News

Duluth Exploring Ways to Continue Drawing Film Industry to the Northland

Experts talked about the economic impact of productions shot locally, and how to keep the lights, camera and action here as much as possible, instead of pricier Los Angeles.

DULUTH, Minn. — Movie making in the Northland was the focus of a round table discussion Thursday hosted by the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce. Experts talked about the economic impact of productions shot locally, and how to keep the lights, camera and action here as much as possible, instead of pricier Los Angeles. Just in the last year local…

Itasca County Public Health Warns Residents Are ‘Not Out of the Woods’ Just Yet

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – New COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Itasca County continue to decline, but public health officials warn residents they’re not out of the woods just yet. Kelly Chandler, Division Manager with Itasca County Public Health, says with the spread of the Omicron variant, the county has experienced difficult fall and winter months. Just over 62 percent of…

Judge Restores Protections for Gray Wolves Across Much of US

(Dave Kettering/Telegraph Herald via AP File) BILLINGS, Mont (AP) – A judge has restored federal protections for gray wolves across much of the U.S. after they were removed in the waning days of the Trump administration. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White said in Thursday’s ruling that the Fish and Wildlife Service failed to show wolf populations could be sustained in…

Vax Mandate Lifted in Minneapolis, St. Paul

(FOX 9) – Minneapolis and St. Paul have both announced they have lifted a mandate requiring either proof of vaccine or proof of negative test when entering an establishment that serves food or drinks. The vaccine mandate in Minneapolis and St. Paul went into effect on January 19 and ends today. The mask mandate in both cities remains in place….

Midday Update 2-10-22

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, February 10, 2022

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, February 10, 2022. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News, weather

Truck Blockade at US-Canadian Border Shuts Auto Plants

(Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP) TORONTO (AP) – The truck blockade at the U.S. border by Canadians protesting the country’s COVID-19 restrictions is tightening the screws on the auto industry, forcing Ford, Toyota, and General Motors to shut down plants or otherwise curtail production. The bumper-to-bumper demonstration entered its fourth day Thursday at the Ambassador Bridge connecting Windsor, Ontario,…

Morning Update 2-10-22

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, February 10, 2022

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, February 10, 2022. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, News, weather

City Crews Responding to Another Water Main Break at Mt. Royal Shopping Circle

DULUTH, Minn. – City of Duluth Utility Operations crews are responding to another water main break in Kenwood. The break was reported Thursday afternoon and is located at the Mt. Royal Shopping Circle. Crews responded to a water main break at this address on Tuesday but say this break is in a different location. City officials say water has been…

Medical Examiner: Bob Saget Died From Unseen Blow to Head

Bob Saget arrives at the People’s Choice Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – A medical examiner in Florida says comedian Bob Saget died from blunt head trauma, likely from an “unwitnessed fall.” Saget was found dead in a Florida hotel room on Jan. 9, after…

US Inflation Jumped 7.5% In the Past Year, a 40-Year High

WASHINGTON (AP) – Inflation soared over the past year at its highest rate in four decades, hammering America’s consumers, wiping out pay raises, and reinforcing the Federal Reserve’s decision to begin raising borrowing rates across the economy. The Labor Department said Thursday that consumer prices jumped 7.5% last month compared with 12 months earlier, the steepest year-over-year increase since February…

School Bus Driver Shot in Minneapolis, Children Not Injured

(courtesy: Fox 9) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Authorities say a school bus driver was expected to survive after being shot in the head in Minneapolis while transporting young children. The driver was wounded Wednesday afternoon while on his or her bus route. City officials say three children younger than 10 were on board and were not physically hurt. The driver has…

Duluth Public Library Purchases Virtual Reality Devices

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Public Library was just able to purchase a new interactive device they can’t wait to share with the public. An anonymous donation to the library foundation has allowed them to purchase three virtual reality devices. A Senior Library Technician tells us, these devices have allowed her to connect with other people in the country over…

Duluth Mask Mandate Set To Expire

"We are now moving not towards ending this pandemic, but finding ways to co-exist with it,” Duluth Mayor Emily Larson said.

DULUTH, Minn. — With the Duluth mask mandate ending Saturday, businesses are looking forward to serving their community face to face, once again. “We are now moving not towards ending this pandemic, but finding ways to co-exist with it,” Duluth Mayor Emily Larson said. The past 30 days, Duluth has had to mask up in attempts of trying to slow…

CHUM Food Shelf Keeping Up with Demand, Winter Cold

DULUTH, Minn. – Wednesday saw CHUM’s location in downtown Duluth busy as they held their latest food shelf distribution.  Despite a persistent breeze, boxes filled with canned goods, pantry staples, meat, dairy, and other times were waiting for people who were seeking this help to take it and go on their way. Even with temperatures at times dipping below zero this…

Ronald McDonald House Northland Celebrating 1st Anniversary

DULUTH, Minn. – Thursday marks the one year anniversary of the opening of the Ronald McDonald House Northland. They have provided 739 nights of free lodging and amenities to parents and guardians as their child received treatment at Essentia Health.  That translates to families saving more than 190-thousand dollars if they had to pay for their own hotel rooms, meals, and…

Pizzerias Preparing for Busy Super Bowl Sunday

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – With the Super Bowl coming up this Sunday, pizza restaurants are preparing for a busier than usual day. Do North Pizzeria and Pub in Hermantown says they enjoy the added business during the winter months, as they see an increase in deliveries when compared to a typical Sunday. “We do a lot of deliveries all the way up…

West Duluth Business Club Joins Duluth Chamber

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Chamber welcomed a new member Wednesday, the West Duluth Business Club. The organization with its around 150 members say they are ready to help contribute to the chamber, as well as use the chamber’s resources to help their businesses grow. “To expose our businesses to other opportunities of learning how to run our businesses better,” says…

Mayor Larson to End Duluth’s Mask Mandate on Saturday

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Mayor Emily Larson announced at a Wednesday press conference that she will allow the local state of emergency declaration and face-covering requirement to end on Saturday. “This declaration expires at 5:00 pm on February 12, and I am not extending it,” Mayor Larson said. “I have based this decision on conversations with health care providers and…

Midday Update 2-9-22

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, February 9, 2022. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News, weather

1 Juror Dismissed From Federal Trial in George Floyd Killing

(Cedric Hohnstadt via AP, File) ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – The judge overseeing the federal trial of three former officers charged with violating George Floyd’s civil rights has dismissed a juror because his son is ill. U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson on Wednesday replaced the juror in the trial of  J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao with one…

Morning Update 2-9-22

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, February 9, 2022. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, News, weather

Journalists Settle Suit Over Mistreatment Covering Protests

(AP Photo/John Minchillo) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The state of Minnesota has agreed to pay $825,000 and change several policies to settle a lawsuit brought by journalists who say they were hurt or harassed while covering protests over the police killings of George Floyd and Daunte Wright. The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota and the state’s Department of Public Safety…

Fatal Accident at 3M Plant in Alexandria Investigated

ALEXANDRIA, Minn. (AP) – An investigation is underway into a fatal accident at a 3M plant in western Minnesota. Authorities in Alexandria say a female employee got caught in some machinery Tuesday during an overnight shift. The Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Administration is trying to determine how the worker became trapped. A statement from company officials at 3M’s headquarters…

$19 Million in Federal Infrastructure Funding Awarded to Port of Duluth-Superior

It's one of the first grants to go out for ports as part of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs act enacted in November.

DULUTH, Minn.- Millions of federal dollars are now going toward shoring up and improving the infrastructure of the Port of Duluth-Superior. It’s one of the first grants to go out for ports as part of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs act enacted in November. The act awards $19 million the Senator says to ensure the biggest port on all…

Business at Local Flower Shops Blooming Ahead of Valentine’s Day

The owner of the Rose Man on Central Entrance says in a typical Valentine's Day week she can sell upward of 12,000 flowers.

DULUTH, Minn.- With Valentine’s Day less than a week away local flower shops are seeing more business. The owner of the Rose Man on Central Entrance says in a typical Valentine’s Day week she can sell upward of 12,000 flowers. But this year, she says due to the supply chain shortage her wholesalers are sending her fewer flowers per box….

Warm Winter Day Makes Ely Winter Festival Snow Sculptures Shine

The almost month-long event includes an art walk, ice fishing tournament, and broomball competition.

ELY, Minn.- A fan-favorite Northern Minnesota festival is back showing off all the things you can do in, and with, the snow. The big snow sculptures are back in town marking the return of the Ely Winter Festival. The almost month-long event includes an art walk ice fishing tournament and broomball competition. But with the warmer sunny day Tuesday even…

Warm Day Fills Tommy’s Express Car Wash with More than Thousand Vehicles

They say even though they use water heated up to 120 degrees and 18 blowers to dry the car people still feel better coming in on days where the water is less likely to freeze on their vehicles.

DULUTH, Minn.- That warmer air and melting snow had people anxious to wash off months of winter. On warmer days like Tuesday the folks at Tommy’s Express Car Wash on Central Entrance can get more than 1,000 cars coming through a day with more than 100 an hour. They say even though they use water heated up to 120 degrees…

City of Duluth Looking to Fill 25 Openings on Boards, Commissions

DULUTH, Minn.- The City of Duluth is looking for a couple dozen people to fill open positions on city-run boards, commissions, and authorities. There are currently 25 openings, some of them carried over from the year before, but a majority are due to staffing changes after the New Year. Vacancies include one on the Indigenous Commission, one on the Parks…

U Of M Ending COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate For Athletic Events

(University of Minnesota) DULUTH, Minn. – The University of Minnesota has announced it will end its vaccine mandate Wednesday for large campus and athletic events. This includes UMD men’s and women’s hockey and basketball games. The policy had been in place since Jan. 26, but in a letter from U of M President Joan Gabel Tuesday, she credits a decrease…

FDLTCC Holds Annual Nursing & Healthcare Expo

CLOQUET, Minn. – It was a busy Tuesday at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College.  It was a campus visit day for prospective students, and the college’s annual Nursing and Healthcare Expo. Everyone who attended, from current and future students to members of the public, got their chance to learn more about what opportunities are available in health care.  The…

Thunder Food Pantry Opens at FDLTCC

CLOQUET, Minn. – Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College students have an expanded food pantry to help them achieve food security. Thunder Food Pantry opened last week, increasing what had originally been in on-campus housing prior to the pandemic. Organizers say all Minnesota State campuses are working to have this type of pantry available.  It also means working with Second…

Light Art Projections in Lincoln Park This Weekend

DULUTH, Minn. – The Lincoln Park Business District will have a new public art display starting February 10. Four drawings from three artists will be projected by light onto the sides of the Duluth Children’s Museum and Aerostich buildings. “Light displays are a way to have the awestruck moment of a mural that is not permanent,” says Noah Hobbs, member…

Mayor Emily Larson To Provide Emergency Declaration Update Tomorrow

DULUTH, Minn. – Mayor Emily Larson says she will provide an update tomorrow on the local state of emergency and face-covering requirement that went into effect on January 14. “I will be providing an update tomorrow at noon virtually regarding the emergency declaration that is in effect until February 12, 2022,” Mayor Emily Larson said. “I have been talking to…

Wisconsin GOP Looks to Block Abortions if Heartbeat Detected

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin Republicans have introduced a bill that would prohibit abortions if a fetal heartbeat is detected. The bill is modeled after a Texas law that passed last year. The legislation would prohibit anyone from performing or attempting to perform an abortion if a fetal heartbeat is present unless the pregnant woman’s life is in danger or…

Emhoff Whisked Out of Event Following Reported Bomb Threat

(AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) WASHINGTON (AP) — Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, was whisked out of an event Tuesday at a Washington high school by Secret Service agents following an apparent bomb threat. Emhoff was at Dunbar High School for an event in commemoration of Black History Month. He was in the school’s museum for about…

31M Americans To Bet on Super Bowl, Gambling Group Estimates

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) – The gambling industry’s national trade group estimates a record 31.5 million Americans plan to bet on this year’s Super Bowl. The American Gaming Association has released its annual predictions for wagering on pro football’s championship game, forecasting that over $7.6 billion will be bet. Bettors range from casual wagers with friends or relatives, entries into…

Midday Update 2-8-22

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Tuesday, February 8, 2022. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News, weather

Two Arrested in Duluth Drug Bust

DULUTH, Minn. – Two men were arrested last week after authorities found weapons and 57 grams of methamphetamine during a search warrant at a residence in Lincoln Park. According to a Tuesday news release, the Duluth Police Department, Lake Superior Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, and St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant just before 3:00 p.m….

Amir Locke’s Cousin Arrested in Probe That Led to Fatal Raid

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Authorities arrested Amir Locke’s 17-year-old cousin in connection with the homicide investigation that led police to the Minneapolis apartment where a SWAT team officer fatally shot Locke while conducting a search warrant. The St. Paul Police Department said Tuesday on Twitter that the teen was arrested Monday afternoon in the southeastern Minnesota city of Winona. He was…

Morning Update 2-8-22

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Tuesday, February 8, 2022. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, News, weather