MADISON, Wis. – A Wisconsin appeals court has sided with Republicans and reinstated laws passed during a lame-duck legislative session that weaken powers of the Democratic governor and attorney general. The 3rd District Court of Appeals on Wednesday put on hold a ruling made last week striking down the laws as unconstitutional. The appeals court decision means that while the…
(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) WASHINGTON – Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is facing sharp pushback over a proposal to cut federal funding to the Special Olympics. Celebrities, politicians and activists have taken to social media to rebuke DeVos for her plan to cut funding for the group as part of $7 billion in reductions in 2020. The organization received $17.6 million from…
UPDATE: BARRON, Wis. -A Wisconsin man has pleaded guilty to kidnapping 13-year-old Jayme Closs and killing her parents. Twenty-one-year-old Jake Patterson pleaded guilty Wednesday to two counts of intentional homicide and one count of kidnapping. A count of armed burglary was dropped. The intentional homicide counts carry a sentence of life in prison. Patterson admitted to kidnapping Jayme after…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – Time Arc Theatre is set to bring live theater performances to the Empire Block for two weekends starting Thursday, March 28. The Superior-based theatre production is set to take audiences back to the Golden Age of Radio. Audience members will be brought back to the 1940s era radio hits of “Fibber McGee and Molly,” “My Favorite Husband,”…
Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, brittney merlot, community, Headlines, Local News, midday update, weather
UPDATE: DULUTH , Minn. – Duluth Mayor Emily Larson announced Wednesday afternoon that she is running for re-election in the 2019 Mayoral race. At a news conference today Mayor Larson talked about the highlights of her time in office so far and how she plans to take Duluth into the future. Transparency in the city government has been a main…
DULUTH, Minn. – With spring officially here to stay, many of us have the itch to get outdoors or maybe even do a little traveling to places we’ve missed over the winter. Verizon Wireless Solutions Specialist Chad Fajkus stopped by FOX 21 Local News to show off the hottest summer tech gadgets of 2019. • Tile or Samsung SmartThings Tracker…
DULUTH, Minn. (AP) – It’s a sure sign of spring. The first ship of the season has made its way through the Soo Locks and into the Twin Ports at Duluth and Superior. The Stewart J. Cort arrived under the Aerial Lift Bridge in Duluth’s Canal Park Tuesday afternoon. The vessel’s owner, Interlake Steamship, says the 1,000 footer has a…
MADISON, Wis. – An appeals court says the state can involuntarily medicate prisoners even if they don’t pose a threat. According to court documents, a defendant identified as C.S. was convicted of mayhem in 2005 and sentenced to 20 years in prison. A jury in 2015 found C.S. was mentally ill and a judge ordered involuntarily medication. C.S. argued involuntary…
NORTHLAND – The cities of Duluth and Superior are both filing lawsuits against opioid manufacturers and distributors. The mayors of both cities said they have two major reasons for joining the lawsuit: to recover monetary damages and injunctive relief. Injunctive relief will force drug companies to stop doing the things which led to creating the epidemic. The cities are hiring…
DULUTH, Minn. – Dougherty Veterinary Clinics in is helping make a big impact in Duluth. Officials with CHUM have announced an ongoing partnership with the local clinic to help secure shots and other medical treatments for homeless animals in the region. This week’s Animal Answers introduces us to the woman behind the mission in progress along with a Duluth resident…
Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, brittney merlot, community, Headlines, Local News, morning update, News, weather
DULUTH, Minn. – Superintendent Bill Gronseth announced his decision to not seek another contract after his current contract expires in June 2020. Gronseth has served as Duluth’s Superintendent since 2012. “My family has been a part of Duluth since the 1880’s and it has been my honor to serve the Duluth Public Schools for the past 22 years as a…
DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth police arrested a 29-year-old woman Tuesday night after a fight that ended in a stabbing in Duluth’s East Hillside neighborhood. The call came in around 8:20 p.m. on the 600 block of East 6th Street. When officers arrived on scene, a 25-year-old woman was found outside with “significant but not life-threatening injuries,” according to release by…
DULUTH, Minn.- The sun is shining, the birds are singing and Hawk Ridge is watching and counting. “After having two weeks of mediocre weather in the beginning of March, they’re all backlogged and here they come,” Spring count interpreter John Richardson said. Spring bird migration is especially busy for 2019. So busy, they broke the record for the North American One…
DULUTH, Minn. – “I remember having a conversation, an interview, outside the day of the fire and I was telling the interviewer this is not the end. We are people of faith. We believe in the resurrection,” said Pastor David Carlson of Duluth’s Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. A devastating fire gutted the central hillside church three years ago. It’s been closed…
DULUTH, Minn.- Despite a lack of snow on lawns in Duluth, Spirit Mountain is still open for business, and is giving out daily deals. The sun was shining on the slopes still full of snow. Families soaked in what’s almost the end of the skiing and snowboarding season. It was all part of Spirit Mountain’s Community days through Thursday that…
PROCTOR, Minn.- A small car wash owner in Proctor is out thousands of dollars after one or more thieves broke into a change machine. Only about thirty dollars in quarters and dollar coins were taken, but the damage to the self-serve car wash is more like three thousand. Owner Mike Podgornik says he came into work this morning to find…
Mark Painter DULUTH, Minn. – A youth counselor has pleaded not guilty to all five counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct against him involving juvenile boys at a Duluth residential treatment facility. Mark Painter, 29, of Hermantown is accused of sexually assaulting five boys under his watch at The Hills Youth and Family Services in Duluth. Court documents in St….
DULUTH, Minn. – Jersey Mike’s in Duluth is inviting everyone to come out on Wednesday to support their efforts to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Minnesota Chapter All profits from subs, catered meals, and even bags chips sold will be donated. The money raised will not only help the charity, but also support a local teen who…
DULUTH, Minn. – Warmer temperatures are on the way for the Northland, but in the meantime it’s not stopping some people from continuing to enjoy the ski trails. Staff at Hartley Nature Center tells us the ski trail is holding up despite the warm up. Although there are a few low spots along the way, many people are still showing…
DULUTH, Minn. – Phase one of the Lakewalk construction project is almost complete. City officials are now planning to move forward with the next stages of repairs after severe storms caused a lot of damage. So far, several changes have been made including the installation of a concrete wall with stone protection located behind Fitger’s. Phase two of the ongoing…
DULUTH, Minn. – Each year the UMD clean snowmobile team modifies a stock sled to make it cleaner, quieter, and more efficient. The team finished 7th against other top collegiate teams in the country this year. They try to cut down on harmful emissions but also on the noise pollution. “If you live close to a trail or something and…
DULUTH, Minn. – A unique way of tasting coffee was tested out at the Duluth Folk School this week. Northlanders took part in a process called coffee cupping which involves smelling and tasting different types of roasts to fully understand the dynamics of the beans. “I really enjoy exposing people to different coffees and coffee origins really to open people’s…
(Richard Tsong-Taatarii/Star Tribune via AP, Pool, File) BARRON, Wis. – The Wisconsin man charged with kidnapping 13-year-old Jayme Closs is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday to enter a formal plea on charges of first-degree intentional homicide, kidnapping and armed burglary. Jake Patterson, 21, wrote a letter to Minnesota television station earlier this month stating his plans to plead guilty…
DULUTH, Minn. – This summer’s movie line-up has been secured for the Greater Downtown Council’s Movies in the Park series, presented by Carlson Orthodontics. After some robust online voting, eight movies shot to the top as fan favorites to be shown at Leif Erikson Park this summer. The 2019 Movies in the Park season will kick off on July 12…
MADISON, Wis. – A second Dane County judge has blocked a portion of Republican-backed laws limiting Gov. Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul’s powers. Judge Frank Remington on Tuesday blocked language that requires Kaul to get legislative approval before settling cases. His order stems from a lawsuit by unions that argued the laws steal power from the executive branch….
(Richard Tsong-Taatarii/Star Tribune via AP File)ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota utility regulators have granted a final green light to Enbridge Energy’s proposed Line 3 crude oil pipeline replacement. The Public Utilities Commission on Tuesday unanimously rejected the last pending petitions for reconsideration, including one from the state Commerce Department. The Commerce Department had joined with tribal and environmental groups…
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — More details are emerging about Gov. Tony Evers’ plans to bolster funding for Wisconsin’s state parks. The Legislative Fiscal Bureau released an analysis of Evers state budget Tuesday. It shows that Evers wants to spend an additional $2.8 million from the state conservation fund on parks over the biennium. About $931,000 annually would go toward $1.50-an-hour…
(AP Photo/Evan Vucci) WASHINGTON – An effort by House Democrats to override President Donald Trump’s first veto has failed. That hands him a victory because his declaration of a national emergency at the Southwest border will remain in effect. The Democratic-controlled chamber has voted 248-181 in favor of overriding Trump’s veto. That fell 38 votes short of the 286 needed…
Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, brittney merlot, community, Headlines, Local News, midday update, weather
WINONA, Minn. – The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating a fatal fire in Winona. The duplex fire Monday left one person dead. Winona Fire Chief Curt Bittle says the victim’s body was found in the duplex after the fire was contained at the one-story wood-frame home. Bittle says the death has been ruled “suspicious” with the BCA investigating….
BAYFIELD COUNTY, Wis. – A 41-year-old man from Rush City was pronounced dead following a one vehicle crash in the town of Mason on Thursday. According to the Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office the Bayfield County Communications center received a 911 call reporting the crash near County Highway F and Art Olson Road around 11:21 p.m. on March 21. The caller…
CHICAGO (AP) — Attorneys for “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett said Tuesday that charges alleging he lied to police about a racist and homophobic attack have been dropped. Smollett attorneys Tina Glandian and Patricia Brown Holmes said in a statement that Smollett’s record “has been wiped clean.” Smollett was indicted on 16 felony counts related to making a false report that…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Salvation Army food shelf and hot lunch programs provided more than 81,000 meals to those in need last year. It’s a large number that couldn’t be reached without the generosity and kindness of community members in the Northland. March Minnesota FoodShare is the largest food drive in the state, helping restock over 300 food shelves in…
DULUTH, Minn. – The musical thriller “Sweeny Todd” is coming to life at the historic NorShor Theatre in downtown Duluth March 27 – April 14. Sweeney Todd tells the story of a vengeful barber and his twisted partnership with the outrageous Mrs. Lovett who comes up with a devilish plot to add a special ingredient to a recipe that has…
Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, morning update, weather
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Leaders of the Minnesota House Democratic majority have unveiled a budget framework that’s similar to Democratic Gov. Tim Walz’s proposed budget but adds a tuition freeze for students at public colleges and universities. The plan announced Monday also includes additional corporate tax loophole closings to raise more revenue. It includes the governor’s proposal for raising the…
DULUTH, Minn.- Looking to add some drip to your fashion style this spring and summer? Look no further than 144 Music, Fashion and More here in Duluth. You may be asking, what is drip? Drip is adding some bling and glitter to your since of style. And with so many concerned about how we look out in the public, this…
CLOQUET, Minn.- A long–time family business in Cloquet is changing ownership after 73 years; Gramma Polo’s Bottle Shoppe was bought by its neighboring Kwik Trip store to run its third liquor operation in the state of Minnesota. A difficult change for the shoppe’s current owners, but one they’re ready to embark on. Polo’s Liquor was built in 1947 by Char and…
TWO HARBORS, Minn. – Healthcare professionals are advocating for changes to tobacco laws in Two Harbors, raising the minimum legal buying age to 21. The American Lung Association successfully helped lead campaigns for the change in age in Duluth, Hermantown, as well as 26 other cities in Minnesota. The association says that vaping has become an epidemic for young people…
DULUTH, Minn.- The UMD Planetarium hosted a night for those with light and sound sensitivity tonight. Staff gave people who came out a guided sky tour and showed a movie. The goal is to make sure each person is comfortable. Madalina Kelner, President for ‘Access for All’ stated that “it’s important to make sure that sensory friendly events happen so…
TWO HARBORS, Minn. – Shopko recently announced they’ll be liquidating all of their stores including Two Harbors. The Two Harbors location will be shutting its doors at the beginning of the summer and 30-40 people will lose their jobs. The Two Harbors Area Chamber of Commerce says apart from the loss of jobs many people who live in the area…
CLOQUET, Minn.- A group of Fond–Du–Lac Band members are combing the forests surrounding Cloquet in search of a missing person. 21-year-old Dakotah ‘Koda’ Abramowski was last seen on January 5. Dakotah’s family reached out to a group known as the Gitchigumi Scouts, who focus on bringing justice to missing and murdered indigenous women and relatives. After receiving an anonymous tip that…
DULUTH, Minn.- Over a month after releasing a new budget proposal, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz shared more about a feature of that proposal, his OneCare health care reform. At a roundtable discussion at Snooty Fox Tea Shop, the governor promised to “cut out the middleman” by not paying insurance companies hoping they lower costs. Instead he plans to provide direct subsidies…
DULUTH, Minn.- The American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO) and Climate Generation hosted a climate institute in Duluth. The two-day event aims to open up meaningful conversations about climate change, humanizing what they say is a normally science-dominated discussion. “We’re really beyond the science because we know that information alone is not enough to move someone to behavior change,” said Jothsna…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – With spring now underway and snow melting away boaters are getting ready for another season out on area lakes. The service center at Barker’s Island Marina in Superior is getting busier by the day with boaters making sure their boats are in good shape after sitting through the long winter. Experts say making sure all safety equipment…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – Storm water runoff is a big concern for construction crews this time of year as the spring thaw begins. Over 20 construction professionals attended a training event at the lake superior estuary in superior to help learn more about the issue. The training helps to keep contractors up to date on storm water runoff practices and requirements…
ST. PAUL, Minn.-The Minnesota Senate has passed a bill to require drivers to use hands-free devices when they want to use their cellphones on the road. The 56-10 vote Monday sent the bill back to the House for further work because senators added some provisions that weren’t in the version the House passed last week. Gov. Tim Walz has said…
DULUTH, Minn. – It’s estimated at least 1,100 more child-care spots are needed in Duluth to meet the demand right now, according to the Northland Foundation. But Monday night, city councilors voted to help ease that shortage. Councilors passed an ordinance with an 8-0 vote that allows companies and other mixed-use businesses to have a child-care facility on site. Councilor Jay…
