Minnesota

Councilor Renee Van Nett Hospitalized With Terminal Illness; Leaders Share Her Impact on Duluth

Friends of Van Nett have started a GoFundMe to help her daughters and raise money for her expenses.

DULUTH, Minn.- People in Duluth and across the State of Minnesota are sending their thoughts, prayers, and support to Renee Van Nett and her family after it was announced she is in the hospital for a terminal illness. Now some of those community members are looking back at the impact she has made in her time as a public servant….

Builders and Backers Launching To Help Accelerate Duluth Entrepreneurs’ Ideas

DULUTH, Minn.- A new online program will be starting in Duluth to give aspiring entrepreneurs a place to share and build their ideas, and the deadline for an application is this week. In partnership with the city, Duluth Area Chamber Of Commerce, and Heartland Forward, Builders and Backers will launch their new Idea Accelerator program this summer. “We don’t want…

Local Travel Agency Guides Cruise Ship Guests Through Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — A local company called Jaybee Travel teamed up with Viking Cruises to provide passengers with local experiences on Duluth land. On May 30, 2022, the Viking Oasis became the first cruise ship to sail into the city since 2013. Cutting through heavy fog and rainy conditions, the cruise landed and guests departed to shore  where the Duluth…

Grandma’s Marathon Organizer Reacts to Races Selling Out for the First Time in Seven Years

DULUTH, Minn. — The 1977 tradition of Grandma’s Marathon will resume in full-capacity June of 2022. With all three races selling-out for the first time since 2016, the marathon organization, community members, and runners are excited to get back for this years event. In an interview with Zach Schneider, a member of Grandma’s Board of Directors, he stated that, “People…

2 New Lawsuits Allege Excessive Force, Discrimination By Derek Chauvin

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Two new lawsuits were filed Tuesday against the City of Minneapolis for alleged cases of police brutality committed by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin before he murdered George Floyd. The lawsuits, filed on behalf of Minneapolis residents John Pope and Zoya Code, allege police misconduct, use of excessive force, and racial discrimination from incidents that occurred in 2017 in…

Severe Storms, Tornadoes Rip Through Western Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Thousands of people in Minnesota and South Dakota are without electrical power as the region recovered from storms and tornadoes that left damaged buildings, trees and roadways. The National Weather Service says in a preliminary report there were four tornadoes on Monday in western Minnesota, along with wind gusts and large hail. More than 37,000 people were…

Duluth City Councilor Renee Van Nett Battling Terminal Illness

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth city councilor Renee Van Nett is battling a terminal illness. A GoFundMe has launched to help cover the costs, with a goal of raising $30,000. The fundraising page reads, “Renee Van Nett is currently in the hospital in Duluth, battling a terminal illness. Renee’s courage and bravery have inspired many, and it’s time to have her…

Viking Octantis Cruise Cuts through Fog to Deliver Visitors New to Duluth

7-9 ships will stop in Duluth monthly.

DULUTH, Minn.- Despite the fog making it a little hard to see early Monday morning, passengers on the first cruise ship to sail into Duluth since 2013 made landfall, ready for their daylong excursions throughout the city. The horn of the Viking Octantis was more of a signal of its arrival than anything else, as it moved through Monday’s murky…

Duluth Businesses Excited for Added Steady Cruise Ship Tourism

The Lake Superior Railroad Museum and North Shore Scenic Railroad is the tour attracting the most passengers each month.

DULUTH, Minn.- Passengers who arrived off the Viking Ostantis Cruise for the first time Monday wasted no time hitting up Duluth’s local businesses and attractions. The Lake Superior Railroad Museum and North Shore Scenic Railroad is the tour attracting the most passengers each month — about 185 according to Executive Director Ken Buehler. He said it also helps that railroad…

30 Years Honoring the Fallen at Northland Vietnam Veterans Memorial  

It started with one name in 1992, and grew to 136 fallen soldiers from across the Northland.

DULUTH, Minn.- This year marked a very special Memorial Day for the Northland Vietnam Veteran’s Association (NVVA). On Memorial Day 30 years ago, they dedicated the memorial along the lakewalk. It started with one name in 1992 and grew to include those of 136 fallen soldiers from across the Northland. This year Mark and Tony Rubin performed songs including the…

Grandma’s Marathon Weekend Sells Out For First Time Since 2016

DULUTH, Minn. — Grandma’s Marathon organizers said on Monday that all three of its June races have sold out for the first time since 2016. In total, there are more than 20,000 people signed up to participate. The sell-out is a healthy sign that the demand for the races never went away, after Grandma’s Marathon was cancelled because of the…

Viking Cruise Ship Arrives In The Duluth Harbor

DULUTH, Minn. – Early Monday morning the Duluth Harbor welcomed its first cruise ship in 10 years. Viking Cruise’s first expedition vessel, the 700-foot Viking Octantis, traveled under the Lift Bridge shortly after 6 a.m. Tender boats later transported the 400 guests and 200 crew members off the boat to the Customs Facility in the DECC.   This unloading process is…

Failed Search For UMD Chancellor Cost $166,000

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The failed search for a new University of Minnesota-Duluth chancellor cost $166,000. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported Thursday that University of Minnesota President Joan Gabel announced on Monday that none of the three finalists invited for interviews got the job. The university began a national search for a new Duluth chancellor in November after Lendley Black announced…

1st Cruise Ship in 10 Years Pulling into Duluth Harbor Monday Morning  

Tender boats will be transporting the 400 guests off the boat to the Customs Facility in the DECC.

DULUTH, Minn.- Early Monday the Duluth Harbor will welcome its first cruise ship in 10 years. Viking Cruise’s first expedition vessel, the 700-foot Viking Octantis, will travel under the Lift Bridge as it arrives between 6 and 7 in the morning. Tender boats will be transporting the 400 guests off the boat to the Customs Facility in the DECC. It’s…

Northland to Commemorate Memorial Day with Return of In-Person Parades, Ceremonies

Events throughout the Northland Monday are honoring the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for Memorial Day. Duluth’s Memorial Day Parade New this year, organizers with Duluth Women of Today say a flyover from the 148th Fighter Wing will kick off the parade at 12-30 on 59th Avenue West. It will go down Central, make a right, and…

Traveling Train Art Exhibit Stops at The Depot

The artist Ted Rose did most of his work during the 40s and 50s.

DULUTH, Minn.- A new travelling art exhibit made a stop at the Depot’s Lake Superior Railroad Museum Saturday, getting people buzzing about locomotives and nature. The Summer Gallery car held the exhibit titled, “Railroad and the American Industrial Landscape.” The art, both a mixture of photographs and paintings by Ted Rose, an artist out of Milwaukee, features the evolving world…

After 10 Years, Waggoners Hand Duluth’s Breeze Inn Over to New Owners

Shaun and Kate Waggoner said goodbye to the Breeze Inn on Jean Duluth road Saturday night.

DULUTH, Minn.- A staple restaurant on the outskirts of Duluth famous for being some of the best views of the Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon is changing hands after a decade. Shaun and Kate Waggoner said goodbye to the Breeze Inn on Jean Duluth road Saturday night. The couple has owned the restaurant for 10 and a half years. Kate said…

All Church Rummage Sale Raises Money for Mission Work

Home décor, books, toys, knick-knacks, and more were available, with all proceeds going to the church's outreach work.

DULUTH, Minn.- Today people shopped a hodge-podge of items in West Duluth while supporting a church’s mission work. Believer’s Church on 58th Avenue West held their All Church Rummage Sale. Home décor, books, toys, knick-knacks, and more were available, with all proceeds going to the church’s outreach work. “An opportunity for my church to come together and serve together. To…

UPDATE: Power Restored to Proctor’s Water Pump Station

he cause of the outage was unknown Saturday afternoon.

UPDATE:  DULUTH, Minn.- The City of Duluth spokesperson announced that as of 5:21 p.m., Duluth City crews and a contractor restored power to the water pump station that serves the City of Proctor. Water service to Proctor residents has resumed normal operations. DULUTH, Minn.- Crews from the City of Duluth are on-scene at the Water Pump Station that serves the…

Hibbing Police Dept. Planning Volunteer Trip to Help Kabetogama Flooding Victims

According to the Chief, there will be a wide range of duties so anyone can help, regardless of physical restrictions.

Photo: Hibbing Police Department Facebook Page HIBBING, Minn.- Officials with the Hibbing Police Department plan to take a volunteer team Thursday to the Kabetogama area, as the floodwaters continue to claim more homes. According to the National Weather Service, the flooding in the Rainy River Basin is historic, and already exceeded the records set in 2014. It could break all-time…

Minneapolis Agrees to Pay $1.2M to People Injured by Police

The city has agreed to pay a total of $5.4 million to people injured by police in May 2020.

MINNEAPOLIS – The Minneapolis City Council has approved $1.2 million in legal settlements with two people injured by police during protests following the death of George Floyd at the hands of officers in 2020. Minnesota Public Radio reports that settlements with St. Paul resident Virgil Lee Jackson Jr. and Nashville freelance photographer Linda Tirado mean the city has agreed to…

Duluth Police: Alleged Threat to Lincoln Park Middle School was List of Peoples’ Names Student Felt ‘upset with and bullied by’

Investigators believe the list of names "are individuals the student expressed both being upset with and bullied by." 

DULUTH, Minn.- Investigators with the Duluth Police Department Friday determined the alleged school threat made by a Lincoln Park Middle School student was a written list of names several months old. According to a Department spokesperson, after the recent tragic school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, students who knew about the list told the staff. Both Police and School Administration were…

Koochiching Co. Sheriff: Roads Closing Due to Rainy Lake Flooding; Some Int’l Falls Residents Should Evacuate

According to the Sheriff's Office Facebook page, the evacuation is currently voluntary, but anyone choosing to stay home must find other transportation.

INTERNATIONAL FALLS, Minn.- The Koochiching County Sheriff’s Office asked that International Falls residents prepare to evacuate, as historic flooding of Rainy Lake forced the closure of County Road 135 and Town Road 225 Friday. According to an alert from the Minnesota Integrated Alert and Warning System or IPAWS shared on the Sheriff’s Office Facebook Page, County Road 135 closed at…

Duluth Police Chief Mike Tusken Releases Statement After Threat To Lincoln Park Middle School

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Police Chief Mike Tusken released a statement (see below) Friday afternoon involving school safety after a threat was made by a student toward the Lincoln Park Middle School and on the same week of a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. The Duluth Police Department share the concerns of our community regarding the…

Duluth Police: Threat Made at Lincoln Park Middle School Not Credible, Under Investigation

DULUTH, Minn.- A threat allegedly made by a student at Lincoln Park Middle School Thursday is under investigation by Duluth Police, but has been deemed not credible. According to a spokesperson with the Department, the threat was reported to a School Resource Officer, and the Police Department received concern from community members via social media. Investigators do not believe it…

Officials On Alert for Increased Driving Deaths, Grill Fires Memorial Day thru Labor Day

This Memorial Day comes after one of the deadliest summers on record for Minnesota Motorists.

DULUTH, Minn.- As many get ready to break out the grills and coolers this Memorial Day weekend, it comes in the shadow of one of the deadliest years on record for Minnesota roads last year. So officials are making sure everyone has a safe holiday, behind the wheel and at home. Memorial Day weekend kicks off the 100 most traveled…

Lincoln Park Community Brainstorms Where They’d Like to See ‘Love Your Block’ Grants Go

Applications went live back on May 13th for grants up to $1,500 to address blighted areas, or for projects like neighborhood cleanups, public art, or repurposing vacant lots.

DULUTH, Minn.- Community members of all ages in Lincoln Park got together Thursday to brainstorm some potential ideas they could use to apply for Love Your Block program grants. Applications went live back on May 13th for grants up to $1,500 to address blighted areas, or for projects like neighborhood cleanups, public art, or repurposing vacant lots. At the Harrison…

Coffee Conversation: 30 Years Of ‘Mainstream Fashions For Men’

DULUTH, Minn. — Mainstream Fashions For Men co-owner Ben Mork stopped by the morning show Thursday to talk about how the business has evolved over the past 30 years in downtown Duluth — from only suits and ties back in the day to business casual options and apparel for trips to the golf course.  Click the video for the conversation!…

Coffee Conversation: Mark Rubin Talks Memorial Day Ceremonies In Duluth, Sings ‘Let Them In Peter’

DULUTH, Minn. — Former St. Louis County Attorney Mark Rubin stopped by the morning show Thursday to talk about two Memorial Day ceremonies happening in Duluth on Monday. The first ceremony is at 9 a.m. at the Gary New Duluth Veterans Memorial located at the corner of Commonwealth Avenue and Stowe Street. The second ceremony happens at 6 p.m. at…

Vigil, Rally Planned For 2nd Anniversary Of Floyd Killing

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A candlelight vigil to honor George Floyd’s memory at the intersection where he died was among the remembrances scheduled for Wednesday’s second anniversary of the Black man’s killing at the hands of Minneapolis police officers. Activists planned the vigil, along with a rally at the governor’s residence in St. Paul, for the two-year anniversary of Floyd’s death…

50th Anniversary of Title IX Recognized At UMD

DULUTH, Minn. — The UMD Athletic Department took the time on Tuesday to assemble a panel of former and current female athletes to continue the education and push the importance about title ix for its 50th anniversary. Title IX prevents sexual discrimination in any school or program that receives federal funding. Beginning in 1972, strides have been made towards more…

New Mural in Downtown Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth gained a little more color this past weekend as a new mural made its debut behind ASI Accounting downtown. Mana Bear Bolton, a freelance artist from Duluth was contacted by ASI to create a mural with aerosol paint. In 13 hours and 55 cans of paint, a colorful scene of the aerial lift bridge and sunset…

Tugboat That Was Sinking In Duluth Harbor Is Afloat Again

DULUTH, Minn. — The tugboat named “Lake Superior” that partially sunk in the Duluth Harbor back in March is now floating once again. According to the Coast Guard, contractors are working on what’s called “lightering and dewatering operations,” which will remove any leftover water, fuel, and lube oil from the tugboat, so pollutants don’t leak into the waterway. The Coast…

Some Park Point Residents Buried In Silt After Beach Nourishment Project

City officials say the 'nuisance' is better than Lake Superior swallowing up property from chronic erosion.

DULUTH, Minn. – Some homeowners on Park Point are getting buried in fine sand and silt, and some are even losing their yards to inches of the super fine particles. The problem is a result of the beach nourishment project from last year that built back multiple feet of beach by using dredging leftovers from the harbor. The city calls…

Duluth Fire Department Training 12 New Hires, Most In History

DULUTH, Minn. — Recently, fire departments have had difficulty recruiting and retaining staff. What used to be hundreds of applicants might now only be dozens. But over the next two weeks, the Duluth Fire Department is training the largest class of firefighters they’ve had in years. “Historically, when I got hired 12 years ago, there was 300 people on the…

Duluth Schools Supt. Talks Staff Mask Mandate, Graduations, Strategic Planning Process

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth School District began a new mask mandate Monday for faculty and staff inside all district buildings. Meanwhile, students, parents, and others are being encouraged to mask up. This comes as COVID cases in Duluth are up and the county is now considered at a high level for transmission. Duluth Schools Supt. John Magas stopped by…

Coffee Conversation: Michelle Lee Talks Getting Fired, KBJR-TV, Bodybuilding, Retirement

DULUTH, Minn. – Michelle Lee, 70, is best known for her decades at KDLH-TV and KBJR-TV before retiring about five years ago. FOX 21’s Dan Hanger recently went to Michelle’s home in Moose Lake to see what she is up to these days and look back at some life lessons made in her career – from getting fired, to bodybuilding,…

UMD In Search Of Interim Chancellor After Unsuccessful Search

DULUTH, Minn. — The University of Minnesota-Duluth is asking for nominations for interim chancellor to lead campus for a two-year term. A nationwide search for UMD’s next chancellor was announced last November. After a long search process and getting down to four finalists, the hunt for a new chancellor was unsuccessful. UMD’s President Joan Gabel sent an email Monday morning…

Proctor Speedway Re-Opens for Race Season

PROCTOR, Minn. — It’s a bit of a later start to the season than normal but racers are ready to go as Halvor Lines Speedway hosts its opening night here in Proctor. “It’s been a late season for all the tracks,” Duane Caywood, President of Halvor Lines Speedway Proctor Minnesota said. About a month late to be exact, which isn’t…

Foster Care Awareness Month Carnivals

DULUTH, Minn. — May is Foster Care Awareness Month and New Hope for Families, an organization that supports foster families, put together a community carnival to celebrate. There was a bouncy house, food, plenty of carnival games, and even a set-up hair salon and face-painting parlor. While New Hope for Families has held this carnival before, on mission trips to…