MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A group of voters sued Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and other officials on Tuesday to try to block a requirement that voters wear face masks at the polling place to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. Members of the Minnesota Voters Alliance, backed by Republican lawmakers, argue that Walz’s mask mandate conflicts with a 1963 state law making…
WILLOW RIVER, Minn.– The Minnesota Department of Corrections has announced plans to close prisons in both Willow River and Togo. The reason is budgetary concerns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials for the DOC call it a difficult decision to close the facilities. Even though the two prisons are the smallest in the state, they have played a big role…
ASHLAND COUNTY, Wis. – Ashland County reported its first COVID-19 related death Tuesday. As of August 4th, the virus has killed more than 960 people across Wisconsin, and more than 56,000 have tested positive since the pandemic started. “We were in a pretty good place a few months ago, but we’ve hit some serious setbacks, folks, and we will continue…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth School District’s new superintendent, John Magas, has presented his education strategy for the fall. In his plan, elementary students would return in-person and middle and high school students would return in a hybrid manner, with each student walking through school doors for in-person classes one day per week. “Making this more safe quite often means…
DULUTH, Minn. – The MSHSL announced on Tuesday afternoon that soccer, cross country, girls tennis and girls swimming and diving will happen this fall, while football and volleyball will be pushed to the spring. “It’s just nice to hear that the seasons are going to happen for everybody and they’re not just going to cancel one season and play it…
NORTHLAND – In this day and age of online meetings and masks, makeup and fashion seemed to have taken a backseat. However, businesses in the Northland are providing ways for people to look their best even during these uncertain times. For instance, at Mix Cosmetiques on Woodland Avenue, owners make custom makeup that doesn’t smudge under your mask. Guests can…
WILLOW RIVER, Minn.– The Minnesota Department of Corrections announced yesterday that it’s going to close the prisons in Willow River and Togo as they try to stay afloat with huge budget shortfalls caused by the virus outbreak. The department is facing a $14 million budget deficit that could grow to as much as $25 million over the next two fiscal…
DULUTH, Minn. – Many cities across the Northland are preparing for the upcoming primary election next Tuesday. Over in Duluth, residents can send in an absentee ballot or if they do go to the polls, voters need to wear masks unless they have a medical issue. Staff will be wiping down surfaces after each person who steps into the ballot…
DULUTH, Minn. – Schools are getting ready for the fall semester in a variety of ways, including the private school Stella Maris Academy. The catholic school, which goes from pre-K to eighth grade, is giving parents and students the option of being onsite or online. Students will then be allowed to transition between the two depending on a variety of…
DULUTH, Minn. – August 1st marked the one-year anniversary of the hands-free driving law taking affect in Minnesota. During the first eleven months of hands-free law, officials have cited over 19,000 drivers for in Minnesota for violating the law. Because of this, over 300 law enforcement agencies across the state will be participating in an extra enforcement campaign. “Drive smart. Park…
(courtesy: fox 9) SHAKOPEE, Minn. – Valleyfair announced on Tuesday that they will remain closed for the rest of the year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are disappointed that we are unable to welcome our guests back to the park this season,” said Raul Rehnborg, Valleyfair’s General Manager and Vice President in a press release. “The safety of our…
(courtesy: WI Dept of Health Services via AP) MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Tony Evers says he has no secret plans to ban in-person instruction for Wisconsin’s K-12 students this fall. Republican lawmakers are worried that Evers is planning to order schools to close their doors and offer online instruction only, as the coronavirus pandemic rages on. But the governor…
MINNEAPOLIS (Fox 9) – The Minnesota State High School League met Tuesday morning to determine what the options are for the high school fall sports season amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Thousands of high school athletes are awaiting word on their futures after hundreds of seniors across the state had their 2020 spring seasons canceled due to the global health pandemic….
DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation says motorists in Duluth should plan for temporary closures and detours next week while crews conduct routine bridge inspections. Upcoming closures and detours include: Monday, August 10 through Tuesday, August 11 Right lane closures on northbound I-35 over Grand Avenue/Highway 23 Wednesday, August 12 The entrance ramp from Grand Avenue/Highway 23 to…
Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist William Seay for a local look at news and weather making headlines Tuesday, August 4, 2020. Have a great day! Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, midday update, News, William Seay
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 57,162 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Tuesday morning and 4 new deaths bringing the death total to 1,620 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 1,078,695 tests have been completed to date. There are 50,426 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 5,346 patients have required hospitalization…
KEEWATIN, Minn. – U.S. Steel’s Keetac mine remains indefinitely idled amid the coronavirus pandemic. In April, it was announced that layoffs would begin for employees who have been at the mine for three years or less. Of the roughly 380 workers that have been laid off since May, about 40 of them are still able to work on special projects…
(AP Photo/Jim Mone) ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is again asking for federal help to rebuild from the unrest that followed George Floyd’s death. Walz said Monday he has requested a U.S. Small Business Administration disaster declaration that would free up low-interest loans to help property owners rebuild. “We remain committed to working with the impacted…
Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist William Seay for a local look at news and weather making headlines Tuesday, August 4, 2020. Have a great day! Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, morning update, News, William Seay
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A judge on Monday extended changes in Minnesota’s absentee ballot rules to the November general election. Ramsey County Judge Sara Grewing approved the agreement allowing Minnesota voters to submit their mail-in or absentee ballots in the Nov. 3 general election without witness signatures, the Star Tribune reported. Election officials also will count ballots that arrive within seven…
DULUTH, Minn.– Area residents were able to get their hands on some fresh seafood Monday. Fabian Seafood made the trip up from Texas to Duluth, continuing the 40-plus year old tradition of coming to the Northland. Fabian workers say their biggest seller in Duluth is jumbo shrimp. While this isn’t the first time they have made the trip to Duluth…
HERMANTOWN, Minn.– An elderly man who went missing from an assisted living facility in Hermantown has been found safe and in good health about 60 miles away on the Iron Range. The 80 year old man was discovered missing around 2 p.m. this morning after he left at about 7:30 that evening from his home at the Golden Oaks Facility…
PROCTOR, Minn.– In Proctor, the school board met Monday night to discuss their plans moving forward after Governor Walz’s announcement last week allowing school districts to decide reopening strategies for themselves. The Proctor School District went through details of what each option could look like, whether they choose to go for distance learning, in-person, or a hybrid of both in…
VIRGINIA, Minn. – Nurses who work for Essentia Health’s hospital in Virginia aren’t on strike, but they picketed outside the healthcare facility Monday. Nurses say they want to get a deal done now after working there without a contract for more than a year. 103 Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) nurses work at Essentia Health-Virginia. The union is asking the healthcare…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Bong Center in Superior is holding multiple youth programs over the summer. One is catered to middle school students while the other is geared towards high schoolers. During the Junior Curators program, middle schoolers get the chance to complete the oral history of a veteran and put together a mini-exhibit on them. For the Bong Squadron,…
DULUTH, Minn. – One local cidery is launching an ice cream line. Wild State Cider is starting Camp Creemee, which is Minnesota’s only Vermont-style soft serve ice cream shop. One of the owners of Wild State Cider lived in Vermont before coming to Minnesota where he learned about cider and about rich soft-serve ice cream. “By adding ice cream to…
DULUTH, Minn. – Both the Marshall School and the Montessori School of Duluth are preparing to send kids physically back into the classroom but in a socially-distanced manner. On the one hand, the Marshall School has taken time to analyze the physical spaces within the school to arrange them for social distancing while maximizing fresh air. Cleaning and disinfecting are…
CARLTON, Minn. – A new dental center is putting on the finishing touches as it prepares for its grand opening. The Lake Superior Community Health Center (LSCHC) is expanding to Carlton to open the Carlton Dental Center. LSCHC works to provide affordable dental appointments and proceducres for those who may not be able to afford care. “There’s a shortage of available…
CLOQUET, Minn. – Thrifting is a popular way to shop for many and now a new local thrift store is serving Cloquet. Highway 45 Thrift Store opened in Cloquet in June. The opening has been in the works for years and with the recent closures of Goodwill and Salvation Army Thrift Store in the Cloquet area, their services were needed…
COTTON, Minn. – A semi tanker truck caught fire early Monday afternoon on Highway 53 near Cotton causing the northbound lane to remain closed for over an hour, according to the Northland FireWire. A Facebook post on the Northland FireWire page says multiple St. Louis County fire departments responded to reports of the fire around 1:00 p.m. The fire was…
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (FOX 9) – Nickelodeon Universe is reopening at the Mall of America on Aug. 10. The indoor amusement park says it is doing a phased reopening, with only a select number of rides open. A maximum of 250 guests will be allowed in the park at a time. To enter the park, guests are required to purchase either a two-hour…
TOGO, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Corrections announced on Monday that it plans to close prison facilities in Togo and Willow River due to a “substantial budget crisis.” The Minnesota DOC says it is closing the state’s two smallest prisons as it is facing a $14 million budget deficit for the current fiscal year. The combined budget for the…
(courtesy: WI Dept of Health Services via AP) MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers is endorsing Joe Biden for president. The move announced Monday comes after Evers declined to endorse anyone in the primary and just two weeks before the start of the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee. Biden has promised to make the trip to Milwaukee…
Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist William Seay for a local look at news and weather making headlines Monday, August 3, 2020. Have a great day! Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, midday update, News, William Seay
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 56,560 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Monday morning and 2 new deaths bringing the death total to 1,616 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 1,070,925 tests have been completed to date. There are 49,565 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 5,298 patients have required hospitalization…
DULUTH, Minn. – The 34th annual Duluth Superior Pride Festival will go on virtually this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Event organizers say after months of discussion, it simply wasn’t responsible to move forward with an in-person celebration as in year’s past. “I think it’s extremely important to host a virtual celebration. Pride is based on community and taking a…
Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist William Seay for a local look at news and weather making headlines Monday, August 3, 2020. Have a great day! Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, morning update, News, William Seay
(courtesy: Hermantown Police Department) UPDATE: According to the Hermantown Police Department, the 80-year-old male missing from the Golden Oaks Senior Living Facility has been safely located. The police department provided the update on their Facebook page Monday morning. HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Just after two o’clock Monday morning, Hermantown Police Officers Responded to Golden Oaks Senior Living Facility in Hermantown. Staff…
DULUTH, Minn. – Down in Canal Park, Sunday was a busy day for the Wheel Fun bike rentals. The company rents out single and double surrey bikes complete with four wheels, a roof, and even steering wheel for riders to cruise around Canal Park. This year, the manager says they are seeing a lot more out-of-state customers, but they continue…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – One Northland church had its first in-person worship session today since the pandemic began. Bethel Lutheran Church held its Sunday service outdoors as it welcomed worshippers back. The church usually meets on John Avenue in Superior, but today, dozens of congregants met with their lawn chairs and masks at Webster Park. Unlike previous meetings, there was no…
DULUTH, Minn. – The owners of the Mesabi Preschool Academy say they’re excited to open up a second location in the middle of downtown Duluth to serve families in the area. Before the start of COVID, there was a shortage of spaces in childcare facilities. However, at the beginning of the pandemic, there was a drop in enrollment, most likely…
BROOKSTON, Minn. – Despite cancelations of events all over the Northland due to COVID-19 the annual hare scramble forged ahead for dirt bikers. 250 riders of all ages came out to participate in the Echo Valley Range Riders Harescramble, a dirt bike race that speeds through wood off-road terrain. Riders spent around two hours doing laps around the nearly 9-mile…
DULUTH, Minn.- Visitors at Glensheen Mansion Saturday got to learn about an old-fashioned trade — being a blacksmith. Forging Community’s blacksmiths were on the mansion grounds demonstrating metal working and smithing. Glensheen staff say they appreciate having them every year and they are an even more valuable attraction during the pandemic. “For the public it’s always kind of fun to…
SUPERIOR, Wis.- Signs and flags, conversations and tensions filled the grounds of the Government Center as a group in support of Superior Police, and a group pushing to restructure their local law enforcement protested in the same space. “We believe that there’s a lot within SPD that needs to be changed,” said Waylon J of the Expose the Gap group….
ASHLAND, Wis. – Wisconsin Governor Tony Ever’s statewide mandatory mask order began on Saturday. The order requires people over five years old to wear masks in indoor spaces. Wisconsinites are mandated to wear the masks indoors or face a potential $200 penalty. Ashland’s city council voted not to rule on a mask mandate this week, but per Gov. Evers’ order,…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota faces a potential $4.7 billion deficit in its next two-year budget due to economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. The Minnesota Management and Budget office said Friday that the pandemic has made economic conditions “extremely volatile” as a new planning estimate shows a continued deterioration of state finances. Minnesota has received more than $2…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Spirit Room cocktail bar in Superior hosted a boozy ice cream social in their parking lot accompanied by live music. Patrons were encouraged to bring some lawn chairs and sit out and listen to music from the band Similar Dogs. Some of the creations include boozy cocktails, beer floats, and champagne with sherbert. The Spirit Room’s…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce distributed thousands of masks on Friday outside the DECC. The masks were sent from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development to make sure everyone can follow the new statewide mask requirement in Minnesota. On Friday 50,000 masks alone were being distributed in Duluth, only a small porting of the…
DULUTH, Minn. – A Fond du Luth Casino employee has tested positive for COVID-19. The casino sent the following statement about the positive test: “A Fond du Luth employee has tested positive for COVID-19. Immediate action was taken by the Fond du Luth’s management including an internal process to determine who was in contact with the employee. Fond du Luth is…
SILVER BAY, Minn. – If you’re looking for a new spot to camp out at on the North Shore, head to Silver Bay to check out the new campground there. Black Beach Campground opened on June 25 and campground staff say it’s been at 95 percent capacity since then. Tourists have been enjoying the new space along the shores of…
