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Protesters Disrupt Regulatory Hearing on Enbridge Pipeline

The Commission Approved the Project This Summer

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Opponents of Enbridge Energy’s proposed Line 3 crude oil pipeline replacement shouted their objections as Minnesota regulators opened a hearing on the project. Several protesters chanted that the pipeline would be a climate change disaster . That prompted Public Utilities Commission Chairwoman Nancy Lange to call for order shortly after the hearing began Monday. Dozens of…

Autopsy: Asthma Caused St. Thomas Student’s Death

A Roommate Found the Student on October 19

Photo: courtesy University of St. ThomasST. PAUL, Minn. – The Ramsey County medical examiner’s office says a University of St. Thomas student found dead in her dorm room last month died of respiratory distress. An autopsy found that 19-year-old sophomore Katie Mullen of Andover, Minnesota, had asthma. A roommate found Mullen unresponsive in her bed in Morrison Hall the morning…

Couple Pleads Guilty to Hauling 900 Pounds of pot in RV

The Couple Faces a Minimum Sentence of Five Years

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) – A Minnesota couple has pleaded guilty to drug distribution charges after Montana authorities said they found 960 pounds of marijuana in the couple’s recreational vehicle. Steven and Vicki Robinson of Milaca, Minnesota, face a mandatory minimum of five years in prison after pleading guilty before U.S. District Judge Susan Watters on Thursday. Prosecutors say the couple…

16-Year-Old Boy Fatally Shot in Ontonagon County, Michigan

MASS CITY, Mich. – A 16-year-old boy is dead after he was accidentally shot in the back by a 13-year-old boy loading a gun. The incident happened just after 3 p.m. Friday in Mass City, Michigan. 911 was called to the residence where the accidental shooting happened. The 16-year-old victim was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead….

Man Sentenced in Assault Over Cigarette

DULUTH, Minn. – Chazz Joseph Smith of Duluth has been sentenced to five years of probation and one in year in jail for the assault of another man over a cigarette. Smith, 22, plead guilty to first degree felony assault for repeatedly punching a man in the head over a cigarette outside of Mr.D’s Bar & Grill in West Duluth…

Reasor Properties Purchases UDAC Building

Work Will Begin on the Building Around November 26

DULUTH, Minn. – According to a recent press release Reasor Properties purchased the UDAC building on Thursday and will repurpose it for office, retail or warehouse space. UDAC purchased the building located at 500 East 10th Street in the 1970’s, but has since moved into the old DBU building in the western end of Duluth. “There are 3.3 acres of…

Governor’s Residence Christmas Tree Harvested From Forest

The Tree Will be lit on November 26

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota foresters have cut down the official state Christmas tree in the Nemadji State Forest. Department of Natural Resources forester Jean Mouelle selected this year’s tree for the governor’s residence in St. Paul. Mouelle says the tree is more than 60 years old and is “an impressive example of a balsam fir.” Each year, DNR staff…

Traffic Advisories in Effect for Christmas City of the North Parade

DULUTH, Minn. – The annual Christmas City of the North Parade is set to kick off at 6:25 p.m. Friday. The parade will utilize 13 blocks of Superior Street from 9th Avenue East to 4th Avenue West. Authorities say motorists should be prepared for street closures starting at 4:00 p.m. on London Road: London Road will close to vehicle traffic…

St. Paul Teacher Suspended After 5-Year-old Wanders Away

The Child was Found Nearly a Mile Away From the School

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A St. Paul kindergarten teacher has been suspended after one of her 5-year-old students was found wandering nearly a mile from the elementary school. The Pioneer Press reports that Como Elementary teacher Angela Birchland told investigators that the boy may have walked out of school on May 7 while students were preparing to go home. Birchland…

MNsure new Coverage Enrollments lag due to Medicare Crunch

Just under 2,400 new Enrollees Reported

MINNEAPOLIS  – Sign-ups on Minnesota’s state-run health insurance exchange are lagging behind last year’s pace, and state officials think the unusually busy open enrollment period for Medicare health plans is to blame. MNsure reports just under 2,400 new enrollees through the first two weeks of November. The Star Tribune reports that’s roughly half the 4,700 new sign-ups during the comparable…

New Superior All-Season ATV/UTV Trail Opens Today

not all Winter Trails are Open

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The newly approved Superior trail route opens to the public today. Last week the Superior City Council voted to approve the new all season ATV/UTV route. The city says that not all winter trails are being opened at this time and will post a separate notice when those trails do open. For an overview of the route…

Jennie-O Recalling Ground Turkey in Salmonella Outbreak

Additional Products Could be Named

(Hormel Foods Corporation via AP)NEW YORK – Jennie-O Turkey recalled packages of ground turkey in a salmonella outbreak, and regulators say additional products from other companies could be named as their investigation continues. The recall was the first — not counting pet food — tied to a widespread and ongoing outbreak that has resulted in one death and 164 reported…

Apartment Evacuated in Virginia, High Levels of CO Detected

Seven People Were Evacuated

Courtesy: Friends of the Northland FirewireVIRGINIA, Minn. – At least seven people, including small children, were evacuated from an apartment building in Virginia after fire personnel were dispatched to the residence for reports of high levels of carbon monoxide. Virginia and Eveleth fire and EMS personnel responded to the incident in the 100 block of 2nd Street North around 8:40…

One Arrested After Beltrami County boy Shoots, Injures Himself

The Boy's Condition was not Released

BEMIDJI, Minn. – The Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office says one person has been arrested after a 10-year-old boy shot himself. Authorities say the boy found an unsecured handgun in his family’s home shortly before 6 p.m. Thursday and suffered a gunshot wound. He was taken to Sanford Hospital in Bemidji. His condition was not released. Sheriff’s officials say an arrest…