DULUTH, Minn. — A Duluth man known in his neighborhood for his bright Christmas lights and decorations is bringing back the tradition again after stopping for a few years, while also searching for a living kidney donor. Pat Stojevich has more than 20,000 Christmas lights strung around his property and counting. “I figure by the time we’re done we’ll be…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department has received some major funding to help fight opioid addictions and start the recovery process for some people in the Northland. The department received a grant for almost $900,000. which will fund the Lake Superior Diversion and Substance Abuse Response team over the next three years. The funding will be used to expand…
DULUTH, Minn- The tax money generated from hotels, food, and beverage sales in the city of Duluth, is down by nearly 30% due to the financial impacts of the pandemic. This loss of revenue is forcing the city to tighten the belt on the distribution of money collected from tourism. Nearly 60% of the tourism tax budget will help fund…
EVELETH, Minn. – Hundreds who work in the service industry continue to be impacted by the second COVID-19 shutdown in Minnesota. As Christmas comes quickly, the financial strain is not only impacting restaurant owners but the many employees who rely on tips to make ends meet. “It’s upbeat, it’s fun, there are people everywhere,” said Jessica Lietz, owner of Boomtown…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Make Every Child Toy drive is still happening this year, but it will look a bit different. After previously holding the toy drive in other buildings, organizer Mike Letica almost called it quits this year until he reached out to the owner of Shake It. Letica was told he could use their facility in West Duluth across…
GRAND PORTAGE, Minn. (FOX 9) – A 39-year-old mother has been charged after she told Cook County, Minnesota deputies she left her 6-year-old daughter shoeless on the side of the road because God told her to. Jaydin Pankow, 39, of Waupaca, Wisconsin, was arrested the night of Dec. 10 after two good Samaritans found her daughter on the side of Hwy. 61 in Grand…
DULUTH, Minn. – Defense contractor Borsight Inc says its plans to bring up to 100 jobs to the Duluth area with an Air Force F-16 maintenance contract have been dashed. Duluth Economic Development Authority approved a lease agreement with Borsight in September to use space inside a Duluth International Airport Hangar previously occupied by AAR to service F-16 aircraft, contingent…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Brainerd man pleaded guilty Tuesday for his role in helping to set fire to a Minneapolis police station during civil unrest in the days following the death of George Floyd. A federal complaint accuses Dylan Shakespeare Robinson, 23, of lighting a Molotov cocktail that another person threw toward the Third Precinct headquarters on May 28. Robinson…
PINE COUNTY, Minn. – A 42-year-old Braham Minnesota man was charged on Tuesday with second-degree homicide according to the Pine County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities say 42-year-old David Daryl Pangerl was arrested on Friday in connection to the March homicide of Scott Ness. Police found Ness deceased in a camper trailer in Royalton Township on March 2. Investigators from the Pine…
DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth along with CHUM and Loaves and Fishes announced on Tuesday that the Duluth Warming Center will be open to those in need every night the week of December 14. The Warming Center is activated when overnight temperatures are expected to be at or below 32 degrees. The Center is located in the Duluth…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 2,340 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota Monday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 384,164 in the state. Health officials also reported 21 news deaths bringing the death total to 4,483 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 4,965,904 tests have been completed to date. There are…
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said he will make changes to the COVID-19 restrictions that are set to end Friday night, but there will be no immediate return to normal. “It appears like Minnesotans did an awful lot of things right around Thanksgiving,” he said Tuesday. He’s planning to make an announcement on Wednesday. Walz said he will sign the economic relief bill overwhelmingly…
PALISADE, Minn. (AP) — More than 4,000 workers are expected in northern Minnesota over the next couple weeks to build the contentious Line 3 oil pipeline replacement. Opponents of the pipeline have escalated their efforts to block construction, while local law enforcement is focused on keeping the peace. Construction has ramped up quickly on Line 3 since Enbridge Energy received…
DULUTH, Minn. – With Christmas just over one week away, the Duluth Salvation Army is making a final push for toy and monetary donations to help Northland families in need this holiday season. On Monday, the Salvation Army in Duluth began their food distribution which will continue throughout the rest of the week with toy distribution as well. Dan Williamson,…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A nurse on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center was the first in Minnesota to receive a COVID-19 vaccine Tuesday. Thera Witte, who works in a coronavirus unit at the hospital, said she feels honored to be the first and did not hesitate to volunteer. “I’m feeling hopeful that this…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The Minnesota Legislature has voted to pass a package of coronavirus relief measures aimed at businesses and workers who took the biggest hit from a four-week “pause” ordered by Gov. Tim Walz last month. The Senate voted 62-4 to approve the bill and send it to the House, which was passed it 117-13 late Monday night and…
DULUTH, Minn.- A new commission focused on the concerns of Duluth’s LGBTQ+ community was on the docket of Monday nights Duluth City Council meeting. Council read an ordinance by President Gary Anderson which would establish the Duluth Nonbinary, Queer, Trans, Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Intersex and Asexual Commission. It would advise city administration and council on issues impacting that…
DULUTH, Minn.- At their second to last meeting of the year Duluth City Council voted on, among other things, next year’s distribution of a smaller pot of Tourism Tax Revenue due to the effects of the pandemic. Last year, about $12 million in Tourism Tax — or Hotel, Motel, Food and Beverage Tax — Revenue was collected for Duluth tourism-related…
DULUTH, Minn. – With fewer people not wanting to spend much time shopping in person due to the pandemic, gift card sales have been on the rise at some local retail outlets. Staff at Frost River in Lincoln Park says gift cards are very popular during this time. The store manager says increased gift card sales can really give a…
DULUTH, Minn. — A new company in Duluth that sells small, sustainable Christmas trees created from black spruce tops is taking off this holiday season. It’s called “Little C Tree,” created by Duluth residents Benjy Christensen, Nola Wilson, and Wilson’s brother. These trees can fit into smaller spaces, such as apartments, and can even be mailed to loved ones you…
DULUTH, Minn.- This past weekend, The Northland Foundation dropped of donations of gifts for kids at the Steve O’Neil Apartments. On Monday, families got a chance to pick out some of their favorite gifts. A variety of toys were up for grabs. About 80 kids will be able to wake up on Christmas day with a special gift under their…
DULUTH, Minn. – A 73-year-old man is recovering from his injuries after being attacked at Tri-Towers by someone staying at the Rainbow Center’s warming shelter Terry Schnepp, a Tri-Towers resident, says he is still feeling the pain from his injuries after being attacked last week. “I’ve been living here for 10 years and never had anything like this happen,” said…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota’s electors on Monday formally cast the state’s 10 electoral votes for Democratic President-elect Joe Biden. It took under 25 minutes for the 10 electors to affirm Biden’s victory in Minnesota and just 40 minutes to complete all the paperwork and adjourn without incident. The 10 electors, all wearing masks, gathered at the Capitol in St. Paul…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 3,026 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota Monday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 381,841 in the state. Health officials also reported 18 news deaths bringing the death total to 4,462 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 4,933,794 tests have been completed to date. There are…
MINNEAPOLIS – The Minneapolis VA Medical Center has received Minnesota’s first shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine, though it wasn’t immediately clear when vaccinations would begin. Gov. Tim Walz was at the hospital when the shipment arrived Monday and said it’s a day everyone has been waiting. Other Minnesota hospital systems expect to receive their initial shipments in the next day…
(AP Photo/Steve Karnowski) ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – As they gavel in for a special session, Minnesota lawmakers have a deal to send $216 million in cash relief to businesses and give a 13-week extension of unemployment benefits to ease the financial strain of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We’re going to pass a bill today,” said state Rep. Dave Baker, R-Willmar, one of…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minnesota restaurant that continued to host dine-in service in defiance of Gov. Tim Walz’s coronavirus order has temporarily lost its liquor license. State officials suspended the license Sunday for the Boardwalk Bar & Grill in East Grand Forks. The suspension comes just days after a Polk County court closed the bar and restaurant to in-person dining,…
DULUTH, Minn.- Bentleyville Tour of Lights is coming off another busy Saturday night. Ahead of the coming holiday weekend, founder Nathan Bentley is again asking future attendees to seriously consider coming during the week. The attraction started closing to new vehicles at 5:30 Saturday, and ended up turning people away through the rest of the night. Bentley has asked attendees…
DULUTH, Minn. – Elected leaders in Duluth and St. Louis County are calling out Republican Congressman Pete Stauber, who represents Minnesota’s 8th District, for his backing of a recent lawsuit to invalidate President-Elect Joe Biden’s wins in Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia and Pennsylvania. Letter to Congressman Stauber The lawsuit was thrown out by the U.S. Supreme Court Friday. Duluth Mayor Emily…
DULUTH, Minn.- Bentleyville Tour of Lights completely closed to new vehicles Saturday night, after reaching capacity early in the evening according to their website. Around 5:30 Saturday evening the attraction posted on their Facebook page that to “alleviate the number of vehicles on the roadways,” they would close the line until 7:30. But when 7:30 rolled around, that post changed…
DULUTH, Minn.- Traffic at Bentleyville once again backed up Saturday, forcing the line for the drive-thru attraction to close for part of the evening. According to a post on their Facebook page, the line was at capacity around 5:30 p.m. Saturday. They closed the line for two hours until 7:30 p.m., and asked guests to return after that to alleviate…
DULUTH, Minn. – Demand for healthcare workers is becoming critical in the Northland. Essentia Health is now hiring, hoping to find skilled healthcare employees to fill the gaps brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. A shortage of frontline workers such as nurses is already creating a strain for hospitals in the region. Many hospital officials are getting concerned for the…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Public School District recently conducted a survey to learn the impacts of educating during the pandemic has had on families of students. The survey found about 75% of students and families have said they are having challenges. School district officials say the pandemic has changed the concept of what used to be the standards for…
DULUTH, Minn. – Recent research from the University of Minnesota Medical School shows the number of people over the age of 65 in the state is expected to double. The rapidly aging population has health professionals worried this could have major impacts. Clinical experts are calling it the “Silver Tsunami.” It is believed as people get older they are at…
COOK COUNTY, Minn. – Police say a woman has been arrested after she abandoned her 6-year-old daughter on the side of Highway 61 in the Grand Portage area Thursday night. According to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the area on reports of a child that was found on the side of the highway without proper winter clothing….
KEEWATIN, Minn. – Operations have restarted at the Keetac mine, according to Union Rep. Dan Pierce. A company spokesperson says plans are currently in the works to bring back about 400 employees. The site had been idle since May of this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. U.S. Steel owned Minntac reopened production lines 6 and 7 at the end…
MOOSE LAKE, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Corrections announced on Friday two more COVID-19 related deaths from the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Moose Lake and Faribault. One of the deceased from a 66-year-old man incarcerated at MCF-Fairbault and the other was a 63-year-old man from MCF-Moose Lake. Both men died at Abbot Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. The MN DOC…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Republican U.S. Reps. Tom Emmer, Pete Stauber, and Jim Hagedorn of Minnesota have signed on to a last-gasp bid to get the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the presidential election. The three are among more than 100 House Republicans who joined an amicus brief in support of a lawsuit by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Emmer’s name…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 3,773 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota Friday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 370,968 in the state. Health officials also reported 94 news deaths bringing the death total to 4,292 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 4,789,829 tests have been completed to date. There are…
HIBBING, Minn. – The driver in a fatal head-on crash in Hibbing last month has been charged with one count of criminal vehicular homicide – operating a motor vehicle in a grossly negligent manner and one count of criminal vehicular homicide – operating a vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance, according to the Hibbing Police Department. According…
(courtesy: Zup’s Food Market) ELY, Minn. – Zup’s Food Market announced on Wednesday its plans to purchase Ely Northland Market in the early part of 2021. The two major grocers in Ely say the partnership will result in one large grocery store located in the now vacant Shopko building. According to a recent press release, both stores will continue to…
(Elizabeth Flores/Star Tribune via AP) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A group of parents has sued Gov. Tim Walz, seeking to throw out his order that put high school sports on hold as part of efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus. But lawmakers agreed Thursday on $216 million in grants for businesses hurt by the four-week “pause” that Walz imposed…
DULUTH, Minn. – A portion of Lincoln Park Drive will close on Friday to be used as a pedestrian-only trail for the winter. The road will be closed starting from the bridge on Lincoln Park Drive up to 10th street. Vehicle access will also be restricted at 6th street. This is the second time the city closed down a portion…
DULUTH, Minn. – A Coronavirus vaccine could be available in the Northland within the next few weeks. Although a treatment is on the way health officials are still urging the community to avoid holiday gatherings to help slow surges in COVID-19 cases. Demand for a Coronavirus vaccine in the northland is expected to be far greater than the doses available….
DULUTH, Minn. – This season, the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldog hockey fans won’t be allowed into Amsoil Arena to watch any of the games, but you still have a chance to show your support for the teams in a creative way. Fans can now purchase a cardboard cutout of themselves to be displayed in the arena during the home…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Two Minnesotans in their 20s are among the 89 new deaths from COVID-19 reported by state health officials Thursday. It’s an unusual development in a pandemic that mostly claims the lives of elderly patients. The Minnesota Department of Health says they included someone 25 to 29 years old in Ramsey County and someone between 20 and 24…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Minnesota lawmakers have struck a deal to send $216 million in cash relief to businesses hit by the coronavirus pandemic and mandatory shutdowns, but there’s no agreement to extend unemployment benefits to laid-off workers. The Legislature is set to convene for a special session Monday, and lawmakers have been racing to reach an agreement. It’s unclear whether Democrats who…
(photo: AP news) MOOSE LAKE, Minn. – A second COVID-19 related death has been reported at the Minnesota Sex Offender Program’s Moose Lake facility. According to a recent press release from the facility, the client died Wednesday, December 9 and the family has been notified. The first COVID-19 related death at the facility was on December 2. “We offer our…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 3,523 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota Thursday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 367,218 in the state. Health officials also reported 89 news deaths bringing the death total to 4,198 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 4,731,719 tests have been completed to date. There are…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Gov. Tim Walz is delaying until Monday an announcement on extending business closures due to COVID-19. Walz had initially planned to make that call on Friday, but the decision is still in the planning stages, a spokesperson told FOX 9. Last month, Walz initiated a four-week pause on indoor dining at bars and restaurants and youth…
