News

Enjoying the Day Out at Hartley

DULUTH, Minn. – With relatively warmer temps Monday, some people decided that it was a perfect time to head outdoors. At Hartley Nature Center, the trails were busy with those out walking, biking, and skiing. With the streets still getting cleaned up from last week’s storm, conditions on the trail were much more inviting for those looking to get out…

President Biden to Speak at UWS on Wednesday

SUPERIOR, Wis. – On Wednesday, the President and the First Lady will travel to Superior to discuss how the $1 trillion infrastructure law will improve the State’s roads and bridges, among other things, and create jobs. This planned stop comes the day after delivering his State of the Union speech in Washington. The UW-Superior website says the President will speak…

Brule’s Morgan Martens Takes Third Place at 2022 Junior Iditarod

The 15-year-old won it all last year and was able to finish third this year with only eight dogs.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Brule, Wisconsin native Morgan Martens finished third in the 2022 Junior Iditarod. The 15-year-old won it all last year and was able to finish third this year with only eight dogs. Martens was five minutes behind the top two mushers, who finished just six seconds apart from each other. The full Iditarod is scheduled to begin this…

Suspect Sought in Bank Robbery at National Bank of Commerce in Downtown Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth police are investigating an alleged bank robbery at the National Bank of Commerce on West Superior Street Monday afternoon. According to police, officers were dispatched to the bank around 3:30 p.m. for a call of a robbery. Police at the scene spoke with a bank employee who said a man entered the bank and demanded money…

City of Duluth Provides Information on Lighting Policy for Duluth Landmarks

DULUTH, Minn. – On Monday afternoon, the City of Duluth provided a statement on the lighting policy for Duluth landmarks, particularly the iconic Lift Bridge after FOX 21’s stories Friday and over the weekend involving growing requests to light the bridge for Ukraine.  The full statement can be read below: In response to recent requests regarding lighting of the Aerial…

One Injured in Tuesday Morning Garage Fire

LEADING TOWNSHIP, Minn. – One person was transported to a Duluth area hospital for burns and smoke inhalation after a Tuesday morning garage fire in Leading Township. According to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, first responders were dispatched to the 4500 block of Autio Road in Leading Township located Northeast of the City of Orr. Authorities say the property…

City Crews Responding to Water Main Break in Duluth Heights Neighborhood

DULUTH, Minn. – City of Duluth Utility Operations crews are responding to a water main break in the Duluth Heights neighborhood. The break was reported Monday morning and is located on the 3800 block of Chambersburg Avenue. City officials say water has been turned off between Chambersburg Avenue from the intersection of Anderson Road and Chambersburg Avenue North. This shut-off…

Vision Northland Project Reaches New Milestone

DULUTH, Minn. – The Vision Northland Project reached a new milestone this week, bringing it one step closer to completion. In a Monday press release, Essentia Health officials announced the new hospital tower and attached clinic are now fully enclosed from outside elements. “This brings us one step closer to being able to bring our state-of-the-art equipment into the building,…

Minnesota Already-Huge Budget Surplus Grows to $9.25 Billion

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota’s already-huge budget surplus has become even more enormous, growing to a projected $9.25 billion, the Walz administration announced Monday. The updated forecast was $1.5 billion more than the whopping $7.7 billion surplus that Minnesota Management and Budget projected in December for the current two-year budget period. The budget agency cited higher incomes, consumer spending,…

Ukraine Seeks To Join EU as Round of Talks With Russia Ends

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) – A top adviser to Ukraine’s president says the first round of talks with Russia about ending the fighting in Ukraine has concluded, and more talks could happen soon. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s president has signed an application for his country to join the European Union, in a bid to solidify its bond with the West. Volodymyr Zelenskyy has…

$50,000 Powerball Win in Biwabik

(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) BIWABIK, Minn. – Someone in Biwabik became $50,000 richer over the weekend. According to the Minnesota Lottery, the winning ticket was purchased at Edwards North Country in Biwabik. The ticket matched four of the first five numbers drawn and the Powerball, just one number away from the $65 million jackpot. According to a Monday press release, Unless…

Target Seeks To Entice Workers With Pay of up to $24 an Hour

NEW YORK (AP) – Workers at Target stores and distribution centers in places like New York, where competition for finding and hiring staff is the fiercest, could see starting wages as high as $24 an hour this year. The Minneapolis-based discount retailer said Monday that it will adopt minimum wages that range from $15 to $24 an hour, with the…

Mayor Not Lighting Duluth Lift Bridge For Ukraine Adds To List Of Other Rejections

Mayor Emily Larson stopped taking community requests to light the Lift Bridge colors for causes after installing a $150,000 LED colored lighting system on bridge.

DULUTH, Minn. — From London to Milwaukee, to Minneapolis — structures are being lit blue and yellow in support of Ukraine.  But in Duluth, its most iconic structure, the Aerial Lift Bridge, is not.  Mayor Emily Larson is instead sticking with the usual lighting of the less-visible Enger Tower, which went blue and yellow over the weekend after community requests…

Salvation Army Among Those In Need Through March FoodShare Campaign

DULUTH, Minn. – Starting Monday, the Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign begins for food shelves across Minnesota. And for the Salvation Army in Duluth, the donations couldn’t come any sooner. Through April 10, people are urged to donate non-perishable food and even cash so they can buy more food at a lower price from area food banks. The Salvation Army says…

Chester Bowl Receives Grant from Bernick Family Foundation

DULUTH, Minn. – Chester Bowl was scheduled to have their Ray E. Wick race Sunday, but it was put on hold due to chair lift complications. Though the race was cancelled, the hill still had a positive day as they were the recipient of the Bernick Family Foundation’s Grant of $25,000 dollars. The foundation felt Chester Bowl was the perfect…

Wisconsin Prisons To Allow In-Person Visits Again

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin prisons will allow in-person visits again beginning next week as COVID-19 cases continue to decline. Department of Corrections officials said Friday that they will reopen their facilities to visitors starting Tuesday. The prison system initially closed its doors to visitors in March 2020 as the pandemic was taking hold. The DOC reopened to visits in…

Sentence, State Trial Loom For Ex-Cops In Floyd’s Killing

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Three former Minneapolis police officers convicted of violating George Floyd’s civil rights now face federal sentences that one expert says could range from less than five years in prison to as much as the 25 years prosecutors are seeking for Derek Chauvin. A comprehensive process to determine how that plays out could take months. Meanwhile, the officers…

Minnesota House Democrats Propose Summertime Gas Tax Holiday

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Several Democrats in the Minnesota House have proposed a gasoline tax holiday from Memorial Day until Labor Day to help lessen the burden of rising gas prices on motorists. Rep. Stephenson, of Coon Rapids, said the proposal is an effort to combat rising inflation. GOP Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller, of Winona, said the proposal is an…

Duluth Mayor To Light Enger Tower For Ukraine After Community Requests; Superior Mayor Releases Statement

Larson has no plans to light the iconic Lift Bridge blue and yellow.

DULUTH, Minn. — One day after Mayor Emily Larson said she had no plans to light any buildings in support of Ukraine like other cities and states were doing across the country, Larson announced on Twitter Saturday that Enger Tower will be lit blue and yellow for the remainder of the weekend. Chicago City Hall building lit yellow and blue…

AFSCME Union Workers Rally at Duluth City Hall Amid Contract Negotiations

They say they want a fair and equitable contract agreement and for the city to drop what they call harmful healthcare proposals that would increase costs for workers.

DULUTH, Minn.- Union workers from Duluth’s AFSCME local 66 gathered on at City Hall Saturday to rally for a fair contract agreement with the city. About 300 street maintenance, librarians, and other city workers gathered to call on the administration to remember how AFSCME, they said, experienced 50 layoffs, wage freezes, and agreed to take 18 unpaid days off during…

Northland Boy Scouts Test Outdoor Skills with Beargrease Derby

13 troops reenacted the John Beargrease Sled Dog Race.

CLOQUET, Minn.- Boy Scout troops throughout the Northland put their winter outdoor skills to the test by mirroring a legendary winter outdoorsman John Beargrease. 13 troops reenacted the John Beargrease Sled Dog Race. With 4 to 8 scouts acting as the dog teams, they mushed through about a mile loop at the Cloquet Forestry Center with stations named after cities…

2022 Women’s Expo Brings Hundreds to the DECC

Vendors there say it's extra special to connect with women from the Twin Ports while sharing their products.

DULUTH, Minn.- Thousands gathered at the DECC throughout the day Saturday for Duluth’s annual Women’s Expo. Upward of hundreds of vendors shared their products, everything from décor to apparel, to soaps and candles. There were also seminars focusing on wellness skills, landscaping, and even kickboxing. Vendors there say it’s extra special to connect with women from the Twin Ports while…

Proctor/Hermantown Girls Hockey Falls to Warroad in Class A Championship Game

Nya Sieger scored the lone goal for the Mirage as they end their season with a runner-up finish in Class A with a final record of 19-8-1.

ST. PAUL, Minn – The Proctor/Hermantown girls hockey team would score the first goal of the game, but Warroad erupted in the second period with four goals as the Warriors win it 6-1 Saturday afternoon in the Class A state championship at the Xcel Energy Center. Nya Sieger scored the lone goal for the Mirage as they end their season…

Minnesota House Democrats Propose Summertime Gas Tax Holiday

(AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Several Democrats in the Minnesota House have proposed a gasoline tax holiday from Memorial Day until Labor Day to help lessen the burden of rising gas prices on motorists. Rep. Stephenson, of Coon Rapids, said the proposal is an effort to combat rising inflation. GOP Senate Majority Leader Jeremy Miller, of Winona, said the…

Duluth Police: 20-Year-Old Arrested in Alleged Baseball Bat Assault in Central Hillside Friday

Investigators learned someone living at one of the apartments allegedly assaulted a resident of another apartment with a baseball bat. 

DULUTH, Minn.- A 20-year-old man is in jail after an assault with a baseball bat occurred in Duluth’s Central Hillside neighborhood Friday. According to a spokesperson with the Duluth Police Department, at 3:15 p.m. Friday officers responded to an assault at an address in the 300 Block of North 2nd Avenue East. Investigators learned someone living at one of the…

Gov. Walz Visits Duluth to Discuss what $300 Million Public Safety Proposal Could Mean for City

Duluth would receive about $1.5 million per year from the budget surplus for public safety improvements.

DULUTH, Minn.- Governor Tim Walz stopped in Duluth, as part of his statewide public safety tour to discuss what his $300 million public safety plan could mean for the city. Duluth would receive about $1.5 million per year from the budget surplus for public safety improvements. The Governor says it’s important these measures address not only crime and arrests, but…

Townsquare Media Wraps Up St. Jude’s Radiothon

DULUTH, Minn.- Friday marked the end of Townsquare Media’s annual St. Jude Radiothon. The event ended at 6 p.m. five stations at Townsquare Media Duluth stream the Radiothon to raise money to help kids battling cancer and other diseases. The research and treatments the money funds benefit kids around the country including here in the Northland. “This does affect everybody…

MnDOT Lights I-35W Bridge Blue, Yellow in Support of People of Ukraine

According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation's Twitter, it'll stay those colors through the weekend in support of the people of Ukraine.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.- The I-35 W Bridge in Minneapolis glowed blue and yellow Friday night. According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Twitter, it’ll stay those colors through the weekend in support of the people of Ukraine. MN-DOT added: “We stand united with Ukrainians here in Minnesota and around the world.” Here in Duluth Mayor Emily Larson says she does not…

Cirrus Aircraft Connects With LSC Students Interested In Aviation

They hope this partnership creates a pipeline for skilled students to work for high-demand positions in machining, automotive, aviation, and more.

DULUTH, Minn.- Lake Superior College and Cirrus Aircraft partnered up to connect with local students interested in joining the aviation industry. Cirrus Aircraft is located right next door to LSC. Representatives networked with classes in the college’s Aviation Center. They hope this partnership creates a pipeline for skilled students to work for high-demand positions in machining, automotive, aviation, and more….

No More ValleySCARE: Tricks and Treats To Offer ‘all Fun, No Fright’ at Valleyfair

(courtesy: Facebook/Valleyfair) SHAKOPEE, Minn. (FOX 9) – No more scary nights at Valleyfair. As announced Friday, the Shakopee amusement park will now have more family-friendly Halloween celebrations. Later this year, Tricks and Treats will debut on Sept. 17 and be open on select dates until Oct. 30. Valleyfair says it will be a “one-of-a-kind fall festival and Halloween party combo…

Minnesota Senate GOP Unveils Massive $8.5B Tax Cut Proposal

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota Senate Republicans on Thursday announced a tax cut proposal that would cost more than $8.5 billion over the next three years. Republican lawmakers say the proposal is the largest tax cut in the state’s history. It would reduce the lowest-tier income tax rate from 5.35% to 2.8% and eliminate taxes on all Social Security…

Ukraine’s Capital Under Threat as Russia Presses Invasion

(AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) KYIV, Ukraine (AP) – Russian troops are bearing down on Ukraine’s capital, with gunfire and explosions resonating ever closer to the government quarter. The invasion of a democratic country has fueled fears of a wider war in Europe and triggered worldwide efforts to make Russia stop. Amid growing casualties from the deadly warfare, the Kremlin said Russia…

Walz to Stop in Duluth Friday as Part of Statewide Public Safety Tour

(Elizabeth Flores/Star Tribune via AP) DULUTH, Minn. – Today, investments in public safety will be front and center at Duluth City Hall with Gov. Tim Walz. According to the governor’s office, Walz is holding a roundtable discussion this afternoon with Mayor Emily Larson, Police Chief Mike Tusken, and other city leaders as part of his statewide public safety tour. This…

AP Sources: Biden Taps Ketanji Brown Jackson for High Court

(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) WASHINGTON (AP) – President Joe Biden will nominate federal appeals court Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to be the first Black woman on the Supreme Court. That word comes from people familiar with the matter. In selecting Jackson, Biden delivers on a campaign promise, moving to further diversify a court that was made up entirely of white men…

Duluth Council Names Top 3 Candidates For Medved’s Vacant Seat

DULUTH, Minn.  – The Duluth City Council interviewed 26 candidates Thursday evening who are vying to fill Derek Medved’s seat who recently stepped down to focus on his growing business. The interviews were virtual. Each candidate got 10 minutes to answer questions from councilors to find out their interests, passion for the city and why they’d be good for the…

Some Duluth Residents Frustrated By Snow Banks From Plows, Alleys Cleared Later

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Mayor Emily Larson previously ended the option for Duluth residents to make special requests for snow plowing, but some residents are still feeling frustrated by the change. Larson said she felt it was time to streamline the snowplowing process so crews could get the job done more efficiently, as the list of special requests became too…

AAD Shriners 12th Annual Winter Wine Down

HERMANTOWN, Min. – It’s been two years since the AAD Shriners last held their annual Winter Wine Down, and the event was back in action Thursday night. Food, wine, beer, and prizes brought people out to the third biggest fundraiser the organization hosts. The event was bigger than ever with 183 different items up for auction and seven food venders…

Local Veteran Weighs In on Possible Military Response in Ukraine

SUPERIOR, Wis. – As military action continues to escalate in Ukraine, could the United States and NATO nations soon get involved in direct conflict with Russia?  The commander of Superior’s American Legion Post 435 believes it can happen, but it may not be in Ukraine. Eual Moore, who served two tours during the Vietnam War, has spent time in Lithuania and…

President Biden Will Visit Superior Next Week

(AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) SUPERIOR, Wis. — President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will head to Superior next Wednesday to promote the bipartisan Infrastructure Law, according to a press release from the White House. Mr. Biden plans to highlight how the law “delivers for the American people by rebuilding roads and bridges and creating good-paying, union…

Northland Residents with Ukraine Connections React to Russia Invasion

DULUTH, Minn. – The events in Ukraine since late Wednesday evening have people who have connections to the country concerned about its future, and the current health and safety of people they know and love. “(Wednesday) night it was horrible,” says Liliya Kacharova, a lab chemistry professor at the College of St. Scholastica and chemistry teacher at Lake Superior College,…

Spirit Mountain Running “Spirit Hearts Duluth Days”

DULUTH, Minn. – Spirit Mountain is saying thank you to Duluth by offering special discounts for city residents. On Thursday, February 24, and Sunday, February 27, they are offering five-dollar rates for lift tickets, Nordic passes, rentals, as well as free ski and board beginner lessons.  This evening also features a special for glow tubing. This is the second year Spirit…

CDC to Significantly Ease Pandemic Mask Guidelines Friday

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration will significantly loosen federal mask-wearing guidelines to protect against COVID-19 transmission on Friday, according to two people familiar with the matter, meaning most Americans will no longer be advised to wear masks in indoor public settings. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday will announce a change to the metrics it uses…