Minnesota

Firefighters Battle Large Fire in Downtown Duluth

According to a city spokesperson, firefighters responded to a call of a fire there at 9:32 a.m. Saturday. 

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Fire Department responded to at a warehouse commonly known as an antique shop on the 100 Block of East 1st Street Saturday morning. According to the Duluth Fire Department, at 9:31 a.m. the DFD received a structure fire call at 118 East 1st Street. Crews arrived on-scene at 9:32 a.m. and immediately began attempts to put…

Small Town Bars And Restaurants May Be Hit Harder In Latest Shutdown

By being such a strong staple for these communities, the sense of togetherness will be missed.

DULUTH, Minn. – Bars and restaurants get by thanks to the support from their own community members, but due to smaller population sizes in certain communities, the impacts from this second shutdown may hit even harder. Many businesses like the Mainline Station Bar in Floodwood, were just beginning to get back to normal operations after shutting down at the start…

Health Professionals Fear Suicide Rates Might Go Up

Many factors such as isolation and substance abuse during the pandemic may be contributing to the increase in mental health difficulties.

DULUTH, Minn. – It might be a good day to check in on your loved ones. The hardships caused by the pandemic is creating an increase in the number of people battling a mental illness such as depression or anxiety. Health experts now fear suicide rates might also rise as the global crisis continues. Many factors such as isolation and…

Hermantown Elementary Moves to Distance Learning

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Hermantown Superintendent Wayne Whitwam announced on Friday that elementary school students will be moving to distance learning following the Thanksgiving break. Students will come in next week either Tuesday or Wednesday to take materials home for distance learning. “My hope is to get students back into the classrooms as soon as possible. With case rates jumping on…

‘Help Us’: Doctors Implore Minnesotans to Follow Virus Rules

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Doctors are urging Minnesotans to take COVID-19 seriously and to comply with new restrictions that take effect Friday night. They appeared with Gov. Tim Walz to provide dramatic accounts of how the state’s health care system is at a breaking point — especially its health care workers. Dr. Carolyn McClain, a Twin Cities emergency physician, told reporters…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Friday, November 20

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 6,812 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota Friday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 256,700 in the state. Health officials also reported 68 news deaths bringing the death total to 3,150 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 3,659,452 tests have been completed to date. There are…

Adult & Teen Challenge Northland Center Experiencing COVID-19 Outbreak

DULUTH, Minn. — The Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge Northland Center in Duluth is currently experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak among staff and residents. Right now, 19 staff members and nine residents have tested positive for the virus. Two of the staff members had to be hospitalized, and one of them is still in the hospital. The residents and staff affected…

Northland Foundations Urge Seniors to Apply for Scholarship Opportunities

Over $5 million in funds are available for Northland seniors.

DULUTH, Minn. – Several foundations around the Northland announced new scholarship opportunities for high school seniors who may decide to take a gap year instead of attending college. The Greater Denfeld Foundation is just one of many organizations available for students to apply to. Organizers say that the best way to go about doing so is to speak with your…

DECC, Visit Duluth Move Forward With Merger Discussions

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Entertainment Convention Center and the city’s destination marketing arm — Visit Duluth — are moving forward with discussions to merge operations as they continue to face serious financial strains from the pandemic. The merger is the official recommendation just released by a working group made up of board members from each entity. The discussions were…

Mayo Clinic: 905 Staff Diagnosed With COVID in Past 2 Weeks

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — More than 900 staff members in the Mayo Clinic Health System in the Midwest have been diagnosed with COVID-19 over the last two weeks as the virus continues to surge across the region, officials said. Dr. Amy Williams, executive dean of Mayo Clinic Practice, said Tuesday that the 905 newly diagnosed employees account for 30% of all…

What’s Open and Closed Under Minnesota’s 4-Week Pause?

(FOX 9) – Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s four-week pause in response to surging COVID-19 cases statewide will impact many facets of daily life in Minnesota The shutdown goes into effect Friday, Nov. 20 at 11:59 p.m. and runs through Dec. 18. Here’s a look at what businesses and activities will be impacted by the order. WHAT BUSINESSES ARE CLOSED? Restaurants, food courts, bars, cafes, breweries,…

Duluth Airport Barred Pence After Trump Broke Virus Rules

MINNEAPOLIS – Duluth airport officials prohibited Donald Trump’s campaign from holding a rally with Vice President Mike Pence after the president flouted state coronavirus guidelines there three weeks earlier. The Duluth Airport Authority’s executive director told his board in an email, obtained by the Star Tribune, he rejected a Pence rally application for Oct. 26 because the Trump campaign had…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Thursday, November 19

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 7,877 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota Thursday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 249,906 in the state. Health officials also reported 72 news deaths bringing the death total to 3,082 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 3,601,197 tests have been completed to date. There are…

DEDA Approves Option to Purchase Agreement for West Duluth Affordable Housing Development

DULUTH, Minn. – On Wednesday night the Duluth Economic Development Authority approved a resolution to provide the Minneapolis-based nonprofit Aeon Inc. an option to purchase agreement for vacant land near the Menards in West Duluth. Aeon Inc. hopes to build 120 affordable housing apartment units on the plot of land which is located on the corner of Wadena Street and…

Great Lakes Aquarium Temporarily Closing Due to Governor’s Orders

DULUTH, Minn. – The Great Lakes Aquarium will temporarily close beginning Saturday, November 21 due to the Governor’s orders. The aquarium says the closures will stay in place for four weeks following the newest Stay Safe Minnesota guidelines. The aquarium will remain open until Friday at 4:30 p.m. Gift store purchases made on the website and the membership drive will…

Essentia Health Temporarily Closes Fitness Centers

(courtesy: Essentia Health) DULUTH, Minn. – Essentia Health will be temporarily shutting down its fitness centers following Governor Tim Walz’s executive order. Essentia Health says that as of Friday evening it will close it Center for Personal Fitness at the Miller Hill Mall, as well as centers in Moose Lake and Esko. The closures will stay in effect until further…

No Problems Reported for New Driver Registration System

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The replacement for Minnesota’s troubled driver and vehicle registration system known as MNLARS seems to be off to a good start, according to state officials. Driver and Vehicle Services spokeswoman Megan Leonard says agents for the new MNDrive system handled more than 21,600 transactions on Monday, the first day the system went live. Leonard says…

Marine General Collecting Donations For Kids In The Community

DULUTH, Minn. – Marine General is lending a hand this holiday season after being forced to cancel its annual Turkey Fry fundraiser. The store is continuing to put on its annual bike drive. Unfortunately,  bikes are in such high demand and very little are being donated. Now the store is working with the salvation army to collect essentials for children….

Watch Live: Gov. Walz to Close Bars, Restaurants, and Gym for Four Weeks

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz plans to announce new COVID-19 restrictions Wednesday evening that will shut down indoor dining at bars and restaurants, close gyms and fitness centers, and put organized youth sports on hold for four weeks. The announcement comes on a day when Minnesota recorded a record 67 new COVID-19-related deaths, pushing the state’s toll to…

Governor Walz Is Turning The Dial Again On Covid-19 Restrictions; Bars And Restaurant May be Impacted

DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is expected to tighten the belt on safety guidelines as coronavirus cases continue to rise across the state. One of the new rules slated to be announced would require bars and restaurants to only be open for takeout orders. Restaurant owners around the region are reacting to the impacts this curveball could have…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Wednesday, November 18

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 5,102 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota Wednesday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 242,043 in the state. Health officials also reported 67 news deaths bringing the death total to 3,010 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 3,543,671 tests have been completed to date. There are…

Duluth Man Sentenced for Aiding and Abetting Second Degree Murder

DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth man found guilty last month of aiding and abetting second-degree murder was sentenced on Wednesday morning. Christopher Boder, 32, was sentenced to 306 months in prison for his role in a 2019 shooting death of 33-year-old Timothy Nelson. According to reports, Nelson was shot and killed in his vehicle last September on the 300 block…

Minnesota to Close Bars, Restaurants, Gyms for 4 Weeks

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is planning to announce new COVID-19 restrictions that will shut down indoor dining at bars and restaurants, close gyms and fitness centers, and put organized indoor youth sports on hold for four weeks. Bars and restaurants will still be allowed to offer takeout during the four-week pause, according to a person with knowledge…

Lake Superior Zoo Encourages Donations During Give to the Max Day

Give to the Max Day is Happening Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020

DULUTH, Minn. – Give to the Max, Minnesota’s giving holiday, is happening on Thursday, Nov. 19, and the Lake Superior Zoo encourages you to donate something nice. The day of giving is a time when thousands of donors across Minnesota will come together for their favorite charities by making gifts through GiveMN to increase the wellbeing of our communities. Haley…

Redevelopment Plans Announced for Duluth’s Largest Privately Owned Building

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth-based development company Titanium Partners announced Wednesday that they plan to redevelop the largest, privately-owned building in Duluth, currently home to the UnitedHealthGroup. Titanium Partners says the building, located on the corner of Arrowhead Road and Rice Lake Road, will soon also include a destination medical and surgery center. The development company says UHG will remain a…

Two Minnesota DFL Senators Form New Independent Caucus

ST. PAUL, Minn. – State Senator Thomas Bakk (Cook) and Senator David Tomassoni (Chisholm) announced on Wednesday that they will be leaving the Minnesota Senate DFL caucus to form a new Independent caucus. The two Senators say the new Independent caucus presents an opportunity to chair committees and makes sense to better serve their districts within the legislative framework. “People…

Walz to Impose Sweeping Restrictions Wednesday in Virus Fight

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Gov. Tim Walz will impose sweeping new restrictions across Minnesota on Wednesday as the state struggles to fight the coronavirus and prevent a crisis in hospitals. Walz plans to announce the new restrictions in a statewide televised speech at 6 p.m. Wednesday. The changes will include a stoppage for youth and high school sports. Bars, restaurants,…

Most of Advisory Group Quits Over Permit for Line 3 Pipeline

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Twelve of 17 members of a group that advises the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency on environmental justice issues have resigned over a permit for the controversial Enbridge Energy oil replacement project. The Environmental Justice Advisory Group delivered the letter Monday in protest of the agency’s approval last week of a key water quality permit for…

Volunteers Needed for Christmas Adopt-a-Child Program in Carlton County

80 kids from 3 mo. to 18 yrs. old still need to be adopted for the Adopt-a-Child gift program.

CLOQUET, Minn.- As the holidays near, the Cloquet Salvation Army says they need more people to register to buy gifts for families in need. 80 kids throughout Carlton County still need to be adopted for the Adopt-a-Child Christmas assistance program — that’s about 45 families, coordinators said. Age groups range from 3 months to 18 years old, though gifts are…

Gov. Walz Expected to Force Tighter COVID Restrictions on Sports, Dining, Gyms — Again

The Governor is expected to announce new restrictions on bars, restaurants, sports, gyms, and social gatherings Wednesday Evening.

ST. PAUL, Minn.- Governor Tim Walz is preparing to announce sweeping new COVID-19 restrictions during a statewide televised speech Wednesday night –as the amount of Minnesotans defying the rules he said, is hampering the state’s fight against the virus and pushing hospitals to the brink. According to a spokesperson with the Governor Tuesday, those new limits will involve bars, restaurants,…

Report on Possible Merger of DECC, Visit Duluth to be Released Wednesday

DULUTH, Minn. — The possibility of merging the DECC and Visit Duluth will come to the table Wednesday as board members for both entities are presented a report on the pros and cons of the idea. The possible merger was first made public in September as severe budget woes from the pandemic became very real for the convention center and…

St. Regis Apartments Now Condemned; Tenants React

"It's been a lot of stress and anguish," said Page Koski, a tenant of the building.

DULUTH, Minn. – Nearly a month ago, residents at the St. Regis Apartments in Duluth were given just over a week to leave after the building had a heating issue. “It’s been a lot of stress and anguish,” said Page Koski, a tenant of the building. Several tenants share similar feelings because their living situation is now very uncertain. “My…

Public Health Officials Wants College Students To Be Mindful Of Traveling For The Holidays

DULUTH, Minn. – Public Health leaders in St. Louis County say the 20-24 age group continues to be one of the largest parts of the population in the county infected with the Coronavirus. They ask college students to be mindful of the risks as they make plans for the holidays. Currently, about nine percent of the cases in the county…

Update: St. Louis County Authorities Locate NERCC Escapee in Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday that a NERCC escapee has been located and is back in custody. According to reports, 33-year-old Keith Cochise Bellanger escaped from the Northeast Regional Corrections Center on Friday around 4:00 p.m. Authorities say Bellanger fled on foot when he was being transferred to the secure wing of the facility….

Minnesota Power Makes Donations to Local Nonprofits in Place of Community Christmas Tree This Year

  DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota Power announced on Tuesday that rather than hosting the annual Community Christmas tree in its downtown plaza they will be making a large donation to three local area nonprofits instead. According to a Tuesday press release, the company says due to ongoing construction in the plaza they would be unable to safely host the Community…

New COVID-19 Drug Decreases Need for Hospitalizations, Emergency Visits

(FOX 9) – Bamlanivimab, a new drug for treating mild and moderate COVID-19 cases that have been shown to decrease the need for hospitalizations and emergency department visits, is now available in Minnesota, state health officials announced Tuesday. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has started distributing bamlanivimab in Minnesota, according to a news release from the Minnesota Department of Health….

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Tuesday, November 17

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 5,945 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota Tuesday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 236,949 in the state. Health officials also reported 26 news deaths bringing the death total to 2,943 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 3,506,178 tests have been completed to date. There are…

Carlton County Offers Free Recycling of Holiday Lights

Holiday lights can be recycled for free at the Transfer Station on Highway 210.

CARLTON, Minn.- Holiday lights are being hung as Christmas approaches, but if you end up with some broken bulbs or just want to throw them out, you can recycle them instead at the Carlton County Transfer Station. Holiday lights can be recycled for free at the Transfer Station on Highway 210, as long as they aren’t attached to any plastic…

Nurses Make Emotional Plea Backing Gov. Walz’s Frustration at Lack of ‘Social Compliance’ of COVID Guidelines

"I think it's obvious we're going to have to do more mitigation efforts," Gov. Walz said, as the state is expected to surpass 300,00 cases by Thanksgiving.

ST. PAUL, Minn.- A frustrated Minnesota Governor Tim Walz looked to nurses and doctors from around the state to illustrate how the COVID-19 surge is pushing them to their limits — in an effort to appeal to those who may not be following prevention guidelines. “What I recognize right now is that we’re in a place in this country where…

St. Louis County Launches Billboard Campaign To Reach Teens

DULUTH, Minn.- Several billboards are now displayed throughout St. Louis County, including two in the Duluth area, to shed light on the norms of substance uses. Vaping is one form of substance that has become more common among young people in recent years. A recent survey conducted on Minnesota students shows the idea that “everyone is doing it” is certainly…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Monday, November 16

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 7,444 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota Monday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 231,018 in the state. Health officials also reported 12 news deaths bringing the death total to 2,917 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 3,472,833 tests have been completed to date. There are…