News

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…

3 Ex-cops Convicted of Rights Violations in Floyd Killing

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Three former Minneapolis police officers have been convicted of violating George Floyd’s civil rights. Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane were charged with depriving Floyd of his right to medical care when Officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for 9 1/2 minutes as the 46-year-old Black man was handcuffed and…

US Braces for Russian Cyberattacks in Wake of Ukrainian Invasion

(Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)   (FOX Business) – The U.S. government is on high alert for signs of Russian cyberattacks against banks and other financial institutions after Moscow launched a wide-ranging attack on Ukraine on Thursday, eliciting harsh sanctions from the international community. A homeland security source with knowledge of the matter told FOX Business on…

Justice Department Sues UnitedHealth Over Nearly $8B Deal

(AP) – Federal regulators are suing to block UnitedHealth Group’s purchase of the technology company Change Healthcare, a deal announced more than a year ago. The U.S. Department of Justice said Thursday that the proposed deal would hurt competition in markets for health insurance and technology used by insurers to process claims and cut costs. UnitedHealth said in January 2021…

Officials Say Ukraine No Longer in Control of Chernobyl Site

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A presidential adviser says Ukraine lost control of the Chernobyl nuclear site, where Ukrainian forces had waged a fierce battle with Russian troops. Adviser Mykhailo Podolyak told The Associated Press that Ukrainian authorities did not know the current condition of the facilities at Chernobyl, the site of the world’s worst nuclear disaster. “After the absolutely senseless…

Midday Update 2-24-22

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, February 24, 2022

Join FOX 21’s Natalie Noury and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, February 24, 2022. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Ken Slama, midday update, Natalie Noury, News, weather

Fire Crews Battling Large House Fire in Virginia

VIRGINIA, Minn. – According to the Northland FireWire, multiple fire crews are on the scene of a large house fire in Virginia. The fire was reported just after 9:00 a.m. Thursday morning on the 100 block of 1st Street South. Crews have been battling heavy flames from the home. A nearby house has also sustained heavy damage. No injuries have…

St. Luke’s to Close Vaccine Clinic, Will Now Offer Vaccines at Three Other Locations

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Luke’s is closing its COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic after today and will instead offer vaccines at three locations starting next week. Vaccines will be offered at the St. Luke’s Denfeld Medical Clinic (ages 5+), St. Luke’s Infectious Disease Associates (ages 5+), and St. Luke’s Pediatric Associates (ages 5-18). Each of the locations will offer all three vaccines…

Morning Update 2-24-22

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, February 24, 2022

Join FOX 21’s Natalie Noury and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, February 24, 2022. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, Natalie Noury, News, weather

Jury Meets for 2nd Day in Trial of Cops in Floyd Killing

(Minneapolis Police Department via AP, File) ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Jurors resumed deliberations Thursday in the trial of three former Minneapolis police officers charged with violating George Floyd’s civil rights when he was pinned to the ground for 9 1/2 minutes as fellow Officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee into his neck. Jurors met for about seven hours Wednesday,…

Twin Cities Educators Notify Districts of Possible Strikes

(courtesy: Fox 9) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Unions representing teachers and school staff in the Twin Cities have filed the paperwork that begins a 10-day countdown to potential strikes. The notification is required by state law. It means possible strikes by more than 8,000 educators in Minneapolis and St. Paul could begin as soon as March 8. The strikes could affect…

Russia Attacks Ukraine; Peace in Europe ‘Shattered’

(AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) WARSAW, Poland (AP) – Russian troops have launched a broad assault on Ukraine from three sides. The attack began before dawn and brought explosions to Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, and other cities. Ukraine’s leadership said Thursday at least 40 people have been killed so far in what is called a “full-scale war” targeting the country from the east,…

Two Brothers Take On Spirit Mountain After Storm: ‘It Just Gives You, Like, So Much Energy’

DULUTH, Minn. –  Cedar Holden and his brother, Coulter, were more than pumped to get out on the fresh snow at Spirit Mountain after a two-day storm. “It just gives you, like, so much energy and like it’s so clean, and bright, and crisp. It just feels so good and it just gets you, like, so excited to go do…

Russia’s Putin Announces Military Operation In Ukraine

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced a military operation in Ukraine and warned other countries that any attempt to interfere with the Russian action would lead to “consequences they have never seen.” He said the attack was needed to protect civilians in eastern Ukraine – a claim the U.S. had predicted he would falsely make to…

CSS Ready for Musical Theater Return

DULUTH, Minn. – Musical theater returns at The College of Saint Scholastica as they open their production of “Little Shops of Horrors” Thursday, February 24. The college did return to theater productions last fall with “The Frogs, A Modern Adaptation”, but this is the first production with songs since the COVID pandemic began nearly two years ago.  Nearly 50 students, staff,…

Safe Haven Partners with Women’s Expo, Asking For Donations

DULUTH, Minn. — This weekend’s Women’s Expo at The DECC will not only be a time for shopping, exhibits and demonstrations, it’s also a place to help women facing domestic violence. The Women’s Expo once again partnered with the ‘Safe Haven Shelter’ to collect donations at various sites over the past few weeks and this Saturday during the expo. Items…

Duluth Children’s Museum Prep for Busy Week

DULUTH, Minn. – The combination of winter break for Duluth Public Schools and the recent snow and cold is making for a busy week for indoor activities across the Twin Ports. The Duluth Children’s Museum says they are ready to handle the higher number of kids and parents looking to do something outside the home. “If last weekend was any indicator,”…

Energy Design Conference Held at DECC

DULUTH, Minn. – Dozens of builders, contractors, and others in the trades have spent the past two days at the DECC learning how they can make new and existing homes more energy efficient. The 32nd annual Energy Design Conference, hosted by Minnesota Power, allows people to learn new information covering a range of building practices. “We do see a large…

Duluth Man Charged in Connection to Three Armed Robberies

DULUTH, Minn. – Last week, a Duluth man was formally charged with three armed robberies over two days in Duluth’s East Hillside neighborhood. According to court records, 26-year-old Austin Nichols is charged with three counts of first-degree aggravated robbery. The criminal complaint states officers responded to the first robbery around 6:39 p.m. on February 14 at the CVS Pharmacy on…

Oscars Slim Down, Will Hand Out 8 Awards Ahead of Broadcast

NEW YORK (AP) – To combat slumping ratings, the Academy Awards are undergoing a radical slimming down, with eight awards to be presented off-air during next month’s telecast. Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences President David Rubin wrote in a letter sent to members Tuesday about the change. The letter says the awards for film editing, production design, sound,…

Jury Starts Deliberating 3 Ex-cops’ Case in Floyd Killing

(Cedric Hohnstadt via AP) ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Jurors are deliberating in the federal trial of three fired Minneapolis police officers charged with violating George Floyd’s civil rights. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao are charged with depriving Floyd of his right to medical care when Derek Chauvin pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for 9 1/2 minutes…

Jury Set To Get Case of 3 Officers Charged in Floyd Killing

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – The jury hearing the case against three former Minneapolis police officers charged with violating George Floyd’s civil rights needs only to get instructions from the judge before starting deliberations. Prosecutors and defense attorneys spent a full day Tuesday in closing arguments that recapped a month of testimony and sought to sway the jury toward their…

Russia Evacuating Embassy in Ukraine as Crisis Escalates

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) – Russia began evacuating its embassy in Kyiv, and Ukraine urged its citizens to leave Russia. Those moves come as the region braced for further confrontation Wednesday after President Vladimir Putin received authorization to use military force outside his country. Hopes for a diplomatic way out of a new, potentially devastating war appeared all but sunk as…

School Closings, Delays for Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022

School Closings & Delays Closed:  School District of Ashland – Closed. No afterschool events. Washburn School District – Closed with virtual learning day for February 23rd South Shore School District – Closed with virtual learning day for February 23rd Wentworth Meal Site – Closed. Senior Connections is open today, Feb. 23. Delayed: Esko School District – Two-hour delay Categories: Minnesota, News,…

Household Heating Concerns

DULUTH, Minn. – Experts are warning homeowners to make sure snow isn’t blocking any of your pipes. This is especially a concern when it comes to a home’s furnace. Snow can prevent the furnace from breathing properly. So, experts say to make sure there aren’t any blockages around the PVC pipe. You can also check to make sure the filter…

Remember to Clear Sidewalks of Snow

DULUTH, Minn. – As the latest winter storm moves out of the Northland, it’s time to follow the city’s sidewalk snow removal ordinance. Property owners who have sidewalk along their property are required to remove all snow and ice from it within 24 hours after a snow event ends.  The department works with the National Weather Service to determine when…

Time to Stock up on Winter Gear

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Sunday gave us a taste of spring, but we’re not out of the cold stretch yet, and now is a good time to grab discounted winter gear. Northwest Outlet in Superior is making the transition to spring with a winter clearance sale. With supply chain issues being a factor, it’s been difficult to get some items in…

Shoveling Time in Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The heavy and wet snow coming down is making it a daunting task for those who have to shovel. In Superior, those out shoveling say it was difficult to even get outside the front door Tuesday morning. Though shoveling can be a back breaking chore, some folks are just happy to have a break from school. “I…

Duluth Officials: Adjustments Made for Latest Snow Emergency

DULUTH, Minn.- City of Duluth officials say they are ready for their second snow emergency, which will run from 9 p.m. Tuesday, February 22, through 6 p.m. Wednesday, February 23. This declaration means there will be no parking allowed on the roughly 120 miles of city streets that have been designated snow emergency routes.  A map of those streets can be…