Minnesota

FBI Investigates Apparent Noose Found in Minnesota Firefighter’s Locker

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (AP) – The FBI is investigating after a piece of rope resembling a noose was found in a Black firefighter’s locker in the Minneapolis suburb of Bloomington. An FBI spokesman confirmed Saturday the bureau is investigating and said that the case is in its initial stages. Bloomington officials had asked the FBI to investigate. Officials say that the…

Duluth-Based IKONICS Corporation Announces Employee Furloughs

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth-based IKONICS Corporation has announced it will furlough about 40 percent of its 81-employee workforce through the end of July. Furloughed employees will continue to receive benefits, but the company is suspending retirement plan contributions. The furloughs are designed to offset revenue lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. Glenn Sandgren, IKONICS CEO, released this statement in regard to…

Free Mask Giveaway Provides Protective Wear For Rural Communities

"We want to make sure we are not spreading it when we can prevent it.," said North Shore Rotary Club President Carrie Coan.

LAKE COUNTY, Minn. – The North Shore Rotary Club handed out free face masks to residents in Lake County. This was the club’s second face mask giveaway. The organization was inspired by the Duluth NAACP’s effort to continue to provide free masks to members of the Duluth community. The Rotary Club thought it was the responsible thing to help smaller…

Wilderness Health Gets An $800,000 Grant To Develop A Telehealth Program For Mental Health

"There is just a tremendous need. We have rising rates of mental health in our region. We have rising suicide rates," said Executive Director Cassandra Beardsley.

DULUTH, Minn. – Wilderness health, a collaborative of independent health providers for rural communities, was recently awarded a grant worth nearly $800,000. The grant will be used to support the development of a telehealth program to offer mental health and other services to be used within its ten health system network. The funds will also be used to provide the…

e2ip Technologies Shutting Down Bigfork Facility By End of 2020

Economic Officials in Itasca County Provide an Update on Residents, Businesses Financially Impacted by COVID-19

BIGFORK, Minn. – Friday morning during a press briefing, economic officials in Itasca County provided new details regarding the economic impact COVID-19 is having on residents and businesses in the region. According to Tamara Lowney, President, and CEO of Itasca Economic Development Center, by the end of 2020, Montreal based e2ip Technologies will close its Bigfork location for good. The…

McGregor Man Charged With Attempted Murder

AITKIN, Minn. – A McGregor man has been charged with second-degree attempted murder after stabbing a man in the chest. According to the Aitkin County Sheriff’s Office, authorities responded to reports of a stabbing at a residence in Spalding Township on Thursday. When deputies arrived on the scene they learned that 49-year-old Clifford Monroe Skinaway Jr. had stabbed a male…

Hibbing Elementary Teacher Charged With Sending Nude Images to Juveniles

HIBBING, Minn. – The Hibbing Police Department announced Friday that felony charges have been filed against a Lincoln Elementary School teacher for sending nude images to multiple juveniles. According to the criminal complaint, 27-year-old Jordan Michael Kochevar has been charged with four counts of distributing material via electronic communication that relates/describes sexual conduct to a child. Court records state that…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Friday, June 26

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 34,616 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Friday morning and 5 new deaths bringing the death total to 1,411 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 557,278 tests have been completed to date. There are 30,008 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 3,966 patients have required hospitalization…

Council Advances Plan to Dismantle Minneapolis Police Dept

(courtesy: CNN) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minneapolis City Council on Friday unanimously approved a radical proposal to change the city charter that would allow the police department to be dismantled, following mass public criticism of law enforcement over the killing of George Floyd. The 12-0 vote is just the first step in a process that faces significant bureaucratic obstacles to…

Mayo Clinic to End Pay Cuts, Recall Workers

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Mayo Clinic is ending pay cuts that the Minnesota-based health system imposed to deal with a patient downturn caused by the novel coronavirus. The Star Tribune reports Mayo plans to restore pay and return furloughed workers this summer. In April, Mayo announced plans to cut pay to more than 20,000 employees and seek furloughs when elective surgeries were halted…

Overnight Fire Causes $75,000 in Damage to Structure at Ursa Minor Brewing

No Injuries Reported After Early Morning Fire at Ursa Minor Brewing in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – Shortly before 1:00 a.m. Friday, Duluth Fire Department responded to reports of a fire in the area of 2415 West Superior Street. Crews located an exterior attached shed belonging to Ursa Minor Brewing that was fully engulfed in flames. Officials report the fire was quickly extinguished. Initial examinations revealed no fire breached the inside of the main…

‘Face Covering’ Now Required For Shoppers, Staff At Whole Foods Co-Op

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth’s Whole Foods Co-op locations are increasing safety measures against the coronavirus pandemic by requiring all shoppers and staff to wear some type of face mask while in the stores. The rule goes into effect Friday, June 26.  And if a customer doesn’t have a “face covering,” there will be a stock of single-use masks available at…

Grandmothers For Peace Take A Stand

Grandmothers for Peace plan to meet every Thursday outside Duluth City Hall.

DULUTH, Minn. – Grandmothers for Peace Northland, which is an organization that fights for peace and justice in the community, is taking a stand to help end police brutality and systematic racism against minorities. On Wednesday, a group of members stood outside of Duluth City Hall to make a call for action. After hearing the outcry from many leaders in…

Ronald McDonald House Comes To Duluth

RMDH is slated to open this fall.

DULUTH, Minn. – Last year, the Ronald McDonald House Charities Upper Midwest has helped over 7,000 families with children dealing with cancer, between its four twin cities locations. The organization is expanding its reach by partnering with Essentia Health to establish the first Ronald McDonald house in the region. For the past two years, the partnership has been working to…

Minnesota Prison Inmate Dies After Testing COVID-19 Positive

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A Minnesota prison inmate has died after testing positive for COVID-19 earlier this month, state corrections officials said Thursday. The Minnesota Department of Corrections said Adrian Raymaar Keys, 43, died Tuesday night at a hospital. Keys was an inmate at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Faribault and tested positive for COVID-19 along with a number…

Falvey: ‘A few’ Twins Players Test Positive for Covid-19

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (Fox 9) – At least “a few” Minnesota Twins players have tested positive for Coronavirus within the last few days, Chief Baseball Officer Derek Falvey said Thursday. Falvey held a nearly 60-minute Zoom session with reporters Thursday morning on several topics. He declined to specify how many players have had positive Covid-19 tests, declined to name any of the players,…

Hibbing Girl Injured in FedEx Truck vs. Bike Crash

HIBBING, Minn. – Authorities say a juvenile girl from Hibbing was injured Tuesday morning when a FedEx truck struck the girl as she was riding her bike. Police say the accident happened around 11:37 a.m. at the intersection of 31st Street West and 5th Avenue West. Authorities say the girl suffered serious injuries and was transported to Fairview Range Medical…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Thursday, June 25

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 34,123 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Thursday morning and 9 new deaths bringing the death total to 1,406 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 542,696 tests have been completed to date. There are 29,854 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 3,943 patients have required hospitalization…

Essentia Health Announces Plans for First Ronald McDonald House in Northland

DULUTH, Minn. – The Essentia Health Foundation announced plans on Thursday for the first Ronald McDonald house in the Northland. The five-bedroom Ronald McDonald House Northland will be located on the fourth floor of the 5th Avenue Building and will “feed and provide respite for families of pediatric patients at Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center.” “We know our pediatric families…

Duluth’s Parks and Recreation Division Reinstates Some Staff — For Now

Only three-quarters of staff will be brought back.

DULUTH, Minn. – In April the City of Duluth laid off nearly 100 full-time, temp and seasonal employees, including park maintenance staff. The parks and recreation division announced Wednesday some of the park maintenance crew are being partially reinstated. City staff say with more people visiting the parks and trails, it is causing a need for continuous upkeep. Only about…

A Task Force Is Being Assembled To Help Spirit Mountain Through Financial Problems

Application closes on July 8th.

DULUTH, Minn. – Spirit Mountain in Duluth has suffered many economic blows within the last year. The City of Duluth is working in partnership with spirit mountain to put together a task force to help find solutions for the tourist attraction’s financial problems. Currently, the city is accepting applications to fill up to 11 positions on the task force. It…

UWS Offers An Alternative Online Program For First-Year Students

DULUTH, Minn. –  A recent national survey discovered one out of six high school seniors are unsure about their fall college plans as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to be a threat to health. This statistic is pushing the University of Wisconsin Superior to create alternative options for students to begin their college education. The university is introducing planU, which is…

Minnesota Sues Oil Companies, Institute Over Climate Change

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is suing ExxonMobil, Koch Industries, and the American Petroleum Institute, alleging they deceived and defrauded Minnesotans about climate change. The lawsuit filed Wednesday in state court in Minnesota accuses the oil companies and trade group of consumer fraud and deceptive trade practices. “We’re here suing these defendants — API, ExxonMobil,…

Data: Minnesota Will See Increase in Food Insecurity

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — More Minnesota residents will lack access to sufficient food in the coming months in wake of a disrupted economy amid the coronavirus pandemic. Food assistance needs will peak in September to 735,000 Minnesota residents who are “food insecure,” according to projections released Wednesday by Second Harvest Heartland and consulting firm McKinsey & Co. That number reflects 13%…

City of Duluth: Applications Now Open for Spirit Mountain Task Force

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth announced on Wednesday that they will be creating a Spirit Mountain Recreation Task Force to assist in drafting “a set of recommendations intended to help achieve financial stability” for Spirit Mountain moving forward, and applications are now open. In a recent press release, the city said Mayor Larson will be appointing nine to…

Midday Update 6-24-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Arman Rahman and Meteorologist William Seay for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, June 24, 2020. Categories: Community, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Wednesday, June 24

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 33,763 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Wednesday morning and 5 new deaths bringing the death total to 1,397 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 529,643 tests have been completed to date. There are 29,707 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 3,897 patients have required hospitalization…

St. Luke’s Updates Policy to Allow Visitors

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Luke’s Hospital is updating its visitor’s policy so patients will, once again, be allowed to see loves ones. The hospital says the updates will allow also allow loved ones to accompany patients to appointments. “We take the health and safety of our patients, staff, and community very seriously,” St. Luke’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Nick Van…

Subaru of America Donates Over $100,000 in Automotive Equipment to Lake Superior College

Most graduates of the automotive program typically remain in the region to fill a growing demand.

DULUTH, Minn. – Lake Superior College is sending a big “thank you” to Subaru of American and Miller Hill Subaru for donating more than $100,000 worth of equipment for the automotive program. The extra equipment will help to further expand training for students to allow them to have a long-standing career. The automotive industry took a hit due to the…

UMD Moves To No Longer Require ACT Or SAT Scores For Enrollment Applications

This new admissions option is available for applicants starting in the spring and fall of 2021.

DULUTH, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Duluth is making an effort to help remove barriers for students applying to attend the school. The university is testing a new admissions model, which would no longer require ACT or SAT scores to be submitted. Instead, students are being given the choice to decide whether or not they want the scores to…

St. Luke’s Hospital Uses Technology To Identify Bacteria And Viruses Faster

"It allows us to deliver the right treatment and right therapy much soon than we have in the past," said Infectious Disease Physician Andrew Thompson.

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Luke’s Hospital is the first healthcare facility in the region to utilize a spectrometer to help identify microorganisms much faster. Traditional methods to classify bacteria, viruses, and fungi typically take days to return results. The equipment uses a laser to break down the microorganisms for identification in a matter of minutes. “It allows us to deliver…

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar Says Get Your Kids Up-To-Date With Vaccinations

Measles vaccinations administered to children in Minnesota dropped by 70%.

DULUTH, Minn. – Recent studies show there has been a significant decrease in the number of vaccinations being given to children during the pandemic across the nation. Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar is pushing to address the troubling decline in the state. Doses of the measles vaccine administered in the state have dropped by 70% compared to last year. Health officials…

MN Trooper Charged After Taking Woman’s Phone, Sending Himself Nude Photos

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A Minnesota State Patrol trooper was charged with felony stalking for taking a woman’s cell phone and using it to send himself nude photos of her, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday. Albert Kuehne, 36, was charged with two counts of stalking with bias due to the fact the victim was a woman. According to the criminal complaint,…

Minntac to Restart Production Lines Next Month

DULUTH, Minn. – U.S. Steel says they plan to restart production lines at its Minntac mine as early as next month. United Steelworkers Local 1938 representatives confirmed on Tuesday that production lines 6 and 7 are expected to restart on July 27. Operations for the lines were originally planned to be stalled until August. Union reps also say maintenance workers…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Tuesday, June 23

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 33,469 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Tuesday morning and 9 new deaths bringing the death total to 1,393 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 520,045 tests have been completed to date. There are 29,399 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 3,860 patients have required hospitalization…

Amazon’s Fulfillment Center in Shakopee One of Larger Warehouse COVID Outbreaks

  (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File) SHAKOPEE, Minn. (AP) – State health officials say the Amazon fulfillment center in Shakopee has one of the larger coronavirus outbreaks in a warehouse or distribution plant setting. At least 88 of its approximately 1,000 workers have tested positive for the disease caused by the virus. Another 99 workers at other Amazon sites in the…

Spirit Valley Days 2020 Canceled

DULUTH, Minn. – The 2020 Spirit Valley Days event in West Duluth has been canceled. According to a recent Facebook post, the Spirit Valley Days Coordinating Committee and the West Duluth Business Club Executive Board decided to cancel this year’s festival due to COVID-19 concerns. “Although we chose to hold on until the last possible timeframe to hold the event,…

Minnesota Small Businesses Can Apply for new Round of Grants Starting Tuesday

  (FOX 9) – Small businesses can apply for a new round of $10,000 grants from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development starting Tuesday. The Minnesota Small Business Relief Grants Program was approved by the state legislature and signed by the Governor earlier this month in an effort to support Minnesotan owned and operated businesses that suffered financial hardship related…

Man Dies Following ATV Crash in Cass County

CASS COUNTY, Minn. – Authorities say an Eden Prairie man Sunday night following an ATV crash earlier in the day. The Cass County Sheriff’s office says they received reports around 8:10 p.m. Sunday of a medical emergency at a home in Woodrow Township in rural Longville. When EMS arrived on the scene they learned the 57-year-old male had been in…

Essentia Health Changes Visitor Policy

DULUTH, Minn. – Essentia Health has lifted some of its visitor restrictions at their facilities. Effective immediately, one adult visitor is allowed per patient between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Chaplains and Clergy will also be allowed to visit patients. Restrictions for patients who are positive for Covid-19 will remain the same. No visitors will be allowed for those patients…

Wade Stadium Reopens For Small Public Events

Parties are limited to 25 people.

DULUTH, Minn- If you are looking for ideas on where to host a party, now that small gathering are allowed to take place, Wade Stadium might be the perfect location. While the Duluth Huskies are on hiatus due to the pandemic, the City of Duluth’s Parks and Recreation Division is reopening the stadium to the public for small group events….

North Shore Federal Credit Union Opens In Lincoln Park

The branch is open Monday through Friday.

DULUTH, Minn. – The North Shore Federal Credit Union has now opened its newest branch location in Lincoln Park. North Shore Credit Union is a full-service banking institution, which now has seven locations between Grand Portage and Duluth. But this is the second location in the Duluth area. There are a variety of products and services, such as an on-site…

Duluth City Council Halts Measure to Remove Chief Title

DULUTH, Minn.– The Duluth City Council tabled a resolution Monday night that halts Mayor Emily Larson’s push to remove the word “chief” from employee titles after she and her administration said it is offensive to Indigenous people. The vote specifically involved changing the title of Chief Administrative Officer to City Administrator. A unanimous vote by the council is required because…

Mercy Hospital in Moose Lake Approves Essentia Health Partnership

MOOSE LAKE, Minn. – Essentia Health announced on Monday that plans have been approved for a partnership between Mercy Hospital in Moose Lake and Essentia Health. According to a recent press release, the partnership will be effective in early August with Essentia assuming operations at that time. Last fall, Mercy Hospital issued a request for proposal to several health care providers…