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St. Louis County Board Approves Waiving Penalties for Late Property Tax Payments

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn. – The St. Louis County Board has approved waving penalties on late property tax payments for those struggling financially due to the impacts of COVID-19. According to county officials, to be eligible property owners must fill out a short application found on the county website which can be found here. The deadline to apply for late…

Midday Update 5-12-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist William Seay for a local look at news and weather making headlines Tuesday, May 12, 2020 Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, midday update, William Seay

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Tuesday, May 12

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 12,494 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Tuesday morning and 23 new deaths bringing the death total to 614 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 120,834 tests have been completed to date. There are 8,223 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 1,799 patients have required hospitalization…

Trump Says Americans Could see a Second Round of Stimulus Payments

FOX NEWS – President Trump said Monday his administration is considering a second round of coronavirus stimulus payments. “We’re talking about that,” Trump said when asked about a Democratic proposal to send another round of relief checks. “We’re talking about that with a number of different people. We’re talking about a payroll tax,” the president said. “I want to see various things, but…

2020 Duluth Monarch Festival Cancelled Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

Duluth Monarch Buddies Made the Announcement Tuesday Morning on Social Media

DULUTH, Minn. – Monarch butterflies will soon be fluttering back into the Northland, but there won’t be a festival to celebrate them this year. Duluth Monarch Buddies took to social media Tuesday morning, announcing the cancellation of the 2020 Duluth Monarch Festival. The event was scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 13. Members of the group say an outdoor…

Fauci Warns of ‘Serious Problems’ if States Reopen too Soon

WASHINGTON (AP) — Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease expert, says states that ignore the national guidelines for reopening the economy run the risk of spikes in coronavirus cases that may turn into new outbreaks. “The consequences could be really serious,” Fauci tells the Senate Health, Labor and Pensions committee. Problems will escalate if states do not have the…

Morning Update 5-12-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist William Seay for a local look at news and weather making headlines Tuesday, May 12, 2020 Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, morning update, William Seay

Polls Open for Wisconsin 7th Congressional District Special Election

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Tuesday’s special election will help measure the enthusiasm of Republicans in a deeply conservative part of Wisconsin just over a month after a liberal-backed Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate won a statewide race over a Trump-backed candidate. The winner in Wisconsin’s deeply conservative 7th District will replace Republican Sean Duffy who held the seat since 2011 and…

A Local Jewelry Store Reopens For Curbside

Security Jewelers is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for curbside pick up and drop-off.

DULUTH, Minn. – Security Jewelers in Duluth has reopened for curbside pickup and drop-off as part of the guidelines put in place by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to allow many non-essential businesses to continue operations. Right now, the jewelry store is open for people to pick up jewelry orders that may have been in place before the shutdown of non-essential…

Concerns Grow As Domestic Violence Calls Gradually Decline During The Coronavirus Pandemic

As the pandemic continued through April, the number of calls began to gradually decline.

DULUTH, Minn. – The ongoing pandemic is raising some concerns for the well-being of victims of domestic violence. Organizations, such as Safe Haven in Duluth, are seeing drastic changes in the number of calls for help since the coronavirus pandemic began. Now they are worried, what these changes could mean for the safety of those victims. A decline in the…

WLSSD Begins A Portion Of Its $2 Million Wastewater Pipe Maintenance Project

Residents should not expect any disruptions to their water services.

DULUTH, Minn. – Superior Street between 44th and 45th Avenue East is closing this week to allow the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District in Duluth to begin the first stages of restoring an existing sewer pipeline in Lakeside. This is part of WLSSD’s two million dollar wastewater pipe maintenance project. The pipeline services communities between Knife River and Duluth. It…

Knowing Your Neighbors: Oasis Del Norte

The food struck started as family recipes that are now feeding the Northland.

DULUTH, Minn. – Oasis Del Norte has become a popular spot since its opening, bringing authentic Mexican food and culture to the area. “We’re here to share our food with everybody,” Oasis Del Norte owner Eduardo Sandoval Luna said. Oasis Del Norte started by serving family recipes that are now feeding the Northland. “This is all my mom’s recipes I…

St. Luke’s Adds Virtual Patient Visits

DULUTH, Minn.– St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth has gone virtual to meet the needs of its patients as best as they can while restrictions are in place for in-person care during the pandemic. Today the hospital opened its Virtual Visitor’s Center where patients can connect with their families and loved ones through Zoom or FaceTime. A patient can connect while…

Superior Businesses Eager to Open Even with Limited Customers Allowed at One Time

Retail business owners said they were surprised when they heard the news of reopening.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Retail stores in Superior were able to open their doors to customers for the first time in nearly two months on Monday. “It’s not exactly what we’d like to see but it’s a great start,” said Tom Unterberger, owner of the Globe News. Retail business owners said they were surprised when they heard the news of reopening….

Chickens for Sale at Local Egg Farm

One local egg farm say they have now been busy selling actual birds to their customers.

WRENSHALL, Minn. – One local egg farm say they have no been busy selling actual birds to their customers. Locally Laid Egg Company is letting people buy adolescent chickens, which are close to laying eggs. Experts say that by bringing the chickens to one’s home, you can guarantee that you have eggs. They have about 500 prepared to sell to…

Special Birthday Party for Local Kids

Volunteers with Fuse Duluth put on a special birthday for area kids who may have had their birthday plans put on hold due to the pandemic.

DULUTH, Minn. – Volunteers with Fuse Duluth put on a special birthday for area kids who may have had their birthday plans put on hold due to the pandemic. The event, known as Project Party, which is an organized birthday party for the children and families living in the Steve O’Neil Apartments, looked a little different this month due to…

Emergency Shelters and Food Shelves Get Federal Funding

Federal funds are now being funneled in to help support local food shelves and emergency shelters.

DULUTH, Minn. – Federal funds are being funneled in to help support local food shelves and emergency shelters. More than $300,000 in funding is now available for emergency funding and shelter in Saint Louis, Itasca, and Douglas counties through a federal act, which couldn’t have come at a better time for struggling Northlanders. “Right now with so many people having…

Evers Allows Nearly all Retail Stores to Open With Limits

(AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, file) MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Tony Evers on Monday allowed nearly all nonessential retail stores to reopen as long as they serve no more than five customers at a time, partially lifting the restriction that has kept them closed for weeks to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The latest order, which took effect immediately,…

Midday Update 5-11-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Monday, May 11, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Arman Rahman and Meteorologist William Seay for a local look at news and weather making headlines Monday, May 11, 2020. Categories: News, News – Latest News

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Monday, May 11

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 11,799 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Monday morning and 13 new deaths bringing the death total to 591 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 115,781 tests have been completed to date. There are 7,536 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 1,716 patients have required hospitalization…

Morning Update 5-11-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Monday, May 11, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Arman Rahman and Meteorologist William Seay for a local look at news and weather making headlines Monday, May 11, 2020. Categories: News, News – Latest News

Majority of Wisconsin School Districts Request Teaching Hours Waiver

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Nearly 60% of school districts in Wisconsin have asked the state Department of Public Instruction to waive its requirement on a set number of instructional hours due to the coronavirus. The department has received waiver requests from 248 of the state’s 421 school districts. COVID-19 canceled in-person classes beginning March 18 for the remainder of the…

Ashley Grimm Lands DFL Endorsement For St. Louis County Board

Ashley Grimm DULUTH, Minn. – Ashley Grimm has landed the DFL endorsement for St. Louis County Commissioner Dist. 3, which represents the western portion of Duluth. Grimm received more than 69 percent of the votes cast by convention delegates at the first-ever electronic virtual convention.  This came after a 2-week balloting period. DFL competitor Noah Hobbs received the remaining votes….

Welfare Checks Increase Slightly in Itasca County Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Overall Calls For Criminal Activity Are Down in Many Iron Range Cities

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – During a press briefing Friday, Grand Rapids Police Chief Scott Johnson had a message for residents amid the COVID-19 pandemic — to remain calm, and check up on your family, friends, and neighbors. Overall calls for criminal activity are down in the City of Grand Rapids. Shoplifting crimes are now being dealt with electronically and through…

St. Scholastica Spring Commencement Goes Virtual, Seniors Look Back on Last Year

While disappointing, not having an in-person commencement doesn't change the fact that they completed four years of college, seniors say.

DULUTH, Minn.- Graduating seniors at the College of St. Scholastica are celebrating the end of their college lives a bit differently than they may have expected: with a virtual commencement ceremony. This time last year, there was a full gymnasium filled with caps and gowns. “I was homeschooled high school so I never had the ceremony so I was really…

Northland Wastewater Being Tested for Traces of COVID-19

15 wastewater sites from Duluth to International Falls are allowing the University of Minnesota Medical School in Duluth to test their wastewater for genetic material connected to COVID-19.

DULUTH, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Medical School in Duluth has started testing wastewater for coronavirus to better understand the pandemic. 15 wastewater sites from Duluth to International Falls are allowing the University of Minnesota Medical School in Duluth to test their wastewater for genetic material connected to COVID-19. Scientists say it’s an unbiased 10,000-foot view of the outbreak….

Flower Stand Popular on Mother’s Day Weekend

Derek Hoffbauer up a pop-up stand outside his parents' farm on Lindahl Road near Proctor to make buying easier for customers.

DULUTH, Minn. – It was a big weekend for flower businesses on this Mother’s Day weekend even though doing is a little different these days with the pandemic. Derek Hoffbauer owns the Duluth Flower Farm. He set up a pop-up stand outside his parents’ farm on Lindahl Road near Proctor to make buying easier for customers. He’s got everything from…

Quarry Park Creates Joke Trail

The jokes will be up in the park through Thursday.

DULUTH, Minn. – As more people are getting outside to enjoy some fresh air during the coronavirus pandemic, one park has added some extra fun to their adventure. Quarry Park now has a joke trail featuring jokes submitted from the public. Hikes can follow the Quarry floor clockwise to read the jokes, and find the answers on the back of…

Shutdown of Tribal Casinos Deals Blow to Indian Country

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — When the Kalispel Tribe of Indians closed its casino as the coronavirus took hold in Washington state, it essentially shut down its economy. That difficult choice has played out nationwide as some 500 Native American casinos have voluntarily closed during the pandemic, often taking away tribes’ main source of income in an effort to protect people’s…

Cloquet High Seniors Pick Up Graduation Cap and Gowns Drive-Thru Style

Teachers, Family and Community members wear purple and come out in support.

CLOQUET, Minn.- Picking up your graduation cap and gown is a big moment for high school seniors. So the Cloquet High School Administration and the surrounding community made it even bigger, while still maintaining social distance–having them available as a drive-thru. “It really boiled down to some form of togetherness,” said Principal Steve Battaglia. A chorus of honks greeted Cloquet…

Big Kahuna Water Park Set to Open at Mont Du Lac Resort

The Big Kahuna Water Park Is slated to make its debut Memorial Day weekend.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Big Kahuna Water Park has finally arrived at Mont Du Lac Resort in Superior and expecting to make its debut Memorial Day weekend. The waterpark, which will reside in the pond on the Mont Du Lac RV resort. The latest addition is filled with exciting fun for everyone. It features a slide, rock climbing wall, and…

Duluth Art Institute Introduces Art in Bloom

The Duluth Art Institute is connecting artists with the community in a special opportunity called Art in Bloom.

DULUTH, Minn. – One local organization is helping artists in the community. The Duluth Art Institute is connecting artists with the community in a special opportunity called Art in Bloom. The Institute posts artists’ names and shops on its website and Northlanders can then purchase the art. The art pieces range from $20 to $150. 100% of the proceeds go…

Hospitality Industry Hit Hard By Covid-19

DULUTH, Minn. – A recent survey conducted by Hospitality Minnesota shows more than half of businesses in the hospitality industry across the state including hotels, restaurants, and bars will likely shut down permanently as a result of financial impacts of Covid-19. With each passing day, it is getting more difficult for businesses to keep up with mounting obligations such as…

Bailey Builds Allows Customers to Shop from their Cars

Car-side shopping is in addition to curbside pickup and an online store.

DULUTH, Minn.- An arts studio and store on Grand Avenue in Duluth is changing the way they bring handmade gifts to customers. You can now shop Bailey Builds from your car. One of the staff members will meet you at your vehicle with a mask and gloves to find out what you’re looking for, come back with gift ideas, and…

Anglers Head to the Lakes for Minnesota Fishing Opener 2020

Even though some anglers say the fish are not biting like they used to be at Island Lake, many still come out to keep the tradition going.

DULUTH, Minn. – Walleye, bass, and catfish were the goal for eager anglers getting out to the lake for the first time this year during the Minnesota fishing opener. Island Lake was busy with people casting their lines and clearing their minds during the stay-at-home order. “Getting peace of mind a little tranquility just getting out of the house getting…

City of Superior Starting the Process of Reopening

Mayor Paine encourages people to get outside and enjoy themselves but cautions that this is just the beginning of the reopening process and that there is still a long way to go.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Wisconsin is joining states across the country as many start to slowly reopen public life. The city of Superior is following along with guidance and will be opening some places next week. According to Superior Mayor Jim Paine, starting Monday the dog park, state park, and landfill will reopen. The Locals Only rule at Wisconsin Point has…

64-Year-Old Man Killed in Bayfield Shooting

BAYFIELD, Wis. – A 64-year-old man is dead after a shooting in Bayfield on Friday. The victim, Michael Kinney, was from the Township of Bayfield. The Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office tells us they received a report of a person being shot in the Township of Bayfield at about 10:00 p.m. on Friday, May 8th. Deputies determined a 64-year-old man was…

Drive-Thru Fundraiser Held for Local Veterans

CLOQUET, Minn.- Friday in Cloquet, veterans were out in force raising money for other veterans in need. Those organizing today’s burger and brat sale said they are following social distancing guidelines by operating a drive-thru in the Cloquet movie theater parking lot. They hope to raise between $6,000-$10,000. “It’s an honor to give back to our brothers and sisters that…

Duluth Community Walks To Honor An Unarmed Man Shot & Killed in Georgia

"I'm terrified as a mom. I can't sleep at night. I can't eat. It's a thing as a parent all you want to do is keep your kids safe," said Diana Oestreich.

DULUTH, Minn. – On Friday, the Duluth community came together to walk in honor of the life of an unarmed black man from Georgia who was tragically shot and killed while jogging back in February. Instead of celebrating what would have been his 26th birthday, the family of Ahmaud Arbery will now be mourning his death. Communities around the nation,…

Laura MacArthur Elementary Teachers Hold Parade for Students

Teachers and staff decorated their cars and paraded through West Duluth to wave and say hi to their students.

DULUTH, Minn. – Teachers and staff at Laura MacArthur Elementary school drove through West Duluth on Friday afternoon to wave and say hi to their students. Teachers decorated their cars and got dressed up to parade through town. As distance learning continues, the parade was a way to get the students and staff to connect again. “It is our nature…

Hundreds Celebrate 5-Year-Old Duluth Girl on Last Day of Chemotherapy

Kaya was diagnosed in 2018 with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia shortly after her third birthday she is now in remission and done with her chemo treatments.

DULUTH, Minn. – Cars of all colors, shapes, and sizes came out to celebrate a party two years in the making for five-year-old Kaya Mulek who officially finished her chemotherapy treatments on Friday. “It means the world to us that all these people care so much about her and so many people have since the beginning of the journey,” said…

Minnesota Businesses Prep for Fishing Opener

Minnesotans are getting ready for a weekend full of fishing. The Minnesota fishing opener is tomorrow and as people try to find ways to get outside and social distance, it’s coming at the right time. With license sales up 45 percent from this time last year, this year’s fishing opener in Minnesota is expected to be one of the biggest…

Minnesota Law Enforcement Seeing Spike in Speed Related Traffic Violations

DUI Traffic Citations Are on the Decrease Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – Law enforcement authorities in Minnesota want to remind residents their main goal through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is to support local health officials and encourage safe social distancing practices. During a press briefing Friday by Itasca County law enforcement officials, the Minnesota State Patrol shared how troopers are seeing an uptick in speeding violations throughout the…