Minnesota

Duluth Police, Fire Call 2021 Grandma’s Marathon a Breeze

Due in large part to 2021 changes to Grandma's Marathon, Duluth Police and firefighters say that this year's race was one of the safest in years.

DULUTH, Minn.- Due in large part to 2021 changes to Grandma’s Marathon, Duluth Police and firefighters say that this year’s race was one of the safest in years. Officers tell us there was little to no crime or civil disorder as the smaller crowds of people spread out in Canal and Bayfront were well behaved and excited to get back…

Some Marathon Pandemic Changes Well-Received, May Continue

DECC officials say 6,000 to 8,000 people came through Bayfront Park over the course of the day Saturday for the music and entertainment

DULUTH, Minn.- The start and finish locations, entertainment and more were all modified for this year’s marathon for the pandemic. But now race officials say Grandma’s will be evolving in the years to come as some of those changes worked well overall. DECC officials say 6,000 to 8,000 people came through Bayfront Park over the course of the day Saturday…

‘Everything that goes up has to come down:’ Grandma’s Marathon Cleanup Begins

For some locals who volunteer, cleaning the 7 tons of trash that's left has become a big part of their lives.

DULUTH, Minn.- For runners and spectators, the Grandma’s experience ends after 26 miles at the finish line in Canal Park. But for volunteers, the race is far from over, with cleanup in the days that follow. “We often compare it to; think about when you throw a party at your house for 20 or 30 people. We just throw a…

1 Injured In Downtown Duluth Shooting

The condition of the victim was not immediately known.

Duluth police on scene of the shooting Sunday night. DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth police are investigating a shooting that injured one person in downtown Duluth Sunday night. The report of the shooting came in around 9:15 p.m. on the 100 block of East 3rd Street. One male was shot and taken to a local hospital with unknown injuries. At last…

Family Of Victim Shocked And Dismayed After Dismembered Man Found In Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – 24 hours after dismembered body parts were identified by authorities, family members are reeling after learning 36-year-old Adam Johnson was murdered. Behind the gruesome and shocking headlines is a man that JoJo, who requested to be identified as such to protect her privacy and safety, says was a valuable part of her family. “He would always – no…

Police: 5 People Shot, Wounded Near University of Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Police say five people were shot late Friday in the Dinkytown neighborhood near the University of Minnesota. Just before midnight Friday, police responded to a call of shots fired. Officers found three men and two women had suffered noncritical gunshot wounds. Police spokesman John Elder says the five victims were taken by ambulance to local hospitals. Elder…

Grandma’s Marathon Sideline Traditions Continue

Grandma's Marathon allows traditions to begin, and with its return to the North Shore this year, those traditions are able to continue.

DULUTH, Minn.– Today was the day everyone was anticipating for over a year, and it wasn’t only the athletes who had to prepare, but a few local members too who have been doing this for years. Hundreds of fans and volunteers lined London Road to cheer on runners. Lindsay Ekstrom, a Duluth native, has been attending these races since she…

Juneteenth Celebrated in Duluth for First Time as Federal Holiday

Organizers say it's important the day and the struggles of slavery and racism people of color went through are recognized federally.

DULUTH, Minn.- Juneteenth celebrations across the country and in Duluth held a different meaning after President Joe Biden signed a bill making it a federal holiday this week. At One-Roof Community Housing in Duluth today there was free food, games, different black owned businesses and community resources. June 19th 1865 is the day the nation’s last slaves in Galveston, Texas…

Festivities on the Lake Front Help Kick Off Grandma’s Marathon Weekend

DULUTH, Minn.– Earlier today the annual Whipper Snapper children’s race made its return to Grandma’s Weekend, and although it was a little different this year coming out of COVID, it was equally as fun. “It’s always fun to watch the kids just come through, and just be excited and even when they get a little tired, you push them and…

Local Emergency Responders on How to Keep People Safe During Grandma’s Marathon

DULUTH, Minn.- With Grandma’s Marathon approaching, authorities gave us the rundown on their safety protocols. Event coordinators have been planning the race course map since February.  Local police officers are coordinating with them in preparation for the large traffic during the marathon. They are blocking off streets for the race, which may cause a large flow of traffic for visitors….

Golf Courses Experiencing Father’s Day Crowds

DULUTH, Minn.- Father’s Day is around the corner and golf courses are expecting busy fairways. Enger Park Golf Course is seeing business pick up because of the weather and Father’s Day celebrations. Even a few people in town for Grandma’s Marathon came to the course to play a round. “Business is doing very good this year,” said manager Mike Bender….

Trucker Who Drove Into Floyd Protest Could Have Charges Drop

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A truck driver who drove through a large crowd of protesters on a Minneapolis highway last year during demonstrations over George Floyd’s death will have criminal charges dropped if he remains law-abiding for the next year. Hennepin County prosecutors entered into a “continuance without prosecution” agreement with Bogdan Vechirko, of Otsego, on Friday during a virtual court…

St. Louis County Attorney: Use of Deadly Force Justified in Saginaw Officer-Involved Shooting

SAGINAW, Minn. – The St. Louis County Attorney’s Office has ruled that the use of deadly force was justified in a January officer-involved shooting in Saginaw. The ruling is in connection to a January 29, 2021 incident, when Deputy Jason Kuhnly of the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office fired his gun in the direction of 34-year-old Scott Michael Jordan while…

Suspect in Lakeside Stabbing Formally Charged

DULUTH, Minn. – The 28-year-old Duluth man arrested for allegedly stabbing a 78-year-old man at his Lakeside home on Wednesday has been formally charged. Authorities say Warren Holt Jr. is charged with first-degree aggravated robbery, and two counts of first-degree burglary. According to the criminal complaint, officers responded to reports of a medical assault just before 2:00 p.m. Wednesday on…

Duluth School Board Approves Moving Forward With New Location for ALC, Academic Excellence Online Programs

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth School District administration can now move forward with lease negotiations for the Radio Central building. On Thursday, the Duluth School Board approved a resolution to allow the administration to carry out a lease agreement with Advance Acquisitions for the space located on Central Entrance. The plan is for the building to be utilized by the Area…

Duluth Police K9 Hondo Retires After 6 Years on the Job

(courtesy: Northland K9 Foundation/Facebook) DULUTH, Minn. – The Northland K9 Foundation announced in a Friday Facebook post that Duluth Police K9 Hondo is retiring after six years on the job. K9 Hondo finished his last patrol shift Friday with his partner Officer Hurst who he has been working alongside since 2015. With a specialty in explosive detection, K9 Hondo and…

Protests Continue at Minnesota Line 3 Oil Pipeline Project

(Evan Frost/Minnesota Public Radio via AP) PARK RAPIDS, Minn. (AP) — Opponents of the Enbridge Energy Line 3 oil pipeline project in northwestern Minnesota continued their protests this week by disrupting traffic in front of an Enbridge equipment site, leading to 31 arrests. Hubbard County Sheriff Cory Aukes said the incident began about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday when a van pulled in front…

Suspect Arrested for Assaulting, Stabbing 78-Year-Old Man in Lakeside

DULUTH, Minn. – Authorities say a 28-year-old Duluth man has been arrested after allegedly stabbing a 78-year-old man at his home in Lakeside and then stealing his truck. Warren Holt Jr. is currently being lodged at the St. Louis County Jail on pending charges of first-degree aggravated robbery, first and second-degree assault, and motor vehicle theft. According to the Duluth…

New Wellness Spa Opens in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn.- A new wellness spa is opening up in Duluth, specializing in services that aren’t common in this area. Heaven on Earth Wellness Spa off of East Central Entrance held its grand opening today. They offer cryotherapy, colon hydrotherapy, floatation therapy, an oxygen bar, and a lot more. “Most of our services boost immune systems and strengthen the body–the…

Juneteenth is Now a Federal Holiday

DULUTH, Minn.- President Joe Biden signed a bill this afternoon to make Juneteenth a federal holiday after it was passed by Congress. Juneteenth celebrates the end of the Civil War and slavery. The celebration is connected with the freed slaves of Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865. As they got the news the war was over and they were free…

Gov. Walz Appoints Bhupesh Pattni to Fill Sixth Judicial District Vacancy

DULUTH, Minn. – Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced on Thursday the appointment of Bhupesh Pattni as District Court Judge in the Sixth Judicial District. Minnesota’s Sixth Judicial District encompasses Carlton, Cook, Lake, and St. Louis counties. “I am honored to appoint Bhupesh Pattni to the Sixth Judicial District,” said Governor Walz. “Mr. Pattni has a wealth of experience,…

Businesses Preparing Days in Advance for Grandma’s Marathon

TWO HARBORS, Minn.– Preparations have begun for this weekend’s Grandma’s Marathon and there is a lot more work to be done behind the scenes. It looks empty now, but by Saturday morning, thousands of fans and racers will be out here to get ready, set, and go for the 45th annual Grandma’s Marathon. This the largest event to return to…

Essentia Health Fitness Expo Kicks Off Thursday

There will be close to 75 vendors displaying the latest and greatest in runner gear and fitness items.

DULUTH, Minn. — The official kick off of events for Grandma’s Marathon begins on Thursday with the Essentia Health Fitness Expo at the DECC. There will be close to 75 vendors displaying the latest and greatest in runner gear and fitness items. Although the Expo will look a bit different with Covid-19 protocols still in place, organizers still wanted to…

Portion of Superior Street Reopens

Superior Street between First and Third Avenue West reopened Wednesday night after being closed since late April.

DULUTH, Minn. — A section of Superior Street reopened to traffic on Wednesday. Superior Street from First through Third Avenue West reopened Wednesday night after being closed since late April. Just in time for the start of the busy tourism season, businesses like the Lyric Kitchen which officially reopened on Monday, are excited about seeing more traffic in the area….

DULUTH PLAYHOUSE KICKS OFF SUMMER CAMP SERIES

DULUTH, Minn.- Time to put on your dancing shoes; The Duluth Playhouse kicked off their summer theatre camp series at the NorShor Theatre this week. The playhouse offers acting and musical theatre camps for different age groups. This week they have groups doing productions of Shrek and Bring It On. All groups will showcase their work in a performance Friday….

Minnesota Reaches Vaccination Mark of 3 Million Residents

(David Joles/Star Tribune via AP,File) ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota has reached 3 million residents who’ve had at least one COVID-19 shot, health officials said Wednesday. The Minnesota Department of Health said 3,005,706 Minnesotans had received at least their first dose as of Monday, while 2,774,889 had completed the series. The department logged 5,979 new vaccinations Monday. The 3…

Man Who Drove at Minneapolis Protesters Charged With Murder

(Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office via AP) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A St. Paul man has been charged with intentional second-degree murder for allegedly driving into a group of protesters in Minneapolis. Prosecutors say 35-year-old Nicholas Kraus was drunk Sunday night when he tried to “jump” a car that was being used as a barricade by protesters in the city’s Uptown neighborhood….

Minnesota Slip Bridge to Have Special Hours of Operation Saturday

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth announced Wednesday that the Minnesota Slip Bridge will have special hours of operation on Saturday, June 19. The special hours of operation will be from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. due to many Grandma’s Marathon events taking place at Bayfront Park and an expected increase in pedestrian traffic crossing the bridge. The bridge…

Duluth City Hall Closes Due to Power Outage

The public will be notified once power has been restored.

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth City Hall will be closed to the public until power can be restored. A power outage occurred early Wednesday morning which is impacting City Hall. The public will be notified once power has been restored. Minnesota power crews are also working to restore power to in several Duluth neighborhoods. Over 4,000 customers are currently without power…

Strapped for Staff: Northland Restaurants Balance Business, Employee Burnout through Labor Shortage

For some restaurants, it means cutting back on hours of operation while trying to balance the quality of life for the workers they do have.

DULUTH/CLOQUET, Minn.- From Duluth to smaller cities like Cloquet, restaurants big and small are experiencing the effects of being short on labor. For some, it means cutting back on hours of operation while trying to balance the quality of life for the workers they do have. Just last week, Family Tradition Restaurant in Cloquet has had to close their restaurant…

Cloquet’s Senior Day Expo Aims to Bring Older Adults Back Out of Isolation

The event aimed to recognize Senior Day and World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

CLOQUET, Minn.- Older adults in Cloquet got a day to themselves to party and enjoy the outdoors, as a Senior Day Expo returned for the first time since the pandemic. The event in Veterans Park aimed to recognize Senior Day and World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Arrowhead Transit gave free rides to the event which featured live music, food, and…

101st Annual Day of Remembrance at Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial

DULUTH, Minn.- Tuesday marked the 101st annual day of remembrance of three black men, Elias Clayton, Elmer Jackson, and Isaac McGhie, who were lynched in 1920 for a crime they did not commit in Downtown Duluth. Every year board members from the memorial organization invites the public in acknowledging the three men who were wrongfully accused of raping a woman….

The Zeitgeist Healthy Hillside Steering Team Holds Wellness Festival

DULUTH, Minn.- The Zeitgeist Healthy Hillside Steering Team partnered with local organizations to host an inaugural Wellness Festival in Duluth, offering services to adults and kids. The event was held at the Damiano Center and promoted resources connected to financial assistance, mental health, physical hygiene and wellbeing, and more. The event featured COVID-19 vaccines, portable showers, haircut stations, children’s dental…

Tents and Tables Were Set Up in Canal Park for Grandma’s Marathon

DULUTH, Minn.- Preparations are underway for this weekend’s 45th annual Grandma’s Marathon. Today, near the finish line in Canal Park crews with London Road Party Express Event Services were setting up big tents, tables, and chairs for all the vendors to use on race day. “Being back, getting ready for Grandmas even though COVID–is hopefully over, everyone can do good…

NRRI Looks to Public to Measure Stream Height

DULUTH, Minn.– Since 2017, the Natural Resources Research Institute has placed measurement gauges in streams throughout Duluth and neighboring areas, and now they continue to need your help in tracking this important data. Those participating can text in the height of the water to a national database that uses the recording to study stream behavior and environmental impacts. Organizers says…

The Hills Youth and Family Services is Closing After 112 Years

DULUTH, Minn.– A local Duluth youth treatment center that has helped children and families for 112 years must close its doors. The Hills Center has served as a juvenile residential treatment facility for over 100 years, but in less than a month, they must shut down their operations permanently July 2nd. After the group opened a mental health facility in…

Boomtown Holds Soft Opening

Boomtown restaurant on Martin Road in Duluth, held a soft opening on Monday with plans of fully opening in early July.

DULUTH, Minn.-A popular restaurant on the Iron Range has made its way down to Duluth and is getting ready to open fully. Boomtown Restaurant on Martin Road in Duluth, held a soft opening last week with plans of fully opening in early July. “Locations typically don’t fail. Once you find a good location you go for it,” Boomtown Owner, Erik…

Biden Reveals 9 Ambassador Nominations, Including Duluth Native Thomas Nides

(courtesy: United States Department of State) DULUTH, Minn. (Fox) – President Biden unveiled a slate of nominations for nine ambassadorial positions on Tuesday, including a Duluth native to serve as U.S. ambassador to Israel. Thomas Nides, a Morgan Stanley executive and former senior State Department official, has been tapped to hold the key diplomatic post. On Tuesday afternoon, U.S. Senator…

Man Jailed in Fatal Crash at Minneapolis Rally Has Past DWIs

(Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office via AP) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minneapolis police say a 35-year-old St. Paul man with multiple convictions for driving while impaired is the driver who plowed into a crowd of demonstrators, killing one and injuring three others. Police say Nicholas Kraus was booked into the Hennepin County jail on suspicion of criminal vehicular homicide. Online jail records…