Minnesota

“No Hit Zones” Hope to Prevent Spanking of Children or Hitting Others

Staff members in certain public spaces will intervene.

It is child abuse prevention month, and part of that includes an effort by some to get parents to move away from spanking children. Thursday, supporters of that effort gathered at the YMCA in Hermantown to promote an area coalition that is establishing and increasing the number of “No Hit Zones.” The zones will be spaces and agencies where others…

Minnesota’s Unemployment Rate Down Slightly In March

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Minnesota’s unemployment rate was down slightly in March to 2.8%, according to data from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. DEED says the private sector lost around 6,100 jobs, while the government gained around 400. Labor force participation stayed flat month-to-month at 68%. The five supersectors in Minnesota that lost jobs, according to DEED, were: Construction lost…

9 Men Trying To Enter US From Canada Treated For Exposure

U.S. Border Patrol agents and multiple local emergency agencies rescued a group of nine individuals in distress after exposure to harsh weather conditions near Warroad, Minnesota. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) WARROAD, Minn. (AP) — Nine men who entered the United States illegally from Canada were rescued from a sub-freezing bog and given medical treatment for exposure to the cold,…

Coffee Conversation: California Musician Jonathan Foster Performs in Northland

NORTHLAND — Award-winning songwriter Jonathan Foster from Redding, California is currently on his Ten Year Sabbatical Tour and made two stops in Minnesota. Foster joined FOX21 on the morning newscast Thursday to chat about his career and give the northland a live TV performance. The artist performed in Grand Rapids, MN on April 19 and will take the stage next…

New Bicycle Tour Event To Honor Late Minnesota Senator David Tomassoni

EVELETH, Minn. — The late Minnesota Senator David Tomassoni who died last year from ALS is getting a new ALS fundraising tour named in his honor. ALS nonprofit Never Surrender Inc. is launching a new bike riding event called the “Tomassoni Tour, Cycle for ALS.” The announcement was made Wednesday at the Mesabi Station in Eveleth. The tour will happen…

2022-2023 Duluth Winter Officially Snowiest on Record

DULUTH, Minn. — At 5 A.M. this morning, the National Weather Service measured 2.0″ of snow, bringing our total snowfall for this winter to 137.1″. This breaks the previous record of 135.4″ set during the winter of 1995-96. This all started back on October 14 when we received the first snowfall of the season, getting 2.0″.  December brought 44.9″ of…

Mayor Again Asks Duluth Council To Avoid Budget Cuts, Use ‘Rescue Plan’ Funds

DULUTH, Minn. – Mayor Emily Larson is speaking up — through an email to councilors — about this year’s $383,000 in city wide budget cuts. She’s urging them to avoid the cuts by using American Rescue Plan funds. The $383,000 handles the one-percent levy cut the council made last December in Larson’s proposed property tax levy increase, which she said…

Minnesota Gov. Walz Draws Sharp Contrasts With Red States

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz drew stark contrasts between Minnesota and Republican-led states Wednesday night, using his State of the State speech to highlight how he and his fellow Democrats have used their new control over state government to push through an ambitious liberal agenda. Walz, now three months into his second term, told lawmakers and other…

Who Pays For Damage From Water Main Break

DULUTH, MINN. — In his continuing effort to have the city of Duluth take some responsibility for the damage caused to his home by a broken water main, Paul Zwak has submitted new information to the city. Zwak says he has researched with the Duluth City Engineering Department and found the waterline that broke on April 11th has been repaired…

Fond Du Lac Tribal & Community College Hosts Law Enforcement Career Expo

DULUTH, MINN. — The need for employees is a common theme among businesses throughout the Northland and across the country. But for law enforcement agencies, the need for police recruits is particularly high.  And that was made very clear at a law enforcement career expo held Wednesday in Cloquet. How significant is the shortage of law enforcement personnel in the…

Duluth Fire Department Busy in 2022, With Some Ups and Downs

Overall runs were up, but actual fires down. Code enforcement was up.

DULUTH, Minn. – Wednesday the Duluth Fire Department presented a picture of what calls were up and which were down in 2022. In 2022, the department made 478 more runs than the year before. That’s an increase of 3.2%. over 2021.  There were twenty-four fewer fire calls. There were also 18 water rescues, down by 21 from the year before….

Coffee Conversation: Maryland Musician to Perform at Sir Ben’s in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — Musician Eli Lev from Boonsboro, Maryland joined FOX21 on the morning newscast ahead of his performance at Sir Benedict’s Tavern on Saturday, April 22 in Duluth. The artist has just completed his Four Directions Project (2021) which includes four EPs that were inspired by indigenous traditions he learned while teaching on the Navajo Nation in Northern Arizona. His…

Fox, Dominion Reach $787M Settlement Over Election Claims

Attorney Justin Nelson, representing Dominion Voting Systems, speaks at a news conference outside New Castle County Courthouse in Wilmington, Del., after the defamation lawsuit by Dominion Voting Systems against Fox News was settled just as the jury trial was set to begin, Tuesday, April 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — Fox News agreed Tuesday to pay Dominion…

David’s Bridal Set To Close Shops In Minnesota As Company Files For Bankruptcy

(FOX 9) – David’s Bridal shops in Minnesota could close as soon as this summer as the company announces it is filing for bankruptcy. For now, the company says stores will continue operations and orders will continue to be fulfilled as normal. In a WARN notice, a filing that companies are required to report when they are anticipating layoffs, David’s Bridal states…

St. Scholastica Consolidating from Six Colleges Down to Three

DULUTH, Minn — The College of St. Scholastica is in the process of restructuring their academic programs, consolidating their six different schools down to three. Effect July 1, the three new schools will be the Stender School of Leadership, Business and Professional Studies, the School of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Health Professions. This restructure will promote collaboration…

Duluth’s ‘Stepping On Up’ Launches ‘Safe Bay’ For Homeless Living In Vehicles

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth homeless organizations launched a first Monday night by creating a designated location for people who are living out of their vehicles to safely park overnight. The “Safe Bay” is an initiative through “Stepping On Up.” The Safe Bay is located in the Domiano Center’s parking lot.  It will be operating daily from 8 p.m. until 8…

Monday Update: Closed Roads In St. Louis County

DULUTH, Minn. — The following is information from St. Louis County regarding closed roads. This list was released at 4:00 p.m. Monday. St. Louis County Public Works teams have been busy working on two fronts: clearing snow – as much as 6-8 inches fell in parts of the county – while also monitoring road conditions and making repairs when possible….

Chauvin Murder Conviction Upheld In George Floyd Killing

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Court of Appeals on Monday upheld former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin’s second-degree murder conviction in the killing of George Floyd, and his 22 1/2-year sentence remains in place. Chauvin’s attorney had asked the appeals court to throw out the ex-officer’s convictions for a long list of reasons, including the massive pretrial publicity. He also argued that legal…

JUUL Trial: Minnesota Settles E-Cigarette Lawsuit

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Minnesota has settled its lawsuit with JUUL and Altria a day before closing arguments were scheduled to begin, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said in a news release on Monday. Minnesota was the first to go to trial with JUUL and Altria for its e-cigarette marketing tactics, which Ellison said were deceptive and appealing to youths. Ellison sued JUUL in…

Sheriff’s Deputy And Suspect Killed In Minnesota Shootout

(AP) — One sheriff’s deputy died on his 44th birthday and two other law enforcement officers were injured after a shootout in west-central Minnesota that also killed the suspect in a domestic assault call Saturday night. Pope County Sheriff’s Deputy Joshua Owen died at the hospital Saturday after the shooting that happened around 7:30 p.m. at an apartment in Cyrus, authorities…

Sunday Update: Closed Roads in St. Louis County

DULUTH, MINN — The following is information from St. Louis County regarding closed roads. This list was released at 5:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon. St. Louis County Public Works has closed four more roads due to flooding issues, for a total of 11 newly closed roads today. One road, App Road near the Lake County border, was able to reopen this…

Closings, Delays, E-Learning: April 17, 2023

The following schools are closed, delayed or holding classes virtually for Monday, April 17, 2023: Ashland Schools: Closed Bayfield School District: Closed Bessemer Area School District: Closed Floodwood School District: Closed Solon Springs School District: Closed / Remote Leaning South Shore Schools: Closed / Remote Learning Washburn Schools: Closed / Remote Learning   Categories: Minnesota, News, News – Latest News,…

Minnesota Power: Local Dams Handling Rising St. Louis River As Built To Do

CARLTON, Minn. — Minnesota Power has activated its emergency action plans at four of its hydro facilities along the St. Louis River, like the Thomson Dam in Carlton. The emergency action plans are enforced to put the public and emergency management agencies on high alert of the higher-than-normal flows. They’ve developed plans of action to identify which neighborhoods are most…

Rising St. Louis River Closes Swinging Bridge At Jay Cooke State Park

CARLTON, Minn. – The St. Louis River within Jay Cooke State Park is raging so high that park officials have closed the Swinging bBridge to pedestrians for the time being. Visitors braved the snowy conditions Sunday to check out Mother’s Nature at her best there. Signs and tape blocked off the famous bridge over the St. Louis River until conditions…

Sleeping Bags, Tents Wanted As Duluth’s Warming Shelter Closes For Season

DULUTH, Minn. — The CHUM drop-in shelter in Duluth is asking for donated sleeping bags and tents as more of the homeless population will be out in the elements with Duluth’s Warming Shelter closing for the season on Monday. This comes as CHUM and MnDOT are planned to clean up a growing homeless encampment in Duluth sometime this week. The…

Lodge 9 Fundraises for Local Law Enforcement

HERMANTOWN, Minn.–If you would like to help support your local police force, the Lake Superior Lodge 9 held their annual Fraternal Order of Police Spring Fundraiser. The fundraiser was held over at the AAD Shrine Meeting and Event Center in Hermantown. They had games, prizes, raffles, and a silent auction where items available were all donated by local businesses and…

The AAD Shrine Circus Performs At The DECC

DULUTH, Minn.– Over the weekend, three shows from the big tent were live again at the DECC. The AAD Shrine Circus has been Duluth’s longest-running show for the last 101 years. This year saw clowns, acrobatics, and a whole lot of other thrills. “We have a lot of acrobatic thrill shows,” said Potentate Chief Rabbin Gary Bubalo. “We stopped having…

‘Discover Pro Wrestling’ Hosts Event At Clyde

DULUTH, Minn.–Get ready for a smackdown!  Fighters took to the stage inside a pack Clyde Iron Works to see who would ring out as the new or current defending champion. Fighters from all over the Midwest gathered to compete in Sunday’s showdown. “This is the third event that Discover Pro Wrestling is doing,” said DPW Heavy Weight Defending Champion Sierra….

Minnesota Deputy Shot, Killed Responding To Domestic Assault Call; Officer, Deputy Also Hurt

CYRUS, Minn. (Fox 9) – A Pope County Sheriff’s Deputy was killed along with a suspect in a domestic assault call Saturday. Two other law enforcement officers were also shot during the incident. Around 7:30 p.m. the deputy along, with another deputy from Pope County and a police officer from Starbuck, Minnesota responded to a domestic assault call in the town of Cyrus on…

Otters at Great Lakes Aquarium Turn 10 Years Old

DULUTH, MINN. — What better way to spend a rainy Saturday afternoon, than celebrating the birthday of the otters at the Great Lakes Aquarium? The two otters, who are both female, are named Agate and Ore. They came to the aquarium from Louisiana when they were just six months old. Now nine and half years later they’ve reached the one-decade mark….

Spring Garden Extravaganza

DULUTH, MINN. –The St. Louis County Extension Service held its Spring Garden Extravaganza Saturday at the Depot in Duluth. There were a lot of people on hand to learn about many different aspects of gardening, including flowering shrubs and trees and small fruits. There were presentations from experts in pruning fruit trees, pollinators, and vegetable gardens as well as tomatoes….

Gov. Walz Takes Part in Spring Turkey Hunting Opener

NEAR NORTHFIELD, Minn. — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz began his day bright and early Saturday for the state’s kickoff of turkey hunting. Walz joined by National Wild Turkey Federation Director of Development,Tom Glines, Minnesota DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen, and two legislators along with members of the Learn-to-Hunt program. The hunting party hunted on private land near Northfield owned by Jerry…

Northland Robotics Teams Prepare for Worlds

DULUTH, Minn. — With three local high school robotics teams headed to the world’s championship of robotics, the Arrowhead Robotics Coalition arranged for a practice arena for the Denfeld, Hermantown and Babbitt teams. The DNA 4009 team from Denfeld is appearing in its first Worlds Championship since 2017, although they qualified in 2020, there was no event because it was…

Essentia Health Hoists A Flag Raising Ceremony As Part Of National Donate Life Month

DULUTH, Minn. — A new flag near the entrance to the Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center was raised Friday, it’s the Donate Life Flag. April is National Donate Life Month; it is meant to honor organ donors who have given the hope of life to someone in need. The flag-raising ceremony was accompanied by speakers from Essentia who talked about…

Minneapolis OKs Dawn Muslim Prayer Call, 1st For Big US City

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (AP) — Minneapolis will allow broadcasts of the Muslim call to prayer at all hours, becoming the first major U.S. city to allow the announcement or “adhan” to be heard over speakers five times a day, year-round. The Minneapolis City Council unanimously agreed Thursday to amend the city’s noise ordinance, which had prevented dawn and late evening calls at certain…

April 13th is Ethel Ray Nance Day in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — April 13 in Duluth is officially Ethel Ray Nance Day. Who is that you may ask? Nance was an important civil and women’s rights activist, and she was born and lived in the Central Highlands of Duluth. Thursday morning Duluth city council president, Janet Kennedy read the official city proclamation that proclaims it as Nance’s Day. April…

Homeless Encampment, Debris Grow Near Bayfront Park; Cleanup Effort Planned Next Week

DULUTH, Minn. — A homeless encampment across the street from Bayfront Park has grown into a public health hazard, and a CHUM official confirms MnDOT will be cleaning the property sometime next week. There are two growing sections along Railroad Street with about five tents and other items across from Playfront Park next to I35. The second section that’s most…

Dept. By Dept. Breakdown Of 2023 Duluth Budget Cuts, City’s Reason Why

DULUTH, Minn. – FOX 21 has gathered new details involving city wide budget cuts in Duluth worth $383,000. City administration says the cuts involve this year’s status-quo budget. The Duluth Police Department, which has the largest portion of the city’s budget, is being asked to cut $98,402. The Duluth Fire Department holds the city’s second-largest portion of the yearly budget….

Duluth Business Owners Helping Each Other

West Duluth Business Club Working to Make Things Happen

A group of Duluth business owners is welcoming new members as it works to help the area prosper. Members of the West Duluth Business Club gather the second Wednesday of every month at Mr. D’s. Wednesday was no exception. There is usually a guest speaker, and this month it was Amber Burns with the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation. One…

Preparing For Floods in St. Louis County

DULUTH, MNN. — Four public agencies from St Louis County held a news conference on Wednesday to talk about the spring snow melt and spring flooding. The agencies explained what they have planned and already done to prepare for any flooding that may occur. The warm weather over the past couple of days has greatly reduced the snowpack in the…

2023 District 1 Construction Projects

DULUTH, Minn. – With Spring in the air MnDOT is getting ready for more construction projects to get underway in Northeast Minnesota in 2023. They include roads and bridges, with six carryover projects that include work on I-35, I-535, and the Highway 53 interchange as well as bridge work on the Silver Creek Bridge. 16 new projects will kick off…

Two Harbors Voters Choose Their Next Mayor

TWO HARBORS, Wis. — The people of Two Harbors headed to the polls Tuesday to vote for their next mayor. This comes after now-former embattled mayor Chris Swanson was recalled by more than 1,000 votes last august. The unofficial results Tuesday evening from the Clerk’s Office showed Lew Conner as the city’s next mayor. Conner is a retired educator who…