News – Latest News

‘Love Creamery’ Accommodates Customers During Pandemic

Management says they are grateful to the local community for keeping them alive.

DULUTH, Minn. – During the pandemic many businesses have struggled, including Love Creamery in Lincoln Park. Management says they are grateful to the local community for keeping them alive. To accommodate for customers’ needs, Love Creamery developed a more prepackaged take on their products, added a service window to the store to lessen contact with guests, and they even run…

Bayfield Businesses Report Steady Sales as Pandemic Continues

From Lodging to Entertainment, Many Businesses in Bayfield Say Sales Have Remained Stable as the Pandemic Continues

BAYFIELD, Wis. – Nearly one year into the global pandemic and travel is still frowned upon by many health officials. However, there is one silver lining when it comes to folks avoiding longer vacations. Local businesses in Northland communities are seeing an increase in people taking smaller weekend getaways to escape for a few days. “Outdoor rec is the name…

St. Luke’s Needs Volunteers for COVID-19 Study

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Luke’s is in need of volunteers to help complete their COVID-19 RECOVER study. Doctors say they want 100 more essential workers, which includes bus drivers, grocery store workers, and bankers. The goal is for people to swab their noses weekly to test for COVID-19 and do the occasional blood test to look for COVID antibodies. “The…

14 Percent of St. Louis County has Received COVID-19 Vaccine as Rollout Continues

DULUTH, Minn.– The vaccination rollout is continuing to push on in St. Louis County. St. Louis County Public Health says the county has vaccinated more than 4,000 people so far. And the additional vaccinations from health care providers and pharmacies have helped bring the total to 27,000. That’s close to 14 percent of the county’s population. Right now, the county…

School Closings, Delays: Monday, Feb. 8, 2021

The following cancellations or delays have been reported to FOX 21 for Monday, Feb. 8, 2021 Bessemer Area School District – Closed Drummond Area School District – Closed (no after-school activities or virtual classes) Hayward Schools – Closed South Shore School District – Closed Lakeview Christian Academy – 2 hour delay Lake Superior School District – 2 hour delay (Two…

Evers’ Budget Proposal Would Legalize Recreational Marijuana

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers says his budget plan will include a proposal to legalize recreational marijuana. The Journal Sentinel reports that the idea will likely be blocked by the Republican-controlled Legislature but could be a catalyst to allow the use of medical marijuana. Evers says the recreational marijuana measure could generate $166 million in revenue that…

Gov. Walz Deploys Guard For Chauvin Trial Security

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Gov. Tim Walz has authorized the Minnesota National Guard to deploy in preparation for potential civil unrest during the upcoming trials of four ex-Minneapolis police officers charged in the killing of George Floyd last summer. The Democratic governor’s executive order authorizes the deployment of an unspecified number of troops in Minneapolis and St. Paul. They would serve…

Hospitals Criticize Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota hospitals are criticizing the state’s coronavirus vaccine distribution system as inequitable, leaving some clinics and hospitals without doses for older, vulnerable patients. The Minnesota Hospital Association, in a letter to state health officials, says some clinics haven’t received vaccine doses in days. In January, the state opened up vaccinations to people 65 and older…

Essentia Health Continues To See Lack Of Patients Going For A Check-Up

DULUTH, Minn- Essentia Health is continuing to see a lack of patients coming in for a check-up. They are instead waiting until it’s too late, which is creating an uptick in emergency room visits. Now that restrictions have loosened, Health experts believe many people may have become used to being home… or still do not want to visit a hospital…

Day Out With Thomas to Return to Duluth in August

According to the Railroad's Facebook page, Day out with Thomas is set for August 6-8 and 13-15. 

DULUTH, Minn. – The North Shore Scenic Railroad announced Thomas the Tank Engine will be returning to the Northland this summer. According to the Railroad’s Facebook page, Day Out with Thomas is set for August 6-8 and 13-15. Families can enjoy a ride with Thomas and his friend Percy, along with live music and other activities. Tickets are on-sale now,…

Spirit Mountain Hosts 43rd Annual Atmore Memorial Race

DULUTH, Minn.– Over on Spirit Mountain, one of the biggest ski traditions continued this year despite concerns with the pandemic. The 43rd annual Atmore Memorial Race started with 2 races on Friday. 88 boys ages 16 to their 30’s competed in 2 single pole slalom races Saturday afternoon shredding down the hill. Events were spread out over the weekend to…

Two Arrested After Friday Night Shooting in Duluth’s Lincoln Park

Two males in their 20s were arrested, no injuries were reported and all parties were known to each other.

  DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth Police officers arrested two suspects, responding to a shooting at an apartment in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood Friday, and according to authorities those suspects are previous violent offenders. According to a spokesperson with the department, officers responded to a report of shots fired at an apartment in the 2400 Block of West 3rd Street around 7:45…

Duluth Businesses Prepare for Super Bowl Weekend

DULUTH, Minn.– With the Super Bowl just a handful of days away, some Duluth businesses are preparing for the big game during the pandemic. As football fans get ready to watch, they’re also getting ready to make some big meals. And one place they’re going to stock up is the Super One in west Duluth. “They grabbing their chips, their…

Cold Snap Causes 3 Water Main Breaks in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn.– The cold snap has been causing other headaches for the city of Duluth’s Utility Operations Department. Crews responded to three water main breaks Friday, leaving some without water temporarily. Crews worked on a break by the 27-hundred block of Piedmont Avenue after reports of water gushing in the street. Workers spent hours trying to get through the frozen…

U Of M Medical School Sees Increase In Student Applications

This year there were nearly 3,500 applicants wanting to attend the school.

DULUTH, Minn. – More people are filling out applications to attend the University of Minnesota Medical School campuses including in Duluth. There are many factors that may play into the increase of applicants, but U of M Medical School officials say it is impressive knowing so many people are willing to dedicate to a career in healthcare. In a typical…

MN Power Crews Head To NY To Help With Power Outages

The Northland crew is expected to return in about two weeks.

DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota Power is helping battle power outages in New York, which were caused by the recent NorEaster that left behind about a foot of snow. On Thursday, a five-member crew loaded up and headed for the Big Apple to help restore power for hundreds of New York residents. Minnesota Power leadership says lending a hand is about…

Local Businesses Prepare for Super Bowl Sunday

With Super Bowl Sunday coming up, businesses are gearing up with new deals for their customers.

DULUTH, Minn. – With Super Bowl Sunday coming up, businesses are gearing up with new deals for their customers. At Ursa Minor Brewing in the Lincoln Park Craft District, you can get a free pretzel kit if you purchase a pizza kit for fourteen dollars. Management says this is the first time they’ve done something for the Super Bowl, and…

St. Louis County Public Health Reminds Public Concerning Vaccination Eligibility

St. Louis County Public Health officials want to remind the public about who can currently get the COVID vaccine after some ineligible Northlanders tried to get vaccinated.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY – St. Louis County Public Health officials want to remind the public about who can currently get the COVID vaccine after some ineligible Northlanders tried to get vaccinated. Individuals who receive an email from the county or their employer may use the registration link for themselves it some have been sharing it with others so they can…

With Cold Temperatures, Homeless Shelters and Warming Centers Gear Up

As extreme cold temperatures linger in the Northland, area organizations are working to ensure the homeless have a warm place to stay.

NORTHLAND – As extreme cold temperatures linger in the Northland, area organizations are working to ensure the homeless have a warm place to stay. With temperatures expected to be freezing this weekend, shelters in Duluth and Superior are prepared to take on an influx of homeless needing a place to stay warm. Over at Duluth’s CHUM, the drop-in center is…

State to Open Community Vaccination Site at DECC Next Week

DULUTH, Minn. – Starting Monday, the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center will be the host to a large-scale COVID-19 vaccination site. According to a Friday press release, it’s one of multiple permanent COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program sites being launched – there will also be one in Minneapolis. “Of the approximately 6,000 vaccines initially allotted to the CVP for adults 65 years…

Walz Signs Executive Order Calling up National Guard to Minneapolis for Chauvin Trial

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Gov. Tim Walz has signed an executive order calling up the Minnesota National Guard to Minneapolis ahead of the March trial of Derek Chauvin, the ex-police officer charged with murder in the death of George Floyd. The Guard deployment will be “significant” and soldiers could be on the ground in about two weeks, a Walz spokesman said ahead…

Nearly 500K Minnesota Adults Have Received at Least 1st COVID-19 Vaccine Dose

(FOX 9) – Minnesota health officials reported Friday 497,843 Minnesotans have now received at least the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, or 11.6% of the state’s adult population, although the state’s data lags by a few days. A total of 138,212 Minnesotans are fully inoculated, or 3.2% of the adult population, according to the latest state Department of Health data. So…

Midday Update 2-5-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Friday, Feb. 5, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Friday, Feb. 5, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, midday update, News, ryan johnson

Duluth Police Investigating Wednesday Drive-By Shooting Incident

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth police say they are investigating a Wednesday morning drive-by shooting incident. The incident happened around 9:52 a.m. at the intersection of Highway 53 and Piedmont Avenue. According to police, after speaking with the reporting party of the incident officers learned that a gray passenger car traveling up Highway 53 fired three shots at another gray passenger…

Essentia Cardiologist Talks Heart Attack, Stroke Prevention on Go Red for Women Day

Cardiologist Dr. Katie Benziger Explains Why We Go Red for Women on Friday, Feb. 5, 2021

DULUTH, Minn. – On the first Friday each February, American Heart Month, the nation rallies together to ignite a wave of red from coast to coast. Go Red for Women Day serves to raise awareness for heart attack and stroke among women. According to the American Heart Association, more women than men die from cardiovascular disease each year. It’s estimated…

Teen Wanted in Fatal Wisconsin Mall Shooting Caught in Iowa

GRAND CHUTE, Wis. (AP) — A teen wanted in connection with the fatal shooting at a mall in eastern Wisconsin has been arrested in Iowa. The Grand Chute Police Department announced U.S. Marshals arrested 17-year-old Dezman Ellis on Thursday in Des Moines, Iowa. Ellis’ arrest comes days after authorities say he fatally shot 19-year-old Jovanni Frausto, of Neenah, and wounded…

Morning Update 2-5-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Friday, Feb. 5, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Friday, Feb. 5, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, morning update, News, ryan johnson

Senate OKs Fast-Track of COVID Aid, Harris Casts Tie-Breaker

(Senate TV via AP) WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has approved a measure that would let Democrats push through President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan without Republican support. Vice President Kamala Harris was in the chair to cast the tie-breaking vote, her first. Democrats in the chamber applauded after Harris announced the 51-50 vote at around 5:30 a.m….

Superior Police Chief Talks 2021 Priorities For Department

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Superior Police Chief Nicholas Alexander sat down with FOX 21’s Dan Hanger to talk about his priorities for 2021, which include an increased focus on the department’s community policing efforts while investing in a virtual training simulator for officers. The company behind the simulator is called Survivr – and Alexander says his department will be the first…

Duluth Public Schools Announces Plan For Secondary In-Person Learning

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Public Schools has announced some in-person classes will return next month for middle and high school students. Supt. John Magas says the update comes at the approval of the state health and education departments. “We learned a lot over the past nearly six months, from our own experience with elementary in-person and from other districts,” Magas…

Superior First Responders, Stores Prep for Cold Snap

SUPERIOR, Wis.– With the temperatures about to plummet, some businesses in the Twin Ports are seeing people stocking up on warm gear. First responders are also getting ready to make sure they are ready for the cold. We made it this far into our Northland winter without a big cold snap, but that lucky streak appears to be over. While…

End Of Year Tourism Taxes Made A Strong Turnaround

2020 ended with tourism in Duluth being down by about 30%.

DULUTH, Minn. – Tourism tax revenue in duluth took a hit over the past year as some bars, restaurants, and hotels were forced to close to protect public health during the pandemic, but Duluth’s estimated tourism tax drop ended up lower than expected. Based on trends shown throughout the pandemic, the City of Duluth projected a significant decrease in tourism…

Limited Vaccine Supply Creates Long Waitlist For Bayfield County Health Department

The limited supply of vaccines has left more than 2,500 people waiting to get vaccinated.

BAYFIELD, Wis.- Bayfield County has already begun the process to vaccinate residents 65 and older, which accounts for more than 25% of the county’s population. Last week, the county gave out more than 500 shots to that age group. County officials say with a staff of more than a dozen they have the manpower to do about 1,000 vaccinations per…

Itasca County Health Dept. Urges Patience, Caution as Vaccine Rollout Continues

Residents Will Be Notified When It's Their Turn to be Vaccinated

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – COVID vaccinations continue to roll out for residents in Itasca County. Public health officials say they are currently in the process of inoculating those working in schools and childcare facilities, as well as residents who are 65 and older. In the past seven days, 35 new cases of the virus have been confirmed in Itasca County….

Upcoming Brewery in Lincoln Park Neighborhood Will Highlight Veterans

Two veterans are preparing to open up a new brewery in Lincoln Park this spring.

DULUTH, Minn. – Two veterans are preparing to open up a new brewery in Lincoln Park this spring. Veterans Matt Caple and Ben Gipson met in 2019 when Matt was setting up a fundraising collaboration between his nonprofit and one of the local breweries. Through the Lake Superior Warriors Disabled Veteran Hockey Program, the two developed a strong bond and…

Northland Foundation Gives Back to Organizations in the Area

During the pandemic, the Northland Foundation has stepped up efforts to give multiple non-profits a boost in funding.

NORTHLAND – During the pandemic, the Northland Foundation has stepped up efforts to give multiple non-profits a boost in funding. The group has awarded 81 grants in the last quarter of 2020 for more than $800,000. Most of the funds are being used for COVID relief efforts. Some of the organizations that received help include the Chester Bowl Improvement Club,…

Fire Department Offers Safety Tips During Cold Snap

With the cold snap just around the corner, the Duluth Fire Department is offering up tips on how to stay safe.

DULUTH, Minn. – With the cold snap just around the corner, the Duluth Fire Department is offering up tips on how to stay safe. They say you should always make your space heater is plugged into a wall outlet rather than a power strip, which can overheat if it’s dealing with too much wattage. And if you do brave these…

Minnesota Prosecutors Ask to Reinstate Charge in Floyd Death

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota prosecutors are asking a judge to reinstate one count that had been previously dismissed against the former Minneapolis officer charged with killing George Floyd — saying an appellate court decision from earlier this week shows the count can apply. Derek Chauvin faces trial in March on one count of second-degree murder and one count of manslaughter….

Cold Front Activities Postponed Due to ‘Dangerously Cold’ Temps

DULUTH, Minn. – This weekend’s Cold Front activities have been postponed due to forecasted dangerously cold weather. According to the National Weather Service, Duluth and surrounding areas are expected to reach dangerously cold wind chill values over the next several days and people are encouraged to stay inside this weekend. The Yeti Hunt has been rescheduled for Saturday, February 13…

Wisconsin Governor Issues New Mask Mandate After GOP Repeal

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has issued a new statewide mask order an hour after the Republican-controlled Legislature voted to repeal his previous mandate. The Democrat Evers said in a video message Thursday that his priority is keeping people safe and that wearing a mask was the most basic way to do that. “If the Legislature keeps…

Judge Approves Divorce for Ex-Cop Charged in Floyd’s Death

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minnesota judge has approved a divorce settlement between the former Minneapolis police officer who placed his knee on George Floyd’s neck and his wife. The divorce of Derek Chauvin and Kellie Chauvin was finalized Tuesday and redacted documents were made public Thursday. The approval comes months after Washington County District Judge Juanita Freeman rejected a prior…

Wisconsin GOP Repeals Governor’s Statewide Mask Mandate

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin’s Republican-controlled Legislature has repealed Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ statewide mask mandate. Health experts have warned against repealing the mandate, saying masks are probably the most effective way to slow the spread of COVID-19. The Assembly vote Thursday came a week after the Senate also voted to kill the resolution. Wisconsin is one of only 10…