Minnesota

Mayor Larson’s Office Responds To Council’s Mask Mandate Failure

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Mayor Emily Larson and her administration released a statement Tuesday in response to the city council’s failure to pass a new mask mandate Monday night and after the council agreed the mayor’s office has full power and resources to lead the way on emergency orders like a mask mandate if that office so chooses, instead of…

Black Water Lounge Is Back Open In Downtown Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – Downtown Duluth’s premiere martini bar, Black Water Lounge, is finally back open after three years in the dark. If you liked the atmosphere before, you’ll be happy to know that vibe remains the same with the popular band Maxi Childs Trio back at it on Tuesday and Thursday evening. The signature cocktails and apps are also back,…

Hit the Dance Floor at New North Shore Ballroom Studio in Duluth

They offer classes for beginners in both private lessons and group classes as well as advanced classes.

DULUTH, Minn.- For anyone looking to try something new this New Year there’s a new ballroom dance studio in Duluth looking for people who want to try moving and grooving into 2022. The North Shore Ballroom Studio just opened in the Kenwood neighborhood this past June. They offer classes for beginners in both private lessons and group classes as well…

Businesses Reopen after Condemned Esmond Building Fire Monday

Caddyshack Indoor Golf and Pub is just a few blocks down from the building which was engulfed in smoke and flames for seven hours Monday.

DULUTH, Minn.- Some businesses in Lincoln Park opened back up Tuesday after Monday’s intense fire at the condemned Esmond Building, which once housed the Seaway Hotel. Caddy Shack Indoor Golf and Pub is just a few blocks down from the building which was engulfed in smoke and flames for seven hours Monday. The owner tells Fox 21 her biggest concern…

Governor Walz Launches ‘Kids Deserve a Shot’ Vaccine Incentive Program for Kids 5-11

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Governor Walz on Tuesday announced the launch of the next phase of the ‘Kids Deserve a Shot’ vaccine incentive program to encourage Minnesota families to get their kids 5- to 11-years-old fully vaccinated against COVID-19. In a press release from the governor’s office, the Walz-Flanagan Administration said it is committed to providing the resources necessary to…

City Crews Responding to Water Main Break in Duluth Heights Neighborhood

DULUTH, Minn. – City of Duluth Utility Operations crews are responding to a water main break in the Duluth Heights neighborhood. The break was reported Tuesday morning and is located on the 4300 block of West Arrowhead Road. City officials say water has been turned off on West Arrowhead Road from Haines Road to the 4300 block of West Arrowhead…

Emergency Mask Mandate Fails to Pass with Unanimous Vote By Duluth City Council

The Council voted 7-2 on the mandate, with Councilors Roz Randorf and Derek Medved voting against it. 

DULUTH, Minn.- There will be no indoor mask mandate in the City of Duluth, as the emergency ordinance failed to garner the unanimous vote needed by City Council Monday night. The discussion about a mask mandate turned into a discussion about the council’s powers and whether or not it is their job to manage how the city navigates the pandemic….

Nearby Residents, Business Owners React To Esmond Building Fire

They said the frequent fires show it's time the building comes down.

DULUTH, Minn.- The frigid firefight at the condemned Esmond building Monday required all hands on deck from not just firefighters but business owners and community members in Lincoln Park. Staff at the All-American Club just across the corner on Michigan Street provided hot coffee, muffins, and sandwiches for crews taking a break. They say they witnessed the last two fires…

Duluth Fire Crews Extinguish Third Fire at Condemned Esmond Building this Winter

According to the Fire Chief, no one was found inside the building when crews arrived on-scene, though they have had reports of individuals inside seeking warmth recently.

DULUTH, Minn.- A massive fire took over the former Seaway Hotel now known as the condemned Esmond Building in the Lincoln Park Craft District Monday, challenging firefighters with its fast spread in sub-arctic temperatures. Crews responded to the fire around 7:30 Monday morning. Just minutes later, three crews were pulled out of the building due to unsafe conditions and fire…

Hospitals Talk About Reasoning Behind Endorsing Now-Failed Duluth Mask Mandate

DULUTH, Minn. — Essentia Health and St. Luke’s had a united front when it came to endorsing the now-failed mask mandate proposal that went up for a vote on Monday during Duluth city council’s meeting. One Essentia doctor who works in the emergency department says she knows a new possible mask mandate seems sudden, but explained that hospital beds are…

Ryan Redington Sled Dog Team Allegedly Struck, Injured by Snowmobiler

BAYFIELD, Wis. – 2020 Breagrease Sled Dog Marathon winner Ryan Redington says he and his dog sledding team were involved in an alleged hit-and-run snowmobile accident on Saturday. According to a Facebook post by Redington on the Bayfield County Snowmobile Alliance page, the accident happened on the Tri-counties corridor where a snowmobiler hit the dog team,  seriously injuring the dog…

Minnesota Sees Declining COVID-19 Intensive Care Rate

MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota health officials looking for a silver lining in the spread of the coronavirus omicron variant say they hope it can be found in declining intensive care hospitalizations for COVID-19. That number fell from 374 in mid-December to 255 on Friday. The decline temporarily eases pressure on hospitals as they brace for the wave of omicron infections. Despite…

Man Who Bought Gun for Kyle Rittenhouse Pleads No Contest

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The man who bought an AR-15-style rifle for Kyle Rittenhouse has pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor in a deal with prosecutors to avoid prison. A Wisconsin judge accepted Dominick Black’s plea on Monday. Prosecutors dropped two felony counts of intent to deliver a dangerous weapon to…

Council to Vote on New Emergency Mask Mandate Monday

DULUTH, Minn. — A second city wide Duluth mask mandate will be front and center for a vote at Monday night’s first city council meeting of 2022, with a hot topic to start the new year for sure. If Thursday night’s tense agenda session says anything about the mask mandate topic, this proposed emergency declaration isn’t going to be a…

Bob Saget, Beloved TV Dad Of ‘Full House,’ Dead At 65

Bob Saget arrives at the People’s Choice Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) LOS ANGELES (AP) – Bob Saget, a comedian and actor best known for his role the sitcom “Full House,” has died. He was 65. The Orange County, Florida, sheriff’s office said via Twitter it was called…

Minnesota Virus Positivity Rate Reaches 15.6% In New Record

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota’s COVID-19 positivity rate over the past seven days reached 15.6% on Friday, in an indication of the rapid spread of the omicron variant across the state. State health officials said the figure demonstrates the increasing spread of the omicron variant and expect a new surge of case growth for at least the next month. Minnesota’s previous…

Wedding Show Back With Over 100 Vendors at The DECC

More than 100 vendors were on hand to meet all the needs of brides and grooms to be from venues to catering, to D.J.s.

DULUTH, Minn.- For those planning their special day, the Duluth Wedding Show was back with hundreds of vendors at the DECC. More than 100 vendors were on hand to meet all the needs of brides and grooms to be from venues to catering, to D.J.s. Organizers say both the number of businesses and attendance this year was down about 25…

Bidders Excited to Get Hands on Last Place on Earth Items Up for Auction

Dozens of collectors filled Sellers Auction on Belknap Street and auction owners said they came from as far as Chicago and Florida.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- It’s been roughly seven years since the infamous Last Place on Earth was shut down. Those memories were unearthed Saturday at an auction in Superior. Dozens of collectors filled Sellers Auction on Belknap Street and auction owners said they came from as far as Chicago and Florida. The controversial head shop closed operations after owner Jim Carlson was…

‘Jazz at the Depot’ Brings Back Quartet, Crowd from Club Saratoga Jazz Days

The musicians originally played at Duluth's Club Saratoga in Canal Park before being hired by the Depot, and jazzists were out to show their love for the quartet as well as their music.

DULUTH, Minn.- What do you get when you mix smooth music, historic trains, and some tasty food? Probably something like Jazz at the Depot. The Lake Superior Railroad Museum hosted a quartet of jazz musicians to perform a number of pieces while the audience sat back and enjoyed both the music and atmosphere. The musicians originally played at Duluth’s Club…

Hunt for History, Win Some Prizes with Duluth Public Library’s Scavenger Hunts

The first of the so-called "GooseChases" began Friday and is themed around the history of Duluth.

DULUTH, Minn.- Starting this weekend, the Duluth Public Library is offering themed scavenger hunts for people all around the city to take part in. The first of the so-called “GooseChases” began Friday and is themed around the history of Duluth. To participate, download the GooseChase app and choose from any of the missions listed for the active hunt. Missions range…

First DFL Candidate Announces Run for Minnesota 8th District

The primary election is scheduled for this August.  

UPDATE: A statement from the Minnesota GOP is included at the end of this article. DULUTH, Minn.- Theresa Lastovich, the first to announce a bid for Minnesota’s 8th U.S. Congressional seat in the upcoming election, launched her campaign at Wildstate Cider Friday.  Lastovich is a native of Chisholm and says she’s the daughter of an iron ore miner with five generations of miners in…

Minnesota Virus Positivity Rate Reaches 15.6% In New Record

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota’s COVID-19 positivity rate over the past seven days reached 15.6% on Friday, emphasizing the rapid spread of the omicron variant across the state. State health officials have said they expect a new surge of case growth for at least the next month. The Star Tribune reported that Minnesota’s previous positivity rate record came early in the…

Glensheen to Offer Free Self-Guided Classic Tours Sunday

DULUTH, Minn. – As a way to say ‘thank you’ to the community, Glensheen is offering free self-guided Classic Tours to all visitors this Sunday for Community Day. In partnership with the City of Duluth, Community Days are a way for many attractions around the city that receive tourism tax funding to offer special discounts to community members throughout the…

Duluth City Councilors Have Tense First Debate About New Mask Mandate

DULUTH, Minn. – The mask mandate debate is firing back up in Duluth and being fueled by Councilor Terese Tomanek.  But the push for a mandate was not received well Thursday evening at the agenda session by the majority of the council after some felt surprised by the topic, which wasn’t on the list of items to discuss ahead of…

How A Grant From DSACF Is Helping Young Moms Who Have Nothing

TWIN PORTS–  The Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation plans to give another $1 million out to nonprofits in the Northland this year. One nonprofit is the Duluth YWCA’s Young Moms program, which is getting $20,000 from the foundation. Young Moms provides daycare while mothers, ages 16 to 21 who may be experiencing homelessness or are at-risk of it, go to…

Grand Marais Sven and Ole’s Building For Sale

  GRAND MARAIS, Minn. – The popular downtown Grand Marais pizzeria Sven & Ole’s Pizza is undergoing some changes. In a Wednesday Facebook post, owner and co-founder Sid “Sven” Backlund announced they are selling the building located on Wisconsin Street in downtown Grand Marais, but not the business. “We won’t be going anywhere until the building is sold,” Backlund said….

New Minnesota COVID-19 Testing Sites Start Opening Friday

ANOKA, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota’s newest COVID-19 community testing site will open at the National Guard Armory in Anoka on Friday, Gov. Tim Walz announced Thursday, while the Guard will help raise the capacity of a similar site in downtown St. Paul by 50%. The moves to boost the state’s testing capacity amid the spike in omicron variant cases are…

Minnesota AG Ellison Quarantining Outside US With COVID-19

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison says he’s quarantining outside the country after testing positive for COVID-19. In a statement Wednesday night, Ellison said he was experiencing only mild symptoms thanks to having been vaccinated and boosted. He said he was isolating himself in place and will travel home when it is safe while conducting business…

Hoops Brewing Closed Today Due to Pipe Burst

DULUTH, Minn. – Hoops Brewing will be closed for the day Thursday after a water pipe burst in the condo above the brewery due to the cold weather, flooding the beer hall. Hoops said in an Instagram post that the Duluth Fire Department was on scene quickly to help shut off the water. The brewery says professionals are on-site to…

Mask Mandates Return To Twin Cities; No Plans In Motion For Twin Ports

Duluth and Superior mayors told FOX 21 Wednesday there are no immediate plans to bring back a mask mandate for their cities after Minneapolis and St. Paul both announced indoor mask mandates returning at 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 6. Duluth Mayor Emily Larson’s office released the following statement: “The City is tracking the infection and spread of COVID-19 in Duluth,…

Sen. Tina Smith Applauds Bi-Partisan Passage Of ‘No Surprises Act’ Involving Emergency Medical Bills

Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith is applauding lawmakers on both sides of the isle in D.C. for a new law now in effect to stop surprise medical bills for most emergency care. The “No Surprises Act” went into effect Jan. 1. Smith said Americans have faced unexpected medical bills for years after seeking emergency care ranging from hundreds to tens of…

DTA Talks About Further Impact From Route Temporarily Shutting Down

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Transit Authority is updating the public on the further impact from shutting down one route temporarily. The DTA is experiencing staffing shortages, and some employees are calling out sick with COVID and seasonal illnesses. For now, the trips on Route 5 are on pause. It’s a direct connection between West Duluth and the Miller Hill…

UMD’s ‘Preschool at the Park’ Reopening On-Campus Nature-Based Program

The Preschool at the Park is set to open on January 10th after being closed since the beginning of the pandemic in March of 2020.

DULUTH, Minn.- After almost two years UMD will be welcoming back some much younger students to their campus little preschoolers. The Preschool at the Park is set to open on January 10th after being closed since the beginning of the pandemic in March of 2020. Located in the Chester Park Building, the program is nature-based enhancing the 3 to 5-year-old’s…

Duluth Warming Centers at Capacity as New, Larger Facility’s Opening Delayed

The new warming center in Lincoln Park was supposed to open in December, but COVID supply chain issues pushed that to February.

DULUTH, Minn- Duluth’s homeless population is truly feeling the pain from these types of cold nights. And that’s fueling a desperate call for more attention and investment in affordable housing — as a new and bigger warmer center has been delayed for months. A new warming center in the lower level of the Lincoln Park Center is in its final…

Cousins Returns From COVID-19 Absence to Vikings for Finale

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Kirk Cousins has returned to the Minnesota Vikings from COVID-19 reserve. He missed the previous game while experiencing mild symptoms. That loss at Green Bay eliminated the Vikings from contention for the playoffs. They play Chicago on Sunday in a meaningless finale game. Vikings coach Mike Zimmer plans to play Cousins and all of the other regulars…

Minneapolis, St. Paul Reinstate Indoor Mask Mandates

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Minneapolis and St. Paul reinstated indoor mask mandates Wednesday as the state grapples with a surge in COVID-19 cases due to the omicron variant. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey signed an emergency regulation reinstating the city-wide mask policy, which requires patrons, employees, and visitors to wear a mask in businesses and places of public accommodation. St. Paul…

Spirit Mountain Skating Rink to Open Friday

(courtesy: Spirit Mountain) DULUTH, Minn. – Spirit Mountain’s new Grand Avenue skating rink is set to open this Friday at the Grand Avenue Chalet. A grand opening event will be held on Friday starting at 5:30 p.m. and will include a bonfire and hot cocoa with marshmallows. The skating rink, located at 8551 Grand Avenue in West Duluth, is free…