Minnesota

Coffee Conversation: FOX 21 Sports Director Sam Ali Bids Farewell To Station

DULUTH, Minn. — FOX 21 Sports Director Sam Ali is leaving the station after four years to take a new opportunity closer to his family in Michigan.  Sam stopped by the morning show Friday on his last day to talk to his best friend Dan Hanger about his time at FOX 21, look at embarrassing childhood photos of himself, and…

Duluth City Councilor Renee Van Nett Dies At Age 52

DULUTH, Minn. — The City of Duluth shared the heartbreaking news Friday that Fourth District City Councilor Renee Van Nett passed away peacefully during the morning hours after fighting a terminal illness. Van Nett was surrounded by her family and friends in Duluth.  She was 52 years old. Mayor Emily Larson released the following statement: “Renee Van Nett was an incredibly powerful woman who lived…

Where Minnesota’s Federal Lawmakers Stand On President Biden’s Proposed Gun Restrictions

(AP Photo/Steve Karnowski)(FOX 9) – Ahead of President Joe Biden’s primetime speech on addressing gun violence, FOX 9 asked all nine of Minnesota’s members of Congress for interviews on what they would like to see done. Only one federal lawmaker, Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, agreed to an interview Thursday. “There are just so many solutions out there, and we can’t continue to…

UWNEMN Looking For Volunteers To Sign Up For “Sandbag Bus”

CHISHOLM, Minn. — United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN) is hoping to send four buses full of volunteers and sandbags to and from International Falls in June. The UWNEMN has been donating food and beverages to volunteers as they are almost four weeks into filling sandbags in the International Falls/Kabetogama area. “After speaking with county officials, it was clear volunteers…

Grand Rapids Student In Custody After Firearm Found In Vehicle

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. — On Thursday afternoon a student from Grand Rapids High School was taken into custody after a search of their vehicle. The search was originally to find a vaping device, but the vehicle search by the Grand Rapids Police Department found a firearm and ammunition inside. After finding the firearm and ammunition the search was immediately isolated…

Coffee Conversation: Steve-O Talks XXX-Rated ‘Bucket List Tour’ At DECC, Sobriety, Life’s Lessons

Part 1: The Bucket List Tour: What to expect! DULUTH, Minn. – Steve-O is well known for his wild and crazy ride on MTV’s reality comedy series known as “Jackass” in the early 2000s followed by “Jackass” movies. See Dan’s chat with Steve-O in Part 1 above and Part 2 below. But since then, Steve-O has become much more with…

Production Crew Begins Filming New Movie In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — Production began this week on a new movie called “Merry Kisscam,” where scenes are filming all over Duluth. Producer Mandy June Turpin originally became intrigued with Duluth while visiting the Catalyst Story Institute’s Content Festival four years ago. She met many community members and visited different local places, and she says that she knew they would be…

St. Louis County Encourages Residents To Apply For HomeHelpMN Assistance

The deadline to apply is June 17 at 5:00p.m.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn. — Residents of St. Louis County are being encouraged to apply for HomeHelpMN assistance if they need help with past due mortgage payments or other housing expenses due to the pandemic. If you would like to apply you need to own and live in a home in Minnesota and meet certain income requirements. St. Louis County…

Jury Finds Cloquet Man Guilty Of Murdering Pregnant Girlfriend, Her Son

CLOQUET, Minn. – A Cloquet man has been found guilty on all eight counts for murdering his pregnant girlfriend and her 20-month-old son. Sheldon Thompson, 35, will get a mandatory sentence of life without release for the first-degree premediated murder conviction, according to the Carlton County Attorney’s Office. It was in 2020 when Thompson killed Jackie Defoe, 27, her unborn…

Minnesota Students Walk Out To Demand Gun Changes

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Hundreds of students walked out of class Tuesday and gathered in downtown Minneapolis to demand state legislators adopt tougher gun laws in the wake of last week’s mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. The Star Tribune reported the students walked out around 12:30 p.m. and gathered in Gold Medal Park. They demanded officials create a statewide…

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…