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Assembly Republicans Call for $300 Million for Roads

Framework of the plan released on Thursday

January 19, 2017

The Associated Press,

MADISON (AP) – Wisconsin state Assembly Republicans are calling for $300 million in tax and fee increases to pay for roads while cutting at least $300 million in taxes. Republicans released the framework of the plan on Thursday. It comes after the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau said the state would be taking in $454 million more tax collections over the…

Minnesota House Passes Health Insurance Bill

January 19, 2017

Melissa Lentz,

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Tonight on a vote of 73-54, the Minnesota House passed a bill creating a relief subsidy program aimed to address increasing health insurance premiums in the individual market. Under the plan, policyholders wouldn’t see relief until 2018, and it also contains many complex health insurance policy changes. “Minnesotans are being hit hard by massive premium increases,…

Parents and School Board Officials Take Steps to Replace Rubber Mulch

Duluth Schools Set to Replace Rubber Mulch with Wood Chips, Costing Nearly $630,000

January 19, 2017

Brett Scott,

DULUTH, Minn. – On Tuesday, members of the Duluth School board motioned to remove all rubber mulch chips on school playgrounds, and replace the potentially harmful material with wood. Kristen Klos-Maki is proud to have her daughter attend Lowell Elementary after attending a nature-based preschool. “When I was starting to decide where I wanted to have her go to kindergarten, I…

Carlton Wellness Center Thriving

Discounts Offered to Many Age Groups

January 19, 2017

Matt Suoja,

CARLTON, Minn. – The Carlton County Wellness Center may have opened in the fall, but the novelty hasn’t worn off on community members as they continually join the program. About 100 people have joined the center over the last few months. The center offers state-of the art fitness equipment and classes for people of all ages, but its main focus…

East Third Street Arson Suspect Found

Being Held on $25,000 Bail

January 19, 2017

Matt Suoja,

DULUTH, Minn-One woman is behind bars for her alleged involvement in an arson at a duplex at 219 East Third Street in Duluth Jan. 11. Cindy Libby, 48, has been charged with felony first-degree burglary, along with aggravated robbery. So far, she has not been charged with arson. According to St. Louis County Court officials, she brought a knife into…

Judge Blocks Texas from Cutting off Planned Parenthood Funds

January 19, 2017

The Associated Press,

AUSTIN, Tex. (AP) – A federal judge has temporarily blocked Texas from ousting Planned Parenthood from the state’s Medicaid program over secretly recorded videos taken by anti-abortion activists in 2015. The decision came Thursday from U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks adds Texas to the list of Republican-controlled states that have been thwarted in efforts to cut off Medicaid dollars to…

Wisconsin Legislators Propose New Gun Crimes

January 19, 2017

The Associated Press,

MADISON (AP) – A group of Wisconsin legislators is proposing a bill that would create a number of new gun crimes. The bill would make it a felony for people to possess a gun if they’ve had three misdemeanor convictions in five years. The measure also would make it a felony to buy a gun intending to give it someone…

Obama Commutes 330 Drug Sentences in His Final Act

January 19, 2017

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) – In his last major act as president, Barack Obama is cutting short the sentences of 330 federal inmates convicted of drug crimes. The move brings Obama’s bid to correct what he’s called a systematic injustice to a climactic close. Obama has now commuted the sentences of 1,715 people, more than any other president in U.S. History. During…

Rainy-Day Fund May Help Cover Insurance Hikes

January 19, 2017

The Associated Press,

ST. PAUL (AP) – Minnesota lawmakers are working to offset massive health insurance premium increases for more than 100,000 residents who buy their own coverage. It’s a novel step as other states grapple with rising health insurance costs and uncertainty of how the Donald Trump administration will handle the Affordable Care Act. Minneosta officials agree premium hikes of up to…

Three High School Students Struck by Pickup in Otsego

Were struck at a bus stop

January 19, 2017

The Associated Press,

OTSEGO, Minn. (AP) – Authorities say three students were hit by a pickup truck at a bus stop in Otsego. The students from Rogers High School were taken to Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids Thursday morning and then transferred to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. Wright County Sheriff’s Captain Dan Anselment says all three students are currently in critical…

Eligible Voters in Minnesota Can Register When Filing Taxes

When filing electronically, taxpayers will see a message prompting them to register to vote online

January 19, 2017

Melissa Lentz,

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Income tax season opens on Monday, January 23, and Minnesota taxpayer who need or want to register to vote, or even update their voter registration, can now do so when they file their income taxes electronically, the Minnesota Department of Revenue and Secretary of State Steve Simon announced today. This year, all taxpayers using Minnesota-certified electronic…

Level III Predatory Offender Relocating to 22nd Avenue West in Duluth

January 19, 2017

Melissa Lentz,

Willie Vaughn-BeyDULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department is notifying the public of the release and relocation of a Level III Predatory Offender into the 200 North block of 22nd Avenue West in Duluth. Fifty-five-year-old, Willie James Vaughn-Bey, has a history of sexual contact with teenage and adult female victims. Contact included sexual touching, contact with the adult victims included…

Hibbing Murder Suspect Charged

Held on $1 Million Bail

January 19, 2017

Matt Suoja,

HIBBING, Minn.- Benjamin Lundquist, 32, has been charged with second-degree murder with intent, in connection with Monday’s Hibbing homicide case. He’s being held on $1 million bail. The victim has been identified as Joel Gangness. Categories: Crime, News, News – Latest News Tags: crime hibbing news

Level III Predatory Offender Returning to Hibbing

January 19, 2017

Melissa Lentz,

James Chavers Jr. HIBBING, Minn. – The Hibbing Police Department is notifying the public of a Level III Predatory Offender returning to the area. Sixty-year-old, James Chavers Jr. will be relocating to the 1600 block of 7th Avenue East in Hibbing. He is described at 5’11” with brown eyes, gray or partial graying hair, and approximately 203 pounds. His offense…

911 Down in Cook County

Working on Being Restored

January 19, 2017

Matt Suoja,

COOK COUNTY, Minn.-Much of the phone service across Cook County, including 911, is currently unavailable. CenturyLink is currently working on restoring the phones. If you need emergency assistance in that area, it is recommended to go to the nearest fire fall. The outage was first reported about midnight yesterday. “The safety of our residents in Cook County is always paramount…

Hibbing Community College Hopes to Reconfigure Campus

College is Asking for Funding from State Bonding Bill

January 18, 2017

Andrew Kirov,

HIBBING, Minn. – Hibbing Community College is planning a right-sizing and renovation project. College officials are hoping to fund the project with money from the state’s latest bonding bill. The much needed renovations would re-arrange the campus, moving the library to the center of the school and razing a building to reduce the size of campus. It would also create…

Three Duluth Ideas are Finalists for Knight Cities Challenge

Popup parks, a story telling project, and entrepreneurial workshops made the list of finalists.

January 18, 2017

Zach Richie,

Three Duluth ideas have been chosen as finalists among thousands for the Knight Cities Challenge. 144 ideas have moved onto the second round and are vying for a share of up to five million dollars. The city of Duluth proposed the thought of making Canal Park more friendly to its residents all year long. City officials believe they could accomplish…

Veterans React to Memorial Vandalism

The Northland Vietnam Memorial was recently vandalized. Local veterans called the act a "disgrace".

January 18, 2017

Zach Richie,

Northland Vietnam veterans have a few choice words for those who vandalized the Northland Vietnam Memorial. “It’s a disgrace of course to all veterans that something like that would happen,” said Vietnam veteran Ray Stahl. To veterans and the community, the memorial is more than just a piece of rock and concrete, it’s a legacy and a reminder of the…

City of Two Harbors Continues Push For New Marina

January 18, 2017

Joey Norton,

TWO HARBORS, Minn. — The city of Two Harbors is trying to become more attractive for transient boaters. A meeting was held Wednesday night for community members to gain a better perspective into what the city is looking to build. The proposed design calls for more than 40 boating having the ability to be docked for up to a 15-night…

City of Duluth Seeking Input for Western Waterfront Trail Plans

An online survey is available and will be used to find out what the public would like done to the area

January 18, 2017

Matt Van Winkle,

DULUTH, Minn. – The Western Waterfront Trail, located from near the Lake Superior Zoo to Morgan Park, connects many neighborhoods and recreational areas along Duluth’s west side.City officials are asking for public input regarding future plans along the trail corridor on the St. Louis River. The city of Duluth is investing over $18 million towards the project. Currently, the city…

Mother and Son Arrested in Meth Bust

Facing Multiple Felony Counts

January 18, 2017

Matt Suoja,

CHISHOLM, Minn.-Two people in Chisholm are facing multiple felony charges after allegedly being busted for having a meth lab in a camper trailer last week. Constance Carlson, 45, is being held on $50,000 bail for her role in the incident for possession of meth with the intent to manufacture it. Her son, 26-year-old Mykal Myers, is facing four felonies including…

Homicide in Hibbing Has Community Concerned

Suspect Arrested in Crime That Leaves Some Iron Rangers Worried

January 18, 2017

Andrew Kirov,

HIBBING, Minn. – A homicide investigation continues tonight in Hibbing. It was yesterday when a man was found dead in his Hibbing apartment, and by last night a man had been arrested in connection with the case. While checking on a man who hadn’t shown up to work on Tuesday, police discovered a body in a Hibbing apartment. On Tuesday…

Nearly 60,000 Acres Returned to Red Lake Band

Bureau of Land Management finalized the return of the land, Friday

January 18, 2017

Melissa Lentz,

In support of meeting the nation’s obligations to the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians in Minnesota, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) announced Friday, that the BLM has completed its land surveys and legal identification of nearly 60,000 acres, scattered across five northern Minnesota counties, that were restored to the Red Lake…

George H.W. Bush and Wife Hospitalized

January 18, 2017

The Associated Press,

HOUSTON (AP) – A spokesman for former President George H.W. Bush says Bush has been admitted to the intensive care unit at Houston’s Methodist Hospital to address a respiratory problem from pneumonia. Spokesman Jim McGrath says Bush’s wife Barbara Bush, 91, as also been hospitalized as a precaution after experiencing fatigue and coughing. McGrath says the 92-year-old former president was…

Animal Answers: Diving in the Door at World of Fish

Acquariums are Proven to Lower Stress Levels, as Well as Blood Pressure Levels

January 18, 2017

Brett Scott,

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The winter months can be difficult for your mood when dealing with cold temperatures and lack of sunlight. But what if you could easily transform your mind to a tropical destination, easing your worry and level of stress? It can be tricky to find open water in the winter, across Northern Minnesota. “You have to create this…

Duluth Police Warn of an Increase in Fake Money

"Motion Picture Use Only" printed on them

January 18, 2017

Melissa Lentz,

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department is warning the public of an increase in fake and counterfeit bills circulating in the Duluth area. Specifically bills that have “Motion Picture Use Only” printed on them. The bills may appear real, with the exception of the “Motion Picture Use Only” text, but will be detected using a counterfeit detection pen. Officials…

State Sues Former UW-Oshkosh Chancellor, Business Officer

January 18, 2017

The Associated Press,

MADISON (AP) – The University of Wisconsin System regents have filed a lawsuit against UW-Oshkosh’s former chancellor and chief business officers over alleged improper financial transactions with the school’s foundation. The lawsuit, filed Wednesday, alleges Chancellor Richard Wells and Chief Business Officer Thomas Sonnleitner illegally transferred millions of dollars from the university to its foundation between 2010 and 2014 to…

Report: More Work Needed on Identifying Great Lakes Toxins

Familiar toxins seem to be declining, but others are emerging

January 18, 2017

The Associated Press,

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) – A report by a U.S. – Canadian agency says the two nations are behind schedule on identifying chemical pollutants in the Great Lakes and developing strategies to deal with them. Familiar toxic substances such as PCBs and dioxins appear to be declining or at least getting no worse in herring gull eggs, a key indicator…

Apostle Islands Ice Caves too Dangerous to Explore

Not Known When it Will be Safe Enough

January 18, 2017

The Associated Press,

FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CORNUCOPIA, Wis. (AP)-The National Park Service says it’s still too dangerous to explore the Apostle Islands ice caves off the Wisconsin shore of Lake Superior. When accessible, the majestic ice caves have attracted tens of thousands of visitors to the area. The park service says it’s not known if or when the ice will be safe…

Music Resource Center Open Mic Night

Students Show Off Their Talents

January 17, 2017

Joey Norton,

Students from the Student Resource Center in Duluth were able to showcase their talents tonight. Every 3rd Tuesday an open mic session is held at the Amazing Grace Café. The Music Resource Center here in Duluth runs a free after school music program for any teens looking for resources they might not be able to afford on their own. Most…

Homicide Investigation Underway In Hibbing

January 17, 2017

Dan Hanger,

HIBBING, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and the Hibbing Police Department are investigating a homicide. Hibbing police discovered the body while conducting a welfare check around 10 a.m. Tuesday on a person who lived in an apartment at 3901 1st Avenue. Investigators suspect foul play in the man’s death. Benjamin Lundquist, 32,…

Go Red For Women: The Grocery Store Challenge

10 Women Join A 10-Week Class To Become Healthier

January 17, 2017

Joey Norton,

DULUTH, Minn. – According to heart disease experts, every 34 seconds someone in the United States suffers a heart attack. And women account for nearly half of all heart attack deaths. In an effort to help prevent heart attacks, 10 women from the Twin Ports got a grocery makeover Tuesday to promote a healthier lifestyle. It’s the start of a…

Vandals Strike Duluth’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial

January 17, 2017

KQDS Staff,

There was growing anger and sadness Tuesday after vandals defaced Duluth Vietnam Veterans Memorial. News traveled fast for family members of the veterans whose names are engraved on the monument, which is near the Lakewalk. One of those people was Judith McKeever, of Duluth, whose brother Michael was killed in the Vietnam War nearly 50 years ago. “It’s like somebody…

Great Outdoors: Fat Tire Bikes and Cross-Country Skiing

Northlanders Enjoy the Trails at Lester Park

January 17, 2017

KQDS Staff,

In this week’s Great Outdoors we explore the world of winter biking and skiing.

Superior Bar Sells Special Drink to Celebrate Betty White’s 95th Birthday

95 cents of each drink was given to the Douglas County Humane Society

January 17, 2017

Matt Van Winkle,

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – “Golden Girl” Betty White turned 95 years old today and one local bar held a party in her honor and helped out a good cause at the same time. For Betty’s big day, the Spirit Room in Superior donated 95 cents from each sale of their “Betty White Russian” drink to the Humane Society of Douglas County….

Group of Superior High School Students to Attend Inauguration

The six students are part of the federally-funded Upward Bound program through UWS

January 17, 2017

Matt Van Winkle,

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – President-elect Donald trump will officially be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States on Friday. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to attend, including a group of six students from Superior High School. The students are part of Upward Bound, a federally funded program through the University of Wisconsin Superior. On Thursday morning,…

Water Levels on Lake Superior at Normal For ‘Mild’ Winter, Experts Say

January 17, 2017

William Seay,

DULUTH, Minn. — Temperatures have been up and down since winter began, but how about the water levels on Lake Superior? Dr. Bob Sterne, director of the Large Lakes Observatory at University of Minnesota Duluth says week to week temperature changes don’t have too much effect on lake water balance, but overall winter weather patterns do. Dr. Sterner says in…

Officers, Subject Identified in Hibbing Officer-Involved Shooting

January 17, 2017

Melissa Lentz,

ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has identified two officers in an officer involved shooting incident that happened last Friday in Hibbing. Captain Kurt Metzing is a 19-year veteran with the Hibbing Police Department and Officer Cody Loewen has been with the Hibbing Police Department for three years. Both officers fired their…

Duluth’s Global Village Settles into New Location in Canal Park

Ahead of Superior Street Reconstruction, Global Village of Duluth Relocates to Bigger Space

January 17, 2017

Brett Scott,

DULUTH, Minn. – The owner of Duluth’s Global Village is working on settling in after switching locations nearly two months ago. Rachel Mock says she’s sinking into the honeymoon phase, enjoying every day in her new Canal Park location. “It’s all brand new so we’re really learning as we go and taking it as it comes,” said Mock. Global Village sells…

Highway 53 Relocation Ahead of Schedule

New highway expected to open in November

January 17, 2017

Andrew Kirov,

VIRGINIA, Minn. – Last fall, work began on the Highway 53 relocation project near Virginia. Plans call for the new roadway to be open to traffic this November. But so far, the work is moving along. The colossal new Highway 53 bridge towers above Rouchleau Pit near Virginia. “You’re looking at the completed span of the bridge now. We got…

Local Tanning Salon Seeing Spike in Customers

Northlanders Looking to Fight the Winter Blues are Turning to Tanning

January 17, 2017

Brett Scott,

DULUTH, Minn. – Whether you’re taking a trip or just trying to manage your mood this winter, local tanning salons across the Northland are seeing a spike in business. “The base of customers this time of year just increases dramatically, almost day–by–day,” said Chris Verhel, Owner of AJ’s Tanning in Duluth. This time of year many customers can be referred to…

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Vandalized

January 17, 2017

KQDS Staff,

Memorial Vandalized

UW-Madison Suspends Fraternity for Serving Minors

The fraternity is suspended until March 1

January 17, 2017

The Associated Press,

MADISON (AP) – University of Wisconsin-Madison officials have suspended a fraternity chapter for serving alcohol to minors. The university announced, Tuesday, that the Sigma Chi chapter will be suspended until March 1 after the Committee on Student Organizations found the chapter violated the Student Organization Code of Conduct. According to the university news release, the fraternity served or permitted the…

Wisconsin Republican Senator Circulates Marijuana Extract Bill

January 17, 2017

The Associated Press,

MADISON (AP) – State Senator Van Wanggaard is circulating a bill that would make possessing a marijuana extract used to prevent seizures legal, in Wisconsin, with a doctor’s certification. Parents of children who suffer from seizures have been pushing for legislation that would allow them to use CBD oil to ease the symptoms. A similar bill passed the Assembly last…

New Faces Breathe New Life into Debate on Sunday Liquor Ban

January 17, 2017

The Associated Press,

ST. PAUL (AP) – Fresh faces at the Legislature and an extra push from a powerful politician have Minnesota’s ban on Sunday liquor sales in the crosshairs again. It’s been a perennial topic at the Capitol for years, but efforts to remove it have routinely failed. Minnesota is one of just 12 state with a Sunday sales ban, but a…

Dayton Announces $350M in Federal Funds for Water Quality

Will provide direct funding to MN farmers, while working to protect and improve waters in 54 Minnesota counties

January 17, 2017

Melissa Lentz,

ST. PAUL – Governor Mark Dayton, today, January 17, signed an agreement with the United State Department of Agriculture, to secure $350 million in federal funding to protect and improve waters in 60,000 acres across 54 Minnesota counties. The new state-federal effort, the Minnesota Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), will target areas of southern and western Minnesota facing significant water…

Wisconsin State Senate Passes Bill to Help Cheese Plant

January 17, 2017

The Associated Press,

MADISON (AP) – The Wisconsin state Senate has passed a bill extending tax incentives to help a cheese distributor. The Senate unanimously passed the bill Tuesday that is designed to assist with Plymouth-based Masters Gallery Foods building of a $30 million cheese packaging and distributing plant in the village of Oostburg. The bill would allow Oostburg, in Sheboygan County, to…

Obama Cuts Short Chelsea Manning’s Prison Sentence

She is just one of 209 inmates being granted a shorter sentence

January 17, 2017

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama is commuting the prison sentence of Chelsea Manning, the former Army intelligence analyst who leaked classified documents. The White House says Manning is one of 209 inmates whose sentences Obama is shortening. Manning is more than six years into a 35-year sentence for leaking classified government and military documents to the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks….

Minnesota Extends Subsidized Health Care Coverage

Coverage extended to those participating in deportation reprieve programs

January 17, 2017

The Associated Press,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota is the fourth state in the nation to extend subsidized health care coverage to those participating in the Obama administration’s deportation reprieve program. The Star Tribune reports that this month the state opened subsidized health coverage to recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which gives short-term work permits and deportation stays to…

Appeals Court Upholds Provisional Release of Sex Offender

January 17, 2017

The Associated Press,

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The state Court of Appeals has upheld a judicial panel’s decision to provisionally release a man from the Minnesota Sex Offender Program. Jesse Lee, formally known as Dennis Wisinger, pleaded guilty in 1976 to kidnapping and raping a woman in Ramsey County. He was civilly committed and asked for a provisional discharge from the sex offender program…