DULUTH, Minn.– Housing has been one of the most important issues during the pandemic, along with keeping up on payments and utilities. An area where the state of Minnesota has dedicated $190 million in state and federal aid. Now Governor Tim Walz and local officials are giving out a last call for assistance. Minnesota’s COVID Housing Assistance Program or “CHAPS”…
DULUTH, Minn. – The pandemic is creating a strong need for more healthcare workers. Northland colleges and universities are keeping the pipeline going to help address the urgency to fill open healthcare jobs. Both Lake Superior College and the College of St. Scholastica have students ready to graduate this month. This may be perfect timing as many healthcare settings in…
MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin has reported more than 4 thousand 600 new positive cases and 60 more deaths. This is adding to the total of almost 400,000 total cases in the state since the start of the pandemic, with more than 3,5oo deaths. Due to the rising numbers Governor Tony Evers is working to help aid the local lodging industry….
DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota has reached a tragic milestone for traffic fatalities in the state. Currently, 364 Minnesotans have died from injuries due to vehicle crashes since the beginning of the year. This is alarming because there are still about three weeks left of the year. In 2019, the same number of deaths were reported through December 31st. At this…
NORTHLAND – With the news of a COVID-19 vaccine, legislators are working to make sure that distribution and storage for the vaccine are being prepared, even in places like the Northland. Senator Amy Klobuchar says that once the vaccine is available, it will first go to healthcare workers, those in assisted living facilities, seniors, and people on the front lines….
ITASCA COUNTY – Schools throughout the country are taking measures to help stop the spread of coronavirus and those in Itasca County are no different. Several superintendents are leading their schools to act in response to the virus. From Greenway and Deer River to Nashwauk-Keewatin and Bigfork, protocols are being implemented to make sure students stay safe during these times….
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota residents who have fallen behind on their rent, mortgage, or utility payments amid the coronavirus pandemic should apply for state aid before a looming deadline of Monday night, Gov. Tim Walz and other officials urged Thursday. The COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program has already taken more than 28,000 applications for more than $67 million in aid. About…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – An outbreak of COVID-19 cases continues to grow at the Superior Rehabilitation Center with the facility now reporting a total of 61 staff members and 88 residents testing positive for COVID-19. The facility says 51 of those residents have since recovered from the virus. Since the start of the outbreak, 14 residents have died all of whom…
MOOSE LAKE, Minn. – The Minnesota Sex Offender Program in Moose Lake announced on Thursday that a client at the facility died on Tuesday due to COVID-19. Minnesota Department of Human Services officials say the family of the deceased has been notified and this is the first COVID-19 related death among clients or staff MOSP facilities. “Losing a loved one…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota health officials reported 92 new COVID-19 deaths on Thursday, the second-highest one-day toll since the pandemic reached the state. The deaths raised the state’s cumulative toll to 3,784 on a day when the U.S. recorded over 3,100 COVID-19 deaths in a single day, obliterating the one-day national record set last spring. Minnesota’s highest one-day total is 101…
(Antioch Police Department via AP) KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) — A court commissioner has ruled that there is sufficient evidence to warrant a trial for an Illinois teenager accused of killing two men during an August protest in Wisconsin. Thursday’s ruling by Kenosha County Circuit Court Commissioner Loren Keating came after a contentious hearing during which 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse’s attorney sought…
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon) MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Supreme Court has refused to hear President Donald Trump’s attempt to overturn his election loss to Democrat Joe Biden in the battleground state. The court on Thursday said the case must first wind its way through lower courts. Trump said in his filing with the Wisconsin Supreme Court that there would…
Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — State health officials say drug overdose deaths in Minnesota increased 31% in the first half of 2020, compared to the same time in 2019. The Minnesota Department of Health said Thursday there were 490 overdose deaths from January to June 2020 and 373 deaths during the same period last year. The number of deaths took…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 6,166 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota Thursday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 333,626 in the state. Health officials also reported 92 news deaths bringing the death total to 3,784 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 4,379,610 tests have been completed to date. There are…
DULUTH, Minn. – Finding new ways to stay entertained this year can be tricky to say the least. As families spend more time together stuck inside this holiday season, one Twin Ports entertainment company is launching a new way to enjoy game night with friends and family near and far. Solve Entertainment is debuting it’s first-ever virtual escape room, “Professor…
Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, News
(Jeff Wheeler/Star Tribune via AP) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A small plane has crash-landed and hit a vehicle on a Minnesota interstate, with no injuries reported, authorities say. The single-engine Bellanca Viking plane was temporarily closing part of the highway Wednesday night in the Minneapolis-area city of Arden Hills, officials said. Two people were on board, KMSP-TV reported. The pilot has…
(Antioch Police Department via AP) KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) – A 17-year-old from Illinois accused of killing two men during an August protest in Wisconsin faces a preliminary hearing in the case. Hearings such as the one Thursday in Kenosha are generally used to determine whether enough evidence exists to proceed to a trial. Kyle Rittenhouse is charged with homicide and…
DULUTH, Minn. – Neighbors are speaking out after and early morning drive-by shooting Wednesday in Duluth’s Central Hillside neighborhood. This is the city’s record-breaking 37th shooting so far this year compared to 23 last year, according to Duluth Police Department data. And the neighbors, who are parents, say they can’t believe it’s happening in their own backyard and they hope…
DULUTH, Minn.– The Make Every Child Smile toy drive is still on despite the pandemic. It’ll be a drive through format at Shake It restaurant in west Duluth. Donated items like toys or gift cards can be dropped off at the restaurant or Ogston’s Body and Paint. Organizers, including one little girl who’s donating her toys, are excited to keep…
DULUTH, Minn.– In Minnesota, the state is continuing to see a surge in COVID-19 cases. With another 5,200 added Wednesday, with the case positivity rate staying above 12 percent. The increase in cases and hospital capacity is putting a strain on healthcare workers, and it’s also putting a strain on other groups who are trying to keep everyone safe. Wednesday…
DULUTH, Minn.– Duluth Police are putting out an alert reminding people to shop smart this Christmas season so your packages don’t get swiped by criminals. The DPD says holiday thieves can strike anyone, especially for homeowners who get those deliveries on their porches. Police say it’s a good idea to have a neighbor be at your home for the delivery,…
DULUTH, Minn. – If you haven’t picked up a christmas tree, you can snag one from St. Michael’s Church in Duluth. Your purchase will also go to help raise money for the church. Real Christmas trees and wreaths ranging in size are available. In its first weekend of the sale, the church sold more than sixty trees in one day….
DULUTH, Minn. – Doc Witherspoon’s Soul Kitchen has finally found its permanent home. The restaurant is now taking over Mitch’s Bar and Grill in Lincoln Park. The new space includes both a dining and bar area. Customers can expect to enjoy some of the most popular dishes like fried chicken, cornbread, and much more. The Witherspoon family has been raising…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth-Superior port has had a record-breaking shipping season when it comes to wind energy cargo. This year, in the midst of the pandemic, imports for that type of cargo nearly doubled the previous record set in 2019. Like many other industries, shipping has been hit hard by the pandemic. This record-setting achievement is highlighting the strong…
DULUTH, Minn.-The vote to merge the DECC and Visit Duluth has been delayed until the end of the month as the two sides continue to mull the decision. The merger is the official recommendation released by a working group, made up of board members from each entity. Both the DECC and Visit Duluth have faced financial difficulties in recent months due…
HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The local group Youth in Action is hosting a food collection drive where they ask Northlanders to collect a variety of non-perishable items and on December 22nd, community members can bring those items to the front of Hermantown High School where Youth in Action will deliver them to Second Harvest. “It’s definitely a time of big need,…
DULUTH, Minn. – A Minnesota-based company is pulling a trailer throughout the state to raise items for a food drive. Moments Hospice started driving the trailer during Thanksgiving week and has been traveling across Minnesota, including places like Virginia, Eveleth, and Grand Rapids. Today, the trailer was parked in Duluth at the North Shore Estates where they gathered items from…
DULUTH, Minn. – Across the state of Minnesota, multiple prisons have reported outbreaks of COVID among their inmates but currently, it looks as though the St. Louis County jail and its 196 inmates have lucked out. From the start of the pandemic till now, only one inmate has tested positive for COVID-19 at the St. Louis County jail, along with…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – More than 230,000 Minnesotans have downloaded COVIDaware, the COVID-19 exposure app, which launched just over a week ago, according to Governor Tim Walz. Two days after the app launched, it became the third most popular utility app in the iPhone App Store, according to a press release from the governor’s office. State officials expect more downloads of…
(courtesy: Fairview Range) HIBBING, Minn. – Fairview Range President and CEO Patrick Sharp announced on Wednesday that he will be stepping down from his role effective January 4. Sharp says he will be leaving the organization for an opportunity in Colorado. Sharp has served as CEO at Fairview Range since 2018 and worked at the organization in other roles since…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The incoming leader of Wisconsin Senate Republicans says the Senate will not take up any COVID-19 relief measures before January. Assembly Republicans have said they would vote on bills this month and Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has urged swift action before federal money runs out. Incoming Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu told The Associated Press in…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Attorneys for Wisconsin’s governor are calling President Donald Trump’s attempt to overturn the state’s election results an “assault on democracy.” Democratic Gov. Tony Evers filed a response to Trump’s lawsuit with the Wisconsin Supreme Court late Tuesday. The state’s highest court is weighing Trump’s request to disqualify more than 221,000 ballots in Wisconsin’s two heaviest Democratic…
DULUTH, Minn. – Kevin Nokels has stepped down as St. Luke’s Hospital’s president and CEO. St. Luke’s Board of Directors named Nokels as their new chief executive officer last June and he officially began his role with the health care system last August. Prior to taking the president and CEO role at St. Luke’s Nokels served as President of CHI…
DULUTH, Minn. – Just like many other facilities, the Boulder Lake Environmental Learning Center is now having to adapt during the pandemic. Because of Covid-19, the learning center has had to cancel several of its annual fundraising activities. “We got together as a staff and thought we need to get creative. That’s where the idea of these DIY kits came…
Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a look at local news and weather making headlines Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 5,192 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota Wednesday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 327,477 in the state. Health officials also reported 77 news deaths bringing the death total to 3,692 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 4,326,347 tests have been completed to date. There are…
DULUTH, Minn. – The doors at the Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth are now closed for a second time this year. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz recently announced another statewide closure on bars, restaurants, gyms, and entertainment venues due to a rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations across the state. The aquarium will remain closed for a four week period, however,…
Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a look at local news and weather making headlines Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, News
NEW YORK (AP) — An influential government advisory panel says health care workers and nursing home residents should be at the front of the line when the first coronavirus vaccine shots become available. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted 13-1 on Tuesday to recommend priority be given to those groups in the first days of any coming vaccination program…
LONDON (AP) – British officials have authorized a COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, greenlighting the world’s first shot against the virus that’s backed by rigorous science and taking a major step toward eventually ending the pandemic. The go-ahead Wednesday for the vaccine developed by American drugmaker Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech comes as the virus surges again in the United States…
SUPERIOR, Wis.- New federal CARES Act money could be going to help housing and community development programs in Superior. The Superior City Council Tuesday voted to approve the 2019 Community Development Block Grant Cooperative Action Plan authorizing staff to submit a plan to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This could bring about $139,000 to help with housing programs…
DULUTH, Minn. – We’re in the final month of a pandemic-ridden 2020 that’s created a lot of pain, unknowns and problems of all types for so many in the Northland. For the Duluth Police Department, the challenge has not only been navigating the virus but facing a record number of shootings — 36 of them this year alone — something…
DULUTH, Minn.- As the holidays draw closer, owners of Christmas Tree Farms in the Northland are seeing a boost in business this year, as a shortage at bigger box retailers is drawing people to shop local farms for their trees and wreaths. “I probably have a million trees and about half of my farm is, I would say 100-120 acres…
DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth judge is leaving the bench to take on a new role as the President of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation. The organization’s board of trustees announced Tuesday Six District Court Judge Shaun Floerke will take on the role. Floerke replaces former President Holly Sampson, who retired back in June after holding the position for…
DULUTH, Minn. – It’s Giving Tuesday. Duluth pack put out a call for action to “fill the pack” so they can give back to one local organization. The company partnered with Duluth’s Ruby’s Pantry for an in-store food drive. The goal was to fill up one of its largest canoe bags with non-perishable items. Duluth Pack has been a part…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Lake Superior Zoo is one of the many tourist attractions in the state now shut down as part of new safety guidelines from Governor Tim Walz. The closure is taking away all the attention the animals would normally be getting from zoo visitors. “You guys as visitors are the main sources of entertainment for the animals…
ST. LOUIS COUNTY – COVID cases continue to surge across Minnesota with more than 3,500 cases being reported today along with 22 deaths and now, local health officials are expressing concern about seeing a large surge in this area after the recent Thanksgiving holiday. There are currently nearly 9100 cases of COVID-19 reported in St. Louis County along with 112…
MADISON, Wis.-COVID-19 cases continue to surge across Wisconsin as the state broke its record for number of daily deaths with 107. Currently, there are 3,420 deaths in the state. Governor Tony Evers warned today against gathering for the holidays, asking we all do our part to stay safe and healthy. “Too many Wisconsinites will celebrate this holiday season without a…
