KEEWATIN, Minn. – Operations have restarted at the Keetac mine, according to Union Rep. Dan Pierce. A company spokesperson says plans are currently in the works to bring back about 400 employees. The site had been idle since May of this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. U.S. Steel owned Minntac reopened production lines 6 and 7 at the end…
MOOSE LAKE, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Corrections announced on Friday two more COVID-19 related deaths from the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Moose Lake and Faribault. One of the deceased from a 66-year-old man incarcerated at MCF-Fairbault and the other was a 63-year-old man from MCF-Moose Lake. Both men died at Abbot Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. The MN DOC…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Republican U.S. Reps. Tom Emmer, Pete Stauber, and Jim Hagedorn of Minnesota have signed on to a last-gasp bid to get the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the presidential election. The three are among more than 100 House Republicans who joined an amicus brief in support of a lawsuit by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Emmer’s name…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 3,773 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota Friday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 370,968 in the state. Health officials also reported 94 news deaths bringing the death total to 4,292 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 4,789,829 tests have been completed to date. There are…
HIBBING, Minn. – The driver in a fatal head-on crash in Hibbing last month has been charged with one count of criminal vehicular homicide – operating a motor vehicle in a grossly negligent manner and one count of criminal vehicular homicide – operating a vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance, according to the Hibbing Police Department. According…
(courtesy: Zup’s Food Market) ELY, Minn. – Zup’s Food Market announced on Wednesday its plans to purchase Ely Northland Market in the early part of 2021. The two major grocers in Ely say the partnership will result in one large grocery store located in the now vacant Shopko building. According to a recent press release, both stores will continue to…
(Elizabeth Flores/Star Tribune via AP) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A group of parents has sued Gov. Tim Walz, seeking to throw out his order that put high school sports on hold as part of efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus. But lawmakers agreed Thursday on $216 million in grants for businesses hurt by the four-week “pause” that Walz imposed…
DULUTH, Minn. – A portion of Lincoln Park Drive will close on Friday to be used as a pedestrian-only trail for the winter. The road will be closed starting from the bridge on Lincoln Park Drive up to 10th street. Vehicle access will also be restricted at 6th street. This is the second time the city closed down a portion…
DULUTH, Minn. – A Coronavirus vaccine could be available in the Northland within the next few weeks. Although a treatment is on the way health officials are still urging the community to avoid holiday gatherings to help slow surges in COVID-19 cases. Demand for a Coronavirus vaccine in the northland is expected to be far greater than the doses available….
DULUTH, Minn. – This season, the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldog hockey fans won’t be allowed into Amsoil Arena to watch any of the games, but you still have a chance to show your support for the teams in a creative way. Fans can now purchase a cardboard cutout of themselves to be displayed in the arena during the home…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Two Minnesotans in their 20s are among the 89 new deaths from COVID-19 reported by state health officials Thursday. It’s an unusual development in a pandemic that mostly claims the lives of elderly patients. The Minnesota Department of Health says they included someone 25 to 29 years old in Ramsey County and someone between 20 and 24…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Minnesota lawmakers have struck a deal to send $216 million in cash relief to businesses hit by the coronavirus pandemic and mandatory shutdowns, but there’s no agreement to extend unemployment benefits to laid-off workers. The Legislature is set to convene for a special session Monday, and lawmakers have been racing to reach an agreement. It’s unclear whether Democrats who…
(photo: AP news) MOOSE LAKE, Minn. – A second COVID-19 related death has been reported at the Minnesota Sex Offender Program’s Moose Lake facility. According to a recent press release from the facility, the client died Wednesday, December 9 and the family has been notified. The first COVID-19 related death at the facility was on December 2. “We offer our…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 3,523 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota Thursday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 367,218 in the state. Health officials also reported 89 news deaths bringing the death total to 4,198 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 4,731,719 tests have been completed to date. There are…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Gov. Tim Walz is delaying until Monday an announcement on extending business closures due to COVID-19. Walz had initially planned to make that call on Friday, but the decision is still in the planning stages, a spokesperson told FOX 9. Last month, Walz initiated a four-week pause on indoor dining at bars and restaurants and youth…
DULUTH, Minn. – The 33rd annual Duluth Wedding show has been postponed to March due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Lundeen Group announced on Thursday that the show, originally scheduled for Saturday, January 9 at the DECC, has been pushed to Sunday, March 14. “We have reviewed the latest State of Minnesota guidelines regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and, as…
NORTHLAND, Minn. – First responders have been strained by this pandemic, especially ambulance crews that may respond to someone having symptoms. Communities rely on first responders when emergencies happen, but as coronavirus case numbers surge in the region, the job is becoming more challenging. “We need some help in being able to respond to the emergencies,” said Virginia Mayor Larry…
TWO HARBORS, Minn. – McQuade’s Pub and Grill is now open for take out after relocating to a bigger space. The restaurant used to be in downtown Two Harbors, but now takes over the Old Carmody 61 on Highway 61. The restaurant expanded its seating and size of the kitchen. The owner says the pandemic has also allowed him to…
DULUTH, Minn. – A roll out for a coronavirus vaccine is expected before the end of the year. Beyond the issue of who gets the vaccine first, there is another obstacle many health professionals say still needs to be addressed. The COVID-19 pandemic has shined a brighter light on health disparities for people of color. A recent study shows about…
ESKO, Minn. – A familiar restaurant has moved into the building previously occupied by Eskomo Pizza Pies in Esko. Mike’s Cafe and Pizzeria, which spent nearly four decades in western Duluth as Mike’s Western Cafe, opened up in early November. With the owner growing up in the town, he says that despite the pandemic, the community response has been uplifting…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced Wednesday that he will convene a special session of the Minnesota Legislature on Monday in order to provide COVID-19 relief in the state. Additionally, Gov. Walz says he intends to extend the COVID-19 peacetime emergency by another 30 days. “Minnesota’s small businesses and workers are bearing a large burden of the…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota health officials reported 4,539 new coronavirus cases Wednesday and 82 new deaths, the state’s third-highest one-day total of the pandemic. The new cases raise Minnesota’s total case count to 363,719 and its cumulative death toll to 4,109. But hospitalizations are continuing a slow decline. Minnesota had 1,545 people hospitalized with COVID as of Tuesday, with 358…
ITASCA COUNTY, Minn. – A Deerwood man is dead after crashing into the side of a logging truck Tuesday morning, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. Reports state the accident happened on Highway 169 near Itasca County Road 450 around 10:13 a.m. Authorities say a 2015 Ford Explorer, driven by Michael Alan Brandt, 69, was traveling north on Highway 169…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 4,539 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota Wednesday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 363,719 in the state. Health officials also reported 82 news deaths bringing the death total to 4,109 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 4,690,213 tests have been completed to date. There are…
(Jerry Holt/Star Tribune via AP, File) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The future of policing in the city where George Floyd was killed is headed for a showdown vote Wednesday night. The Minneapolis City Council will decide whether to shrink the city’s police department while violent crime is already soaring and redirect funding toward alternatives for reducing violence. Mayor Jacob Frey has…
ST. PAUL, Minn.- Minnesota Governor Tim Walz unveiled the state’s plan for getting Minnesotans vaccinated against coronavirus, some as soon as the coming weeks. “This day is real, it’s happening, it is really here. In Minnesota, we’re prepared for it,” said the Governor in a press conference Tuesday. “We are on the doorstep of starting this.” According to the Minnesota…
VIRGINIA, Minn. – The Virginia City Hall has closed to the public after one city staff member tested positive for the coronavirus. The closure is just a precaution to prevent the spread of the virus. The individual exposed to the virus worked as an evidence technician for the police department as well as staffed the general public services window. Unfortunately,…
DULUTH, Minn. – As the pandemic continues to hurt many parts of the Northland tourism industry Duluth city leaders are starting the process of deciding how tourism generated tax dollars should be spent next year. Last year, about $12 million in tourism tax revenue ended up being set aside for Duluth community investments and to help pay for some of…
HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The Hermantown Government Services building has reopened to the public once again after some staff members were diagnosed or exposed to COVID-19. The facility is home to the Hermantown City Hall, Police, and Fire Departments. The building was closed for about a month as a precaution for the safety of the public, but staff continued to work…
MOUNTAIN IRON, Minn. – The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has identified the two deputies involved in the fatal officer-involved shooting in Mountain Iron on Saturday. According to a recent press release from the Minnesota BCA, Deputy Ryan Smith and Deputy Matt Tomsich were involved in the shooting that killed 19-year-old Estavon Dominick Elioff. Smith has been with the St….
PINE COUNTY, Minn. – A Willow River man has been sentenced to 41 months in prison for driving through Kettle River while high on meth last September resulting in the death of one of his passengers. According to court records, Preston Prokasky, 44, pleaded guilty to criminal vehicular homicide in January and was sentenced on Tuesday. Court documents say Prokasky…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Gov. Tim Walz and state health officials outlined Minnesota’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout plan in a statewide address Tuesday. Walz said he expects Minnesota will get its first vaccine shipment “sometime in the next week or so.” However, Walz cautions there is an unclear and shifting schedule for delivery of both Pfizer and Moderna’s initial vaccines. Minnesota is…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 3,080 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota Tuesday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 359,203 in the state. Health officials also reported 22 news deaths bringing the death total to 4,027 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 4,650,726 tests have been completed to date. There are…
ST.PAUL, Minn.- Governor Tim Walz and state health leaders announced changes Monday to how long people should quarantine if exposed to someone with coronavirus, and also prepped the state for new mitigation efforts to come within the week. “The fact of the matter is a 14-day quarantine is the best thing to do. But the science has been refined enough…
DULUTH, Minn. – Some vacant storefronts in Lincoln Park are being dressed up with holiday displays created by local artists. The windows showcase holiday cultural traditions like Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. People passing by can read and learn more about those traditions. A local artist says she hopes the displays remind the community of the importance of sticking together. The first…
ST. LOUIS CO., Minn. — Two young ATV riders were able to make it back to land safely after their ATVs broke through the ice and went into the Fish Lake Reservoir. St. Louis County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the scene around 4:45 p.m. on Monday. Officials did not provide the ages of the ATV riders or if they…
DULUTH, Minn. – Local mailing and shipping stores are keeping busy as more people are sending holiday gifts during the pandemic. The Pack and Mail on Grand Avenue has seen an uptick in customers sending packages all across the country. The steady business hasn’t left any downtime for the workers. A clerk says in the last couple of years mailing…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota reported 5,296 new cases of the coronavirus and 21 deaths on Monday. Both numbers were down from the state’s seven-day averages, but Mondays are typically a lighter day for virus numbers due to a dropoff in testing over the weekends. Minnesota has averaged about 5,400 new daily cases and 58 deaths per day over the past…
DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth along with CHUM and Loaves and Fishes announced on Monday that the Duluth Warming Center will be open to those in need every night this week starting December 7. The Warming Center is activated when overnight temperatures are expected to be at or below 32 degrees. The Center is located in the Duluth…
(courtesy: Lacey Lupien via Fox News) (Fox News) – A Minnesota hunter has broken a state record after shooting a giant bull elk, as it has since been declared the second-largest ever harvested in the North Star State. The Boone and Crockett Club has formally recognized Lacey Lupien’s massive bull elk, shot near her Lancaster home over the summer, as the second-largest Minnesota elk…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Former Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton announced that he’s married one of his gubernatorial campaign staffers. Posting on Facebook Sunday, the 73-year-old Dayton said he has wed 32-year-old Ana Orke, who worked on his campaign in 2010. Acknowledging the age gap of more than four decades, Dayton said the two “realized that the love binding” them “is far…
NEW YORK (AP) –Bob Dylan’s entire catalog of songs, which reaches back 60 years and is among the most prized next to that of the Beatles, is being acquired by Universal Music Publishing Group. The deal covers 600 song copyrights including “Blowin’ In The Wind,” “The Times They Are a-Changin’,” and “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door,” “Tangled Up In Blue.” The…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 5,296 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota Monday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 356,152 in the state. Health officials also reported 21 news deaths bringing the death total to 4,005 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 4,623,492 tests have been completed to date. There are…
DULUTH, Minn. – COVID-19 continues to cause huge financial strains on many Northland residents and families due to several reasons. Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank is standing by and ready to help anyone in need of food assistance due to difficult circumstances. Right now, gifts are being matched up to $50,000 thanks to the generosity of the Joan M….
DULUTH, Minn.- A new business harvesting and selling Christmas trees in Duluth is doing their part to give back to the community during the holidays. Little C Tree has been selling small sustainable Christmas trees at Dovetail Cafe and Marketplace in the Lincoln Park Craft District. Each tree is hand-cut from the tops of spruce trees throughout the state, with…
MOUNTAIN IRON, Minn.- The 19-year-old man shot by deputies Saturday after fleeing the scene of a shoplifting call in Mountain Iron has been identified by his mother. Estavon Elioff was identified by his mother Jacqueline, the Star Tribune reported. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release that deputies first discovered the man outside a business about…
MOUNTAIN IRON, Minn.- An investigation is underway after a suspect search resulted in a fatal officer-involved shooting Saturday in Mountain Iron, and according to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, the man killed matched the description of a suspect in a drive-by shooting in Virginia Friday. According to a spokesperson with the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to…
DULUTH, Minn.- Many Northlanders are probably busy decking the halls, getting last minute decorations on the tree and stringing lights outside. But can you imagine getting picked to help decorate the White House for the Holidays? One Duluthian did. Kynze Lundeen applied for the opportunity a few months ago while waiting at an airport in Texas. Weeks after applying, she…
VIRGINIA, Minn. – The Virginia Police Department is now using a new type of restraint device called BolaWrap. The device is used to help safely diffuse situations without the need for extra use of force. The Virginia Police Department was able to successfully use the device during a recent encounter with a non-compliant person suffering from a mental health crisis….
PROCTOR, Minn. – Ever wondered what it would be like if kids ran local city governments? The City of Proctor is giving fourth through sixth graders a chance to compete in an essay contest to be mayor for a day. The idea is inspired by a similar contest held annually by the League of Minnesota Cities. Proctor students can write…
