News

UPDATE: Firefighters Investigating Cause, Watching for Hotspots on Highway 61 After Multiple Fires Saturday

The multiple fires have burned an estimated 45 acres, according to the the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center. 

  GRAND RAPIDS, Minn.- Hotspots along Highway 61 North of Silver Bay are still being monitored Sunday by fire crews from six different area fire departments, Minnesota DNR Fire and Air assets, and Lake County Rescue squad, among other responders. The cause remains under investigation. The multiple fires have burned an estimated 45 acres, according to the the Minnesota Interagency…

Book Series Fandom Bracket Begins at Fitger’s Bookstore

DULUTH, Minn.– Well it’s the season of sports brackets so Fitger’s Bookstore in Duluth is taking advantage of that to determine what book series is best and hopefully get more people to read. The bookstore will be polling readers each week, putting book fandoms head to head in a “March Madness” like bracket. The winner will be crowned Saturday April…

EGGstravaganza Returns to Lake Superior Zoo

DULUTH, Minn.– The Lake Superior Zoo was packed with families having some egg-celent Easter fun. The 2021 EGGstravaganza returned to the zoo after being cancelled the year before due to Coronavirus restrictions. Nearly 2,000 people came from around the Northland Saturday to pick up eggs, collect candy and other activities. Tickets for the EGGstravaganza sold out earlier this week. Zoo…

Enger Park Golf Course Reopens for Season

DULUTH, Minn.– Enger Park Golf Course is reopened for the season and Duluthians are ready to get their first swings of 2021 in the books. The golf clubs made their way out of storage and on to Enger Park Golf Course for the first time in 2021. The front nine holes were opened up early for the weekend after playing…

Highway 61 Reopens After Numerous Grass Fires, Silver Bay Police Say

Authorities say "numerous grass fires" forced the closure of Highway 61 north of Silver Bay, which is an area near the Tettegouche State Park.

SILVER BAY, Minn.- A portion of Highway 61 has reopened in Silver Bay, Minnesota, after grass fires were burning near the road. According to a Facebook Post on the Silver Bay Police Department Page, “numerous grass fires” forced the closure of Highway 61 north of Silver Bay, which is an area near the Tettegouche State Park. Around 8:00 p.m. authorities…

Congdon Park Elementary Students Syrup Making Process

Each of the different stations has its own subject looking at the stages of syrup.

DULUTH, Minn. —   Today Congdon park elementary students learned what it takes to make maple syrup. The instructional course took up the entire day and involved grades K-5. Each of the different stations has its own subject looking at the stages of syrup. As students rotated through each of the stations, they recorded their reactions with teachers hoping they have…

Northland Fish Fries Full for Good Friday

DULUTH, Minn.– It’s Good Friday once again and here at Bridgeman’s here in Duluth, they’re continuing one of their classic traditions — their fish fry. With the Lenten season wrapping up, restaurants with fish specials like Bridgeman’s have seen business pick up. “Every Friday it’s like a different experience. It’s packed the whole shift,” said Anthony Stein, a supervisor and…

Duluth City Council Brings Up Resolution for Climate Change

Some Duluth City Councilors are considering declaring a climate emergency in Duluth.

DULUTH, Minn. – Some Duluth City Councilors are considering declaring a climate emergency in Duluth. City councilors Gary Anderson, Arik Forsman, Roz Randorf, and Joel Sipress are joining efforts in asking the Duluth city administration for a climate action work plan. Some specific goals would be to accelerate the work of promoting lower emissions for utility operations and moving towards…

Officials Watch for Easter Weekend

With Easter weekend approaching, health officials say they are watching for a rise in case numbers as people meet for social gatherings or for religious services.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY – With Easter weekend approaching, health officials say they are watching for a rise in case numbers as people meet for social gatherings or for religious services. When it comes to vaccinations in St. Louis County, about 47% of the population over the age of 16 have received one dose, and over 85% of the 65 and…

Restaurants Have Easter Specials for Holiday Weekend

Some local restaurants are doing Easter specials for the holiday weekend.

DULUTH, Minn. – Some local restaurants are doing Easter specials for the holiday weekend. Duluth Grill on 27th Avenue West has already sold out of its Easter to-go kits, featuring a variety of brunch favorites. Management says they haven’t done this kind of thing before and are happy about the demand for their kits. “It’s interesting,” said Dan LeFebvre, a…

Airport Experiences Influx of Traffic in Light of New Guidance from CDC

With vaccinations on the rise, airports are experiencing more traffic as people feel more comfortable traveling.

DULUTH, Minn. – With vaccinations on the rise, airports are experiencing more traffic as people feel more comfortable traveling. This all comes as the Centers for Disease Control issues new guidance today that also helps free up travelers. The CDC now recommends that fully vaccinated people can travel within the U.S. and they don’t have to take a COVID test…

Wisconsin COVID Count Jumps to 875

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin’s COVID-19 daily case count has jumped to its highest mark since mid-February. State health officials reported 875 confirmed cases on Friday, the highest number of daily cases since Feb. 12, when the figure was 938 cases. The seven-day daily case average increased to 531. The statistic stood at less than 400 cases in mid-March. The…

Lieutenant: Kneeling on Floyd’s Neck ‘Totally Unnecessary’

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The head of the Minneapolis Police Department’s homicide division has testified that kneeling on the neck of someone who is handcuffed and lying on his stomach is top-tier, deadly force, and “totally unnecessary.” Lt. Richard Zimmerman testified Friday at the trial of former Officer Derek Chauvin, who is charged with killing George Floyd last year. His testimony…

Authorities Investigating Death in Sawyer County

SAWYER COUNTY, Wis. – Authorities in Sawyer County are investigating a death after deputies responded to a residence in the Town of Sand Lake on reports of a deceased female early Friday morning. When deputies arrived at the residence around 12:26 a.m. Friday they discovered a 42-year-old female dead from apparent gunshot wounds. A death investigation is now underway by…

Wisconsin Agency Suspends Burn Permits Amid Dry Conditions

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is suspending burning permits in its jurisdictions in 43 counties and mobilizing firefighters as the state heads into an unseasonably warm and dry weekend. The agency regulates burning in 43 of the state’s 72 counties. Department Fire Suppression Specialist Catherine Koele announced Friday that the agency has suspended burning permits…

Car Rams 2 Officers at Capitol Barricade; One Officer Killed, Driver Shot Dead

WASHINGTON (AP) — A man rammed a car into two Capitol Police officers at a barricade outside the U.S. Capitol on Friday afternoon before being shot to death by authorities when he got out of the vehicle while holding what appeared to be a knife, two law enforcement officials told The Associated Press. Both Capitol Police officers were taken to…

US Capitol on Lockdown After Someone Rammed a Vehicle Into Two Capitol Police Officers

(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File) WASHINGTON (AP) — A car rammed a barricade outside the U.S. Capitol on Friday afternoon, injuring two Capitol Police officers and leading to the driver being shot, two law enforcement officials told The Associated Press. At least one officer was in serious condition, while the driver was in critical condition. Capitol Police say the crash happened…

Midday Update 4-2-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Friday, April 2, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ryan Johnson for a local look at news and weather making headlines Friday, April 2, 2021. Have a great weekend! Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, midday update, News, ryan johnson, weather

MDH: Minnesotans Can Leave Long-Term Care Facilities for Easter, Other Celebrations

(FOX 9) – Minnesota long-term care facility residents can now leave their facilities for less than 24 hours without having to quarantine when they return, giving many Minnesotans the opportunity to visit family and friends ahead of the Easter holiday weekend. The Department of Health announced the updated guidance Thursday, allowing for one-day outings for holidays such as Easter, Passover, and other…

Fully Vaccinated Can Travel Again, Says New CDC Guidance

NEW YORK (AP) — Add travel to the activities vaccinated Americans can enjoy again. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its guidance Friday to say fully vaccinated people can travel within the U.S. without getting a COVID-19 test or going into quarantine. The agency previously cautioned against unnecessary travel even for vaccinated people. The agency says vaccinated people…

Essentia Health Expands Vaccine Eligibility in Wisconsin

DULUTH, Minn. – Essentia Health announced on Friday that it is expanding its vaccine efforts to increase accessibility following Gov. Evers’ announcement that anyone aged 16 and older will be eligible for a vaccine starting Monday. Essentia says they are now vaccinating people 16 and older in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota. Appointments can be scheduled through Essentia’s online portal…

Morning Update 4-2-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Friday, April 2, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ryan Johnson for a local look at news and weather making headlines Friday, April 2, 2021. Have a great weekend! Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, morning update, News, ryan johnson

US Employers Add 916,000 Jobs in March as Hiring Accelerates

WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s employers unleashed a burst of hiring in March, adding 916,000 jobs in a sign that a sustained recovery from the pandemic recession is taking hold as vaccinations accelerate, stimulus checks flow through the economy and businesses increasingly reopen. The March increase — the most since August — was nearly double February’s gain of 468,000, the Labor…

Vaccination Clinic Takes Place for BIPOC Community at Domiano Center

DULUTH, Minn.– Everyone 16 and older in Minnesota can now get vaccinated, and today St. Louis County Public Health officials were in downtown Duluth vaccinating the BIPOC community. County public health officials administered 80 doses of the Pfizer vaccine at the Damiano Center. It’s part of an effort to give more vaccines to black, indigenous and other people of color…

Volunteers, City Crews Clean Up Homeless Encampment

DULUTH, Minn.– A massive cleanup effort is underway in Duluth from what’s left of a homeless camp there. “We need a solution, we don’t have the housing right now, the numbers are higher than ever and I could foresee people just coming back to this spot,” said Chum Outreach Coordinator Deb Holman. Last October, groups of people experiencing homelessness in…

Frozen Four Gear Now Available at UMD Bookstore

DULUTH, Minn.– Frozen Four gear has arrived in Duluth so you can properly cheer on the UMD Bulldogs Men’s Hockey team as they head to Pittsburgh next week. Shirts, sweatshirts, pucks, and sticks with the frozen four teams including the bulldogs are now at the UMD bookstore. Staff worked a month in advance to get designs and product ready for…

Sen. Klobuchar Touts Biden’s Infrastructure Plan at Duluth Port

DULUTH, Minn.– Duluth’s maritime infrastructure is part of President Biden’s $2.3 trillion infrastructure package involving roads, bridges and more across the country. Thursday, Senator Amy Klobuchar joined Mayor Emily Larson at the Duluth Seaway Port Authority to talk about the president’s plan, which features $17 billion for inland water ways and ports around the country. “This is the first time…

Douglas County Leaders Read Proclamation Denouncing Sexual Violence and Assault

SUPERIOR, Wis.– The Center Against Sexual and Domestic Abuse held a virtual press event to kick of sexual assault awareness month. According to the organization, more than 1,000 reports of suspected child abuse and neglect were reported to Douglas County last year. Superior Mayor Jim Paine and Douglas County Board Chair Mark Liebaert read a proclamation denouncing sexual violence and…

Duluth Children’s Museum Has Pop-Up Play Place

The Duluth Children's Museum has opened a pop-up play space in downtown Duluth.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Children’s Museum has opened a pop-up play space in downtown Duluth. Right now, they are using an empty storefront on the 300 block of East Superior Street, which serves as a mini-museum, including an indoor playground and fossil exploration. This all coming as the new children’s museum in Lincoln Park is expected to open in…

Itasca County Residents Reflect on Gratitude One Year Since Pandemic Began

41 Percent of Itasca County's Population Has Started Vaccination Efforts

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – In Itasca County, the COVID-19 case rate per 10,000 people continues to increase steadily, however, there is light at the end of the tunnel. 41 percent of the county’s population has begun their vaccination efforts. Over 45,000 residents live in the county, and health officials report nearly 10,000 have completed both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine….

Temporary Vaccine Clinic Held at Black Bear Casino

The next round of vaccines will take place in 28 days at the same venue in the casino.

CARLTON, Minn. — “The first word that comes to mind is excitement,” Public Health Nurse, Casey Johnson says. It was a joint effort to make the Moderna vaccine available for Carlton County residents. For the first time the vaccine was available to Fond Du Lac community members in a public setting. “It’s definitely part of our plan and our mitigation…

New Restaurant to Open in Superior

"It's a blessing," said Zudi Maksutoski, the owner of Dolce Vita. "You know, I kind of grew up in the kitchen from a little baby and then now to actually get to do this to open up my first place and then now I get to actually bring out my whole potential and try it out and everything will be made from scratch."

SUPERIOR, Wis. – A new restaurant is set to open in a few days in Superior on the 5800 block of Tower Avenue. Dolce Vita is a new restaurant with a flair for European cuisine. Owners say it’ll be all about steaks and pasta, and will showcase local wines and beers. They say they’re grateful for the opportunity to open…

Job Numbers Improve in the Northland

The unemployment rate fell in the Northland from 6 to 5.5% in February.

NORTHLAND – The unemployment rate fell in the Northland from 6 to 5.5% in February. The labor force also added almost 2,000 workers, which is a 1.2% increase. Duluth has regained about half of the jobs that were lost due to the pandemic, according to experts from workforce development. The largest number of jobs lost because of COVID were in…

Army Corps To Lead Park Point Beach Cleanup Involving Metal Debris

Erosion has been taking place on Duluth’s Park Point Beach for years, but a group effort is now underway to help restore the beach, which includes picking up sharp metal debris from a recent dredging project.

DULUTH, Minn. – Erosion has been taking place on Duluth’s Park Point Beach for years, but a group effort is now underway to help restore the beach, which includes picking up sharp metal debris from a recent dredging project. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will conduct a survey to pinpoint the location and depth of a large amount of…

Over 113k Minnesotans Still Need to Renew Driver’s License, ID After COVID-19 Extension Ends

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Thousands of Minnesotans still need to renew their driver’s licenses or identification cards after the COVID-19 extension for expired identification ended on March 31, according to the state’s Department of Public Safety. About 113,814 Minnesotans now have invalid driver’s licenses, instruction permits, or ID cards, DPS said Thursday. The legislation had extended the expiration…

Minnesota Tops 2,000 Daily Cases for First Time in Months

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota exceeded more than 2,000 daily cases of the coronavirus on Thursday for the first time in months as cases in recent weeks continue to trend upward. The Minnesota Department of Health reported 2,140 new cases and 12 more people have died due to the coronavirus, putting the state’s totals at 521,667 cases and 6,860 deaths since…

Duluth Chamber of Commerce Accepting Applications for Chamber President Position

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce says they are now taking applications for the position of Chamber President. After 24 years in the position, current President and CEO Ravid Ross announced last January his plans to step down effective August 4, 2021, his 65th birthday. In a notice distributed to Chamber members, Ross stated, “I have been…

Midday Update 4-1-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, April 1, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, April 1, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News, weather

Virtual Fundraiser Planned to Help Support Two Harbors Area Food Shelf

Music to Feed the Soul is Happening Virtually Saturday, April 3 from 4 - 6 p.m.

TWO HARBORS, Minn. – On Saturday, April 3, you’re invited to tune into a virtual YouTube live stream concert to help support the Two Harbors Area Food Shelf. The ‘Music to Feed the Soul’ fundraiser was unable to take place in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but is now back, and bigger than ever before in 2021. The event…

Child Among 4 Dead in Shooting at California Office Building

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The latest U.S. mass shooting has happened at a Southern California office building where four people were killed, including a child, and a woman was critically wounded. The gunman was also wounded and hospitalized. Police did not disclose a motive for Wednesday’s shooting in the city of Orange southeast Los Angeles. When officers arrived, shots were…

Chef Coco Tosses Together Cajun Cauliflower Rice with Vegetables

Cooking Connection: Cajun Cauliflower Rice with Veggies

…a note from Chef Coco – Reminiscent of a Cajun Fried Rice I used to eat in New Orleans years ago, this rice is versatile and lasts up to a week in the fridge when cooked. Grapeseed oil can be substituted for olive oil. I used a mix of fresh green peppers and canned roasted red peppers. Frozen Cauliflower rice…

Morning Update 4-1-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, April 1, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, April 1, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, News, weather

Body of 1 of 2 Missing Canoers Recovered From Lake Winnebago

FOND DU LAC, Wis. (AP) — The body of one of the two canoers presumed drowned in Lake Winnebago has been recovered, according to Fond du Lac County sheriff’s officials. Sonar devices used by the sheriff and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources search teams produced an image late Wednesday afternoon that sent divers into the water to investigate. They recovered…

Get Your Skateboard Ready for Spring

DULUTH, Minn.-As spring has arrived, one local skateboard shop is seeing an uptick in business. Whether it’s kids or people in their 40s, Damage Boardshop ownership say they are seeing more new customers, for a sport that doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. “It’s pretty easy. You really don’t need to maintain a skateboard that much as long as you…

DFD Saw Record Number of Calls, Increase in Structure Fires in 2020

DULUTH, Minn.– 2020 was a year filled with change for fire and emergency responders across the country due to the pandemic, including right here in the Northland. Those at the Duluth Fire Department have been working through the circumstances to try and keep Duluthians safe. The Duluth Fire Department released its incident report for 2020, where fire and EMS responders…

Lake Superior Railroad Museum to Reopen Thursday

DULUTH, Minn.– Business is back at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum after being closed for a few months while the depot acted as a vaccination site. The museum will officially open back up Thursday. Crews have been using the down time to give the museum a new look with some renovations, including an expanded gift shop. Museum staff are ready…