News

KOOCHICHING CTY: FEMA Denies Individual Flood Help / SBA Offers Loans

KOOCHICHING COUNTY — After months of historic flooding near International Falls, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, says it will not be assisting individual residents in fixing the damage. Koochiching County Emergency Management says FEMA found not enough individual property damage to qualify for the assistance program. County Sheriff Perryn Hedlund says, they were told the protective measures put…

Inside the Hospital amidst MNA Nurse Strike

DULUTH, Minn. — As thousands of nurses with the Minnesota Nurses Association walked out and hit the picket lines, many are left wondering what’s going on inside of the hospitals now. Tuesday was day two of the three-day MNA nurse strike. The strike comes after months of contract negotiations between the MNA and 16 Minnesota hospitals, with nurses expressing frustration…

New Superior National Forest Supervisor Announced

DULUTH, Minn. — A new Superior National Forest Supervisor was announced Tuesday afternoon. Tom Hall is coming from Washington D.C. where he served in the USDA Forest Service. He has over 20 years of experience in sustainable land management principles. Hall said in a press release, “I am looking forward to helping the Forest, Tribes and Partners continue to manage the…

St. Louis County Historical Society To Host Centennial Celebration

100th birthday bash is happening Friday, Sept. 16.

DULUTH, Minn. — The St. Louis County Historical Society is throwing a big 100th birthday bash this Friday, Sept. 16 in the Great Hall at the Depot. The Centennial Celebration is free to attend and will feature live music, appetizers and a cash bar.   You are encouraged to reserve a free spot by click here. Categories: Business, Coffee Conversation, Community,…

Northern Lights Foundation To Host Charitable Children’s Gala

Lifting Local Spirits: Sept. 29 At The DECC

DULUTH, Minn. — The Northern Lights Foundation, which financially supports Northland families with children suffering life-threatening illnesses, is getting ready to put on its biggest fundraiser of the year. The Children’s Charitable Gala: Lifting Local Spirits is happening Thursday, Sept. 29 at the DECC. There will be a live and silent auction, raffles, social hour, dinner, and a presentation. For…

US Inflation Still Stubbornly High Despite August Slowdown

WASHINGTON (AP) — Lower gas costs slowed U.S. inflation for a second straight month in August, but most other prices across the economy kept rising — evidence that inflation remains a heavy burden for American households. Consumer prices surged 8.3% last month compared with a year earlier, the government said Tuesday, down from an 8.5% jump in July and a four-decade high…

National Police Women Day

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s National Police Women Day, a day that celebrates Women who protect and serve our communities day in and day out. It’s a day that celebrates the progress made by women over the years for better representation. The DPD currently has 24 women on their force and have hired four more that will start September 26th. “When…

Mike Ceynowa Named Police Chief Finalist

DULUTH, Minn. – Mayor Emily Larson announced the selection of Mike Ceynowa as the finalist for the next Police Chief of Duluth. Ceynowa has been with the Duluth Police Department for 24 years and currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Patrol. The search for a new chief involved review panels of city staff, select city councilors, community members, and…

Thousands of MNA Nurses Strike Across Minnesota

DULUTH, Minn. — On Monday, nurses with the Minnesota Nurses Association went on strike at hospitals across the Twin Cities and Twin Ports. The MNA and the hospitals have spent more than five months in contract negotiations, with nurses complaining of low wages and understaffing. The two groups have yet to reach an agreement. 10 days ago, nurses at 16…

Local Outdoor Recreation Industries Have Positive Impact On Duluth’s Economy

DULUTH, Minn. — Monday, some Minnesota department leaders visited Duluth to learn about how outdoor recreation helps the City’s economy. Leaders with the Minnesota DNR, the Department of Employment and Economic Development, and Explore Minnesota talked about collaborating with places like Duluth to promote outdoor tourism. A study of the economic data shows that across Minnesota, the recreation industry brings…

Man Shot At Local Business In Superior, Injuries Non Life-Threatening

SUPERIOR, Wis. — The Superior Police Department says there was a shooting at a local business Sunday in Superior. The incident happened at Lady Vi’s just before 2 a.m. When officers arrived on-scene, they saw a lot of people leaving at once, with some of them telling police that the shooting happened inside the men’s bathroom. As Superior Police were…

Trump Team Takes Aim At Records Probe; Calls It ‘Misguided’

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump’s lawyers dismissed as a “storage dispute” the former president’s retention of top-secret documents at his Florida home, urging a judge Monday to keep in place a directive that temporarily halted key aspects of the Justice Department’s criminal probe. Setting the stage for possible further delays to the investigation, the Trump team also said it opposed…

UPDATE: Man Identified Who Was Found In Vermilion River, Cause Of Death Being Investigated

UPDATE (September 12, 2:15 p.m.) — The 43 year-old man who was found in Vermilion River has been identified. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says the name of the man is Keith Joseph Roy of Orr, Minnesota. The cause of death is still being investigated. ORIGINAL POST: CRANE LAKE, Minn. — A death investigation is underway after a man’s…

Thousands Of Minnesota Nurses Launch 3-Day Strike Over Pay

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Thousands of nurses in Minnesota launched a three-day strike Monday, complaining of low salaries and understaffing worsened by the strains of the coronavirus pandemic. Some 15,000 nurses at seven health care systems in the Minneapolis and Duluth areas walked out. The affected hospitals said they recruited temporary nurses and expected to maintain most services. Picket signs went…

Body Found Under I-35 Ramp In Downtown Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — A man’s body was found under the I-35 ramp in Downtown Duluth, according to the Duluth Police Department. Police say the call came in around 4:20 p.m. Sunday along the 800 block of West Railroad Street at the underpass. Investigators believe the 29 year-old man died of an apparent overdose. Categories: Crime, Minnesota, News, News – Latest…

King Charles III And His Siblings Escort Queen’s Coffin

EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) — As Queen Elizabeth II’s four children walked silently behind, a hearse carried her flag-draped coffin along a crowd-lined street in the Scottish capital Monday to a cathedral, where a service of thanksgiving hailed the late monarch as a “constant in all of our lives for over 70 years.” Four days after the 96-year-old queen died at her beloved Balmoral…

UPDATE: Police Found Silver Chevy Impala That Was At Scene Of Speedway Shooting

UPDATE (September 12, 10:55 a.m.) — The Duluth Police Department says they have found the vehicle involved in Sunday’s shooting. The vehicle was found in the 200 block North 16th Avenue East. No arrests have been made yet and the DPD are still actively investigating the incident. ORIGINAL POST: DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth police are looking for a a silver…

In A Nod To JFK, Biden Pushing ‘Moonshot’ To Fight Cancer

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is set to channel John F. Kennedy on the 60th anniversary of JFK’s moonshot speech, highlighting Biden administration efforts aimed at “ending cancer as we know it.” The president was traveling to Boston on Monday to draw attention to a new federally backed study that seeks to validate using blood tests to screen against multiple cancers…

MNA Holds Rally Ahead of Monday’s Strike, Hospitals Prepare For Nursing Gap

DULUTH, Minn. – Beginning Monday at 7 a.m., approximately 15,000 nurses with the Minnesota Nurses Association will go on strike, affecting many hospitals, including those in the twin ports. Earlier Sunday evening the MNA held a “Community Rally” at Duluth City Hall to raise awareness. Nurses, some medical students, and community members were part of the event. Speakers from the…

RU-Ridge Corn Maze Back Open for the Season

CARLTON, Minn. – With spooky season right around the corner, the RU-Ridge Corn Maze in Carlton is back open for its sixth season. Fun for the whole family, the venue features an 8 acre corn maze, horse and hay rides, as well as a petting zoo. New this year is a corn pit along with a barrel wagon train that…

A Touch of Plasch Celebrates 50 Years

Sunday, A Touch of Plasch held a celebration honoring 50 years of business. It was an open house over at the hair salon on East 9th street for family, friends, clients, and former employees of the business. The event included refreshments, food, games, and live music. Owner Harvey Plasch says he has seen many changes in the industry over the…

Elks Lodge #403 Open House

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Elk’s held an open house event today in Superior to bring awareness to what they can do for the community. Live music and people brought the Historic Brownstone Lodge to life as several booths had information about scholarships, veteran support programs, drug awareness, and more. Since 2010, the Elks organization has donated more than 75 thousand…

Bayfront Hosts Lake Superior Harvest Festival

DULUTH, Minn. – If you love locally grown food, a huge crowd, and fun activities for all, then Bayfront was the place for you today. The 28th annual Lake Superior Harvest Festival returned with over 100 vendors.  The festival started as a market for local farmers to celebrate harvest-time. While that is still true, it’s expanded since that first year.  It…

148th Fighter Wing Welcomes New Commander

DULUTH, Minn. – The 148th Fighter Wing of the Minnesota Air National Guard saw a change of command Saturday as one of their long-time members has risen in the ranks to become its latest Wing Commander. Colonel Nathan Aysta is no stranger to the Northland.  He remembers seeing the 148th’s aircrafts flying the Iron Range skies growing up.  “It’s very exciting,”…

Duluth Fire Department to Hold Annual Climbing of Stairs To Remember 9-11

DULUTH, Minn. – Sunday marks the 21st anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks on the United States. Duluth firefighters 101 will be remembering this by holding their annual stair climbing event at AMSOIL Arena. They will begin with a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., the same time the first plane struck the World Trade Center local time. It will be…

Essentia Health: Hospitals To Remain Open During Nurse’s Strike

DULUTH, Minn. – With a strike by members of the Minnesota Nurses Association scheduled to start Monday, Essentia Health says their hospitals in Duluth, Superior, and Moose Lake will remain open. In a statement Friday, Essentia says while contract negotiations continue, they have a wide range of contingencies to help them “maintain our high standards of patient care”.  That will include…

Motorcycle Accident Killed One in Itasca County

ITASCA COUNTY, Minn. – A 24-year-old woman is dead after she was involved in a motorcycle accident in Itasca County Saturday morning. The Minnesota State Patrol says she was with a large group of motorcycles riding northbound on Highway 169 just south of Smith Lake Trail in Spang Township. The group braked rapidly, causing the 2001 Harley Davidson Cruiser at the…

19th Annual Circle of Light Gala Celebrated back in Person

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Luke’s Foundation celebrated their 19th Annual Circle of Light Gala, and the first time back in person since 2019. Held at the DECC, the event is put on to celebrate the care and service provided by staff over the past year. The night featured dinner, silent, live, and fund-a-need auctions, and awards. Awardees included physician, employee,…

NorShor Theatre Prepares For New Season

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Playhouse staff have been spending the last several months preparing the NorShor Theatre for their season opener. It is all hands on deck for the celebration of the Playhouse’s 2022-2023 season beginning September 16. The first show to see the stage is called “Once”, a story highlighting a bond between two people who share the…

Bobcat Receives First-Ever Stem Cell Treatment At The Wild Cat Sanctuary

SANDSTONE, Minn. — An aging bobcat’s life has been turned around through a promising new avenue for joint treatment. Meet Baby Jenga Blue, the Wildcat Sanctuary’s 19 year-old bobcat. Baby Jenga is suffering from chronic arthritis affecting his wrists. That is, until he became the first ever bobcat to receive stem cell therapy. The treatment used cells grown in a…

Lake Superior Zoo Hosts Free “College Days”

DULUTH, Minn. — College students in the Twin Ports are truly getting a “wild” start to the school year. This is all thanks to the Lake Superior Zoo as hundreds of animal friends there are offering up their home for free, all weekend long. The only requirement is a college ID to not only see the furry ones up close,…

Largest Model Train Display in the Midwest Comes to the Depot This Weekend

DULUTH, Minn.–Many kids got interested in playing with model trains when they were young. And for many of those kids, that love grew as they went into adulthood. Well, this weekend it will be wall-to-wall track, trestles and bridges at the St. Louis County Depot. Photojournalist Adam Jagunich caught a glimpse of the setup happening Friday afternoon. You can check…

Jerry Westrom Sentenced To Life In Prison For 1993 Murder

(FOX 9) – A hockey dad and Isanti businessman has been sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of release after 30 years for the murder of Jeanne Childs in June 1993. Jerry Westrom, 56, was convicted of first-degree premeditated murder and second-degree murder last month. A judge on Friday, Sept. 9, sentenced him based on 1993 guidelines, which are slightly different from current state…

Authorities Rename 28 Wisconsin Sites To Remove Racist Word

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — The government has renamed more than two dozen lakes and other sites on federal land in Wisconsin to remove a racist term for a Native American woman. The changes announced Thursday capped a nearly yearlong process that began when Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, an American Indian, took office in 2021 and worked to remove the offensive…

University Of Minnesota Duluth Medical School Students Stand With MNA Nurses

MINNESOTA — As 15,000 nurses with the Minnesota Nurses Association prepare to strike Monday, up-and-coming nurses are standing in solidarity. There was a statement released Friday by 131 nursing students with the University of Minnesota Medical School, and part of it says: “We have your backs as we stand with you to call on healthcare networks around the state to…

King Charles III, In First Address, Vows `Lifelong Service’

LONDON (AP) — King Charles III vowed in his first speech to the nation as monarch Friday to carry on Queen Elizabeth II’s “lifelong service,” as Britain entered a new age under a new sovereign. Around the world, the queen’s exceptional reign was commemorated, celebrated and debated. Charles, who spent much of his 73 years preparing for the role of…

Coffee Conversation: Zeitgeist Bringing Back Spirit Of The Times Fundraiser

DULUTH, Minn. — Zeitgeist is getting ready to bring back its Spirit of the Times fundraiser bigger than ever September 16. They are shutting down a block of East Superior Street in front of its downtown Duluth arts building. The event will be block party style with street-wide tents, an outdoor stage, screen, and bar. Sara and Mary from Zeitgeist…

Superior Porchfest Hosts ‘Fireside Jam’ In Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Local musicians jammed out Thursday evening for a free Fireside Jam in Superior. It was a one-of-a-kind night of music at the Girl Scout Point fire pit in Billings Park — all part of Superior Porchfest’s final music pop-up event of the summer. This event was unique because the event usually includes a musicians playing on multiple…

3rd Annual North Country Electric Vehicle Show & Tell

DULUTH, Minn. – The North Country Electric Vehicle Show and Tell event returned to Duluth for its 3rd year. This is the first time the event was held at Bayfront Festival Park after previously being held at Canal Park Lodge. “The purpose behind this event is really education and just having fun. Bringing the community together, seeing what the future…