News

Ceremony Held for Late Fargo Police Officer

  PEQUOT LAKES, Minn.– Saturday, July 22, a memorial service was held for the fallen Fargo Police Office, Jake Wallin, in his hometown of Pequot Lakes, Minnesota. Police Officers from all over Minnesota, including those in the Northland, joined Officer Wallin’s family at Pequot Lakes High School. Wallin was shot and killed after arriving at the scene of an accident…

Ninth Annual Chief Frantz Red Run 5K Held

RICE LAKE, MINN. — For nearly ten years the people who live and work near the Rice Lake Fire Department have been celebrating a former fire chief who was important to the community, by holding a 5K in his memory. The event is the Chief Frantz 5K Red Run. Fire Chief Frantz suffered a fatal heart attack while on duty…

Festival By The Lake

DULUTH, MINN. — Festival by the Lake at the Bayfront Festival Park was a success. There were more than 160 vendors on hand as well as musical and other entertainment to keep people entertained. One of the vendors was the Forging Community, a Blacksmithing Non-Profit. This was the group’s fourth appearance at the festival. One of the blacksmiths Warren Bethencourt,…

Multiple Arrests Made After Two-Year-Old Overdosed in Aitkin County

AITKIN COUNTY, Minn. –Friday, a two-year-old was reported to be unresponsive after being exposed to a controlled substance in Aitkin County.  Family members called 911 from a vehicle in the Garrison area after removing the child from the household. The child was transported to Metro hospital by air ambulance and is in stable condition. Aitkin County Sheriffs executed a search…

Cirrus Expands Footprint With Purchase of Building From City of Duluth

DULUTH, MINN. –Cirrus Aircraft is continuing its expansion in Duluth by purchasing the incubator building from the City of Duluth. The purchase price was not disclosed. The 79,000-square-foot incubator building was a city project aimed at supporting advanced aircraft manufacturing, which met its goal of creating higher-wage employment opportunities. The building was constructed in 2002 with a $3.45M grant partnership…

Former Cloquet Police Officer Charged With Financially Exploiting Vulnerable Adult

CLOQUET, MINN. — A former Cloquet Police Officer has been charged with financially exploiting a vulnerable adult Laci Marie Silgjord has been charged with taking advantage of a woman who she met as a police officer. She Visited the woman regularly and presented herself to the bank as the victim’s fiduciary, despite not having the legal authority to do this When…

Update: Superior Police Investigate ‘Possible Knifing’

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Superior police are investigating what they call a “possible knifing” incident Thursday evening during the Superior Youth Organization’s baseball games. The call for help came in around 6:30 p.m. for a report of an altercation that had occurred in a wooded area about “50 yards to the west of the Hayes Court Complex Baseball Fields located off…

Opposition to Proposed Marijuana Ordinance

DULUTH, MINN.– A proposed ordinance to ban marijuana smoking at parks in the city will be introduced at the regular Duluth City Council meeting Monday night. Earlier this week FOX 21 talked with one of the authors of the ordinance, Arik Forsman about the reasons for creating such an ordinance. Following that story, one Duluth resident, Michael Gerber, wrote to…

Festival By The Lake Happening Saturday In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — The annual Festival by the Lake is happening Saturday. The family friendly event has over 160 vendors this year including live music, lots of food, a kid’s area, and more. The festival’s proceeds go to the Bluebird Foundation, which is a non-profit that supports students in the performing arts. Lundeen Productions is the organizer of the event….

Blandin Workers on Strike

GRAND RAPIDS, MINN.  In Grand Rapids Friday, members of Teamsters Local 346 held a strike rally. Roughly 170 workers walked off the job on July 15th and have been on strike since. The union has concerns about staffing levels, management performing their work, and their wages which they say are 10 dollars an hour behind inflation. Blandin Paper Company says…

First Indigenous-Lead Coast Guard to Set Sail Next Year

GRAND PORTAGE, Minn.– The Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa announced their latest partnership with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office for a new search and rescue program. This will be the first indigenous-lead coast guard. On average, the Grand Portage Band said that they help out with around 10 search and rescue missions each year. After the Auxiliary U.S….

AMSOIL Celebrates 50 Years of Partnerships

SUPERIOR, Wis.– AMSOIL just celebrated a big milestone, hitting 50 years since partnering up with their dealers. AMSOIL was originally founded in Superior, and became the first synthetic motor oil in the world to meet and pass American Petroleum Institute (API) requirements. In 1973, AMSOIL started partnering up with local dealerships which shaped them into the company that it is…

Man Who Ambushed Fargo Officers Searched Online For ‘Kill Fast’ And For Crowded Area Events, AG Says

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — The man who shot three Fargo police officers and a civilian, killing one of the officers before an officer killed him, searched the internet for terms including “explosive ammo” and “kill fast,” as well as for what crowded area events might be happening in and around North Dakota’s largest city, authorities said Friday. Mohamad Barakat, 37,…

TSA Raises Alarm About Record Numbers Of Guns Being Confiscated At Airports

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Guns are showing up at airports in record numbers again this year and law enforcement is putting an emphasis on reversing the trend. In a span of six hours in February, a single TSA officer at MSP confiscated two firearms sliding down the conveyor belt, headed for flights. The rare double detection highlighted a growing problem at airports…

Tony Bennett, Masterful Stylist Of American Musical Standards, Dies At 96

NEW YORK (AP) — Tony Bennett, the eminent and timeless stylist whose devotion to classic American songs and knack for creating new standards such as “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” graced a decades long career that brought him admirers from Frank Sinatra to Lady Gaga, died Friday. He was 96, just two weeks short of his birthday. Publicist Sylvia…

Sidewalk Sales Starts In Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Sidewalk Sales kicked off Thursday in downtown Superior. The streets are filled with music, delicious food and super sales from local stores. Over 35 local businesses are participating in this year’s event that began Thursday and runs through Saturday. “Sidewalk sales is a great way for people to come and get deals. And for us, the business…

Blandin Paper Union Members Call Contract Offer ‘Laughable’ & ‘Pathetic’

Courtesy: Teamsters GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. — Members of Teamsters Local 346 in Grand Rapids are calling Blandin Paper Company’s contract offer “laughable” and “pathetic,” according to a news release Thursday. This comes as roughly 170 workers plan to hold a rally strike Friday from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. along Highway 2 in Grand Rapids. The Teamsters walked off the…

Larson Secures DFL, Labor Endorsements; Reinert Lands Police, Fire Unions

DULUTH, Minn. — The Aug. 8 primary election is less than three weeks away. Duluth Mayor Emily Larson and former state Sen. Roger Reinert are the likely two candidates headed to the general election Nov. 7. “I doorknock five days a week. I’ve been out since January door-knocking. The campaign itself is really resonating with people. It is clear people…

Chick-fil-A Is Officially Coming To Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — Chick-fil-A is officially coming to Duluth. The Atlanta-based restaurant will be located on the north side of the Miller Hill Mall’s property facing Miller Trunk Highway, according a news release. This will be the first Chick-fil-A in the Twin Ports area, joining 17 other Chick-fil-A restaurants in the Twin Cities area. Construction is expected to start in…

Minnesota Labor Force Growth Adds 9K New Workers In June

(FOX 9) – Minnesota’s labor force continues to grow, with more than 9,000 people entering the labor market in June, according to the latest data provided by the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Signifying the fourth month with positive growth – the largest monthly gain in three years – 9,017 new people entered the job market. Minnesota’s labor force participation rate increased…

Man Dead After ATV Crash In Barnum Township

BARNUM TOWNSHIP, Minn. — One man is dead after an ATV crash that happened Thursday night in Carlton County. The Carlton County Sheriff’s Office says it happened in the 3500 block of Pine Road in Barnum Township at 7:52 p.m. Police say a motorist noticed the crash and called 911. The initial investigation reveals that a man was driving an…

The Wait Is Over As Powerball Finally Has A Winner For Its Jackpot Worth Over $1 Billion

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A winning ticket has been sold in California for the Powerball jackpot worth an estimated $1.08 billion, the sixth largest in U.S. history and the third largest in the history of the game. The winning numbers for Wednesday night’s drawing were: white balls 7, 10, 11, 13, 24 and red Powerball 24. The California Lottery said on Twitter that the…

Repair Work on Railroad Tracks Ongoing

DULUTH, MINN. — The North Shore Scenic Railroad is getting a major upgrade with train tracks being rebuilt. A couple of years ago the railroad company noticed the main line into the St. Louis County Depot was starting to sink. It turned out water was seeping underneath, and the sub-structure was slowly giving out. Now, the St. Louis and Lake…

Marijuana Use in Duluth Parks Target of Proposed Ordinance

DULUTH, MINN. — During the last legislative session, the Minnesota Legislature decided that having and using recreational marijuana in the state would be legal as of August First. However, the law that was passed leaves any limitations on where marijuana can be used up to the discretion of local and city officials Arik Forsman, an at-large member of the Duluth City…

Fargo Police Officer Justified In Using Deadly Force Against Gunman, State Attorney General Says

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — The man who shot Fargo police officers — one fatally — last week had 1,800 rounds, multiple guns and a homemade hand grenade in his vehicle, officials said Wednesday. Mohamad Barakat, 37, opened fired on officers while they were responding to a traffic wreck Friday in south Fargo, authorities said. Officer Jake Wallin was killed, and…

Thanksgiving In July At Chum

DULUTH, Minn. — Thanksgiving is on the minds of the folks at Chum Food Shelf. The spirit of giving is alive and well at Chum. Chum is asking for donations so they can purchase food for their Thanksgiving food boxes. Even though we are in the middle of the summer, planning is already underway to feed local families for Thanksgiving….

Powerball Jackpot Soars To $1 Billion For Wednesday’s Drawing

OMAHA, Neb. (FOX 9) – With the Powerball jackpot topping $1 billion for this week’s drawing, millions of people across the country will be lining up at convenience stores, grocery and gas station counters hoping to hit it big. How does this latest Powerball jackpot stack up? The new jackpot for Wednesday’s drawing would be the seventh highest in U.S. history and…

Renamed Sports Complex Honors Denfeld Football Coaches

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Denfeld High Schools’ Public Schools Stadium officially has a new name. The new name of the sports complex is now Walt Hunting Stadium-Marv Heikkinen Field. Honoring 2 well known football coaches who made a big difference at the school. The renaming committee has been meeting weekly with the help of a few students to discuss the…

Duluth Affordable Housing Coalition Reflects On This Year’s Efforts

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Affordable Housing Coalition held their annual celebration to reflect on this year’s efforts and plan for the future. This past legislative was a win with big investments for housing activity and services across the state. Tuesday at One Roof Community Housing it was a way to say thank you. And a reminder that although the…

Teamsters Workers At Blandin Paper To Hold Strike Rally Friday

Courtesy: Teamsters GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – A worker strike continues at Blandin Paper Company in Grand Rapids. 170 members of Teamsters Local 346 will hold a strike rally Friday from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. along Highway 2. The union has concerns around staffing levels, management performing their work and wages they say are 10 dollars an hour behind inflation….

Duluth Public School Board Votes On Possible Referendum

DULUTH, Minn.–The Duluth Public School Board Members voted earlier today for plans for a potential school referendum. During the COVID-19 pandemic, temporary ESSER funds helped the Duluth Public Schools take that step forward into a 21st century learning environment. Duluth Public Schools Superintendent John Magas said that the referendum’s plan is to keep Duluth Public Schools up to date with…

MNA Essentia Nurses Prepare for Friday’s Picket

DULUTH, Minn.–“To avoid any HIPPA violations I’ll just say that nurses are almost daily in tears trying to deal with the struggle of knowing that we don’t have enough staff. It’s very stressful,” said RN Staff Nurse Stacee Rosier.  Essentia nurses with the Minnesota Nurses Association are getting their signs ready for an informational picket July 21, calling staffing levels…

Parachutist Expected To Make ‘Full Recovery’ After Duluth Airshow Accident

DULUTH, Minn. – The U.S. Navy parachute diver who was injured in a hard fall at the Duluth Airshow Saturday is “progressing well and expected to make a full recovery,” according to a spokesperson for the Airshow. The two parachute members disconnected late as they were falling around 90 mph, which caused the one member to hit the ground. He…

Hundreds Of Northshore Mining Workers Join United Steelworkers Union

Hundreds of workers at Cleveland Cliffs’ Northshore Mining Company have joined the United Steelworkers Union. The union said in a statement Tuesday that Northshore Mining was the last remaining taconite mine on the Iron Range without a union. Roughly 400 workers mine taconite in Babbitt and make iron ore pellets in Silver Bay. “We chose to unionize so that we…

Vegetable Stands Showing Up Around The Northland

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Vegetable stands are up around the Northland and are loaded with lots of healthy choices. Located in Superior on Tower Avenue, one stand just opened a few days ago. They are selling tomatoes, corn, watermelon, zucchini, cucumbers, and more. The stand seller especially recommends the corn. “My first year I would eat the corn. I would husk,…

Train Derails North Of Cook

FIELD TOWNSHIP, Minn. — A train derailed in Field Township just North of Cook Monday night sending 9 rail cars off the tracks. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says deputies and the Cook Fire Department responded at 8:20 p.m. to the Canadian National Train. Authorities say 4 cars remained upright and 5 on their side. 2 of the cars…

Ely Man Dies In Single Vehicle Crash

ELY, Minn. — An Ely man lost his life after a single vehicle crash Monday night. It happened around 5:40 p.m. in the 2100 block of Grant Mcmahan Boulevard in Morse Township. St. Louis County Sheriff’s deputies assisted by other local departments responded to the crash that was traveling eastbound. The car went off the roadway into the ditch and…

Lawmakers, Community Leaders Discuss Minnesota Transportation Bill

DULUTH, Minn. — Minnesota lawmakers and community members were at the Duluth Depot Monday talking all things transportation. The $7.8 billion transportation bill that has passed means multiple big projects for northeastern Minnesota. Projects include road repairs, the Blatnik Bridge replacement, and the passenger rail Northern Lights Express between the Twin Ports and Minneapolis. All projects will benefit the area…

Essentia Nurses To Picket Friday, Call Staffing Levels ‘Disastrous’

The informational picket will be on the same day Essentia will hold an open house of its new downtown medical center

DULUTH, Minn. — Essentia nurses with the Minnesota Nurses Association are headed back to the picket line this week amid continued concerns over what they call “disastrous staffing levels.” It’s been six months since nurses at Essentia reached a new contract that gave them more input in the staffing process.  But the Minnesota Nurses Association says Essentia executives aren’t listening…