Minnesota

Fire Marshal: Former Kozy Fire Intentionally Set

DULUTH, Minn. – Fire crews responded to a fire Wednesday night at the former Kozy bar in Duluth. The Duluth Fire Department says crews from the UMD/Woodland station responded to the fire around 10:40 p.m. and were able to quickly knock down the fire with a water can. According to a Facebook post on the Duluth Minnesota Fire Department page…

Coronavirus Pandemic Forces Closure of Lake County News Chronicle

DULUTH, Minn. – The economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic is shutting down one of the Duluth News Tribune’s sister newspapers up the north shore. The Lake County News Chronicle, which was founded in 1974, will publish its final issue on May 22. The announcement was made Wednesday evening on the publication’s website. The closure comes as newspapers, televisions stations…

Spring Wildfire Season is Here

DNR and fire department officials warn Minnesotans how to best prevent wildfires this spring

NORTHERN MINNESOTA – It’s spring wildfire season in the Northland and, even though much of the region has gotten rain over the past couple days, the fire danger is still high. Dry, exposed grass and a lack of green plants makes fire danger high this time of year. One fire could be seen Saturday just off County Highway 100 near…

Carlton County Sheriff’s Office to Start Using Body Cameras

Sheriff's Office plans to order body cameras for all 25 officers

CARLTON, Minn. – The Carlton County Sheriff’s Office will soon buy body cameras for all 25 officers in the department. The body cameras are made by the company, WatchGuard, and cost $1,000 a piece. A Carlton County deputy tells us the cameras will bring more transparency to the sheriff’s office and will help law enforcement build better cases against defendants….

Neighborhood Youth Services Reopens To The Community

NYS can accommodate about 30 kids to keep up with social distancing.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Neighborhood Youth Services at the Washington Center in Duluth reopened to the community this week. NYS is a free program geared towards providing after school care. The program also provides enrichment activities and educational resources to kids ages six through eighteen. in march, the program was forced to shut its doors as part of Governor Tim…

The 1200 Fund’s Fast Grant Won’t Be Enough To Bailout All Business Applying For The Funding

More than 350 businesses applied for the fast grant, but the non-profit is only able to help 100 businesses.

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth announced fast grant funding through the 1200 Fund to help businesses recover from the economic impacts of Covid-19, With limited funds, the number of businesses applying for the grant exceeds the number that can be helped. More than 350 businesses applied for the fast grant, but the non-profit is only able to help…

Fuel Experts Weigh In On Oil Price Drop

DULUTH, Minn. – With fuel prices at an all-time low, experts suggest now may be the best time to fill up your propane tanks. In the short term, consumers will benefit from the low crude oil costs due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, there may be some negative effects in the long-term with this low price environment. “We are looking…

Gov. Walz to Announce Thursday if Minnesota’s Stay-at-Home Order Will be Extended

(Glen Stubbe/Star Tribune via AP) ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Gov. Tim Walz will announce Thursday afternoon whether he will extend Minnesota’s stay-at-home order beyond Monday, May 4, when it is set to expire. At a press conference in Worthington Wednesday, Walz indicated he will announce that more businesses will be allowed to open, but said his approach to reopening the economy will…

Minnesota’s Coronavirus Case Count Jumps as Testing Ramps Up

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Department of Health reported another big jump in coronavirus cases Wednesday as the state ramps up its testing capacity. The agency said 463 more Minnesotans have tested positive — a new one-day high — to raise the state’s total to 4,644. That total includes 138 new cases in Nobles County of southwestern Minnesota, where the…

St. Louis County Seeking Community Input on Allocation of COVID-19 Relief Funds

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn. – St. Louis County officials are seeking public input on how to use COVID-19 relief funds the county is receiving from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The county says it will be receiving around $2 million as part of the CARES Act to provide assistance in responding to COVID-19. The St. Louis County…

St. Luke’s, Essentia Health in Need of Mask Donations

Duluth Hospitals Launch "Land of 10,000 Masks" Campaign

DULUTH, Minn. – Northlanders are used to living in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, but now St. Luke’s and Essentia Health are looking to make a slight adjustment amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The healthcare facilities have teamed up to launch a new campaign, “Land of 10,000 Masks.” The mask donation drive comes as both hospitals prepare to handle a surge…

Northwoods Family Grille Offering New Meal Options Amid COVID-19 Closure

The Restaurant is Located in the Shopping Center Along Outer Drive in Silver Bay

SILVER BAY, Minn. – A local restaurant further up on the North Shore is doing their part to give back to the community. With many restaurants struggling, owners of Northwoods Grille in Silver Bay say they have been blessed with support from everyone in their tight knit community. The restaurant has been offering curbside pickup as well as delivering boxed…

Minnesota DNR: Take Feeders Down, Utilize Preventative Measures

As Bears Begin to Roam, The Minnesota DNR Reminds Residents to Use Caution

DULUTH, Minn. – Spring has sprung and now bears are all the buzz, waking up from a long winter slumber with new cubs who are ready to eat and roam with the parents. The Minnesota DNR is receiving reports of bear sightings near the Duluth Lakewalk and other urban areas. Officials want to remind residents that black bears are generally…

CN Pays $1.25M to Settle 2016 Minnesota Wildfire Damage

(AP) – Canadian National Railway has paid $1.25 million to settle damage caused by a 2016 wildfire that burned national forest land in northeastern Minnesota, federal prosecutors said Tuesday. The wildfire, known as the Skibo Fire, burned nearly 1,000 acres east of Hoyt Lakes in St. Louis County, including nearly 400 acres of national forest land. The federal government alleged…

Financial Risk Prompted The City’s Decision To Close Lester Park Golf Course

DULUTH, Minn – Last week, Mayor Emily Larson announced Lester Park Golf Course in Duluth will be closed for the rest of the year. Loyal golfers weren’t too happy about the closing. Duluth city officials are speaking out further about the reasoning behind the decision. City officials took a closer look at the financial risk of opening both courses this…

A New Child Care Center Is Coming To Duluth

Hope for Kids Child Care Center is expected to open in July.

DULUTH, Minn- A new daycare center is coming to Duluth. Hope for Kids Child Care Center is expected to open this summer at the Hope United Methodist Church in Duluth. A long-standing child care shortage has been a big concern in the Northland for quite a while. As the pandemic continues, Hope for Kids Child Care Center is hopeful to…

Oasis Del Norte Serves Up For Taco Tuesday At Duluth Cider

"I think through the food it shows how our culture is," said Owner Eduardo Sandoval-Luna.

DULUTH, Minn. – It may have been a rainy day but the Oasis Del Norte food truck found time to stop by Duluth cider for Taco Tuesday. The food truck is in its first year of business and so far the reaction has been great. The truck sells real authentic street tacos and a variety of other traditional Mexican dishes,…

New Principal Chosen for Denfeld High School

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Public Schools officials announced on Tuesday that a new principal has been chosen for Denfeld High School. After a thorough search process, former Assistant Principal Tom Tusken has been picked to serve as the new Denfeld Principal and will begin his new position in August. According to a recent press release, Tusken has previous experience as…

Pence Comes Under Fire for Going Maskless at Mayo Clinic

ROCHESTER, Minn. (AP) – Vice President Mike Pence chose not to wear a face mask while touring the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. It’s an apparent violation of the world-renowned medical center’s policy requiring them. Video feeds show he didn’t wear a mask when he met with a Mayo employee who has recovered from COVID-19. He was also maskless when he…

Trump to Sign Order Keeping Meat Processing Plants Open

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump will sign an executive order Tuesday meant to stave off a shortage of chicken, pork and other meat on American supermarket shelves because of the coronavirus. The order will use the Defense Production Act to classify meat processing as a critical infrastructure to keep production plants open. The order comes after industry leaders warned that consumers…

JBS Pork Plant Denies Minnesota OSHA Inspectors Investigation

(Photo by Courtney Perry/For the Washington Post) ( Courtney Perry/For the Washington Post/Getty Images via Fox9) WORTHINGTON, Minn. (FOX 9) – The Minnesota Occupational Health and Safety Administration was ready to inspect the JBS pork plant in Worthington last Monday, but the company refused to allow inspectors to conduct the investigation. The state Department of Labor and Industry said the JBS pork…

Latest Minnesota COVID-19 Numbers: April 28

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Health reported 15 new COVID-19 related deaths Tuesday morning. The state’s confirmed cases of COVID-19 are now at 4,181 and the death toll is 301. Health officials have cautioned that the real number of Minnesotans infected with COVID-19 is likely much higher due to a previous lack of testing throughout the state….

Pence to Visit Mayo Clinic Tuesday

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Vice President Mike Pence has an appointment today at Minnesota’s Mayo Clinic to learn about a new coronavirus testing “moonshot” that has the famed clinic partnering with the state and its flagship university to quickly boost the state’s capacity to 20,000 tests a day. It’s an approach that leverages a health care infrastructure not all states can…

Minnesota Senior Facility Evacuated due to Virus to Close

WAYZATA, Minn. (AP) — A Minneapolis-area senior living facility that was evacuated earlier this month after an outbreak of COVID-19 announced Monday it won’t reopen. The nonprofit organization Transforming Age said it has made “the difficult decision” not to reopen Meridian Manor in Wayzata “as a result of multiple negative impacts of COVID-19.” Nearly 50 residents were moved from Meridian Manor on…

Visit Cook County Remains Optimistic Amid Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic

Visit Cook County Continues to Monitor Developments, Advice from Minnesota Department of Health Officials

COOK COUNTY, Minn. – The residents of Cook County are concerned when it comes to visitors traveling to the region from elsewhere amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The friendly staff at Visit Cook County remain optimistic during these trying times and want to assure everyone they are monitoring the latest health and safety information from state health officials before reopening the…

City of Virginia Set to Furlough Up to 28 Employees Beginning in May

"It makes me sick to my stomach," said Mayor Larry Cuffe.

VIRGINIA, Minn.- The City of Virginia is set to furlough up to 28 employees beginning May 4th due to projected revenue losses. Mayor Larry Cuffe said a majority of the 28 employees are expected to come from Public Works, Parks and Recreation, and Golf Course staff. While they’re avoiding cutting any staff from public safety departments right now, the Mayor…

Duluth Council, Mayor’s Administration Discuss Budget Shortfall, Layoffs

City Council shared their thoughts and questions while the Mayor and her team outlined plans.

DULUTH, Minn.- Mayor Emily Larson made a rare appearance at Duluth’s virtual City Council meeting to give councilors a detailed outline, and uncertain look towards a grim future after she announced the city’s budget shortfall–which was unveiled to now be about $20.7-$38.2 million. According to city officials, due to the city’s “strong mayor system,” Larson can make any decisions she…

A Local Church Donates Food And Art Supplies To Students

The large donation is going to help feed about 45 families.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Community School Collaborative is a non-profit that serves students in the community impacted by economic barriers. The group recently received a large donation from a local church to help them during the ongoing pandemic. DCSC supports students at Meyers-Wilkens Elementary, Lincoln Park Middle, and Denfeld High Schools. The non-profit is hoping this large donation will…

Coronavirus Is Creating A Growing Need For Plasma Donations

New donors could earn up to $400 a month.

DULUTH, Minn. – Right now as people stay home, there is a growing need for more plasma donations. Plasma is the clear liquid portion of our blood, which can be used to treat people with illnesses such as an autoimmune disorder. According to experts it could even be used to help fight the coronavirus. “We have a special project now…

Minnesota DNR Encourages Hunting, Fishing License Sales

Revenue From License Sales Help Fund Critical Field Work for the Minnesota DNR

DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Natural Resource is urging outdoor enthusiasts to continue purchasing fishing and hunting license this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Governor Tim Walz has officially allowed fishing season to begin as planned on Saturday, May 9. Turkey season is already well underway in many parts of the state. Much of the revenue collected from…

City of Virginia Announces Furloughs

VIRGINIA, Minn. – The city of Virginia will begin to furlough employees next week. According to city officials, a decision has been made to furlough up to 28 employees and will begin May 4. Virginia City Administrator Britt See-Benes says the furloughs could be through July or may go until the end of the year. City leaders say the furloughs…

Latest Minnesota COVID-19 Numbers: April 27

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Health reported 3,816 confirmed cases of COVID-19 throughout the state as of Monday morning. The department also reported 286 deaths. Health officials have cautioned that the real number of Minnesotans infected with COVID-19 is likely much higher due to a previous lack of testing throughout the state. The number of reported cases…

City Asks Public to Report Illegal Trail Use

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth Parks and Recreation department says they have responded to reports of illegal trails development and riding within Central Park. According to a Monday news release, city ordinances will continue to be enforced in parks throughout the city and the public is encouraged to call the Duluth Police Department to report illegal building or…

Hometown Heroes: 4/26/20

DULUTH, Minn. — FOX 21 is highlighting local front-line workers who are giving their all for the community during the coronavirus pandemic. Here are just a few of our Hometown Heroes from Sunday’s broadcast. If you’d like to nominate someone, just head over to FOX 21’s Facebook page to upload an image and a brief description about the person. We…

St. Louis River Quest Canceled for the First Time in Program History

Organizers hope to bring those that missed out this year aboard next year.

DULUTH, Minn.- The 28th Annual St. Louis River Quest, the three-day waterfront and water safety education program for sixth graders, has been canceled for the first time due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Originally scheduled for the beginning of May, River Quest has never been canceled since its start in 1993. 1,500 sixth graders from 13 area schools come to the…

Business Blooming for Duluth Flower Farm’s Mini Farmer’s Market

The florist is seeing success with his socially distant farmer's market on his parents' Proctor farm.

PROCTOR, Minn.- A local flower shop owner is seeing some success after adapting his business model during this pandemic. Duluth Flower Farm has been set up with a simple table outside the family’s farm in Proctor–and it’s been busy–selling out of flowers and products like homemade salsa. The owner said this new approach has done wonders while his store is…

90-Year-Old Proctor Man Surprised with Community Birthday Parade

The whole community helped David Frear celebrate the first birthday without his wife of 62 years.

PROCTOR, Minn.- The Coronavirus pandemic has proven that there are more ways than just parties to celebrate important birthdays, like David Frear’s milestone 90th Birthday Parade. “It’s really, really exciting. I really like it,” Frear said as cars honked by. After having to cancel a surprise party, Frear’s family still wanted to make his 90th one to remember. “When I…

Stolen Vehicle Pursuit Ends With Driver Ejected

A 33-year-old man from Ely was ejected from a vehicle Sunday that St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says was stolen. The man, whose name was not immediately released, was air lifted to a Duluth area hospital for non-life threatening injuries. The crash happened south of Mt. Iron during a high-speed pursuit after deputies tried to arrest the driver around noon…

MN COVID-19 Cases, Deaths Rise As Restrictions Set To Be Eased

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota health officials on Sunday confirmed 156 new cases of the coronavirus, raising the total number to more than 3,600. The updated report includes 28 deaths from COVID-19, for a statewide total of 272. All but five of the victims were in long-term care facilities. A total of 829 people have required hospitalization. Of those, 285 remain…

Volunteers Keep Duluth Clean for First Virtual Cleanup Day

City launches first ever virtual cleanup after spring lakewalk cleaning gets canceled.

DULUTH, Minn.- In honor of Earth Day and the canceled spring lakewalk cleanup, the City of Duluth launched their first “Keep Duluth Clean Virtual Cleanup” Saturday. People are encouraged to grab an old bucket or bag, put on their gloves, and start picking up trash. They can share their progress with the hashtag #keepduluthclean. Volunteers cleaning up said they’re surprised…

Healthcare Heroes Celebrated with Handpainted Sign Outside St. Luke’s

Duluth Street Art Initiative Made a 4-ft by 8-ft sign in front of the St Luke's Clinic on East First Street.

DULUTH, Minn.- Healthcare workers looking out the windows of the buildings on the St. Luke’s Campus will now be treated to a big sign reading “Thank You Frontline Heroes,” put together by local artists and local officials. “When they’re laying down that kind of sacrifice, I think it’s important for them to know we’re here, and we care,” said Minnesota…

WI Reports Its Largest Single-Day Rise In Covid-19 Cases

Statewide deaths are now up to 266.

Health officials in Wisconsin are reporting the largest single-day rise in Coronavirus cases since the outbreak started. In the last 24 hours, 361 tests came back positive. Also, an additional four people have died. The update raises the total number of cases to 5,687. Statewide deaths are also now up to 266. Health officials believe the actual number of infections…

Employee at USG’s Cloquet Plant Tests Positive for COVID-19

CLOQUET, Minn. – An employee at the USG plant in Cloquet has tested positive for COVID-19. A USG spokesperson confirmed to FOX 21 that the company learned of the positive test on Friday, April 24th. The company has temporarily suspended the department where the employee was working to allow for thorough cleaning in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO)…

Lake Superior Art Glass Offers Live Glass Blowing Demos Online During Shutdown

DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth glass studio is finding creative ways to keep the community engaged in their artistic process during the shutdown. Every Monday through Friday at 10:00 a.m., Lake Superior Art Glass does a live glass-blowing demo on Facebook. Owner Dan Neff tells us the demo gives customers a behind-the-scenes look at how the shop’s art is created….

WLSSD to Re-Open Some Facilities

DULUTH, Minn. –  The WLSSD yard compost site, hazardous waste facility and material recovery centers were all closed off during the governors stay at home order. Now, the waste compost site will open on the 30th, while the two other facilities will open next week with different regulations. “We will have limitations at our facilities only allowing a certain number…

Essentia Health Expands COVID-19 Testing

DULUTH, Minn. – Essentia Health is expanding its COVID-19 testing criteria to now include all patients who have symptoms. The hospital announced on Friday that the change is effective immediately at all of its sites in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota. Essentia says anyone experiencing symptoms should first start an E-Visit at EssentiaHealth.org. During the visit, a provider can evaluate…