News

NASA Scrubs Launch Of New Moon Rocket After Engine Problem

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA called off the launch of its mighty new moon rocket on its debut flight with three test dummies aboard Monday after a last-minute cascade of problems culminating in unexplained engine trouble. The next launch attempt will not take place until Friday at the earliest and could be off until mid-September or later. The mission,…

Pumpkin Spice is Making its Way Back to the Northland

SUPERIOR, Wisc.– One local coffee shop in Superior is preparing for the fall season with some new drinks. Fall staples like pumpkin spice is officially making its return to Empire Coffee. As the northland waits to see the leaves change color, coffee shops are preparing to bring back their seasonal favorites. Although business owners say that it’s not just the…

Bloody Mary Fest Comes to Town

HERMANTOWN, Minn.– Fans of a popular brunch drink gathered at the AAD Shrine Event Center in Hermantown to try vendors takes on the classic bloody mary. 16 different vendors brought along their unique recipes Sunday for the first ever Bloody Mary Fest. Vendors were not only excited to show off their brands, but to also have the community get a…

Tribute Fest Helps Raise Money For Local Veterans

DULUTH, Minn.– The sound of live music filled the air at Bayfront for this years Tribute Fest send off. The two day concert brought out veterans and community members to enjoy a festival that helps raise money for veterans who are experiencing homelessness. Veterans say they were touched to see how many people came out on the gloomy day, all…

Dragon Boat Fest Makes Its Comeback

SUPERIOR, Wisc.– The 18th annual Dragon Boat Festival kicked off over on Barkers Island in Superior Friday. The crowds were trickling in to celebrate the festivals first comeback, since the COVID-19 Pandemic canceled it the last two years.  Activities this afternoon included food trucks and the beer garden, followed by an opening ceremony. “It’s so nice to be back. This…

Groundbreaking for Lincoln Park Improvements

DULUTH, Minn. – After months of planning, work is underway on making improvements to Duluth’s Lincoln Park to make it more accessible and functional. Project goals include renovating the historic stone pavilion, moving the playground to the picnic pavilion, increase parking on the lower level, and add new sports courts and nature areas on the upper terrace. This work is part…

Lakehead Harvest Reunion Underway in Esko

ESKO, Minn. – The 61st annual Lakehead Harvest Reunion kicked off Friday in Esko.  It runs through Sunday with a wide variety of activities. It’s a celebration of farm life and harvesting locally. Photojournalist Adam Jagunich traveled to the opening day and shows us more. More on the reunion can be found here. Categories: Community, Links, News – Latest News,…

Northwoods Opens New Crisis Stabilization Shelter

DULUTH, Minn.– Northwood Children’s Services has officially opened a Crisis Stabilization Center to attend to the growing need of children experiencing mental health issues, especially after the past few years. “Unfortunately the pandemic, as everybody knows, has really exasperated mental health issues and concerns with kids,” Richard Wollet, Northwoods Children’s Services President, said. “Unfortunately at the same time the capacity…

Iowa Man Died After Boat Capsized On Lake Superior

IRON COUNTY, Wis. — A boat capsized on Lake Superior Thursday morning and an Iowa man is dead. According to the Iron County Sheriff’s Department it happened just before 9 a.m. The Iron County Emergency Dispatch received a report of a capsized boat on the shores of Lake Superior. A man reported he and another person were boating together when…

Chauvin Moved To Arizona Federal Pen In George Floyd Killing

(AP) — Derek Chauvin has been moved from a Minnesota state prison where he was often held in solitary confinement to a medium-security federal prison in Arizona, where the former police officer convicted in George Floyd’s killing may be held under less restrictive conditions. Chauvin was taken Wednesday from a maximum-security prison in a Minneapolis suburb, where he often spent most…

Gary New Duluth To Host Day Of Family Fun And Car Show

Far West Kidz Fest and Car Show

DULUTH, Minn. — There is another great option for kids and families Saturday. It’s the Far West Kidz Fest and Car Show. It’s all happening at the Gary New Duluth Rec. Center. There will be plenty of carnival games, entertainment, food trucks, and police dogs showing what they can do. It is $5 to get in for those three and…

FBI Affidavit Shows Concerns About Documents At Trump Estate

WASHINGTON (AP) — Fourteen of the 15 boxes recovered from former President Donald Trump’s Florida estate early this year contained documents with classification markings, including at the top secret level, according to an FBI affidavit released Friday explaining the justification for this month’s search of the property. The 32-page affidavit, even in its heavily redacted form, offers the most detailed description to…

Coffee Conversation: Duluth-Superior Pride Play, ‘I Am My Own Wife’

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth-Superior Pride is hosting its pride celebrations Labor Day weekend. One event going on throughout the weekend is a play at Zeitgeist. Press release: Based on a true story and inspired by interviews conducted by the playwright over several years. I AM MY OWN WIFE tells the fascinating tale of Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, a German trans woman…

‘Side String Band’ Previews The Great Northern Squash Festival

The 3rd annual Great Northern Squash Festival is coming up Sept. 16 and 17 in Chaffey, Wisconsin. More than 30 bands will be playing throughout the two-day event, including Side String Band, which played on the morning show Friday.  Click the videos to check out two songs. General contact:  Adam Staupe 218-393-6117 The Great Northern Squash Festival 2022 September 16th…

Biden Calls Abortion Restrictions ‘Beyond The Pale’

WASHINGTON (AP) — As Republican-led states continue to ban nearly all abortions, President Joe Biden said Friday that such restrictions were “beyond the pale.” Biden and Democrats are trying to harness outrage over the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion nationwide, in this year’s midterm elections. “You’re going to hear women roar on this issue, and it’s going…

Community Construction Program Holds Second Open House

DULUTH, Minn.– The Community Construction Program held their second open house Thursday, over in West Duluth. A partnership between the Housing Redevelopment Authority in Duluth, and Community Action Duluth, launched the Community Construction Program back in 2019. This program focuses on giving those who are disadvantaged, a job turning houses that need substantial work into affordable housing within the community….

Moderna Sues Pfizer Over Patents Behind COVID-19 Vaccine

(AP) — COVID-19 vaccine maker Moderna is suing Pfizer and the German drugmaker BioNTech, accusing its main competitors of copying Moderna’s technology in order to make their own vaccine. Moderna said Friday that Pfizer and BioNTech’s vaccine Comirnaty infringes on patents Moderna filed several years ago protecting the technology behind its preventive shot, Spikevax. The company filed patent infringement lawsuits…

WI Cabinet Member Talks About Expanding Childcare Options With State Dollars

SUPERIOR, Wis. The city of Superior welcomed a Wisconsin state cabinet member to talk about paving the way for more affordable childcare. The Department of Children and Families Secretary Emilie Amundson met with city leaders to talk about a recent grant Superior received from a program called “Project Growth.” The conversation between the city and state is about what the…

The Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival Staff Setup for This Weekend’s Race at Barker’s Island

BARKER’S ISLAND, Wisc.–The long oar-driven boats will be racing this weekend in the Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival and setup preparations are well underway at Barker’s Island. The festival is the largest charitable fundraising even the city of Superior has to offer This weekend’s event resurfaced after being called off for the past two years. This was due to the…

Superior School Board Votes In Favor Of Keeping Gender Identity Curriculum

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Thursday, the Superior School District’s Board of Education held a public session discussing whether gender identity topics should be taught in the middle school, with board members ultimately voting in favor to allow it. The vote was 5-2. Held at the Superior Middle School, the meeting started with public comments, followed by a presentation from a petitioner,…

Duluth School District Identified as Struggling Academically

DULUTH, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Education has identified over 300 schools and several districts with low academic performance, including the Duluth School District. The Duluth School District was identified as struggling academically, and not for the first time. Results are based on MCA standardized tests in middle schools. This year, students of Duluth schools tested at a 50%…

Decline in Childhood Vaccinations Worries Local Health Officials

DULUTH, Minn. — “We find the decrease in vaccination rates very concerning. Primarily because we’re having kids out there now that are vulnerable,” General Pediatrician at Essentia Health, Dr. Jonathan KenKnight, said. Dr. Jonathan KenKnight says that vaccination rates for younger age groups is slowly declining in the northland. And with the school year is just around the corner, health…

More Charges Against Former Superior Police Sergeant

Gregory Swanson was originally charged with one count of homicide by use of a vehicle in July.

SUPERIOR, Wis. — The Superior Police Sergeant accused of causing a car crash that killed two people, and injured two others is no longer with the department. He has also been charged with 11 additional crimes. Gregory Swanson already faced one count of homicide by use of a vehicle in the July 15 crash after a 23 year-old man died….

Student Loan Forgiveness Will Be Taxable In Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Student loan forgiveness won’t be taxed federally, but it will be taxable in Minnesota unless the state Legislature acts, Minnesota revenue officials say. The reason is the Legislature never passed its 2022 tax bill to conform with federal changes, including student loan forgiveness. The forgiveness would increase a person’s tax liability and potentially reduce tax credits or deductions a…

UPDATE: One Dead, Two Hurt After Rainy Lake Business Catches Fire

Courtesy Rainy Lake GuidingINTERNATIONAL FALLS, Minn. — One woman is dead and two more people are hurt after a business on Rainy Lake caught fire on Wednesday evening. According to Koochiching County officials, an 85-year-old woman was found dead inside the Northernaire Houseboats business. Her daughter, a 51-year-old woman, tried to go inside to save her mom. She is now…

Student Loan Forgiveness Could Help More Than 40 Million

WASHINGTON (AP) — More than 40 million Americans could see their student loan debt reduced — and in many cases eliminated — under the long-awaited forgiveness plan President Joe Biden announced Wednesday, a historic but politically divisive move in the run-up to the midterm elections. Fulfilling a campaign promise, Biden is erasing $10,000 in federal student loan debt for those with incomes…

Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival Returns This Weekend

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival is make a comeback since the pandemic with all the racing, entertainment and fun for all!  Click the video for a preview and click here to learn more about the two-day festival. Categories: Coffee Conversation, Entertainment, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News, Wisconsin

Bus Driver Charged for Driving Intoxicated with 35 Children And Teens Onboard

CARLTON, Minn. — A 49-year-old Cannon Falls man has been charged for driving a charter bus while intoxicated with 35 students aboard. On Sunday, troopers from the Minnesota State Patrol responded to a complaint that a charter bus was swerving shoulder-to-shoulder on interstate 35 in Carlton County. Troopers located the bus and watched it weave in-and-out, continuously into the other lane….

DFD Participates in Fill a Boot Campaign

DULUTH, Minn.– The Duluth Fire Department hit the streets to collect donations for the Fill a Boot campaign. Fill the Boot is a fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Every year since 1954, fire departments across the nation have taken the time to hold boots on street corners in support of the cause. Dollars raised go toward finding effective treatments…

Bulldog Welcome Week Comes Back For Another Year

DULUTH, Minn.– It’s the first day of freshman welcome week over at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, and students started the festivities by moving back to campus. After parents and students rush to drop their things off at their new dorms, they were able to make their way to UMD’s Kirby Student Center for their annual Bulldog Bash. An event that…

Spirit Halloween Opens Second Pop-Up Location in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn.–Spirit Halloween is getting ready for spooky season. It just opened a second location in the Miller Hill shopping district. Owners took advantage of the former Bed Bath and Beyond site and filled it with all things Halloween. To some, August may seem a bit soon for skeletons and cobwebs, but the shop’s staff say they’re already getting excited….

Budget-Friendly School Shopping Option for Children

DULUTH, Minn. — Back-to-school expenses can add up fast. If you’re buying on a budget this year, a Duluth shop can help fill the little ones’ closet with discounted items. Once Upon a Child has been a sustainable shopping option in Duluth for the last five years, buying and selling gently used children’s clothes, shoes, toys, and more. You can…

DECC Holds Job Fair to Recruit More Staff

DULUTH, Minn. — As the DECC gears up for concerts, conventions, and hockey season, they’re looking to add more staff to the team. Dozens of part-time positions are available at the DECC; anything from ice maintenance to concession stand workers. The DECC held a job fair on Wednesday to help fill the slots. Applicants were able to stop by, have…

Biden Announces Long-Awaited Student Debt Forgiveness Plan

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Wednesday announced his long-awaited plan to deliver on his campaign promise to provide $10,000 in debt cancellation for millions of Americans — and up to $10,000 more for those with the greatest financial need. Borrowers who earn less than $125,000 a year, or families earning less than $250,000, would be eligible for the…

Panel: Trump Staffers Pushed Unproven COVID Treatment At FDA

WASHINGTON (AP) — Officials in the Trump White House tried to pressure U.S. health experts into reauthorizing a discredited COVID-19 treatment, according to a congressional investigation that provides new evidence of that administration’s efforts to override Food and Drug Administration decisions early in the pandemic. The report Wednesday by the Democratic-led House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis also sheds new light on the role that…

Coffee Conversation: Local Author Katy Vanderport Talks Poetry, Science Fiction Books

DULUTH, Minn. — Grand Rapids-area author Katy Vanderport stopped by the morning show to talk about two of her most recent books. Click here to check out her science fiction book called Maggie and Elliot Defy Gravity, and click here to check out her poetry book called Try on My Glasses.   Categories: Business, Coffee Conversation, Minnesota, News, News –…

Amberwing Celebrates 10 Years

DULUTH, Minn. – “All of these folks lined up behind me are really the ones who make the magic happen here. I mean it’s a beautiful building, it’s a beautiful safe space, but it’s the people who work here that work with the kids and the families that are really making a difference in peoples lives,” Miller-Dwan Foundation President, Traci…