Minnesota

Grim Milestone: Minnesota Tops One Million COVID Cases Since March of 2020

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota has topped a million cases of the coronavirus since the pandemic began in March of 2020. The state Department of Health confirmed 4,155 new cases, lifting the total number of infections to 1,000,361. The figures released Monday do not include cases from the holiday weekend, which are expected to be updated Tuesday. Minnesota’s case count includes…

Appeals Court: Group Can Sue Over Mining Rules

ELY, Minn. (AP) – A Minnesota appellate court has affirmed that a wilderness advocacy group has the standing to challenge state rules on copper mine sites. The Minnesota Appeals Court’s ruling Monday means that Northeastern Minnesotans for Wilderness’ lawsuit can continue. The group filed the action in June 2020 arguing the 29-year-old sitting rules should prohibit copper mining along waters…

Duluth Wakes Up, Digs Out of Blizzard-Like Storm Monday

From shoveling to sledding the snow definitely brought people out and got them busy.

DULUTH, Minn.- Dozens woke up Monday to dig out of the almost one foot of snow that fell across the Twin Ports. But being the Northland, there were some enjoying it too. “Welcome to Duluth. Get a shovel. get a snowblower, you’re gonna be out here for quite a few hours that’s for sure,” said Tristan Genin. Genin’s mom decided to…

Vets: Keep Your Pet Active, Warm in Winter

They say to make sure to shovel a path for your dog to do their business, whether on a walk or in the backyard.

DULUTH, Minn.- It could be easy to hit the couch and cuddle your cat or dog close during weather like this, but vets at local animal hospitals say it’s important to get them walking even in the winter in a safe way. “It’s one more thing in the storm to do but pets are important and need to be taken…

CDC Recommends Shorter COVID Isolation, Quarantine For All

NEW YORK (AP) – U.S. health officials are cutting isolation restrictions for Americans who test positive for the coronavirus and shortening the time that close contacts have to quarantine. People with the virus can leave isolation after five days, down from 10 days. People exposed to the virus can also leave quarantine after five days. The Centers for Disease Control…

Snowstorm Closes Bentleyville For The Season

DULUTH, Minn. – Bentleyville Tour of Lights announced Monday afternoon that its final day of the season was canceled because of the wicked snowstorm over the Northland. The following message was posted on Bentleyville’s Facebook page about Monday’s closure: “Sorry folks, but due to the strong winds and large amount of snow Bentleyville will NOT open for it’s finally night…

Special Delivery: Morgan Park Community Tracks Down Recipient of Letter Which Arrived 68 Years Late

The 68-year journey of a letter from Copenhagen, to Duluth and soon to its intended recipient's family in Ohio.

DULUTH, Minn.- With the help of social media and the community, one Morgan Park resident was able to learn more about the history of her house, while helping the previous residents reconnect with a lost loved one. “Tuesday night I was making dinner, the mail arrived as usual,” said Susan Nordin. After just moving to Morgan Park in October Nordin…

Trashing the Christmas Tree? Junk Removers Offer Free Pickup

Just take all the ornaments off, and leave the tree on the curb, Twin Ports Trailer Trash will pick it up in January.

DULUTH, Minn.- While you can’t have Christmas without a decorated tree, there comes a time where they have to come down and head out of our living rooms. One local junk removal business is once again making it easier to turn your Tannenbaum into trash. Twin Ports Trailer Trash is doing free Christmas tree pickups for the 3rd year in…

Fast-Moving Storm to Affect Travel in Upper Midwest States

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A winter storm system was building steam in South Dakota Sunday morning and has prompted weather alerts in eastern North Dakota, northern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. The National Weather Service says the storm was expected to move quickly from southwest to northeast and could dump up to a foot of snow in some areas of eastern North…

Multi-Vehicle Pileup Reported on I-94 in Western Minnesota Saturday

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota State Patrol reported a pileup of about 50 vehicles Saturday afternoon along Interstate-94 between Alexandria and Fergus Falls, northwest of the Twin Cities. The Star Tribune reported no fatalities or life-threatening injuries resulted in the multi-vehicle crash, according to Patrol Sgt. Jesse Grabow. But I-94 eastbound at Exit 77 near Ashby was closed for more than an…

CHUM Christmas Eve Vigil Recognizes Increasing Lives Lost to Homelessness

DULUTH, Minn.- CHUM held their annual Christmas Eve vigil Friday on the steps of Duluth City Hall… marking a grim milestone in the city’s ongoing battle against homelessness. This vigil remembers persons who have experienced homelessness and have died this year. Homelessness and drug overdose are growing issues in Duluth, and organizers say the housing crisis has not helped. Over…

VFW Gives Away Free Meals for Christmas

DULUTH, Minn.- The VFW in Lincoln Park gave away free meals today in spirit of Christmas. Anybody in, or outside the community was welcome to enjoy a hot meal of all the fix-ins: mashed potatoes, turkey, cranberry sauce and more. All of the food was donated from the community and from businesses like Kwik Trip, Perkins, and Super One. Because…

Duluth Fire Crews Respond to Flames at Historic Vacant Seaway Hotel Building Thursday Night

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth fire crews responded to a structure fire Thursday night in the vacant historic Esmond Building formerly known as the Seaway Hotel. According to a spokesperson with the Duluth Fire Department around 11 p.m. Thursday night firefighters responded to a report of flames and found a small fire in a vacant space on the second floor. The spokesperson…

Active Adventures: New Programs at YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center in Hermantown

HERMANTOWN, Minn.- In this week’s Active Adventures, FOX 21’s Ken Slama tours the YMCA at the Essentia Wellness Center in Hermantown and learns about the programs they offer in the upcoming year. Categories: Active Adventures, Community, Health, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News Tags: Duluth Area Family YMCA, YMCA

Bridgeman’s Making Holiday Meals

DULUTH, Minn. — Meanwhile, Bridgeman’s is also providing meals for people this holiday season. They are offering a feast complete with roast beef, green beans, cheesy hash browns along with ice cream. They also have a roast turkey dinner planner. People who ordered them can pick them up on Thursday or Friday. After making meals for Thanksgiving, staff say they…

VFW Post 137 Preparing Holiday Feast

DULUTH, Minn. — The VFW post 137 in Lincoln Park is prepping for a big free holiday feast Friday. The supplies for the meals are all donated by community members. The VFW will be serving the holiday traditions from mashed potatoes to veggies and turkey with gravy. With the tradition going strong even after 30 years, organizers say this is…

Santa Visits Mesabi Preschool Academy

DULUTH, Minn. — Santa made a pit stop in Duluth on Thursday to visit children at the Mesabi Preschool Academy. Chris Kringle greeted the children at the Duluth Candy Company. He says his elves are going over the naughty and nice list and they have already started loading the sleigh. Even though this year, like the last is different than…

Judge Halts Vaccine Mandate For St. Paul City Employees

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – A judge has temporarily halted a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for St. Paul city employees. The St. Paul Pioneer Press reported that Ramsey County District Judge Robert Awsumb issued a temporary restraining order blocking the mandate on Thursday. The mandate was supposed to go into effect at the end of December. The order comes after St….

Update: 2 Bodies Recovered From Bemidji-Area House Fire

(Lakeland PBS-TV) — Two bodies were recovered around 1 p.m. Thursday from a house that started on fire in Liberty Township, which is 13 miles northwest of Bemidji. The evening update comes after authorities said two children were unaccounted for in that house fire.   Authorities did not confirm if the bodies are that of the children. “The victims were transported to…

Court Officials Edge Closer To Dividing Prince’s Estate

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Court officials are edging closer to dividing up pop superstar Prince’s estate. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported Wednesday that November tax filings show the Internal Revenue Service and Comerica Bank & Trust, the estate administrator, have reached an agreement on the total value of Prince’s assets. The specific number hasn’t been disclosed but it could be more…

Kim Potter Trial Verdict: Guilty on All Counts

(Court TV, via AP, Pool) MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The jury found former Brooklyn Center police officer Kim Potter guilty on all counts in the deadly traffic stop shooting of Daunte Wright. The 12 jurors deliberated for around 26 hours before deciding to convict Potter of first-degree and second-degree manslaughter.   The jury began deliberating around 12:45 p.m. CT on Monday after a…

Former Gannucci’s Owner Charged With Sexually Assaulting 2 Children

DULUTH, Minn. – The longtime owner of Gannucci’s Italian Market in West Duluth is charged with sexually assaulting two children. William Kalligher, 61, is facing seven felonies, including one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. This comes after numerous allegations came to light this summer. Court documents say a 25-year-old man told police that Kalligher forced oral sex on him…

Chester Bowl Opens For Season

DULUTH, Minn. — Chester Bowl has officially opened for the season on Wednesday. The popular ski hill opened this morning with the first people getting on the chair lift at 11 a.m. Members of Essentia Health were also there and awarded a $25,000  grant to Chester Bowl. This will allow them to plan for future infrastructure developments. “So to be…

Hartley Nature Center Hosts Winter Solstice Luminary Hike

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Parks and Recreation Department celebrated the Winter Solstice Tuesday with Hartley Nature Center. A half-mile loop was lit up for a luminary hike, along with hot chocolate, a photo booth and a fire pit – all to celebrate winter’s the shortest day of the year. “Especially at night when we’re in the darkest days is…

DECC Covid Site Ready for Increased Testing Ahead of Christmas

DULUTH, Minn. — As the Christmas weekend approaches,  health experts are encouraging everybody to get tested beforehand at places like the DECC. More people have been testing at that site this week. The even bigger push from local health officials is to get vaccinated, especially for vulnerable adults because they say the omicron variant is a growing problem. With hospital…

Duluth Fire Department Ringing Bells for Salvation Army

DULUTH, Minn. — The Salvation Army has enlisted the help of the Duluth Fire Department to make a final push for donations this holiday season. Current and former members of the department were at several locations in the Miller Hill Mall on Tuesday ringing bells for a good cause. With the department assisting the non-profit for over 30 years, they…

Duluth City Councilors Prioritize Public Safety, Affordable Housing in 2022 Budget

DULUTH, Minn. — Monday night, Duluth city councilors made significant investments in their budget for public safety and housing. After hearing a need to recruit and retain police officers, councilors will increase their wages by 10 percent for all DPD staff in the 2022 budget. They have also increased the training budget of the DPD and the fire department to…

Lakeside Elementary Students Provide Holiday Cheer

DULUTH, Minn. –Lester Park Elementary students provided some holiday cheer for residents at Ecumen Lakeshore Senior Living on Tuesday. K through 5th graders raised nearly $3,000 to buy several trees, decorate them and then pass them out to residents. In its 19th year, now more than ever these residents need some Christmas cheer after isolation caused by the pandemic. “We…

Gov. Walz Tests Positive for COVID-19

(courtesy: Fox 9) ST. PAUL, Minn. – Governor Tim Walz on Tuesday announced he has tested positive for COVID-19 along with his wife and son. A statement released from his office this morning reads: “Yesterday, my 9th grade son tested positive for COVID-19. Gwen and I were both tested that same day, and after initially testing negative yesterday morning, last…

Minnesota Regulators Reaffirm Air Permit for Proposed Mine

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — State regulators who three years ago issued an air quality permit for a proposed copper-nickel mine in northwestern Minnesota stood by their decision in a report released Monday that said the mine did not provide misleading information on its plans. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency report is a blow to several environmental groups and the…

Jury at Kim Potter Trial in Wright Death Returns Tuesday

(Court TV, via AP, Pool) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A jury will resume deliberations in the trial of a suburban Minneapolis police officer who says she meant to use her Taser instead of her gun when she shot and killed Daunte Wright. The jury returns Tuesday after meeting for about a half-day Monday following closing arguments. Prosecutors accused Kim Potter of…

Grand Rapids Attorney Charged With Criminal Sexual Conduct Of Client

A Grand Rapids attorney is facing serious charges after being accused of sexually assaulting a client multiple times. Jesse Powell, 32, of Powell Law, is facing five charges ranging from 3rd degree to 5th degree criminal sexual conduct. According to court documents, Powell raped her in his office after episodes of non-consensual touching of her body, including kissing. Powell faces…

Superior Meats Staying Busy This Holiday Season

DULUTH, Minn. — Superior Meats has been busy with people looking for last-minute meals for the holidays. With a variety of items including summer sausage, logs, beef sticks, and gift boxes the shop is trying to keep up with demand even with a short staff. The staff advises people to get your prime rib early because they ran out a…