News

Surgery Delays Grow at Hospitals Dealing With COVID-19

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota health care systems say surgery delays are growing as coronavirus patients crowd hospitals. Doctors say hospitals have deferred procedures to free up beds, leaving some patients in prolonged pain. Patient demand over the past month has been the highest in the 21 months of the pandemic, according to health care providers. “I’m not sure the public…

Tips For Keeping Fido Fairly Calm Over the Holidays

Animal Allies Humane Society Reminds Potential Owners to Think Twice Before Adopting this Holiday Season

DULUTH, Minn. – We’re all loading up on holiday anticipation, excitement, presents, and home parties — but it’s important to make sure it doesn’t put your animals into overload. The American Kennel Club says Christmas activities can put stress on your dog. Situations like loud noises, lots of new visitors, and new environments could cause fear in your pet. If…

Derek Chauvin Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges in Death of George Floyd

The Guilty Plea Means Chauvin will not Face a Federal Jury Trial in January

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin has pleaded guilty to federal charges of violating George Floyd’s civil rights. Chauvin’s plea Wednesday means he will not face a federal trial in January, though he could end up spending more years behind bars. Chauvin, who is white, was convicted this spring of state murder and manslaughter charges…

Morning Update 12-15-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Rusty Mehlberg for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021. Have a great day! Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, morning update, News, Rusty Mehlberg, weather

US COVID Death Toll Hits 800,000, a Year Into Vaccine Drive

(AP) – The U.S. death toll from COVID-19 has topped 800,000. That is according to the count kept by Johns Hopkins University. The once-unimaginable milestone was hit Tuesday. It’s seen as doubly tragic, given that more than 200,000 of those lives were lost after the vaccine became available practically for the asking last spring. The death toll is about equal…

Salvation Army Still Needs Bell Ringers, Volunteers

DULUTH, Minn. – The Salvation Army is hoping for more volunteers as they continue their Red Kettle fundraising drive. Even with the annual Miner’s Match underway, donations are down 12-percent compared to where they want to be in order to meet their 220-thousand dollar goal. With 864 hours of open volunteer times available at their 18 kettle locations through Christmas Eve,…

Duluth Firefighters Use Unstable Ice, Open Waters For Rescue Training

DULUTH, Minn. – The unstable ice and open waters are creating great conditions for the Duluth Fire Department to train for possible rescues this winter. Firefighters hopped in their rescue suits Tuesday to take advantage of the dicey conditions in a slip in the Duluth Port. Officials said this type of training is crucial to react fast to emergencies on…

Downtown Duluth Announce Holiday Window, Lights Display Winners

DULUTH, Minn. – Several downtown Duluth businesses have been recognized for their way of showing the holiday spirit. 19 locations took part in the Greater Downtown Council’s 16th annual Holiday Window and Lighting Display contest. For Hucklebeary, they were once again one of the people’s choice winners, along with earning the most original display by a retailer. “It feels great,” says…

GO: Hartley Nature Center

DULUTH, Minn. — The Hartley Nature Center in Duluth is gearing up for the winter season. “A lot of people have discovered the outdoors and really have embraced getting out on the trails and getting outside. It’s one of the things that are safely available to us,” Hartley Nature Center Executive Director, Tom O’Rourke says. While the center is scaling…

Warm Spell Causing Winter Activities to Wait

DULUTH, Minn. — As the Northland continues to experience warmer temperatures, it’s causing a few roadblocks for those who enjoy the winter activities. Minnesotans find plenty of things to keep them busy through the winter, but with the melting going on, it’s made it a bit difficult to do their favorite things like skiing or snowmobiling. “You know its Minnesota,…

With Warm Weather, Caution Urged for Ice Fishermen

DULUTH, Minn. — With the temperatures warming up, ice fishermen may have to wait until the next big freeze before getting back out on the lakes. The DNR recommends 4 inches of ice for walking and 12-15 inches for driving a vehicle on it. Although the fishing conditions have been good for anglers, the warm weather could prove troublesome for…

Peace United Church of Christ Hosts Sandy Hook Vigil

DULUTH, Minn. — The Peace United Church of Christ in Duluth hosted a vigil Tuesday afternoon to remember the victims of the Sandy Hook school shooting. The mass shooting took place nine years ago on Tuesday. 26 people lost their lives, the majority of them were children between the ages of six and seven years old. On Thursday, two groups,…

St. Louis County Board Approves Budget, Funding for Body Cams for Deputies

DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Louis County Board on Tuesday approved its 2022 budget at $463 million. The board also unanimously voted to pass a resolution approving the purchase of body cameras for its deputies. The authorization will allow the purchase of 110 body cameras with supporting accessories and equipment. The cost for the new cameras and equipment will be…

Judge Delays Case Against Michigan School Suspect’s Parents

(Oakland County Sheriff’s Office via AP, File) ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. (AP) – A judge has granted a Michigan prosecutor more time to collect and share additional evidence against the parents of a boy charged with killing four students at Oxford High School. It’s partly because prosecutor Karen McDonald wants to give the Michigan community “time to heal” during the holiday…

Midday Update 12-14-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Rusty Mehlberg for a local look at news and weather making headlines Tuesday, December 14, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, midday update, News, Rusty Mehlberg, weather

Milwaukee Submits Bid for Republican National Convention

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The City of Milwaukee has submitted its bid to host the Republican National Convention in 2024. The application, which includes more than 200 pages, highlights the city’s access to Lake Michigan, entertainment venues, festivals, the culinary scene, the Milwaukee Bucks’ championship, the Wisconsin Center expansion, Fiserv Forum, and more. Visit Milwaukee CEO Peggy Williams-Smith said it also…

Data Indicate Omicron Is Milder, Better at Evading Vaccines

JOHANNESBURG (AP) – An analysis of data from South Africa shows the omicron variant appears to cause less severe disease than previous versions of the coronavirus, and the Pfizer vaccine seems to offer less defense against infection from it but still good protection against hospitalization. While the findings are preliminary and have not been peer-reviewed, they line up with other…

Morning Update 12-14-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Rusty Mehlberg for a local look at news and weather making headlines Tuesday, December 14, 2021. Categories: News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Local News, morning update, News, Rust Mehlberg, weather

16th Annual Holiday Window and Lighting Display Contest Winners Announced

DULUTH, Minn. – The winners have been announced for the Greater Downtown Council’s 16th Annual Holiday Window and Lighting Display Contest. Nineteen local businesses participated in this year’s contest. Official judging took place November 19 through November 23 and winners were chosen based on execution of theme and design presentation. The winners of the 2021 Holiday Window and Lighting Display…

Unseasonable Weather Not Wanted at Lester-Amity Chalet

DULUTH, Minn. — The unseasonably warm days are adding a little concern about the longevity of this winter’s ski and snowboarding season. At Lester-Amity chalet in Duluth the warmer weather can ruin ski trails. The lack of frozen ground has not let the trails develop a consistent snowpack. It’s a mixture of conditions that are making some in the skiing…

New Kenwood Plaza Building Proposal

DULUTH, Minn. — The potential for a new building to go up in Duluth’s Kenwood Plaza is just a day away from being decided. The developer wants to build a 1,200 square foot retail or office building and potentially a new restaurant. The planning commission will meet tomorrow at five to decide if the proposal is a go. The commissions…

Red Cross Sending Northlanders to Kentucky for Recovery Efforts

DULUTH, Minn. — The Northland Division of the Red Cross will be sending down volunteers to assist with the tornado relief in Kentucky. Three Duluth-area volunteers are heading out today, and one Iron Ranger will be going out there tomorrow. The volunteers range in their expertise, some are nurses and others have the skillsets to help with shelter needs. The…

Duluth’s Assistant Fire Chief Receives High Honor Of Clarence Maddy Award

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth’s Assistant Fire Chief was recently awarded one of the highest honors a city employee can receive. Duluth’s Assistant Fire Chief, Clint Reff was recognized with the Clarence Maddy Award, which is named after a former chief administrative officer for the city. Reff, who is retiring at the end of the month, has worked for the department…

Carlton County Man Charged With Murder

CARLTON COUNTY, Minn – A 65-year-old Carlton County man arrested Friday afternoon for the alleged shooting death of his 62-year-old wife has now been formally charged with intentional second-degree murder. The Carlton County Sheriff’s Office says deputies were called to 3665 Heiskari Road in Kalevala Township for a welfare check on Raymond Julian and his wife Tracy. According to the…

Chauvin Expected To Plead Guilty in Floyd Civil Rights Case

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin appears to be on the verge of pleading guilty to violating George Floyd’s civil rights. A federal docket entry on Monday shows that a hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday for Chauvin to change his current not-guilty plea in the case. The court system also sent out instructions for the media…

Thousands Without Heat, Water After Tornadoes Kill Dozens

(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) MAYFIELD, Ky. (AP) – Kentucky’s governor said that at least 64 people were killed in the state during a devastating cluster of tornadoes. At least 14 people are dead in four other states: Illinois, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Missouri. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear told reporters Monday that it could take days more to tally a final death toll…

Midday Update 12-13-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Monday, December 13, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News, weather

Twinkling Tuesday Tours Return to Superior’s Fairlawn Mansion

The Tours Are Available Each Tuesday in December

SUPERIOR, Wis. – You can once again enjoy the Christmas decorations at Fairlawn Mansion during the annual Twinkling Tuesdays tour. This self-guided tour lets you roam the home at your own pace while enjoying sweet treats. You even get the chance to ask any questions to volunteers stationed throughout the mansion. The tour is available every Tuesday in December. The…

Morning Update 12-13-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Monday, December 13, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, News, weather

Potter Trial Opens 2nd Week With Wright Autopsy Details

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The trial of a Minnesota police officer charged with the shooting death of Daunte Wright has opened its second week of testimony with an assistant medical examiner explaining his autopsy. The 20-year-old Black motorist was slain on April 11 after police pulled him over in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Center for having expired license plate tags…

As COVID-19 Surges, Minnesota Health System CEOs Make Public Appeal

DULUTH, Minn. – In a Monday news release, CEOs from nine Minnesota health systems have come together in an appeal to the public, asking them to help the state’s overwhelmed health care system. You can read the full news release below: As COVID-19 continues to surge, leaders have taken out a full-page ad in major newspapers across the state this…

Green Bay Man Gets 5 Years in Prison for 18th OWI Conviction

GREEN BAY, Wis. – A Green Bay man has been sentenced to five years in prison for his 18th drunken driving conviction. Seventy-four-year-old Wallace Bowers had a valid driver’s license when he was arrested last January after crashing into a power pole on Green Bay’s east side. Bowers pleaded no contest Friday to drunken driving, 10th or more offense. Two…

Voyager Bus Company Christmas Choir Sings for the Community

DULUTH, Minn. — Employees of the Voyager Bus Company have come together for years as a Christmas choir, traveling to different health and care facilities around Duluth to sing and spread the holiday spirit. On Sunday, they jingled all the way to 4 different facilities, and residents and staff helped sing along. Office staff, bus drivers, and family of employees…

Minnesota Lake Ice Shrinking As Climate Change Warms Winters

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Officials from Minnesota’s natural resources and pollution control agencies detail the ways climate change is diminishing Minnesota winters, with 10 to 14 fewer days of lake ice over the past 50 years. It’s a change they say hurts local economies, the environment and the Minnesota way of life. Warmer lake waters are leading to more toxic algal…

Wisconsin Men Get Probation In U.S. Capitol Breach

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A federal judge has sentenced two Wisconsin men to probation for joining in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. The Wisconsin State Journal reports that 29-year-old Brandon Nelson of Madison and 24-year-old Abram Markofski of La Crosse pleaded guilty in September to a misdemeanor charge of parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building….

Bill Allows UW System To Negotiate Tuition Reciprocity

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A bipartisan bill introduced in the state Assembly would give the University of Wisconsin System authority over tuition reciprocity with Minnesota. The legislation would also let UW campuses keep additional revenue from students paying Minnesota tuition rates, revenue that is currently deposited into Wisconsin’s state budget. The reciprocity agreements between Wisconsin and Minnesota have been in…