Minnesota

Twin Ports Interchange Project Meetings Coming Up

Meetings are October 31, one is virtual at 12:15 p.m. and the other is in person at 6 p.m.

DULUTH, Minn. — Another summer has gone by, and so has another construction season. The massive traffic project in the Twin Ports continues to move along. The Interchange Project has been a major challenge for the driving public. Miles of new bridges, over-passes, and traffic lanes are being constructed. There will be two chances for the public to learn the…

George Floyd’s Murder: Kueng Pleads Guilty; Thao Will Have ‘Stipulated Evidence’ Trial

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – One of the final two former Minneapolis police officers facing state charges in the murder of George Floyd has pleaded guilty. J. Alexander Kueng pleaded guilty Monday morning to aiding and abetting manslaughter – the day his and co-defendant Tou Thao’s trial was set to begin with jury selection. Both Kueng and Thao were charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and…

UPDATE: Man Sentenced After Allegedly Driving Denfeld Boys Basketball Team Drunk

UPDATE (October 24, 12:50 p.m.) — A 48-year-old bus driver has been sentenced after allegedly driving the Denfeld Boys Basketball team while drunk in December. According to the St. Louis County Attorney’s Office, Shawn Edward Zelazny pleaded guilty to Second Degree DWI on Monday. He was sentenced to two years supervised probation and 60 days in custody in which he will…

Teen Alerts Family To House Fire Likely Started By Grill In Gary-New Duluth

GARY-NEW DULUTH, Minn. — A home in Gary-New Duluth was incinerated by a fire early Sunday morning, but everyone got out safely thanks to one teen who spotted the danger. Firefighters were called out to the fire at a house on the 1500-block of 101st Avenue West just after 12:30 a.m. Two adults and two teenagers were able to escape…

North Minneapolis Church Buys Gas Station After Having Fill Of Drugs, Crime Next Door

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – As state and local leaders fight crime at the troubled Merwyn’s and Winner gas station on West Broadway Avenue in Minneapolis, another problem gas station on the same street is getting help from a different source. Now the Marathon gas station will soon have a new owner: Real Believers Faith Center, a church located next door. “Me and my wife are elated….

The Beargrease Fur-K Brought Dog Owners Out to the Trails

The races took place at Snowflake Nordic Ski Center.

DULUTH, Minn.–People and their dogs had the chance today to enjoy the outdoors and run alongside each other for a Fur-K. The Beargrease Fur-K event is the biggest fundraiser for the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon that happens in the end of January. But with no snow on the ground yet, both mushers and dogs ran together for a 5k…

Volunteers Joined The Lake Superior Rose Society in Tipping Roses For the Winter

The rose tipping took place at Leif Erikson park.

DULUTH, Minn.–In a garden with over 2,000 roses, questions arise from how so many rose plants survive the winter. The Lake Superior Rose Society works vigorously to ensure that the historic Duluth Rose Garden stays in bloom for next spring. First, the roses are cut down and bundled with biodegradable rope. Second, a hole is dug right next to the…

Pumpkin Palooza Hosted Families at Harrison Park

This event was put on by the Duluth Parks and Recreation Department.

DULUTH, Minn.–The Duluth Parks and Recreation Department hosted a fun fall event today out in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Over in Harrison Park, the kiddos had the chance to get some free pumpkins and listen to some fall themed stories for this year’s Pumpkin Palooza. 100 pumpkins were donated from Whole Foods Co-op. Those who attended were able to carve…

Update: UMD Teamsters Workers Reach Tentative Deal Before Planned Strike

(10/22/22) Update:  University of Minnesota workers with Teamsters Local 320 have reached a tentative deal, which avoids a strike planned for next week, according to the union. The three-year agreement was made early Saturday morning at the negotiating table. “Next week’s strike has been called off, and the agreement will be voted on by the membership. More details will be…

St. Louis Co. Plow Drivers Among Teamsters Workers Moving Closer To Strike

Teamster Local 320 represents 165 county public works employees.

DULUTH, Minn. — St. Louis County Public Works employees with Teamsters Local 320 are not seeing eye-to-eye with the county involving a new three-year contract, and that means a strike could happen again in the heart of the upcoming winter plowing season. “As it stands right now, we’re poised to if we have to hit the streets again in January….

Plans in the Works for Former Bagley Building Downtown

DULUTH, Minn.–The new owner of the former Bagley Jewelry building in downtown Duluth gave us a tour today of the historic property and an update on what’s moving inside. Maria McKechnie is the new owner of the building. She’ll be moving her current business, Northland Special Events, inside of the Bagley Building after housing her business across the street for…

UPDATE: Hibbing PD Investigating Woman Removing Flyer From Mailbox, Woman Confessed

UPDATE (October 21, 12:10 p.m.) — The Hibbing woman who was caught on video putting a flyer into a mailbox and taking another one out, has confessed. Hibbing Police learned that the 61-year-old woman was volunteering to distribute campaign materials. A member from the specific campaign called her after watching the footage and she admitted to taking the pamphlet from…

Annual Tipping Of The Roses, Volunteers Wanted

The event is at the Rose Garden in Leif Erickson Park, Saturday and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to noon.

DULUTH, Minn. — Well, if you’ve ever wondered what happens to the beautiful red flowers at the Rose Garden in Leif Erickson Park during winter, you are in luck. Saturday and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to noon the public is invited to help out in the Annual Tipping of the Roses. Experts will be on hand to teach volunteers the…

Minnesota GOP Secretary Of State Hopeful Seeks Tighter Rules

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Legislature should mandate that the secretary of state’s office proofread every county’s ballots before they’re mailed out, Republican challenger Kim Crockett said Thursday as she decried ballot printing errors in four counties. Crockett acknowledged that state law does not require the secretary of state’s office to review the ballots of each precinct across…

LSVOTF: Virginia Man Arrested After Having Many Drugs And Almost $100k In Apartment

VIRGINIA, Minn. — 22-year-old Tyler Lawrence was arrested after an investigation found many illicit drugs, firearms, and almost $100,000 in cash at his apartment in Virginia. The Lake Superior Violent Offender Task Force (LSVOTF) assisted with the arrest after executing a search warrant on the 100 block of 7th Street South Tuesday. Items found included 26 pounds of marijuana, 12…

NSSR’s Annual Pumpkin Train is in Town

You can hop on the train anytime through October 20-23

DULUTH, Minn.–Like pumpkins? Like trains even more? Well you’re in luck, because the Pumpkin Train is finally in town. The North Shore Scenic Railroad (NSSR) offers the Pumpkin Train every fall. It brings passengers to a pumpkin patch to pick the perfect gourd to take home with them. After about 90 minutes, passengers will return to the train depot and…

Duluth Police Dept.: School Resource Officers Are Coaches, Mentors, Social Workers

DULUTH, Minn. — Whether it’s building relationships with students, attending community events or after-school programs, the Duluth Police Department says that’s the majority of its focus for school resource officers. The Duluth City Council and Duluth School board recently approved a one-year contract for officers at Denfeld and East high schools, and Ordean and Lincoln Park middle schools. While safety…

Sharps Materials Waste Bin In Downtown Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Fire Department wants to remind anyone who has used or found biohazardous waste, such as syringes to properly dispose of the objects in the correct bins. In an effort to cut down on biohazardous waste materials, a sharps waste bin has been placed in Downtown Duluth, outside of the RAAN Building. RAAN says they have…

Minnesota Fire Chiefs Gather At The DECC

DULUTH, Minn. — Many of those who often put their lives at risk for us every day, are gathering in Duluth for the next few days. The Minnesota Fire Chiefs Association is using the time to share knowledge, solve challenges facing their departments, and learn about some of the new technology in fighting fires. Almost 550 chiefs and firefighters are…

Lights On Afterschool Day Celebration At Lester Park Elementary

DULUTH, Minn. — Thursday is National Lights On Afterschool Day. Schools throughout the region are taking advantage of MEA weekend to connect outside of the classroom. Since schools weren’t in session Thursday, K.E.Y. Zone staff held a fall fest for its students at Lester Park Elementary celebrating fall and a reason to get together even when school is out of…

LSVOTF Helps Arrest 62-Year-Old Drug Dealer, Finding 88 Grams Of Meth

The Lake Superior Violent Offender Task Force and K9 Maverick responded to the scene.

DULUTH, Minn. — The Lake Superior Violent Offender Task Force helped arrest a known meth dealer earlier Thursday. A Duluth Police Officer responded to a suspicious vehicle that is owned by a 62-year-old Silver Bay resident. The car was located on Commonwealth Avenue near the Morgan Park Neighborhood. A task force investigator and K9 Maverick arrived on the scene and…

Coffee Conversation: Local Singer-Songwriter Preston Gunderson Previews New Album

DULUTH, Minn. — Preston Gunderson came by the morning show to play a few tunes and talk about his new album “Fall.” Gunderson has an album release show coming up Saturday, doors open at 6:30 p.m. and he’ll be on at 8:30 p.m. at The Southern Theater in Minneapolis. His appearances include being on The Voice and American Idol. Watch…

Taste At Fitger’s Event Postponed Until Spring Of 2023

DULUTH, Minn. — One of Fitger’s biggest fundraising events this fall has been postponed. It’s the Taste at Fitger’s event where Duluthians are invited to sample all types of local food at booths throughout the Fitger’s complex. Funds gathered through the ticket sales goes to Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank. The annual event was supposed to happen October 28….

Gov. Walz, Dr. Jensen Debate Ahead Of Governer’s Race

ROCHESTER, Minn. — DFL Governor Tim Walz and Republican candidate Dr. Scott Jensen went head-to-head in the Minnesota Governor’s debate. It was 60 minutes of back and forth sparring and being that we’re 3 weeks from Election Day. This was their first and only televised debate and tensions were running high. Hosted by KTTC Gray Television and held in Rochester,…

Mascot Bruce’s Head Stolen From Black Woods Restaurant; ‘He’s Been Kind Of An Icon For Us’

Bruce has been greeting guests at the London Road location since it opened in 1997.

DULUTH, Minn. — Halloween is just around the corner, but tricks are already happening — and not in a fun way for the staff and customers at Black Woods in Duluth. The restaurant’s beloved mascot has been beheaded. His name is Bruce, and he’s been in the lobby of Black Woods on London Road for the past 25 years when…

Fatal ATV Crash In Itasca County

ITASCA COUNTY, Minn. — A man is dead after crashing his ATV in Itasca County on Monday. According to the Itasca County Sheriff’s Office 58-year-old Scott Shoemaker of Bovey was found unresponsive at the intersection of Wolf Lake Trail and County Road 336. He was on his way home after duck hunting with a friend that morning. The Sheriff’s Office…

Scammers Target Grieving Families In Minnesota, Wisconsin

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Three families dealing with the heartbreaking losses of loved ones who recently died suddenly in Minnesota and Wisconsin say they have the added burden of dealing with scammers who are trying to solicit donations using fake online accounts. In Wisconsin, the small community of Rice Lake is mourning the deaths of two teenagers who were passengers in…

UMD Hockey Rink and Fitness Center Received New Name

The "Richard Haney Multipurpose Rink" and the "Mick McComber Gym"

DULUTH, Minn.–UMD’s hockey rink and gym gets renamed to remember past outdoor recreation leaders. The workout area and indoor hockey rink are both part of UMD’s Recreational Outdoor Sports Program (RSOP). The fitness part of the campus has been named “The Mick McComber Gym”. McComber has dedicated over 30 years working for RSOP and directed the program from 2003-2020. His…

Walz-Jensen Debate: Minnesota Gubernatorial Candidates In Their Own Words

(FOX 9) – Gov. Tim Walz and challenger Scott Jensen squared off in a debate Tuesday night in Rochester, marking the first general election gubernatorial debate between the two candidates. The debate, hosted Tuesday night by KTTC, covered a wide range of topics over an hour period. Below, we have compiled some excerpts of the candidates’ own words on a variety of…

Labor, Supply Shortages Postpone 2022 Taste At Fitger’s

DULUTH, Minn. – The labor and supply shortages that don’t seem to be going away anytime soon have forced next week’s Taste at Fitger’s fundraiser to be postponed. Organizers said too many local restaurants that make the event possible are continuing to struggle, especially with staffing. All purchased tickets will be refunded. The plan now is to try the event…

GO Show At The DECC Celebrates The Getting Older And Still Going

DULUTH, Minn. — The Senior GO Show is for adults 55 and older who are planning ahead for retirement, or already retired. The show tailors their vendor selection to the interests of older adults. Whether this is preparing for retirement or finding a new hobby, there’s something for everyone. Some of the vendors present had information on healthcare options, financial…

St. Louis County Joins CPR Awareness App

DULUTH, Minn. — On Tuesday, St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office announced the local launch of Pulse Point, nationwide program that enlists the help of bystanders when CPR is needed. October is sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month and this year alone, over 300, 000 people will suffer a cardiac arrest. That’s according to the American Heart Association. “Exactly one week after…

Walz-Jensen Debate: How To Watch Minnesota Governor Candidates

You can watch the debate on our affiliate station Fox 9's website at 7 p.m.

(FOX 9) – Watch the gubernatorial debate between Gov. Tim Walz and challenger Scott Jensen in the player above starting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 18.  Gov. Tim Walz and challenger Scott Jensen will square off in a debate Tuesday night in Rochester, marking the first general election gubernatorial debate between the two candidates. The debate, hosted by Gray Television, will…

Knowing Your Neighbor: Positively 3rd Street Bakery

DULUTH, MN – Positively 3rd Street Bakery has been providing baked from scratch products in Duluth since 1983.  They use organic, local ingredients from local vendors and are partnered with several community businesses.  As a worker-owned cooperative with 18 bakers, they do a lot of collaborating with a focus on the community. “We work on consensus based decision making.  We’ve…

Hartley Nature Center Celebrates Expansion and Park Improvements

DULUTH, Minn. – “The magic of Hartley Park is getting kids and people outside and connected to the natural world,” Hartley Nature Center Executive Director, Tom O’Rourke said. Hartley Nature Center held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of its building expansion along with other park related improvements. New additions to the building include two classrooms, a restroom, office…

Enbridge Fined $11 Million Over Construction Of Line 3 Pipeline

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa announced Monday over $11 million in fines, financial assurances, and environmental projects have been levied against Enbridge over spills and breaches caused by their Line 3 pipeline. The MPCA says it found Enbridge violated a series of…

Frontline Worker Pay: Nearly 1 Million Payments Sent To Minnesotans

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Minnesota labor officials on Monday said nearly 1 million bonus checks have been sent to eligible frontline workers. The $487.45 checks are a thank-you gift from the state to those who worked on the front lines during the pandemic. State officials said earlier this month a total of 1,025,655 people would get $487.45 each. Approved applicants who signed up…