News

Minnesota Tops 505,000 Virus Cases Since Start of Pandemic

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota health officials on Sunday confirmed 956 new COVID-19 cases, raising the total number of infections to more than 505,000 since the start of the pandemic. The update showed five deaths in the last day due to complications from the coronavirus, for a total of 6,782 fatalities statewide. The ranking for the number of cases in comparison…

Morning Update 3-22-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Monday, Mar. 22, 2021

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

Jury Selection in 3rd Week for Ex-Cop’s Trial in Floyd Death

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jury selection enters its third week Monday for a former Minneapolis police officer charged in George Floyd’s death. Thirteen jurors have been seated for Derek Chauvin’s trial on murder and manslaughter charges, with the judge saying two more will be seated ahead of opening statements expected March 29. Only 12 will deliberate; the others will be alternates….

Court Could Reimpose Boston Marathon Bomber’s Death Sentence

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court will consider reinstating the death sentence for Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, presenting President Joe Biden with an early test of his opposition to capital punishment. The justices agreed Monday to hear an appeal filed by the Trump administration, which carried out executions of 13 federal inmates in its final six months in office….

Two Harbors Dealing With February Natural Gas Price Surge, But Not The Only City With Problem

TWO HARBORS, Minn. — Back in mid-February, many natural gas customers across America were slammed with surging prices as southern states like Texas and Oklahoma were hit with a historic winter storm. That temporary surge in natural gas demand just became clear to residents in Two Harbors opening their utility bills this month. It’s also happening to other natural gas…

Skiers, Snowboarders Fill Spirit Mountain on Last Day of Season; Officials Excited for Summer Activities

After a much warmer winter coupled with financial hardships worsened by the pandemic, officials say Spirit has fared the roller coaster of a season well.

DULUTH, Minn.- Despite Sunday’s spring-like temperatures, many headed to the Northland’s slice of winter for Spirit Mountain’s last day of the season for skiers and snowboarders — one officials there called a roller-coaster. “We’ve got sunshine, we’ve got warm temps, we have smiling faces, families that are having a blast,” said Co-Director of Resort Services Jon Regenold. The last day…

Outdoor Stores Prepping for Spring Season

DULUTH, Minn.– This warm weather is motivating some local outdoor stores to start planning for the spring and summer. Great Lakes Gear Exchange on 4th Street in downtown Duluth has been putting its winter gear on sale to try and make room for summer products. They say bikes, paddleboards, backpacks and camping gear are all going to be popular again…

Minnesota Officials Link Variant To Recent Rise In Cases

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota health officials suspect that a coronavirus variant is driving a recent increase in the state’s case rate. Infectious Disease Director Kris Ehresmann said during a media briefing Friday that more than 300 cases of the B117 variant first detected in the United Kingdom have been found in Minnesota. Cases have been detected in various parts of…

46th Annual St. Urho’s Day Takes New Look During Pandemic

FINLAND, Minn.– One of the first signs of spring up the north shore is the St. Urho’s Day celebration here in Finland, Minnesota. And you better believe Northlanders were ready to enjoy the day. “It feels like we really survived a year,” said St. Urho’s Day Event Coordinator Honor Schauland. While the festivities looked different, the good vibes survived for…

UMD Continues STEM Discovery Day with Take-Home Experiment Kits

Participants could drive up and pick up kits like owl pellet dissection learning biology, or marshmallow catapults for engineering and physics.

DULUTH, Minn- UMD’s STEM Discovery Day, their annual student-led day of middle and high schoolers exploring the world of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math continued this year — a little differently. Swenson College of Engineering students offered free STEM Discovery Day home experiment kits. Participants could drive up and pick up kits like owl pellet dissection learning biology, or marshmallow…

Regulators Suspend PolyMet’s Wetlands Permit for Mine

The suspension means five major permits for the $1 billion PolyMet project are now stayed or under review.

  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A federal regulator has suspended the PolyMet Mining Corp.’s permit to dredge more than 900 acres of wetland for Minnesota’s first copper mine. The ruling is a victory for the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa which attempted to protect Indigenous water quality standards as a “downstream state” under the Clean Water Act. The…

Officials Want Public to Stay Safe During Spring Fire Season

The National Weather Service has issued a fire weather watch for parts of northeastern Minnesota including in St. Louis and Carlton counties as gusty winds and low humidity means fires can spread quickly.

DULUTH, Minn. – The National Weather Service has issued a fire weather watch for parts of northeastern Minnesota including in St. Louis and Carlton counties as gusty winds and low humidity means fires can spread quickly. Minnesota traditionally has two active fire seasons – once in the fall and once in the spring. The spring fire season starts as soon…

LSC Holds Open House for Aviation Programs

DULUTH, Minn.– Students looking to start a career in aviation got to learn more about the skies today at Lake Superior College. More than 100 potential students attended LSC’s annual aviation open house at their facility on Airport Road, showcasing their Pilot and Aviation Maintenance Programs. The students got a close-up look at equipment something they couldn’t do last year…

Local Unions Picket for Amazon Union Vote

DULUTH, Minn.– A Duluth local labor union met to express their views on an Amazon distribution center in Alabama deciding whether or not to unionize. Voting for or against the union at an amazon facility in Bessemer, Alabama is underway. Demonstrators showed up at the corner of London Road and 21st Avenue Friday to raise awareness for the vote. “These…

Local Impact of Asian Discrimination During Pandemic

We talked to local residents of Duluth about their thoughts on the shooting in Atlanta. 

DULUTH, Minn. – We talked to local residents of Duluth about their thoughts on the shooting in Atlanta. Pakou has lived in Duluth for the past 15 years with her family and is part of the group, Asian Women of the Twin Ports. She says that she and her family have experienced micro-aggressions in the past. For instance, people asking…

Catalytic Converters Stolen Throughout Duluth, Similar to Last Year’s Trends

Catalytic converters continue to be stolen throughout Duluth, which is on par with last year.

DULUTH, Minn. – Catalytic converters continue to be stolen throughout Duluth, which is on par with last year. Steven is a Duluth resident, and he went to his car on Sunday night to change parking from one side of the street to the other. However, he discovered that someone had taken his catalytic converter. He says that he needs $2,300…

AICHO Hosts Vaccination Clinic

DULUTH, Minn.-Earlier Friday, the American Indian Community Housing Organization held a vaccination event for minority communities. The event was open to people of color, the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities or a person experiencing homelessness. Organizers say events like this are needed to make sure everyone gets vaccinated. “None of us live in a vacuum, as much as we want…

National Social Workers Month Celebrated in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn.-Local social workers are being celebrated in the region for all they do during National Social Workers Month. Those in the field say the pandemic has made things challenging, just like many other professions. A social worker at St. Luke’s says those problems range from things like communicating with patients to getting patients into the proper rehabilitation facility. “Just…

Minnesota Man Charged in Connection With Capitol Siege

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Federal prosecutors have charged a Minnesota man in connection with the U.S. Capitol siege. The U.S. attorney’s office tweeted Friday that 31-year-old Jordan K. Stotts with trespassing in connection with the Jan. 6 incident. FBI agents took him into custody Friday. He was set to make his initial court appearance in Bemidji later Friday afternoon. The tweet…

CDC Changes School Guidance, Allowing Desks To Be Closer

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. health officials are relaxing social distancing recommendations for schools, now saying students can sit as close as 3 feet to each other in classrooms. The new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, announced Friday, signal the agency’s turn away from the 6-foot distancing recommendation that had forced some schools to remove desks, stagger scheduling…

Fire Weather Watch Issued for Parts of Northeastern Minnesota

(FOX 9) – The National Weather Service issued a fire weather watch for parts of northeast Minnesota, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. This watch impacts Aitkin, Carlton, St. Louis, and Pine counties. Gusty winds and low humidity are expected Saturday afternoon, creating “critical fire weather conditions,” according to the DNR. Fires would likely spread quickly. The DNR is discouraging…

Midday Update 3-19-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Monday, Mar. 19, 2021

FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama share news and weather making headlines Friday, Mar. 19, 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

One Arrested in Connection With Shooting Incident in Lincoln Park

DULUTH, Minn. – One man was arrested Thursday evening in connection to a shots fired incident in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. According to police, officers responded to the 2000 block of West 2nd Street around 8:20 p.m. Thursday on reports of shots fired. Officers were told two vehicles had already left the scene quickly. When officers arrived at the location…

Regulators Let Ban on Utility Disconnections Expire

MADISON, Wis. – Tens of thousands of households in Wisconsin could lose utility service after state regulators voted against extending a moratorium on disconnections. It would be the first time in nearly 18 months that utilities could disconnect service to customers who are behind on their bills. The Wisconsin Public Service Commission voted unanimously Thursday to let the moratorium expire…

Morning Update 3-19-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Friday, Mar. 19, 2021

FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama share news and weather making headlines Friday, Mar. 19, 2021. Have a great day! Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, weather

Judge Refuses To Delay, Move Trial of Ex-Cop in Floyd Death

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A judge on Friday denied a defense request to delay or move the trial of a former Minneapolis police officer charged in George Floyd’s death after a $27 million settlement for Floyd’s family raised concern about a tainted jury. Jury selection was halfway complete last week in former officer Derek Chauvin’s trial when the city of Minneapolis…

Ely Business Owners Optimistic for Brighter Days Ahead

From Taprooms to Outfitters, Ely Businesses Remain Optimistic as Summer Tourism Season Inches Closer

ELY, Minn. – As the pandemic continues, there’s no doubt about it, many of us are counting down the days until summer finally sets in, allowing for more time outdoors, and the perfect setting to safely visit with friends and family. “All the campsites are at least 1/8 mile apart, so I guess social distancing is just perfect. You can’t…

Itasca County Health Officials Urge Caution as More Residents Receive Vaccine

Health Officials Also Report a Decline in the Number of Domestic, Sexual Abuse Cases as the COVID-19 Pandemic Continues

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – The vaccine rollout continues to be strong in Itasca County. The county has a population of over 45,000 residents. So far, just over 20,000 have received at least one shot of the COVID-19 vaccine. As of Thursday, Mar. 18, 12,382 residents have received at least one shot, while 7,752 residents are fully vaccinated. Health officials report…

COVID Cases Force Ely’s 6-12th Graders Back To Distance Learning

ELY, Minn. — A rise in COVID cases within the Ely School District is forcing officials to hit the reset button and send students back to full distance learning. The change starts March 19 for junior high and high school students, grades 6-12. This comes after seven positive cases popped up in the past three days. In-person learning will return…

Food Train Giveaways Continue at B&B Market

CLOQUET, Minn.– As the pandemic continues, one of the biggest impacts has been to food access in places around the Northland. But many people and businesses right here in the northland have been trying to help get through this tough time. As the financial impacts from the pandemic continue to be felt one year later, one business in Cloquet has…

Duluth City Councilor Sipress Not Seeking Re-Election

DULUTH, Minn.– Longtime Duluth City Councilor Joel Sipress will not be seeking re-election this fall, saying the timing just feels right. Sipress, who serves the second district, has been on the council for two terms. He served as council president in 2017 and currently sits on the public utilities commission and housing and rehabilitation authority. Sipress, who is also a…

City Launches New App to Explore Parks

The City of Duluth has a new app for people to use to discover local parks.

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth has a new app for people to use to discover local parks. The app is called “Agents of Discovery,” and people can go on missions throughout different parks and trails throughout the year. You can become a detective and learn about things like nature, Duluth, and cultural history. “It’s awesome,” said Sam Werle,…

Federal Tax Filing Deadline Moved to May 17th

The federal tax deadline is being delayed from April 15th to May 17th as more people deal with complicated filings because of COVID.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The federal tax deadline is being delayed from April 15th to May 17th as more people deal with complicated filings because of COVID. The deadline applies to federal income tax returns and taxes. There’s no word on any deadline changes for the state of Minnesota and Wisconsin. Either way, tax experts say it’s best to file as…

Bill Hopes to Create More General Criteria for Purchase of Paper Mill

A bill was introduced by Duluth State Representative Liz Olson this week that created more general criteria for those who would be eligible for the purchase of Verso's paper mill.

DULUTH, Minn. – A bill was introduced by Duluth State Representative Liz Olson this week that created more general criteria for those who would be eligible for the purchase of Verso’s paper mill. The bill itself did not name a specific buyer and left it fairly open so that multiple buyers of the Duluth mill would be eligible. The bill would…

Biden Says U.S. To Hit 100 Million Virus Goal on Friday

WASHINGTON (AP) — With the U.S. closing in on President Joe Biden’s goal of injecting 100 million coronavirus vaccinations weeks ahead of his target date, officials say the nation is now in a position to help supply neighbors Canada and Mexico with shots. The Biden administration announced the outlines of a plan to “loan” vaccines to Canada and Mexico as…

10th Juror Picked, Lawyers Clash Over Expert in Floyd Trial

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Prosecutors at the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in George Floyd’s death want a judge to allow expert testimony about how people react to traumatic events. A prosecutor said Thursday that a forensic psychiatrist should be able to testify that Floyd’s actions when he struggled with officers trying to put him in a squad…

Pizza Ranch Anticipates ‘Early Summer’ Opening

DULUTH, Minn. – Pizza Ranch is closing in on an official opening day, according to its new official Duluth Facebook page. The restaurant says they are “making progress” at the former Lucky’s 13 Pub location in the Miller Hill Mall and is anticipating an early summer opening. Pizza Ranch officially announced its new Duluth location last November with a tentative…

Duluth City Councilor Sipress Will Not Seek Re-Election

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth City Councilor Joel Sipress announced Thursday that he will not seek re-election. Sipress has served two terms representing Duluth’s 2nd District. “Serving the people of Duluth’s Second District as their representative in city government has been a tremendous privilege,” Sipress said. “It was never my plan to pursue a career in politics, and after eight years…

Midday Update 3-18-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, Mar. 18, 2021

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

Advocates Push for Changes to Minnesota’s Predatory Registry

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (AP) — Advocates in Minnesota are pushing the legislators to remove most juveniles from the state’s predatory registry, arguing that it makes it difficult for young people to overcome societal barriers. The state’s Predatory Offender Registry has more than 18,000 names. Patty Wetterling helped create the registry in 1991 after her 11-year-old son was kidnapped and killed. She…

Suspect in Wisconsin Grocery Warehouse Killings Identified

(Mike De Sisti/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel via AP) OCONOMOWOC, Wis. (AP) — A law enforcement official says the man suspected of killing two co-workers at a Wisconsin grocery distribution warehouse before fatally shooting himself was a 41-year-old from suburban Milwaukee. Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Nicholas Ollinger identified the suspect Thursday as Fraron Cornelius, of Wauwatosa. Police say the suspect died from…

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth with Lady Meg’s Cakes, Desserts

Cooking Connection: Snicker Cupcakes with Lady Meg's Cakes

SUPERIOR, Wis. – What started as a passion has now turned into a small-scale profession for Superior resident Meghan Gobel. Over the past few months, Gobel, the creator of Lady Meg’s Cakes, launched a Facebook page to promote her hobby of baking and sharing the goodies with customers in the Twin Ports. She’s overjoyed to see the outpouring of support…

Morning Update 3-18-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, Mar. 18, 2021

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

Chauvin Jury Grows Despite $27M Settlement to Floyd Family

(Court TV, via AP, Pool) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The jury being seated for former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin’s trial in George Floyd’s death is growing despite concerns about publicity from a $27 million payout to Floyd’s family to settle their civil lawsuit. The city of Minneapolis agreed to the settlement last week in the midst of jury selection. That…