(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions is visiting Minnesota to speak to state and local prosecutors. Sessions was expected to address an annual gathering of district attorneys from around the country in Minneapolis on Monday afternoon. Sessions has pitched a tough-on-crime mentality as President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Justice. He has…
DULUTH, Minn. – Emerald Ash Borer was first discovered in Duluth on Park Point in 2015 and has since been found elsewhere in the city. Duluth officials have a plan to stop the infestation from spreading, and are asking for residents’ help in implementing it. The City of Duluth is launching an educational campaign to teach residents about Emerald Ash…
MINNEAPOLIS–The fight over whether to allow copper–nickel mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area of northeastern Minnesota is shifting to St. Paul. The U.S. Forest Service is opening a new set of public meetings on its proposal to bar minerals exploration and development on more than 234,000 acres near the pristine wilderness for up to 20 years. The first meeting…
CARLTON, Minn. – Kids in Carlton got to watch live, interactive chemistry experiments with a real life mad scientist. The educational program by Mad Science of Minnesota gives kids a hands-on experience making slime, experimenting with dry ice, and making liquid change into a rainbow of colors. The traveling program gets kids excited about learning. “It sparks their imagination and…
ST. CLOUD, Minn. (AP) – Authorities are investigating vandalism at a mink farm in Stearns County. The sheriff’s office says someone entered the property of Lang Farms northwest of Eden Valley late Sunday or early Monday, dismantled parts of the exterior fence and then released about 35,000 mink from their cages. Authorities say the mink are raised for their pelts…
DULUTH, Minn. – In May the Minnesota Legislature passed their $988 million bonding bill Among the projects included in the bill is $25.4 million in funding for the St. Louis River Estuary Restoration Project. These funds will trigger $47.2 million in federal funds made available through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to accelerate the cleanup efforts of the St. Louis…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – A report from a Minnesota university shows adding energy storage may be a cost effective way to help meet the state’s electricity demand. Minnesota Public Radio reports that University of Minnesota’s Energy Transition Lab presented its report to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission this month. The commission recommended the state pursue energy storage pilot projects….
MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) – A memorial for Justine Damond is growing near the spot where she was shot and killed by a police officer Saturday night, through information about what exactly happened in that southwest Minneapolis alleyway remains scarce. Justine Damond, Fox 9 Officials confirmed in a release Sunday, and later at a press conference, that a woman died as the…
Duluth, Minn A Duluth native killed more than 70 years ago in World War II finally returned home. November 21st 1943, United States Marine Company H, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marines Division lead an amphibious assault in what is considered one of the most important battles in World War II, the battle of Tarawa. “It had a very big…
DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth Marine missing since 1943 finally returns home Saturday. Sergeant James Hubert will be laid to rest 74 years after he was killed at the Battle of Tarawa in the Pacific theatre of World War II. Sgt. Hubert’s remains were discovered by a group called History Flight and recently identified. His sister, Mary Kay Hagen says…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – The Minnesota Department of Health will provide temporary funding to maintain a suicide prevention hotline that was expected to shut down. The department will provide $139,000 to keep the hotline open at least until September 29. The hotline is operated by the nonprofit Canvas Health of Oakdale. It announced earlier this month that it would…
DULUTH, Minn. – This weekend music, food, artisans and dancing will be taking over Bayfront Festival Park. The 12th Annual Bayfront Reggae & World Music Festival is taking place. It all starts Saturday, July 15 when gates open at 11 a.m. Music begins at 1 p.m. and runs until 11 p.m. Tickets are available online, at the gate or at…
DULUTH, Minn. – Through many different instances, one can become injured. A local doctor is looking to educate those injured about proper healing methods. For some, an injury could be so serious they require surgery, but according to Annita Winkels, DPT, for others, physical therapy is the answer. Dr. Winkels, Founder of In Motion Therapy says the goal is to…
DULUTH, Minn. – Some 78 years after Marine Sgt. James Hubert should have graduated from Denfeld High School, the World War II veteran received his diploma. “This is just one small thing we as a district and as a community can do to honor the ultimate sacrifice the family and Sgt. Hubert made for our country,” said Amy Starzecki, Duluth…
DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Louis County Historical Society offered a genealogy workshop at The Depot Thursday. In this Basic Genealogy class, people learned how to start their own family research using resources in their own backyard. The class’ instructor says genealogy teaches people about who they are. “I think it provides people with a sense of place,” said Kathleen…
DULUTH, Minn. – For the rest of this week, the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center has gone to the dogs. Through Sunday, the Duluth Kennel Club hosts its annual series of all–breed dog shows inside the DECC’s Pioneer Hall. Between 750 and 800 pure-bred dogs from across the United States and Canada take part in four days of competition for…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Several Minnesota residents are facing charges of defrauding the state of millions of dollars in health care money as part of a national crackdown. Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson filed a lawsuit Thursday against a Brooklyn Center woman and her daughter for allegedly claiming more fraudulent personal care assistant expenses. The lawsuit says Juanita Swain…
WELCH, Minn. (KMSP) – The crew at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lock and Dam No. 3 on the MississippiRiver in Welch, Minnesota had a bit of a bug problem to deal with on Wednesday. It’s mayfly season, and mounds of dead mayflies resembling piles of mulch littered the lock and dam. Every summer, millions of mayflies lay their eggs…
(KMSP) – After several weeks with no new cases, the Minnesota Department of Health confirmed an additional case of measles associated with the outbreak that started in March. There are now 79 total cases of measles across four different counties in Minnesota. Seventy-one of those cases are in unvaccinated patients. The majority of cases are in children. The newest case…
Fox 9 CRYSTAL, Minn. (KMSP) – A Crystal, Minnesota man has been charged with murder for allegedly shooting his wife Wednesday night and then calling his son to tell him. According to the criminal complaint, Dennis Sandland, 56, called his son around 6:30 p.m. to inform him he shot his mother at their home on the 4800 block of Yates Avenue North. The son then called police….
DULUTH, Minn. – The more than century old Union Depot needs repairs. About $8 million worth in the next five to seven years. “It’s time to make a significant investment back into this building to preserve it for the next 100–plus years,” said St. Louis Co. Property Management Director Tony Mancuso. One project though, needs immediate attention. “We need to…
Photo: Amy Benson – U.S. Geological Survey MINNETONKA, Minn. (AP) – A study is continuing in Lake Minnetonka this year on a potential new method to control zebra mussel populations. Researchers from the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District and the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center are testing low dosses of copper-based product to kill off or at least slow the…
MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) – The Minneapolis police officer who shot and wounded two dogs over the weekend while responding to an alarm “reacted correctly and in accordance with his training,” the head of the police union said in a statement Wednesday. Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis vice president Sherral Schmidt added, “This entire incident is tragic and shows how quickly incidents…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) – Minnesota’s attorney general has filed a lawsuit against CenturyLink for billing higher amounts than sales agents quoted to customers for cable TV and internet service. According to the lawsuit, the company often refused to honor the quoted prices to consumers who catch the discrepancies, and CenturyLink’s internal records acknowledge the problem. In the lawsuit, Attorney General Lori Swanson…
Storm Damage on North Shore Drive in Forest Lake, MN. (Kristine Baillargeon via Fox 9) MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) – Storms ripped through the Twin Cities metro early Wednesday morning leaving thousands without power. Residents in Washington County have reported trees down and roads blocked. Some of the heaviest damage was reported in Forest Lake, Minnesota. Xcel Energy reports more than 56,000…
FROM FOX 9 IN MINNEAPOLIS NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev.-A man who escaped from a Minnesota federal prison in 1992 and had been on the run ever since was taken back into custody last month after trying to renew his driver’s license. Investigators from the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles withheld 64-year-old Robert Frederick Nelson’s driver’s license after a facial recognition…
DULUTH, Minn. – The city recently opened new bike lanes on Michigan Street downtown and leaders are looking for input. These protected bike lanes are the first of their kind in the city. Traffic flows both east and west separated from vehicular traffic by pylons. The test runs throughout July, and the city encourages cyclists, drivers and businesses to give…
DULUTH, Minn. – The downtown Duluth Public Library kicked off its annual Kaleidoscope for Kids summer program Tuesday. The library has run the Kaleidoscope program for more than 35 years. Every Tuesday through early August, kids and their parents can take in a free show outside in the library’s plaza area. Some lucky kids might even get to be part…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Transit Authority will soon offer more options for public transportation users. Starting August 27th, the DTA will expand Route 5 service to run from Gary New Duluth to the Miller Hill Mall. Also, three brand new routes will start on the 27th. Route 21 will go from Lakeside to the mall via UMD’s Kirby Student…
David Petterson reacts after reading a statement during his sentencing hearing Tuesday at the Watonwan County Courthouse in St. James. (Pat Christman | The Free Press) ST. JAMES, Minn. (AP) _ A Minnesota man who shot and killed an intruder who was fleeing from his home has been sentenced to 90 days in jail. Sixty-five-year-old David Allen Pettersen of Madelia…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The Minnesota police officer acquitted in last year’s fatal shooting of black motorist Philando Castile will receive $48,500 as part of a separation agreement with the Minneapolis suburb of St. Anthony. Jeronimo Yanez, who is leaving the St. Anthony Police Department under the agreement announced Monday, also will be paid for up to 600 hours of unused…
DULUTH, Minn. – A downtown, summertime tradition will be shutting down parts of Superior Street once again. The Sidewalk Days Festival begins Wednesday, July 12 and runs through Friday, July 14. About 80 vendors are expected to participate. There will be a car show, crafts, clothes, food, live music and more. New this year, there will be a selfie scavanger…
CASTLE DANGER, Minn. – In a little shop along the North Shore dozens of Northland artists and crafters display their passions. “There are some forms that are kind of lost. Like, we have a lady that does tatting. Most people don’t even know what tatting is,” said Mabel Tarlton, President of the Board for Northwoods Pioneer Gallery and Gifts. Northwoods…
MINNESOTA – A Minnesota mental health crisis hot line will be shutting down at the end of the week. It’s a service that took 50,000 calls last year alone, connecting people with local psychiatrists and counselors, as well as first-responders and emergency rooms. The Crisis Connection hot line was seeing an increase in calls this year, but will have to…
LAKE CRYSTAL, Minn. (AP) – Forecasters say stormy weather spawned a couple of tornadoes in south-central Minnesota, but there are no reports of injuries or significant damage. The National Weather Service says one tornado was reported about 10:30 p.m. Sunday by a trained spotter between Lake Crystal and Judson. A second twister was seen a short time later about six…
HARRIS, Minn. (AP) _ Authorities say a carjacking suspect is dead after an officer-involved shooting in east-central Minnesota and his young daughter who was in the car is safe. The Chisago County Sheriff’s Office says law officers fired shots after the suspect was found outside the town of Harris on Monday. The man died at the scene. The carjacking was…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Fewer enrollees in Minnesota’s individual health insurance marketplace will result in millions of dollars in savings in state-funded discounts. State lawmakers in January passed a $310 million discount package offering a 25 percent rebate for people who buy insurance on the individual marketplace. Earlier estimates anticipated about 120,000 people might be eligible for the discounts….
MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) – A north Minneapolis woman says she caught a Minneapolis Police Officer on video shooting her two dogs while responding to a burglary call at the residence Saturday night. Jennifer LeMay says her two Staffordshire bull terriers, Rocko and Ciroc, survived the incident–though both were injured and required extensive medical treatment. The officer showed up at LeMay’s house after her…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota health officials may call an end to the state’s measles outbreak if no new cases arise by the end of the month. Minnesota Public Radio reports the number of cases in the state has held steady at nearly 80 for nearly one month. Health officials must wait until July 29, when two incubation periods pass…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Decontamination units in Minnesota and Wisconsin will launch a multiday effort to stop numerous invasive species that threaten a river separating the two states. The Star Tribune reports that inspectors will staff six decontamination boats on the St. Croix River July 14 and July 15 to search for and get rid of invasive species including zebra mussels, Eurasian…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The Minnesota Historical Society will commemorate the upcoming 10th anniversary of the Interstate 35W bridge collapse with a new display. Thirteen people died and 145 were injured when the bridge fell into the Mississippi River in downtown Minneapolis during the evening rush hour on August 1, 2007. The National Transportation Safety Board concluded the probable cause was…
DULUTH, Minn. – It’s big news and big funding for the Natural Resources Research Institute. The institute was granted an additional $2 million in recurring funding from the Minnesota State Legislature. This almost doubles the previous state funding they were receiving and was the first funding increase since the 1980s. According to June Breneman, External Affairs Manager for the NRRI,…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) _ U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan gets a hearing this week on his bill to push through a land exchange needed for the proposed PolyMet copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota. It’s one of four land exchange bills the House Subcommittee on federal lands will consider Friday in Washington. PolyMet wants to swap 6,650 acres of federal land it needs…
DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Police Lieutenant and St. Louis County Commissioner, Pete Stauber has announced that he will be running for U.S. Congress from Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District. Stauber, a Republican, will be seeking the seat currently occupied by Democratic Representative Rick Nolan. Pete Stauber Stauber was elected to the St. Louis County Board of Commissioners in 2012, representing the…
HIBBING, Minn. – A Missouri man was taken to the hospital after a deer hit his motorcycle. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the crash happened around 3:30 p.m. Saturday. 53 year old Troy McMahon of Kansas City was riding his motorcycle on Highway 73 near Sand Lake, when a deer ran into traffic and made contact with his bike….
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) –Minnesota hunters and anglers can expect a more modern electronic licensing system with some new bells and whistles. The Department of Natural Resources is looking for a vendor to upgrade the system when its current vendor contract expires in 2020. DNR licensing program director Steve Michaels says it’s still too early to say exactly what…
MINNESOTA – The Minnesota State Fire Marshal reports that fire deaths are up 36-percent compared to this time last year, according to preliminary numbers. According to the preliminary data, 30 people have died in fires in 2017, and by July last year, 22 people had died. The most recent fatality was reported just last week on July 28, when John…
(KMSP) – Children’s Minnesota and major health insurance company Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota have reached an agreement that would keep Children’s Minnesota as an in-network provider for Blue Cross patients. Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson helped broker the new deal between the two parties. According to her office, she acted as the mediator after Children’s and Blue Cross failed to meet the…
DULUTH, Minn. – Several parents throughout the Northland are looking for ways to keep their kids busy while they’re off from school for the summer. Spirit Mountain in Duluth is hosting several camps to encourage kids to stay moving and try new activities. The following is a sample of the camp programs offered in July at Spirit Mountain, based on…
CLOQUET, Minn. — For the first time in about a decade, the fees to visit Minnesota’s state parks have increased. Daily park passes have increased from five dollars to seven, and yearly passes for passenger vehicles have increased from 25 to 35 dollars. The changes began at the beginning of July. Lisa Angelos, Park Manager at Jay Cooke State Park,…
