News

Emergency Mask Mandate Fails to Pass with Unanimous Vote By Duluth City Council

The Council voted 7-2 on the mandate, with Councilors Roz Randorf and Derek Medved voting against it. 

DULUTH, Minn.- There will be no indoor mask mandate in the City of Duluth, as the emergency ordinance failed to garner the unanimous vote needed by City Council Monday night. The discussion about a mask mandate turned into a discussion about the council’s powers and whether or not it is their job to manage how the city navigates the pandemic….

Nearby Residents, Business Owners React To Esmond Building Fire

They said the frequent fires show it's time the building comes down.

DULUTH, Minn.- The frigid firefight at the condemned Esmond building Monday required all hands on deck from not just firefighters but business owners and community members in Lincoln Park. Staff at the All-American Club just across the corner on Michigan Street provided hot coffee, muffins, and sandwiches for crews taking a break. They say they witnessed the last two fires…

Cold Weather Not Slowing Down Can of Worms Work Much

DULUTH, Minn. – Monday was too cold to work on the Can of Worms project, but it doesn’t happen very often.  As long as the temperature is warmer than 10-below, workers are on site getting the I-35 interchange completed. Construction managers says workers know how to dress for the weather, staying active on the site to keep warm, and using warming…

Duluth Fire Crews Extinguish Third Fire at Condemned Esmond Building this Winter

According to the Fire Chief, no one was found inside the building when crews arrived on-scene, though they have had reports of individuals inside seeking warmth recently.

DULUTH, Minn.- A massive fire took over the former Seaway Hotel now known as the condemned Esmond Building in the Lincoln Park Craft District Monday, challenging firefighters with its fast spread in sub-arctic temperatures. Crews responded to the fire around 7:30 Monday morning. Just minutes later, three crews were pulled out of the building due to unsafe conditions and fire…

Safe Heating Tips as Temperatures Drop Below Zero

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Recent deadly building fires in New York City and Philadelphia are bringing extra attention to safe home heating practices. The Superior Fire Department says heating equipment is one of the top causes for fires in the fall and winter.  By taking several action steps before turning out equipment, such as having a professional check it and using space heaters…

Hospitals Talk About Reasoning Behind Endorsing Now-Failed Duluth Mask Mandate

DULUTH, Minn. — Essentia Health and St. Luke’s had a united front when it came to endorsing the now-failed mask mandate proposal that went up for a vote on Monday during Duluth city council’s meeting. One Essentia doctor who works in the emergency department says she knows a new possible mask mandate seems sudden, but explained that hospital beds are…

Beargrease Patio Pub Kickoff Event at Ursa Minor Brewing

DULUTH, Minn.-There was a patio pub kickoff at Ursa Minor Brewing on Monday in preparation for the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, one of many fundraising efforts happening this month. Beargrease had a special deal for $10 bucks at Ursa where people could get a pint of beer with a commemorative glass to keep. A few mushers even showed up…

Home COVID Tests To Be Covered by Insurers Starting Saturday

(AP Photo/David Dermer, File) WASHINGTON (AP) – Starting Saturday, private health insurers will be required to cover up to eight home COVID-19 tests per month for those on their plans. The Biden administration announced the change Monday as it looks to lower costs and makes testing for the virus more convenient amid rising frustrations. Under the new policy, first detailed…

Ryan Redington Sled Dog Team Allegedly Struck, Injured by Snowmobiler

BAYFIELD, Wis. – 2020 Breagrease Sled Dog Marathon winner Ryan Redington says he and his dog sledding team were involved in an alleged hit-and-run snowmobile accident on Saturday. According to a Facebook post by Redington on the Bayfield County Snowmobile Alliance page, the accident happened on the Tri-counties corridor where a snowmobiler hit the dog team,  seriously injuring the dog…

Minnesota Sees Declining COVID-19 Intensive Care Rate

MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota health officials looking for a silver lining in the spread of the coronavirus omicron variant say they hope it can be found in declining intensive care hospitalizations for COVID-19. That number fell from 374 in mid-December to 255 on Friday. The decline temporarily eases pressure on hospitals as they brace for the wave of omicron infections. Despite…

Man Who Bought Gun for Kyle Rittenhouse Pleads No Contest

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The man who bought an AR-15-style rifle for Kyle Rittenhouse has pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor in a deal with prosecutors to avoid prison. A Wisconsin judge accepted Dominick Black’s plea on Monday. Prosecutors dropped two felony counts of intent to deliver a dangerous weapon to…

Tax Season Begins Two Weeks Early Due to Virus, IRS Funding

WASHINGTON (AP) — This year’s tax filing season will begin on Jan. 24, 17 days earlier than last year, the Internal Revenue Service announced Monday. The IRS is warning that a resurgence of COVID-19 infections on top of less funding authorization from Congress than the Biden administration had requested could make this filing season particularly challenging. “The pandemic continues to…

Midday Update 1-10-22

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Monday, January 10, 2022

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

Lutsen to Host Norpine Fat Bike Classic Starting Mid-January

Registration is Currently Open for Events Beginning on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022

LUTSEN, Minn. – Registration is now open for the Norpine Fat Bike Classic, which will return to Lutsen for its sixth year with events beginning Saturday, Jan. 15, and culminating with races on Saturday, Jan. 29. Hosted by the Superior Cycling Association, all events are held on the Norpine Cross-Country Trails, which take riders through stands of old-growth cedars on…

Morning Update 1-10-22

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Monday, January 10, 2022

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

Council to Vote on New Emergency Mask Mandate Monday

DULUTH, Minn. — A second city wide Duluth mask mandate will be front and center for a vote at Monday night’s first city council meeting of 2022, with a hot topic to start the new year for sure. If Thursday night’s tense agenda session says anything about the mask mandate topic, this proposed emergency declaration isn’t going to be a…

Anglers Take On Frigid Air For Ice Fishing Off Park Point

DULUTH, Minn. – More than a dozen anglers were out braving the frigid air in the bay off Park Point Sunday hoping to bring home some fish for dinner.  Click the video to hear from some of those anglers and see one big catch. Categories: Entertainment, Environment, Great Outdoors, News, News – Latest News, Weather in the News

Bob Saget, Beloved TV Dad Of ‘Full House,’ Dead At 65

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) LOS ANGELES (AP) – Bob Saget, a comedian and actor best known for his role the sitcom “Full House,” has died. He was 65. The Orange County, Florida, sheriff’s office said via Twitter it was called…

Man Charged With Buying Gun For Rittenhouse Takes Plea Deal

MILWAUKEE (AP) – The man who bought Kyle Rittenhouse a rifle when he was only 17 has taken a plea deal to avoid criminal conviction. Dominick Black was charged with delivering a dangerous weapon to a minor, resulting in death. The charges relate to the two protesters Rittenhouse fatally shot in Kenosha. Prosecutors filed a proposed plea agreement that suggested…

Minnesota Virus Positivity Rate Reaches 15.6% In New Record

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota’s COVID-19 positivity rate over the past seven days reached 15.6% on Friday, in an indication of the rapid spread of the omicron variant across the state. State health officials said the figure demonstrates the increasing spread of the omicron variant and expect a new surge of case growth for at least the next month. Minnesota’s previous…

Superior Fire Crews Respond to 4th Fire in 3 Days Since Warehouses Burned Down

No word on a cause for any of the fires yet.  

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The Superior Fire Department has kept busy the past three days with four different fire calls — the most recent a garage fire in Billings Park this morning. Crews responded to a three-stall attached garage on fire at a home on Bridgeview Drive. According to Battalion Chief Camron Vollbrecht, there were 20-foot flames shooting out of the garage…

Wedding Show Back With Over 100 Vendors at The DECC

More than 100 vendors were on hand to meet all the needs of brides and grooms to be from venues to catering, to D.J.s.

DULUTH, Minn.- For those planning their special day, the Duluth Wedding Show was back with hundreds of vendors at the DECC. More than 100 vendors were on hand to meet all the needs of brides and grooms to be from venues to catering, to D.J.s. Organizers say both the number of businesses and attendance this year was down about 25…

Bidders Excited to Get Hands on Last Place on Earth Items Up for Auction

Dozens of collectors filled Sellers Auction on Belknap Street and auction owners said they came from as far as Chicago and Florida.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- It’s been roughly seven years since the infamous Last Place on Earth was shut down. Those memories were unearthed Saturday at an auction in Superior. Dozens of collectors filled Sellers Auction on Belknap Street and auction owners said they came from as far as Chicago and Florida. The controversial head shop closed operations after owner Jim Carlson was…

‘Jazz at the Depot’ Brings Back Quartet, Crowd from Club Saratoga Jazz Days

The musicians originally played at Duluth's Club Saratoga in Canal Park before being hired by the Depot, and jazzists were out to show their love for the quartet as well as their music.

DULUTH, Minn.- What do you get when you mix smooth music, historic trains, and some tasty food? Probably something like Jazz at the Depot. The Lake Superior Railroad Museum hosted a quartet of jazz musicians to perform a number of pieces while the audience sat back and enjoyed both the music and atmosphere. The musicians originally played at Duluth’s Club…

Hunt for History, Win Some Prizes with Duluth Public Library’s Scavenger Hunts

The first of the so-called "GooseChases" began Friday and is themed around the history of Duluth.

DULUTH, Minn.- Starting this weekend, the Duluth Public Library is offering themed scavenger hunts for people all around the city to take part in. The first of the so-called “GooseChases” began Friday and is themed around the history of Duluth. To participate, download the GooseChase app and choose from any of the missions listed for the active hunt. Missions range…

Superior Fire Crews Respond to ‘large amount of fire’ at Garage Attached to Home

Everyone was reported safely outside.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Superior Fire Department crews responded to a structure fire early Saturday morning, which destroyed the vehicles inside, though no one was injured. According to a spokesperson with the Fire Department, crews arrived at the home at 4 Bridgeview Drive around 8:20 a.m, to find a fully involved three-stall attached garage with a large amount of fire coming out…

First DFL Candidate Announces Run for Minnesota 8th District

The primary election is scheduled for this August.  

UPDATE: A statement from the Minnesota GOP is included at the end of this article. DULUTH, Minn.- Theresa Lastovich, the first to announce a bid for Minnesota’s 8th U.S. Congressional seat in the upcoming election, launched her campaign at Wildstate Cider Friday.  Lastovich is a native of Chisholm and says she’s the daughter of an iron ore miner with five generations of miners in…

Bitter Cold Increases Risk for Dead Car Batteries

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Below zero temperatures can create a number of problems for vehicles, none more prevalent than a battery that isn’t working properly. One auto mechanic retailer says the design of a vehicle’s alternator helps to keep batteries better charged than in the past, but human error such as leaving lights on or charging chords plugged in after leaving…

Minnesota Virus Positivity Rate Reaches 15.6% In New Record

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota’s COVID-19 positivity rate over the past seven days reached 15.6% on Friday, emphasizing the rapid spread of the omicron variant across the state. State health officials have said they expect a new surge of case growth for at least the next month. The Star Tribune reported that Minnesota’s previous positivity rate record came early in the…

Parents in Michigan School Shooting Lose Bid To Reduce Bail

(Oakland County Sheriff’s Office via AP, File) DETROIT (AP) — A judge has denied a request to lower a $500,000 bail set for two parents who are charged with their son in a fatal Michigan school shooting. Judge Julie Nicholson said James and Jennifer Crumbley failed to turn themselves in when they were charged with involuntary manslaughter on Dec. 3…

Glensheen to Offer Free Self-Guided Classic Tours Sunday

DULUTH, Minn. – As a way to say ‘thank you’ to the community, Glensheen is offering free self-guided Classic Tours to all visitors this Sunday for Community Day. In partnership with the City of Duluth, Community Days are a way for many attractions around the city that receive tourism tax funding to offer special discounts to community members throughout the…