DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Mayor Emily Larson released a statement Thursday afternoon that she will be “asking the Duluth City Council to vote on a resolution that requests that the EPA review usage of hydrogen fluoride in refineries throughout the country.” Mayor Larson’s Facebook post reads in full: “On multiple occasions since the Husky Refinery explosion on April 26th,…
HAWLEY, Minn. (AP) – Authorities say a pilot has died in an ultra-light plane crash at a municipal airport in western Minnesota. The plane crashed after noon Thursday at Hawley Municipal Airport. Clay County Sheriff Mark Empting says the pilot was the only person aboard and died at the scene. His name, age and hometown were not released. Empting says…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota taxpayers helped foot the bill when Jimmy Fallon broadcast “The Tonight Show” from Minneapolis as part of last year’s Super Bowl festivities. Minnesota Public Radio News obtained information via public records request that shows the state paid the show $267,000 through a rebate program. The state’s Snowbate program is aimed at luring productions and…
RAMSEY, Minn. (AP) – Officials say a lottery ticket sold in Anoka County is worth more than $21 million. The Minnesota Lottery says the Lotto America ticket hit the jackpot in Wednesday night’s drawing. It was sold at a Holiday convenience store in Ramsey. If the winner chooses the $21.6 million annuity jackpot, it would be paid over 29 years….
HASTINGS, Minn. (AP) – A Minnesota state trooper is charged with repeatedly sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. The Dakota County Attorney’s Office has charged 36-year-old Shawn Barta with first- and second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving the girl who authorities say is “cognitively delayed.” The State Patrol has placed Barta on leave pending the outcome of the case and an internal…
DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth is asking for your help to rid the area of the invasive species Wild Parsnip. The plant emits a sap that can cause burns on human skin and pets. This is not your run of the mill, vegetable parsnip. It looks like any flower. The Duluth Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area, or CISMA, gathered volunteers by the…
DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth’s Sidewalk Days has kicked off on West Superior Street as the annual Car Show rolled in not only to show off, but also get kids ready for school. Vintage, unique, and fixed up rides came from all over the Northland for people to admire on Superior Street. At the Kolar Chevrolet tent, you can admire new cars…
DULUTH, Minn.- Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge received a grant from Minnesota Power to help expand its Duluth Hillside location. The addiction treatment facility on East Second Street will now include an old apartment building right next door. The Center purchased the building back in March. A $10,000 grant from Minnesota Power will help them renovate it, to increase the…
TWO HARBORS, Minn.- Starting October 1st, a Two Harbors brewery will not be able to sell what generates 30% of its taproom revenue. Castle Danger has made more than 23,000 barrels of beer this year, but all that production is now causing them to not be able to sell growlers starting this fall. The current law in Minnesota says breweries…
DULUTH, Minn.- UMD is moving forward on a $70 million project for a new housing and dining hall. For housing, the building will hold 350 beds and will be the largest facility on campus. The new dining hall will allow students another opportunity to get food between classes, as they have already have one dining hall in the Kirby Student…
DULUTH, Minn.- Whole Foods Co-op made the communities largest ever donation to the Superior Hiking Trail Association. $17,000 was raised through the co-op’s program, where customer’s rounded up their bill with the extra change going toward the fundraiser. The money will go towards sprucing up trails at Brewer Park and at Spirit Mountain. “So the trail was initially built 10–12…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Officials say the number of people reportedly sickened while boating around Big Island on Lake Minnetonka over the Fourth of July has grown to nearly 120. As of 10 a.m. Wednesday, Hennepin County has returned 140 phone calls from people who reported being ill and were in that area over the holiday. Of those calls, 116 said…
FORBES, Minn. – According to Cleveland Cliffs, a small fire occurred at its United Taconite Plant Wednesday afternoon. The location of the fire was in a coal mill on one of the company’s line furnaces. The company says the fire department quickly extinguished the fire and no one was injured during the incident. Officials at Cliffs say they will continue…
DULUTH, Minn. – According to the Duluth Fire Department, investigators determined the Monday morning Lincoln Park fire to be arson. A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered from the Minnesota International Association of Arson Investigators to anyone with information that could lead to an arrest. Duluth firefighters responded to a report of a rapidly growing porch fire around…
SILVER BAY, Minn. – Two small communities along the North Shore will come together this weekend to celebrate “Bay Days.” The three day festival includes food, fun, and entertainment. Events kick off Friday with the annual Bay Days Parade starting at 6:00 p.m. An evening of family friendly activities will proceed the parade, followed by a blast of fireworks around…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The Minnesota Supreme Court has ruled that a suspected impaired driver does not have a limited right to an attorney before submitting to a blood test if police have a search warrant. Wednesday’s decision comes in the case of a woman arrested on suspicion of drunken driving in 2017 in Dakota County. A deputy got a warrant…
DULUTH, Minn. – The city of Duluth is going to the dogs July 11 – 14. More than 700 four legged friends and their owners will dart into the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC) for the annual Duluth Kennel Club All Breed Dog Show. Organizers say the event brings a boost to the local economy, and smiles to the faces…
DULUTH, Minn.- Since last weekend, fires in Canada have been burning and sending smoke into the air, which the wind blew into the Northland creating a haze throughout the sky. Officials with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) said the worst of the smoke filtered into the Southern parts of the state. However, it could still be irritable for some…
DULUTH, Minn.- UDAC is celebrating the grand opening of a new building in Duluth’s Spirit Valley neighborhood. The new building was made possible from a $3 million grant from Joseph and Nancy Bullyan, of Bullyan RV in Duluth, who the new building is named after. The Joseph and Nancy Bullyan Center was thought up after the Bullyans toured the old…
PROCTOR, Minn.- The South St. Louis County Fair is also starting Wednesday in Proctor. Rides, food stands, tables, and chairs were being set up today ahead of the four day event. With it being just a year away from it’s 100th anniversary, officials say nothing has changed since day one. “We try to keep it old school. Especially the agriculture…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota’s health insurers are seeking relatively small premium increases and in some cases cuts for patients who buy coverage on the individual market. The Commerce Department says the Blue Cross HMO is seeking a 4.8% increase for next year, while HealthPartners wants a 2.1% increase and UCare plans on a 0.3% increase. Meanwhile, Medica is…
DULUTH, Minn. – The speed limit on some Northeastern Minnesota Highways will be increasing from 55 mph to 60 mph in the coming weeks. The new speed limit signs will be installed the week of July 15. MnDOT says once the signs are posted the new speed limit will take effect. The highways affected are: Minnesota Highway 67 – between…
DETROIT (AP) – Water levels in two of the Great Lakes are the highest ever recorded. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said Tuesday that Lakes Erie and Ontario last month reached their highest points since record-keeping began in 1918. Also setting a new mark was Lake St. Clair, which is part of the waterway linking Lakes Huron and Erie….
DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Fire Department has released new information regarding the structure fire that happened Monday morning at 2213 West 4th Street. Officials say the home was occupied at the time of the fire by an adult male, adult female, juvenile female, and four dogs. The adult male and juvenile female exited the home safely through the back…
DULUTH, Minn. – The following traffic advisories have been issued ahead of Duluth’s Downtown Sidewalk Days Festival and Street Dances which will take place July 10 – July 13. Sidewalk Days: July 10 – July 12 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. – Superior Street from Lake Avenue to 5th Avenue West will close to vehicle traffic each day. “No…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota saw a big drop in drug overdose deaths in 2018. Preliminary statewide data released Tuesday shows that overdose deaths dropped 17 percent, from 733 in 2017 to 607 in 2018. Officials say the numbers are promising, but that overdose deaths remain at historic highs and more work needs to be done to prevent and…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – At least six people were hurt, including three critically, when a van slammed into a crowded bus stop shelter in north Minneapolis. All six were transported to hospitals. Metro Transit spokesman Howie Padilla says police took the driver of the van into custody following the crash about 9:30 a.m. Tuesday. Authorities say the man driving the van…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Greater Downtown Council is hosting the 2019 Sidewalk Days Festival Wednesday, July 10 through Saturday, July 13. Despite Superior Street reconstruction, the festivities will continue with dozens of deals, live entertainment, a car show, food vendors and more. This year Sidewalk Days will encompass five city blocks along Superior Street from Lake Avenue to 5th Avenue…
DULUTH, Minn. – U.S. Department of Transportation announced Tuesday morning that the Duluth International Airport will receive more than $1 million in federal grant funding. The funding from the Federal Aviation Administration is for improvements including acquiring snow removal equipment and updating their Airport Master Plan This is the third allotment of the total $3.18 billion in the Airport Improvement…
(courtesy: Facebook/Friends of the Northland FireWire) GILBERT, Minn. – A Duluth man was injured late Monday afternoon while diving from a 50 foot cliff at the Genoa Mine Pit near Gilbert. Authorities say police responded to reports of a male hitting a rock after jumping from the cliff around 4:52 p.m. Bystanders were able to bring the victim, identified as…
DULUTH, Minn.- After a successful five-day stretch of concerts at Bayfront Festival Park, the Park is returning to its resting state. Crews with local business Doucette’s Special Events, Party, and Tent Rental were at Bayfront Monday disassembling the tents used during the shows. They say 4th of July week was a great boost for their business. “For this week I…
DULUTH, Minn.- Water levels on Lake Superior have been in an upward trend, breaking record averages for July, still months away from the Fall when they’re expected to rise. As of Monday Lake Superior sits at 603.22 ft for the month of July. It is 14 inches above the norm for the month. According the Associate Director of Outreach with…
DULUTH, Minn.- Two Northland Banks are joining forces. The National Bank of Commerce has announced it is merging with the Republic Bank. With the move, six Republic Banks in the Twin Ports will be renamed “N-B-C”. The bank’s president says customers will not see a dramatic change when the merger is complete. Local dollars will stay local, giving people more…
DULUTH, Minn.- Meanwhile you may recall a fire and small explosion closed down the Motel 6 in May in Lincoln Park on 27th Avenue West. Nobody was hurt. Fast forward to today, and the hotel is back open to the public. The motel declined to comment, but their corporate office did release a statement saying “they are helping customers who…
DULUTH, Minn.- Arson has not been ruled out involving an intense house fire in Duluth that injured a woman inside. Both Duluth Police and the Duluth Fire Marshall are investigating. Mayor Larson’s office is declining interview’s with fire officials until tomorrow, but here is what we know at the moment. Duluth firefighters were called to the scene around 5:30 Monday…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – A new report finds that murders decreased in Minnesota last year but rapes increased. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension released the 2018 crime report Monday. The report says violent crimes – including murder, rape, robbery, human trafficking and aggravated assault – decreased by nearly 7% in 2018. Murders in Minnesota decreased from 114 in 2017…
LUTSEN, Minn. – Beer and cider connoisseurs have the chance to indulge responsibly Friday, July 13 and Saturday, July 14 during the 9th annual Caribou Highlands Lodge Hopped Up Caribou Festival. The event features an expansive list of craft brewers, live music and variety of activities. Several new breweries will make their festival debut this year joining some of the…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Fire Department says one person is being treated for burns and smoke inhalation after a house fire broke out Monday morning at 2213 West 4th Street. Fire crews responded to a rapidly growing porch fire just before 5:30 a.m. When fire crews arrived on scene, officials say a trapped occupant jumped from a window…
TOWER, Minn. (AP) – Authorities say a man was injured when he became trapped under a small cabin in Minnesota while trying to move it. St. Louis County Sheriff’s officials say the 40-year-old man, identified as Michael A. Tam of Tower, was trying to move the 12 feet by 16 feet cabin Saturday at Daisy Bay Resort on Lake Vermillion,…
DULUTH, Minn.- Some nostalgic 90s kids got crafty with their memories at Hucklebeary in Duluth today. The store hosted a 90s craft party. Those who signed up made desk accessories out of old 90s crafts like melted beads and weebles, all while enjoying a lunchables lunch and listening to 90s jams. “It’s good to reminisce and remember the good times…
DULUTH, Minn.- All the events at Bayfront the last few days have been lucrative for Canal Park businesses. The staff at 310 pub tells us even though they’ve been working through the concerts, they enjoy hearing stories about the shows from customers who come in afterward for a drink. “Business is booming we definitely had quite a lot of business…
DULUTH, Minn.- Music lovers packed Bayfront Festival Park for the final time to hear the bands 311 and Dirty Heads Sunday night. The show concludes an impressive 5-night, back-to-back run of festivals and concerts at Bayfront, the largest run in the venue’s history. “About 35,000 total over the course of those 5 days have set foot through Bayfront Festival Park,”…
A Hermantown man died after crashing his motorcycle into a cement wall on I-35 near Lake Avenue in Duluth early Sunday morning, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. The man was identified as 32 year-old Ryan Mathisen. In the crash report, Minnesota State Patrol said Mathisen was not wearing a helmet and was speeding at the time of the crash….
DULUTH, Minn.- “Bambi” was spotted on the UMD campus and needed a little help from Duluth Fire Department. The fawn was found trapped in a fence. College police called the fire department to assist in letting the baby deer free. Firefighters said they could see how scared the animal was, but it was an easy call to take care of….
DULUTH, Minn.- Northland–grown and internationally known folk–band ‘Trampled by Turtles” has quite the following, thousands of which spent the day gathered at Bayfront Park in Duluth to hear them play at one of the city’s biggest events of the Summer. Trampled by Turtles is arguably the most well known musical group from the Northland. The folk–rock band makes a point to…
SUPERIOR, Wis.- Combine capture the flag, and paintball, and throw it in a junkyard. That’s what dozens of paintballers got to experience at Superior Paintball Saturday. Once the whistle blows to begin the round, you better keep an eye out for your opponent and hope your aim is on target. Players use bunkers to shield themselves, or even crawl on…
MINNESOTA- Safety on the water will be a top priority this weekend. According to authorities, drunk boating is drunk driving. Law enforcement will be increasing patrols on Northland waters as part of their yearly Operation Dry Water campaign. From 2013 to 2017 alcohol was a factor in 26 boating deaths and 46 injuries on Minnesota waters. Meanwhile Wisconsin was the…
ELY, Minn.- A man is pronounced dead Tuesday after trying to get back on his watercraft on Lake Vermillion, about 30 miles west of Ely. A resident saw 58-year-old Darrell Pfannenstein of St. Joseph struggling to get back on his jet ski in shallow water. The resident offered help but Pfannenstein declined. Later he was seen walking towards shore and…
DULUTH, Minn. – Fourth of July can be one of the busiest times of the year for Duluth. It draws thousands of visitors from across the country. And the increase in tourism can have its advantages for the city. Many call Duluth the “go to” place to spend their weekend on a non–holiday. “Well it’s a beautiful city. You have…
HILL CITY, Minn.- The Fourth of July may be over, but that isn’t stopping one small town in Minnesota from keeping the festivities going. All ages made the most of the Fourth of July long weekend, as Hill City continued it’s holiday celebration from yesterday. From kids using the water slide to keep cool, to others testing their aim to…
