News

Duluth Fire Department Share Ice Safety Tips Ahead Ice Fishing Tournament

It is recommended to monitor the weather and paying attention to the wind direction before and during time on the ice.

DULUTH, Minn.- More people have been going ice fishing in recent weeks and the Duluth Fire Department is sharing a few tips on how to stay safe to help avoid potential water rescues, like the one last week on lake superior. It is recommended to monitor the weather and paying attention to the wind direction before and during time on…

An City-wide Alert System Helps Inform Residents Of Public Safety Incidents

Northland Alert is a free tool available for residents to use.

DULUTH, Minn. – After multiple water main breaks occurred in the last few weeks, the City of Duluth is reminding the community of an alert system that helps them stay informed of public safety incidents. Northland Alert is a free tool available for residents to use. It pushes out notifications informing of incidents like water main breaks or floods that…

For Frigid Temperatures, How Does the Power Grid Work in the Northland?

Power has just started being restored to millions in Texas following a deadly blast of winter that overwhelmed the electrical grid and left millions shivering in the cold this week. With many blaming their infrastructure for not being ready for winter, Minnesota Power talks about what the power grid looks like in our colder region.

NORTHLAND – Power has just started being restored to millions in Texas following a deadly blast of winter that overwhelmed the electrical grid and left millions shivering in the cold this week. With many blaming their infrastructure for not being ready for winter, Minnesota Power talks about what the power grid looks like in our colder region. The power grid…

St. Louis County Board Approves Production Incentive Program for TV and Films

The St. Louis County Board has approved of a production incentive program for TV and films, and application forms are now available online.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY – The St. Louis County Board has approved of a production incentive program for TV and films, and application forms are now available online. The county board says it will commit to investing $1 million in the program in 2021. With the program, productions can receive a rebate of up to 25% of all production spending for…

Chester Bowl Gets A Helping Hand From Spirit Mountain

"The cold is very hard on machines and that's exactly what the chair lift is," said Sam Luoma, the programs and operations manager for Chester Bowl.

DULUTH, Minn. – The chairlift here at Chester Bowl suffered a mechanical difficulty after more than a week of frigid temperatures, but thankfully, crews at Spirit Mountain came to the rescue. “The cold is very hard on machines and that’s exactly what the chair lift is,” said Sam Luoma, the programs and operations manager for Chester Bowl. Just like most…

UPDATE: Suspicious Device at Line 3 Protest Site Not an Explosive

Update: According to the Carlton County Sheriff's Office "after careful examination, it was determined that the device was not an explosive agent."

  Update from Carlton County Sheriff’s Office: In the afternoon hours of Friday, Feb. 19th, bomb squad personnel responded to a suspicious device on the 3200 block of Ditchbank Road in Perch Lake Township. After careful examination, it was determined that the device was not an explosive agent. During the incident, forty residences were evacuated within a ½ mile radius…

Seven Arrested, Charged in Itasca County Human Trafficking Operation

ITASCA COUNTY, Minn. – On Friday, seven people were arrested and charged during a human trafficking operation in Itasca County. According to the Itasca County Attorney’s Office, a three-day operation led by investigators with the BCA Human Trafficking Task Force in partnership with the TRUST Task Force and the Itasca County Sheriff’s Office led to the arrests. According to a…

Man Arrested for Shots Fired Incident in Cloquet

CLOQUET, Minn. – A Roseville man was arrested early Friday morning at a Cloquet apartment complex after the man fired several gunshots inside one of the building’s apartments. According to the Cloquet Police Department, officers responded to a disturbance at 1535 Sahlman Avenue around 4:17 a.m. Reports state when the first officer arrived on the scene they encountered a man…

Minnesota Public School Enrollment Drops 2% Amid Pandemic

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Public school enrollment in Minnesota has dropped by about 17,000 students as families turned to homeschool, private schools, and delaying entry into kindergarten amid the pandemic. The figures from the Minnesota Department of Education represented a 2% drop. Because of the per-pupil formula the state uses to allocate school funding, that aid will drop by about $10,000…

Itasca County Cancels Monday’s Vaccination Clinic

ITASCA COUNTY, Minn. – The Itasca County Public Health Vaccination Clinic scheduled for Monday, February 22, is canceled. Officials say the clinic has been canceled due to inclement weather across the country that has delayed shipment of the vaccine. At this time the clinic has not been rescheduled because it is unclear when the shipment will arrive. Anyone who had…

Biden to See Pfizer Plant as Weather Delays Shipping Vaccine

WASHINGTON (AP) — Extreme winter weather is dealing the first major setback to the Biden administration’s planned swift rollout of coronavirus vaccines just as the national vaccination campaign was hitting its stride. The disruptions caused by frigid temperatures, snow, and ice left the White House scrambling to work with states to make up “lost ground.” White House coronavirus adviser Andy…

Midday Update 2-19-21

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

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Friday, Feb. 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, News

Beating the Winter Blues with Outdoor Activities in Duluth

From Sled Sheds to Skating and Skiing, There Are Plenty of Activities to Help Beat Cabin Fever in the Northland

DULUTH, Minn. – The doldrums of winter are setting in for many, and the Duluth Parks and Recreation Department is ready to help you stay active and healthy. Residents and visitors in the City of Duluth now have a new reason to enjoy three local parks. Free sled use is being offered at Leif Erickson, Lincoln Park, and Portland Square…

COVID-19 Precautions Keep Flu Cases Historically Low in Minnesota

(FOX 9) – While the world’s focus is on COVID-19, those at Hennepin Healthcare’s urgent care in Minneapolis are still testing for the virus that usually dominates these winter months. “It’s the same swab that we use for the COVID-19 test that we use for influenza, so it’s very easy for us to test for both,” explained Hennepin Healthcare Urgent Care nurse…

Morning Update 2-19-21

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

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Friday, Feb. 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, News

Minnesota Passes Milestone of 1M Coronavirus Vaccine Doses

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesotans have now received more than 1 million doses of coronavirus vaccine. Updated figures from the administration of Gov. Tim Walz show that more than 728,000 Minnesotans have received at least one dose, including close to 287,000 who’ve completed the two-dose series. The seven-day rolling average of doses administered is now close to 30,000. Minnesota…

Pet Chiropractic Care Helps Promote Better Wellness For Animals

Visiting an animal chiropractor can help address chronic issues such as arthritis.

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s National Responsible Pet Owner month and one responsibility some pet parents may not think of is taking the animal to a chiropractor. Chiropractic for Body and Life in downtown Duluth partnered with Animal Kingdom Chiropractic to host an event offering pet screenings. Screenings can typically help check the mobility and flexibility of the spine in most…

Remembering Entrepreneur Joel Labovitz

"He was really larger than life and extremely optimistic," said daughter Anne Labovitz.

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth entrepreneur and community leader Joel Labovitz passed away over the weekend at the age of 93 and now he is being remembered. “He was really larger than life and extremely optimistic,” said Anne Labovitz. Anne and Mark Labovitz go down memory lane expressing the type of person their father Joel Labovitz was just days after his…

Nearly 16 Percent of Residents in Itasca County Have Received the COVID-19 Vaccine

Clinics Continue to Offer COVID-19 Vaccinations, But Demand is Far Greater Than Supply Received

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – The vaccine rollout continues in Itasca County, but demand is still far greater than the supply they’ve received. Health officials say nearly 16 percent of the population in Itasca County has received at least one shot of the COVID-19 vaccine. According to Itasca County Public Health, phase 1a of vaccinations should be complete within the next…

After Nearly 9 Years, New Home for Brown Bears and Otters

After nearly 9 years of being closed, the Lake Superior Zoo’s Bear Country Exhibit is finally finished and is the home for two brown bears and two otters.

DULUTH, Minn. – A major exhibit is now finished after being closed for nearly a decade at the Lake Superior Zoo. After nearly 9 years of being closed, the Lake Superior Zoo’s Bear Country Exhibit is finally finished and is the home for two brown bears and two otters. The exhibit was a more than $3.8 million investment. It closed…

Duluth Edison Charter Schools Offer New Educational Option

Duluth Edison Charter Schools is offering a new blended learning program starting next school year.

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Edison Charter Schools is offering a new blended learning program starting next school year. In the fall, there will be another option for students in grades 6 through 8 where they can be onsite 1 day a week and participate from home 4 days a week with programming specifically designed for those students and driven by…

Better City Superior Initiative May Create More Opportunities in Superior

The future of business development in one Northland community could soon be looking even brighter.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The future of business development in one Northland community could soon be looking even brighter. The City of Superior could soon put what’s being called the “Better City Superior Initiative” in place. This allows the creation of a special development district where a hospitality tax can be levied on restaurants and hotels. Funds collected would help support…

Woman Helps Rescue Injured Coyote Found on Side of Road

Wildwoods employees helped secure the animal and provide it a safe place to rest

(courtesy: Facebook/Wildwoodsrehab) DULUTH, Minn. – On Thursday, Wildwoods wildlife rehabilitation center shared a story on their Facebook page of how a woman helped rescue an injured coyote she found lying in a snowbank on the side of the road. According to Wildwoods, the woman was driving down the road and saw the wild animal who was clearly injured. Rather than…

NASA Rover Lands on Mars to Look for Signs of Ancient Life

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A NASA rover has landed on Mars in an epic quest to bring back rocks that could answer whether life ever existed on the red planet. The space agency says the six-wheeled Perseverance hurtled through the thin, orange atmosphere and settled onto the surface Thursday in the mission’s riskiest maneuver yet. Mars has long been…

Voting Begins for Final 50 Finalists in MnDOT’s Name a Snowplow Contest

(courtesy: Minnesota Department of Transportation) ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation says voting is now open for its ‘Name a Snowplow’ contest finalists. MnDOT says they have received close to 24,000 name submissions so far and have narrowed the list down to 50 finalists. A MnDOT spokesperson said to narrow the list down they, “focused on selecting…

Wisconsin Health Officials Launch Vaccine Registry

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin health officials said Thursday they plan to launch a new online COVID-19 vaccine registry next month. People will be able to log into the registry, determine if they’re eligible, and schedule appointments for shots through their local health departments. The registry also will remind people about scheduling for a second dose and help people monitor…

Midday Update 2-18-21

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

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

US Needs to Brace Itself for More Deadly Storms, Experts Say

WASHINGTON (AP) — The deadly winter storms that knocked out power for millions in Texas and other states have exceeded the worst-case scenarios of many U.S. utilities. They also fit a pattern of worsening extremes under climate change and demonstrate anew that local, state, and federal officials have failed to do enough to prepare for greater and more dangerous extremes….

Thompson Wants 75% of Fall UW Classes in-Person

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — University of Wisconsin System President Tommy Thompson announced Thursday that he wants 75% of classes to be taught in-person this fall. Thompson said in a column that he’s directed system campuses to ensure students will have what he called “as classic a UW campus experience as possible.” He said the system’s social distancing, masks, and aggressive…

Duluth Dentist Explains Importance of National Children’s Dental Health Month

Dr. Kyle Hammer Suggests Taking Children to the Dentist After the First Tooth Comes Through

DULUTH, Minn. – February serves as National Children’s Dental Health Month. Dr. Kyle Hammer with Port City Dental and Miller Hill Dental in Duluth says it’s a time to raise awareness and educate patients about what they should be doing at home, when to start routine dental care for children, and how to keep good oral health throughout your lifetime….

Searching For New Dinner Ideas? Try This Light, Easy Pasta Recipe

Chef Arlene Coco Shares a Simple One Pot Pasta Recipe to Make Dinner Delicious Any Night of the Week

DULUTH, Minn. – What’s for dinner? It’s a common question throughout many households, especially during the week when time is already tight for many working Northlanders. In this week’s Cooking Connection, Chef Arlene Coco shares a light, easy one pot pasta recipe that’ll have your taste buds watering. Light and Easy Pasta Recipe Serves 4 Cooked as a one pot…

Morning Update 2-18-21

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

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

COVID-19 Vaccine Connector Will Alert Minnesotans When They’re Eligible for Vaccine

(FOX 9) – Minnesota is launching a new vaccination website to help people find out when, where, and how to get their COVID-19 vaccine. Minnesotans who have not yet been vaccinated are encouraged to sign up for the COVID-19 Vaccine Connector, regardless of their current vaccine eligibility status. There is no cost and no deadline for signing up. After you fill out a…

Carlton Restaurants Continue To Adapt Amid Pandemic

CARLTON, Minn. – It was a roller coaster 2020 for restaurants like The Street Car in Carlton. “That’s when it really hit hard for us. That brought a whole different style of business. We had to essentially recreate how we do business,” Street Car Kitchen & Pub General Manager, Mike Walsh says. Going to only curbside the pandemic forced them…

Nearly Naked Ruck March Back On This Year After Pandemic Cancellation in 2020

The Veteran fundraiser the Nearly Naked Ruck March will be happening this year despite the pandemic.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Veteran fundraiser the Nearly Naked Ruck March will be happening this year despite the pandemic. It’s all happening on the skyline loop at Enger Tower on March 27th. In 2020, the event had to be canceled because of COVID-19 and this will be the first march that has happened since social distancing started. For the event,…

Back-to-Back Pursuits End with 2 Officers Injured, 2 Arrested

SUPERIOR, Wis.– Two arrests, two pursuits, and two police departments. Duluth and Superior officers were taken on wild chases Wednesday. One of which, injured officers and created a mess of damage through a Superior neighborhood. “We apprehend violent people every day and it doesn’t always turn out this way so it doesn’t always make the news but we are out…

Duluth Playhouse Welcoming Small Audience for First Time During Pandemic

DULUTH, Minn.– Excitement is building for a popular Duluth theater getting ready for its first in-person audience since the pandemic. We’re talking about the Duluth Playhouse. They’ll be performing a production of Charlotte’s Web on stage at The Depot starting the last weekend of February. Masks will become part of the costumes. The audience will be limited at 25 percent…

Birkie Organizers Create More Virtual Race Options

Organizers say that in an effort to keep everything socially distanced, participants will start in waves.

HAYWARD, Wisc. – The 47th annual Birkie will be looking a lot different this year. Organizers say that in an effort to keep everything socially distanced, participants will start in waves throughout the week. With around thirty-thousand people in attendance in past years, this year spectators will be able to view the race virtually. Skiers will also be encouraged to…

Carbon Monoxide Concerns Arise As People Get Creative Trying To Warm Up

Carbon monoxide is an odorless and tasteless gas.

DULUTH, Minn. – Chilly weather sweeping the nation could cause people to get creative when trying to stay warm, but those alternatives mean increased carbon monoxide deaths. Many people will do everything they can to stay warm including using an oven or running a car in closed spaces to avoid chilly temperatures. Carbon monoxide is an odorless and tasteless gas….

Lester Park Golf Course to Permanently Close after 2023 Golf Season

For the next two years, Lester Park Golf Course will remain closed before having its final season in 2023 when Enger Park’s course undergoes some major renovations.

DULUTH, Minn. – For the next two years, Lester Park Golf Course will remain closed before having its final season in 2023 when Enger Park’s course undergoes some major renovations. In 2019, a task force found the futures of Lester and Enger Golf Courses were in jeopardy because of an oversupply of golf options in Duluth. Failing golf infrastructure and…

More Than 1 Million Doses of Vaccine Given in Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — More than 1 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine have been administered to more than 740,000 people in Wisconsin, the state Department of Health Services reported Wednesday. Gov. Tony Evers praised the milestone, calling it “exciting news” while also urging people to remain vigilant. “While we’re not there yet, 1 million doses means real progress toward…

Republican Doug Wardlow Runs for Minnesota Attorney General

(Dave Schwartz/The St. Cloud Times va AP File) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Republican Doug Wardlow is running again for Minnesota attorney general. Wardlow lost the 2018 race to Democrat Keith Ellison by just under 4 percentage points. Wardlow is general counsel for MyPillow. Founder Mike Lindell has spent months spreading misinformation backing former President Donald Trump’s false claims of victory in…

Vehicle Pursuits in Superior End in Multiple Arrests, Investigators Injured

(courtesy: Duluth Police Department) SUPERIOR, Wis. – Authorities in Superior say two separate vehicle pursuits on Wednesday resulted in the arrest of both drivers and non-life-threatening injuries to two officers from the Duluth Police Department who were assisting in one of the pursuits. The first incident happened around 11:30 a.m. when officers and investigators with the Superior Police Department and…

Walz Approves Middle, High School Reopenings Starting Monday

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Citing progress on the coronavirus vaccination front, Gov. Tim Walz on Wednesday announced plans to let more middle and high school students return to the classroom for in-person learning as early as Monday. Elementary schools are already allowed to open with proper safety precautions in place. Under the governor’s updated plan, all middle and high school students…