News

Panel Weighs COVID Bonuses for Minnesota’s Frontline Workers

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Health care, school, and food workers who risked their lives at the height of the pandemic have made pitches for a piece of the $250 million in COVID-19 relief money that Minnesota plans to allocate as bonuses to essential frontline workers. They told their stories Wednesday as a bipartisan panel of nine Minnesota lawmakers began sorting out…

Walz Noncommittal on Mask Requirement in Schools After CDC Changes

(FOX 9) – Gov. Tim Walz was noncommittal Tuesday when asked if he would go further than new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and impose a new mask mandate for Minnesota schools. Walz removed his statewide mask mandate this spring as vaccinations rates grew and COVID-19 cases receded. At the time, the CDC said vaccinated people…

MDH: All K-12 Students, Staff Should Wear Masks in Schools This Fall

(FOX 9) – Minnesota health and education officials are recommending all students, teachers, staff, and visitors in school buildings wear masks when they return to school this fall, regardless of vaccination status. The recommendation follows the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding masking in K-12 schools. MDH is expected to release more details regarding the updated school…

Midday Update 7-28-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, July 28, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News, weather

Essentia Health President Discusses New CDC Guidelines, Push to Vaccinate the Unvaccinated

Dr. Jon Pryor, President of Essentia Health, Talks Vaccinations and Routine Medical Care

DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota health officials are warning the highly contagious Delta variant of COVID-19 now accounts for more than 75 percent of the state’s new cases. “This is turning out to be a pandemic of the unvaccinated,” said Dr. Jon Pryor, President of Essentia Health. “If you’re vaccinated, you still could get COVID, odds are pretty low.” Pryor says…

Duluth Costco Now Accepting Applications for All Positions

DULUTH, Minn. – While construction continues on the Duluth Costco building, the company’s website says it is now accepting applications for all positions at the store. Construction crews started working on the site located at the intersection of Haines and West Arrowhead Roads last August. The store is expected to be around 160,000 square feet with more than 700 parking…

Man Charged With Sending Threatening Emails to Dr. Fauci

GREENBELT, Md. (AP) — A man has been arrested and charged in federal court with sending emails that threatened to harm and kill Dr. Anthony Fauci, National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins, and their families, federal prosecutors in Maryland announced Tuesday. A criminal complaint filed Monday charges Thomas Patrick Connally Jr., 56, with threats against a federal official…

Morning Update 7-28-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, July 28, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, News, weather

Court Nixes New Trial for ‘Making a Murderer’ Subject Avery

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The Wisconsin Court of Appeal has rejected a request by “Making a Murderer” subject Steven Avery for a new trial. Avery is serving a life sentence for the 2005 killing of photographer Teresa Halbach. The case was the focus of a popular Netflix series whose creators raised questions about the convictions of Avery and his nephew,…

Mobile ‘Bus-eum’ Brings Research on Racism, Lynchings to Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial

This former school bus was transformed into this back in 2019, creating a walk-through collection of information and artifacts.

DULUTH, Minn.- A mobile museum that travels the country to educate the public on racial violence such as lynchings throughout history stopped in Duluth this week. The TRACES Center for History and Culture “Bus-eum” parked by the Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial. This former school bus was transformed into this back in 2019, creating a walk-through collection of information and artifacts….

Family’s Newly Purchased Home Among Extensive Storm Damage In Grand Rapids

Wind speeds during Monday night’s storms clocked in between 70 and 80 miles an hour in Grand Rapids, snapping trees and power poles and damaging homes.

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn.- Wind speeds during Monday night’s storms clocked in between 70 and 80 miles an hour in Grand Rapids, snapping trees and power poles and damaging homes – some where families just moved in. “It’s kind of unbelievable that’s for sure,” said Emily Major. The storm — and a big hole in the roof — was definitely not…

Fredenberg Minno-ette Hooks New Ownership

Jason Manning and His Wife Brianna Purchased the Minno-ette in December of 2020

DULUTH, Minn. – A staple more than seven decades old in the Northland just recently switched over into new hands. Now the Fredenberg Minno-ette is truly a family affair. “It’s fantastic, it’s something I certainly don’t take for granted,” said Jason Manning, the new owner of the Fredenberg Minno-ette. For this local, longtime radio personality, it’s hard to reel in…

North Shore Cleans Up After Destructive Storm

TWO HARBORS, Minn.– After 70 mile per hour winds whip through the Northland, Two Harbors spends the day cleaning up what is described as a short but destructive storm. The town was littered with debris from last nights storm and community members shared their initial reactions to what they saw and heard, including one homeowner who experienced the brunt of…

City Leaders Hoping for Larger Voter Turnout in Municipal Primary

The municipal primary will be held Tuesday, August 10th.

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth’s municipal primary is just a few weeks away and city leaders are pushing for a larger turnout. The city council at large, city council second district and city council fourth district seats are up for grabs come November. With early voting now open at city hall, officials say in a comparable election back in 2017, they…

Fire Crews Respond to Several Weather Related Calls Monday Night

Fire department crews were responding to storm related calls for several hours Monday night.

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Fire Department responded to several calls Monday night due to the storms. In addition to responding to their normal medical calls, departments also responded to several calls regarding down trees and power lines. Officials want to remind the public to steer clear of debris during inclement weather. “It’s really imperative to make sure that there’s…

South St. Louis County Fair in Need of Volunteers

The fair starts Wednesday and goes through Sunday.

PROCTOR, Minn. — The annual South Saint Louis County and Proctor Fair is coming back for its 100th year. This year they will have an inflatable carnival, several food and carnival venders along with monster trucks and racing on the weekend. Organizers are still looking for volunteers throughout the fair to help keep the tradition going. “We always need volunteers,”…

CDC: Masks Indoors in US Where Cases Surging

NEW YORK -The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced new recommendations that vaccinated people return to wearing masks indoors in parts of the U.S. where the coronavirus is surging. Scientists cited new information about the ability of the delta variant to spread among vaccinated people. The CDC also recommended indoor masks for all teachers, staff, students and visitors to…

Four Arrested During Multiple Arrest Operations in Connection to Duluth Shootings

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Police say four individuals were arrested Monday morning during multiple arrest and search warrant operations stemming from an ongoing investigation into Duluth shootings. Around 8:00 a.m. the Duluth Police Department, DPD’s Tactical Response Team, the Lake Superior Drug, and Violent Crime Task Force, Duluth Police Violent Crimes Unit, and St. Louis County Emergency Response Team conducted…

Duluth Man Arrested in Connection to June Downtown Shooting

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Police have arrested and charged a 37-yer-old Duluth man with second-degree attempted murder after he shot a 41-year-old during a verbal altercation last month. Police say, James Lamont Burns, 37, shot 41-year-old William David Urrutia on the 100 block of East 3rd Street around 9:15 p.m. June 20. According to the criminal complaint, Urrutia was transported…

Midday Update 7-27-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Tuesday, July 27, 2021. Have a great day! Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, duluth, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News, superior, weather

Mayo Clinic Joins Others in Requiring Worker Vaccinations

ROCHESTER, Minn. (AP) – Mayo Clinic says it will require employees to be vaccinated against the coronavirus by mid-September, becoming one of the latest health systems to do so as delta variant cases rise around the country. The Rochester-based medical system says the “vast majority” of its employees are already vaccinated. But it says all employees must be fully vaccinated…

CDC Expected to Backpedal on Some Masking Guidelines

(AP) – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was expected to backpedal Tuesday on its masking guidelines and recommend that even vaccinated people wear masks indoors in parts of the U.S. where the coronavirus is surging, a federal official said. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to discuss details of the new…

Great Lakes Aquarium Will Take Your Lead Tackle

DULUTH, Minn. – The Great Lakes Aquarium is collecting lead-based fishing tackle in hopes of reducing lead poisoning in wildlife. Working with the Minnesota pollution control agency the aquarium is encouraging people to bring in their lead tackle by giving lead-free tackle as a replacement. Lead can be especially harmful to loons as the birds oftentimes prey on fish who…

Vintage Hideaway Marketplace Helping Support Over 40 Local Vendors

The Vintage Hideaway Marketplace is Located at 3850 Old Midway Road in Hermantown

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Supporting small businesses is vital to keeping the local economy thriving and well. Since the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, every dollar spent locally means more now than it ever has before. A new business now open in Hermantown is showcasing the work of more than 40 local vendors. “The parking lot’s full. People are coming,”…

Morning Update 7-27-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Tuesday, July 27, 2021. Have a great day! Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, duluth, Hail, Ken Slama, Lightning, Local News, morning update, rain, storm damage, Thunder, weather

Lake Country Power Crews Responding to Extensive Damage Caused by Severe Storms

COHASSET, Minn. – Lake Country Power says that while line crews are continuing to respond to outages caused by Monday night’s severe storms, there are still a reported 90 total outages affecting roughly 1,356 members as of 9:30 a.m. Tuesday morning. Affected areas are primarily in the Grand Rapids and Kettle River service areas. “The cooperative is reporting trees on…

Duluth Police: Four Arrested in Connection to Duluth Shootings

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Police say four people were arrested on Monday morning as part of an arrest and search warrant operation in connection to shootings that have occurred in Duluth. Authorities say the Duluth Police Department, DPD’s Tactical Response Team, the Lake Superior Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, Duluth Police Violent Crimes Unit, and St. Louis County Emergency…

Wisconsin Assembly to Consider Override of Unemployment Veto

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – It’s shaping up to be a day full of partisan sniping but no real action in the Wisconsin Assembly. Republicans called the Assembly back into session Tuesday to vote on overriding Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ veto of a bill that would have ended a federal $300 weekly unemployment supplemental payment. To succeed, Republicans will need Democrats…

Attorney General Visits Superior, Encourages Clergy and Faith Leader Abuse Reports to Come Forward

SUPERIOR, Wis.– In April, the state of Wisconsin announced an independent state-wide review about the sexual abuse cases stemming from clergy and faith leaders. Since this announcement, over 100 cases have come forth across the state, and today, the state’s Attorney General Josh Kaul, visited Superior to encourage more reports to come through as the Attorney General’s office works with…

Minnesota Officials Urge Shots as Delta Variant Surges

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)-Minnesota health officials are warning that the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus now accounts for more than 75% of the state’s new COVID-19 cases. And they say it’s a serious threat to unvaccinated people as the state’s case numbers head back up. Kris Ehresmann, the state’s infectious disease director, says the delta variant has gone from causing…

Worker Injured at Husky Refinery in Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis.-A worker was injured earlier today at Husky Refinery rebuild project in Superior. A representative from the Superior Fire Department said it happened over the noon hour as that department, along with an ambulance, responded to the scene. The worker was taken by ambulance to a local medical facility, according to the fire department. A spokesperson from Husky said…

Evers Calls Special Session While GOP Eyes Veto Override

MADISON, Wis. (AP)-Gov. Tony Evers is calling the Republican-controlled Legislature into a special session to increase funding for public schools and higher education on the same day the Assembly plans to vote on a veto override. The override of a bill ending a $300 weekly unemployment payment was almost certain to fail because there aren’t enough Republicans to vote for…

Gov. Walz Celebrates Minnesota Becoming a Clean Cars State

ST. PAUL, Minn.-Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan are celebrating clean car standards taking effect in Minnesota today. “The new standards, finalized by a notice in the state register today, reduce carbon emissions, create good-paying jobs, boost Minnesota’s manufacturing industry, and increase the choices Minnesotans have in purchasing cars,” the governor’s office said in a prepared statement. Minnesota…

Midday Update 7-26-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Monday, July 26, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Monday, July 26, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News, weather

e-Bike Duluth Offers Effortless Entertainment

e-Bike Duluth Opened This Summer, Offering a Relaxing Way to Sightsee the Northland

DULUTH, Minn. – In this week’s Active Adventures, Meteorologist Ken Slama takes an e-bike for a spin down on the Lakewalk to Canal Park with e-Bike Duluth. An e-bike is a great way to explore Duluth while not wearing yourself out pedaling uphill to your favorite vantage points. Just let the built-in electric motor do most of the work. Click…

Large Grain Elevator Catches Fire in Southern Minnesota

Fire Crews Battled the Fire for Hours Sunday

CLINTON, Minn. (FOX 9) – Firefighters in western Minnesota have battled for hours to contain a large fire that erupted in a grain elevator. According to the Big Stone County Sheriff’s Office, crews were called around 10:45 a.m. on Sunday for smoke billowing from the Wheaton-Dumont elevator in Clinton, Minnesota — just east of the South Dakota border and a three-hour drive…

Registration Now Open for St. Louis River Alliance Canoe Trip

The Excursion is Taking Place Saturday, Aug. 7

DULUTH, Minn. – After being sidelined by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the St. Louis River Alliance (SLRA) is bringing back its annual canoe trip. The event will take place on Saturday, Aug. 7 from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Paddlers will set sail from Woodstock Bay Landing in Superior. Participants are encouraged to register by Aug. 4 at 4…

‘Operation’ Being Conducted at Site of Recent Downtown Duluth Shootings

DULUTH, Minn.-Multiple agencies are conducting an “operation” on the 100 block of East Third Street, which is the same area where there was some recent shootings. The Duluth Police Department, DPD’s Tactical Response Team, the Lake Superior Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, and St. Louis County’s Emergency Response Team are at the scene. The public is asked to stay…