Minnesota

Vision Northland Project Reaches New Milestone

DULUTH, Minn. – The Vision Northland Project reached a new milestone this week, bringing it one step closer to completion. In a Monday press release, Essentia Health officials announced the new hospital tower and attached clinic are now fully enclosed from outside elements. “This brings us one step closer to being able to bring our state-of-the-art equipment into the building,…

Minnesota Already-Huge Budget Surplus Grows to $9.25 Billion

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota’s already-huge budget surplus has become even more enormous, growing to a projected $9.25 billion, the Walz administration announced Monday. The updated forecast was $1.5 billion more than the whopping $7.7 billion surplus that Minnesota Management and Budget projected in December for the current two-year budget period. The budget agency cited higher incomes, consumer spending,…

$50,000 Powerball Win in Biwabik

(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) BIWABIK, Minn. – Someone in Biwabik became $50,000 richer over the weekend. According to the Minnesota Lottery, the winning ticket was purchased at Edwards North Country in Biwabik. The ticket matched four of the first five numbers drawn and the Powerball, just one number away from the $65 million jackpot. According to a Monday press release, Unless…

Target Seeks To Entice Workers With Pay of up to $24 an Hour

NEW YORK (AP) – Workers at Target stores and distribution centers in places like New York, where competition for finding and hiring staff is the fiercest, could see starting wages as high as $24 an hour this year. The Minneapolis-based discount retailer said Monday that it will adopt minimum wages that range from $15 to $24 an hour, with the…

Mayor Not Lighting Duluth Lift Bridge For Ukraine Adds To List Of Other Rejections

Mayor Emily Larson stopped taking community requests to light the Lift Bridge colors for causes after installing a $150,000 LED colored lighting system on bridge.

DULUTH, Minn. — From London to Milwaukee, to Minneapolis — structures are being lit blue and yellow in support of Ukraine.  But in Duluth, its most iconic structure, the Aerial Lift Bridge, is not.  Mayor Emily Larson is instead sticking with the usual lighting of the less-visible Enger Tower, which went blue and yellow over the weekend after community requests…

Salvation Army Among Those In Need Through March FoodShare Campaign

DULUTH, Minn. – Starting Monday, the Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign begins for food shelves across Minnesota. And for the Salvation Army in Duluth, the donations couldn’t come any sooner. Through April 10, people are urged to donate non-perishable food and even cash so they can buy more food at a lower price from area food banks. The Salvation Army says…

Sentence, State Trial Loom For Ex-Cops In Floyd’s Killing

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Three former Minneapolis police officers convicted of violating George Floyd’s civil rights now face federal sentences that one expert says could range from less than five years in prison to as much as the 25 years prosecutors are seeking for Derek Chauvin. A comprehensive process to determine how that plays out could take months. Meanwhile, the officers…

Minnesota House Democrats Propose Summertime Gas Tax Holiday

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Several Democrats in the Minnesota House have proposed a gasoline tax holiday from Memorial Day until Labor Day to help lessen the burden of rising gas prices on motorists. Rep. Stephenson, of Coon Rapids, said the proposal is an effort to combat rising inflation. GOP Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller, of Winona, said the proposal is an…

Duluth Mayor To Light Enger Tower For Ukraine After Community Requests; Superior Mayor Releases Statement

Larson has no plans to light the iconic Lift Bridge blue and yellow.

DULUTH, Minn. — One day after Mayor Emily Larson said she had no plans to light any buildings in support of Ukraine like other cities and states were doing across the country, Larson announced on Twitter Saturday that Enger Tower will be lit blue and yellow for the remainder of the weekend. Chicago City Hall building lit yellow and blue…

AFSCME Union Workers Rally at Duluth City Hall Amid Contract Negotiations

They say they want a fair and equitable contract agreement and for the city to drop what they call harmful healthcare proposals that would increase costs for workers.

DULUTH, Minn.- Union workers from Duluth’s AFSCME local 66 gathered on at City Hall Saturday to rally for a fair contract agreement with the city. About 300 street maintenance, librarians, and other city workers gathered to call on the administration to remember how AFSCME, they said, experienced 50 layoffs, wage freezes, and agreed to take 18 unpaid days off during…

Northland Boy Scouts Test Outdoor Skills with Beargrease Derby

13 troops reenacted the John Beargrease Sled Dog Race.

CLOQUET, Minn.- Boy Scout troops throughout the Northland put their winter outdoor skills to the test by mirroring a legendary winter outdoorsman John Beargrease. 13 troops reenacted the John Beargrease Sled Dog Race. With 4 to 8 scouts acting as the dog teams, they mushed through about a mile loop at the Cloquet Forestry Center with stations named after cities…

2022 Women’s Expo Brings Hundreds to the DECC

Vendors there say it's extra special to connect with women from the Twin Ports while sharing their products.

DULUTH, Minn.- Thousands gathered at the DECC throughout the day Saturday for Duluth’s annual Women’s Expo. Upward of hundreds of vendors shared their products, everything from décor to apparel, to soaps and candles. There were also seminars focusing on wellness skills, landscaping, and even kickboxing. Vendors there say it’s extra special to connect with women from the Twin Ports while…

Minnesota House Democrats Propose Summertime Gas Tax Holiday

(AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Several Democrats in the Minnesota House have proposed a gasoline tax holiday from Memorial Day until Labor Day to help lessen the burden of rising gas prices on motorists. Rep. Stephenson, of Coon Rapids, said the proposal is an effort to combat rising inflation. GOP Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller, of Winona, said the…

Duluth Police: 20-Year-Old Arrested in Alleged Baseball Bat Assault in Central Hillside Friday

Investigators learned someone living at one of the apartments allegedly assaulted a resident of another apartment with a baseball bat. 

DULUTH, Minn.- A 20-year-old man is in jail after an assault with a baseball bat occurred in Duluth’s Central Hillside neighborhood Friday. According to a spokesperson with the Duluth Police Department, at 3:15 p.m. Friday officers responded to an assault at an address in the 300 Block of North 2nd Avenue East. Investigators learned someone living at one of the…

Gov. Walz Visits Duluth to Discuss what $300 Million Public Safety Proposal Could Mean for City

Duluth would receive about $1.5 million per year from the budget surplus for public safety improvements.

DULUTH, Minn.- Governor Tim Walz stopped in Duluth, as part of his statewide public safety tour to discuss what his $300 million public safety plan could mean for the city. Duluth would receive about $1.5 million per year from the budget surplus for public safety improvements. The Governor says it’s important these measures address not only crime and arrests, but…

Townsquare Media Wraps Up St. Jude’s Radiothon

DULUTH, Minn.- Friday marked the end of Townsquare Media’s annual St. Jude Radiothon. The event ended at 6 p.m. five stations at Townsquare Media Duluth stream the Radiothon to raise money to help kids battling cancer and other diseases. The research and treatments the money funds benefit kids around the country including here in the Northland. “This does affect everybody…

MnDOT Lights I-35W Bridge Blue, Yellow in Support of People of Ukraine

According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation's Twitter, it'll stay those colors through the weekend in support of the people of Ukraine.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.- The I-35 W Bridge in Minneapolis glowed blue and yellow Friday night. According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Twitter, it’ll stay those colors through the weekend in support of the people of Ukraine. MN-DOT added: “We stand united with Ukrainians here in Minnesota and around the world.” Here in Duluth Mayor Emily Larson says she does not…

Cirrus Aircraft Connects With LSC Students Interested In Aviation

They hope this partnership creates a pipeline for skilled students to work for high-demand positions in machining, automotive, aviation, and more.

DULUTH, Minn.- Lake Superior College and Cirrus Aircraft partnered up to connect with local students interested in joining the aviation industry. Cirrus Aircraft is located right next door to LSC. Representatives networked with classes in the college’s Aviation Center. They hope this partnership creates a pipeline for skilled students to work for high-demand positions in machining, automotive, aviation, and more….

No More ValleySCARE: Tricks and Treats To Offer ‘all Fun, No Fright’ at Valleyfair

(courtesy: Facebook/Valleyfair) SHAKOPEE, Minn. (FOX 9) – No more scary nights at Valleyfair. As announced Friday, the Shakopee amusement park will now have more family-friendly Halloween celebrations. Later this year, Tricks and Treats will debut on Sept. 17 and be open on select dates until Oct. 30. Valleyfair says it will be a “one-of-a-kind fall festival and Halloween party combo…

Minnesota Senate GOP Unveils Massive $8.5B Tax Cut Proposal

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota Senate Republicans on Thursday announced a tax cut proposal that would cost more than $8.5 billion over the next three years. Republican lawmakers say the proposal is the largest tax cut in the state’s history. It would reduce the lowest-tier income tax rate from 5.35% to 2.8% and eliminate taxes on all Social Security…

Walz to Stop in Duluth Friday as Part of Statewide Public Safety Tour

(Elizabeth Flores/Star Tribune via AP) DULUTH, Minn. – Today, investments in public safety will be front and center at Duluth City Hall with Gov. Tim Walz. According to the governor’s office, Walz is holding a roundtable discussion this afternoon with Mayor Emily Larson, Police Chief Mike Tusken, and other city leaders as part of his statewide public safety tour. This…

Duluth Council Names Top 3 Candidates For Medved’s Vacant Seat

DULUTH, Minn.  – The Duluth City Council interviewed 26 candidates Thursday evening who are vying to fill Derek Medved’s seat who recently stepped down to focus on his growing business. The interviews were virtual. Each candidate got 10 minutes to answer questions from councilors to find out their interests, passion for the city and why they’d be good for the…

Some Duluth Residents Frustrated By Snow Banks From Plows, Alleys Cleared Later

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Mayor Emily Larson previously ended the option for Duluth residents to make special requests for snow plowing, but some residents are still feeling frustrated by the change. Larson said she felt it was time to streamline the snowplowing process so crews could get the job done more efficiently, as the list of special requests became too…

3 Ex-cops Convicted of Rights Violations in Floyd Killing

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Three former Minneapolis police officers have been convicted of violating George Floyd’s civil rights. Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane were charged with depriving Floyd of his right to medical care when Officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for 9 1/2 minutes as the 46-year-old Black man was handcuffed and…

Justice Department Sues UnitedHealth Over Nearly $8B Deal

(AP) – Federal regulators are suing to block UnitedHealth Group’s purchase of the technology company Change Healthcare, a deal announced more than a year ago. The U.S. Department of Justice said Thursday that the proposed deal would hurt competition in markets for health insurance and technology used by insurers to process claims and cut costs. UnitedHealth said in January 2021…

Fire Crews Battling Large House Fire in Virginia

VIRGINIA, Minn. – According to the Northland FireWire, multiple fire crews are on the scene of a large house fire in Virginia. The fire was reported just after 9:00 a.m. Thursday morning on the 100 block of 1st Street South. Crews have been battling heavy flames from the home. A nearby house has also sustained heavy damage. No injuries have…

St. Luke’s to Close Vaccine Clinic, Will Now Offer Vaccines at Three Other Locations

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Luke’s is closing its COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic after today and will instead offer vaccines at three locations starting next week. Vaccines will be offered at the St. Luke’s Denfeld Medical Clinic (ages 5+), St. Luke’s Infectious Disease Associates (ages 5+), and St. Luke’s Pediatric Associates (ages 5-18). Each of the locations will offer all three vaccines…

Jury Meets for 2nd Day in Trial of Cops in Floyd Killing

(Minneapolis Police Department via AP, File) ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Jurors resumed deliberations Thursday in the trial of three former Minneapolis police officers charged with violating George Floyd’s civil rights when he was pinned to the ground for 9 1/2 minutes as fellow Officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee into his neck. Jurors met for about seven hours Wednesday,…

Twin Cities Educators Notify Districts of Possible Strikes

(courtesy: Fox 9) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Unions representing teachers and school staff in the Twin Cities have filed the paperwork that begins a 10-day countdown to potential strikes. The notification is required by state law. It means possible strikes by more than 8,000 educators in Minneapolis and St. Paul could begin as soon as March 8. The strikes could affect…

Two Brothers Take On Spirit Mountain After Storm: ‘It Just Gives You, Like, So Much Energy’

DULUTH, Minn. –  Cedar Holden and his brother, Coulter, were more than pumped to get out on the fresh snow at Spirit Mountain after a two-day storm. “It just gives you, like, so much energy and like it’s so clean, and bright, and crisp. It just feels so good and it just gets you, like, so excited to go do…

Safe Haven Partners with Women’s Expo, Asking For Donations

DULUTH, Minn. — This weekend’s Women’s Expo at The DECC will not only be a time for shopping, exhibits and demonstrations, it’s also a place to help women facing domestic violence. The Women’s Expo once again partnered with the ‘Safe Haven Shelter’ to collect donations at various sites over the past few weeks and this Saturday during the expo. Items…

Duluth Man Charged in Connection to Three Armed Robberies

DULUTH, Minn. – Last week, a Duluth man was formally charged with three armed robberies over two days in Duluth’s East Hillside neighborhood. According to court records, 26-year-old Austin Nichols is charged with three counts of first-degree aggravated robbery. The criminal complaint states officers responded to the first robbery around 6:39 p.m. on February 14 at the CVS Pharmacy on…

Jury Starts Deliberating 3 Ex-cops’ Case in Floyd Killing

(Cedric Hohnstadt via AP) ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Jurors are deliberating in the federal trial of three fired Minneapolis police officers charged with violating George Floyd’s civil rights. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao are charged with depriving Floyd of his right to medical care when Derek Chauvin pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for 9 1/2 minutes…

Jury Set To Get Case of 3 Officers Charged in Floyd Killing

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – The jury hearing the case against three former Minneapolis police officers charged with violating George Floyd’s civil rights needs only to get instructions from the judge before starting deliberations. Prosecutors and defense attorneys spent a full day Tuesday in closing arguments that recapped a month of testimony and sought to sway the jury toward their…

School Closings, Delays for Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022

School Closings & Delays Closed:  School District of Ashland – Closed. No afterschool events. Washburn School District – Closed with virtual learning day for February 23rd South Shore School District – Closed with virtual learning day for February 23rd Wentworth Meal Site – Closed. Senior Connections is open today, Feb. 23. Delayed: Esko School District – Two-hour delay Categories: Minnesota, News,…

City Facilities to Reopen Wednesday

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth will reopen City facilities tomorrow, February 23, that had been closed to the public due to inclement weather. City Hall, the three Duluth Public Library branches, and the CareerForce (Workforce Development) Center will be open for regular operating hours. The City says it would like to thank the public’s understanding in keeping City…

City of Duluth Declares Snow Emergency

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth has declared a snow emergency that will be in effect beginning 1:00 p.m. Tuesday and will extend through 6:00 p.m. Wednesday. During a snow emergency, all vehicles must be cleared from snow emergency routes by 9:00 p.m. Any vehicle that is parked on a snow emergency route after 9:00 p.m. today will be…

Mayor Emily Larson to Make Afternoon ‘Snow Announcement’

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Mayor Emily Larson, Public Works, and Utilities Interim Director Greg Guerrero, and other staff will hold a virtual media briefing this afternoon to make a snow announcement. The virtual press conference will be held at 1:30 p.m. You can watch this press conference live on our Fox 21 Facebook page by clicking here. Categories: Community, Minnesota,…

UPDATE: 2 Water Main Breaks Shut Off Water To Morgan Park Neighborhood

UPDATE: According to a spokesperson with the City of Duluth, water was being restored to the neighborhood Tuesday morning. Water did remain shut off to residents in the Pleasant View Mobile Home Park. DULUTH, Minn. – The city of Duluth operations crews are responding to two water main breaks near the 9400 block of Grand Avenue. Water has been turned…