MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota health officials suspect that a coronavirus variant is driving a recent increase in the state’s case rate. Infectious Disease Director Kris Ehresmann said during a media briefing Friday that more than 300 cases of the B117 variant first detected in the United Kingdom have been found in Minnesota. Cases have been detected in various parts of…
FINLAND, Minn.– One of the first signs of spring up the north shore is the St. Urho’s Day celebration here in Finland, Minnesota. And you better believe Northlanders were ready to enjoy the day. “It feels like we really survived a year,” said St. Urho’s Day Event Coordinator Honor Schauland. While the festivities looked different, the good vibes survived for…
FINLAND, Minn.– While it didn’t look exactly like a regular St. Urho’s day, Finland bars and restaurants adapted for the busy celebration. Our Place Bar and Grill on Highway 1, sold beverages outside in a trailer while customers enjoyed the festivities on the nice day. After the pandemic and related shutdowns made 2020 a tough year for smaller bars and…
DULUTH, Minn- UMD’s STEM Discovery Day, their annual student-led day of middle and high schoolers exploring the world of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math continued this year — a little differently. Swenson College of Engineering students offered free STEM Discovery Day home experiment kits. Participants could drive up and pick up kits like owl pellet dissection learning biology, or marshmallow…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A federal regulator has suspended the PolyMet Mining Corp.’s permit to dredge more than 900 acres of wetland for Minnesota’s first copper mine. The ruling is a victory for the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa which attempted to protect Indigenous water quality standards as a “downstream state” under the Clean Water Act. The…
DULUTH, Minn. – The National Weather Service has issued a fire weather watch for parts of northeastern Minnesota including in St. Louis and Carlton counties as gusty winds and low humidity means fires can spread quickly. Minnesota traditionally has two active fire seasons – once in the fall and once in the spring. The spring fire season starts as soon…
DULUTH, Minn.– Students looking to start a career in aviation got to learn more about the skies today at Lake Superior College. More than 100 potential students attended LSC’s annual aviation open house at their facility on Airport Road, showcasing their Pilot and Aviation Maintenance Programs. The students got a close-up look at equipment something they couldn’t do last year…
DULUTH, Minn.– A Duluth local labor union met to express their views on an Amazon distribution center in Alabama deciding whether or not to unionize. Voting for or against the union at an amazon facility in Bessemer, Alabama is underway. Demonstrators showed up at the corner of London Road and 21st Avenue Friday to raise awareness for the vote. “These…
DULUTH, Minn.– It was busy year in 2020 for the Duluth Police’s Lake Superior Drug and Violent Crime Task Force as St. Louis County saw its highest number of fentanyl-related overdoses ever recorded. Officials say a large yearly national grant has played a key role in the department’s drug busts the last few years, some of which set records. For…
DULUTH, Minn. – We talked to local residents of Duluth about their thoughts on the shooting in Atlanta. Pakou has lived in Duluth for the past 15 years with her family and is part of the group, Asian Women of the Twin Ports. She says that she and her family have experienced micro-aggressions in the past. For instance, people asking…
DULUTH, Minn. – Catalytic converters continue to be stolen throughout Duluth, which is on par with last year. Steven is a Duluth resident, and he went to his car on Sunday night to change parking from one side of the street to the other. However, he discovered that someone had taken his catalytic converter. He says that he needs $2,300…
DULUTH, Minn.-Earlier Friday, the American Indian Community Housing Organization held a vaccination event for minority communities. The event was open to people of color, the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities or a person experiencing homelessness. Organizers say events like this are needed to make sure everyone gets vaccinated. “None of us live in a vacuum, as much as we want…
DULUTH, Minn.-Local social workers are being celebrated in the region for all they do during National Social Workers Month. Those in the field say the pandemic has made things challenging, just like many other professions. A social worker at St. Luke’s says those problems range from things like communicating with patients to getting patients into the proper rehabilitation facility. “Just…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Federal prosecutors have charged a Minnesota man in connection with the U.S. Capitol siege. The U.S. attorney’s office tweeted Friday that 31-year-old Jordan K. Stotts with trespassing in connection with the Jan. 6 incident. FBI agents took him into custody Friday. He was set to make his initial court appearance in Bemidji later Friday afternoon. The tweet…
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. health officials are relaxing social distancing recommendations for schools, now saying students can sit as close as 3 feet to each other in classrooms. The new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, announced Friday, signal the agency’s turn away from the 6-foot distancing recommendation that had forced some schools to remove desks, stagger scheduling…
(FOX 9) – The National Weather Service issued a fire weather watch for parts of northeast Minnesota, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. This watch impacts Aitkin, Carlton, St. Louis, and Pine counties. Gusty winds and low humidity are expected Saturday afternoon, creating “critical fire weather conditions,” according to the DNR. Fires would likely spread quickly. The DNR is discouraging…
FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama share news and weather making headlines Friday, Mar. 19, 2021. Have a great day! Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, weather
DULUTH, Minn. – One man was arrested Thursday evening in connection to a shots fired incident in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. According to police, officers responded to the 2000 block of West 2nd Street around 8:20 p.m. Thursday on reports of shots fired. Officers were told two vehicles had already left the scene quickly. When officers arrived at the location…
MADISON, Wis. – Tens of thousands of households in Wisconsin could lose utility service after state regulators voted against extending a moratorium on disconnections. It would be the first time in nearly 18 months that utilities could disconnect service to customers who are behind on their bills. The Wisconsin Public Service Commission voted unanimously Thursday to let the moratorium expire…
FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama share news and weather making headlines Friday, Mar. 19, 2021. Have a great day! Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, weather
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A judge on Friday denied a defense request to delay or move the trial of a former Minneapolis police officer charged in George Floyd’s death after a $27 million settlement for Floyd’s family raised concern about a tainted jury. Jury selection was halfway complete last week in former officer Derek Chauvin’s trial when the city of Minneapolis…
ELY, Minn. – As the pandemic continues, there’s no doubt about it, many of us are counting down the days until summer finally sets in, allowing for more time outdoors, and the perfect setting to safely visit with friends and family. “All the campsites are at least 1/8 mile apart, so I guess social distancing is just perfect. You can’t…
GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – The vaccine rollout continues to be strong in Itasca County. The county has a population of over 45,000 residents. So far, just over 20,000 have received at least one shot of the COVID-19 vaccine. As of Thursday, Mar. 18, 12,382 residents have received at least one shot, while 7,752 residents are fully vaccinated. Health officials report…
ELY, Minn. — A rise in COVID cases within the Ely School District is forcing officials to hit the reset button and send students back to full distance learning. The change starts March 19 for junior high and high school students, grades 6-12. This comes after seven positive cases popped up in the past three days. In-person learning will return…
DULUTH, Minn.– One local organization is ready to help kids play music again for the first time in nearly a year. The Armory Arts and Music Center on London Road is now offering music lessons again. Students in grades 6-12 can now sign up for virtual personal and group lessons on a variety of instruments and music topics. After receiving…
CLOQUET, Minn.– As the pandemic continues, one of the biggest impacts has been to food access in places around the Northland. But many people and businesses right here in the northland have been trying to help get through this tough time. As the financial impacts from the pandemic continue to be felt one year later, one business in Cloquet has…
DULUTH, Minn.– Longtime Duluth City Councilor Joel Sipress will not be seeking re-election this fall, saying the timing just feels right. Sipress, who serves the second district, has been on the council for two terms. He served as council president in 2017 and currently sits on the public utilities commission and housing and rehabilitation authority. Sipress, who is also a…
DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth has a new app for people to use to discover local parks. The app is called “Agents of Discovery,” and people can go on missions throughout different parks and trails throughout the year. You can become a detective and learn about things like nature, Duluth, and cultural history. “It’s awesome,” said Sam Werle,…
HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The federal tax deadline is being delayed from April 15th to May 17th as more people deal with complicated filings because of COVID. The deadline applies to federal income tax returns and taxes. There’s no word on any deadline changes for the state of Minnesota and Wisconsin. Either way, tax experts say it’s best to file as…
DULUTH, Minn. – A bill was introduced by Duluth State Representative Liz Olson this week that created more general criteria for those who would be eligible for the purchase of Verso’s paper mill. The bill itself did not name a specific buyer and left it fairly open so that multiple buyers of the Duluth mill would be eligible. The bill would…
WASHINGTON (AP) — With the U.S. closing in on President Joe Biden’s goal of injecting 100 million coronavirus vaccinations weeks ahead of his target date, officials say the nation is now in a position to help supply neighbors Canada and Mexico with shots. The Biden administration announced the outlines of a plan to “loan” vaccines to Canada and Mexico as…
(AP) – The IRS will delay the traditional April 15 tax filing due date until May 17 to cope with added duties and provide Americans more flexibility. The IRS announced the decision Wednesday and said it would provide further guidance in coming days. The move provides more breathing room for taxpayers and the IRS alike to cope with changes brought…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A top Wisconsin health official says there will be enough coronavirus vaccine in Wisconsin by the end of June to immunize 80% of those age 16 and over in the state, hitting a key target to achieve herd immunity for COVID-19. Deputy state health secretary Julie Willems Van Dijk made the forecast Thursday. Currently, more than…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Prosecutors at the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in George Floyd’s death want a judge to allow expert testimony about how people react to traumatic events. A prosecutor said Thursday that a forensic psychiatrist should be able to testify that Floyd’s actions when he struggled with officers trying to put him in a squad…
DULUTH, Minn. – Pizza Ranch is closing in on an official opening day, according to its new official Duluth Facebook page. The restaurant says they are “making progress” at the former Lucky’s 13 Pub location in the Miller Hill Mall and is anticipating an early summer opening. Pizza Ranch officially announced its new Duluth location last November with a tentative…
DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth City Councilor Joel Sipress announced Thursday that he will not seek re-election. Sipress has served two terms representing Duluth’s 2nd District. “Serving the people of Duluth’s Second District as their representative in city government has been a tremendous privilege,” Sipress said. “It was never my plan to pursue a career in politics, and after eight years…
Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, Mar. 18, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News, weather
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (AP) — Advocates in Minnesota are pushing the legislators to remove most juveniles from the state’s predatory registry, arguing that it makes it difficult for young people to overcome societal barriers. The state’s Predatory Offender Registry has more than 18,000 names. Patty Wetterling helped create the registry in 1991 after her 11-year-old son was kidnapped and killed. She…
(Mike De Sisti/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel via AP) OCONOMOWOC, Wis. (AP) — A law enforcement official says the man suspected of killing two co-workers at a Wisconsin grocery distribution warehouse before fatally shooting himself was a 41-year-old from suburban Milwaukee. Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Nicholas Ollinger identified the suspect Thursday as Fraron Cornelius, of Wauwatosa. Police say the suspect died from…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – What started as a passion has now turned into a small-scale profession for Superior resident Meghan Gobel. Over the past few months, Gobel, the creator of Lady Meg’s Cakes, launched a Facebook page to promote her hobby of baking and sharing the goodies with customers in the Twin Ports. She’s overjoyed to see the outpouring of support…
Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, Mar. 18, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, News, weather
(Court TV, via AP, Pool) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The jury being seated for former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin’s trial in George Floyd’s death is growing despite concerns about publicity from a $27 million payout to Floyd’s family to settle their civil lawsuit. The city of Minneapolis agreed to the settlement last week in the midst of jury selection. That…
WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits rose last week to 770,000, a sign that layoffs remain high even as much of the U.S. economy is steadily recovering from the coronavirus recession. Thursday’s report from the Labor Department showed that jobless claims climbed from 725,000 the week before. The numbers have dropped sharply since the depths of…
NORTHLAND – Female leaders from colleges throughout the Northland came together today to talk about what they say is a lack of representation in their field. Here in the Northland, the majority of higher education chancellors and presidents are female, accounting for four of the six local colleges and universities. However, according to officials at Lake Superior College, only 30%…
TWO HARBORS, Minn. — A family-owned Two Harbors business is opening a new location in the city’s former Shopko building, which has been sitting empty since the summer of 2019. The husband-and-wife owners of Seagren’s True Value in downtown Two Harbors will transform the old Shopko into Seagren’s Home, Hardware, and Outdoors. They say they’re going to offer virtually all…
DULUTH, Minn.– St. Patrick’s Day 2021 is here, which many bars around the Northland count on for a big boost in businesses. Last St. Patrick’s Day was filled with a lot of uncertainty and uneasiness due to the pandemic, especially for businesses like bars and restaurants. But this year, it’s been a different story. Bars and restaurants across Minnesota were…
SUPERIOR, Wis.– The Wisconsin Ethics Commission has completed its opinion about conflict of interest concerns involving the marriage between Superior Mayor Jim Paine and City Councilor Jenny Van Sickle. The commission believes there are conflicts of interest that could pop up particularly when Councilor Van Sickle might act on matters of substantial value or financial gain for Mayor Paine, including…
CLOQUET, Minn.-With the weather starting to warm up, that means Gordy’s Hi-Hat will be opening soon. Gordy’s will open March 24th for its 61st season. In what’s become a tradition, Northlanders always line up on opening day to get their fill of burgers, shakes, and of course onion rings. We caught up with staff today about how they are preparing…
DULUTH, Minn. – One local business has begun a fundraiser for the Northland K-9 Foundation in honor of K-9 Luna Who was killed in the line of duty last month. Advantage Emblem is making commemorative shirts and hoodies, and has begun selling them online. Staff says that it was the right thing to do, given all that law enforcement does…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – It’s Small Business Development Center Day across the nation. We checked in with the center over at UWS who has been instrumental in helping businesses during the pandemic. So far, they have helped garner more than $4 million for business in the region. “Make sure that we are a community resource and we’re a tie into other…
