Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist William Seay for a local look at news and weather making headlines Friday, April 24, 2020. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, morning update, William Seay
New unemployment numbers were released by the U.S. government, showing that about 26 million people have filed for unemployment, which is the worst its been since the Great Depression. Locally, analysts are also compiling data to learn more about the Northland’s economic situation. Economic experts from the University of Minnesota Extension say 17 percent of workers, which is more than…
HIBBING, Minn. – A 15-year-old was airlifted to a Duluth hospital Wednesday after the teen was involved in a motor vehicle accident with a pickup truck. Hibbing police say they were dispatched to the 100 Block of Center Avenue in Kelly Lake around 4:00 p.m. on reports of the accident. When they arrived on the scene the 15-year-old was semi-conscious…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department is continuing to work under unprecedented times during the pandemic. Chief Mike Tusken says his patrol officers are working 12-hour shifts for five days on and 15 days off to allow an officer to potentially develop symptoms of COVID-19 before returning to work. “We do believe that the greatest threat we have in…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Superior-Douglas County Area Chamber of Commerce has temporarily laid off most of its staff because of the financial strain from the pandemic. It’s a move the chamber hasn’t made before in its 137-year history. Chamber President/CEO Taylor Pedersen told FOX 21 the decision to furlough was tough but a responsible one so his team can be strong…
HERMANTOWN, Minn.– The Hermantown robotics team has been using their time away from school to help out the best way they know how. With robotics. “We’re helping the community even though we’re stuck at home,” said robotics student Jonah Wright. The Hermantown Cyberhawks are making what they call earsavers. It’s a piece of plastic that people wearing masks can use…
DULUTH, Minn.- The COVID-19 pandemic has left musical acts and festivals at Bayfront Festival Park in unprecedented uncertainty–forcing organizers and artists to explore different ways to give fans an experience if shows are a no-go. Bayfront has become synonymous with summer fun, filling up every season with concert-goers, food lovers, and fireworks. But the empty, bleak park you see right…
DULUTH, Minn. – Golfers are speaking out against Duluth Mayor Emily Larson’s decision to close Lester Park Golf Course for the entire 2020 season. “We wait sometimes until almost May, early May to start playing and we’re patient. And now we have nothing to look forward to,” said frequent golfer Phil Fitzpatrick. Golfers met outside the Lester Park clubhouse, showing…
DULUTH, Minn. – Family care doctors are stressing parents should continue to keep up on their children’s check-up appointments even during COVID-19. One local physician says they want children, especially those two-years-old and younger to keep up on regular visits. All patients are screened before they go into the clinic along with waiting in the car instead of the waiting…
DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Public Schools will continue providing meals and childcare to certain families, and distance learning to all students for the rest of the school year. Superintendent Bill Gronseth tells us the district is planning to hold awards nights and graduations this spring despite schools being shut down. “We’re working with our schools and our students and our…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Duluth NAACP held its third free mask giveaway, this time in Superior. Community members made and donated nearly 700 masks for distribution. Community Memorial Hospital in Cloquet also donated toothbrushes, bubbles, and coloring books to be given out to kids. The Duluth NAACP says they want to give masks to those who are more susceptible to…
DULUTH, Minn. – After Wednesday’s announcement by Governor Tim Walz, local hospitals are now allowed to test anyone with COVID-19 symptoms. Minnesota is testing an average of 1,300 people a day for COVID-19 but after Gov. Walz’s recent announcement that number is going to rise more than ten-fold. Previously, only certain people were allowed to be tested, but now the…
DULUTH, Minn. – All Minnesota k-12 schools are remaining closed for the rest of the academic school year. Governor Tim Walz made the announcement earlier today as a further precaution to flatten the curve of the coronavirus pandemic. It’s already been more than a month since Minnesota students were last in school classrooms. Most academic school years in the state…
DULUTH, Minn. – After the city of Duluth laid off 25 library technicians on Wednesday, the Duluth Public Library has announced its second annual “Giving Day.” Although the library is temporarily closed, the Duluth Library Foundation is asking for donations. The staff said that they want to make sure the public still has the resources they need during the Covid-19…
Corktown Deli in Lincoln Park is now also serving as a partial grocery store. It recently reopened for to-go service while also making room for some grocery store shelving in the store, which includes items like baking supplies, beverages, and breakfast items. Owners say they are trying different things and seeing what works. “Overall the support from the community has…
Coffee isn’t necessarily an essential need. But to some, it’s a special delicacy. Scott Nelson owns Dunn Brothers Coffee in Duluth, and he is donating about 100 pounds of freshly roasted coffee beans to the Salvation Army to be handed out and served to those in need. “It’s kind of a win-win where we can keep people employed and people…
ROCHESTER, Minn. (FOX 9) – Vice President Mike Pence will visit Mayo Clinic’s facilities in Rochester next week, marking his second trip to Minnesota in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak. Pence’s trip is scheduled for Tuesday. He’ll tour Mayo Clinic’s research and treatment facilities and talk with workers, according to a White House statement sent Wednesday evening. Pence’s most recent trip…
DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth City Councilor Barbara Russ announced on Thursday that she is resigning from the Duluth City Council due to health issues. Russ wrote in a statement: “For the past 5 ½ years I have been privileged to serve as an At-Large Duluth City Councilor. During my tenure, I have fought hard to help the homeless and underprivileged…
(Glen Stubbe/Star Tribune via AP, Pool) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz on Thursday ordered Minnesota schools to stay closed through the rest of the academic year amid the COVID-19 crisis. Walz, who is a former teacher, calls it “a heartbreaking decision.” The Democratic governor says he feels sorry for all the students who will miss out on graduations, tournaments,…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz on Thursday ordered Minnesota schools to stay closed through the rest of the academic year amid the COVID-19 crisis. Walz, who is a former teacher, calls it “a heartbreaking decision.” The Democratic governor says he feels sorry for all the students who will miss out on graduations, tournaments and end of year celebrations. But…
DULUTH, Minn. – CHUM’s 16th Annual Rhubarb Festival has been canceled. CHUM says the decision to cancel the June 27 event is to ensure the safety of volunteers and attendees amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The festival raises about $60,000-$70,000 for CHUM each year. CHUM says next year’s festival will take place on June 26, 2021. Categories: Minnesota, News, News –…
FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. (FOX 9) – The general manager of the Minnesota State Fair says the Great Minnesota Get-Together is still on track to start on Aug. 27, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. In a statement, general manager Jerry Hammer said this year’s State Fair will be all or nothing—alternate fair dates, a change in the duration of the fair or significant reductions…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Health reported 21 new deaths on Thursday morning marking the most deaths reported in a single day to date. The department also reported 2,942 confirmed cases throughout the state. Health officials have cautioned that the real number of Minnesotans infected with the coronavirus is likely much higher because most people don’t qualify…
DULUTH, Minn. – With a nationwide shortage of N95 masks, and states told they must find supplies themselves, it’s becoming more difficult by the day to obtain a stockpile for Northland hospitals. On Wednesday, National Bank of Commerce gifted St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth a supply of 4,000 N95 masks for healthcare workers on the front lines to utilize. Another…
Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist William Seay for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, April 23, 2020. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, midday update, William Seay
DULUTH, Minn. – Summer camps have been canceled across Northern Minnesota by Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry. The organization operates Camp Hiawatha in Deer River and Camp Vermilion in Cook. The executive director tells us the camps host up to 1,000 kids and 60 staff members every year. The programs have been canceled for the season to help keep everybody safe during…
(Scott Takushi/Pioneer Press via AP, Pool) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz is expected to announce that he’s ordering Minnesota schools to stay closed through the rest of the year amid the COVID-19 crisis. The Democratic governor closed public and charter schools just over a month ago and directed them to switch to distance learning, a move that affected nearly…
DULUTH, Minn. – We’re all stuck at home making the most of cooking lunch dinner night after night, and Meteorologist William Seay wants to help spice things up in your kitchen! He shared is mouthwatering dry rub chicken wing recipe in this week’s Cooking Connection. Recipe: 3 lbs whole wings, cut into flats and drummies 1/4 cup olive oil Dry…
WASHINGTON (AP) – More than 4.4 million laid-off workers applied for U.S. unemployment benefits last week as job cuts escalated across an economy that remains all but shut down, the government said Thursday. Roughly 26 million people have now filed for jobless aid in the five weeks since the coronavirus outbreak began forcing millions of employers to close their doors. About…
Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist William Seay for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, April 23, 2020. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, morning update, William Seay
NEW HOPE, Minn. (AP) — One of Minnesota’s deadliest outbreaks of the coronavirus in a single setting is at a senior care campus in New Hope where 12 residents have died of complications of the virus. Records reviewed by the Star Tribune show the deaths since April 6 involve residents at St. Therese of New Hope who was between 82 and…
DULUTH, Minn. — The city of Duluth is laying off nearly 50 more employees on top of dozens of temporary and seasonal positions because of a massive projected budget shortfall. A spokesperson for Mayor Emily Larson said Wednesday that 49 full-time employees are affected in this latest round of layoffs. The positions range from housing inspectors within the fire department…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth School District has received more than 300 donated masks so far, 100 more are needed. The masks will be used for people working in emergency childcare and for district employees making lunches for students. Those workers will also continue using social distancing practices. “They’re now doing things to provide childcare to prepare meals to curriculum…
CLOQUET, Minn. – With students out of school right now, for some it can be difficult to pass the time. “She’s always been into crafts. But she’s never really sewed so we were trying to find something to keep her busy with not being at school and dance and stuff,” Cloquet Resident, Erick Halli says. Soon after the stay at…
DULUTH, Minn. – April 22nd is Earth Day, and today, some businesses are offering promotions to give back in a green way. Duluth Pack in Canal Park, which makes canvas and leather bags and packs, launched its “Buy a Pack, We Give Back” campaign this week. With every customer purchase, a tree will be planted in the local area with…
DULUTH, Minn – Nothing says I miss you like a video filled with heartfelt messages, right? Well, teachers and staff at Pike Lake Elementary did just that to share with their students while being apart during the pandemic. The video is a combination of pictures of the teachers and staff with messages expressing how much they miss their students. The…
DULUTH, Minn. – Mix Cosmetiques in Duluth is a locally-owned makeup shop that sells custom and organic homemade makeup products. Owner Lanae Rhoads attributes it to peoples’ desire to still look their best, even if it’s just for a Zoom call. She says there has been an increase of 35 to 40 percent in sales. While the business is not…
ASHLAND, Wis. – Kindergartners around the Northland are not in school right now because of the coronavirus shutdown, but that didn’t stop Ashland teachers from celebrating National Kindergarten Day with students and parents driving by Lake Superior Elementary School. A procession of cars was packed with families greeting their favorite kindergarten teachers in-person for the first time in more than…
DULUTH, Minn.– Today people around the world are celebrating the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. The Hartley Center in Duluth says they are trying to find ways to keep the community together during the pandemic. While their building may be shut down, they are encouraging people to get outside and enjoy all that nature has to offer. “With businesses closed,…
ST. PAUL, Minn.– Today was Minnesota’s deadliest day yet from Coronavirus with 19 deaths and 154 new infections. This afternoon Minnesota Governor Tim Walz held a news conference with health experts from around Minnesota with an important update on the next steps the state is taking to try to contain the virus. On the state’s deadliest day from Coronavirus, Governor…
DULUTH, Minn. – Small businesses in Duluth affected by the Coronavirus pandemic have one more day to apply for a special grant program. The Duluth 1200 Fund is handing out thousands of dollars in fast grants to provide immediate financial assistance to businesses being negatively impacted. The goal is to help preserve more than 1,000 jobs in the City of…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Superior is one of many higher education institutions suffering from the impacts of Covid-19. Due to substantial revenue loss, the university is “strongly” considering furloughing all faculty and staff beginning in July. University administration is looking into a phased approach to this furlough proposal. If it goes into effect for the institution, furloughs would…
WRENSHALL, Minn. – Several Northland farms are partnering with communities during this uncertain time to help support their businesses. CSA stands for community supported agriculture. Food Farm in Wrenshall has been participating in the CSA movement since 1994. CSAs are getting a lot of increased attention during the pandemic. At Food Farm, the summer CSA program shares have filled up…
MADISON, Wis. – Nineteen people in Wisconsin have tested positive for the coronavirus after having voted in-person in the April 7 election or after having worked at the polls, the state Department of Health and Human Services said Wednesday. Also, five Wisconsin National Guard members who helped staff polls on election day have reported symptoms of COVID-19 but the one…
NEW YORK (AP) – Two pet cats in New York state have tested positive for the coronavirus, marking the first confirmed cases in companion animals in the United States. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the finding Wednesday. The agencies say the cats had mild respiratory illnesses, are expected to recover, and…
(Scott Takushi/Pioneer Press via AP, Pool) ST. PAUL, Minn. – Governor Tim Walz along with the Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota announced on Wednesday a breakthrough for widespread testing of COVID-19 in the state. The statewide testing strategy will allow the testing of anyone with symptoms, isolate confirmed cases, and expand public health surveillance tools. The governor’s office…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz is preparing to make a major announcement about coronavirus testing in Minnesota. The governor will be joined at a 2 p.m. news conference by leaders from the Mayo Clinic, the University of Minnesota, and other health system leaders. Walz had previously set a goal of increasing the state’s testing capacity to 5,000 per day…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — COVID-19 has killed 19 more Minnesotans, marking the largest one-day death toll since the pandemic reached the state, the Minnesota Department of Health reported Wednesday. The 19 new deaths raised the state’s total to 179. The department also reported 154 new confirmed cases, a big one-day jump that raised the state’s total to 2,721. Health officials have…
Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist William Seay for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, April 22, 2020 Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, midday update, William Seay
DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Public Schools officially have a new superintendent. A three-year contract was unanimously approved Tuesday evening by the Duluth School Board. John Magas will take over as superintendent starting July 1, 2020. “John’s professional experience, especially in the areas of equity and continuous improvement, will serve our Duluth community well,” said Board Chair Jill Lofald. “He’s clearly…
