Minnesota

Boy Unhurt After Taking Ride On Airport Conveyor Belt System

MINNEAPOLIS – Authorities say a 9-year-old boy who found his way onto the conveyor belt baggage handling system at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport was not injured. Airport spokesperson Pat Hogan says the incident happened early Saturday afternoon as a group of about 20 people were checking bags for a trip they were taking together. Hogan says initially no one in…

UPDATE: Crews Still Battling Wildfire North of Virginia, Homes No Longer in Danger

As of about 5:30 the fire was still not contained.

 UPDATE: The Northland FireWire reports that fire officials say the blaze has now burned 86 acres, but is close to being contained. _________________________________________________________________________ UPDATE: According to the Northland FireWire, A fire official said the blaze burned about 56 acres so far. Several homes in the immediate area were evacuated, however, the wind shifted and those homes are no longer in…

North Star Academy Students Sample Local Maple Syrup

The trees yielded about 60 gallons of sap which was boiled down to one gallon of syrup.

DULUTH, Minn. — Students at the North Star Charter school got a chance to sample the maple syrup they started tapping almost one month ago. The trees yielded about 60 gallons of sap which was boiled down to one gallon of syrup. On Friday, students went more in depth with the science and cultural significance of making the syrup along…

Police Arrest Minnesota Bar Owner Who Defied Virus Orders

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A business owner in southern Minnesota who missed a court date as she faces criminal charges for defying pandemic-related restrictions was arrested Thursday in Iowa. Lisa Hanson, who owns a wine and coffee bar in Albert Lea, was arrested by police in Clear Lake, Iowa near a rental property where she had been staying, the Star Tribune reported. She…

Prosecutor in Daunte Wright’s Death Not Swayed By Critics

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — As activists in Minnesota press for murder charges against the police officer who shot Daunte Wright, the prosecutor is sticking by the manslaughter charge he filed. Wright died April 11 when the 20-year-old Black motorist was shot during a traffic stop in a Minneapolis suburb. The city’s police chief said he believed Kim Potter mixed up her…

Multiple Porta Potties Set on Fire in Enger Park Thursday Night

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Fire Department responded to reports of multiple porta-potties being set on fire Thursday night in Enger Park. According to reports, fire crews responded to the call just after 7:30 p.m. When crews arrived at Enger Park they found four porta-potties on fire which had spread to several nearby trees and ground vegetation due to the…

Trial of Other Cops Charged in Floyd’s Death to Be Broadcast

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Derek Chauvin’s murder trial was the first Minnesota criminal trial to be broadcast live on television. It won’t be the last. Some in the Minnesota legal system were apprehensive about allowing the live broadcast of Chauvin’s trial over the killing of George Floyd, but the video feed had no major problems and bolstered the public’s understanding of…

Duluth P.D Investigating Overnight Stabbing in Hillside Neighborhood

The victim was taken to a local hospital where his condition is currently unknown. 

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth police continue to investigate a stabbing in the cities east hillside neighborhood. Officers responded to a call shortly before 10 p.m. at 820 east 4th street on reports of a male who had been stabbed and ran into the nearby laundromat. The suspect remains at large Friday morning. Both the victim and the suspect were known…

Party Supply Rental Stores Getting Busy

DULUTH, Minn. One rental store in Duluth says they are expecting a big year for business as the pandemic slows down. Over at London Road Rental, which has the same owner as Party Express in Superior, business has been growing for those renting out tents and other supplies for parties as restrictions are loosened. Owner Jerry Kortesmaki tells us last…

Special Report Preview: When Love Turns Deadly

Story to air Sunday on FOX 21 Local News at 9

A special report – When Love Turns Deadly – Sunday night on FOX 21 News at 9: “This wasn’t an accident. This man knew who he was taking from us. He saw my mom and he decided that nobody else could have her,” said Kari Matthes, Loretta Billman’s daughter. The daughter of 62-year-old Loretta Billman speaks out to FOX 21’s…

Suspect Formally Charged in Piedmont Standoff

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Police say the man arrested in connection to last week’s standoff in the Piedmont Heights neighborhood has been formally charged. According to court documents, 31-year-old Jesse Lee Fechner has been charged with felony receiving stolen property, possessing ammo/any firearm, two counts of fourth-degree assault on a police officer, and obstructing legal process with force. Last week,…

Gov. Walz Joins Bipartisan Leaders in Minnesota Legislature to Call for Action on Police Reform

ST, PAUL, Minn. – On Thursday, Gov. Walz joined bipartisan leaders in the Minnesota Legislature to call for action among Minnesota Senate Republicans on police reform, following the passage of meaningful police reform legislation in the Minnesota House. “The accountability we saw last week for George Floyd is the floor – not the ceiling – of what we need to…

Business Owners On Lake Vermilion Optimistic for Much Better Summer Season

The Owners of Lake Vermilion Houseboats and Pike Bay Lodge Look Forward to Welcoming Guests Back to the Great Outdoors

LAKE VERMILION, Minn. – After a year of the unknown and countless cancellations, the summer season is looking brighter for businesses along Lake Vermilion. “This year is looking to be our best year-to-date,” said Kyle Colbert, owner of Lake Vermilion Houseboats. The scene is calm on Lake Vermilion, but many business owners are preparing for a stampede of activity as…

Sections of Downtown Duluth Streets to Close Temporarily

The closures will last from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

DULUTH, Minn. —  On Thursday, a part of East 1st street between north 2nd avenue east and north 1st avenue east will be closed to traffic. The closures will last from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. During that same time, north 2nd avenue east between east 1st and 2nd street will also be closed to traffic. The sidewalk will also be…

Minnesota Department of Health Reports 22 more COVID-19 deaths Wednesday

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 1,514  new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota on Wednesday bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 572,025 in the state. Health officials also reported 22 news deaths bringing the death total to 7,113  in Minnesota. The 22 newly reported deaths included four long-term care residents and one person in their 30s. According…

Supreme Court Orders New Hearing In PolyMet Mine Dispute

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The Minnesota Supreme Court has given a victory to environmentalists in the long-running battle over the proposed PolyMet copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota. The court on Wednesday sent the dispute back to the state Department of Natural Resources for further proceedings on whether the mine’s waste pond would effectively keep pollution contained. The Supreme Court also affirmed…

Chauvin Juror Says Guilty Verdicts Could Have Come Quicker

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A juror who cast one of the unanimous votes to convict a white former Minneapolis police officer of killing George Floyd said deliberations were primarily spent trying to convince one person who was uncertain about part of the jury instructions. Brandon Mitchell is the first juror that deliberated in Derek Chauvin’s trial to talk publicly about his…

New Pet Grooming Service Open in Superior

Purr-fectly Superior Grooming opened in June of 2020 but has taken off as of late with more people opting for a more personal grooming style.

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – A new mobile grooming service is now open in Superior. Purr-fectly Superior Grooming opened in June of 2020 but has taken off as of late with more people opting for a more personal grooming style. Owner Amy Laessig says, along with bringing her unique services to your home she also helps educate the owners about pet maintenance…

Direct Flights to Arizona, Florida Coming to Duluth International Airport this Winter

According to airport management, it’s a growth in service that will hopefully revitalize Duluth as a travel hub in the region.

DULUTH, Minn.- This winter, travelers will be able to fly directly to the southwest and the southeast from the Duluth International Airport, with non-stop flights to Phoenix, Arizona and Fort Myers, Florida coming from the twin cities based airline Sun Country. “To have an airline partner that’s in growth mode and offer a new and exciting product that’s leisure-focused will…

Landline to Increase Rides from Duluth International to MSP to Five Times a Day

This is an upgrade, from their previous schedule of just two times daily.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Landline bus service has announced it’s expanding the number of trips between the Duluth International Airport and the Minneapolis- St. Paul Airport. Starting on May 15th Landline will offer five daily round trips between the two spots on their flagship 35-seat motor coach service with free Wi-Fi and on-board movies. This is an upgrade, from their previous…

Enbridge Line 3 Halfway Done, on Pause Until May

Since April, work is currently on an environmentally mandated "Spring Break" pause.

DULUTH, Minn.- Enbridge’s Line-3 Pipeline Replacement Project is 50% complete. During a virtual open house Tuesday, construction officials said 200 miles of the pipeline is welded, coded, in the ground and back-filled — leaving roughly 140 more miles left. Since April, work is currently on an environmentally mandated “Spring Break” pause. “We are paused and the reason for that pause…

Update: One Person Shot in Downtown Duluth Tuesday Morning

UPDATE: Authorities have provided additional information in connection to Tuesday morning’s downtown Duluth shooting incident. Police say they received reports of hearing multiple gunshots just before 8:00 a.m. and that a male had been shot. When officers arrived at the scene on the 200 block of East 3rd Street they did not locate a victim but found multiple casings as…

Walz to Announce Additional Easing Of Some COVID-19 Restrictions Within the Next Week

RICHFIELD, Minn. (FOX 9) – Gov. Tim Walz hinted Tuesday that he may be easing more of Minnesota’s COVID-19 restrictions soon as the state appears to be coming down from a spring surge in infections and hospitalizations. He told reporters to expect an announcement later this week or early next week. When it comes to dialing back restrictions, the state’s next move…

Derek Chauvin’s Sentencing Pushed Back to June 25

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer found guilty of murder in George Floyd’s death, will now be sentenced on June 25. Online court records show Chauvin’s sentencing has been pushed back from June 16 to June 25. The change was made due to the availability of the parties, sources told FOX 9. Chauvin, 45, was convicted of second-degree murder, third-degree…

Sun Country Airlines Announces Flights to Fort Myers, Phoenix From Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – On Tuesday Sun Country Airlines announced the addition of 18 new nonstop routes, including two nonstop routes from the Duluth International Airport. “With more and more people excited to resume traveling, we’re thrilled to be able to offer them the opportunity to visit these incredible vacation destinations this winter,” said Sun Country Airlines Chief Revenue Officer Grant…

First-Grader in Southwestern Minnesota Dies of COVID-19

MARSHALL, Minn. (AP) – State health officials say a young child from southwestern Minnesota has died of COVID-19 complications. Marshall Public Schools Superintendent Jeremy Williams says the child, who died Sunday, was a first-grader at Park Side Elementary. Williams says crisis team members will be on hand at the school to support those in need. According to the school district,…

One Arrested in Backus Drug Investigation

BACKUS, Minn. – According to the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, a 56-year-old Backus man was arrested Monday following an ongoing drug investigation related to the sale of methamphetamine. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says a search warrant was conducted at a residence in the City of Backus where 62 grams of suspected methamphetamine was found along with other drug paraphernalia…

Duluth Police Investigating Tuesday Morning Downtown Shooting

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Police are investigating a shooting that took place in the downtown area of Duluth Tuesday morning. According to police, officers responded to reports of a shooting around 8:00 a.m. in the location of 2nd Avenue East and 3rd Street. Authorities are still on the scene and say this is an active investigation. No additional information was…

Duluth Hiring Registered Nurse To Help Police During Mental Health And Substance Abuse Calls

The RN will help with calls, evaluations, and interventions, while also following up on cases of those who may need help.

DULUTH, Minn. — On Monday night, the Duluth city council voted unanimously to add a registered nurse position with the Duluth Police Department that will help with mental health and substance abuse calls. The job calls for a registered nurse from the Human Development Center, a nonprofit, who will embed themselves within the department. The department first launched its mental…

Duluth’s Labor Union Honor Workers Memorial Day

According to OSHA, over 5,000 people died while on the job in 2019.

DULUTH, Minn. — Members of Duluth’s Labor Union held their annual memorial breakfast and tree planting ceremony this morning. Several organizations in Duluth’s labor union community were in attendance. According to OSHA, over 5,000 people died while on the job in 2019. As workers safety continues to be a top priority in the trade, today was about honoring and remembering…

Duluth Police Receive Fifty Blankets from Project Linus

DULUTH, Minn-The Duluth Police Department received a donation of 50 blankets from Project Linus earlier today. Blankets and quilts that are handmade by local volunteers are distributed by Project Linus to community organizations such as the hospitals, fire departments, and the new Ronald McDonald House. “We have fleece blankets and quilts, we often have knitted and crocheted blankets and we…

UMN Medical Student Researchers Find Long Term Effects Of Tear Gas

They recommend more regulation of tear gas usage -- and if possible, other options entirely.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.- Some University of Minnesota Medical School students have complied research that suggests tear gas can have long-lasting health impacts. The short-term reactions to tear gas such as breathing problems and skin and eye irritation are well-known already. So, the PHD Graduate Neuroscience students analyzed other studies on the longer-term health consequences, and summarized those findings. They found one…

Essentia Vision Northland Project 35 Percent Complete, On Track for 2023 Opening

The $900 Million Project Remains On Budget as Crews Work to Enclose the New Inpatient, Outpatient Facilities

DULUTH, Minn. – A multi-million dollar development is changing the skyline of Duluth’s downtown district. Ground broke on Essentia’s Vision Northland Project in 2019, and if you’ve recently driven by, you’ve noticed a large amount of progress has been made on the exterior of the new structure. What started as a vision in 2017 is now becoming an impressive reality….

Shots Fired at Plymouth Middle School, ‘All Students Safe’

(courtesy: Fox9) PLYMOUTH, Minn. (FOX 9) – Plymouth Middle School in Plymouth, Minnesota is in lockdown due to a shots fired incident Monday morning, Plymouth police confirmed. Robbinsdale Area Schools says all students are safe. No injuries have been reported. One person is in custody and police said the scene is “contained” and officers are not looking for any additional suspects. Plymouth police…

Police Investigating Hate Messages at Fargo-Moorhead Mosque

MOORHEAD, Minn. (AP) — Police are investigating hate messages that were found spray-painted on the outside of a mosque in the Fargo, North Dakota, and Moorhead, Minnesota metropolitan area. Officers were dispatched to the Moorhead Fargo Islamic Community Center, which is located in Moorhead, about 5:20 a.m. Sunday. Police said the graffiti was found in several areas on and around…

Duluth International Airport To Announce ‘New Air Service’

DULUTH, Minn — A big announcement is about to be made at the Duluth International Airport in just days involving a “new air service.” The announcement will be made this Tuesday during a press conference at 11 a.m. about a “new air service coming to the region,” according to Natalie Peterson, the Duluth Airport Authority’s director of communications and marketing. …

DNR: More Fishing Tournaments Using Immediate Release

  MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin fishery officials say more tournaments are abandoning their traditional catch-hold-release formats. The Department of Natural Resources says the number of bass and walleye tournaments that have eschewed the traditional catch-hold-release format for catch-photo-release rules has increased from an average of six annually between 2010 and 2015 to more than 30 per year from 2015…

Minnesota Health Officials Report 1,805 New COVID Cases

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – The number of COVID-19 infections in Minnesota continues to rise. State health officials reported 1,805 newly confirmed cases on Saturday. Eight more people died. The state has now seen 529,353 confirmed cases since the pandemic began in March. The state’s death toll stood at 6,685 as of Saturday. Nearly 30,000 people have been hospitalized. As…

Duluth P.D, Mayor Talk Transparency

Back in March, the Duluth chapter of the NAACP called for more engagement between police and the public. 

DULUTH, Minn. — On Friday, city leaders provided an update on how area law enforcement will provide more transparency in several areas of their department. Back in March, the Duluth chapter of the NAACP called for more engagement between police and the public. They asked for bi-annual reports on traffic stops, use of force, and arrest rates more proportionate to…

Most of Duluth’s Natural Surface Trails Reopen After Closing Due to Wet Conditions

City staff ask trail users to observe proper trail etiquette and stewardship by respecting individual trail closures and avoiding any wet/muddy trails.

DULUTH, Minn.- The majority of natural surface trails in Duluth are now open and ready for public use, according to the City’s Parks and Recreation Division. City staff ask trail users to observe proper trail etiquette and stewardship by respecting individual trail closures and avoiding any wet/muddy trails. If you notice that you are leaving a footprint or bicycle tire…

St. Louis County Rescue Squad Responds to Man in Overturned Canoe in Elbow Lake

COOK, Minn.-. St. Louis County Rescue Squad and several other rescue agencies made a water rescue at Elbow Lake near Cook, where a Duluth man was found at an overturned canoe Thursday evening. At approximately 4:41 p.m. Thursday, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office along with the Cook Ambulance Service, St. Louis County Rescue Squad, U.S. Forest Service, and Virginia…

Standoff In Duluth’s Piedmont Neighborhood Ends Safely With Arrest

DULUTH, Minn. – A nearly eight-hour police standoff in Duluth’s Piedmont neighborhood Thursday ended peacefully with the suspect in custody. The standoff started around 1 p.m. in a home on the 2200 block of Nanticoke Street involving a 30-year-old man wanted on “significant charges,” according to a city spokesperson, Kate Van Daele. “Our officers exhausted every option to have this…

Docks Back at Minnesota Slip

The docks will stay in the slip until early October.

DULUTH, Minn. – Docks began going back into the Minnesota Slip this morning. About ten docks with twenty boat spaces went in within four hours. The other half of the marina being owned by Grandma’s Corporation. Managers of the marina say, Because of the warmer temps, the docks were able to be placed back into the slip a week earlier…