News

Morning Update 2-18-22

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Friday, February 18, 2022

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Rusty Mehlberg for a local look at news and weather making headlines Friday, February 18, 2022. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, morning update, News, Rusty Mehlberg, weather

Canadian Police Start Arresting Protesters in Ottawa

(Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP) OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) – Authorities in Canada are beginning to arrest protesters who have paralyzed traffic in Ottawa for three weeks in a demonstration against the country’s COVID-19 restrictions. Police in Ottawa say some protesters are surrendering and being arrested downtown Friday morning. One person being led away was carrying a sign that says…

Minnesota’s Rep. Jim Hagedorn Dies at 59 After Cancer Battle

(courtesy: Fox News/Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn, a conservative Republican from southern Minnesota who followed his father’s footsteps into Congress, has died after a battle with kidney cancer. He was 59. Jennifer Carnahan said in a Facebook post on Friday that Hagedorn “passed away peacefully last night.” Hagedorn was diagnosed with stage IV kidney…

Ex-cop Who Killed Daunte Wright To Learn Sentence

(Court TV via AP, Pool, File) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The former suburban Minneapolis police officer who said she confused her handgun for her Taser when she killed Daunte Wright will be sentenced Friday for manslaughter. Kim Potter was convicted in December of both first-degree and second-degree manslaughter in the April 11 killing of Wright, a 20-year-old Black motorist. She’ll be…

Yeti Hunt is Back on Saturday, February 19th

DULUTH, Minn. – If you’re outside exploring Duluth’s parks this weekend, you may want to watch out for a Yeti. The Yeti Hunt, put on by the Duluth Parks and Rec., is back this Saturday. Clues of where to find it will be posted on the Parks and Rec Facebook event page throughout the day, with the first clue being…

Secret Forest Playschool Embraces the Cold

DULUTH, Minn. – During the colder months, being outside is more essential than being stuck indoors for one local pre-school. Secret Forest Playschool, a play-based nature preschool in Duluth, strives to preserve childhood by letting kids play outside everyday. By being outside, the children are able to learn about the importance of mother nature whether it relates to the sun,…

Duluth Man With Vintage Mazda Does Well In Florida Drag-And-Drive Races

DULUTH, Minn. — A Duluth man who went down to Florida to participate in the “Sick Week” drag-and-drive races ended up doing very well. Michael Janousek brought his 1988 Mazda RX-7 convertible down south earlier this month. It wasn’t an easy 36-hour trip, as he hit a massive snowstorm while traveling through Illinois with the race car in a trailer….

Kindness And A Coincidence: What Happened After A Family’s Sacred Funeral Items Were Stolen

SUPERIOR, Wis. — A family that traveled to Superior for a funeral of a loved one last weekend saw their painful experience become even more tragic, after a thief stole items from the service out of their car. Gerald “Jerry” Zowin was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather who passed away on February 5th at age 81. His funeral was…

One Billion Invested Into Cleaning and Restoring Areas of The Great Lakes

DULUTH, Minn. — Earlier Thursday, President Biden visited Lorain, Ohio, touting a major investment to pump one billion dollars into a great lakes restoration program impacting communities from Duluth to parts of New York. This announcement from the president and the EPA means that we will see a significant portion of that money fund rehabilitating Lake Superior. This investment is…

55th Annual Duluth Sport Show Back At DECC

DULUTH, Minn. — The 55th Duluth Sport Show is back at the DECC and people are excited to take a shot at some of their favorite or new outdoor activities. The show unfortunately had to take some time off due to the pandemic, so after two years of silence, duck calls, trout ponds, and crowds filled the DECC once again….

Bong Center Announces New Executive

SUPERIOR, Wis. — The Richard I. Bong Veteran’s center is happy to announce that they have a brand new Executive Director. John Gidley has been involved with the center for years, as part of the education branch of the center. He says he is so excited to take on this new role and wants to continue the legacy of Richard…

Truckers Hold Their Ground Despite Threats of Crackdown

(Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP) OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) – Hundreds of truckers clogging the streets of Canada’s capital city in a protest against COVID-19 restrictions aren’t budging and bracing for what could be a possible police crackdown. The nearly three-week faceoff in Ottawa seems to be escalating as busloads of officers arrived Thursday near Parliament Hill. The city’s interim…

CDC: NYC Anime Convention Did Not Spread Omicron Widely

NEW YORK (AP) – Health officials say an anime convention in New York City last year was not a superspreader event. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday that widespread masking, vaccinations, and good airflow at the Javits Center prevented the highly contagious omicron variant from spreading widely. Investigators found 119 infections from about 53,000 people who…

Biden: Infrastructure Plan Gives $1B for Great Lakes Cleanup

LORAIN, Ohio (AP) – President Joe Biden says the bipartisan infrastructure law will pump $1 billion into a Great Lakes restoration program. Biden went to Lorain, Ohio, on Thursday to highlight the measure’s benefits for the lakes and the regional economy. Much of that extra money will help finish the cleanup of harbors and rivers polluted with industrial wastes in…

‘Storyliving’: Disney To Develop US Residential Communities, Starting in California

(courtesy: Disney) RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. – The Walt Disney Company announced plans this week to develop residential communities across the U.S., including the first in California’s Coachella Valley, that will be geared toward fans and “infused with the company’s special brand of magic.” The first development, called “Cotino, a Storyliving by Disney community,” will be built in Rancho Mirage, Calif….

Midday Update 2-17-22

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, February 17, 2022

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Rusty Mehlberg for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, February 17, 2022. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, midday update, News, Rusty Mehlberg, weather

Wild World of Animals to Appear at Duluth Sports Show

The Duluth Sports Show Runs February 17 - 20

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Sports show is back at the DECC on February 17 – 20. This year’s show features everything you need to enjoy the great outdoors, and of course, LIVE entertainment. The Wild World of Animals show is one of the premier grounds act in the entertainment industry. Its unique blend of animal diversity and environmental messages…

Biden: Infrastructure Plan Gives $1 Billion for Great Lakes Cleanup

WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) – President Joe Biden’s administration says the bipartisan infrastructure law will pump $1 billion into a Great Lakes restoration program. Biden travels to Lorain, Ohio, today to highlight the measure’s benefits for the lakes. Much of that extra money will help finish the cleanup of harbors and rivers polluted with industrial wastes in the last century. Thirty-one…

Morning Update 2-17-22

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, February 17, 2022

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Rusty Mehlberg for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, February 17, 2022. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, morning update, News, Rusty Mehlberg, weather

Duluth’s Esmond Building Demolition Begins To Make Way For Affordable Housing, Retail

DULUTH, Minn. – The condemned Esmond Building in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood began to be demolished Wednesday to make way for a new affordable-housing development with retail space, too. In 2014, the Housing and Redevelopment Authority created a three-step plan for the site on West Superior Street that started with maintaining the building to keep current residents satisfied. Then Center…

Duluth Polar Plunge Set for Saturday

DULUTH, Minn. – The 21st annual Duluth Polar Plunge is set to take place Saturday, February 19, at Park Point Recreation Area. Over 500 people are expected to take the plunge into Superior Bay starting at 2 p.m. “Everybody that has raised $75 for Special Olympics is going to have that opportunity to run out, jump into the lake, and come…

Senator Smith Introduces Bill to Increase Rural Broadband Access

DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota Senator Tina Smith is continuing her push to make high speed internet access available to everyone. She joined three other Senators in introducing a bipartisan bill this month that would focus Department of Agriculture’s ReConnect Program funds to communities in greatest need to establish broadband services. “The federal government is investing billions of dollars in expanding broadband,”…

Prosecutors Reduce Requested Sentence for Ex-cop Kim Potter

(Minnesota Department of Corrections via AP) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota prosecutors have apparently backed away from their pursuit of a longer-than-usual sentence for the suburban Minneapolis police officer who said she confused her handgun for her Taser when she killed Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black motorist. Kim Potter is scheduled to be sentenced Friday following her December conviction of first-degree…

Midday Update 2-16-22

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, February 16, 2022. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News, weather

Local Veterinarian Launches New Service, ‘Ask Vet Christine’

Dr. Christine Wickenheiser is Looking to Help Animal Owners as a Shortage of Workers Hits the Veterinarian Field

DULUTH, Minn. – The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted many to adopt animals, but the amount of veterinary staff in the Northland has remained the same. Dr. Christine Wickenheiser has developed a solution to combat the shortage of vets. She recently launched a new service called, ‘Ask Vet Christine.’ Vet Christine has developed an online platform intended to give ongoing professional…

Police Ticketing, Warning Truckers To Leave Canada’s Capital

(Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP) OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) – Police in Canada’s capital are telling protesting truckers who’ve paralyzed the city for more than two weeks that it’s time to leave. Ottawa police began handing out notices and threatening arrests Wednesday near the Parliament building. Authorities are warning truck drivers that they could lose their licenses if they don’t…

Report: Vikings Finalizing Deal With Rams’ OC Kevin O’Connell To Be Next Head Coach

MINNEAPOLIS (Fox 9) – The Super Bowl is over, the 2021 NFL season is done, and it appears that the Minnesota Vikings have their next head coach in place. The Vikings have not made anything official as of Tuesday morning, but according to an ESPN report, the team plans to introduce Kevin O’Connell as the next head coach on Thursday….

Morning Update 2-16-22

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, February 16, 2022. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, News, weather

UW System to End Mask Mandate by Spring Break

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – University of Wisconsin System officials say they plan to end their campus mask mandates by spring break. UW System President Tommy Thompson announced Wednesday that widespread vaccinations and waning case numbers on system campuses and across the state justify the move. Thompson says vaccines and tests will still be available on campus and students and employees…

Grant Money Aimed to School Bus Stop-arm Violators

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Schools and bus companies across Minnesota have been given $3.5 million in grant money to outfit school buses with stop-arm cameras. The Minnesota Legislature has awarded grants to 32 schools and bus companies to purchase and install the cameras, as well as buy supporting software programs. According to the state Department of Transportation, Minnesota was…

Duluth Man Arrested After 3 Armed Robberies In Two Days

Police are investigating if the suspect in Tuesday's two armed robberies also committed Monday's armed robbery.

DULUTH, Minn. –  Duluth police arrested a 25-year-old Duluth man Tuesday after two armed robberies near each other – one at Walgreens on East Superior Street and the other at the nearby Jimmy John’s in the Plaza Shopping Center. The arrest also comes just one day after an armed robbery at the CVS on East Superior Street. Duluth police believe…

Lake Superior College Hosts Spring Student Success Day to Support Students

DULUTH, MN – Lake Superior College held their spring Student Success Day today, which is held every semester to help the students succeed not just academically, but also personally. Businesses and organizations from the community come to the event to provide LSC students with information about services and opportunities that would be of interest to them. “We have a lot…

Evers Calls On Legislature To Approve $150 Taxpayer Refund

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Tony Evers used his election year State of the State address on Tuesday to call on the Republican-controlled Legislature to approve his plan to send $150 to every taxpayer in Wisconsin, saying inaction by lawmakers now while people are suffering is “baloney.” Republicans reiterated after the speech that the plan is dead on arrival and the special session Evers…

Duluth Fire Officials to Anglers: Be Prepared, Think Twice Before Fishing on Lake Superior Ice

If the ice is at least 4 inches thick, and the wind isn't coming out of the West-Northwest, proceed with caution and the right gear.

DULUTH, Minn.- As winter continues Lake Superior is getting more frozen. But emergency officials and experts encourage people to think twice before venturing out on that ice. “That ice is always shifting in there too so you definitely have to watch what’s going on,” said Marques Hoglund, who works at Marine General. And the ice was on the move off…

8th Congressional District Now Includes All Native Reservations North Of Twin Cities

The 8th District shifted further west, now it including all of Minnesota's Native American reservations north of the Twin Cities.

DULUTH, Minn.-. Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District now encompasses more of the Northern part of the state after the map was re-drawn. The 8th District shifted further west, now it including all of Minnesota’s Native American reservations north of the Twin Cities. They’re now included with Iron Range mining and Duluth’s urban economies, among others, according to Dr. Cynthia Rugeley, Associate…