Minnesota

COVID-19 Spike Forcing Duluth Edison Charter Schools To Go Virtual

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Edison Charter Schools has announced it’s switching to distance learning Tuesday for grades K through 5. The county’s COVID-19 spike has led to a large scale quarantine of students and staff, which Duluth Edison says is “crippling” their ability to provide in-person schooling. Distance learning is expected to continue until at least the end of the…

Old World Meats Celebrates 50th Anniversary

DULUTH, Minn. – Old World Meats on central entrance has been open for five decades now. “I would say we’re one of the only butcher shops in town, the small time butcher shops that can give you all the stuff the old time ones could,” Butcher, Mike Wrazidlo says. The business is so popular that owners are still in the…

Gun and Liquor Sales Spike Over Election Weekend

Some were stocking up on guns and champagne as the process played out.

DULUTH, Minn-  It’s been a highly emotional election season. As election results played out over the weekend some types of businesses in the Northland, like liquor stores and gun shops, saw a spike in sales. Strong feelings have been common with many people anxiously waiting for news about the presidential election results. Some were stocking up on certain items as…

Former Duluth Chamber of Commerce Accountant Charged With Theft Ordered to Pay Restitution

DULUTH, Minn. – The former Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce Accountant charged with theft by swindle of more than $235,000 from the Chamber was sentenced Monday and ordered to pay restitution. Jesse Frye,40, received a sentence of 3 years probation, 90 hours of community service, and will need to pay restitution as part of his plea agreement. Frye had previously…

UW-Superior Campus Offers Free COVID-19 Testing Site

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Superior campus is now offering a free temporary rapid-results COVID-19 testing site available to the community. “The addition of this testing site is in response to the increasing number of cases in our region, and we are pleased to take this leadership role,” said Chancellor Renée Wachter. The site is located in Mertz Mortorelli…

Walz Hints at Targeted Restrictions to Curb COVID-19 Spread

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz plans to announce new restrictions that target active spreaders of COVID-19 in an effort to bring the coronavirus under control. He says, however, that the restrictions would be more targeted than last spring’s 51-day stay-at-home order. Walz will speak with lawmakers before announcing at least some of his plans Tuesday. News of the…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Monday, November 9

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 184,788 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Monday morning and 19 new deaths bringing the death total to 2,675 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 3,147,270 tests have been completed to date. There are 149,766 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 11,671 patients have required hospitalization…

Gov. Walz Announces Expansion in Statewide COVID-19 Testing Access

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — On Monday, Gov. Tim Walz announced an expansion to statewide COVID-19 testing with the addition of more than 12 new testing locations opening across the state over the next two weeks. Walz made the announcement at the Minneapolis Convention Center where a new, free coronavirus saliva test site opened. “Over the last week, Minnesotans saw…

Child Killed in Single-Vehicle Crash in Cloquet

CLOQUET, Minn. – The Cloquet Police Department says one child was killed and another injured in a single-vehicle crash in Cloquet Sunday afternoon. Authorities say officers responded to reports of a crash around 4:30 p.m. in the 1500 block of White Pine Trail. When officers arrived at the scene they found a 2004 Chevy Impala on either side of White…

Fire Pit Overlook from 1930s Restored for Community Use by City of Superior

The original 1930s era Stone Council Circle is found at the end of Girl Scout Point in the Billings Park neighborhood. 

SUPERIOR, Wis.- An almost 100-year-old outdoor gathering spot in Superior is now open to the public again after being newly restored. According to Superior Mayor Jim Paine, Stone Council Circle was quietly restored all-year long by the Parks Department, and finished this summer. The original 1930s era structure is found at the end of Girl Scout Point in the Billings…

Council to Vote Monday on Funding for Kozy, Federal Funding for Permanent Warming, Hygiene Center

Resolutions call for money set aside for the Pastoret Terrace, and for CARES Act funding to be used for the city's first permanent warming and hygiene center.

DULUTH, Minn.- Two big issues will be brought to Duluth City Council Monday night — DEDA’s proposal to set aside funding for maintenance of the condemned Kozy Bar and Apartment Building, and a resolution for a permanent warming shelter and hygiene facility for Duluth’s homeless. The issue surrounding the historic Pastoret Terrace on East First Street, better known as the…

UMD Deaf Studies Program Adjusting to Virtual Learning

The deaf studies minor at UMD has the second largest enrollment in the school.

DULUTH, Minn. – After starting his new job at UMD at the beginning of the semester, Professor Christopher Johnson is learning how to transform his classwork online. “It’s really different settings. You know, how to support different students and the different things that they need in the midst of all of this,” UMD Deaf Studies Professor, Christopher Johnson signed in…

‘Duluth Restaurant Week — Gift Card Edition’ Begins Amid Pandemic

DULUTH, Minn. – The first-ever Duluth Restaurant Week – Gift Card Edition began Sunday as a replacement to the traditional Eat Downtown Restaurant Week because of the pandemic. So rather than attracting people to dine in for specially priced menus, this week is all about purchasing gift cards for deals. Nearly 30 participating restaurants throughout Duluth will provide a $5…

Accident Near Sawbill Trail Leaves Passenger Dead, Driver Arrested

It was determined the deceased was a passenger in the vehicle and the 36-year-old driver from Isabella, MN, had left the scene, authorities say.

GRAND MARAIS, Minn.- A 55-year-old male was found deceased in a damaged truck after an accident in Cook County, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. The suspected 36-year-old driver of the truck was taken into custody on charges of Criminal Vehicular Homicide. According to authorities, on November 7, 2020, at 6:03 am, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office was notified…

Local Political Experts Weigh-In on Declared Biden Win, What Comes Next

Both experts say the high nationwide voter turnout and youth voter turnout were the biggest takeaways of this year's election. 

DULUTH, Minn.- Local political experts from universities in the Northland weighed in Saturday on what comes next for President-Elect Joe Biden, and for President Donald Trump. On President Trump’s next moves Dr. Cindy Rugeley of UMD, a featured political analyst on FOX 21, said the nation should allow him the chance to contest the outcome in court. “I think that…

President-Elect Biden, Vice President-Elect Harris Address Nation After Victory

Biden outlines plans to address COVID, Harris said while the first, she will not be the last female Vice President.

  WILMINGTON, Del.- After almost a week of ballot-counting, Democratic Joe Biden was declared the 46th President of the United States Saturday, winning the 2020 Election. He gave his first address as President-Elect Saturday night, speaking from Wilmington, Delaware. “The United States of America, ladies and gentlemen, there’s never, never been anything we’ve tried and not been able to do,” said…

Meat Processing Markets Bracing for Hunting Season

PROCTOR, Minn. – Deer hunters are gearing up for opener on Saturday and so are meat processing plants. Stokke’s meat processing plant says that although these aren’t ideal hunting conditions, they are still hopeful they will meat their quota of poundage from years past. “Depending on the weather, about 200-300 deer a year. After we cut their steaks, chops and…

Minnesota Deer Season Opens Saturday

Hunters spent the day before the opener getting ready and stocking up so hopefully they can get their big buck this coming week.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The 2020 Minnesota firearms deer season begins on Saturday and many Northlanders are preparing for the big day. Hunters spent the day before the opener getting ready and stocking up so hopefully they can get their big buck this coming week. “Just get out and have some fun it’s going to be a beautiful weekend,” says Scott…

Warmer Weather Offers Second Chance For Outdoor Dining

"We thought it was going to be 30-40 degrees. We were planning on hunkering down in our lodge for three days," said Lauren Curtright, a visitor from the Twin Cities.

DULUTH, Minn. – Temperature in the 70s is typically unexpected for this time of year, but local restaurants are taking advantage of the opportunity. “We kind of planned a girls trip and get out of the cities for a little bit,” Lauren Curtright, a visitor from the Twin Cities. Two friends, like many others visiting Duluth got a surprise when…

Auditors Respond to Vote Recording Errors Made Affecting the MN House District 6A Race

The race is between Incumbent, Democrat Julie Sandstede and Republican Robert Farnsworth.

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Louis County Auditors addressed members of the media Friday afternoon after they corrected several errors in Northland precincts affecting the Minnesota’s House District 6A Race. The race is between incumbent, Democrat Julie Sandstede and Republican Robert Farnsworth. The errors included in-person votes being uploaded twice in Hibbing, another with one candidate receiving 40 less votes in…

Cass Lake Man Sentenced to 180 Months for Murder of Girlfriend’s Son

CASS LAKE, Minn. – A Cass Lake man has been sentenced to 180 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of Second-Degree Unintentional Murder of his girlfriend’s son. According to the criminal complaint, officers responded to a call of a non-responsive four-year-old on August 21, 2019. When officers arrived on the scene they found the mother holding the…

Minnesota Sets New Daily Record for COVID-19 Cases, Deaths

(FOX 9/FOX 21) – Minnesota saw its highest number of COVID-19 cases and deaths reported in a single day Friday with 5,454 new cases and 36 deaths, according to the latest data from the state health department. The Minnesota Department of Health reports the state has now recorded 170,305 cases of COVID-19 and 2,591 deaths attributed to the disease since the onset of…

2nd Polymet Permit Complaint Reaches Minnesota Supreme Court

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Lawyers for the proposed PolyMet Mining Corp.’s copper-nickel mine were back in front of the Minnesota Supreme Court for the second time in a month, arguing Thursday about an air pollution permit granted by state regulators. It’s the second dispute over the embattled $1 billion mine project that the state’s highest court is considering. Both cases involve canceled permits…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Friday, November 6

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 170,307 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Friday morning and 36 new deaths bringing the death total to 2,591 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 3,029,108 tests have been completed to date. There are 139,190 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 11,193 patients have required hospitalization…

Duluth Emergency Warming Center to Change Locations

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth announced on Friday morning that the emergency warming center, currently located at 5830 Grand Avenue, will be changing locations. The Duluth Housing and Redevelopment Authority will now be hosting the warming center site in the Rainbow Center at Tri-Trowers located at 211 North 3rd Avenue East. The Duluth Housing and Redevelopment Authority says…

Duluth Police ‘Experiencing Impacts of COVID-19,’ But City Won’t Say Total Cases

DULUTH, Minn. – The city of Duluth would not confirm how many officers or staff members with the Duluth Police Department were off the beat Thursday with COVID-19 after a press release was sent out that said the department is “experiencing impacts of COVID-19.” “We respect our employees right to privacy and all disclosures are voluntary.  Therefore, we will not…

Some Long Term Care And Assisted Living Facilities Are In Need Of Workers

DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is requesting help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He wants FEMA to support the needs of long-term care and similar facilities in the state suffering from staffing shortages. There are hundreds of long term care facilities right here in the Northland. As COVID-19 lingers, one of their biggest challenges is having enough…

Increase in COVID-19 Hospitilizations Prompts St. Luke’s to Reschedule Some Overnight Stay Surgeries

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Luke’s hospital says they have started rescheduling some elective surgeries that require overnight stays to help free-up hospital beds and staff at the facility. The move comes as the hospital says they are seeing a “significant increase in patients needing hospitalization” due to COVID-19. “The COVID-19 community infection rates continue to rise throughout the region and…

Keewatin Taconite Plans to Restart Plant, Bring Back Workers

KEEWATIN, Minn. (AP) — U.S. Steel plans to bring back hundreds of workers at the Keewatin Taconite plant in northern Minnesota that was shut down in May due to a drop in demand for iron and steel during the coronavirus pandemic, officials said Thursday. Dan Pierce, United Steelworkers union president for Keetac, said the company plans to begin recalling union…

Gov. Walz Signs Executive Order on the Safe Learning Plan

(John Autey/Pioneer Press via AP,Pool) ST. PAUL, Minn. – On Thursday, Governor Tim Walz signed Executive Order 20-94, which makes adjustments to the Safe Learning Plan originally outlined in Executive Order 20-82. Walz says the order aims to support students, families, and educators in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Executive Order 20-94 provides clarity around: Who qualifies for no-cost…

Minnesota Virus Cases Reach Record High for 3rd-Straight Day

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Department of Health reported 3,956 new coronavirus cases and 25 deaths on Thursday, breaking the single-day record for new cases for the third straight day. Minnesota has seen explosive case growth in the past week after a steady increase since mid-September. State health officials said Wednesday that the northwestern and central regions of the state…

Auditor’s Service Center at Miller Hill Mall Temporarily Closed Nov. 11-15

The Closure is in Preparation for a Statewide Launch of MNDRIVE System

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Louis County residents looking to renew driver’s license or deal with motor vehicle services will not be able to do so at the Auditor’s Service Center at the Miller Hill Mall from November 11-15. The closure is in preparation for the statewide launch of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services’ new MNDRIVE…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Thursday, November 5

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 164,865 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Thursday morning and 25 new deaths bringing the death total to 2,555 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 2,984,331 tests have been completed to date. There are 137,824 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 11,016 patients have required hospitalization…

646 People Arrested for Marching Onto I-94 in Minneapolis

(Leila Navidi/Star Tribune via AP) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Law enforcement officers arrested more than 600 demonstrators who marched onto an interstate in Minneapolis Wednesday night protesting President Donald Trump’s threats to challenge the results of Tuesday’s unsettled election, as well as a variety of social injustices. Officers in riot gear surrounded the crowd and ordered them to sit on the…

Judge Declines to Move Trial of Officers in Floyd’s Death

(Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office via AP) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A judge on Thursday declined defense requests to move the trial of four Minneapolis police officers charged in George Floyd’s death, and also ruled that all four would be tried in a single proceeding. Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill ruled after defense attorneys had argued that pretrial publicity had made it…

Voters React To Unknown Presidency Results

DULUTH, Minn.- Election day has come and gone, but results for the president has yet to be determined. Fox 21 caught up with some Northlanders to find out how they are feeling about the unknown presidency results. With ballots still being counted in a handful of states, some Northlanders say they are becoming anxious not knowing the results. “It looks…

Visit Duluth Gets 100k To Help Promote Winter Tourism

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Economic Development Authority is extending a lifeline to Visit Duluth to help the organization promote winter tourism in the area. Last week DEDA awarded Visit Duluth $100,000 after the group requested help. Visit Duluth is like many organizations hit hard by the pandemic and could not afford to promote tourism on their limited budget. The…

This Presidential Elections Sees Increased Voter Turnout

Some precincts in the City of Duluth had 90% or higher voter turnout.

DULUTH, Minn. – This year’s presidential election broke barriers as many more people voted than usual. About 80% of registered voters in the City of Duluth cast ballots in this year’s election. That is a significantly larger turnout compared to the 2016 presidential race. Another big takeaway from this year’s election is some precincts in the City of Duluth had…

Saliva Testing at the DECC now Open to Wisconsin Residents

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Louis County officials announced on Wednesday afternoon that the COVID-19 saliva testing site at the DECC is now available to Wisconsin residents. The free COVID-19 saliva testing site first opened to Minnesota residents in September. The site is open Wednesday through Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to…

Trump Sues for Michigan Ballot Access, Asks Wis. Recount

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump campaign filed a lawsuit Wednesday in Michigan state court demanding access to locations where ballots are being counted in one of the undecided states that could determine whether President Donald Trump gets another four years in the White House. The campaign said it is calling for a temporary halt in the counting until it is…

Lake Superior Zoo Temporarily Closed Due to COVID-19

DULUTH, Minn. – The Lake Superior Zoo announced on Tuesday that it will be temporarily closed due to a staff member that has tested positive for COVID-19. “We will be temporarily closing the Zoo to the public while our buildings are fully sanitized and deep-cleaned. We have conducted a contact-tracing investigation and any staff that was in CDC-defined close contact…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Wednesday, November 4

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 160,923 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Wednesday morning and 31 new deaths bringing the death total to 2,530 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 2,949,591 tests have been completed to date. There are 136,457 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 10,849 patients have required hospitalization…

What’s Next? UMD Political Science Professor Details Days Ahead in Election 2020

Dr. Cynthia Rugeley is the Associate Professor and Department Head of Political Science at UMD

DULUTH, Minn. – Many Americans woke up Wednesday morning wondering what comes next in the race for the White House. Ballots are still being counted in a handful of key states, including Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, and North Carolina among others. Dr. Cynthia Rugeley is the Associate Professor and Department Head of Political Science at UMD. She joined…

Voter Turnout Unprecedented in City, County Clerks Say

St. Louis County Officials say more than 54,000 absentee ballots have come in this year, a huge jump from the roughly 16,000 in 2016.

DULUTH, Minn.- According to officials nearly 8,000 more residents in St. Louis County registered to vote this year than during the 2016 Presidential Election, and the City of Duluth also smashing records when it comes to absentee ballots and turnout. City and county officials told FOX 21 the influx of absentee ballots this year have been unprecedented. While that has…

Deputy Auditor: 7,953 New Registered Voters in St. Louis County for Election 2020

Phil Chapman, St. Louis County Deputy Auditor, Says a Record Amount of Absentee Ballots Have Been Received in 2020

DULUTH, Minn. – According to Phil Champan, St. Louis County Deputy Auditor, nearly 8,000 more residents in St. Louis County registered to vote in 2020 than during the 2016 presidential election. Chapman says polling places have been well equipped with personal protective equipment thanks to help from the Secretary of State’s Office in Minnesota. Chapman tells FOX 21 Local News…

Authorities Ask for Public’s Help Locating Missing Teen Possibly in Duluth Area

DULUTH, Minn. – Authorities in Stearns County are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing teen. The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office says 16-year-old Mackenzie Rose Langner left her Duluth foster care placement without her cell phone on October 31 around 2:00 p.m. and has not been heard from since. Authorities say the teen goes by “Kenzie” and is…