News

Morning Update 2-1-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Monday, Feb. 1, 2021

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

Biden to Meet Republicans Proposing $618 Billion Virus Aid

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is set to meet Monday with a group of 10 Republican senators who have proposed $618 billion in coronavirus aid, about a third of what he’s seeking. The Republicans propose slimmer benefits, including $1,000 in direct payments to individuals earning up to $40,000 a year, or $80,000 for couples. White House press secretary Jen…

Minnesota to Detail New Setup for Community Vaccine Clinics

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota health officials are expected Monday to announce “significantly more” coronavirus vaccine will be allotted to people 65 and older. The state has run a two-week pilot of community vaccination clinics since the federal government lowered the recommended age for vaccinations to 65 and up. But getting appointments has been difficult since states are getting far less…

Schouweiler Wins Beagrease Half Marathon

The mushers arrived at the Trestle Inn in Finland, Minnesota just before 6:30 a.m. Monday morning. 

FINLAND, Minn. – The John Beargrease Half Marathon officially has a winner. The mushers arrived at the Trestle Inn in Finland, Minnesota just before 6:30 a.m. Monday morning. Erin Schouweiler crossed the finish line first followed by Michael Bestgen in a close second. Rita Wehseler came in third. So far, ten total mushers have crossed the 120 finish line. Schouweiler…

Mushers Takeoff For 37th Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon Despite No Fans

The teams were wound up and ready to set out on the 300-mile journey to Grand Portage. 

DULUTH, Minn.-With a different starting line, warmer weather, and no spectators, the 37th John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon looked different. But to mushers and their dogs, the trail experience looks to be the same. “Having this race happen is huge not only for the mushers and the fans but for the dogs,” said returning champ Ryan Redington. “You hear how…

Floral Design Class Offers Beauty During Pandemic, Winter Months

Northland florist Lulu Collective had a floral arranging class at the Clyde Malting Building today.

DULUTH, Minn. – Northland florist Lulu Collective had a floral arranging class at the Clyde Malting Building today. About 10 participants came to the floral activity, giving them a therapeutic way to arrange and put together flowers in a beautiful way. Owners of Lulu Collective say it’s a great time to do something fun, even during the pandemic. “Really great…

Duluthian Uses Big Instagram Following to Teach Government Studies And Give Back

DULUTH, Minn.  – A Duluth woman is using her background as a former U.S. government studies teacher to not only educate her large Instagram following, but to do some good as well. Sharon McMahon spent years teaching U.S. government studies in different corners of the country and now runs a photography business in Duluth. This past fall, her passion for…

Volunteers Still Help Out at Beargrease Despite Pandemic

With the pandemic this year, there were no spectators, but the event's festivities still needed dozens and dozens of volunteers.

DULUTH, Minn. – With the pandemic this year, there were no spectators, but the event’s festivities still needed dozens and dozens of volunteers. Volunteers stepped up to the plate at this year’s Beargrease Marathon and gave back in the ways they could. Volunteers new and old came to the race and gave back. Reece Townsend, a Duluth resident, has been…

Beargrease Vets Examine Dogs On Race Day, One Last Time Before First Checkpoint

Last minute injuries can come from dogs getting antsy waiting, or even frostbitten tongues in colder weather.

DULUTH, Minn.- While mushers, handlers and the dog teams get blinded by excitement before they start on the trail, the Beargrease veterinarians were busy making sure the dogs were in race-shape Sunday. At Saturday’s final official vet check, mushers could get extra dogs checked and cleared, just in case one of them gets injured overnight or at the starting line….

Trail Mail Honors Memory of John Beargrease

DULUTH, Minn. – If you didn’t know already,  the Beargrease has a rich history that dates back to the 1800s when John Beargrease himself was a U.S. Postal Service mail carrier up the North Shore. John Beargrease would travel between Two Harbors and Grand Marais with only four dogs pulling his toboggan. John became well-known for his efforts to get…

Minnesotans Received Emails Canceling COVID Vaccine In Error

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Some Minnesotans enrolled in the state’s pilot COVID-19 vaccination program got multiple emails and texts that wrongly told them their appointments were canceled. State health officials say nearly everyone who got the erroneous message has been notified that their appointments are indeed confirmed. The messages came Saturday from the state’s vendor, Primary Bio, and were intended for…

Wisconsin Tops 1,000 Daily Virus Cases, Lists 3 New Deaths

MILWAUKEE (AP) – Wisconsin has recorded more than 1,000 new COVID-19 cases and three new deaths due to complications from the coronavirus. The update released Sunday by state health officials increases the total number of positive tests to 542,415 and cumulative deaths to 5,896 since the start of the pandemic. The COVID Tracking Project ranks Wisconsin 39th in the country…

Minnesota Shows Nearly 1,000 New Virus Cases, 13 New Deaths

Minnesota health officials are confirming 996 new COVID-19 cases and 13 new deaths to due complications from the coronavirus. The update released Sunday increased the total number of positive tests to 461,807 and cumulative deaths to 6,200 since the start of the pandemic. The COVID Tracking Project reports that Minnesota 48th in the country for new cases per capita in…

Lake Superior Ice Festival Continues

The annual Lake Superior Ice Festival officially got started today, one of the few larger events taking place during the pandemic.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The annual Lake Superior Ice Festival officially got started today, one of the few larger events taking place during the pandemic. The warmer temperatures along with the snow created a great environment for people to come to Barker’s Island in Superior to check out the festival. With ice sculptures, a snowshoe obstacle course, and fun characters like…

Dog Sledding at Positive Energy Outdoors Provides Participants with Neat Experience

For those who want to get into dog sledding, but maybe not at the level of the Beargrease just yet, classes were available in Duluth today.

DULUTH, Minn. – For those who want to get into dog sledding, but maybe not at the level of the Beargrease just yet, classes were available in Duluth today. Positive Energy Outdoors near Rice Lake Road provides dog sledding introduction classes giving participants the expertise in how to harness dogs, handle them, and how to hook them up to the…

Vets Check Dogs Before Beargrease

With Beargrease just around the corner, vets are making sure that dogs are safe for the big race tomorrow.

PROCTOR, Minn. – With Beargrease just around the corner, vets are making sure that dogs are safe for the big race tomorrow. Veterinarians, vet technicians, and students from the University of Minnesota helped check the dogs at the South St. Louis County Fairgrounds in Proctor. “Everybody seems to be well-trained and healthy,” said Gregg Phillips, the head vet for the…

UPDATE: Man Died Of Self-Inflicted Gunshot, Not Officer Gunfire in Shooting in Saginaw Friday, BCA Says

Scott Michael Jordon, 34, of Duluth died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

  SAGINAW, Minn.- According to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension the man who died Friday during an officer-involved shooting incident in Saginaw died of a self-inflicted gunshot, not a gunshot by authorities, as the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office previously reported. A spokesperson with the BCA said the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the man as Scott Michael…

Winter Bike Week Kicks Off With Bike Tune-ups

Zeitgeist’s Winter Bike Week has begun.

DULUTH, Minn. – Zeitgeist’s Winter Bike Week has begun. As part of the festivities, Northlanders were able to come to Continental Ski and Bik today for free bike tune-ups and take-home treats. There was also a kids helmet giveaway through Safe Kids Northeast Minnesota. “Gearing it towards people who aren’t necessarily always biking throughout the winter and making it a…

Silver Bay PTO Encourages Shoe Donations for Fundraising Drive

The Shoe Drive will Run Through Feb. 28 with Donations Accepted During Schools Hours

SILVER BAY, Minn. – The Silver Bay Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is looking to collect 2,500 pairs of shoes, and they need your help to put one foot in front of the other. Due to COVID-19, the PTO is unable to host many of their annual in-person fundraisers, so they’re adjusting. The organization is partnering with Orlando based “Funds2orgs.” The…

Minnesota in High Demand for Child Care Jobs

DULUTH, Minn.– As the pandemic continues, the need for childcare is growing throughout the state and at the rate it’s going state officials say more workers are needed in the field. With 12,000 childcare workers in the state already and 500 here in northeast Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development reports the child care industry has been…

Second Harvest Food Bank Sees A Jump in The Number Of People In Need Of Food Assistance

More than 7 million pounds of food has been distributed this year, which equals over 6 million meals.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Second Harvest Food Bank has seen a jump in the need for food assistance across the region this year. Second Harvest officials say this year about 8% more people throughout Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin needed help feeding their families. That’s an estimated additional 13,500 people for the year. Also, 20% of the people using the…

Car Thefts Continue To Jump During The Winter In Duluth

It believed people are leaving their keys in the car or leaving it running to warm up during chilly days.

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Police are continuing to see an uptick in car thefts during the winter months. Authorities say certain habits during the winter can make people’s cars a target for car thieves. It believed people are leaving their keys in the car or leaving it running to warm up during chilly days. DPD says there are a few…

Marshall School Continues with Hybrid Learning, Encourages Kids to Go Outside

With the pandemic continuing on, Duluth Marshall has created new ways to teach kids in-person.

DULUTH, Minn. – With the pandemic continuing on, Duluth Marshall has created new ways to teach kids in-person. For example, with virus transmission being lower when outside, kids can practice physical education on a makeshift rink after the school flooded half their tennis courts. The assistant principal says activities like these really boost the kids’ spirits during these uncertain times….

Changes Could Be Coming to Lincoln Park

Overall, the city’s main goal is to simply make the park safer.

DULUTH, Minn. – Some major changes could soon be coming to Lincoln Park. The park is in need of maintenance like moving the playground away from the road while adding bathrooms to the historic pavilion and reopening it. Overall, the city’s main goal is to simply make the park safer. “It hasn’t necessarily had as large of an investment for…

Brewery Owners Sound Off Hoping To Make A Change To The Growler Cap Law

"Over 8,000 breweries in the country, we are the only five restricted from selling beer to-go to the consumer. That's crazy we need to make a change," said Lon Larson, the co-owner of Castle Danger Brewery in Two Harbors.

TWO HARBORS, Minn. – Some of the top beer makers in Minnesota are hoping to bring a change to restrictions preventing the sale of growlers. “We are actually the only five in the entire country. Over 8,000 breweries in the country, we are the only five restricted from selling beer to-go to the consumer. That’s crazy we need to make…

Virus Forces Bloomington Schools Back to Distance Learning

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A large Minnesota school district has been forced to return to distance learning after an outbreak of COVID-19 among its transportation workers. Bloomington Public Schools brought back preschoolers through second graders on Jan. 19 and had planned to bring back third to fifth graders on Monday. But the district informed parents Thursday evening that the plan is…

Evers: Repealing Mask Mandate Like Eliminating Speed Limits

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has admonished rival Republicans for trying to repeal his statewide mask mandate, saying killing the order would be akin to abolishing speed limits. Senate Republicans voted Tuesday to end Evers’ health emergency declaration, which would end the mask mandate. Assembly Republicans were poised to follow suit on Thursday but delayed a vote…

Free Drive-Thru COVID Testing Available Today for Wisconsin Residents

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Free drive-thru COVID-19 testing is available to Wisconsin residents today in Superior. The Wisconsin National Guard will be assisting with the testing from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at 1101 Susquehanna Avenue. Wisconsin residents 5 years of age or older with any COVID symptoms are eligible for the free testing. You can pre-register by visiting register.covidconnect.wi.gov. If…

Midday Update 1-29-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Friday, Jan. 29, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Friday, Jan. 29, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Friday, January 29

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 1,145 new cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota on Friday morning bringing the total confirmed COVID cases to 459,747 in the state. Health officials also reported 28 news deaths bringing the death total to 6,168 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 6,513,797 tests have been completed to date. There…

Michigan Approves Great Lakes Oil Pipeline Tunnel Permits

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) – Michigan’s environmental agency is approving the construction of an underground tunnel to house a replacement for a controversial oil pipeline in the Great Lakes. State officials have awarded permits to Enbridge for the $500 million tunnel project. The company is resisting Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s order to shut down Enbridge’s Line 5 in the Straits…

Morning Update 1-29-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Friday, Jan. 29, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Friday, Jan. 29, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, News

Prosecutors Appeal Ruling That Split Trials in Floyd’s Death

(from left, Derek Chauvin, Tuo Thao, Thomas Lane, and J. Alexander Kueng) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Prosecutors in Minnesota have appealed a judge’s ruling that split the trials of four Minneapolis police officers charged in George Floyd’s death and kept the first trial scheduled to start in March. Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill ruled earlier in January that Derek Chauvin, the…

Democrats to ‘Act Big’ on $1.9T Aid; GOP Wants Plan Split

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats are rejecting a Republican pitch to split President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 rescue plan into smaller chunks. Democrats and the White House appear ready to leave their GOP opponents behind and push the sweeping economic and virus aid forward on their own. Despite Biden’s calls for unity, Democrats say the stubbornly high unemployment numbers and…

Glensheen Offers Snowshoe Rental to Guests

Glensheen is now offering free snowshoe rental to guests with the purchase of a tour every Saturday and Sunday through March.

DULUTH, Minn. – Glensheen is now offering free snowshoe rental to guests with the purchase of a tour every Saturday and Sunday through March. Management says it’s exciting to be able to explore the grounds with the snow cover. “It’s awesome for people to go inside the cozy mansion but really the estate in the winter season is absolutely beautiful,”…

Duluth Groups, Businesses Weigh in Proposed Tax Increase on Smoking and Tobacco Products

DULUTH, Minn.– The financial impacts from the pandemic are forcing state governments to find ways to bridge their deficits. In Minnesota, Governor Tim Walz unveiled his budget, which would raise taxes in several areas, including tobacco sales. Walz’s new plan would create a one dollar tax increase on tobacco and vaping products, leading to a mixed reaction here in the…

Enbridge Gives Update on Replacement of Line 3

SUPERIOR, Wis.– Enbridge Energy is continuing to move forward with its Line 3 pipeline replacement project despite continued protests from indigenous and environmental groups. Enbridge says it has 5,200 workers on the ground replacing the pipeline that runs across Minnesota and through Superior. Enbridge official’s stress they’ve passed all environmental reviews at the federal, state, and local levels while working…

A UMD Program Is Helping 50 & Older Individuals Continue Lifelong Learning

"I never looked back," said Diane Kolquist, a student of the program.

DULUTH, Minn. – A University of Minnesota Duluth program is helping adults 50 and older continue the journey of lifelong learning. University for Seniors is a program at UMD that offers intellectual and cultural development to promote learning among the older population. The program is a peer-led learning program. It is run in a study group format and volunteers like…

“Mask Out Minnesota” Encourages People To Get Outdoors

"We want to encourage you to forget the four walls of your home this winter," said Renee Mattson, the executive director for the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission has started a new initiative to encourage people to get outdoors. Commission members visited the Hartley Nature Center in Duluth to promote a new campaign called “Mask Out Minnesota.” The campaign wants to motivate people to try out state parks and trails, which have gotten more popular during the…

Warming Centers, Homeless Shelters Staying Busy

With the winter chill hitting the Northland, Northland homeless shelters and warming centers are staying busy.

DULUTH, Minn. – With the winter chill hitting the Northland, Northland homeless shelters and warming centers are staying busy. Management at CHUM says they’ve seen about 80 people a night in the shelters along with another 35 in the warming center. However, because of COVID some of the homeless are concerned about going into the shelters over fears of catching…

COVID Variants in Minnesota

COVID variants across the world have made their way to the U.S. including right here in Minnesota and now local health officials are continuing to urge Northlanders to use caution when out in the public to prevent getting these more aggressive forms of COVID.

DULUTH, Minn. – COVID variants across the world have made their way to the U.S. including right here in Minnesota and now local health officials are continuing to urge Northlanders to use caution when out in the public to prevent getting these more aggressive forms of COVID. COVID variants are now being discovered across the U.S. including right here in…

Essentia Health Debuts Mobile COVID Vaccine Unit

(photo courtesy: Essentia Health) DULUTH, Minn. – Esssentia Health debuted its first mobile COVID-19 vaccine unit on Thursday that will be used to administer vaccines to groups in need of on-site vaccinations in the community. The mobile unit stopped at The Hills Youth and Family Services on Thursday where 45 staff members were vaccinated as part of the Phase 1A…

Husky to Receive More Funding for Rebuild, Projecting 2023 Restart

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Superior’s Husky Refinery is now projecting to restart operations in 2023. According to a Cenovus spokesperson, the company confirmed in a 2021 budget announcement Thursday that the Superior Refinery restart is expected in the first quarter of 2023 and is also receiving additional funding for the project. The company says $950 million is being dedicated to the…

Virus Variant From South Africa Detected in US for 1st Time

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A new coronavirus variant identified in South Africa has been found in the United States for the first time. South Carolina officials say two such cases have been diagnosed in the state. Viruses mutate constantly, and many variants of the coronavirus are circulating around the globe, but scientists are primarily concerned with three that appears to…

Wisconsin Assembly Cancels Vote on Repeal of Mask Mandate

(courtesy: WI Dept of Health Services via AP) MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Republican-controlled Wisconsin Assembly has backed off on voting to repeal Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ mask mandate. The retreat Thursday came in the face of broad criticism from the state’s health, school and business leaders and out concern the move would jeopardize more than $49 million in federal…

Robinhood Lawsuit 2021: Class Action Filed Against App After Restriction of Gamestop Stock Trades

(FOX TV Digital Team) – Robinhood is facing class-action lawsuits after the company’s response to the surge in trading involving GameStop and AMC, according to Fox Business. On Thursday, Robinhood and other trading platforms announced they would be restricting those stocks to “liquidate only.” “We continuously monitor the markets and make changes where necessary. In light of recent volatility, we…