Minnesota

Saint Scholastica Physical Therapy Students Dealing with Hybrid Learning

Members of the Physical Therapy program say, the communication between both students and faculty has never been better.

DULUTH, Minn. – “We really have a holistic approach and learn about the whole body so we can treat the person as a whole throughout physical therapy,” Second Year Graduate Student, Mackenzie Davidge says. The rigorous physical therapy program at Saint Scholastica normally has 48 students in a group. This year, they have split those students into two separate classes….

Positivity Rate for COVID-19 Climbs to 9% in Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The positivity rate for coronavirus tests increased to 9% Tuesday in Minnesota, after previously hovering around 5%, an unwelcome sign that the disease is spreading rapidly in the state. The Minnesota Department of Health reported 3,483 new positive cases and 15 additional deaths compared to Monday. A total of 157,096 people have been infected with COVID-19 in…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Tuesday, November 3

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 157,096 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Tuesday morning and 15 new deaths bringing the death total to 2,499 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 2,916,431 tests have been completed to date. There are 134,227 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 10,647 patients have required hospitalization…

2020 Election Day Voting Guide

Polls open Tuesday at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m. Not sure if you are registered?: Minnesota – CLICK HERE Wisconsin – CLICK HERE Michigan – CLICK HERE Where do I vote?: Minnesota – CLICK HERE Wisconsin – CLICK HERE Michigan – CLICK HERE Help! I didn’t register in advance: You’re in luck! Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan allow same-day…

Knowing Your Neighbors: New Salon Aims to Bring Black Haircare, Heritage to Duluth

"Our hair is a part of who we are," said owner Denisa Ford-Washington

DULUTH, Minn.- A new salon in Duluth’s Central Hillside Neighborhood is catering to African American hair types, which they see as underrepresented in Northland haircare. “Our hair is a part of who we are,” said owner Denisa Ford-Washington. “And without it I just feel like there’s a whole side of us that isn’t there.” Ford-Washington opened up Natural Braiding and…

Unsafe Structure of Kozy Prolongs Investigation into Cause of Latest Fire, Chief Says

Chief Krizaj said a natural spark like lightning isn't suspected, and no electricity or people were found inside.

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth’s Fire Chief spoke out Monday involving Sunday’s fire, once again at the condemned former Kozy building in Downtown Duluth — with the cause still under investigation. According to the Chief, the fire broke out around 9:50 Sunday morning, on the second floor above the bar. The flames were put out around three in the afternoon. “We got…

Home Struck 8 Times During Drive-by Shooting in Duluth’s Piedmont Neighborhood

This is the 32nd shooting in Duluth so far this year compared to 22 in 2019.

DULUTH, Minn. – Another shooting has happened in Duluth – the 32nd so far this year compared to 22 last year. It was a drive-by shooting around 11:30 p.m. Sunday involving a home in the Piedmont neighborhood – just one block from Piedmont Elementary School, according to a press release. Nearby surveillance video obtained by FOX 21 shows the vehicle…

“Moms Demand Action” Group Promotes Voting; Supports Candidates Who Will Fight Gun Violence

DULUTH, Minn. — The organization “Moms Demand Action For Gun Sense in America,” which promotes gun violence prevention and gun safety, is getting the word out about voting in the Northland and beyond. The organization was formed nationally after the Sandy Hook school shooting in 2012. The group defines itself as nonpartisan and supports political candidates on either side of…

Voters Line Up Outside Duluth City Hall To Cast Ballot

DULUTH, Minn. – There are less than 24 hours left until election day. Nearly 50% of registered voters in the City of Duluth have already returned their ballots. This adds up to a little over 24,000 mail-in votes from Duluth residents, which city officials say is unprecedented compared to previous presidential elections. On Monday, voters took advantage of the warmer…

Thanksgiving Burrito Returns To Burrito Union

DULUTH, Minn. – The wait is finally over. The Thanksgiving burrito returns for the holidays at Burrito Union. The legendary burrito is packed with all your Thanksgiving favorites including roasted turkey, corn, stuffing, and mashed potatoes. It also comes with a side of gravy and cranberry salsa. The manager says every year the burrito is a hit. “It’s always an…

Supreme Court Denial Keeps Mask Mandate at Minnesota Polls

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A requirement that Minnesota voters wear masks at the polls to help stop the spread of the coronavirus will remain in place on Election Day after the U.S. Supreme Court declined Monday to block the mandate while a lawsuit is being appealed. Justice Neil Gorsuch, who handles emergency requests from the federal appeals court that oversees Minnesota,…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Monday, November 2

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 153,620 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Monday morning and 9 new deaths bringing the death total to 2,484 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 2,905,229 tests have been completed to date. There are 132,125 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 10,437 patients have required hospitalization…

Confirmed Cases of the Coronavirus Top 150,000 in Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Minnesota has topped 150,000, according to data released Sunday by the state Department of Health. The update showed an increase of 2,217 positive tests for COVID-19 and 18 deaths in the last day. Health officials have reported a total of 150,672 cases since the start of the pandemic….

Stillwater Prison Inmate Dies of Coronavirus Complications

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Another inmate has died of coronavirus complications at a state prison in Minnesota. A 61-year-old inmate at the Stillwater prison died at the facility Sunday, authorities said. The man had existing medical conditions and tested positive for COVID-19 on Oct. 20, according to prison officials. The inmate was taken to a hospital on Saturday, evaluated, and released…

Temporary Heating Fix at St. Regis Apts. Doesn’t Mean Tenants Can Return Yet

Management says they got the furnace running for now while continuing help tenants find somewhere new to live.

DULUTH, Minn.- Representatives for the St. Regis Apartments in Downtown Duluth tells us they’ve temporarily fixed the heating system there after nearly a dozen families were forced to leave when it broke down in October. Owner Eric Ringsred, also prior owner of the former Kozy Building, submitted plans to replace everything with a new system, but recently found out the…

Condemned Kozy Building Starts on Fire — Again

The cause of the fire remained under investigation Sunday.

DULUTH, Minn. — The condemned Kozy building in downtown Duluth went up in flames again Sunday. The Duluth Fire Department got the call for a structure fire around 9:50 a.m. at 129 East 1st Street. When crews arrived, thick smoke was coming from the second floor of the building. Fire crews on scene Sunday morning after fire broke out at…

Fitger’s Celebrates Halloween with Socially Distant Storytelling, Candy

Only a few people at a time were allowed into the courtyard, masks were required and individual bags of candy were handed out. 

DULUTH, Minn.- Fitger’s Complex in Duluth also got in the Halloween spirit, hosting a socially distant event in their courtyard, decked out all spooky. Individual bags of candy were handed out, and a kids could listen into a Halloween story being read. Only a few people at a time were allowed into the courtyard, masks were required and individual bags…

Duluth School District Extends Hybrid, Distance Learning Through End of Year

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth School District announced on Friday that Duluth Public Schools will continue with the current learning models through the end of December. Currently, elementary schools are in a hybrid learning model while secondary and middle schools are in a distance learning model. In a recent press release, the district said the decision was made due to…

Minnesota Virus Cases, Hospitalizations at Single-Day Record

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota health officials Friday reported a single-day high of 3,165 new coronavirus infections, with 18 deaths. The state also reported 738 hospitalizations, another single-day high, with 176 people in intensive care. States around the country are struggling with rising cases of the coronavirus. Despite the rising hospitalizations, Dr. Rahul Koranne of the Minnesota Hospital Association told the…

St. Ann’s Purchases Lot of Former Adas Israel Synagogue

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Ann’s Residence has purchased the lot of the former Adas Israel Synagogue according to St. Ann’s Executive Director Scott Johnson. The historic building located on the corner of 3rd Street and 3rd Avenue East was the oldest Jewish Orthodox congregation in Duluth. The building burned down in a fire last September. Johnson says St. Ann’s plans…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Friday, October 30

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 145,465 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Friday morning and 18 new deaths bringing the death total to 2,437 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 2,803,338 tests have been completed to date. There are 125,052 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 10,119 patients have required hospitalization…

U.S. Steel ‘Evaluating Potential Restart of Keetac’ by End of Year

KEEWATIN, Minn. – U.S. Steel says they are “evaluating a potential restart of Keetac by year-end.” The site has sat idle since May of this year due to the coronavirus pandemic leaving over 300 workers still without a job. “We continue to evaluate the timing around a potential restart of Keetac. Seasonality is a part of that decision process,” a…

Minnesota SOS: Too Late to Mail Ballots — but Not to Vote

If you still have an absentee ballot at home you must drop it off by hand to an election office or official drop box

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota’s secretary of state said Thursday it’s too late for voters to mail back their absentee ballots if they want to make sure their votes count after an appeals court ruling indicated that mail-in ballots arriving after Election Day are at risk of being invalidated. A three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled…

You Can “Spoil” Your Mailed Ballot And Vote In-Person If You’re Worried It Won’t Make It In Time

MINNESOTA — With the latest court ruling that Minnesota absentee ballots that are mailed in will not be accepted past 8 p.m. on November 3rd, voters who have already dropped their ballots in the mailbox may worry that it won’t arrive in time to be counted. However, there is a way to find out if your ballot has been counted….

Animal Allies Stresses Importance of Microchipping Your Pet at Free Event

Staff at Animal Allies say if you still need to microchip your pet, give them a call and set up an appointment at their clinic. 

DULUTH, Minn- Another free opportunity to get your pet microchipped was hosted by Animal Allies Thursday outside the Damiano Center in Duluth. Animal experts say no matter how cold it may be for you, your pet may still try to get out and the microchip is the number one way to locate them quickly. “All times of year animals they…

Rambler Food Truck Helps Life House Collect Winter Supply Donations

The food truck gave free food to anyone who donated coats, socks, hats, gloves, or toiletries like toothpaste, body wash, or deodorant. 

DULUTH, Minn.- On the last day of their season, the Northland’s Rambler Food Truck, decided to lend a hand to a local winter supply drive. The food truck parked outside of Life House in Downtown Duluth, giving free food to anyone who donates coats, socks, hats, gloves, or toiletries like toothpaste, body wash, or deodorant. Rambler staff say before they…

Record-Breaking Growth in COVID-19 Cases Causing Concern in Northland

St. Louis County Health Officials said in the last two months, half of the county's coronavirus cases have been a result of community spread.

DULUTH, Minn.- As the state of Minnesota reported their highest daily COVID-19 case amount since the pandemic began City of Duluth officials, St. Louis County Public Health, School leaders and top doctors from St. Luke’s and Essentia say that upward trend is visible in the Twin Ports as well. Since Wednesday, St. Louis County is reporting a record jump of…

Minnesota Reports Record-High 2,800 New Virus Cases

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Department of Health reported 2,872 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, the most reported in a single day since the pandemic began. The state’s health department also reported 32 deaths, three shy of the highest reported in a day, and the second time this month single-day deaths climbed over 30. Minnesota’s totals now stand at 142,311…

Biden to Campaign in St. Paul, Trump Rally Moves to Dodge Center

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Both presidential candidates will campaign in Minnesota on Friday, just four days before Election Day. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has scheduled a drive-in campaign event in St. Paul at 3:45 p.m. The Biden campaign hasn’t answered questions about the event’s exact location. President Donald Trump has moved his early evening rally to McNeilus Steel in Dodge Center, according…

DTA to Offer Free Rides on Election Day

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Transit Authority announced on Thursday that it will be offering free rides to the public on Tuesday, November 3 for election day. The DTA says no fares will be required throughout the service day and passengers will be able to take advantage of the free service to and from any destination in the system. “We…

Trump Officials End Gray Wolf Protections Across Most of US

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (AP) — The Trump administration has removed gray wolves in most of the U.S. from the endangered species list. Thursday’s action ends longstanding federal safeguards for the predators in the Lower 48 states, except for a small population of Mexican gray wolves in the Southwest. The announcement just days ahead of the election could allow the hunting of…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Thursday, October 29

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 142,311 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Thursday morning and 32 new deaths bringing the death total to 2,419 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 2,770,450 tests have been completed to date. There are 124,379 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 9,991 patients have required hospitalization…

GOP Campaigns Asks That Late Absentee Ballots Be Separated

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The campaigns for President Donald Trump and Republican state legislative candidates are petitioning the Minnesota Supreme Court to separate all mailed ballots received after Election Day in case of legal challenges to their validity. The petition filed Wednesday is the latest challenge to Minnesota’s seven-day extension for absentee ballots. It comes a day after a federal appeals…

Judge Recognized for Helping Those in Court System Battling Drug and Alcohol Addictions

DULUTH, Minn. — On Wednesday, a judge in Duluth received an award for his work helping those in the court system who are grappling with addictions and facing crimes related to drug and alcohol abuse. 6th District Court Judge Shaun Floerke was given the Gary P. Olson Visionary Award from the Center for Alcohol and Drug Treatment over Zoom. Judge…

Hogwarts Halloween Provides Safe Alternative

The event goes from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Halloween.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Pilgrim Church in Duluth is putting on a unique drive-by event for Halloween inspired by Harry Potter. The theme is Hogwarts. There will be plenty of fun wizard-inspired activities, such as a potions table and a wand giveaway. A flying car will also be set up for Halloween-goers to take a ride and of course plenty…

Ammunition Shortage Not Good For Deer Season

A recent survey showed ammunition sales increased by nearly 140% in the first half of this year compared to 2019.

DULUTH, Minn. – The nation has seen dramatic supply shortages for certain goods throughout the course of the pandemic. As deer season approaches, there is a strong decline in the amount of available ammunition. At the beginning of the pandemic, many gun shops started seeing ammunition shortages. Reasons for this included panic buying by gun owners and the lack of…

Group Asks Regulators to Check Enbridge’s Pipeline Capacity

(AP Photo/Jim Mone, File) ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — An environmental group is asking Minnesota utility regulators to investigate Enbridge’s additions to its existing oil pipeline capacity which could make the company’s controversial new $2.6 billion pipeline unnecessary. A filing by the Indigenous organization Honor the Earth with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission says Enbridge made no mention of its…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Wednesday, October 28

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 139,444 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Wednesday morning and 19 new deaths bringing the death total to 2,387 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 2,739,997 tests have been completed to date. There are 123,529 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 9,855 patients have required hospitalization…

Feds Announce Indictments in Phony Magazine Elder Fraud Case

(FOX 9) – The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Minnesota announced the indictment of 60 people accused of defrauding tens of thousands of mostly elderly victims out of $200 million in fraudulent magazine subscriptions. According to court documents obtained by FOX 9, the nationwide telemarketing fraud scheme targeted tens of thousands of elderly and other vulnerable people across the country. It was thwarted…

Great Outdoors: UMD Land Farm

The farm typically produces 20 to 30 thousand pounds of food during an average year.

DULUTH, Minn. – From the classroom to the farm UMD’s land lab is wrapping up its season. The project originally started in 2009, and although this year has been different for faculty and students it provided them with some unique opportunities for growth. Just off of Jean Duluth Road you’ll find UMD’s lab farm. It’s an outdoor classroom providing students…

Supreme Court Rejects Delay of Minnesota Congressional Vote

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Minnesota Republican candidate’s bid to delay voting in his congressional race to February after the death of a third-party candidate was rejected Tuesday at the Supreme Court. Justice Neil Gorsuch, who handles emergency requests from the federal appeals court that oversees Minnesota, denied the request from Tyler Kistner. Kistner is running against Democrat Angie Craig, the…

Patio Heater Shortage May Prevent The Extension Of Outdoor Seating For Some Restaurants

DULUTH, Minn. – The pandemic is continuing to put a strain on restaurant capacities, but low temperatures across the northland are making it harder to offer outdoor seating. As a result, the demand for patio heaters and fire pits has drastically increased. Restaurant owners are doing the most they can to overcome the hurdle of limited indoor capacities. Patio seating…

Court to Hear Challenge to Minnesota Mailed Ballot Extension

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Republicans who oppose Minnesota’s seven-day extension for counting absentee ballots beyond Election Day say that unless it is blocked, thousands of people whose ballots arrive after Nov. 3 will risk having their votes disqualified. But attorneys for Democratic Secretary of State Steve Simon argue that it’s too close to Election Day to make changes. Nearly 2 million…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Tuesday, October 27

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 137,536 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Tuesday morning and 15 new deaths bringing the death total to 2,368 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 2,724,320 tests have been completed to date. There are 122,100 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 9,729 patients have required hospitalization…

Early Cold, Snow Gets Deer Hunters Excited to Gear Up for Firearm Season

The owner of Chalstrom's Bait and Tackle on Rice Lake Road in Duluth said there's been a 20% increase in sales already compared to this time last year.

DULUTH, Minn.- The early blasts of cold and snow have had deer hunters in the Northland gearing up for the upcoming rifle season. The owner of Chalstrom’s Bait and Tackle on Rice Lake Road in Duluth said there’s been a 20% increase in sales already compared to this time last year. Fishing and archery season have been busy, but now…