Minnesota

Burns Restricted in Superior National Forest

Due to dry conditions, fire activity, and limited resources, the Superior National Forest has prohibited campfires on Superior National Forest. 

DULUTH, Minn.- Due to dry conditions, fire activity, and limited resources, the Superior National Forest has prohibited campfires on Superior National Forest. Effective Friday, igniting, building, maintaining or using a campfire, including charcoal grills and barbecues, coal, and wood-burning stoves are prohibited, according to the order. Campfires are allowed in approved fire structures that have been installed a maintained by…

Duluth Police Arrest Suspect in Superior Drive-By Shooting

The arrest happened in Duluth during traffic stop at 2 p.m. Superior Police say that same car fled a traffic stop with their officers and detectives earlier in the afternoon.

DULUTH, Minn.- A suspect in a June drive-by shooting incident in Superior was arrested by Duluth Police Officers Friday. The arrest happened in Duluth during traffic stop at 2 p.m. Superior Police say that same car fled a traffic stop with their officers and detectives earlier in the afternoon. Officers stopped the car to serve a search warrant related to…

Local Union Volunteers Help Restore Wellstone Memorial

EVELETH, Minn. — Almost 20 years after the plane crash that killed Paul and Sheila Wellstone, their son David, and local volunteers came out to restore portions of the memorial and paid their respects. On October 25th, 2002, the plane that Paul, Sheila, their daughter, and three staff members were on crashed just before reaching the Eveleth airport. The memorial…

Destructive Fire in Downtown Virginia

VIRGINIA, Minn.– Fire crews in Virginia spent several hours battling a structure fire earlier today, which burned near several downtown businesses. The fire started around 10:30 this morning on the 300 block of Chestnut street in Virginia above the “Rocks the Jewelers” store building. The jewelry store owners heard a pop from the back of the building in one of…

Raminator Monster Truck Comes to Two Harbors

TWO HARBORS, Minn.- Heritage Days Festival is back and so is a monster of an event happening in Two Harbors this weekend. Ram Truck’s Raminator monster truck is making an appearance at Sonju, celebrating the return of heritage days at their dealership. The Raminator broke the Guinness World Record of being the fastest monster truck, going more than 99 miles…

Heritage Days Festival is Back

TWO HARBORS, Minn.- Like many other events, the Heritage Days Festival in Two Harbors was cancelled last year, but it’s back this year with more local vendors. The four-day event is filled with booths offering art, clothes, and food. Two harbors business birch and body is new to heritage days, bringing unique soaps and lotion made from birch bark. “We’ve…

DECC Hosts First Ever Paraunity Convention

Organizers are expecting a big weekend at the convention with people coming to see the over 50 vendors along with some celebrities and the top names in the paranormal field.

DULUTH, Minn. — The first ever paraunity convention began at the DECC Friday morning. Fans of the paranormal can expect presentations on UFOS, demonology and anything supernatural. Organizers are expecting a big weekend at the convention with people coming to see the over 50 vendors along with some celebrities and the top names in the paranormal field. “Their going to…

Fire Crews Battle Blaze in Downtown Virginia

VIRGINIA, Minn. – Fire crews are battling a large fire that broke out in downtown Virginia Friday morning. According to a Fox 21 reporter on the scene, the fire is believed to have started around 11:00 a.m. on the 300 block of Chestnut Street. Fire officials say one cat died in the fire, however, no other fatalities were reported. There…

Report: Great Lakes Region Needs About $2B for Flood Repairs

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) – Cities and towns along Great Lakes shorelines will pay a heavy price for recent flooding. That’s according to an organization representing the region’s local governments. It says a survey of cities, villages, and other jurisdictions found that fixing infrastructure damaged by high water and erosion will cost nearly $2 billion over the next five years….

St. Louis, Carlton County 911 Lines Down Due to Power Outage

St. Louis County 911 can be reached at 218-625-3581, and Carlton County at 218-451-6843.

UPDATE: The 911 system for St Louis County is now operational and functioning properly. Most phones lines in Carlton County are now working. The cities of Kettle river and Wright are working on a limited capacity and will still need to use an alternate number of 218-384-4185 or 218-451-6843 if they can not get through to 911 with cell or…

Marshall School Board Names New Head of School

DULUTH, Minn.- Marshall School Board of Trustees has voted unanimously naming a new head of school. Midwesterner Jamie Steckart has more than 26 years of experience in education while also designing schools. He says he’s happy to be here in the Northland to help local students. “I’m a huge fan small learning communities,” said Steckart. “I think schools of less…

City Urges Public to be Aware of Swim Condition Warnings

DULUTH, Minn.– Last year there were 25 water emergencies through the city of Duluth, and this year there are already 20. But with two of the most recent happening last week, the Duluth Fire Department and Park Point lifeguards who are urging swimmers to be aware of quickly changing conditions. In one of the most common areas for rip currents…

Food Vendors are Back at Local Events

DULUTH, Minn.- With more festivals now happening including the Duluth Sidewalk Days. Business is picking up for them. Finn and Lok’s Funnel Cake stand is now at Sidewalk Days Festival serving their foot long sausages, funnel cakes, and more. The owners say they couldn’t be happier. “We are really thrilled to be back,” said co-owner Michelle Olson. “So fun seeing…

Kevin Costner to Appear at Minnesota State Fair

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Actor Kevin Costner will appear at the Minnesota State Fair in September. The St. Paul Pioneer Press reported Wednesday that Costner’s country-rock band, Modern West, will perform at the fair’s grandstand on Sept. 3. A live question-and-answer session with Costner will follow. The evening will conclude with a screening of Costner’s film “Field of Dreams.” Tickets…

Hibbing Man Arrested, Charged for Physically Assaulting 1 Month Old Baby

HIBBING, Minn. – Hibbing Police say they have arrested and formally charged a 21-year-old Hibbing man for physically assaulting his 1-month-old baby. According to police, officers responded to the 2600 block of 3rd Avenue East in Hibbing on reports of an assault around 4:40 p.m. Monday. When officers arrived at the scene they spoke with a 20-year-old female who told…

Minnesota AG: GAS Utilities Overbilled Customers by $380M

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota utilities mismanaged their natural gas purchases after a historic winter storm in the South, which led them to overbill customers by $380 million, the state attorney general’s office said Wednesday. The office of Attorney General Keith Ellison recommended that the state Public Utilities Commission allow utilities to recover only 53% of the $800 million in costs…

DECC Needs New Energy, New Use Of Spaces Inside — And Outside, Says New Exec. Dir.

Exec. Dir. Dan Hartman has his eyes on Harbor Drive behind the DECC for live entertainment, food trucks and special events, among other ideas.

DULUTH, Minn. – Excitement is building at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center as its new executive director of just a few weeks is already brainstorming ways to bring new energy to spaces within the DECC – and especially outside. Hartman, who most recently had a successful eight-year run rethinking the experience at Glensheen Mansion, says the level of opportunities at…

Hi-Hat Legend Gordy Dies at 93

CLOQUET, Minn.– For over 60 years, Gordy’s Hi-Hat restaurant has been home to good food and great family, but yesterday, they had to say goodbye to the man who started it all, and he leaves behind a legacy that touched the lives of so many people. Since the Wednesday morning announcement of his passing, people from all over the country…

Plans are in Motion for Twin Ports Interchange and Garfield Avenue Construction

DULUTH, Minn.- Congressman Stauber along with other community leaders went over the importance of the Twin Ports Interchange improvements on the I-535/Garfield ramp construction and Highway 53 bridge project. The interchange built in the 1960s is undergoing a four step plan of improvements designed to improve safety of drivers and accommodate oversized vehicles. “The positive affect this investment will bring…

Minnesota Senate Goes Home Without Votes on Commissioners

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Republican-controlled Minnesota Senate adjourned its special session Wednesday without taking a planned vote on confirming two of Gov. Tim Walz’s commissioners after Democrats objected to how GOP lawmakers essentially forced out another cabinet member a day earlier. Republican Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, of East Gull Lake, said GOP senators were ready to approve…

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Alder to Leave Twin Ports After 17 Years

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Alder will leave Duluth for Baltimore Wednesday for a year-long "mid-life maintenance". 

DULUTH, Minn.- A ship tasked with breaking up Lake Superior’s winter ice for more than a decade is leaving the twin ports for the first time. The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Alder will leave Duluth for Baltimore Wednesday for a year-long “mid-life maintenance”.  Since it first entered the water in 2004, the Alder cut ice on the lake in the…

Community Crisis Intervention, City Hall Ventilation Among Proposed COVID Relief Spending Discussed by Duluth Council

More than a dozen citizens spoke out in support of what they call a community crisis response team independent of law enforcement.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth City Council discussed accepting almost $60 million of federal funding for recovery from the pandemic and Mayor Emily Larson’s recommendations for how to spend that money. Council unanimously tabled the resolution, to further discuss the Mayor’s following suggestions to allocate the money: Affordable Housing: $20,678,130 Job Training and Workforce Services: $550,000 Utility Infrastructure and Broadband: $13,850,000…

Wilderness Experience Teaching Kids About Pioneers Through Camp

DULUTH, Minn.– Wilderness Experience in Duluth is a locally focused outdoor ministry, offering summer camp programs that teach kids about nature, the woods, and faith. Pioneers Camp for kids in kindergarten to 2nd grade helps youngsters learn how to explore and work in the woods like the pioneers did. The lessons include working with farm animals and preparing garden beds…

Lake Superior Art Glass and Love Creamery Offering Special Glass Blowing Sessions

DULUTH, Minn.– Lake Superior Art Glass and Love Creamery have partnered up for a special designer class this month. People of all ages are able to come to the glass blowing studio in Canal Park to design an ice cream dish with a professional, and receive a free pint of ice cream from Love Creamery as well. With a variety…

Bent Paddle Flips City Street Into Year-Round Green Space

DULUTH, Minn.– The dreary weather on Tuesday was actually perfect for Bent Paddle Brewing Company’s new green space in development on what used to be a city street. It’s located on 19th Avenue West between the brewery and Bent Paddle’s production warehouse in Duluth’s Lincoln Park Craft District, which was approved by the city. The goal is to not only…

Summer School Update

PROCTOR, Minn.- Summer school programs are in full swing across the Northland. Currently, Proctor Public School’s leadership says their summer school attendance is high. After finishing up their June session they will also have a session in August. This year Proctor is offering more interactive classes to keep students engaged before the school year begins. “In the fall–in August when…

Business is Picking Up for Bus Stations

DULUTH, Minn.- As summertime travel begins to pick up, bus stations are seeing more people come in for their transportation needs. Jefferson Lines bus station in Downtown Duluth is now open at full capacity and they are finally adding more travel times to their schedule since COVID restrictions have loosened up. “Summer always brings out kind of a more wide…

Ticks Can Pose a Threat to You and Your Pets

DULUTH, Minn.- A common misconception about ticks is that they only appear in the spring and summer. In Minnesota there are 13 species of ticks with different life cycles but Wood, Deer, and Lone Star ticks pose the biggest threat of spreading sickness to people and pets. “Ticks are actually present year round and we advise tick protection for their…

Minnesota Pollution Regulator Resigns Before Senate Vote

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has resigned after it became apparent that the Republican-controlled state Senate was prepared to oust her. Democratic Gov. Tim Walz says Laura Bishop resigned Tuesday “in order to ensure a smooth and orderly transition” at the agency she had led since 2019. The governor accused Senate Republicans of using…

One Injured in Hermantown Motorcycle vs. Vehicle Crash

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – A 56-year-old Solon Springs man was injured Friday afternoon when the motorcycle he was driving crashed into a vehicle in Hermantown. According to the Hermantown Police Department, the crash happened around 1:30 p.m. at the intersection of Lavaque Road and Arrowhead Road. A preliminary investigation into the crash found that a 2000 Harley Davidson being driven by…

Cass County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Homicide

CASS COUNTY, Minn. – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says it is investigating a fatal shooting incident that left a 34-year-old Cass County man dead. According to the sheriff’s office, deputies responded to a report of a drive-by shooting around 2:45 a.m. Monday. When authorities arrived at the scene they found a 34-year-old male had been struck by gunfire while…

Essentia Health Returning to Pre-Pandemic Patient Visitation

DULUTH, Minn. – Essentia Health announced Tuesday morning that it will be returning to pre-pandemic patient visitation in its hospitals and clinics effective immediately due to declining COVID-19 cases in the area. In 2020 Essentia limited visitors in its facilities and has adjusted its patient visitation restrictions as needed throughout the pandemic. In May Essentia began relaxing its restrictions in…

Red Flag Warning Issued for Park Point Beaches

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Fire Department has issued a warning for dangerous swimming conditions at Park Point beaches effective immediately until 10:00 a.m. tomorrow. The warning means that wind and wave conditions can support rip currents, which are life-threatening to anyone entering the water. Red flags are flying along the beach to indicate dangerous swimming conditions. You are advised…