau Wilson lived in the Farmington neighborhood where he opened…

Marijuana Legalization Closer In Minnesota As Conference Committee Wraps Up Work

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Cannabis is almost assuredly coming to Minnesota, with lawmakers signing off Friday morning on a final version of the bill legalizing recreational marijuana. Among the proposals the conference committee agreed on in its final meeting is the tax rate and distribution between the state and local governments. “Gross receipts tax will be 10%,” Rep. Zack Stephenson, DFL-Coon Rapids, and House…

Whitewater Rafting Businesses Starting Their Summer Seasons

CARLTON/SCANLON, Minn. — Now that flooding has settled, and river levels have lowered whitewater rafting companies are ready to go for the seasons. Swiftwater Adventures in Carlton started their season beginning of May. The owner says conditions have been on the higher end of flows but are still safe for those wanting to get out on the water. And anybody…

Knowing Your Neighbor: Honor Flight Northland

DULUTH, Minn. — After 14 years, the Northland Honor Flight is still remembering and honoring the sacrifice of veterans by bringing them on a meaningful journey to the nation’s Capital. 93 veterans along with family members and volunteers left from the Duluth Airport and traveled to Washington D.C Saturday  May 13 to visit memorials dedicated to their service. “Everything was…

Lake Superior College Graduates Celebrate

Commencement marks next stage in many lives

There was no shortage of gowns, tassels and mortar boards Monday at the DECC’s Symphony Hall. It was a day for students from Lake Superior College to celebrate and go through their commencement ceremonies. Almost eight hundred students graduated. Their accomplishments included certificates, diplomas and associate degrees. Their studies covered 67 different program areas. The emotions included a mixed bag…

6th Graders on Quest to Discover the River

1,500 converge to learn more about the St. Louis River.

DULUTH, Minn.  Sixth graders from across the region had a chance to find out what the water in our area is all about. Its official title is ‘2023 St. Louis River Quest.’ As a practical matter, it teaches fifteen hundred sixth graders about Lake Superior, the harbor, the St. Louis River, and everything connected with those waters. The kids learn…

Driver Rescued After Vehicle Gets Stuck In Tree

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn. — A driver from Rosemount, Minnesota was rescued just North of Cook Monday morning after her vehicle went down an embankment and struck a tree. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says the 60-year-old woman was trapped inside when crews arrived at 10:46 a.m. Cook Fire Department crews freed the woman from the wreckage. The woman…

3M Fires Company Executive For Inappropriate Conduct Weeks After Promotion

WASHINGTON (AP) — 3M has fired prominent company executive Michael Vale due to “inappropriate personal conduct and violation of company policy,” the maker of Post-it notes, industrial coatings and ceramics announced on Monday. Vale was promoted to group president and chief business and country officer just last month. Vale worked at 3M for more than 30 years, according to an April 25…

How GPS Tracking Devices Have Been Misused In Minnesota: ‘It Feels Like I’m Getting Terrorized’

(FOX 9) – While GPS technology can be helpful to consumers in a variety of ways, more criminals are leveraging the technology to illegally track and even stalk their victims. GPS technology is already a $3 billion industry and market projections expect it to grow even more over the next few years. Using GPS tracking devices without someone’s consent to track their…

Coffee Conversation: Leadership Duluth Launches “Just Breathe 988” Awareness Campaign

DULUTH, Minn. — The 2023 Leadership Duluth class has launched an area-wide campaign called “just breathe 988” to bring awareness to the new nation-wide 988 suicide and crisis lifeline. Campaign Leader Jerry Thoreson and Klear Water Coaching & Wellness Owner Stacy Crawford joined FOX21 on the morning newscast to talk about the campaign and its mission. Thoreson says, the goal…

Bill Would Essentially Ban Active Shooter Simulations At Minnesota Schools

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A bill working through the Minnesota legislature would overhaul to how active shooter drills are conducted in schools. This practice has sadly become more common in recent years. Those behind this bill argue that there is a better method than having schools simulate active shooter situations. The legislation would essentially ban active shooter training that simulates real-life scenarios,…

Critical Wildfire Conditions Move Into Northland

Warmer air, dry fuels, low humidity and wind are creating a high danger for wildfires in the Northland through Monday evening. A wildfire ignited Saturday near Adolph in St. Louis County. The Grand Lake Volunteer Fire Department said the flames spread quickly. Multiple agencies assisted in successfully extinguishing the flames, including a DNR helicopter with a 210-gallon bucket to drop…

10-Year Anniversary Of The Historic Germann Road Wildfire

The critical fire conditions in the Northland Sunday come on the 10-year anniversary of the Germann Road Wildfire in Douglas County. The fire, which is one of the largest in Wisconsin state history, consumed more than 7,400 acres and destroyed 104 structures in the towns of Gordon, Highland and Barnes. Twenty-three of the structures destroyed were residences. The DNR said…

Calling All Musicians! You’re Needed For Superior’s ‘Make Music Day’

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Calling all artists!  Make Music Day is returning to Superior June 21, and talented musicians are wanted. Make Music Day is a global music celebration that happens on the summer solstice each year to bring people of all ages and skill levels together to make music. This is the second year the event is being organized in…

Lake Superior Zoo Hosts Mother’s Day Craft Sale

DULUTH, Minn. — It’s finally Mother’s Day, and that means all kinds of fun events and activities happened around town. The Lake Superior Zoo hosted its third annual Mother’s Day Craft and Plant Sale Sunday. Around a dozen vendors showed off their best Mother’s Day crafts for eager shoppers. The zoo parking lot was filled with all kinds of goods,…

Minneapolis City Council Nomination Brawlers Could Be Expelled From Minn. Democratic Party

Courtesy: FOX 9 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Democratic Party will consider expelling anyone involved in a brawl that broke out at a political event to nominate candidates for a Minneapolis City Council seat. At least two people were injured in Saturday’s confrontation. The head of the state Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, Chair Ken Martin, said on Twitter that he plans to…

Governor’s Fishing Opener

MANKATO, MINN. — While in the Duluth area, the weather was best described as windy and raw, it was still much better than what had taken place in Mankato where Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, stood in for Governor Tim Walz The rain fell all morning on the 75th Governor’s Fishing opener. It was held on Madison Lake, but the rain…

Pancakes in Fredenberg Raise Funds for Volunteer Fire Department

FREDENBERG, MINN. –In Fredenberg, people enjoyed a delicious breakfast as the volunteer fire department hosted its annual pancake breakfast fundraiser. The place was packed Saturday morning as hungry people stopped by for a bite of some pancakes and eggs. Volunteers from the town were on flipping and cooking duty, as they served up flap-jacks. For nearly 60 years, pancakes have…

Ursa Minor’s Brew Wins Gold Medal

DULUTH, MINN. –There’s news out of Nashville that a local Duluth brewery has won a medal for its beer at the 2023 World Beer Cup Ceremony. The competition featured over 10,000 entries from 2,300 breweries from around the world. Ursa Minor and specifically its EQUUANIMINTY brew brought home a gold medal from the competition  The gold medal is for Ursa…

LSC Auto Club Brings Back Car Show

DULUTH, Minn. — The Lake Superior Auto Club was back hosting its student-run car show today at the college. From classic Ford Mustangs to vintage trucks restored to mint condition, the LSC car show filled a parking lot with a wide variety of cars that would satisfy just about any car buff. Some owners showed off the finer details of…

Minnesota Fishing Season Opener

FREDENBERG, Minn. — The fishing opener is like an unofficial holiday for Minnesotans, and after a very long and challenging winter, being able to finally fish on an open lake is like a breath of fresh air. “It was a tough winter, the ice was never all that great so we didn’t get out as much as we wanted to…