Minnesota

First Solar Garden in Duluth’s Lincoln Park Sustainably Powering Neighborhood

Non-profit Ecolibrium 3 made the unveiling Saturday on Michigan Street right along I-35.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Lincoln Park Neighborhood’s only solar garden is now officially in operation. Non-profit Ecolibrium 3 made the unveiling Saturday on Michigan Street right along I-35. The sustainable energy garden is powering the Duluth Veterans Place, which is a transitional housing project by the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MAC-V). Duluth Veterans Place planned to have solar panels themselves,…

Advocates Pitch Tents Outside Duluth City Hall to Call Action to Homelessness

Local organizations gathered the crowd to raise awareness of the growing number of people sleeping on the streets.

DULUTH, Minn.- A different type of rally Monday filled the lawns outside Duluth City Hall with tents symbolizing the homeless population, which advocates hope speak louder than words or signs. “I want city council and the mayor and all of city government to look at these tents out here and realize that these tents represent just a fraction of the…

Vice President Mike Pence Holds a Rally in Hibbing

HIBBING, Minn. (AP) – Vice President Mike Pence has met a few hundred supporters on an airport tarmac for a campaign rally in northern Minnesota’s Iron Range. Most in the crowd on Monday were not wearing masks or social distancing as the vice president gave his remarks in the freezing weather. The vice president made the campaign stop in Minnesota…

Update: Surgery Successful for GOP US Senate Candidate Jason Lewis

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The campaign of Republican U.S. Senate candidate Jason Lewis of Minnesota said Monday that his emergency surgery for a severe internal hernia was a success. The campaign had said the condition could have been life-threatening if not treated quickly, But campaign manager Tom Szymanski said in a statement that his surgery was “successful and minimally invasive.” He…

GOP US Senate Candidate Jason Lewis Rushed Into Surgery

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota Republican U.S. Senate candidate Jason Lewis has been rushed into emergency surgery for a severe internal hernia. The Lewis campaign said in a statement Monday that the condition is life-threatening if not treated quickly. Campaign manager Tom Szymanski said in the statement that Lewis experienced severe abdominal pain early Monday morning and was taken to an…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Monday, October 26

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 135,372 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Monday morning and 4 new deaths bringing the death total to 2,353 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 2,710,177 tests have been completed to date. There are 120,421 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 9,588 patients have required hospitalization…

Pence Tests Negative for Coronavirus Ahead of Hibbing Rally

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Mike Pence plans to maintain an aggressive campaign schedule this week despite an apparent outbreak of the coronavirus among his senior aides, the White House says. Pence’s chief of staff, Marc Short, and “a couple of key staff surrounding the vice president” have tested positive for the virus, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows…

Pitbull Awareness Month Wrapped Up with Fundraiser at 7 West Miller Hill

Every year during the month of October the restaurant raises money for the Minnesota Pitbull Rescue.

DULUTH, Minn.- October is Pitbull Awareness Month, and on Sunday 7 West Taphouse on Miller Hill hosted a party to wrap up its month-long fundraiser. Every year during the month of October the restaurant raises money for the Minnesota Pitbull Rescue offering t-shirts and different pitbull-themed gifts. $10 from every event ticket went to the organization. The General Manager of…

Hundreds Gear Up at 49th Annual Ski Swap at Spirit Mountain

By Sunday only a few skis, snowboards and boots sat in the room at the Spirit Mountain Chalet.

DULUTH, Minn.- Hundreds of experienced and novice skiers and snowboarders got their gear at the 49th Annual Team Duluth Ski Swap at Spirit Mountain over the weekend, keeping a nearly 50-year tradition alive. By Sunday only a few skis, snowboards and boots sat in the room at the Spirit Mountain Chalet. According to the staff of active Team Duluth skiers…

Marinas Begin Prepping Vessels For Winter

The process usually takes under two hours depending on the size of the boat.

DULUTH, Minn. – Marinas in the area have begun winterizing boats. The process usually takes under two hours depending on the size of the boat. Although experts say it’s a bit earlier than they are used to, it doesn’t make it any less important when getting your boat ready for winter. “The process is basically draining out the water that…

Duluth Police Department Helping Setup Bentleyville

Bentleyville is set to open November 21st and run through December 27th. 

DULUTH, Minn. – Several members of the Duluth Police Department were out helping setup Bentleyville Friday afternoon. It’s a yearly tradition where members of the command staff take time out of their days to come down and help set up some of the larger displays for the tour of lights. The chief of the department says engaging like this with…

Minnesota Reports 13 More Deaths, More Than 1,700 Cases

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota health officials reported 1,721 new cases of the coronavirus and 13 deaths on Friday as the state is swept along in a surge of cases across the Upper Midwest and Plains. Friday’s tally brought the state’s totals since the pandemic began to 129,863 cases and 2,314 deaths. The updated numbers mark two straight weeks of more…

Duluth Firefighter Cited for Assaulting Woman in July now Formally Charged

DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth firefighter placed on a 30-day unpaid suspension this summer after being accused of assaulting a 65-year-old woman on a West Duluth trail, has now been formally charged with multiple felonies – he was previously facing a misdemeanor assault citation for the incident. Conrad Sunde, 49, was charged this week with first-degree aggravated robbery and third-degree…

Duluth School District to Keep Athletics and Activities Open

DULUTH, Minn. – On Thursday, Duluth Superintendent John Magas announced his decision to keep athletics and activities open while continuing to keep an eye on the safety of students. This week St. Louis County reported a Duluth COVID-19 case rate of 32.7. A slight decrease from the previously reported 35.2. Last week, the district stated that it would consider pausing…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Friday, October 23

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 129,863 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Friday morning and 13 new deaths bringing the death total to 2,314 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 2,614,124 tests have been completed to date. There are 114,679 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 9,338 patients have required hospitalization…

Aclu: Minnesota Failing to Protect Inmates From COVID-19

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota is suing the state, alleging prison officials have not taken adequate precautions to protect inmates from COVID-19. The ACLU-MN filed a petition Thursday asking a court to force the state to keep people in custody safe. The Department of Corrections said it was reviewing the lawsuit. “We acknowledge the health…

Spirit Mountain Preparing For Ski Swap Event

Preparations for the 48th Annual Ski Swap are underway.

DULUTH, Minn. – Spirit Mountain is preparing for the 48th annual ski swap event. The resort will have hundreds of new and used equipment at the swap starting Friday and running through Sunday. The goal is to help people get excited for the winter season. “Helping kids get out in the snow. Skiing and snowboarding. Enjoying spirit mountain in the…

A New App Is Providing Easy Access To Help For Police Officers Dealing With Stress

DULUTH, Minn. – Working in law enforcement can be stressful for officers in the line of duty. Hoping to combat potential mental health concerns, the Duluth Police Department is testing out a new app called Peer Connect to help provide additional support for officers dealing with stressful situations. “Everybody in this organization, because of the type of work we do,…

A Large Drug Trafficking Ring Dismantled By Duluth Police & Other Law Enforcement Agencies

Nearly 50 people are now being charged after a year-long investigation focused in Duluth, Rochester, and on the Iron Range brought down this drug operation.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department and a string of other law enforcement agencies including the Lake Superior Drug and Violent Crime Taskforce have shut down a significant drug trafficking ring that extended throughout Greater Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Duluth police say this is the largest drug bust in history for the region. Nearly 50 people are now being…

2021 Duluth Boat Show Canceled

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Boat, Sports, Travel, & RV Show scheduled for February 2021 has been canceled. The announcement was made on the Duluth Boat Show’s Facebook page Wednesday afternoon. The show was set to take place February 18-21, 2021 at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center, but has been canceled due to COVID-19 concerns. “The safety of our attendees,…

Walz Activates Minnesota National Guard Following Developments in Floyd Case

(Courtesy: Twitter/MN National Guard) MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – On Thursday Gov. Tim Walz announced he has activated the Minnesota National Guard to assist local law enforcement in public safety efforts in the Twin Cities area following today’s court rulings in the George Floyd case. “In light of developments in the George Floyd case, we’ve taken the precautionary step of asking the…

Trucker Who Drove Through George Floyd Protesters Is Charged

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A truck driver who drove into a large crowd of protesters on a bridge in Minneapolis following the killing of George Floyd was charged Thursday with two criminal counts. Hennepin County prosecutors charged Bogdan Vechirko, of Otsego, with making threats of violence, a felony, and criminal vehicular operation, a gross misdemeanor, the Star Tribune reported. Prosecutors allege that he…

Eveleth Shooting Suspect Charged With Felony Assault

EVELETH, Minn. – A Duluth man arrested for shooting at one individual and assaulting another in an Eveleth Subway parking lot earlier this week has been formally charged. Authorities say 29-year-old Jamar Maurice Smith has been charged with felony second-degree assault, felony domestic assault, felon in possession of ammunition or a firearm, and fifth-degree possession of methamphetamine. According to the…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Thursday, October 22

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 128,152 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Thursday morning and 20 new deaths bringing the death total to 2,301 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 2,587,268 tests have been completed to date. There are 113,976 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 9,226 patients have required hospitalization…

Judge Dismisses 3rd-Degree Murder Charge Against Derek Chauvin, Other Charges Remain

(Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office via AP) MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A Hennepin County judge has dismissed the third-degree murder charge against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin but denied the defense’s motions to dismiss the other charges against him. Chauvin remains charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd. Judge Peter A. Cahill issued several critical rulings Thursday….

Harbortown Rotary Club of Duluth Helps Bentleyville Crews Deck the Halls

The Rotary Club members' job: putting up the "5th Avenue Tunnel" lights.

DULUTH, Minn.- Snow’s not the only thing getting Duluth in the winter spirit –setup is continuing at the Bentleyville Tour of Lights, and they are continuing to receive help from the community. About 15 volunteers from the Harbortown Rotary Club of Duluth came ready to deck the halls at Bayfront Park. Normally they help out with other parts of the…

Ministry Group Raises Money for Hurricane Relief Down South

Jesus is Life Ministries will be in the Hobby Lobby parking lot until Sunday raising money to bring supplies to Florida and Alabama.

DULUTH, Minn.- A Duluth church is once again collecting donations to give aid and supplies to those impacted by the hurricanes that have decimated the Southern United States. Every year Jesus is Life Ministries raises money in parking lots of various stores on Miller Hill. They will be in the Hobby Lobby parking lot until Sunday when they go to…

Duluth Police Advise Slow, Cautious Driving Ahead of More Snow

Police also remind drivers to leave room behind other to provide enough distance to brake in slippery conditions.

DULUTH, Minn.- As the Northland prepares for another blast of snow officials with the Duluth Police Department want to remind people that driving is going to have to change with the road conditions. They say that when there’s snow, drive slow. Many road accidents can be avoided just by doing that, they say, especially with Duluth’s hilly terrain. Police also…

Churches Collaborate To Offer Safe Halloween Alternative

DULUTH, Minn. – Trick or treating this Halloween, may not be the safest activity as the pandemic continues to cause health concerns. Several places of worship in the Twin Ports, including Coppertop Church and First Lutheran Church in Duluth, are partnering to provide a safer alternative for Halloween. Each church will host its own drive-thru event at the same time…

Flu Shots Available At Essentia Health Vaccination Clinic At Miller Hill

DULUTH, Minn. – Essentia Health is now offering a flu shot clinic at the Miller Hill Mall, to help accommodate the need for more people to be vaccinated. Patient volumes for Essentia Health’s walk-in vaccination clinic at the mall have been a little slower than anticipated so far. Health officials are expecting a surge to start soon. The pandemic poses…

St. Louis County Sheriff’s K9 Diesel Passes Away

St. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn. – According to a Tuesday Facebook post by the Northland K9 Foundation, the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of a second K-9 Officer within a week. K-9 Diesel passed away Tuesday morning after being off duty for several months due to a degenerative spinal issue. The post said Diesel had almost reached…

Bars, Restaurants Can Host Sports Leagues Under New Guidance

(FOX 9) – Bars and restaurants in Minnesota are allowed to host leagues for sports like darts, pool, or beanbags amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new guidance released Wednesday. The Minnesota Department of Health updated its guidance for bars and restaurants amid the COVID-19 pandemic to allow bars and restaurants to host leagues under certain conditions. Under the new guidelines, bars and restaurants must…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Wednesday, October 21

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 126,591 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Wednesday morning and 35 new deaths bringing the death total to 2,281 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 2,560,520 tests have been completed to date. There are 113,158 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 9,147 patients have required hospitalization…

Salvation Army: 20 Who Went to Minnesota Event Test Positive

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Salvation Army says 20 of its staff members from Minnesota and North Dakota tested positive for the coronavirus after 62 people attended a recent conference in northern Minnesota. “Despite adherence to the health guidance, we fully acknowledge that COVID-19 is formidable and highly contagious,” Salvation Army spokesman Dan Furry said in a statement Tuesday, the Star Tribune…

Parts of Minnesota Get Record Snow for This Early in October

(Elizabeth Flores/Star Tribune via AP) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A record-setting October snowstorm dumped heavy snow in Minnesota and parts of northern Wisconsin and the eastern Dakotas, causing slippery driving conditions. It was the heaviest snow this early in October for many Minnesota locations and some in northwestern Wisconsin. The National Weather Service said Lakeville and some other southern Twin Cities…

Pumpkin Patch in Superior Raising Money for Church Community Outreach

Faith United Methodist Church is selling pumpkins in the Hardee's parking lot off Belknap. 

SUPERIOR, Wis.- A pumpkin patch outside a local church in Superior is raising money for community outreach. Faith United Methodist Church is selling pumpkins in the Hardee’s parking lot off Belknap. They’ve sold about 600 of the roughly 1,000 they’ve been selling since the beginning of October. “We got a lot of carving pumpkins, we got a lot of different…

St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office: Multiple Accidents As Road Conditions Are Slick

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn. — The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says its deputies and other emergency crews have responded to multiple accidents because of the dangerous driving conditions. One accident that was noted in a press release happened at 5 p.m. in Rice Lake, where two cars collided near the Martin Road and Howard Gnesen Road intersection. According to…

New Black-Owned Beauty Salon in Central Hillside Aims to Serve Diverse Hair Types

"Without our hair being valued the way it is significant to us then it's almost like who are we?" the owner said. 

DULUTH, Minn.- A new black-owned salon in Duluth’s Central Hillside neighborhood is hoping to bring a new style and hair care catered to a more diverse part of the community. Natural Braiding and Beauty on East 4th Street opened this past week. While barbers work on all types of hair, owner Denisa Ford-Washington braids and cares for the African American…

Wrong-Way Driver With Alcohol In System Hits MNDOT Plow Truck in St. Louis County

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn. — A 44-year-old man who was driving the wrong way on Highway 53 hit a plow truck that belongs to the Minnesota Department of Transportation on Tuesday evening, and the Minnesota State Patrol says alcohol was involved. According to State Patrol, the accident happened around 7:30 p.m. south of the city of Cook, while roads were…

‘Snow’ Place Like Home: Early Big Blast of Winter Brings Northlanders Out

The few inches that fell Tuesday was enough to blanket cars, driveways, parks -- pretty much everything.

DULUTH, Minn.- Whether enjoying the freshly fallen snow, clearing it off or preparing for more to come, Northlanders were out and about after the first big snowfall of the season. It was beginning to look a lot like winter at Leif Erickson Park Tuesday evening, the falling snow obscuring the Aerial Lift Bridge in the distance. But that didn’t stop…

Sacred Heart Music Center Needs Help Replacing Items Stolen After Break-Ins

A GoFundMe Page is set up to help raise $7,500.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Sacred Heart Music Center is looking to raise $7,500 to recover their losses after several break-ins during the pandemic. Some of the items stolen include a computer, speakers, several tv monitors, and a few guitars. Sacred Heart typically runs musical concerts, weddings, and youth programs at the facility several times a month. The pandemic has forced…

2020 UMD Homecoming Underway

This year they have an added focus on safety during the pandemic while still providing the same atmosphere Bulldogs are used to. 

DULUTH, Minn. – Members of the Kirby Student Board have put together a variety of events for current students complete with discounts and other giveaways during homecoming. This year they have an added focus on safety during the pandemic while still providing the same atmosphere Bulldogs are used to. “We have pretty much all the same events we’ve done in…

State Patrol Reports 346 Crashes, 345 Spinouts as Fall Snowstorm Hits Minnesota

(FOX 9) – Roads are snow-covered and slippery in much of Minnesota as of Tuesday afternoon as a fall snowstorm hits the state. The Minnesota State Patrol is reporting troopers are responding to a number of crashes, spin-outs, and vehicles off the road in central Minnesota along Interstate 94. State Patrol says drivers in the area may encounter some standstill traffic due…

First Significant Snowstorm Could Set Records in Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The season’s first significant snowstorm of the year was dumping heavy amounts of precipitation in Minnesota and Wisconsin Tuesday and causing slippery driving conditions in the Dakotas. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning until early evening for portions of central Minnesota and west-central Wisconsin. Snow accumulations of 4 to 6 inches were expected with…

Minnesota Reports Record Number of New COVID-19 Hospitalizations

(FOX 9) – Minnesota health officials reported 1,120 new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday and seven more deaths from the disease. Minnesota has now seen a total of 125,531 COVID-19 cases and 2,246 deaths since the onset of the pandemic, according to the latest state Department of Health data. The 1,120 newly reported cases were out of 13,903 completed tests in a 24-hour…

Lawsuit: City, County Officials Violated Rights of Homeless

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A lawsuit accuses officials in Minneapolis and Hennepin County of violating the civil rights of people in homeless encampments when they conducted sweeps that displaced them and put their health at risk. The federal complaint filed Monday by the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota and Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid is asking a judge to declare class-action status…