News

Local Emergency Responders on How to Keep People Safe During Grandma’s Marathon

DULUTH, Minn.- With Grandma’s Marathon approaching, authorities gave us the rundown on their safety protocols. Event coordinators have been planning the race course map since February.  Local police officers are coordinating with them in preparation for the large traffic during the marathon. They are blocking off streets for the race, which may cause a large flow of traffic for visitors….

Golf Courses Experiencing Father’s Day Crowds

DULUTH, Minn.- Father’s Day is around the corner and golf courses are expecting busy fairways. Enger Park Golf Course is seeing business pick up because of the weather and Father’s Day celebrations. Even a few people in town for Grandma’s Marathon came to the course to play a round. “Business is doing very good this year,” said manager Mike Bender….

Biden Promotes Milestone of 300M Vaccine Shots in 150 Days

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is marking another milestone in his quest to bring the COVID-19 pandemic under control. Biden announced Friday that 300 million COVID-19 vaccine shots have been administered in the 150 days since he took office on Jan. 20. Biden is crediting scientists, companies, the American people and his whole-of-government effort. The president noted that 65%…

Trucker Who Drove Into Floyd Protest Could Have Charges Drop

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A truck driver who drove through a large crowd of protesters on a Minneapolis highway last year during demonstrations over George Floyd’s death will have criminal charges dropped if he remains law-abiding for the next year. Hennepin County prosecutors entered into a “continuance without prosecution” agreement with Bogdan Vechirko, of Otsego, on Friday during a virtual court…

St. Louis County Attorney: Use of Deadly Force Justified in Saginaw Officer-Involved Shooting

SAGINAW, Minn. – The St. Louis County Attorney’s Office has ruled that the use of deadly force was justified in a January officer-involved shooting in Saginaw. The ruling is in connection to a January 29, 2021 incident, when Deputy Jason Kuhnly of the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office fired his gun in the direction of 34-year-old Scott Michael Jordan while…

Midday Update 6-18-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Friday, June 18, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Friday, June 18, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News, weather

Suspect in Lakeside Stabbing Formally Charged

DULUTH, Minn. – The 28-year-old Duluth man arrested for allegedly stabbing a 78-year-old man at his Lakeside home on Wednesday has been formally charged. Authorities say Warren Holt Jr. is charged with first-degree aggravated robbery, and two counts of first-degree burglary. According to the criminal complaint, officers responded to reports of a medical assault just before 2:00 p.m. Wednesday on…

Duluth School Board Approves Moving Forward With New Location for ALC, Academic Excellence Online Programs

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth School District administration can now move forward with lease negotiations for the Radio Central building. On Thursday, the Duluth School Board approved a resolution to allow the administration to carry out a lease agreement with Advance Acquisitions for the space located on Central Entrance. The plan is for the building to be utilized by the Area…

Duluth Police K9 Hondo Retires After 6 Years on the Job

(courtesy: Northland K9 Foundation/Facebook) DULUTH, Minn. – The Northland K9 Foundation announced in a Friday Facebook post that Duluth Police K9 Hondo is retiring after six years on the job. K9 Hondo finished his last patrol shift Friday with his partner Officer Hurst who he has been working alongside since 2015. With a specialty in explosive detection, K9 Hondo and…

Morning Update 6-18-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Friday, June 18, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Friday, June 18, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, News, weather

Protests Continue at Minnesota Line 3 Oil Pipeline Project

(Evan Frost/Minnesota Public Radio via AP) PARK RAPIDS, Minn. (AP) — Opponents of the Enbridge Energy Line 3 oil pipeline project in northwestern Minnesota continued their protests this week by disrupting traffic in front of an Enbridge equipment site, leading to 31 arrests. Hubbard County Sheriff Cory Aukes said the incident began about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday when a van pulled in front…

Superior’s Summer ‘Porchfest Popups’ Begin

SUPERIOR, Wis.– A new summer pop-up event in Superior is letting locals enjoy live music right from porches of homes around town. That’s the sounds of local group similar dogs at Superior’s first ever “Porchfest Popup” Thursday night. Throughout the summer, three different porches will feature music in different neighborhoods around Superior. The pop-up events are organized by Siggy’s Musical…

Spirit Room Unveils New Outdoor Venue

SUPERIOR, Wis.– A popular Superior cocktail bar has taken its pandemic growing pains and turned them into a one-of-a-kind summer outdoor venue. The Spirit Room in Superior’s old city hall building on Broadway Street has laid down fake green turf in a section of the parking lot. It features tables and chairs, along with a border of individual coves for…

Pro Tire & Accessories Hosts ‘Custom Truck Mayhem’

The Event Serves as a Way for Staff, Reps to Connect with Customers Directly

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Big rigs were the name of the game at Pro Tire & Truck Accessories in Hermantown Thursday. The business was hosting its annual ‘Custom Truck Mayhem’ event. It serves as a way for staff to show off what they can do and allows for customers to connect with factory reps to discuss creative ways to trick out…

Bayfield Authorities Looking For Driver Of SUV Possibly Involved In Fatal Motorcycle Accident

BAYFIELD CO., Wis. — The Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office needs help finding the driver of an SUV that may have been involved in a fatal motorcycle accident. The collision happened just after 1 p.m. on Thursday on Highway 2 in the Township of Eileen, over in Bayfield County. When first responders arrived, they found the man who had been on…

Suspect Arrested for Assaulting, Stabbing 78-Year-Old Man in Lakeside

DULUTH, Minn. – Authorities say a 28-year-old Duluth man has been arrested after allegedly stabbing a 78-year-old man at his home in Lakeside and then stealing his truck. Warren Holt Jr. is currently being lodged at the St. Louis County Jail on pending charges of first-degree aggravated robbery, first and second-degree assault, and motor vehicle theft. According to the Duluth…

New Wellness Spa Opens in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn.- A new wellness spa is opening up in Duluth, specializing in services that aren’t common in this area. Heaven on Earth Wellness Spa off of East Central Entrance held its grand opening today. They offer cryotherapy, colon hydrotherapy, floatation therapy, an oxygen bar, and a lot more. “Most of our services boost immune systems and strengthen the body–the…

Juneteenth is Now a Federal Holiday

DULUTH, Minn.- President Joe Biden signed a bill this afternoon to make Juneteenth a federal holiday after it was passed by Congress. Juneteenth celebrates the end of the Civil War and slavery. The celebration is connected with the freed slaves of Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865. As they got the news the war was over and they were free…

Massive Preps Underway for Michelina’s All-You-Can-Eat Spaghetti Dinner

The Spaghetti Feed Helps Kick Off The Festivities Surrounding Grandma's Marathon

DULUTH, Minn. – You can’t have a marathon without a ton of carbs before the action gets underway. Massive preps continued Thursday for the Michelina’s All-You-Can-Eat Spaghetti Dinner happening Friday, June 18 at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC). The dinner has been a tradition since the start of the race in 1977. More than 8,000 plates are typically served…

Wisconsin Unemployment Unchanged at 3.9%

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin’s unemployment rate was unchanged for May at 3.9%, the state Department of Workforce Development reported Thursday. The nationwide unemployment rate in May was 5.8%. A year ago, in May 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic was worsening, Wisconsin’s unemployment rate was 10.4%. Wisconsin added 3,400 private-sector jobs in May, bringing its total to 201,100 more than…

The Latest: Michigan Lifts Indoor Capacity Restrictions

LANSING, Mich. — Michigan will lift all indoor capacity restrictions and mask requirements next week, 10 days sooner than planned amid vaccinations and plummeting COVID-19 infections, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Thursday. The state’s main coronavirus order will expire at the end of Monday instead of July 1, bringing an end to mandatory 50% occupancy limits inside restaurants, gyms and entertainment…

Gov. Walz Appoints Bhupesh Pattni to Fill Sixth Judicial District Vacancy

DULUTH, Minn. – Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced on Thursday the appointment of Bhupesh Pattni as District Court Judge in the Sixth Judicial District. Minnesota’s Sixth Judicial District encompasses Carlton, Cook, Lake, and St. Louis counties. “I am honored to appoint Bhupesh Pattni to the Sixth Judicial District,” said Governor Walz. “Mr. Pattni has a wealth of experience,…

Midday Update 6-17-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, June 17, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, June 17, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News, weather

Essentia Health Discusses Prevention, Symptoms During Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month

June is Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month

DULUTH, Minn. – According to the Alzheimer’s Association, worldwide, 50 million people are living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. June serves as Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month. Sara McCumber is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in the Essentia Neurology Department. McCumber says there are ways to help prevent Alzheimer’s Disease. One of the ways is to exercise. She says individuals…

Health Officials Tracking New COVID-19 Variant in Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is tracking a new variant of COVID-19 with more than two dozen cases in the state. The Delta strain has been elevated to a “variant of concern” in Wisconsin. The strain is fueling the coronavirus surge in the United Kingdom and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention…

Morning Update 6-17-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, June 17, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, June 17, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, News, weather

US Jobless Claims Tick up to 412,000 From a Pandemic Low

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose last week for the first time since April despite widespread evidence that the economy and the job market are rebounding steadily from the pandemic recession. Jobless claims rose 37,000 from the week before. As the job market has strengthened, the number of weekly applications for unemployment aid has…

Businesses Preparing Days in Advance for Grandma’s Marathon

TWO HARBORS, Minn.– Preparations have begun for this weekend’s Grandma’s Marathon and there is a lot more work to be done behind the scenes. It looks empty now, but by Saturday morning, thousands of fans and racers will be out here to get ready, set, and go for the 45th annual Grandma’s Marathon. This the largest event to return to…

Essentia Health Fitness Expo Kicks Off Thursday

There will be close to 75 vendors displaying the latest and greatest in runner gear and fitness items.

DULUTH, Minn. — The official kick off of events for Grandma’s Marathon begins on Thursday with the Essentia Health Fitness Expo at the DECC. There will be close to 75 vendors displaying the latest and greatest in runner gear and fitness items. Although the Expo will look a bit different with Covid-19 protocols still in place, organizers still wanted to…

Portion of Superior Street Reopens

Superior Street between First and Third Avenue West reopened Wednesday night after being closed since late April.

DULUTH, Minn. — A section of Superior Street reopened to traffic on Wednesday. Superior Street from First through Third Avenue West reopened Wednesday night after being closed since late April. Just in time for the start of the busy tourism season, businesses like the Lyric Kitchen which officially reopened on Monday, are excited about seeing more traffic in the area….

DULUTH PLAYHOUSE KICKS OFF SUMMER CAMP SERIES

DULUTH, Minn.- Time to put on your dancing shoes; The Duluth Playhouse kicked off their summer theatre camp series at the NorShor Theatre this week. The playhouse offers acting and musical theatre camps for different age groups. This week they have groups doing productions of Shrek and Bring It On. All groups will showcase their work in a performance Friday….

Minnesota Reaches Vaccination Mark of 3 Million Residents

(David Joles/Star Tribune via AP,File) ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota has reached 3 million residents who’ve had at least one COVID-19 shot, health officials said Wednesday. The Minnesota Department of Health said 3,005,706 Minnesotans had received at least their first dose as of Monday, while 2,774,889 had completed the series. The department logged 5,979 new vaccinations Monday. The 3…

Fed Sees Faster Time Frame for Rate Hikes as Inflation Rises

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Reserve signaled that it may act sooner than previously planned to start dialing back the low-interest-rate policies that have helped fuel a swift rebound from the pandemic recession but have also coincided with rising inflation. The policymakers forecast that they would raise their benchmark short-term rate — which affects many consumer and business rates, from…

Wisconsin Assembly to Vote on Transgender Sports Bans

(Steve Apps/Wisconsin State Journal via AP) MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Republican-controlled Wisconsin Assembly plans to vote on bills banning transgender athletes from participating in girls’ and women’s sports. The measures being debated Wednesday in the middle of gay pride month are all but certain to be headed for a veto by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. Even though they are…

Man Who Drove at Minneapolis Protesters Charged With Murder

(Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office via AP) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A St. Paul man has been charged with intentional second-degree murder for allegedly driving into a group of protesters in Minneapolis. Prosecutors say 35-year-old Nicholas Kraus was drunk Sunday night when he tried to “jump” a car that was being used as a barricade by protesters in the city’s Uptown neighborhood….

Midday Update 6-16-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, June 16, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, June 16, 2021. Have a great day! Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News, weather

Wisconsin Assembly to Vote on Chokehold Ban, Policing Bills

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Assembly is poised to send a package of police reform bills to Gov. Tony Evers, including a measure banning police use of chokeholds except in life-threatening situations or in self-defense. The proposal is among a dozen bipartisan policing bills up for approval on Wednesday that have broad support among the law enforcement community. The…

Wisconsin Bill Forbids Requiring Proof of COVID Vaccination

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Assembly planned to vote Wednesday on a Republican-backed bill that would prohibit businesses, colleges and universities, governments, and anyone else in the state from requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination. The measure must also pass the Senate and be signed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers before becoming law. Evers has signaled that he will veto…