TWO HARBORS, Minn. – The Minnesota Historical Society announced the closure of all historic sites and museums to the public through June 30. The temporary closure will affect 26 historical locations including the Split Rock Lighthouse. The MNHS website says the decision was made ‘to protect the health and safety of guests, staff, volunteers, interns, and the community.’ According to…
HIBBING, Minn. (AP) — U.S. Steel plans to indefinitely idle the Keewatin Taconite plant in northern Minnesota because of the drop in demand for iron and steel during the coronavirus pandemic, officials said Thursday. Officials said the closure will affect 75 employees “near term,” but a total of 375 employees will be affected over the next month. In a…
DULUTH, Minn. – For all the beer lovers out there, here’s your chance to have an experience of a lifetime right in the comfort of your home. The Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild is hosting the first-ever virtual beer fest this weekend. About 20 Minnesota breweries, including Bent Paddle, Blacklist Brewing, and Hoops Brewing in Duluth, are participating in the virtual…
DULUTH, Minn. – Its been one week since a Coronavirus outbreak has hit St. Ann’s Residence in Duluth. So far, a total of 20 cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed at the senior living facility, five of those have died. St. Ann’s Executive Director tells us they have already tested nearly 80 of their residents for Covid-19. Only about eight…
SUPERIOR, Wis.- The City of Superior is responding to the economic impact on its community. Superior Mayor Jim Paine recently announced proposals for the Superior Coronavirus Relief package. The package is a nearly $700,000 investment to help bring back some economic stability to the city. More than $400,000 from the package is being proposed to fund the Community Development Block…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Today, several Midwest Governors announced they will work together to coordinate the reopening of the Midwest region economy. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers along with Governors Gretchen Whitmer (MI), Mike DeWine (OH), JB Pritzker (IL), Eric Holcomb (IN), and Andy Beshear (KY) said they will work closely to examine the best way to…
DULUTH, Minn. – Plans to furlough 500 non-medical staff at Essentia Health began earlier this month and on Thursday the hospital announced those employees will have their leave extended another 30 days. Additionally, Essentia says more clinical staff will continue to be placed on leave as they continue to face financial impacts due to COVID-19. “Colleagues in both medical and…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Health released updated COVID-19 numbers Thursday morning reporting 1,912 confirmed cases in the state. That is 103 new cases of COVID-19 since yesterday. Minnesota is also reporting 94 total deaths in the state due to new coronavirus. To date, 1,020 in the state no longer require isolation. The MDH website reports that…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Legislative leaders have agreed on a plan to let Minnesota restaurants offer beer and wine to go to help them stay afloat while they subsist on takeout orders during the shutdown for COVID-19. The bill is scheduled for votes Thursday in the Senate and Friday in the House. It would allow licensed restaurants to sell up to…
WASHINGTON (AP) — The ranks of Americans thrown out of work by the coronavirus ballooned Thursday to at least 22 million in just four weeks. Trump planned to announce new recommendations later in the day to allow states to reopen, despite warnings from business leaders and governors that more testing and protective gear are needed first. The government said 5.2…
MOOSE LAKE, Minn. (AP) – The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota is suing to release inmates endangered by COVID-19 at Moose Lake prison in northern Minnesota. The organization filed a petition Wednesday against the state Department of Corrections. According to a DOC database, 12 inmates in Moose Lake are confirmed positive for the coronavirus and another 31 inmates are…
MINNESOTA, As stimulus checks begin rolling out, additional help through forgivable loans have been awarded to over 33,819 Minnesota small businesses as of Monday. The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) grants loans to small businesses as part of the Stimulus Package. The loans are forgivable to businesses who retain or rehire their workers. Senator Tina Smith (D), who helped pass the…
DULUTH, Minn- The Duluth International Airport is receiving more than $5 million in relief funding to support operations during the pandemic. This comes after Congressman Pete Stauber recently announced nearly $30 million in funding to assist more than 25 airports in Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District. Those funds were made available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. Duluth…
DULUTH, Minn – A local restaurant is making sure kids in the area have access to an affordable lunch during the pandemic. At the Trophy Cafe in Gary New Duluth, kids can receive a cheeseburger, chips, and a fruit cup all for just $3 for lunch. The cafe jumped into action as soon as the the pandemic hit. This was…
DULUTH, Minn – More layoffs are spreading throughout the northland. Nearly 300 employees from Goodwill Industries locations around the area are out of work as a direct result of Covid-19. Goodwill’s core mission is to help people dealing with social and economic barriers, gain viable employment. With operations in the northland being closed for nearly a month, due to Covid…
MOOSE LAKE, Minn. – According to a recent press release, the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota filed a petition on Wednesday against the state Department of Corrections asking for the immediate release of Moose Lake inmates. The ACLU-MN says that the state DOC is not keeping prisoners and staff safe from the rapid spread of COVID-19. “The ACLU of…
KEEWATIN, Minn. – Layoffs are expected this Sunday, April 19 at the US Steel owned Keetac Mine. According to a letter from the Steelworkers Union, the layoffs will affect employees who have been at the mine for three years or less. Maintenance staff who have been with the company for three years or less will continue to work until the…
(Breanna Retherford/University of Minnesota via AP) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved a low-cost ventilator developed by the University of Minnesota and aimed at helping COVID-19 patients breathe. The FDA authorized use of the compact device, known as the Coventor, that was quickly developed and designed by a team of university researchers, a…
DULUTH, Minn. – Officials with the Superior National Forest announced on Wednesday that the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness will be closed for day and overnight use starting tomorrow. The closure will go through May 4 to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Officials say any reservations made through May 4 will receive a full refund including reservation fees. “In…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Health reported 114 new cases and eight additional deaths Wednesday morning. This brings the total number of COVID-19 cases in the state to 1,809 and the death total to 87. According to the MDH website, 940 of the 1,809 cases have recovered and no longer require isolation. On Wednesday, the Minnesota Department…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Nearly two dozen local elected officials are calling on Gov. Tim Walz to suspend rent and mortgage payments and stop commercial property evictions during the coronavirus pandemic. In a letter to Walz, the officials say “mass displacement, home foreclosures, and the shuttering of businesses are imminent unless aggressive measures are taken immediately.” The officials include a…
DULUTH, Minn. – Effective Tuesday Goodwill Industries Vocational Enterprises of Duluth announced they will be laying off roughly 293 of its 312 workers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Goodwill says the majority of these layoffs will be from their retail and donation processing enterprise. “Goodwill Industries has been forced to continue the closure of all retail stores and all operations…
RICHFIELD, Minn. (FOX 9) – Best Buy announced Wednesday it will furlough approximately 51,000 employees in the U.S. as its stores remain closed nationwide aside from curbside pickup during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Richfield, Minnesota-based retailer said some corporate employees are also participating in voluntary reduced work weeks and resulting pay as well as voluntary furloughs. Best Buy CEO Corie Barry will forego…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Nonessential business have inundated Gov. Tim Walz’s administration with requests to open their doors again as a stay-at-home order continues because of the coronavirus pandemic. Walz recently extended that order until at least May 4 but said he and his administration would look at exemptions for more businesses over the coming weeks. State officials would…
DULUTH, Minn. – Wildwoods Rehabilitation Center in Duluth is taking a different approach to their teaching methods. “Wildwoods will not be accepting wild animals until at least through May 4 as we are trying to adhere to the Governors stay at home mandate,” Wildwoods Rehabilitation Center, Jessica LaBumbard says. The center was originally scheduled to re-open on March 21st. Now,…
Twin Ports Trailer Trash is known for doing exactly what its name implies, hauling away junk and trash. But like other small businesses in the area, the junk hauling company is being impacted by Covid-19. Spring is typically a busy time for Twin Ports Trailer Trash, but the pandemic has caused a change of pace. The company is now using…
DULUTH, Minn. – More than $15,000 worth of inventory was stolen from the Black Water Lounge in downtown Duluth on Easter Sunday. This comes at a time when restaurant owners are trying to survive with only curbside and pick-up orders during the pandemic. The suspect is seen on surveillance video taking salmon, beef and liquor from the back storage area…
BABBITT, Minn. – Cleveland-Cliffs has announced Northshore Mining will shut down by the end of the month, leaving 470 workers without a job. Idiling the facility will have a big economic impact on the city of Babbitt, where the mine is located. The mayor of the small city of around 1,500 people says the mine shutting down will impact all…
DULUTH, Minn.- The Center for Disease Control has updated its recommendations, advising people to wear masks while out in public. Now Vikre Distillery is partnering with local businesses to distribute free cloth masks to Northlanders, along with hand sanitizer. “Keeps us busy while we’re closed, and feels really nice to be able to help the community that way,” said Doug…
The Duluth Regional Care Center, which is an organization that offers housing and community support for people with developmental disabilities is taking the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of those they serve as the coronavirus pandemic continues. DRCC runs 50 group homes in the Arrowhead Region and also offers in-home services, which have already been scaled back. As a…
DULUTH, Minn. – City crews were out at Leif Erikson Park in the Rose Garden this afternoon getting rid of leaves they put on the roses last fall. Roses are not the most hearty plants so they need the bags of leaves for insulation during the colder months. Workers say, this is the time people should think about doing gardening…
GRAND MARAIS, Minn. – Relief funds have been set up to support three downtown Grand Marais businesses destroyed by fire Monday. One account is set up at Grand Marais State Bank, PO Box 100, 55604. Any contributions sent to “Fire Relief Fund” will be evenly distributed to the three businesses – Crooked Spoon Café, White Pine North and Picnic &…
MIDWAY TOWNSHIP, Minn. – Officials say a small plane landed on Midway Road and Stark Road in Midway Township around 2:00 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. Authorities say the pilot made an emergency landing on Midway Road shortly after taking off from the Superior airport. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says the lone pilot was flying at approximately 3,000 feet when…
(courtesy: Northland FireWire) EVELETH, Minn. – According to the Eveleth Police Department, a 50-year-old Eveleth man was killed in a rollover crash around 6:55 a.m. Tuesday. Authorities say the semi tanker truck the man was driving rolled over at the intersection of Fayal Road and Kimberly Avenue. Eveleth and Fayal personnel responded to the scene of the crash along with…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has canceled this year’s egg-taking for walleye, northern pike, muskies, and steelhead because of concerns over the spreading the coronavirus. The agency says the work cannot be done safely under social distancing guidelines. According to the DNR, collecting eggs and sperm from spawning fish in the wild is labor-intensive and requires teams…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Diocese announced Tuesday that they will be extending the temporary suspension of mass and gatherings of more than 10 people until May 4. The suspension has been in place since Friday, March 20. In a letter to the clergy Diocesan Administrator, Reverend James B. Bissonette wrote that during this time churches will remain open for…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota lawmakers prepared Tuesday to pass a COVID-19 relief bill on a day when health officials reported nine more deaths due to the coronavirus. The Minnesota Department of Health reported that the nine new deaths raised the state’s total to 79. The department also reported 45 new confirmed cases to increase Minnesota’s total to 1,695. As of…
DULUTH, Minn. – Tyler Blom is using his time off from teaching at Proctor High School well. “This is a real-life situation. This is a real-life skill. And it ties nicely together with our pathways program that we have at proctor,” Proctor High School Teacher, Tyler Blom says. The industrial arts instructor has been teaching online and after being contacted…
HINCKLEY, Minn. – The Pine County Sheriff’s Office says a Wisconsin woman in her 50’s has died after being found unresponsive in a bathtub at America’s Best Hotel in Hinckley. According to reports, deputies and ambulance personnel arrived at the hotel just after 10:44 p.m. on Saturday and found the woman in the bathtub where life-saving measures were initiated. Authorities…
DULUTH, Minn.- People struggling to keep up with heat, water, or electric bills due to the Coronavirus pandemic may find some relief from many utility providers. The Citizens Utility Board, a non-profit representing energy customers in Minnesota, is urging Minnesotans to contact their utility providers like Minnesota Power to work out a payment plan to avoid being disconnected. Many providers…
SILVER BAY, Minn.- Cleveland-Cliffs has announced it is idling two of its iron ore plants, including Northshore Mining in Silver Bay, which will be shutting down by the middle of this month. This will affect roughly 470 employees, a significant number for a city like Silver Bay with a population of only 1,800. Cleveland-Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves said they’ve evaluated…
GRAND MARAIS, Minn. — Fueled by strong winds, a Monday afternoon fire ripped away three businesses from Grand Marais, ones run by local families that are friends to many in the area. “We know these people, we know their families, we know their kids,” Grand Marais resident Kati Stieler said. “White Pine North had just switched owners. It was a new…
DULUTH, Minn – The Northeast Minnesota Office of Job Training and its partner CareerForce in Duluth is offering a virtual job fair for people searching for work during the pandemic. More than 50 employers from a variety of industries including construction trades and healthcare are participating in the career fair to help fill open jobs. This event replaces the third…
DULUTH, Minn – The University of Minnesota of Duluth is making sure students, who are dealing with food insecurities, have access to healthy meals by keeping the campus food shelf open during the pandemic. Champ’s Cupboard is a free food shelf offered to all UMD students. It opened in 2013 after university officials noticed a need to help those dealing…
DULUTH, Minn – Instead of manufacturing outdoor gear and apparel Duluth pack will now be making protective gowns for healthcare workers. Duluth Pack is partnering with the Michigan-based company Stormy Kramer, which also manufactures outdoor apparel, to help make the gowns. The protective equipment is being made with materials that are moisture resistant. Medical gowns are usually disposable, instead, this…
GRAND MARAIS, Minn. – Fire crews are responding to a fire at the Crooked Spoon Cafe in downtown Grand Marais. The fire broke out Monday afternoon around 1:19 p.m. The cafe opened in 2006 and, according to the restaurant’s website, is owned by husband and wife team Nathan and Sara Hingos. Two businesses on either side of the Crooked…
DULUTH, Minn. — A woman has died after she was hospitalized from a fire at home in Lincoln Park that broke out on April 5th. The April 5th fire was reported shortly after 1 a.m. on the 300 block of North 22nd Avenue West. Janice Smith, 74, and William Smith, 67, suffered from burns while escaping the fire. Janice Smith…
Categories: Coronavirus, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has ordered his peacetime emergency be extended through May 13 to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the state. Walz declared a peacetime emergency one month ago when there were fewer than 15 coronavirus cases in the state. As of Monday, there are 1,650. The order was due to expire this week. The governor used the declaration…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Twenty-nine more Minnesotans have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the state’s total of confirmed cases to 1,650, the Minnesota Department of Health reported Monday. But the department reported no new deaths Monday, so the state’s coronavirus-related death toll stood at 70. It’s the first time since March 25 that the state has recorded no new deaths. As…
