Minnesota

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…

Officials in Cass County Respond to Multiple Snowmobile Crashes With Injuries Over President’s Day Weekend

CASS COUNTY, Minn. – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday said officials responded to four reports of snowmobile crashes last week and over President’s Day Weekend, all resulting in injuries. The first crash was reported on Thursday, February 17 around 9:19 p.m. on the Paul Bunyan Trail in Powers Township. When first responders arrived at the scene they found…

Busy Snow Plows in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – The snow keeps coming down and it’s keeping the plows busy. Plow trucks were sent out early Monday morning, getting a jump on the storm. Per the city’s snow and ice policy, the focus has been on clearing main streets and will continue to be until the snow ceases. A snow emergency has not been declared yet,…

Duluth City Hall, Public Libraries Closed Tuesday

DULUTH, Minn. —   Duluth City Hall, Duluth public libraries and the CareerForce building will be closed Tuesday because of the ongoing snow storm.  Meanwhile, the city will not decide on whether to issue a snow emergency until Tuesday. More information is below in this press release from the city: Due to current and incoming inclement weather, the City of Duluth…

New Enforcement Effort Leads to Arrest of Shooting Suspect

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A new targeted speeding enforcement effort on highways around downtown Minneapolis, troopers arrested a driver suspected of being involved in multiple shootings. The Minnesota State Patrol says it was one of several arrests Saturday night in the new 10-day initiative that started Valentine’s Day to crack down on speeding and criminal activity, particularly on Interstate 94 between…

MN Patrol: Wisconsin Woman Killed in Wrong-Way Crash

WINONA, Minn. (AP) — According to the State Patrol, a central Wisconsin woman has died in a crash with a wrong-way drunken driver in Minnesota. Twenty-year-old Hannah Goman, a Winona State University student from Stevens Point, Wisconsin, was killed in the crash in Winona early Saturday. The Minnesota State Patrol says Goman was a passenger in a car that was…

Trapp Family of Esko Breaks Guinness World Record for World’s Tallest

Last week, Guinness World Records confirmed the Trapps were the tallest family in the world with an average height of 6 feet 6 inches.

UPDATE: Check out Guinness World Records’ video on the Trapp family from April here. From left to right: Adam. Savannah, Scott, Molly, and Krissy ESKO, Minn.- A family in Esko is reaching new heights, thanks to their height. Meet the Trapp family —  Scott, Krissy, Savanna, Molly, and the youngest and only son, Adam. “He likes to tease us that…

Blacklist Introduces “Bar Down” Pale Ale to Benefit 218 Hockey

DULUTH, Minn. — A partnership between 218 Hockey and Blacklist Brewery is finding ways to keep more kids on the ice. 218 Hockey is a brand that fundraises and provides support to all local youth hockey organizations. Blacklist has once again created a unique brew to help raise funds for them called the “Bar Down Pale Ale” where a portion…

LPCFC Monthly Grocery Giveaway Gaining Traction

DULUTH, Minn. — Families in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood got to enjoy a “Grocery Giveaway” aimed at addressing the food desert in the area. The giveaway started in October, and it has been put on monthly by the “Lincoln Park Children and Families Collaborative.” On average, a couple hundred people show up for not only non-perishable food items and produce…

Duluth Firefighters Tackle Propane Tank Fires Outside Vision Northland Project

DULUTH, Minn. – Multiple propane tanks started on fire Sunday afternoon outside the Vision Northland construction site in downtown Duluth. City officials were asking people to stay away from the area of East 1st Street between North 3rd Street and North 4th Street, and West 2nd Street and East Superior Street. Fire crews went through the Vision Northland building “evaluating…