News

Foster Care Awareness Month Carnivals

DULUTH, Minn. — May is Foster Care Awareness Month and New Hope for Families, an organization that supports foster families, put together a community carnival to celebrate. There was a bouncy house, food, plenty of carnival games, and even a set-up hair salon and face-painting parlor. While New Hope for Families has held this carnival before, on mission trips to…

Nearly Naked Ruck March Returns

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Today is Armed Forces Day and over at Mont du Lac, 23rd Veteran held a unique event in support of all who served. Over 280 Ruckers participated in the first non-restricted Nearly Naked Ruck March since 2019. The march raises money and awareness for 23rd Veteran’s 14-week program that’s currently taking place in Duluth. Ruckers marched to…

Lake Superior Art Glass Celebrates a Decade of Business

The company is celebrating with a public party in Canal Park, featuring art pieces from local and guest artists.

DULUTH, Minn.- Saturday, a Canal park favorite celebrated a decade of business with different activities for their colleagues, friends and the community. Lake Superior Art Glass is honoring their establishment with a celebration they’re calling ‘A Decade of Fire.’ For this event the business is hosting a public party at Hoops where they have 19 art pieces featured from local…

The USS Minneapolis-St. Paul Ready to Set Sail

This is the first naval warship to be commissioned in Minnesota.

  DULUTH, Minn.- On Saturday,  the U.S.S. Minneapolis-St. Paul and today this vessel was commissioned by the U.S. Navy, marking her entry into active service. Citizens of Duluth, navy officers and Minnesota government officials gathered out front of the ship as the first ship commissioning ceremony in Minnesota’s history took place right in the home waters of the state she…

Social Security Tax Eliminated Under Minnesota Lawmakers’ Deal

FOX 9 —  Minnesota lawmakers have agreed to eliminate the state’s tax on Social Security income, cut individual income taxes, and expand the renter’s credit under an end-of-session deal. The state’s bottom income tax bracket will be cut from 5.35% to 5.10%. Tax filers pay the bottom rate on the portion of their income up to $41,050 for married couples…

Whole Food Co-Op Raises $500,000 This Spring for Non-Profits

DULUTH, Minn. — The Whole Foods Co-op has reached a substantial milestone in their round-up-at-the-register efforts. It is an effort that asks customers to round up to the nearest dollar to help support organizations and the co-op supports area grower’s nonprofits and other food producers. This spring with the exception of the month of March, the East Hillside location along…

National Maritime Day Celebrated

SUPERIOR, Wis. — As we enter into prime shipping season, and acknowledge the operations of shipments that come in and out, a club that has been established since the 1930’s held a celebration For National Maritime Day. The celebration took place over at UW Superiors Jim Dan Hill library on Friday where the special collections archivist at UWS, Laura Jacobs,…

Chairman’s Gala Event for USS Minneapolis St. Paul

DULUTH, Minn. – The Chairman’s Gala event was put on at the DECC Friday to recognize those involved in the commissioning of the USS Minneapolis St. Paul. Donors, sponsors, elected officials, legislatures, and dignitaries from the navy were all in attendance. The event included a dinner, speeches, and presentations from those involved with the commissioning. This is the first time…

Minnesota Budget Deals Remain Elusive Near End Of Session

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota lawmaker couldn’t find common ground on several budget bills Friday as the end of their legislative season rapidly approached. Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman, of Brooklyn Park, said tax committee chairs have made “fantastic progress” on a $4 billon tax relief bill, echoing Republican Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller’s comments Thursday that a deal…

Wisconsin’s High Court Broadens Who Can Carry Concealed Guns

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A disorderly conduct conviction can’t disqualify someone from obtaining a permit to carry a concealed weapon in Wisconsin, the state Supreme Court ruled Friday in a unanimous decision that could dramatically broaden who can carry hidden firearms, knives and stun guns. The court found that disorderly conduct isn’t a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence under federal…

Second Harvest Announces Indoor Mask Requirement

DULUTH, Minn. — Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank is going back to requiring masks indoors for any employee, volunteer, or guest entering its establishment. “Due to St. Louis County’s “high” level of COVID-19 transmission, effective immediately we will be reinstituting our indoor mask requirement for all employees, volunteers and guests for any Second Harvest activities. Please plan to properly…

St. Louis County COVID-19 Community Level Now ‘High’

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn. — St. Louis County announced Friday the COVID-19 Community Level has increased from moderate to high. “Per the CDC, this level is determined based on three factors: new COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 population in the past week, the percent of staffed inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients, and total new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population…

Police: Chicago Shooting Leaves 2 People Dead, 8 Wounded

CHICAGO (AP) — Two people are dead and another eight wounded following a shooting near a fast food restaurant just blocks from Chicago’s famed Magnificent Mile shopping district that sent bystanders scattering, authorities said. The shooting happened about 10:40 p.m. Thursday near a McDonald’s on the city’s Near North Side. One person was taken into custody and a weapon was…

Biden’s Approval Dips To Lowest Of Presidency: AP-NORC Poll

(AP) — President Joe Biden’s approval rating dipped to the lowest point of his presidency in May, a new poll shows, with deepening pessimism emerging among members of his own Democratic Party. Only 39% of U.S. adults approve of Biden’s performance as president, according to the poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Research, dipping from already negative ratings…

Bent Paddle’s Festiversary Returning This Weekend After Two Years Off During The Pandemic

Some of the video used in this story is courtesy of Nice Mediaworks.  DULUTH, Minn. — It’s a big weekend for Bent Paddle in Lincoln Park, as its Festiversary event is returning this Saturday after it was called off the past two years because of the pandemic. With more than 30 types of beer ready to be tapped, live music,…

A Nurses Night Out

DULUTH, Minn.- Essentia Health hosted an event Thursday for graduating students looking for a job in health care. The “Nurses Night Out” event including casino games, food, prizes, and career opportunities. Essentia Health hopes events like this will draw in those looking for a position in health care, by bringing in employees from all departments. This event is all about…

The 5th Annual Rosie Awards

DULUTH, Minn.- Thursday, The Women Today Magazine hosted the 5th annual Rosie Awards to celebrate women’s achievements in the Northland. Seven awards were given out to women who are a driving force in the Northland. To showcase how they have gone above and beyond with their selfless acts within the community. Group advertising director, Megan Keller, is excited to bring…

Recent Storm Winds Cause Property Damage in Saginaw

SAGINAW, MN – Wednesday’s storms brought recorded wind gusts up to 60 mph along with hail nearly 2 inches in some areas, but for some in Saginaw, the winds were reported by the National Weather Service to be up to 80 mph and were strong enough to cause quite a bit of property damage. Roof shingles were pulled up, a…

Mayor’s Reception to Celebrate Commissioning of USS Minneapolis-St. Paul

DULUTH, Minn. — It’s been years in the making for the USS Minneapolis-St. Paul to be commissioned, and its finally happening here in Duluth as members of the navy league and twin ports community came out to celebrate. After many delays, and a few years of trying to finally launch this new naval ship, commissioning week has arrived, and it’s…

Benedictine Annual Jewelry Sale Returns

DULUTH, Minn. — For the first time in three years the Benedictine Senior Living and Health Care Services is holding their annual jewelry and purse sale. The event was being set up today in Somers Hall at the College of Saint Scholastica. The last sale they held raised $20,000 dollars towards the Benedictine Living Community Campus which helps improve their…

Gov. Walz Deploying National Guard to Northeastern MN In Response To Floods

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed an executive order on Thursday that activated the state’s National Guard troops to head up to Northeastern Minnesota to help respond to the floodwaters rising in communities. A peacetime emergency was also declared. “As severe weather pushes flooding beyond historic highs, I’m incredibly grateful that the members of our National Guard…

Touring the USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s one of the newest classes of naval ships for the United States, and for the first time it is here in Duluth for its commissioning. The USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul is one of over two dozen littoral combat ships, designed to work close to shorelines. Command Senior Chief Edward Pare (left) and Commander Alfonza White (right) of the…

St. Louis County Continues Monitoring Flooding

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Louis County officials are continuing to monitor the worst flooding some parts have not seen since 2014. A combination of above average spring rainfall and a late snowpack melt has led to water covering roads, buildings, and resorts along Kabetogama Lake, Crane Lake, Island Lake and the Cloquet River reservoir. “Sandbagging continues up in Kabetogama, and also…

‘Conversion Therapy’ Ban Falls Short In Minnesota Senate

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — An effort to ban “conversion therapy” for LGBTQ youth won a majority in the Republican-controlled Minnesota Senate on Thursday, but it didn’t get enough votes on a procedural maneuver to advance to a full debate on the bill’s merits. With little advance warning, Democratic Sen. Scott Dibble, of Minneapolis, tried to pull his bill out of a…

Minnesota Sports Betting Bill Advances As Budget Items Stall

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A proposal to legalize sports betting survived a test Thursday amid lawmakers’ efforts to pull together the pieces of a package to spend the Minnesota’s enormous budget surplus with just days remaining in the legislative session. The bill, authored by Republican Sen. Roger Chamberlain, of Lino Lakes, would allow tribal casinos and the state’s two…

Congress OKs Latest $40B To Help Ukraine Repulse Russia

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate overwhelmingly approved a $40 billion infusion of military and economic aid for Ukraine and its allies on Thursday as both parties rallied behind America’s latest, and quite possibly not last, financial salvo against Russia’s invasion. The 86-11 vote gave final congressional approval to the package, three weeks after President Joe Biden requested a smaller $33 billion version and after a…

Police Chief Wants Palace Bar’s Liquor License Not Renewed Amid Ongoing Violence

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Superior’s top cop is calling for the Palace Bar to lose its liquor and amusement device licenses after a shooting in March and after more than 150 calls for police services since January of 2021. Superior Police Chief Nicholas Alexander said beyond the recent shooting there are ongoing calls of violence at the Palace Bar on the…

House Approves Bill To Take Aim At Gasoline ‘Price Gouging’

WASHINGTON (AP) — A closely divided House approved legislation Thursday to crack down on alleged price gouging by oil companies and other energy producers as prices at the pump continue to soar. A bill backed by House Democrats would give President Joe Biden authority to declare an energy emergency that would make it unlawful to increase gasoline and home energy…

FDA Head: Baby Formula Factory Could Reopen By Next Week

WASHINGTON (AP) — The head of the Food and Drug Administration told lawmakers Thursday that a shuttered baby formula factory could be up and running as soon as next week, though he sidestepped questions about whether his agency should have intervened earlier at the plant at the center of the national shortage. FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf faced a bipartisan grilling from House…

More Americans Apply For Jobless Benefits Last Week

WASHINGTON (AP) — More Americans applied for jobless aid last week, but the total number of Americans collecting unemployment benefits is at a 53-year low. Applications for unemployment benefits rose by 21,000 to 218,000 for the week ending May 14, the Labor Department reported Thursday. First-time applications generally track the number of layoffs. The four-week average for claims, which smooths…

Grand Jury Indicts Man In Buffalo Supermarket Shooting

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The white man accused of killing 10 Black people at a Buffalo supermarket appeared briefly in court Thursday after a grand jury indicted him on a first-degree murder charge. Assistant district attorney Gary Hackbush said the indictment of Payton Gendron, 18, was handed up Wednesday. Gendron, wearing orange clothing and mask, was silent throughout the proceeding…

Historic Flooding Taking Place at Rainy Lake

KOOCHICHING COUNTY, Minn. — Although the rivers in Duluth don’t seem to be too affected, just two and a half hours north, they’re experiencing what they’re calling historic flooding, and they expect it to get much worse. Residents of Rainy Lake up by the Canadian border and near International Falls, have not seen water levels like this since 2014, and…

Superior Mayor Proposes Plan to Combat Affordable Housing Crisis

SUPERIOR, WI – Superior Mayor Jim Paine is proposing a partnership with the nonprofit Green New Deal Housing in an attempt to combat the affordable housing crisis.  An agreement would lead to the development of vacant lots owned by the city with homes that are energy efficient and rely on renewable energy for electricity and heating.  While the houses would…

Community Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Garage and Book Sale Fundraiser

CARLTON, Minn.- The annual Garage and Book sale fundraiser for the Community Memorial Hospital Auxiliary took place in Carlton Wednesday. With the funds from selling books and items donated from the community, the Auxiliary is able to provide equipment for different hospital departments, as well as scholarships for Carlton County students going into the health care field. The volunteer coordinator,…

Coffee and Conversation with Women in Construction

DULUTH, Minn.- The National Association of Women in Construction has started a local chapter in Duluth. The NAWIC organization gives women the opportunity in construction to gather, learn, and feel welcome in various trades. From operations, electricians, and plumbers, the organization helps train women into jobs that are often male dominated. Duluth Workforce Development Technician, Betsy Hill, says it is…