News

Wisconsin GOP Plans for Spending Federal Stimulus May Not Be Allowed

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The majority of Wisconsin Republicans’ plans for spending $3.2 billion in federal stimulus money either may not be allowed under the law or might have to be repaid. That’s according to reviews of the bills that are moving quickly through the Legislature by the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau. Republicans are moving to pass bills that would…

Midday Update 4-7-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, April 7, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News, weather

Demolition Begins at Site of Future Lincoln Park Flats Complex

DULUTH, Minn. – Demolition has started in Lincoln Park at the site of the future Lincoln Park Flats complex. P&R Companies new development will be at the former Robert’s Home Furnishings building located at 2104 West Superior Street. The company says Lincoln Park Flats will be a four-story complex that will house 74 residential apartment units including studio, one and…

Minnesota DNR Reminds Homeowners to be Mindful of Bears

There are Three Important Things to Remember if You're Looking to Avoid Bear on Your Property

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s the most wonderful time of the year for many residents in the Northland — Spring. It’s a time for new adventures when you can finally get outdoors more, and maybe even open up the cabin a little early. With the excitement, the local division of the Minnesota DNR is reminding folks to be on the lookout…

Surfers Enjoy Waves on Lake Superior

On Park Point, the waves and the sand are more forgiving than the rockier terrain as you head north.

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s not just the forces of Nature that call Lake Superior home. “Whenever there is a storm I definitely chase after it,” UMD RSOP Coordinator, Randy Carlson says. One of the largest bodies of fresh water in the world, It’s hard not to notice the growing Lake Superior surfing community. “We have a North Shore Minnesota Chapter…

Morning Update 4-7-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, April 7, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, weather

Minnesota Hospitalizations Climb As Virus Cases Trend Upward

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota health officials say nearly 500 Minnesotans are currently hospitalized due to the coronavirus as case numbers continue to rise despite the state’s vaccination campaign. About 497 Minnesotans are hospitalized Tuesday, including 114 in intensive care. Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm says the state’s efforts to prioritize vaccinations in populations most vulnerable to the virus could prevent a…

Felton Named Duluth Diocese Bishop

DULUTH, Minn. – The Very Rev. Daniel Felton, of the Diocese of Green Bay, has been named the tenth bishop of the Diocese of Duluth. His episcopal ordination and installation have been set for May 20. Bishop-elect Felton, 65, was ordained a priest in June of 1981 and has since had parish assignments at Holy Innocents in Manitowoc, St. Raphael…

Democratic-Backed Underly Elected Wisconsin Schools Chief

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Jill Underly rode support from the state teachers’ union and an overwhelming financial advantage to win election as Wisconsin superintendent of schools. Underly defeated Republican-backed Deb Kerr in Tuesday’s election. Underly is superintendent of the rural Pecatonica school district and formerly worked for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, which she will now lead. Kerr is…

County Seat Theater Showcases Performance

County Seat Theater Company is opening a performance of “Almost Maine” this weekend and it will run through next weekend.

CLOQUET, Minn. – County Seat Theater Company is opening a performance of “Almost Maine” this weekend and it will run through next weekend. This is the second production that the company has put on since the lockdown with the production in February. With restrictions in place, about 40 of the 140 seats are seated. There is also a cast of…

Dry Conditions Fueled Several Wildfires, Experts Give Safety Tips

Dry conditions around the Northland have fueled several recent wildfires and even though rain is in the forecast, experts know fire potential remains high.

DULUTH, Minn. – Dry conditions around the Northland have fueled several recent wildfires and even though rain is in the forecast, experts know fire potential remains high. Around two dozen wildfires have been reported around the Northland over the past couple of weeks. 8 of those happened last Saturday alone. With conditions nice and dry and humidity being really low,…

Fragile Trails During Change of Seasons

With rain moving in and the ground thawing, you’re being urged to stay off any trails that are blocked off to avoid damaging them.

DULUTH, Minn. – With rain moving in and the ground thawing, you’re being urged to stay off any trails that are blocked off to avoid damaging them. Park crews tell us foot and the traffic on a mushy trail can create nasty water trapping ruts when the ground finally dries and that means more work for volunteers who have to…

Red Bull Snowmobile Rider Levi LaVallee Thrilled to Debut New Duluth Stunt Video

LaVallee Filmed Stunts in Duluth in Late February into Early March

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s something you don’t see every day in the City of Duluth – a man so full of adrenaline and excitement that he wants to jump his snowmobile over a moving train, or on a busy road such as Lake Avenue. Red Bull professional snowmobile rider Levi LaVallee isn’t thrilled unless boundaries are pushed to the max….

National Library Week Celebrated in Northland

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Libraries are being celebrated across the country this week for National Library Week. We caught up with leadership from the Superior Public Library who reflected on what’s it been like over the past year during the pandemic. They say it has been rough, but they have learned more about how they can better service the community. “We have…

UWS Professor Nominated for Pulitzer Prize

The book is a long poetic verse called Roze and Blud and it dives into the two main characters Roze Mertha and William Blud.

SUPERIOR, Wis. — A University of Wisconsin-Superior writing professor has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize award. The book is a long poetic verse called “Roze and Blud” and it dives into the two main characters Roze Mertha and William Blud. The motivation for these two characters comes from a culmination of author Jayson Iwen’s interactions with friends, and other…

Lake Superior College Opens In-Person Registration for Fall Semester

LSC will continue to enforce social distancing and mask wearing next semester.

DULUTH, Minn. — Lake Superior College has announced that school will resume all in-person courses for the upcoming fall semester. Current students began registering for courses on Monday while incoming students can get their first crack at registering Wednesday. Faculty at the campus say, students have been excited to get back on campus, especially for the courses that deal with…

Election Day Begins in Wisconsin

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Polls opened at 7 a.m. at multiple locations in Superior, as residents fill out their ballots for many seats up for grabs. Election officials tell us that although the pandemic has made things difficult, they are still able to able to host an election without many hiccups. “They have the Plexiglas up to prevent any transmission that way….

Minnesota Debuts Vaccine Outreach Campaign Aimed at Workers

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz on Tuesday launched an outreach campaign aimed at vaccinating Minnesota workers in frontline industries in the coming weeks. The outreach effort, which is part of a broader statewide “Roll Up Your Sleeves, MN” campaign, aims to connect workers in industries like food service with opportunities to get vaccinated at state-run community vaccination sites. The…

Furniture Mart USA Buys Former Duluth ShopKo

DULUTH, Minn. – Furniture Mart USA has bought the former Shopko building in Duluth. According to public records the company bought the building and land for $3 million. The building, located in the Stone Ridge Shopping Center on West Central Entrance, was home to Shopko until 2019. In late August 2020, Spirit Halloween opened at the location for the Halloween…

Midday Update 4-6-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, April 6, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Tuesday, April 6, 2021. Have a great day! Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, weather

Sawyer County Authorities Identify Female Found Dead From Multiple Gunshot Wounds

SAWYER COUNTY, Wis. – Authorities in Sawyer County have identified the female victim found dead from multiple gunshot wounds in residence in Sawyer County last week. According to the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to reports of a deceased female around 12:26 a.m. Friday at a residence on Hungary Lake Lane in the Town of Sand Lake. The Sawyer…

Morning Update 4-6-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, April 6, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Tuesday, April 6, 2021. Have a great day! Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, weather

Police Chief: Fired Cop Broke Policy in Pinning Floyd

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minneapolis police chief who called George Floyd’s death “murder” soon after it happened testified that Officer Derek Chauvin had clearly violated department policy when he pinned Floyd’s neck beneath his knee for more than 9 minutes. Chief Medaria Arradondo took the stand on Day Six of Chauvin’s trial in the death of the 46-year-old Black man…

Official: Biden Moving Vaccine Eligibility Date to April 19

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Joe Biden is set to announce that he’s shaving about two weeks off his May 1 deadline for states to make all adults eligible for coronavirus vaccines. A White House official says Biden will make the announcement later Tuesday. With states gradually expanding eligibility beyond such priority groups as seniors and essential, front-line workers, the president…

Mayor Larson’s ‘State Of The City’ Core Principles: Equity, Sustainability, Community

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Mayor Emily Larson held a virtual State of the City address Monday night acknowledging last year’s painful struggles through the pandemic and social justice issues surrounding George Floyd’s death — while praising the city’s determination to come together peacefully with a focus on being a stronger, more equitable community. “None of this will be easy. Last…

KYN: Skin Deep Tattoo and Piercing

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — Artist Jason Routley has been providing tattoos to people in the Twin Ports area since 2018. “I love being an artist. It’s like all my dreams from my childhood are coming true. Just doing what I love to do,” Skin Deep Tattoo and Peircing Co-Owner, Jason Routley says. And now, they have moved to a new location…

Wisconsin Expands Vaccine Eligibility

As of today, 34% of Douglas County residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Today, Wisconsinites 16 years and older now are eligible to receive a Covid-19 vaccine. With Governor Tony Evers making the announcement, Wisconsin residents now have an increased eligibility to get vaccinated. As of today, 34% of Douglas County residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine. Health officials say they are prepared for more members…

Easter Sunday Fatal Duluth Apartment Fire Believed To Be Accidental

An accidental fatal fire in the same building less than a year ago is not related, according to officials.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Fire Marshal’s Office is calling its investigation into a fatal apartment fire on Easter Sunday as accidental. The call for help came in around 1 p.m. Sunday on the 600 block of East 3rd Street in the city’s East Hillside neighborhood. Upon arrival, crews found fire in a bedroom of a first-floor apartment, which is…

After Devastating Fire, Town of La Pointe Volunteer Fire, Rescue, EMTs Spring Back into Action

Fire Destroyed the Town of La Pointe Fire Hall Back in March of 2019, Now Volunteers Are Settling into a New Facility

LA POINTE, Wis. – They’re the people we call when emergencies happen at the worst times in our life — Fire officials, EMTs, and other emergency personnel. It was in early March of 2019 when these volunteer heroes responded to their headquarters for help. Now more than two years later, there’s hope on the horizon, and morale is back and…

Highway 2, 53 Resurfacing Project Now Underway in Superior

The Project is Expected to be Complete by October of 2020

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers recently allocated five million dollars for a resurfacing project in Superior, and the work officially broke ground Monday. A 2.5 mile stretch of construction is now underway from 29th Avenue East, to 53rd Avenue East in Superior’s Allouez and Itasca neighborhoods. During the construction that’s taking place on Highway 2 and 53, crews…

‘Northern Lights Express’ Supporters Hopeful For Federal Funding

DULUTH, Minn. — Backers of high-speed rail service from Duluth to Minneapolis are hopeful President Joe Biden’s new infrastructure proposal could make the rail project finally happen. The Northern Lights Express project has stalled for years because of a lack of funding. It’ll cost $500 to $600 million to complete, and supporters hope $80 billion in funding for rail projects…

MnDOT Road Construction Ramps Up For Interchange Project

DULUTH, Minn. — Construction season is upon us and that means added congestion on some Northland roadways. One of the biggest construction projects is the Twin Ports Interchange. Southbound traffic on I-35 will be limited to one lane from 21st Avenue West to 27th Avenue West through Duluth during the current phase. MnDOT project managers are advising drivers to add…

Wisconsin Governor Declares Emergency Because of Wildfires

MADISON, S.D. (AP) — Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers on Monday declared a state of emergency in response to dangerous wildfire conditions throughout the state. The executive order will ensure support from the Wisconsin National Guard and use of the Guard’s Blackhawk helicopters. It directs all state agencies to assist when needed in wildfire prevention, response, and recovery efforts. There have…

Death of ‘Miracle on Ice’ Standout Pavelich Ruled Suicide

ANOKA, Minn. (AP) — Last month’s death of “Miracle on Ice” Olympic hockey standout Mark Pavelich was ruled a suicide, a Minnesota medical examiner said Monday. The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office in Anoka County said in a news release that the 63-year-old Pavelich died of asphyxia. His body was found on March 3 at the Eagle’s Healing Nest in Sauk…

Minnesota State Fairgrounds to Serve as COVID-19 Vaccination Site

FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. (FOX 9) – The Minnesota State Fairgrounds will serve as a federally-supported COVID-19 mass vaccination site, state and federal officials announced Monday. The site will administer a combination of 168,000 Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson doses of the vaccine over eight weeks, which will result in over 100,000 total people being vaccinated, according to a news release from Gov….

Midday Update 4-5-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Monday, April 5, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Monday, April 5, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, weather

CDC Director: Young People Fueling Virus Uptick

WASHINGTON — A top U.S. public health official says young people are driving the latest uptick in COVID-19 cases, as the increasing rate of vaccination in older Americans is preventing the most serious cases among seniors. Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said during a briefing Monday that “cases are increasing nationally, and…

UMD Music Department Hosting Three Free Outdoor Concerts in April

The Concerts will Take Place Wednesday, April 7, 14, 21 in UMD Lot A

DULUTH, Minn. – Throughout the month of April you’re invited to join student musicians from UMD’s Department of Music as they return to the live stage in a series of outdoor concerts. The free events will feature a wide variety of instrumental and vocal ensembles. The concerts are happening Wednesday, April 7, 14, and 21 at 12:00 p.m. and 3:00…

Morning Update 4-5-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Monday, April 5, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Monday, April 5, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, weather