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Wisconsin GOP Lawmakers Working On Medical Pot Legalization

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — After years of opposition to any form of marijuana legalization in Wisconsin, Republican lawmakers are now working privately to build support for a medical cannabis program that could win bipartisan backing and be enacted into law later this year, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos told The Associated Press on Thursday. For now, the group of lawmakers — whom Vos…

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….

Superior School District To Close One Elementary School

DULUTH, MINN. — The Superior School District will be closing one elementary school for the 2024 – 20-25 school year.  At Monday’s school board meeting the board members voted 3 to 2 to close Lake Superior Elementary Superior School Superintendent Amy Starzecki says the district and the school board did a lot of planning prior to making the decision to…

Supreme Court Temporarily Extends Access To Abortion Pill

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has temporarily extended women’s access to an abortion pill until Friday while the justices consider whether to allow restrictions on mifepristone to take effect as a legal challenge to the medication’s Food and Drug Administration approval continues. In an order signed by Justice Samuel Alito on Wednesday, the court indicated it will act by Friday…

Tyre Nichols’ Family Sues Memphis Police Over Beating, Death

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — The family of Tyre Nichols, who died after a brutal beating by five Memphis police officers, sued the officers and the city of Memphis on Wednesday, blaming them for his death and accusing officials of allowing a special unit’s aggressive tactics to go unchecked despite warning signs. The lawsuit accuses Memphis Police Director Cerelyn “CJ” Davis…

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…

Alabama Police Arrest 2 Teens For Sweet 16 Party Shooting

DADEVILLE, Ala. (AP) — Two teenagers have been arrested and charged with murder in connection with an Alabama shooting that killed four young people at a Sweet Sixteen birthday party, investigators announced Wednesday. District Attorney Mike Segrest said the pair would be charged as adults. He said prosecutors would ask a judge to hold them without bail. A bond hearing must be…

Frost River In Duluth Honoring Earth Day

DULUTH, Minn. — What better way to honor Earth Day than finding a way to use leftovers? And not food leftovers! That’s what Frost River has going this month. When they make their various bags and leather goods, no matter how careful they are about making good use of their raw materials, there are always still some leftover scraps, or…

Spring Allergy Season Right Around The Corner

DULUTH, Minn. — Although it may not look like spring outside right now, allergies are still a concern for many. Trees will be pollinating soon, and the pollination affects those with allergies causing runny noses, congestion, and watery eyes. Fox21 spoke with an expert at the Allergy and Asthma Center of MN in Duluth on what to do when spring…

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…

Man Found Guilty In 2019 Murder In Makinen

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn. — A Mora man has been found guilty in the murder of a man in Makinen in 2019. The St. Louis County Attorney’s Office said 56-year-old J. Nicholas Cramer was found guilty of Second-Degree Intentional Murder. Cramer murdered Frank Gerald Meyer on October 2, 2019. According to the criminal complaint, Meyer had been allowing Cramer and…

Man Arrested After Facebook Threats Put Duluth, Superior On Alert

8:45 p.m. Update: DULUTH, Minn. — (Press Release) At approximately 11:45 a.m. Tuesday, April 18, Duluth Police responded to a male making threats via Facebook. Officers continued to investigate the incident and were able to locate his whereabouts. DPD’s Patrol Crews C & B, Crisis Negotiations Team, and Tactical Response Team responded to the scene. At approximately 8 p.m., the…

2 Iowa Teens Plead Guilty In Spanish Teacher’s Beating Death

(AP) — Two Iowa teenagers admitted helping ambush and kill their high school Spanish teacher who was beaten to death in a park with a baseball bat. Both pleaded guilty Tuesday to first degree murder. Prosecutors said Willard Miller and Jeremy Goodale carried out the 2021 attack on Nohema Graber because of a bad grade she had given Miller. The two were 16…

Damar Hamlin Cleared To Play, 4 Months After Cardiac Arrest

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin is cleared to resume playing and is attending the team’s voluntary workout program, the latest and biggest steps in his remarkable recovery some four months after going into cardiac arrest and having to be resuscitated on the field during a game at Cincinnati. “He’s fully cleared. He’s here and he…

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…

Mini Aussie Protects Younger Sister From Coyote In Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. – A doorbell camera in Superior picked up a pretty scary — but proud — moment for some dog parents. Coop Two Mini Aussies recently were approached by a coyote in Superior’s Billings Park neighborhood. Roxie Owner Dennis Johnson told FOX 21 that Coop, the 1.5-year-old male, sprang into action to protect his 10-month-old sister, Roxie. Coop did…

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….

Speaker McCarthy Vows To Pass Debt Bill — With A Big ‘If’

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Kevin McCarthy pledged on Monday to pass legislation to raise the nation’s debt ceiling — but only on condition of capping future federal spending increases at 1% — as he lashed out at President Joe Biden for refusing to engage in budget-cutting negotiations to prevent a debt crisis. In a high-profile speech at the New York Stock…

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….

High School Star Among 4 Killed In Alabama Party Shooting

Investigators work at the site of a fatal shooting in downtown Dadeville, Ala., on Sunday, April 16, 2023. Several were killed during a shooting at a birthday party Saturday night, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said. (Alex Gladden/The Montgomery Advertiser via AP) DADEVILLE, Ala. (AP) — A high school senior who planned to play college football was celebrating at his…