DULUTH, Minn. – The financial blow from the pandemic has placed nearly 300 nurses at Essentia Health in the Twin Ports on “special administrative leave.” A spokesperson for the Minnesota Nurses Association union told FOX 21 on Thursday that the workers have taken voluntary furloughs to avoid potential layoffs and keep their health insurance benefits. Being furloughed also allows the…
DULUTH, Minn. – It was National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day on Thursday, and local humane societies have some furry friends available. Although they are closed to the public during the stay-at-home orders, Animal Allies is still taking appointments for adoptions — allowing you to meet with the animal in the a private setting. “We definitely recommend that you make…
DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce is looking at all types of ways to connect with local businesses right now to help them through the pandemic’s financial crisis. Chamber President and CEO David Ross says he’s seen an increase in small businesses looking for guidance with grant and loan applications, among other needs. His team is in…
DULUTH, Minn. – Retail and other non-essential businesses in Minnesota can reopen for curbside pickup and delivery starting May 4th if they take certain precautions. Many Minnesota businesses have been closed for more than a month under the state’s Stay at Home Order. While those shops still can’t open their doors to customers for at least two more weeks, they’re…
DULUTH, Minn – The Duluth Entertainment Convention Center has already lost over $1 million in revenue due to the pandemic. DECC officials say they are concerned about what the future may hold if the coronavirus pandemic lasts longer than they anticipate. All recent and many upcoming events at the DECC have either been canceled or postponed as a result of…
Duluthians can now get free seeds to grow fruits and vegetables during the pandemic. The Duluth Community Garden Program has set up little free seed libraries around town as a way to give away seeds without social interactions. Each seed library is stocked with a variety of seed packets such as pumpkin and radishes. The Duluth Community Garden Program director…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Northland Foundation has been serving seven counties including five tribal nations in Northeastern Minnesota since the 1980s. The foundation strives to economically support residents and businesses in the region, especially during financially difficult times. “We’re doing our best to connect our businesses and our people with those resources both in our region, in the state, and…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A suburban Minneapolis nursing home said 47 residents have died from complications of COVID-19, the most at any long-term care facility in Minnesota. St. Therese of New Hope also said Wednesday that 130 residents have tested positive for the coronavirus, while 65 staff members have shown symptoms or been exposed. A veterans home in Massachusetts where 70…
Categories: Minnesota, News, News – Latest News
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Coronavirus cases, hospitalizations, and deaths continue to climb in Minnesota, but the state is making progress toward more testing, new figures Thursday from the Minnesota Department of Health show. The department reported 24 new deaths to raise Minnesota’s death toll to 343. A new one-day high of 492 confirmed cases pushed the state’s total to 5,136. And…
Categories: Minnesota, News, News – Latest News
(courtesy: Fox 9) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesotans will learn Thursday to what extent the state will loosen the stay-at-home restrictions that have kept the state’s economy on ice for just over a month, Gov. Tim Walz said Wednesday. The governor’s order is due to expire Monday. Walz indicated at a news conference in Worthington that his plan is to dial…
SILVER BAY, Minn. – We’ve heard it before, coronavirus doesn’t discriminate. Although no cases have been reported in Lake County thus far, residents remain cautious, practicing social distancing and limiting trips out of the home. Many small-town residents are stepping up to alleviate stress while helping those in need. “I spend an hour in here just talking. It takes me…
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…
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…
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, 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….
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…
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…
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…
(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…
Categories: Minnesota, News, News – Latest News
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, 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…
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…
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…
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…
(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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
(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…
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….
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…
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…
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…
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, 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…
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…
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…
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…
DULUTH, Minn. – The U.S. Coast Guard says they responded to a water emergency around 3:00 p.m. Monday in the Duluth Harbor. According to reports, a boat containing two adults, a child, and a dog was taking on water about a half-mile from the Aerial Lift Bridge. Duluth fire responding to a disabled pleasure boat taking on water, south of…
Categories: Coronavirus, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News
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…
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…
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…
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…
