News

Roundtable Talks Economic Recovery

DULUTH, Minn.- The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development or DEED, met with local community leaders to talk economic recovery for Northlanders post pandemic. The discussion covered legislative programs for employment development and initiatives towards child care assistance. DEED is looking to help people who lost their job due to COVID. “We just got through an unprecedented moment in…

New Direct Flights are Coming to Duluth International Airport

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth International Airport is announcing its new direct flight service from Duluth to Denver, Colorado, and the $750,000 grant supporting it. The $750,000 grant is being matched with $250,000 from the community along with other financial pledges. “So it’s important for us to have a wide portfolio of air service where it helps the economy grow and…

With School Supply Stockpile, CHUM Makes Plea for Food, Monetary Donations

Monetary Donations Made Before July 31 will be Matched Dollar for Dollar

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s hard to believe, but the return to school is just around the corner. This year, instead of doing a back-to-school drive, CHUM is looking for your help with feeding Northland families in need. With virtual learning taking place for much of last year, the organization has plenty of school supplies already in stock for this fall….

Shipping Industry Rebounding after Rough 2020 Year

This year, shipping is now making a comeback and iron ore is leading the resurgence.

DULUTH, Minn. — The shipping industry is picking up after a rough 2020. With the total tonnage received last year being the lowest the Port Authority has seen since 1983. This year, shipping is now making a comeback and iron ore is leading the resurgence. So far there have been 2.3 million short tons going through the Twin Ports in…

Duluth State Trooper Involved in Sandstone Crash

SANDSTONE, Minn. (FOX 9) – At least one person was injured in a crash involving a Minnesota State Patrol squad and a pickup truck on an Interstate 35 overpass in Sandstone late Friday morning. According to the State Patrol’s preliminary incident report, the trooper was driving east on Highway 23 and making a left turn onto the entrance ramp to northbound Interstate…

$200 Million Now Available to Help Loggers Hit Hard by Pandemic

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Minnesota U.S. Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar have announced $200 million is now available for logging and log hauling businesses that have been hurt by the pandemic. The funding was secured through the Loggers Relief Act, which Sen. Smith introduced with Sen. Collins (R-Maine) last year. According to a press release, timber harvesting and hauling businesses faced significant losses, and…

Labor Agreements Reached for Thousands of State of Minnesota Employees

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP)-Thousands of state employees in Minnesota would get a raise and a new paid holiday if labor contract agreements are finalized. Minnesota’s two biggest state employee unions on Thursday reached agreements with negotiators from Gov. Tim Walz’s administration. The contracts cover most of the state’s workforce and are subject to ratification by union members and the Legislature….

Midday Update 7-23-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Friday, July 23, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ryan Johnson for a local look at news and weather making headlines Friday, July 23, 2021. Have a great day! Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, midday update, News, ryan johnson, weather

Cleveland’s Baseball Team Goes From Indians to Guardians

CLEVELAND (AP)-Known as the Indians since 1915, Cleveland’s Major League Baseball team will be called Guardians. The ballclub announced the name change on Twitter, ending months of internal discussions triggered by a national reckoning by institutions and teams to permanently drop logos and names considered racist. The choice of Guardians will undoubtedly be criticized by many of the club’s die-hard…

Morning Update 7-23-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Friday, July 23, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ryan Johnson for a local look at news and weather making headlines Friday, July 23, 2021. Have a great day! Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, morning update, News, ryan johnson, weather

Suspect Arrested for Burglary of Duluth Essentia Pharmacy

DULUTH, Minn.-A 32-year-old man has been arrested after being accused of burglarizing Essentia’s Third Street pharmacy in Duluth. Police accuse the suspect of being involved in a burglary that happened at 1:08 a.m., at a pharmacy inside Essentia Health’s Third Street Clinic on Friday, July 16. Police say the suspect broke an exterior glass window, made entry into the pharmacy,…

Skyline Social & Games Offering Free Weekly Bowling For Kids

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — Skyline Social & Games in Hermantown is now offering free bowling for kids Monday through Thursday. The program was previously offered on Tuesdays only. Now with their venue at full capacity, managers wanted people to finally get the full experience of Skyline and its new renovations after having to close multiple times due to the pandemic. “We’ve…

AICHO’s Indigenous Food, Art Market Saturday

DULUTH, Minn.– An Indigenous Food and Arts Market is coming back to Duluth’s Central Hillside community this Saturday. It’s put on by the American Indian Community Housing Organization, known as AICHO. The market offers a local and diverse variety of indigenous food, artwork and handmade goods. Organizers tell us about 500 people showed up in July. “I’m not sure there’s…

28th Taste of Greece Preparations Underway

DULUTH, Minn.– The Taste of Greece Festival makes its return to the Marshall School this Saturday and Sunday for its 28th year. This two-day, free festival, showcases Greek culture through music, dance, and delicious food, drinks, and pastries. After serving pre-packaged meals during the pandemic last year, being able to prepare food and serve close to three thousand people in-person…

Duluth Downtown Farmers Market Canceled for Rest of Season

DULUTH, Minn.– On Thursday morning, the Greater Downtown Council called off Duluth’s downtown farmers market for the 2021 summer season. Some of the reasons include farmers having trouble growing produce from the drought, and not being able to staff both the farms and their stands. One member of the market says “it’s sad” to hear of the cancellation, as so…

‘Pizza and Pistons’ Celebrated in Hermantown

HERMANTOWN, Minn.-Earlier today classic cars and pizza were celebrated in Hermantown during a unique event. The annual “Pizza and Pistons” at Do North Pizza in Hermantown features dozens of classic cars along with specials on pizzas. “A lot of it’s the cars, a lot of it’s the people,” said Do North Owner Bryan Gray. “These guys and women are all…

Diversity and Inclusion Workshop for Local Business Leaders

DULUTH, Minn.- Diversity and inclusion are important topics for workplaces. That’s why the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce, Lake Superior College, and Visit Duluth teamed up for a diversity and inclusion workshop for local businesses. “Practical ways that we can combat racism in our workplaces, to make those places more welcoming to not just employees but to customers, consumers, patients,…

Planter’s Mr. Peanut Visits Northland

DULUTH, Minn.- A Planter’s Nut Mobile made a stop in Duluth today. Mr. Peanut came to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum to take photos with fans. Families also accompanied Mr. Peanut for a train ride along the North Shore Scenic Railroad. “It’s so incredible to travel with Mr. Peanut in the nut mobile because it is such a historic brand,”…

Gardening Season Is Surviving the Drought

DULUTH, Minn.- Although the Northland is in a drought, local gardens and garden suppliers are doing well this growing season. Business is picking up for Marshall Hardware in the garden supply department. The current dry conditions are bringing crowds of people in for sprinkler systems and water tanks. “A lot of people out and about doing outdoor projects right now,”…

Duluth Airport Authority Receives $750,000 Grant for Direct Air Service to Denver

DULUTH, Minn. – Congressman Pete Stauber announced today that the Duluth Airport Authority received a $750,000 grant from the Department of Transportation to help fund direct flights from Duluth to Denver. Congressman Stauber stated, “As Minnesotans become increasingly more excited to travel again, I am proud to announce funds to help establish a direct flight from the Duluth Airport to…

Superior National Forest, BWCA Tightens Fire Restrictions

DULUTH, Minn. – On Thursday, the Superior National Forest announced campfires of any kind will no longer be allowed in the Forest or the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The newly tightened restrictions include a ban on fires even in designated fire rings and go into effect immediately. According to a recent news release, the Forest Supervisor is restricting campfires…

Amazon’s Mission: Getting a ‘Key’ to Your Apartment Building

NEW YORK (AP) – Amazon is pushing landlords around the country to give its drivers the ability to unlock apartment building front doors whenever they need to leave packages in the lobby instead of the street. The service, called Amazon Key for Business, allows delivery workers to make their rounds faster since they don’t have to ring doorbells. And fewer…

Midday Update 7-22-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, July 22, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, July 22, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News, weather

Greater Downtown Council: Downtown Farmers Market Canceled for Remainder of the Season

DULUTH, Minn. – On Thursday, the Greater Downtown Council announced that the Downtown Farmers Market has been canceled for the remainder of the summer season. The Farmers Market was originally scheduled to be held every Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Fountain Plaza. The council says the decision was made to cancel the remaining dates due to…

Festival by the Lake Returns to Bayfront Park

Festival by the Lake is Happening Saturday, July 24 from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

DULUTH, Minn. – Festival by the Lake, formally known as Taste of Duluth, is back in full force on Saturday, July 24 at Bayfront Festival Park in Duluth. The event features food, live music, product and service displays, shopping, demonstrations, arts and crafts, beer, and many other exhibits of interest to attendees. “There are numerous reasons for the name change…

US Jobless Claims Rise to 419,000 From a Pandemic Low

WASHINGTON (AP) – The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits rose last week from the lowest point of the pandemic, even as the job market appears to be rebounding on the strength of a reopened economy. Jobless claims increased to 419,000 from 368,000 the previous week. The weekly number of first-time applications for benefits, which generally tracks layoffs, has fallen…

Morning Update 7-22-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, July 22, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, July 22, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, News, weather

The Superior Vocation Center Changes Name

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The Superior Vocation Center is rebranding. The training facility is celebrating its name change to “Embark Supported Employment,” bringing in new ways of helping the disabled community. “Embark is very important for the people that we serve–people with disabilities,” said executive director Ashby Rawstern. “It gives them the opportunity to interact. A lot of times the people we…

State Parks Closely Monitoring Dry Conditions

Campers are urged to keep fires small and under watch.

ESKO, Minn. — As campgrounds around the area continue their busy summer, state parks in the area are keeping a close eye on the dry conditions. Park staff are asking people to be careful with their campfires as they don’t have any burning restrictions. Campers are urged to keep fires small and under watch. “There is of course the fire…

Poor Air Quality Continues to Affect Health

DULUTH, Minn.- The current air quality alert in the Northland is moderate to unhealthy for sensitive groups, while other parts of Northern Minnesota are experiencing very unhealthy conditions. Medical experts advise people stay indoors and limit their physical exercise. “This predominantly affects high risk population. Patients that are under 18 or over 65,” said allergy specialist Dr. Minto Porter. “COPD,…

Current Drought Has Campers Thinking Twice Before Venturing North

Campfires Are Still Allowed Within Minnesota State Parks in Designated Fire Rings

SILVER CREEK TOWNSHIP, Minn. – Drought conditions in Northeastern Minnesota are causing some visitors to think ahead before making the trek up the North Shore. For Josh Killen and his 15-year-old son, Cody, visiting from Owatonna, Minnesota, is always something they look forward to. They visit roughly three times a year but have never experienced a camping trip when it’s…

Duluth Public School Return in the Fall

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth public schools are returning to in-person classes in September. All grades will go back for a full five-day week of learning, but social distancing alternatives are available for high school students through the district’s academic excellence online program. “There’s so much of a human connection that people are really looking forward to,” said superintendent John Magas. “I…

US Extends COVID-19 Travel Restrictions With Canada and Mexico Through August 21

(CNN) – The Biden administration is extending non-essential travel restrictions for the US northern and southern borders until August 21. The US has been limiting non-essential travel along both borders since the start of the pandemic and extending those restrictions on a monthly basis. The restrictions don’t apply to cross-border trade, US citizens and lawful permanent residents, as well as…

Duluth Public Schools Prep for Return to In-Person Learning This Fall

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Public Schools Superintendent John Magas says schools are prepping to return to five days a week, in-person learning for the upcoming school year. “Our schools will continue to prioritize student learning needs while protecting the health and safety for staff and students and monitor any impact of COVID-19 on school operations,” said Magas. “We’re providing families…

Midday Update 7-21-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, July 21, 2021

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