HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Green houses in the area are already thinking Spring. The Lilac Hill greenhouse in Hermantown first began prepping some geranium plants in early January. The greenhouse will receive even more plants in the coming weeks. “We start out twelve in hanging baskets which is our petunias and the large big baskets you see that we have available…
(FOX 9) – Minnesotans with driver’s licenses or ID cards that expire as COVID-19 extensions come to an end are urged to renew online or in-person in the coming weeks. According to a release from the Department of Public Safety, there are approximately 300,000 Minnesota driver’s license and ID cards that would have expired between March 13, 2020, and Feb. 28, 2021….
DULUTH, Minn. – On Wednesday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency signed a $16 million project agreement to clean up contaminated sediment in the “ponds behind Erie Pier” in Duluth. “EPA’s partnership with Minnesota continues to produce results in the St. Louis River Area of Concern,” said acting EPA Regional Administrator Cheryl Newton. “This sediment cleanup…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 851 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota on Wednesday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 457,317 in the state. Health officials also reported 18 news deaths bringing the death total to 6,124 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 6,420,268 tests have been completed to date. There…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Some hospital systems around Minnesota are flouting the state and federal guidance on the hierarchy for receiving the coronavirus vaccine, according to health officials. The Minnesota Department of Health has deputized large health systems to distribute the vaccine as part of a public-private partnership. Currently, the state has prioritized vaccinating people who provide in-person health care services…
LAKE COUNTY, Minn. – Lake County Public Health along with the Lake View Hospital & Medical Clinics say they are working to distribute COVID-19 vaccines to Lake County residents beginning next week. According to a recent press release, following the completion of vaccinations for healthcare workers and congregate care residents, pop-up clinics for residents aged 65 and over will be…
DULUTH, Minn.- Preparations continue for the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon ahead of the start just days away. Normally the big auction and opening ceremony takes place the first week, but this year the auction is virtual. Until February 7th you can bid on a variety of Beargrease memorabilia as well as gifts, and weekend giveaways to local resorts and…
DULUTH, Minn,- Members of the 148th Fighter Wing have returned to the Twin Ports following their deployment to the Capitol. — part of the 25,000 National Guard troops sent there for President Joe Biden’s Inauguration, to watch out for threats following the violent Pro-Trump riot. “It was quite crazy to be honest with you,” said Master Sergeant Chris Simonson, Food…
DULUTH, Minn. – “We’re all about people and animal powered recreation,” Positive Energy Outdoors Co-Founder, Blake Cazier says. For 17 years, Positive Energy Outdoors has been offering programs for all ages. “So we have sled dogs and Draft horses. We teach kayaking, have rock climbing adventures,” Cazier says. With the goal of educating their customers about the outdoors with every…
SANDSTONE, Minn.- A rescue tiger living at the Wildcat Sanctuary in Sandstone tested positive for COVID-19, but has since recovered. A tiger named Sabrina is a rescue from Texas and upon her arrival showed signs of having possible respiratory issues. Veterinarians conducted a Coronavirus test after sedating her, revealing she had the virus. It is believed Sabrina contracted the virus…
PROCTOR, Minn. – Proctor schools welcomed some students back to the classroom after months of doing distance learning to help prevent the spreading of the coronavirus. Bay View Elementary kindergarten through fifth-grade students returned back to class and will resume a hybrid model for a few weeks before transitioning to full in-person learning. Some new rules have been put in…
DULUTH, Minn. – Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness quota permit reservations will be available starting tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. for the 2021 season. Visitors are encouraged to book their reservations for May 1 through September 20 online at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. A permit is required for visitors taking an overnight paddle, motor or hiking trip, or a motorized…
(courtesy: The Wildcat Sanctuary via Fox 9) PINE COUNTY, Minn. – A tiger at the Wildcat Sanctuary in Pine County has tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health According to reports from the sanctuary veterinarian, the tiger, a 21-year-old female Sumatran/Bengal tiger, has already recovered from the virus. Sanctuary staff says they first noticed symptoms…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP/FOX9) — Gov. Tim Walz proposed raising taxes on the wealthiest Minnesotans and large companies Tuesday to help plug a projected $1.28 billion gap in the next two-year budget while increasing spending on education and on helping the state recover from the coronavirus pandemic. The Democratic governor’s budget proposal includes new spending of $745 million on education through 12th…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 727 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota on Tuesday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 456,490 in the state. Health officials also reported 8 news deaths bringing the death total to 6,106 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 6,399,553 tests have been completed to date. There…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Gov. Tim Walz will today propose a two-year budget with a heavy focus on helping Minnesota recover from the impacts of COVID-19. The budget Walz is planning to announce at 12:00 p.m. is expected to top $50 million. It will emphasize assistance to small businesses, help for working families affected by the disease itself or…
DULUTH, Minn.- As some elementary students across Duluth head back to the classrooms, some volunteers with the Northland Youth Basketball Alliance and Starks Academy are offering a place where kids of all ages can come to play, and get help with schoolwork. It’s called “Seal The Cracks.” For two hours after school at the Encounter Youth Center on First Street…
DULUTH, Minn.- On Monday, Kindergartners through 2nd Graders in the Duluth School District returned to their classrooms for the first time since November, after Minnesota Governor Tim Walz officially allowed elementary schools to reopen starting January 18th. “I am truly elated to be back at school,” said Homecroft Elementary Principal Tom Cawcutt. In Duluth, the rest of elementary schoolers Grades…
DULUTH, Minn. – One lucky Proctor student received the Mike Colalillo Medal of Honor scholarship on Monday. Senior Courtney Werner was presented with the $1,500 scholarship after writing an essay about her great grandfather, Thomas Werner, who served during World War II. Courtney said she was able to learn more about her roots through the writing process while keeping her…
DULUTH, Minn. – City crews began routine maintenance on the Aerial Lift Bridge on Monday. City officials say during the shipping off-season is a prime opportunity to make any necessary upgrades. Over the next few weeks, crews will be checking to make sure operations on the bridge are working properly. The city also received a grant for more than 400,000…
DULUTH, Minn. -The spreading of misinformation about the Coronavirus and its preventative vaccine is a common concern among medical experts. They’re worried misreporting of facts about the health crisis can make it harder to protect the public. There are plenty of rumors medical experts would like to clear up. “Anything that tells you it’s not something that we spread just…
DULUTH, Minn. – The reconstruction of East Superior Street between 45th and 60th Avenue East is expected to happen later this year and city officials are gearing up for the project by asking for public feedback. The project would include repaving that portion of East Superior Street. Construction crews will also be upgrading sidewalks to bring them up to standards…
2015 photo on City of Rosemount’s website congratulating Officer Tyler Leibfried on his new job with the Duluth Police Department. DULUTH, Minn. – St. Louis County Attorney Mark Rubin is opposing a Duluth police officer’s request to dismiss charges against him in a shooting that injured an unarmed man. Tyler Leibfried, 28, is facing two felony firearm charges, including one…
(FOX 9) – A variant of COVID-19 that originated in Brazil has been discovered in a Minnesota patient, officials say. It is the first known case documented in the United States. The Minnesota Department of Health said the variant, known as Brazil P.1 variant, was found in a person who had recently traveled to Brazil. The variant is thought to be more…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – On Monday, Gov. Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan unveiled the Due North Education Plan which the governor’s office says is focused on ensuring every child in Minnesota receives a high-quality education regardless of race or zip-code. “As a former classroom teacher for over 20 years, I’ve seen firsthand how a high-quality education shapes students’…
(AP Photo/Jim Mone) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz on Monday announced changes in the sign-up process for a community vaccine program for seniors, teachers, and child care workers after heavy demand last week crashed a website and angered many people who could not get through. State officials have shifted from a first-come, first-served system to a lottery that allows…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 794 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota on Monday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 455,783 in the state. Health officials also reported 3 news deaths bringing the death total to 6,098 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 6,388,959 tests have been completed to date. There…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The number of Minnesotans who have received at least the first dose of the two-shot COVID-19 vaccine is nearing a quarter-million or less than 5% of the population, the Minnesota Department of Health reported Sunday. A total of 247,415 Minnesotans have received at least one dose. More than 63,000 people have received both shots to complete their…
DULUTH, Minn.- As the UMD Men’s Hockey Team returned from quarantine after a COVID situation postponed their series last week, cardboard cutouts weren’t the only ones cheering them on — fans welcomed the Bulldogs back to AMSOIL, for the first time since March. “It’s nice,” said young Noah Wise seeing the game with his dad Sunday. “We’ve been waiting for…
BACKUS, Minn.- A large protest near Backus, Minnesota Saturday called on President Joe Biden to stop Enbridge from constructing the Line 3 Pipeline Replacement, protesters said, just as he did the Keystone Pipeline this week. According to organizers, approximately 200 people gathered on the streets near Backus. This comes just a day after a protester was safely removed from a…
DULUTH, Minn. – Blood donations continue to be critically low during the pandemic. Donations are typically low in the winter, but as fewer people are choosing not to give blood during the pandemic the supply is becoming exhausted. Health officials say the U.S. blood supply is in stage yellow meaning there are only one to two days worth of blood…
DULUTH, Minn. – Sacred Heart Music Center and many other entertainment settings were among the first to shut down at the start of the pandemic. Now it is a big challenge to bounce back from the financial struggles. “The pandemic has really hurt Sacred Heart,” said Mark Nicklawske, a member of the board of directors for Sacred Heart. Sacred Heart…
DULUTH, Minn. – Beginning Monday, January 25, traffic will be limited across the Aerial Lift Bridge to one lane while maintenance work. The City of Duluth says crews will be working ten-hour shifts to get the work done as soon as possible. Traffic will be limited to one lane across the bridge between 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. “Traffic flow…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota health officials reported Friday the state has now been allocated 871,650 doses of federally controlled COVID-19 vaccine, up more than 240,000 doses from a week earlier. The state’s snapshot of progress in administering vaccines also showed that 214,050 people have gotten their first dose of a two-shot series, with 49,604 people having completed the two shots….
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority will spend $800,000 from a contingency fund to fix a water seepage problem at U.S. Bank Stadium. The authority’s chairman, Michael Vekich, says the repair payment was negotiated with the stadium’s general contractor and was short of the $3.2 million M.A. Mortensen Co. wanted. The $800,000 comes from a contingency fund created…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 1,525 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota on Friday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 452,268 in the state. Health officials also reported 21 news deaths bringing the death total to 6,032 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 6,289,662 tests have been completed to date. There…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A proposal to ban the use of facial recognition technology by Minneapolis police and other city departments is advancing. The technology has raised concerns by some who worry it could be a dangerous step toward a surveillance state where people’s movements are tracked the moment they leave their homes. The technology uses machine learning algorithms to automatically…
CLOQUET, Minn. – Despite the pandemic, one quilt shop in Cloquet is doing pretty well for themselves. The Quilted Dog Quilt Shop located on highway 33 in Cloquet has seen a boost in business thanks to people taking up sewing again during the pandemic. The shop has a variety of local kits for sale, and owners say that people have…
DULUTH, Minn. – Many bars and restaurants have struggled to stay afloat during the pandemic. Zeitgeist is now welcoming customers back to test out demand for indoor dining with plans to fully reopen in the future. The Zeitgeist Arts Café shut its doors in August as a response to the financial troubles caused by the pandemic. Now the café’s bar…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Transit Authority is looking at possibly reducing bus fares to get more northlanders using the bus. The bus company is proposing to the Duluth City Council to lower pricing for single-day bus passes from $4 to $3. The seven-day pass would also be reduced by $2 and the monthly summer youth pass would go down…
DULUTH, Minn. – St. Luke’s announced on Thursday that its COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic will soon be opening at the hospital. The clinic is set to tentatively open in early February for patients 65 and older. According to a recent press release, the clinic’s hours will be Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The COVID-19 Clinic will offer…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minnesota judge says he won’t reconsider his decision to hold a March trial for the former Minneapolis police officer who held his knee to George Floyd’s neck as the man said he couldn’t breathe. Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill ruled this month that Derek Chauvin will stand trial beginning March 8, as scheduled, and will be…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department has added a new member to the team, K9 Athena. K9 Athena is a Dutch Shepherd and is the half-sister of K9 Luna. The police department says Athena’s handler is Officer Kaase who has been with the department for 6 years, first as a patrol officer and now as an HRA investigator. Officer…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 1,292 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota on Thursday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 450,762 in the state. Health officials also reported 32 news deaths bringing the death total to 6,011 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 6,247,442 tests have been completed to date. There…
BARNUM, Minn. – A Barnum High School girls basketball coach has been arrested and charged with three counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. Andrew John Palmer, 33, of Moose Lake, was formally charged Thursday for engaging in sexual contact with a 17-year-old basketball player while he was her coach. According to the criminal complaint, one of the girl’s parents contacted…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota pharmacies and health care providers are requesting the state include them in the coronavirus vaccine rollout as the demand for a shot among seniors far outpaces the state’s supply. Pharmacists testified before a Minnesota Senate health committee on Wednesday, telling lawmakers they can provide easier access to a vaccine as the priority groups for doses expands…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Heritage Center along with the Duluth Parks Department have restarted their recreational skating program. The cost is $3 per session. With several sessions a week, the goal is to get people to enjoy skating while being socially distant. “Love having families out here to cruise around together, you know,” City of Duluth Recreation Specialist, Nick…
DULUTH, Minn. – The inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris is getting a lot of attention on college campuses. No matter what their political views, watching the ceremonies was a chance for everyone to witness a big moment in history. “I’m excited. It’s like an important day no matter who gets inaugurated,” said Siiri Truckey, a…
DULUTH, Minn. – A few elementary school students got a nature lesson as part of an on-going program at the Gary-New Duluth Recreation Center. This week, kids learned all about winter birds The students even built and painted their own bird feeders which are being placed outdoors near the rec center. Staff say this program could help teach kids the…
DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth’s Cold Front event is still happening this year, but it will be a little different this time around. In past years Cold Front was a one-day event, but now it will last a week to help prevent people from gathering in Bayfront Park at once. Several activities will take place at the festival park and across…
