Wednesday’s Lunchtime Update
5-25-2022
Here is your news and weather update from FOX 21’s Arman Rahman and Meteorologist Ken Slama! Categories: News, News – Latest News, News Update
News
Biden Says ‘We Have To Act’ After Texas School Shooting
WASHINGTON (AP) — Lamenting a uniquely American tragedy, an anguished and angry President Joe Biden delivered an urgent call for new restrictions on firearms after a gunman shot and killed at least 19 children at a Texas elementary school. Biden spoke Tuesday night from the White House barely an hour after returning from a five-day trip to Asia that was…
Vigil, Rally Planned For 2nd Anniversary Of Floyd Killing
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A candlelight vigil to honor George Floyd’s memory at the intersection where he died was among the remembrances scheduled for Wednesday’s second anniversary of the Black man’s killing at the hands of Minneapolis police officers. Activists planned the vigil, along with a rally at the governor’s residence in St. Paul, for the two-year anniversary of Floyd’s death…
South Pier Inn Celebrates 20 Years of Business
DULUTH, Minn. – The South Pier Inn held an open house Tuesday to celebrate twenty years in business. The Sola family purchased the property in the late nineties after it had been run down and on the mark for nearly 20 years. Since then, the business has grown to be an accomplished establishment winning several accolades over the years such…
USS Minneapolis St. Paul Heads Home
DULUTH, Minn. – People gathered in Canal Park Tuesday afternoon to witness the USS Minneapolis St. Paul leaving the harbor. The naval ship was commissioned on Saturday, and the first to ever be in the state of Minnesota. Dozens of people came down to watch, and those who gathered were excited to witness history taking place in Minnesota waters. “It…
Captain J’s Mini Golf Ready to Open On Barkers Island
SUPERIOR, Wis. — As Memorial Day weekend approaches, many local businesses are getting ready to entertain the crowds, including Captain J’s Miniature Golf Course over in Superior. After a long winter and spring, there’s many things to do to get the course up to par before the summer season. The owner was there on Tuesday helping re-paint, get the landscaping…
50th Anniversary of Title IX Recognized At UMD
DULUTH, Minn. — The UMD Athletic Department took the time on Tuesday to assemble a panel of former and current female athletes to continue the education and push the importance about title ix for its 50th anniversary. Title IX prevents sexual discrimination in any school or program that receives federal funding. Beginning in 1972, strides have been made towards more…
New Mural in Downtown Duluth
DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth gained a little more color this past weekend as a new mural made its debut behind ASI Accounting downtown. Mana Bear Bolton, a freelance artist from Duluth was contacted by ASI to create a mural with aerosol paint. In 13 hours and 55 cans of paint, a colorful scene of the aerial lift bridge and sunset…
SolFed Farm Receives Certified Naturally Grown Recognition
SolFed Farm is the only farm in Minnesota to receive this distinction.
DULUTH, Minn. – Farming started as more of a passion project for SolFed Farm owner Liz Strohmayer. “We started with a few raised beds which quickly turned into a lot. It was ideally, it was supposed to be our way of being more self sustainable, and living a more self sustainable lifestyle,” Strohmayer said. But then Strohmayer decided to share…
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota Hosts Grand Opening of LSS Bethany in Morgan Park
DULUTH, MN – After a nearly two year process, Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota held a grand opening of its new facility in Morgan Park to better help children, youth, and families. The 3.3 million dollar facility was made possible through several community donors and replaces the much smaller one at the same location that has been used since the…
Supporters Gather at City Hall to Support Congresswoman Betty McCollum’s Boundary Waters Protection and Pollution Prevention Act
DULUTH, MN – Supporters of the Boundary Waters Protection and Pollution Prevention Act gathered in front of Duluth City Hall this morning ahead of a congressional hearing on the bill. The proposed legislation was written by Minnesota Congresswoman Betty McCollum and would prevent sulfide-ore copper mining in over 200,000 acres in the headwaters of the Boundary Waters and Voyageurs National…
Tugboat That Was Sinking In Duluth Harbor Is Afloat Again
DULUTH, Minn. — The tugboat named “Lake Superior” that partially sunk in the Duluth Harbor back in March is now floating once again. According to the Coast Guard, contractors are working on what’s called “lightering and dewatering operations,” which will remove any leftover water, fuel, and lube oil from the tugboat, so pollutants don’t leak into the waterway. The Coast…
Duluth Edison Charter School Students Hold Outdoor Concert
Due to the pandemic, this is the first time since 2019 the concerts have been held and all of the kids were excited to be performing outside again.
DULUTH, Minn. – On Tuesday, kids from the Duluth Edison Charter School celebrated the end of the school year with their outdoor concert. Students grades kindergarten through fourth and their families gathered at Leif Erickson Park as the kids performed different songs. Due to the pandemic, this is the first time since 2019 the concerts have been held and all…
Alpacas Go Through Shearing Process at Frosty Ridge Alpaca Farm
About 50 alpacas went through the shearing process on Tuesday along with a llama and two sheep.
DULUTH, Minn. – It was a busy day at a local farm for alpaca shearing. It’s the annual harvest day at the Frosty Ridge Alpaca Farm in Duluth where they are harvesting alpaca fiber by shearing it off the alpacas. The process includes a professional shearer named Brent, his assistant and volunteers who come by to help. It’s always done…
Prepare for a Safe Boating Year During National Safe Boating Week
DULUTH, MN – This week is National Safe Boating Week and a good time to make sure your boat is ready before heading out on the water. While some necessary equipment may be different for those out on Lake Superior compared to an inland lake or on a river such as navigation tools and lights, some equipment will be similar…
Texas School Shooting Kills 18 Children, 3 Adults
UVALDE, Texas (AP) — An 18-year-old gunman opened fire Tuesday at a Texas elementary school, killing at least 18 children, officials said, and the gunman was dead. The death toll also included three adults, according to state Sen. Roland Gutierrez, who said he was briefed by state police on the fatalities. But it was not immediately clear whether that number…
Unified Sports Track And Field Day
DULUTH, Minn.– It’s been a big day at Duluth East high school. The school hosted dozens of athletes for a unique track and field event. Students from Cook County, Cloquet, Proctor, and Duluth East met up today for a day full of fun activities. It’s all part of a special program that matches Special Olympic student athletes and athletes without…
Duluth Zoo Funding Updates
DULUTH, Minn.– With membership numbers up, The Lake Superior Zoo is preparing for the upcoming renewal of its accreditation from the Association of Zoo’s and Aquariums. While also making long term plans for improvements and additions at the zoo. The Duluth City Council approved a 15 year master plan for the zoo on Monday night. That plan includes many changes…
Interchange Project Update
DULUTH, Minn.– As summer approaches, works continues on the Twin Ports Interchange Construction Project. It’s a total redesign for what was often called the “can of worms.” Lots of ground work is now happening at the site, and plenty of heavy machinery will be operating there throughout the coming months. Besides the process of building and reinforcing several new roads,…
Texas Governor: 15 Killed In School Shooting; Gunman Dead
UVALDE, Texas (AP) — Fourteen children and one teacher were killed in a shooting at a Texas elementary school Tuesday, and the 18-year-old gunman was dead, Gov. Greg Abbott said Abbott said a local man opened fire at at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, about 85 miles west of San Antonio. ”He shot and killed, horrifically, incomprehensibly, 14 students and…
Biden To Sign Policing Order On Floyd Anniversary: AP Source
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden plans to sign an executive order on policing on Wednesday, the second anniversary of George Floyd’s death, according to three people familiar with the matter. The order would require federal law enforcement to review and revise policies on use of force, and it would restrict the flow of surplus military equipment to local police. In addition,…
Police: Duluth Delivery Driver Robbed At Gunpoint, Vehicle Stolen
DULUTH, Minn. – A 33-year-old Duluth man is under arrest after a Door Dash driver was robbed at gunpoint Monday evening before police said he stole the victim’s vehicle. The armed robbery happened around 9:10 p.m. on the 1000 block of East 3rd Street. The male victim told people the suspect approached him with a gun during a delivery, and…
Tuesday’s Lunchtime Update
Join FOX 21’s Dan Hanger and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines in Tuesday’s lunchtime update! Categories: News, News – Latest News, News Update
Coffee Conversation: The Promethean — Covering UWS For 102 Years
SUPERIOR, Wis. — The UW-Superior student-run newspaper, The Promethean, has been covering campus news now for 102 years. The paper’s student editor, Drew Kerner, and his faculty advisor, Tom Hansen, stopped by the morning show Tuesday to talk about the paper’s legacy and how it is a learning opportunity for any major of study. Click the video for the conversation!…
1st Test In Chase For Open Minnesota Seat In Congress
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A slew of candidates hoping to win the Minnesota congressional seat vacated by the late Rep. Jim Hagedorn get their first test before voters on Tuesday. The winners of Republican and Democratic primaries will meet in August to determine who will finish the last few months of Hagedorn’s term. The stakes are likely higher than…
Council Votes For Recall Election Against Two Harbors Mayor Chris Swanson
TWO HARBORS, Minn. – Two Harbors Mayor Chris Swanson is officially facing a recall election after a unanimous vote by the city council Monday night, except for one vote against, which was from Swanson. Click here to watch the full council meeting from May 23 The meeting was all but calm, with Mayor Swanson and the public throwing comments…
The North Shore Estates Hosts Petting Zoo for Residents and Staff
DULUTH, Minn. – The North Shore Estates held a petting zoo event Monday for residents and staff. Sheep, mini horses, mini cows, and alpacas were just a few of the animals included at the pop-up petting zoo. The event was supposed to happen two weeks ago during national skilled nursing care week but was cancelled both times due to bad…
Some Park Point Residents Buried In Silt After Beach Nourishment Project
City officials say the 'nuisance' is better than Lake Superior swallowing up property from chronic erosion.
DULUTH, Minn. – Some homeowners on Park Point are getting buried in fine sand and silt, and some are even losing their yards to inches of the super fine particles. The problem is a result of the beach nourishment project from last year that built back multiple feet of beach by using dredging leftovers from the harbor. The city calls…
Duluth Fire Department Training 12 New Hires, Most In History
DULUTH, Minn. — Recently, fire departments have had difficulty recruiting and retaining staff. What used to be hundreds of applicants might now only be dozens. But over the next two weeks, the Duluth Fire Department is training the largest class of firefighters they’ve had in years. “Historically, when I got hired 12 years ago, there was 300 people on the…
Superior Roux Offering Variety of Flavors at Pop-Up Location
Superior Roux operates out of the old Billings Park Cafe building, which was purchased by the Sutherland family and turned it into Venue in the Park which now offers a commercial kitchen rental and event space.
SUPERIOR, Wis. – Opening Superior Roux has been a long time coming for co-owners Paul Lukens and Jeremy Wilson. “We’ve both been in the culinary industry for about 30 years mixed together. We kind of came together and realized we work really well together and a lot of our palate and a lot of our flavors work well together so…
Wall Street Ends Higher Following 7 Straight Weeks Of Losses
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks closed broadly higher Monday, an upbeat start to the week on Wall Street after seven weeks of declines that nearly ended the bull market that began in March 2020. The S&P 500 rose 1.9%, with technology and financial sector stocks doing much of the heavy lifting for the benchmark index. The Dow Industrial Average rose…
Twin Ports Miracle League to Hold Second Annual Home Run Derby Fundraiser
The home run derby will take place June 5 starting at 11:00 a.m. at Harrison Park and will feature a youth, high school/college and open division.
DULUTH, Minn. – We are just a few weeks away from the Twin Ports Miracle League season from getting started and they’re kicking things off with one of their fundraisers. Miracle League, put on by the Duluth YMCA, allows kids with any physical and/or mental disabilities to play baseball. They are holding their second annual home run derby to help…
St.Lukes Free Hearing Aid Battery Giveaway Week
DULUTH, Minn.– St.Lukes is recognizing ‘better speech and hearing month’ by giving away free hearing-aid batteries. Nearly 100 of the batteries are being handed out to anyone in the community at no cost, while supplies last. St.Lukes sees this as a great way to support the community and simply give back. “Batteries, as small as they may seem, can be…
DECC Hands Preparing To Welcome In Cruise Ships
DULUTH, Minn.– With summer rolling around, the DECC is looking for volunteers to welcome in cruise ships. DECC Hands is a volunteer group for those wanting to greet, and welcome those coming off the vessels to the city of Duluth. They are looking for people who love Duluth, and are wanting to tell new comers about all of the best…
Downtown YMCA Shut Down For Renovations
DULUTH, Minn.–After nearly a decade of not being able to make renovations, the YMCA in Downtown Duluth will be temporarily shut down for renovations and cleaning. From this Wednesday, until next Monday, new flooring, refinishing’s, and other projects will be underway. While the Essentia Wellness center will be open for YMCA membership holders during this period, members are excited to…
Park Point Lifeguard Pay Increase: $19-$22
DULUTH, Minn.– The city of Duluth is raising its minimum wage for lifeguards on park point, as the nation sees a serious shortage in applicants for the job. The city, in partnership with the Duluth YMCA, will now pay lifeguards on park point between 19 and 22 dollars an hour. That’s up from a start of $11 an hour. YMCA…
Duluth Schools Supt. Talks Staff Mask Mandate, Graduations, Strategic Planning Process
DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth School District began a new mask mandate Monday for faculty and staff inside all district buildings. Meanwhile, students, parents, and others are being encouraged to mask up. This comes as COVID cases in Duluth are up and the county is now considered at a high level for transmission. Duluth Schools Supt. John Magas stopped by…
Coffee Conversation: Michelle Lee Talks Getting Fired, KBJR-TV, Bodybuilding, Retirement
DULUTH, Minn. – Michelle Lee, 70, is best known for her decades at KDLH-TV and KBJR-TV before retiring about five years ago. FOX 21’s Dan Hanger recently went to Michelle’s home in Moose Lake to see what she is up to these days and look back at some life lessons made in her career – from getting fired, to bodybuilding,…
Charges: Mom Fatally Shot 6-Year-Old Son, Hid His Body In Trunk Of Car
MOUND, Minn. (FOX 9) – The mom of a 6-year-old boy who was found fatally shot in the trunk of the car she was driving in Mound on Friday has now been charged with murder, accused of shooting him up to nine times in the car with a shotgun. Julissa Angelica Genrich Thaler, 28, of Spring Park, was charged Monday with second-degree…
Duluth Requires Masks Again In All City Buildings
DULUTH, Minn. — The City of Duluth has announced they are now requiring masks in city facilities starting Monday, May 23 at 4:30 p.m. Regardless of vaccination status masks are required for everyone. On May 20, the CDC determined St. Louis County’s COVID-19 community level as high. Chief Administrative Officer Noah Schuchman said, “This is not a decision that we…
UMD In Search Of Interim Chancellor After Unsuccessful Search
DULUTH, Minn. — The University of Minnesota-Duluth is asking for nominations for interim chancellor to lead campus for a two-year term. A nationwide search for UMD’s next chancellor was announced last November. After a long search process and getting down to four finalists, the hunt for a new chancellor was unsuccessful. UMD’s President Joan Gabel sent an email Monday morning…
Biden: US Would Intervene With Military To Defend Taiwan
TOKYO (AP) — President Joe Biden said Monday the U.S. would intervene militarily if China were to invade Taiwan, declaring the commitment to protect the island is “even stronger” after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It was one of the most forceful presidential statements in support of Taiwan’s self-governing in decades. Biden, at a news conference in Tokyo, said “yes” when asked…
Monday’s Lunchtime Update
Here is your lunchtime news and weather update from FOX 21’s Dan Hanger and Meteorologist Ken Slama! Categories: News, News – Latest News, News Update
Pfizer Says 3 COVID Shots Protect Children Under 5
(AP) — Three doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine offer strong protection for children younger than 5, the company announced Monday. Pfizer plans to give the data to U.S. regulators later this week in a step toward letting the littlest kids get the shots. The news comes after months of anxious waiting by parents desperate to vaccinate their babies, toddlers and…
78,000 Pounds Of Infant Formula Arrives In US
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A military plane carrying enough specialty infant formula for more than half a million baby bottles arrived Sunday in Indianapolis, the first of several flights expected from Europe aimed at relieving a shortage that has sent parents scrambling to find enough to feed their children. President Joe Biden authorized the use of Air Force planes for the effort, dubbed…
Black Bear Charges Into Wisconsin Home, Attacks Couple
MEDFORD, Wis. (FOX 9) – A Wisconsin couple is recovering after a black bear charged into their home, attacking both of them. The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office says they were called at 11:11 p.m. for the attack at the home just west of the city of Medford in northern Wisconsin. Deputies say the couple noticed the bear eating from its bird feeder….
Walz Considers Special Session After Lawmakers Blow Deadline
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz said early Monday that he wants to call a short special session after the divided Minnesota Legislature blew a deadline for passing a package of tax cuts and new spending using the state’s massive budget surplus. “We’re about 90 to 95% of the way there,” Walz told reporters after the deadline of 11:59 p.m….
Gov. Walz Signs Revised State Liquor Law, Benefitting MN Breweries
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Five breweries in the state of Minnesota are celebrating as Governor Walz has signed a bill into law on Saturday that massively ups the cap of what a brewery can produce to still be able to sell growlers. The Minnesota growler cap was created years back, but in 2012, it was decided that once a brewery…
Proctor Speedway Re-Opens for Race Season
PROCTOR, Minn. — It’s a bit of a later start to the season than normal but racers are ready to go as Halvor Lines Speedway hosts its opening night here in Proctor. “It’s been a late season for all the tracks,” Duane Caywood, President of Halvor Lines Speedway Proctor Minnesota said. About a month late to be exact, which isn’t…
Towboat Crashes Into Mississippi River Lock And Dam Near Wabasha, Minn.
ALMA, Wis. (FOX9) – A towboat was stuck for hours after crashing into a lock and dam along the Mississippi River Saturday night. The Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office says calls for the crash came in shortly after 11 p.m. According to the sheriff, a barge was headed south on Pool 4 of the river when the towboat lost control near Lock and…
