Minnesota Archives - Page 133 of 359

Freezing 5k Doesn’t Stop Northland Runners From Giving Their All

It didn't even reach 1 degree yet at Spirit Mountain Saturday morning, when some tough runners warmed up for the Wild Winter Wipeout 5k.

January 22, 2022

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn. — It’s what skiers would call a blue bird day, but we’re not here at Spirit Mountain right now for skiers, we’re here for a different kind of athlete who’s come out and braved the elements to do what they love. It didn’t even reach 1 degree yet at Spirit Mountain Saturday morning, when some tough runners warmed…

Access Again an Issue at Federal Trial in Floyd’s Killing

January 22, 2022

The Associated Press,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – A closed hearing in the federal trial of three former Minneapolis police officers in George Floyd’s killing was canceled Friday after prosecutors and the media objected. It’s the second time in just days that access to the proceedings became an issue. U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson scheduled the conference on the admissibility of some evidence…

Duluth Councilor Derek Medved Steps Down Early in Term, Council to Begin Interviewing Candidates to Fill Seat

According to Council President Forsman, Medved was a Councilor-At-Large, so anyone in the city can apply through the city clerk’s office.

January 21, 2022

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- At-Large Duluth City Councilor Derek Medved has decided he will be leaving his term two years early to focus on his growing business. “It’s great to see a young entrepreneur continue to succeed locally so that’s really great. On the council front, it’s sad to see him go,” newly-appointed Council President Arik Forsman said. In a statement only…

Learn Snowkiting Basics with UMD Rec Sports Outdoor Program

Snowkiting, also called kiteboarding, involves riding the wind with a big kite pulling a skier or snowboarder along.

January 21, 2022

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- Thrill-seekers looking for another way to get the adrenaline pumping this winter can learn to catch the steady winds that blow over frozen lakes on a snowkite. UMD’S rec sports outdoor program offered introduction-sessions Friday. Snowkiting, also called kiteboarding, involves riding the wind with a big kite pulling a skier or snowboarder along. Students will learn how to…

Mushers Make Final Preparations for Beargrease

January 21, 2022

Natalie Noury,

TWO HARBORS, Minn. — With under 10 days to go till the 42nd annual Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, teams are wrapping up preparations to hit the 300-mile stretch. The Wallin family has gathered some fame over the years, just last year their son, Ero, was the youngest full marathon musher on record at just 18 years old. Now Ero and…

Florida Man Charged After 4 Found Dead at Canada-US Border

January 21, 2022

The Associated Press,

(John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP) WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) – A Florida man has been charged with human smuggling after the bodies of four people, including a baby and a teen, were found in Canada near the U.S. border. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota says 47-year-old Steve Shand has been charged with human smuggling after seven…

Enbridge Says It Has Fixed Pierced Aquifer Near Oil Pipeline

January 21, 2022

The Associated Press,

(AP Photo/Jim Mone, File) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Enbridge Energy said it has stopped the flow of spilled artesian groundwater that began a year ago when workers installing the Line 3 oil pipeline in northwestern Minnesota punctured an aquifer. The spill near Enbridge’s terminal in Clearbrook was one of the worst environmental accidents during the construction of the 340-mile pipeline in…

Derek Medved Leaving Duluth City Council In February

January 21, 2022

Dan Hanger,

Derek Medved at his first city council meeting in 2020 DULUTH, Minn. – At-Large Duluth City Councilor Derek Medved has decided he will be leaving his term two years early to focus on his growing business, FOX 21 has learned. “I have things on the horizon I need to focus on for business,” Medved said in a statement to FOX…

Some Food Shelves Looking Bare After ‘Season Of Giving’

January 20, 2022

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Some food shelves are becoming a little emptier again now that the season of giving is over. That’s the case at Duluth Harbor Rescue Mission, which supports people experiencing homelessness, addiction and abuse. The mission need food like pasta sauces, cans of soup, tuna, and boxed meals. “When someone comes in and asks if you have a…

Duluth ‘Law Enforcement Accountability Network’ Marks One Year, Calls For More Feedback

January 20, 2022

KQDS Staff,

DULUTH, Minn. – A data-driven police accountability group in Duluth is calling on more people from all communities to share experiences they’ve had with police — good or bad — as the group recognizes its one-year mark. The Law Enforcement Accountability Network, or LEAN Duluth, says it has no political agenda. The goal is to produce hard research through all…

Duluth Grill Closed For Renovations

January 20, 2022

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn. — Last Monday, The Duluth Grill closed up to begin renovations on the building. Including some new flooring and taking time to do some deep cleaning. Coming up on the 21st year of business at Duluth Grill, co-owner Louis Hanson tells us they decided to renovate again as investing in the building also helps with the customer experience….

Lake Superior Zoo Continues Optimal Care through Sub-Zero Temps

January 20, 2022

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn. — On a day like today where it might not even hit zero, we have to take extra precautions to keep ourselves protected, but the Lake Superior zoo also takes extra steps to make sure their animals are taken care of in these frigid temperatures. “We are in one of the strongest positions that we have ever been…

Gov. Walz’s Budget Would Send $175 Checks to Minnesotans From Surplus

January 20, 2022

Site Staff,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Governor Tim Walz is proposing $700 million in direct payments to Minnesotans from the state’s $7.7 billion surplus as part of his budget plan. According to the governor, the budget, if approved, would include sending checks of $175 to single tax filers earning up to $164,400 while couples earning up to $273,470 would get…

MDH Infectious Disease Director Kris Ehresmann Announces Retirement

January 20, 2022

Site Staff,

(photo: Twitter) (FOX 9) – Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Infectious Disease Director Kris Ehresmann has announced her plans to retire on Feb. 2, concluding more than 30 years of service in various public health roles. According to the announcement, Ehresmann has become a respected leader for her COVID-19 response work, as well as, more than three decades of service…

Long-Sought Great Lakes Projects Get Funding Under New Law

January 20, 2022

The Associated Press,

(AP) – The Biden administration’s new infrastructure package will pump more funding into two high-profile Great Lakes projects. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says it will devote $479 million to the construction of a new shipping lock at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. The money will be enough to finish the long-sought lock, which will boost the passage of cargo…

Mask Mandate Issued for Black Bear Casino, Fond-du-Luth Casino

January 20, 2022

Site Staff,

CARLTON, Minn. – A mask mandate has once again been issued at Black Bear Casino Resort in Carlton and Fond-du-Luth Casino in Duluth. The Fond du Lac Reservation Business Committee on Thursday posted to its Facebook page that it had approved a mask mandate at the establishments along with Fond du Lac Gas & Grocery. The mandate goes into effect…

City Crews Responding to Water Main Break in Woodland

January 20, 2022

Site Staff,

DULUTH, Minn. – City of Duluth Utility Operations crews are responding to a water main break in the Woodland neighborhood. The break was reported Thursday morning and is located on the 100 block of Farley Lane. City officials say water has been turned off on Farley Lane from Coleman Avenue to West Austin Street and on Coleman Avenue from Farley…

Hundreds Take State-Paid Nursing Assistant Training

January 20, 2022

The Associated Press,

MINNEAPOLIS – Hundreds of Minnesotans are taking advantage of the state’s offer to cover the cost of training to become a certified nursing assistant. The state has used $3.5 million in federal relief funding to pay for students’ tuition, textbooks, and certification exams in hopes of alleviating staffing shortages in long-term care facilities and veterans’ homes during the coronavirus pandemic….

Annie Harala Announces Run for St. Louis County Board

January 20, 2022

Site Staff,

DULUTH, Minn. – Former Duluth School Board Member Annie Harala announced her run Thursday for the St. Louis County Board of Commissioners District 1 seat. Harala, a local entrepreneur and longtime Hillside resident says she understands the important intersection between mission-driven non-profits, innovative businesses, and the value of the public sector because she’s built her career around all of them….

Jury Selection To Start in Federal Trial Over Floyd’s Death

January 20, 2022

The Associated Press,

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Jury selection is scheduled to begin in the federal case against three former Minneapolis police officers who were with Derek Chauvin when he pinned George Floyd to the street. J. Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao are charged with depriving Floyd of his constitutional rights while acting under government authority. Starting Thursday, jurors will be questioned by…

Duluth Fire Chief, Homeless Advocate React To 2nd Fire At I-35 Homeless Encampment

January 19, 2022

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth’s fire chief and its top homeless advocate reacted to Wednesday’s homeless encampment fire under I-35 near downtown — almost three months to the day since fire erupted in the exact spot from squatters. “People find their way to have shelter, to try to stay warm, literally to try to stay alive at this time of the…

How Frosty Ridge Keeps Their Alpacas Warm During The Winter

January 19, 2022

Alexandra Burnley,

DULUTH, Minn. –At the Frosty Ridge Alpaca Farm in Duluth, the owners tell us that the challenge to keep their alpacas warm isn’t the subzero temperatures in the winter, but actually keeping them comfortable with the humidity level. Alpacas are native to the Andes Mountains in South America, where it’s actually far less humid than Minnesota, even in the winter….

North Star Academy Moves Some Grades To Temporary Virtual Learning During Staffing Shortage, COVID Cases

January 19, 2022

Alexandra Burnley,

DULUTH, Minn. — The North Star Academy of the Duluth Edison Charter Schools is having some of its grades switch to virtual learning for a few weeks. It’s happening for two reasons: one, COVID has caused staffing issues and teacher shortages, and two, the number of COVID cases within the schools doubled between the first and second week of January…

Family’s Home Condemned After Bed Catches Fire, Causes Severe Damages

January 19, 2022

Alexandra Burnley,

DULUTH, Minn. — A fire destroyed a home in West Duluth on Wednesday, leaving a family displaced. It happened around 3:30 p.m. on the 600-block of South 65th Avenue West. The Duluth Fire Department says the fire started in the basement after a bed caught fire. Fortunately, all the people and pets inside the home were able to get out…

Cloquet Follows Duluth in 30-Day Mask Mandate

January 19, 2022

Natalie Noury,

CLOQUET, Minn. — It’s been nearly a week after Duluth mandated masks around the city, and a neighboring town is now doing the same. Last week the Cloquet Community Memorial Hospital was “crisis planning”, for a wave of covid patients, and now this week, they were sending letters to the mayor supporting a mask mandate. The Community Memorial Hospital in…

AICHO Providing At-Home Covid Tests To Community

January 19, 2022

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn. — The Niiwin Indigenous Food Market, formerly known as the Fourth Street Market, opened its doors this afternoon for AICHO’s bi-weekly food distribution and they are giving out something for the first time which they feel will really benefit people. The food giveaway provides 200 pairs of bags for families and people who need it. The food is…

New City Council President Arik Forsman Outlines 2022 Priorities

January 19, 2022

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth city council’s new president, Arik Forsman, spoke to FOX 21 about some of his priorities for the year ahead. Having served in the council for three and a half years, this presidency allows Forsman to serve another full year from the front of the helm. Forsman said he’s been a long-time Duluth resident and has…

Duluth Playhouse Having To Adjust Operations Once Again

January 19, 2022

Natalie Noury,

DULUTH, Minn. — Many businesses have felt the impacts of covid and have had to re-assess operations but the live performance industry might be one of the few that has needed to keep adjusting the most. The Duluth Playhouse has had to change their plans many times now. And with transmission rates being so high with the omicron variant lately,…

MN Attorney General Ellison Files Lawsuit Against COVID-19 Testing Sites, Lab for Deceiving Consumers

January 19, 2022

Site Staff,

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced Wednesday he has filed a lawsuit against two COVID-19 testing sites that allegedly failed to deliver test results or delivered inaccurate or falsified results. The two Illinois-based companies named in the suit are Center for COVID Control, LLC and Doctors Clinical Laboratory, Inc. According to Ellison’s office, there have been…

Homeless Encampment Under I-35 In Duluth Catches Fire Again

The first fire started in this location on Oct. 18, 2021.

January 19, 2022

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Fire ignited under I-35 in downtown Duluth Wednesday in the exact location a homeless encampment caught on fire just three months ago. Duluth firefighters were called to the scene during the 1 o’clock hour Wednesday near Exit 256-A for Mesaba Avenue and Superior Street. A spokesperson for the fire department said the bulk of the fire was…

June 13 Date Set for State Trial for 3 Ex-Cops in Floyd’s Death

January 19, 2022

The Associated Press,

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A state court trial for three former Minneapolis police officers charged with the death of George Floyd has been rescheduled for June 13, after both the defense and prosecutors requested a postponement. Thomas Lane, J. Kueng, and Tou Thao face charges of aiding and abetting both murder and manslaughter. Their trial was supposed to start on March…

City Crews Responding to Water Main Break in Goat Hill Neighborhood

January 19, 2022

Site Staff,

DULUTH, Minn. – City of Duluth Utility Operations crews are responding to a water main break in the Goat Hill neighborhood. The break was reported Wednesday afternoon and is located on the 1700 block of West 3rd Street. City officials say water has been turned off on West 3rd Street between 17th and 18th Avenue West. It is not known…

Biden To Give Away 400 Million N95 Masks Starting Next Week

January 19, 2022

The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration will begin making 400 million N95 masks available for free to Americans starting next week. The step comes after federal officials emphasized the masks’ better protection against the omicron variant of COVID-19 over cloth face coverings. The White House said Wednesday the masks will come from the government’s Strategic National Stockpile, which has more…

Voting Begins in MnDOT’s 2022 “Name a Snowplow” Contest

January 19, 2022

Site Staff,

(courtesy: Minnesota Department of Transportation) ST.PAUL, Minn. – Voting is now open for MnDOT’s 2022 “Name a Snowplow” contest. MnDOT says they received almost 11,000 creative name submissions in December and have narrowed the list down to 50 finalists for public voting. Factors that were taken into consideration when selecting finalists included creativity, uniqueness, frequency of submissions, Minnesota-specific ideas, and…

Cloquet Mayor Announces State of Emergency, Mask Mandate

January 19, 2022

Site Staff,

CLOQUET, Minn. – On Wednesday, the Mayor of Cloquet announced a local state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Cloquet Proclamation and Declaration of Emergency states the decision to declare a state of emergency was made due to cases of COVID, including all variants, continuing to rise to levels unsafe for public gatherings and meetings in…

Spirit Mountain, Depot, Northern Lights Express Included in Gov. Walz’s Bonding Recommendations

Roughly $50 million is proposed to go to different entities in Northeastern Minnesota.

January 18, 2022

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s bonding recommendations for 2022 amounts to $2.7 billion. The largest in the state’s history includes much-needed funding for Duluth and the surrounding area. “They’re very geo-balanced across the state of Minnesota and these are projects that local folks requested. But there are projects in there that enhance our quality of life,” Gov. Walz said…

Walz Bonding Proposal: $1M For Lake Superior College’s Manufacturing Program Expansion Plans

January 18, 2022

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has put aside $1 million in his bonding proposal to help Lake Superior College develop plans to expand its Integrated Manufacturing program. LSC officials said demand has outgrown the current facility in downtown Duluth. So in the coming years, the program will be moved and expanded back onto the main campus on Trinity…

Duluth Armory Left Out Of Gov. Walz’s Bonding Recommendations

Mark Poirier, Executive Director of the Armory Arts and Music Center said he is disappointed but not surprised.

January 18, 2022

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- There were projects that didn’t make the cut on the governor’s list of entities and projects he’d like to see get bonding money, which includes the historic Armory on London Road in Duluth. Mark Poirier, Executive Director of the Armory Arts and Music Center said he is disappointed but not surprised they didn’t get the $7.5 million funding…

St. Mary’s Medical Center to Be Demolished When Vision Northland Completed

The redevelopment will be funded with $12 million in state dollars and headed by SEH local consulting firm.

January 18, 2022

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- As the new Vision Northland building for Essentia Health goes up in Duluth the decades-old St. Mary’s Hospital will come down. Essentia Health says the Medical Center will be demolished on East Third Street after the new building is ready for care in the third quarter of 2023. The oldest part of St. Mary’s hospital is almost 100…

Existing Essentia Building to Come Down When Vision Northland Complete

January 18, 2022

Site Staff,

DULUTH, Minn. – Essentia Health announced on Tuesday that after construction is complete on the Vision Northland project the current St. Mary’s Medical Center building will be demolished. The current St. Mary’s building will remain open into 2023 with demolition starting after the new SMMC hospital tower is fully operational and all services have been relocated. “The decision to demolish…

Walz Asks Lawmakers to Back Record $2.7 Billion Bonding Bill

January 18, 2022

The Associated Press,

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz asked the Legislature on Tuesday to back a $2.7 billion “local jobs and projects” plan that’s considerably larger than the record package that lawmakers passed two years ago. The Democratic governor unveiled his wish list at a news conference outside the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Child Development, which is getting a major rebuild…

Spirit Mountain, St. Louis County Depot Among Northland Entities in Gov. Walz’s 2022 Bonding Recommendations

According to a spokesperson with the City of Duluth, the Aerial Lift Bridge was included in a write-up for the Governor's recommended $200 million for the Bridge Replacement Program.

January 18, 2022

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- On Tuesday Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz released his bonding recommendation of $2.7 billion, which highlights several Northland and regional entities including Spirit Mountain and the St. Louis County Depot in Duluth. For Spirit Mountain, the Governor recommended $12 million in general fund cash to the City of Duluth “to renew, replace, and improve aged infrastructure.” The total cost…

Wildcat Sanctuary Rescues Starving, Injured African Serval

January 18, 2022

Site Staff,

SANDSTONE, Minn. – A starving and injured African serval found in Massachusetts has made it safely to his new home at the Sandstone Wildcat Sanctuary. Bruno was captured by the MSPCA-Angell after residents in Lincoln, MA reported spotting him in distress in their neighborhood. Bruno was found starving and with a severely broken leg trying to survive extreme weather. “Sadly,…

Update: Daughter Accused Of Shooting Mother Formally Charged

January 18, 2022

Site Staff,

MORCOM TOWNSHIP, Minn. – The juvenile-aged girl who allegedly shot her mother on Sunday afternoon in the Cook area, has now been formally charged. According to police, dispatch received a 911 call from 40-year-old Stephanie L. Straw around 4:26 p.m. Sunday who said she was on her way to the Cook Hospital with a gunshot wound. The woman identified her…

Cloquet Police: One Man Hospitalized Following Road Rage Incident

January 18, 2022

Site Staff,

CLOQUET, Minn. – A 32-year-old Cloquet man is hospitalized following a road rage incident over a parking issue in Cloquet on Friday. According to Cloquet Police, officers responded to reports of a man lying on the side of Hwy 45. When officers arrived at the location they learned that the man had been struck by a vehicle. After further investigation,…

Update: Victim Identified in Duluth’s First Homicide in 2022

January 18, 2022

Site Staff,

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth police have identified the victim in Duluth’s first homicide in 2022. On Saturday, authorities were dispatched to the 100 block of N 54th Avenue East around 12:50 a.m. for a medical/assault call. Dispatchers told responding officers a male was punched in the head and unconscious. At the scene, the unconscious 42-year-old man, now identified as Ryan…

Duluth Playhouse Postpones Upcoming Performances, Productions due to COVID

January 18, 2022

Site Staff,

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Playhouse is making adjustments to its current season due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In a Monday Facebook post, the Playhouse said it had made the difficult decision to not produce The Spongebob Musical, The Revolutionists, and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night during the 2021-2022 season. CLUE has also been postponed…

Chester Bowl Packed for Warm MLK Day Off

January 17, 2022

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- Plenty of families took advantage of the warm Monday off to hit the slopes at Chester Bowl. The hill was packed with skiers and snowboarders, some new and some more experienced. Management there says with their rental program it’s a good place for people just trying the sport out and the weather’s never been better for it too….

Destination Duluth takes on Spirit Mountain

January 17, 2022

Mason Kroll,

DULUTH, Minn.-Today, Destination Duluth photographers took on the slopes of Spirit Mountain. Destination Duluth is a non-profit organization that is made up of more than 200 photographers that volunteer their work for select social media platforms. These photos are used to show how unique and beautiful the city of Duluth is, and some have received more than 7 million impressions…

Old Town Antiques’ Last Week in Business Before Being Forced Out of Building by Owner

Hall Equities, out of California, sent a letter to Old Town, Huckleberry, and Chinese Dragon restaurant last month saying they all needed to be out by January 31st.

January 17, 2022

Arman Rahman,

DULUTH, Minn.- It’s the last week open for Old Town Antiques and Books on Superior Street in Duluth, one of three businesses in that location forced out by the company that owns the building. Hall Equities, out of California, sent a letter to Old Town, Hucklebeary, and Chinese Dragon restaurant last month saying they all needed to be out by…