Minnesota

Diversity and Inclusion Workshop for Local Business Leaders

DULUTH, Minn.- Diversity and inclusion are important topics for workplaces. That’s why the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce, Lake Superior College, and Visit Duluth teamed up for a diversity and inclusion workshop for local businesses. “Practical ways that we can combat racism in our workplaces, to make those places more welcoming to not just employees but to customers, consumers, patients,…

Planter’s Mr. Peanut Visits Northland

DULUTH, Minn.- A Planter’s Nut Mobile made a stop in Duluth today. Mr. Peanut came to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum to take photos with fans. Families also accompanied Mr. Peanut for a train ride along the North Shore Scenic Railroad. “It’s so incredible to travel with Mr. Peanut in the nut mobile because it is such a historic brand,”…

Gardening Season Is Surviving the Drought

DULUTH, Minn.- Although the Northland is in a drought, local gardens and garden suppliers are doing well this growing season. Business is picking up for Marshall Hardware in the garden supply department. The current dry conditions are bringing crowds of people in for sprinkler systems and water tanks. “A lot of people out and about doing outdoor projects right now,”…

Duluth Airport Authority Receives $750,000 Grant for Direct Air Service to Denver

DULUTH, Minn. – Congressman Pete Stauber announced today that the Duluth Airport Authority received a $750,000 grant from the Department of Transportation to help fund direct flights from Duluth to Denver. Congressman Stauber stated, “As Minnesotans become increasingly more excited to travel again, I am proud to announce funds to help establish a direct flight from the Duluth Airport to…

Superior National Forest, BWCA Tightens Fire Restrictions

DULUTH, Minn. – On Thursday, the Superior National Forest announced campfires of any kind will no longer be allowed in the Forest or the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The newly tightened restrictions include a ban on fires even in designated fire rings and go into effect immediately. According to a recent news release, the Forest Supervisor is restricting campfires…

Greater Downtown Council: Downtown Farmers Market Canceled for Remainder of the Season

DULUTH, Minn. – On Thursday, the Greater Downtown Council announced that the Downtown Farmers Market has been canceled for the remainder of the summer season. The Farmers Market was originally scheduled to be held every Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Fountain Plaza. The council says the decision was made to cancel the remaining dates due to…

State Parks Closely Monitoring Dry Conditions

Campers are urged to keep fires small and under watch.

ESKO, Minn. — As campgrounds around the area continue their busy summer, state parks in the area are keeping a close eye on the dry conditions. Park staff are asking people to be careful with their campfires as they don’t have any burning restrictions. Campers are urged to keep fires small and under watch. “There is of course the fire…

Poor Air Quality Continues to Affect Health

DULUTH, Minn.- The current air quality alert in the Northland is moderate to unhealthy for sensitive groups, while other parts of Northern Minnesota are experiencing very unhealthy conditions. Medical experts advise people stay indoors and limit their physical exercise. “This predominantly affects high risk population. Patients that are under 18 or over 65,” said allergy specialist Dr. Minto Porter. “COPD,…

Duluth Public School Return in the Fall

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth public schools are returning to in-person classes in September. All grades will go back for a full five-day week of learning, but social distancing alternatives are available for high school students through the district’s academic excellence online program. “There’s so much of a human connection that people are really looking forward to,” said superintendent John Magas. “I…

Duluth Public Schools Prep for Return to In-Person Learning This Fall

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Public Schools Superintendent John Magas says schools are prepping to return to five days a week, in-person learning for the upcoming school year. “Our schools will continue to prioritize student learning needs while protecting the health and safety for staff and students and monitor any impact of COVID-19 on school operations,” said Magas. “We’re providing families…

Great Outdoors Explores Gooseberry Falls

TWO HARBORS, Minn.– Drought conditions are common throughout the upper Midwest right now and that’s impacting some of the many tourist destinations up the North Shore, but Gooseberry Falls is still expecting a busy peak visitation stretch, despite the current lower water levels. Gooseberry Falls is described as the gateway to the North Shore. Located just 15 minutes North of…

Saint Luke’s Hosting Hiring Event

DULUTH, Minn.– The healthcare industry is having trouble finding new workers, especially after it was overwhelmed with demand from the pandemic. Saint Luke’s is holding a hiring event Tuesday and Wednesday to encourage a new generation of healthcare workers to sign up. Some areas they are looking to fill are the nursing and hospitality departments. They also need medical assistants…

Wildfires Near Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST-  The Delta Lake fire is active now in the boundary waters. It covers 62 acres and currently at 35 percent containment. Multiple entry points to the Superior National Forest are also closed, in addition to fire bans remaining in place throughout Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. “It’s a very dynamic situation that we’re in right now because…

Duluth Police Investigating “Deceased Individual” Found Near the Rose Garden

UPDATE: DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department says officers responded to the Lakewalk in Lief Erickson Park just before 10:00 a.m. Tuesday on reports that a deceased individual was found near the train tracks by a North Shore Scenic Railroad employee. Authorities have identified the individual as a 50-year-old male. The identity of the male will not be released…

Mesabi Metallics Acquires Land in Itasca County

NASHWAUK, Minn. – Mesabi Metallics announced Tuesday it has bought 3,200 acres of land from Butlertac Holdings LLC. According to a company press release, the acquired land interests include both mineral and surface leases as well as a combination of undivided and whole-fee interests, all lying within the Biwabik Iron Formation in the vicinity of the former Butler mine corridor…

Duluth Fire Department Warns of Dangerous Swimming Conditions

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Fire Department has issued a warning for dangerous swimming conditions due to a high risk of rip currents today. The warning is effective immediately and is in place until 10:00 a.m. tomorrow. This warning means that wind and wave conditions can support strong rip currents. Rip currents develop randomly along the entire Park Point beachfront….

Pilot of Crop-Dusting Helicopter Killed in Minnesota Crash

(courtesy: Fox 9) ELGIN, Minn. – Sheriff’s officials say the pilot of a helicopter has died in a crash in southeastern Minnesota. Authorities say 40-year-old Corey James Adcock from Victoria County, Texas was crop dusting Monday afternoon when the helicopter blades got caught in some power lines near Elgin and the chopper crashed and caught fire. Adcock, the only one…

One Man Drowns in BWCA Water Emergency on Monday

It happened at 11:41 in the morning at Handberg's Marine on Crane Lake in East Loon Bay Lake. 

BWCA, Minn. — On Monday the St. Louis County Rescue Squad, St. Louis County Sheriffs Office and other organizations responded to a water emergency on the BWCA. It happened at 11:41 in the morning at Handberg’s Marine on Crane Lake in East Loon Bay Lake. Dispatch received a call from Canoe Country Outfitters in Ely advising that a canoe had…

Dogs and Drinks Event Hosted by Northern Lakes Rescue

DULUTH, Minn.– Northern Lakes Rescue have been doing pop events where they’re bringing their dogs, like Yetti, out into the community to hopefully find their forever home. Northern Lakes Rescue is a foster home- based rescue for dogs, who are saved from a variety of situations, whether they are in kill shelters, chained and abandoned, or strays on the streets….

Lake Superior College Offering Firefighting Course

DULUTH, Minn.– Lake Superior College is offering a firefighting education course this fall that includes all of the requirements needed to become a full-time firefighter. 22 people are needed to fill the course, so the college is looking for at least 6 more to sign up. The class offers everything needed to pursue a firefighting career, like learning how to…

Construction Employment Opportunities on the Rise

DULUTH, Minn.– Although certain construction projects were put on hold throughout the country, Duluth has continued on, in full-force, and is looking for more employees to help continue growing the city. From Vision Northland to the “can of worms”, there is no shortage of construction projects around town. The Director of Planning and Economic Development with the city, says that…

Federal Infrastructure Potential Impacts on Duluth

DULUTH, Minn.– Leaders representing towns and cities across Minnesota, got together to talk about the federal infrastructure bill in Congress. Mayor Emily Larson spoke at the news conference, outlining the ways Duluth can benefit from the federal funding. She would like to see some of it go to the Duluth Port which brings in close to $1.4 billion dollars in…

North American Railcar Operators Association Comes to Duluth

DULUTH, Minn.- The North American Railcar Operators Association made a short stop in Duluth with their personal railcars today. Members from all over the nation began their railroad journey in Two Harbors and stopped by Lake Superior Railroad Museum in the lightweight vehicles, including one special car called a “Putt-Putt.” It’s called a Putt-Putt because of the unique sound it…

Fires Continue to Pose a Threat in the Northland

DULUTH/SUPERIOR- The combination of dry conditions, high temperatures and wind speeds is putting the Northland at a greater risk of more fires. Canadian wildfires continue to burn, causing smoke to move southeast into the Northland. Campfires and fireworks are not permitted around Northern Minnesota because of the extremely dry conditions. “I think common sense goes a long way and that’s…

Invasive Weed Starry Stonewort Confirmed in Leech Lake

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – An invasive weed that can choke out native plants and fish habitat has been found in one of Minnesota’s largest and most popular walleye lakes. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources on Monday confirmed the discovery of starry stonewort in Leech Lake, located in northwestern Minnesota. The DNR says the bright green microalgae plant has…

Minnesota Court Sends PolyMet Air Permit Case Back to Agency

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The proposed PolyMet copper-nickel mine in northern Minnesota has encountered a setback; the state Court of Appeals has ordered regulators to revisit a critical air emissions permit given to the project. The court ruled Monday that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency hadn’t sufficiently justified granting the permit after opponents raised allegations that PolyMet was planning a much…

St. Paul Man Found Dead of ‘Homicidal Violence’ in Lake Superior

The St. Paul Police Reported Balsimo Missing Last Tuesday

GRAND PORTAGE, Minn. (FOX 9) – A St. Paul, Minnesota man’s dismembered body was found in a tote and a bucket in Lake Superior over the weekend, according to charges filed last week. Dive teams working with investigators located the remains of Richard Balsimo, 34, in the lake off the coast of Grand Portage last Thursday and Friday, the Minnesota…

Duluth Police Searching for Kwik Trip Robbery Suspect

(courtesy: Facebook/Duluth Police Department) DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department is asking for the public’s help identifying a man they say is allegedly involved in a robbery with a weapon at a Kwik Trip store in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. According to a Monday Facebook post on the Duluth Police Department page, the robbery happened on July 14, at…

Essentia Health to Launch Courtesy Shuttle for Patients, Visitors as Phase 2 Construction Begins

DULUTH, Minn. – Essentia Health is launching a courtesy shuttle for patients and visitors as the hospital enters Phase 2 of its Vision Northland project. Phase 2 of Second Street closures is set to begin on July 21 at which time Second Street will reopen from Fourth Avenue East to the Intersection with Fifth Avenue East, which will be closed….

Senate President Pro Tem Says He Has Lou Gehrig’s Disease

(courtesy: Fox 9) ST. PAUL, Minn. – Longtime state Sen. David Tomassoni has informed his constituents that he has Lou Gehring’s disease, also known as ALS. The motor neuron disease is a progressive, degenerative disease that destroys the nerve cells that control voluntary muscle movement. The 68-year-old senator from Chisholm says he was diagnosed a while ago and felt the…

Main Lodge Of Camp Burns Down In Fire

LAKE ESQUAGAMA, Minn. — The main lodge of a camp on Lake Esquagama has been wiped out by a fire. According to the Northland FireWire, the blaze happened on Friday afternoon shortly before 1 p.m. at Camp Sigel, which offers Bible study camps. When firefighters got to the scene, the lodge was already fully engulfed, with the flames spreading to…

HotRods 4 HotWheels Looking to Promote Relationships with Law Enforcement

HERMANTOWN, Minn.– A Duluth man is finding a way to thank police and fire departments after surviving a car accident 9 years ago, and was helped by first responders. HotRods 4 HotWheels makes its debut this year, as a cruise that starts in Hermantown, to raise money for hot wheels to give to local fire and police departments in Carlton…

Biker Crashes on Trail in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn.– The Duluth Fire Department responded to a 54 year-old female that had fallen from her bike, on a steep trail in the 40th Avenue West and Skyline Parkway area. The patient was brought to safety and was conscious upon transportation to a local hospital for examination. Duluth firefighters add to always remain cautious on the trails and to…

Reggae Fest Returns to Bayfront Festival Park

DULUTH, Minn.– Thousands of people came from all over the country today to celebrate the 15th annual Reggae Fest here at Bayfront Festival Park Reggae Fest is a celebration of world music that spreads positive messages and unifies people from all backgrounds. For the performers, being able to join the community again, and share their passion for music and celebration…

UMD Land Lab Offering Summer Day Camps

DULUTH, Minn.– Summer camps are in full swing, and the UMD Land Lab is sponsoring a unique and free summer day camp opportunity for Duluth area high school students. This camp will allow high schoolers a hands on experience with harvesting vegetables, learning sustainable living skills, working with honeybees, and visiting the UMD campus for a sustainability tour. Through the…

Community Olympic Day for Kids

DULUTH, Minn.- It was a day of dodgeball, tug of war, and food eating contests as kids competed in Community Olympic Day here in Duluth. Neighborhood Youth Services, Boys and Girls Club, and Valley Youth Center teamed up to bring kids ages 6 to 18 together to participate in a miniature series of Olympic games at Denfeld High School. “There’s…

Local Group Heroes Helping Heroes Come Together

DULUTH, Minn.- Heroes Helping Heroes is a local group of Minnesota first responders, and they got together for a fishing trip to cope with mental illnesses they may face. Many first responders say they experience a high amount of stress while on the job. Founder Chris Steward is a former police officer who was diagnosed with PTSD. “At the very…