Minnesota

Community Mourns Death of Duluth Diocese Bishop

DULUTH, Minn. – On Friday, community members gathered to mourn the loss of the Catholic bishop of Duluth. Bishop Paul Sirba died after going into cardiac arrest on Sunday morning. The funeral mass and visitation was held at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary. His brother, Father Joseph Sirba, spoke the about life of his sibling during the…

Two Organizations In St. Louis County Receive Funding To Help Fight Opioid Crisis

Minnesota's state opioid response grants, worth more than $500,000, will go to two organizations to help bring more access to life-saving medications and workforce opportunities.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Minnesota Department of Human Services recently awarded $11 million  in grant funding to state organizations to help fight  the opioid epidemic. A portion of that funding will go towards the fight against opioids in St. Louis County. Minnesota’s state opioid response grants, worth more than $500,000, will go to two organizations to help bring more access to…

Salvation Army Volunteers Wrap Christmas Gifts for Holiday Shoppers

The money raised from gift wrapping services will go to helping the community for Christmas and throughout the year.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Salvation Army is helping Miller Hill Mall shoppers save some time by wrapping all of their gifts, this holiday season. Their booth, located next to Maurice’s, has plenty of bows, ribbons, and wrapping paper to handle gifts of all sizes. choppers can stop by the booth now until Christmas Eve to get their gifts wrapped for…

Arrest Warrant Issued for Duluth Man Charged in Overdose Death

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Police are asking for the public’s help in locating a Duluth man charged in connection to a fentanyl overdose death in 2017. According to reports, Sheriff’s Office Deputies were called to a residence on reports of an unresponsive male on December 4. When Deputies arrived they found a male, later identified as 33-year-old Samuel James O’Leary,…

Spirit Mountain to Ask City of Duluth for Financial Assistance

DULUTH, Minn. – Spirit Mountain is bringing forward a resolution on Monday to ask the City of Duluth for financial assistance to offset losses due to the cancellation of the 2019 Snocross Race. The resolution states that Spirit Mountain is asking the city for $235,000 which it says is “necessary to assure the sustainability of operations.” If the resolution is…

Perfecting the Snow Angel

ACTIVE ADVENTURES: Take A Break From Shoveling & Make A Snow Angel!

DULUTH, Minn. — It’s time to stop stressing about the recent blizzard and heavy snow we’ve been buried in and drop to the ground, take a deep breath and make a snow angel! This may be considered a childhood game but it’s for the adults too. Meteorologist Brittney Merlot says “It’s a great stress reliever. It makes you slow down,…

Mayo Clinic Closes Hospital, Clinics in Southwest Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The Mayo Clinic is closing a hospital and several clinics in southwest Minnesota, blaming a lack of patients and doctors. The closure of the hospital, ER and clinics in Springfield plus clinics in nearby Lamberton reflects the financial challenges faced by rural health care facilities statewide. Mayo said this week that about 60 employees will be affected…

Snowblower Repairs Are On The Rise

"We are several weeks behind," said Scott Cyr.

DULUTH, Minn – Snowblower repairs are beginning to rise. Denny’s Lawn and Garden has been busy keeping up with that growing need. currently they are working on nearly one hundred service orders. If you are hoping to get your snowblower in for repairs, you might have to wait few weeks. “We are several weeks behind. It’s really hard to say…

Pedestrians Frustrated With Sidewalks Not Getting Shoveled

It's been nearly a week and some sidewalks in the city are still not cleared.

DULUTH, Minn. – Snow clean up for roads in Duluth has been a hot topic this week, but even though the snow stopped falling several days ago, and the lack of shoveled sidewalks is continues to be a big concern. And many are letting the city know just how frustrated they are. Under a Duluth city ordinance, property owners with…

Minnesota National Guard Loses Contact With Black Hawk Helicopter Near St. Cloud

ST. CLOUD, Minn. (FOX 9) – The National Guard says crews are looking for one of its Black Hawk helicopters that went missing Thursday. Minnesota National Guard Master Sgt. Blair Heusdens said the helicopter went missing after a mayday call nine minutes after taking off at 1:55 p.m Thursday from the St. Cloud airport. The Minnesota National Guard released the…

Duluth Man Sentenced for Fatal West Duluth Hit-and-Run

DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth man charged with fatally striking and killing 30-year-old Peter Seppanen with his Jeep earlier this year, and then fleeing the scene, has been sentenced. According to court records, Stanley Brown, 30, was sentenced to 78 months in prison after pleading guilty to criminal vehicular homicide and second degree test refusal in October. Witnesses to the…

Victim Identified in Fatal Truck vs. Train Crash

MCDAVITT TOWNSHIP, Minn. – The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office has identified the victim in the fatal truck vs. train crash as 40-year-old Adam Eugene Newton of Grand Rapids. The Sheriff’s Office says Newton was driving a truck for Norland Environmental Services at the time of the crash. On Wednesday, authorities were called to the intersection of Sax Road and…

Minnesota Judge Finds ‘Miracle on Ice’ Star is Mentally Ill

GRAND MARAIS, Minn. (AP) – A Minnesota judge has found that a former member of the “Miracle on Ice” Olympic hockey team is mentally ill and dangerous. The judge ruled Wednesday that 61-year-old Mark Pavelich should be committed to a secure treatment facility. Pavelich was charged after he allegedly beat a friend with a metal pole in August. His criminal…

Duluth Winter Village Happening Saturday, Sunday at Glensheen Mansion

Duluth Winter Village Attracts Over 20,000 Visitors to the Grounds of Glensheen Mansion

DULUTH, Minn. – In years past, thousands of eager Northlanders descended upon Glensheen mansion to check out local businesses selling their goods in a new winter village. That experience is back this weekend. The Duluth Winter Village is happening December 7 and 8 at Glensheen Mansion. The village will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Local businesses…

Minnesota Projects $1.3 Billion State Budget Surplus

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota budget officials are projecting a $1.3 billion surplus in the current two-year budget period thanks to an improving economic outlook. Minnesota Management and Budget announced the forecast Thursday morning ahead of a more detailed presentation later in the day. Democratic Gov. Tim Walz and legislative leaders from both parties plan to comment on the…

Aerial Lift Bridge Sheds More Ice, Now Fully Operational

DULUTH, Minn. – The Aerial Lift Bridge is now fully operational. According to city officials the bridge shed more ice weight Thursday morning allowing it to become operational again. The bridge had been stuck in the down position since Monday due to large amounts of heavy ice weighing down the structure. City crews working to de-ice the bridge were called…

Scenic Railroad Clears Off Train Tracks

DULUTH, Minn. – Clearing off the train tracks has been a long process for the North Shore Scenic Railroad. After two days, the group got their most powerful locomotive on the tracks to clear the popular route. “It’s got a special plow on the front of it. It was backed up by our second most powerful diesel. Then they cleared…

St. Luke’s Hosts Annual Biomedical Ethics Conference

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Luke’s held their annual ethics conference on Wednesday with this year’s event focused on the topic of vaccines. Guest speakers from the U of M and the MN Department of Health spoke about subjects including: vaccine hesitancy and community engagement. “Really this is open to all. So we have, I know, nurses and public health folks…

Second Harvest Food Bank Receives Big Donation

DULUTH, Minn. – Second Harvest Food Bank is getting an added boost to their food supply. This past September, area Subway’s teamed up with Feeding America. They donated a meal to Second Harvest Food Bank for every two meals sold. The $2,300 check presented today will equate to thousands of meals for the community in a time when they are…

Mayor Larson Apologizes For 4th Day Of Unplowed Streets, Calls It ‘Embarrassing’

"I think there is some failure on the city's behalf on getting to these areas that need it," said Jerry.

DULUTH, Minn. – After calling for patience and understanding for the slow snow–removal response after the weekend storm, Duluth Mayor Emily Larson has changed her tone by apologizing and calling a fourth day of unplowed streets “embarrassing.” This comes as two Duluth schools were forced to close for a third day in a row Wednesday because of snow–clogged streets. After…

One Dead in St. Louis County Truck vs. Train Crash

MCDAVITT TOWNSHIP, Minn. – According to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s office, one man is dead following a train vs. truck crash at the intersection of Sax Road and Highway 7. Deputies were called to the intersection around 12:06 p.m. on Wednesday on reports that a northbound CN Freight train had struck an eastbound commercial vehicle. When authorities arrived on…

Minnesota Sues E-Cigarette Maker Juul Over Youth Vaping Rise

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison sued Juul Labs on Wednesday, accusing the e-cigarette maker of unlawfully targeting young people with its products to get a new generation addicted to nicotine. The lawsuit filed in Hennepin County District Court in Minneapolis seeks to force Juul to stop marketing to young people; fund a corrective public education…

City Takes Responsibility for Storm Response

Residents Can Call 218-730-5100 and Leave a Message to Add Their Area to a Plow List

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth held a press conference Wednesday morning to apologize to residents for the response to the storm. Prior to the press conference Mayor Emily Larson posted on social media saying, “As a City, we have let you down in our response to this storm. As Mayor, I take full responsibility.” City staff is now…

Wisconsin Researchers Find Microplastics in Boundary Water

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (AP) – Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire have found microplastics in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness of northern Minnesota. The researchers say they found microplastics – particularly fibers – in water, soil and worms collected this summer. Biology professor Todd Wellnitz says they found 80 pieces of microplastics in one earthworm alone. And he…

2019 Knife River Julebyen Features Trolls, Vendors, and Scandinavian Traditions

The Seventh Annual Julebyen "Christmas Village" is Happening Friday, December 6 - Sunday, December 8 in the Community of Knife River

KNIFE RIVER, Minn. – Julebyen (pronounced YOOL-eh-BE-en) means “Christmas Village”. Residents near and far in the Northland are invited to visit the community of Knife River along Highway 61 Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8 to enjoy this Scandinavian tradition. Julebyen is a centuries-old Scandinavian and German tradition celebrated with ethnic foods, crafts, holiday decorations, and music. The Julebyen…

Thunderbird Mall Hosting “An Old Fashioned Christmas at the Mall”

The Holiday Event is Happening December 7-8 at the Thunderbird Mall in Virginia

VIRGINIA, Minn. – If you’re looking for some unique holiday shopping this season, you’ll find it December 7 – 8 at the Thunderbird Mall in Virginia. Bob Cap with Northern Minnesota Craft and Vendor Expos stopped by FOX 21 Local News to chat about the upcoming holiday event. Cap and his wife Linda are busy organizing the “Old Fashioned Christmas…

Doctors Remind to Shovel Smart to Avoid Heart Problems

People with heart and weight problems and the elderly advised to shovel light.

DULUTH, Minn.- When shoveling all this snow off driveways, streets and cars in a hurry, it can be hard to remember to take it easy for your health. According to Cardiologists with Essentia Health, people should be careful not to lift enormous amounts of snow when shoveling to avoid a possible heart attack. That goes double, they said, for the…

Crews Busy Clearing Snow from Roofs to Avoid Ice Dams and Vent Blockages

Snow removal businesses seeing an increase in business after the storms.

DULUTH, Minn.- Roads aren’t the only things experiencing problems under all the snow–roofs should be added to your shoveling list. Big piles of snow can create bigger problems in the form of ice dams and blocked vents, which can cause issues not just on your roof, but inside your house. Crews with businesses like Duluth Ice Dam Removal are three…

Volunteers Come Out To Help Get Bentlyville Open After Snow Storm

About 10 volunteers took time out of their day just to help out.

DULUTH, Minn.- The holiday season is not complete without a little bit of snow. But as inches on top of inches fell throughout the city, it kept folks occupied with digging themselves out. And Bentleyville was not an exception. “Shoveling at Bentleyville is way more fun than shoveling at home, it’s a snow day so we are making the most…

City Officials: 60 Percent of Residential Streets Plowed

City of Duluth Provides an Update on Plowing Efforts for Tuesday, December 3

DULUTH, Minn. – As of 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 3, Duluth city officials report over 60 percent of residential streets have been plowed. The City has been able to fix or replace graders that needed mechanical repairs in the last two days and have 21 out of 22 graders back on the streets. Front end loaders and nine sanding trucks…

Morning Update 12-3-19

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Chief Meteorologist Anthony Peoples for a local look at news and weather making headlines Tuesday, December 3, 2019. Categories: Community, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Anthony Peoples, Brett Scott, community, Local News, morning update

KYN: Dozens Of Christmas Trees Dug Out Of Snow

DULUTH, Minn. – These mounds of heavy, are causing a few problems out there. In this week’s knowing you neighbors we are introduced to an area tree seller dealing with lots of extra work. Over at Super One in West Duluth, Christmas trees are being sold. But at first glance, you wouldn’t even notice. “There’s probably 75 or 50,” Hoffbauer…

Side Streets Stuck Under Snow Waiting For Duluth City Plows

City hopes plows attack residential roads in the next day.

DULUTH, Minn.-The City of Duluth hopes to be 50% done with plowing the city’s 530 miles of roads by 6 a.m. Tuesday. It’s been a real challenge for crews tackling main roads while some people on residential streets say they haven’t seen a plow since the storm started. “We can’t deal with it at all,” said Mike Koberstein. Koberstein lives…

Bentleyville Snowed In For Third Day In a Row

Volunteers needed to help clear snow piles

DULUTH, Minn.- Too much snow has Bentleyville closed for a third day in a row, and maybe more. Crews and volunteers have been working to clear snow from Bayfront since 8 a.m. Monday. They are asking for more volunteers to help clear pathways and parking lots. You’re asked to bring your own shovel or snow blower. “We’ve never had snow…

Annual “Small Business Saturday” Event Adds Bonus Day

DULUTH, Minn. – With the winter storm this past weekend, many local businesses were either closed or closed early on Saturday. With shoppers chose to stay in, the annual “Small Business Saturday” event is getting a bonus day on December 7th to give people another opportunity to stay local when buying their Christmas gifts. “This is just adding another benefit–…

Update: City Crews Continue to Plow Residential Streets, Alleys

The City of Duluth Provides an Update on Efforts to Clear Residentia Streets, Alleys

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth City officials provided an update Monday afternoon on efforts to clear residential streets and alleyways. Officials say crews will not be able to complete plowing efforts on these portions of roadways by Monday night. Crews are working 24 hours a day, with the full fleet on the streets from 2 a.m. until 6 p.m. They will…

Report: Gray Wolves Adjusting Nicely on Isle Royale National Park

The Findings Released Monday are From Observations of Wolves That Were Recently Relocated to the Lake Superior Park

HOUGHTON, Mich. (AP) – Scientists say gray wolves relocated to Isle Royale National Park are adjusting nicely to their new surroundings and finding plenty of prey. Officials released findings Monday, December 2 from observations of wolves that were captured on the mainland and taken to the Lake Superior park over the past year. They concluded that more than half of…

Bentleyville USA Looking for Volunteers to Help Dig Out

In a Facebook Post Published Monday, Bentleyville USA Says They Will "Reopen After We Dig Out"

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth’s popular holiday attraction, Bentleyville USA, is looking for volunteers to help them dig out and reopen. In a Facebook post published Monday, officials say Bentleyville remains buried under recent snowfall and cannot open until all paths are cleared. They’re asking for trucks with plows and people with snow blowers or shovels to head down to Bayfront…

Winter Storm Brings Down Popular Tettegouche Sea Stack

Photos Provided by Tettegouche State Park Show the Sea Stack Dating Back to 1932

SILVER BAY, Minn. – A popular natural landmark for North Shore photography is no longer. The famed Tettegouche State Park Sea Stack toppled during the recent winter wallop that started blanketing the region with multiple inches of snow on Saturday, November 30. One archived picture provided by Tettegouche State Park is a black and white photo from around 1932, showing…

Morning Update 12-2-19

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Monday, December 2, 2019

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ryan Johnson for a local look at news and weather making headlines Monday, December 2, 2019. Categories: Community, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Local News, morning update, ryan johnson

DTA Provides Update on Routes as Snow Removal Continues

Duluth Transit Authority Provides Route Updates as Snow Removal Continues

DULUTH, Minn. – David Clark, Director of Marketing for the Duluth Transit Authority released an update on route closures and delays Monday morning. As an update on current DTA operating status: Routes 14W, 15, and 17B are currently not running The Zoo turn-around point is currently closed; we are using Raleigh and 63rd to turn around Routes 18 and 23…

Update: City of Duluth Lifts Travel Advisory, Provides Plow Progress

City of Duluth Provides Update on Snow Removal After Weekend Winter Wallop

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth has lifted the no travel advisory, but encourages the public to use discretion when traveling. Plow drivers have been out since 2:00 a.m. finishing main roads and will begin plowing residential streets and alleys. The City of Duluth would like to again thank residents for their patience. City officials say drivers are working…

Update: City of Duluth Continues to Dig Out After Winter Wallop

City Officials Remind Residents to Move Cars to Abide by Alternate Side Parking

DULUTH, Minn. – As many residents continue to remove snow on driveways, sidewalks, and other areas, the City of Duluth continues to plow snow from main roads after Saturday’s major winter storm. In an update provided at 12:00 p.m. Sunday, the National Weather Service in Duluth reported 21.7 inches of snow, which placed at the ninth snowiest two-day snow storm…

Ranked Pro Am Racer Talks Snocross Expectations

DULUTH, Minn. – Taven Woodie, a Wyoming native, is ranked second in the women’s division. She grew up riding snowmobiles, and doesn’t mind racing with the boys in this male dominated sport. Woodie says, she hopes to inspire more women to race and all the fans keep her going. “I see their faces and they are like: no way, I…

Blizzard and Blizzard-Like Conditions Expected This Weekend

Heavy Snow, Wind, and Lakeshore Flooding

A significant and very dangerous winter storm is still on track to bring much of the Northland to a virtual standstill later Saturday into early Sunday! Along with heavy snow, we’ll experience blizzard conditions and lakeshore flooding! Some light lake effect snow could develop along the North Shore Friday night, but a large shield of moderate snow will move south…