Minnesota

Police ID Killer in FedEx Shooting As 19-Year-Old Man

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Authorities have identified the suspect in a mass shooting at an Indianapolis FedEx facility as 19-year-old Brandon Scott Hole of Indiana. Two law enforcement officials briefed on the matter provided the identity to The Associated Press on Friday. The officials say investigators are searching a home in Indianapolis associated with Hole and have seized evidence, including desktop…

Nearly 1.5 Million Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 in MN

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — State health officials say more than 3.4 million coronavirus vaccine doses have been administered in Minnesota and 1.5 million people have been fully vaccinated. The Department of Health says nearly half the vaccine eligible population, age 16 and older, has gotten at least one dose of vaccine. There were 2,736 new COVID-19 cases reported Thursday,…

Two Harbors Man Sentenced to Six Years Probation in Midway Township Hit-And-Run Crash

DULUTH, Minn. – A Two Harbors man has been sentenced to six year’s probation for causing a hit-and-run crash in Midway Township last June that seriously injured five people. Rodney Drake Scandin Jr., 36, pleaded guilty in November to five felony charges of criminal vehicular operation. According to authorities, on June 27 Scandin rear-ended a Subaru with his Ford F-150…

Hundreds of Vaccinated Minnesotans Still Contract COVID-19

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Health officials say hundreds of Minnesotans fully vaccinated against the coronavirus became infected with COVID-19, dozens needed to be hospitalized and six people died. Data from the state Department of Health shows the vaccines are highly effective in Minnesota, but that it remains unclear how well they protect against the more contagious variants of COVID-19….

Fisherman’s Corner Under New Ownership

PIKE LAKE, Minn. –The owner of a popular bait and hunting shop in Pike Lake is handing the keys over to someone new. Scott VanValkenburg opened Fisherman’s Corner off Highway 53 in 1985, and now he’s ready to retire. The new owner, Matt King, officially bought the store on Thursday morning. King said owning a shop like this has been…

High School League Seeks Relief From Masks In Outdoor Sports

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota State High School League board asked state health officials Thursday to allow spring sports athletes to compete outdoors without wearing masks. The recommendation by the league’s sports medicine advisory committee applies only to actual competition. Athletes would be required to wear masks during breaks such as before and after races and while sitting in the…

Closing Arguments to Begin Monday in Chauvin Trial

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The defense at the murder trial of former Officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd has rested its case without putting Chauvin on the stand, wrapping up after two days of testimony to the prosecution’s two weeks. Chauvin informed the court Thursday that he will not testify, saying he would invoke his Fifth Amendment right…

Ex-Minnesota Cop Faces Hearing In Shooting Of Daunte Wright

BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. (AP) — A former Minnesota police officer faces her first court appearance in the traffic-stop shooting of Black motorist Daunte Wright that has engulfed a small Minneapolis suburb in four straight days of bitter conflict between protesters and police. Kim Potter, who quit her job on the Brooklyn Center force two days after Wright’s death, is expected…

Longtime Duluth City Councilor Zack Filipovich Not Seeking Re-Election

DULUTH, Minn. –  Duluth At-Large City Councilor Zack Filipovich says he is not running for a third term. Filipovich became the youngest councilor ever elected at the age of 23 in 2013. He is currently the Secretary of the Duluth Economic Development Authority Board, board member on the Metropolitan Interstate Council, and the Chair of the Planning and Economic Development…

Minnesota Point Beach Nourishment Project Moves Forward

A Survey of the Project will Begin by Early May With Cleanup Finished by Sept., 2021

DULUTH, Minn.-Earlier today the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency gave an update on this year’s dredging project on Park Point. They talked about the risks involved with placing man made materials on Park Point after metal shards were found along the beach from a previous dredging. The MPCA says it is making sure this…

Restaurant Leaders Optimistic About Summer Season

Eat Downtown Duluth Week will start up on April 19th.

DULUTH, Minn. — Members of the area restaurant community came together Wednesday for a Zoom discussion to talk about the summer season. They also spoke about what things worked for them during the pandemic. Some of the changes each restaurant made, like the addition of curbside pickup, may even continue to stay at certain establishments. The panel members are optimistic…

Duluth East Student Charged In Ammunition Scare

DULUTH, Minn. – The student accused of bringing ammunition to Duluth East High School and forcing a lockdown there is now charged with a felony. The 16-year-old boy, who authorities previously said was 17 in error, was in the Arrowhead Juvenile Center Wednesday charged with “possession of ammunition by a minor,” according to St. Louis County Attorney Mark Rubin. Rubin…

Minnesota Extends COVID-19 State of Emergency for 13th Time

(Scott Takushi/Pioneer Press via AP, Pool) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota officials extended the peacetime emergency for another 30 days on Wednesday in order to boost the state’s response to more infectious variants of the COVID-19 virus, a factor that has led to a recent surge in cases. The five Democratic statewide officials who make up the Minnesota Executive Council voted…

Former Minnesota Cop Charged In Shooting Of Black Motorist

BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. (AP/Fox 9) — A Minnesota prosecutor has charged a white former suburban Minneapolis police officer who fatally shot 20-year-old Black motorist Daunte Wright with second-degree manslaughter. Potter was arrested by agents with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension at 11:30 a.m. CT at BCA headquarters in St. Paul. She will be booked into the Hennepin County Jail in…

Minnesota Cop Will Be Charged In Shooting Of Black Motorist

BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. (AP) – A Minnesota prosecutor says he will charge a white former suburban Minneapolis police officer who fatally shot 20-year-old Black motorist Daunte Wright during a traffic stop. Washington County Attorney Pete Orput said Wednesday that Kim Potter will be charged with second-degree manslaughter. Orput’s announcement comes a day after Potter resigned from the Brooklyn Center Police…

Judge Refuses Request to Acquit Chauvin in Floyd’s Death

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The judge in Derek Chauvin’s murder trial has denied a defense motion to acquit the former police officer in George Floyd’s death. Chauvin attorney Eric Nelson argued Wednesday that prosecutors did not prove that Chauvin’s actions killed Floyd. The request comes a day after a use-of-force expert said Chauvin was justified in pinning Floyd to the ground…

One Dead in Single-Vehicle Crash in Grand Lake Township

GRAND LAKE TOWNSHIP, Minn. – Authorities say a woman died in a single-vehicle crash on Tuesday night near Canosia Road on Highway 53. The crash occurred around 11:39 p.m. when the car the 57-year-old woman was driving continued straight on a curve in the road and landed approximately 175 feet from the corner. Authorities believe speed and alcohol were possible…

Human Rights Commission Speaks Out ‘In Light of Continued Police Violence’ Ahead of Listening Session

That listening session will take place via zoom Wednesday at 6 p.m.

DULUTH, Minn.- The City Of Duluth’s Human Rights Commission hosted press conference Tuesday in light of recent instances of fatal police interactions with people of color. “We are here to say that Daunte Wright didn’t deserve to die,” said Bettina Keppers, Chair of the Commission. The Commission says the intent of the press conference was to acknowledge systemic violence, invite…

Duluth East Student In Custody After Ammunition Found in Locker, 90-Minute Lockdown

Duluth East went into lockdown Tuesday morning after a loaded magazine with 9 mm ammunition was discovered in a student's locker.

DULUTH, Minn.- Authorities said the situation at Duluth East High School is safe and the lockdown has been lifted after ammunition was found Tuesday morning in a student’s locker. “I was scared because most of my friends are in that building right now and I don’t know how they’re doing,” Junior Katie Higgins said. Duluth East went into lockdown Tuesday…

Demolition Continues At Future Site Of ‘Lincoln Park Flats’

DULUTH, Minn. – A block of West Superior Street is missing a longtime building in the Lincoln Park neighborhood as demolition continues for a new housing development there. Excavators continued to clear away what’s left of the former Robert’s Home Furnishings building Tuesday. The now wide open space will be replaced with a new four-story apartment building called the Lincoln…

Duluth’s Sustainability Officer Ready To Tackle City Council’s ‘Climate Emergency’ Declaration

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth’s sustainability officer, Mindy Granley, is applauding the city council’s declaration of a “climate emergency” and says she’s ready to take Duluth to the next level to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the city. Granley says the city will be creating an initial five-year “climate action plan,” which will be presented to the council by the…

UPDATE: Duluth East High School Lockdown Lifted

DULUTH, Minn. – Just before 1:00 p.m. the lockdown at Duluth East High School has been lifted and they are continuing with the school day. DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth East high school went into lockdown Tuesday morning after school staff found ammunition in a student’s locker. According to Duluth Superintendent John Magas, police were contacted around 11:30 a.m. and the…

Minnesota Police Chief, Cop Quit After Black Driver’s Death

BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. (AP) — A white Minnesota police officer who fatally shot a Black man during a traffic stop in a Minneapolis suburb, and the city’s chief of police resigned Tuesday. Officer Kim Potter and Police Chief Tim Gannon both resigned two days after the death of 20-year-old Daunte Wright in Brooklyn Center. Potter was a 26-year veteran. She…

Duluth East in Lockdown After Ammunition Found in Student’s Locker

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth East high school went into lockdown Tuesday morning after school staff found ammunition in a student’s locker. According to Duluth Superintendent John Magas, police were contacted around 11:30 a.m. and the student was taken into custody. The school and students are safe, however, the school is remaining in lockdown to allow for an investigation to be…

Minnesota Asks Providers to Pause Use Of Johnson & Johnson Vaccine, Follow Federal Recommendation

(FOX 9) – Minnesota health officials are advising health care providers to follow the federal recommendation to pause the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine while federal agencies investigate reports of rare but potentially dangerous blood clots. Gov. Tim Walz and Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm have scheduled an 11 a.m. news conference at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, the site of the state’s…

Pressure Builds to Fire Minnesota Officer Who Killed Wright

BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. (AP) — The pressure built Tuesday to fire the suburban Minneapolis police officer who killed a 20-year-old Black man during an altercation after a traffic stop, a shooting authorities said was a tragic mistake but that family members of Daunte Wright and others pointed to as yet the latest example of a broken criminal justice system. Brooklyn…

Defense Begins Case Against Ex-Cop in George Floyd’s Death

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The defense began its case Tuesday at the murder trial of former Officer Derek Chauvin, seizing on a 2019 confrontation between police and George Floyd in which Floyd suffered dangerously high blood pressure and confessed to heavy use of opioid painkillers. Chauvin lawyer Eric Nelson has argued that the now-fired white officer did what he was trained to…

Essentia, St. Lukes, Douglas County Public Health Department Halt the Use of Johnson & Johnson Vaccine

DULUTH, Minn. – Essentia Health, St. Luke’s, as well as the Douglas County Public Health Department have all announced Tuesday they will be halting the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. The organizations made the decision following a recommendation from the CDC and the United States Food and Drug Administration while they review six reported cases of severe…

Duluth Denfeld, East Plan for In-Person Graduation Ceremonies

DULUTH, Minn. – Officials at Denfeld and Duluth East say they are planning in-person graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2021. Both schools are considering multiple options to accommodate for COVID-19 safety concerns. “Our principals and school staff are working hard to ensure graduation ceremonies are safe and meaningful,” said John Magas, ISD 709 Superintendent. “We ask everyone in our…

Unhealthy Eating Behaviors, Eating Disorders in Young People Rise During Pandemic

Experts say a variety of stressors like an increase in depression, fear of weight gain and outside factors like job loss and food insecurity are to blame.

DULUTH, Minn.- Researchers with the University Of Minnesota Medical School says they have discovered a rise in unhealthy eating behaviors and eating disorders among young adults during the pandemic. Up to 53% of young people transitioning out of high school experienced one or more unhealthy eating or weight control behaviors.  These ranged from binge eating or skipping meals to self-induced…

UMD Students Push for Change After Professors Resign Over Sexual Harassment Allegations

Olson and other fellow students decided to start the group: Students for Equity and Accountability in STEM at UMD, or “UMD SEA STEM.”

DULUTH, Minn.- UMD students are speaking out after the second professor in three years resigns from her position claiming she experienced sexual harassment and discrimination in her department. While an investigation was conducted two years ago, students say it was not enough and are demanding the administration take more action. Now Dean Wendy Reed has agreed to meet with the…

Incoming CHUM Executive Director Talks Goals, Priorities Ahead of New Role

John Cole Will Begin His Job at CHUM Effective June 1, 2021

DULUTH, Minn. – John Cole, the incoming executive director of CHUM, is preparing to take the reins on June 1, 2021. Cole currently serves as the interim director at Align in Minneapolis. The organization is similar to CHUM. He looks forward to making the move to Duluth and working with outgoing director Lee Stuart before fully transitioning into the role….

Kim Potter Identified As Officer Who Shot Daunte Wright In Brooklyn Center

BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. (FOX 9) – The police officer who shot and killed 20-year-old Daunte Wright in Brooklyn Center Sunday afternoon was identified as Kim Potter by the Minnesota BCA Monday night. In a release, the BCA said Potter has been with the Brooklyn Center Police Department for 26 years. She has been placed under standard administrative leave. Bodycam footage released Monday showed the moments…

Festival by the Lake Event Seeking Vendors

Organizers say, they will be adjusting to the governors new regulations.

DULUTH, Minn. – One upcoming event in Duluth during the heart of summer is currently looking for vendors. Festival by the Lake – previously called the Taste of Duluth – is currently looking for vendors for their 5th annual event in late July at Bayfront Festival Park. With this new event name, more than just food vendors will be there…

New Local Business Takes Over Flagship Pop-up Shop

The pop-up leases the space to smaller businesses in the area from two to four months.

DULUTH, Min.-A new pop-up shop has opened in the Flagship Apparel store in Canal Park. The new ship known as ‘The Hull’ is a branch off from the surf and coffee shop the ‘Back Alley’ in Lincoln Park. The pop-up leases the space to smaller businesses in the area from two to four months. “We were looking to open that…

Essentia Health Announces Drive-Thru Pharmacy Service at Downtown Duluth Campus

DULUTH, Minn. – Essentia Health announced Monday that the Third Street Pharmacy now offers a drive-thru service. The drive-thru is located inside the Green Parking Ramp at the Duluth Clinic Third Street building and is equipped with signs to direct patients where to go. “Our new drive-thru offers another socially distanced option for prescription dispensing for our patients,” said Amy…

Twins, Wolves, Wild Postpone Games Following Police Shooting

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Wild, and Minnesota Timberwolves postponed games scheduled for Monday because of safety concerns following the fatal police shooting of a Black man and the potential for unrest in the area. Major League Baseball’s Twins and Boston Red Sox were scheduled to begin a four-game series Monday afternoon at Target Field. The Twins said…

Officer Who Shot Daunte Wright Grabbed Gun Instead of Taser, Bodycam Video Released

BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. (FOX 9) – The police officer who fatally shot Daunte Wright, 20, during a traffic stop in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Sunday mistakenly drew her handgun instead of a Taser, according to the police chief. Officials released the body camera video of the incident Monday during a news conference. On body camera video, the officer is heard shouting “taser, taser!” but…

Judge Refuses to Sequester Jury in George Floyd Murder Case

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The judge in the George Floyd murder case has refused a defense request to sequester the jury, the morning after the death of a Black man during a traffic stop triggered unrest in a suburb just outside Minneapolis. The request came from the attorney for former Officer Derek Chauvin. He argued Monday that the jurors could be…

New Book Showcases Best Wildflower Hotspots in Minnesota

"Minnesota's Best Wildflower Hikes," and "Wisconsin's Best Wildflower Hikes" are Available on Amazon

DULUTH, Minn. – A new travel guidebook describes more than 100 day hiking trails to enjoy wildflowers in Minnesota, including those in the Duluth-Superior area. Minnesota’s Best Wildflower Hikes, by hiking guidebook author Rob Bignell, covers trails from the North Shore to the state’s prairies and from the pine-covered Northwoods to the Driftless Area, as well as border counties in…

Prosecution Case Nears End in Ex-Cop’s Trial in Floyd Death

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The trial of a former Minneapolis police officer charged in George Floyd’s death enters its third week Monday. Derek Chauvin is charged with murder and manslaughter in Floyd’s May 25 death. Prosecutors say Chauvin pinned Floyd to the pavement outside a corner market for 9 minutes, 29 seconds. The state is near the end of a case…

Daunte Wright Death in Minnesota Traffic Stop Sparks Unrest

(AP Photo/Christian Monterrosa) BROOKLYN CENTER, Minn. (AP) — A Black man died after being shot by police in a Minneapolis suburb during a traffic stop and crashing his car several blocks away, sparking violent protests as officers in riot gear clashed with demonstrators and the man’s mother called for calm. The death of the man, identified by family as 20-year-old…

Volunteers Pick Up Dog Waste, Remind There’s No ‘Poop Fairy’ on Duluth Trails

City staff along with students from Harbor City International School picked up more than 50 pounds of doggie doo-doo

DULUTH, Minn.- Some Duluthians took advantage of Sunday’s stinky weather to do a crappy job — helping keep Duluth’s trials and waterways free of dog poop. City staff along with students from Harbor City International School picked up more than 50 pounds of doggie doo-doo in the first couple miles of the Hawk Ridge trail. Volunteers say they wanted to…

Residents ‘Get Flushed’ to Raise Money for Proctor High Grad Party

The All Night Grad Party committee restarted their "You've Been Flushed" fundraiser for Proctor students, using decorated toilets. 

PROCTOR, Minn.- The porcelain is taking over Proctor, as Proctor High School’s All Night Grad Party committee restarted their “You’ve Been Flushed” fundraiser for Proctor students, using decorated toilets. “It gets people’s attention, you’ll drive by and you’ll wonder why is there a really colorful toilet in somebody’s yard?” Proctor High Senior Wyatt Okstad knows the answer to that one…

Historic Old Central High School Could Become Mixed-Income Housing Units

Saturday Properties, a development company out of St. Louis Park, emerged as a front runner to purchase the school back in October.

DULUTH, Minn. — The Historic Old Central High School could soon be turned into 121 units of mixed-income housing. Saturday Properties, a development company out of St. Louis Park, emerged as a front runner to purchase the school back in October. The school is currently in danger of losing its historical tax credits, which go towards the rehabilitation of the…

Meals on Wheels Seeking Additional Volunteers

AEOA runs meals on wheels in the Twins Ports area and up on the range.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency is looking for more volunteers to help delivery meals on wheels. The program has been running in Duluth for about thirteen years. AEOA runs meals on wheels in the Twins Ports area and up on the range. Staff are looking for a few extra volunteers during the week which would take a…

Fourth and Final Phase of Superior Street Reconstruction to Begin Monday

Phase 4 of Superior Street Reconstruction will be done in two parts, with Phase 4A ending in June and Phase 4B ending in August.

DULUTH, Minn.- This summer will be the busiest road construction season in Duluth’s history with crews working on 12 miles of roadways; and Superior Street will once again be among those projects for the fourth and final year in a row. “I’m real happy with the way it turned out, so, but I’m also ready to be happy that it’s…

Eat Downtown Week Returns Highlighting 19 Duluth Restaurants

From April 19th to the 30th, 19 participating restaurants will be featuring more flexible menus to include takeout specials along with dine-in.

DULUTH, Minn.- Going into the summer months, eat downtown week is returning to highlight local Duluth establishments. From April 19th to the 30th, 19 participating restaurants will be featuring more flexible menus to include takeout specials along with dine-in. Greater Downtown Council officials say it’s more important than ever to show these businesses the community cares. “It’s just so important…

3rd Minnesotan Arrested On Charges Connected to Us Capitol Riot

LINDSTROM, Minn. (FOX 9) – A third Minnesotan has been arrested in connection to the U.S. Capitol riot that occurred on Jan. 6 while lawmakers were in the process of certifying the electoral votes in the 2020 presidential election. FBI special agents arrested Jonah Westbury, 26, of Lindstrom on Friday on charges related to the riot, according to the FBI Minneapolis Division….