News

Viral ‘6-7’ tops 2025 list of overused words and phrases

Respondents to an annual Michigan college survey of overused and misused words and phrases say “6-7” is “cooked” and should come to a “massive” and “full stop” heading into the new year. Those are among the top 10 words on the 50th annual “Banished Words list,” released Thursday by Lake Superior State University. The tongue-in-cheek roundup of overused slang started in 1976 as a New Year’s Eve party idea. There were around 1,400 submissions this year from all 50 states and a number of countries outside the U.S., including Uzbekistan, Brazil and Japan.

Black Book Recaps 2025 Research Announcements and Client‑Rated Honors; Reaffirms Vendor‑Agnostic, Independently Validated Intelligence and 2026 Commitments

In 2025, Black Book expanded global healthcare IT research coverage; issued 32 complimentary, vendor-neutral benchmarking reports; advanced a 36‑KPI qualitative performance framework supported by Google Looker analytics and Qualtrics engagement; and compiled 311,732 verified end-user survey and satisfaction poll responses worldwide. This 2025 intake builds on a longitudinal repository now approaching four million verified end‑user reviews captured over the past…

McCollum’s jumper in final seconds leads Wizards to a 114-113 win over the Bucks

C.J. McCollum made a go-ahead, pull-up jumper with a second remaining to give the Washington Wizards a 114-113 victory over Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night. McCollum’s winner capped an 18-point performance. Alex Starr and Bub Carrington each scored 20 points. Antetokunmpo scored 33 points to lead the Bucks (14-20), who shot 41.1% from the floor and made 16 of 39 from 3-point distance. Kevin Porter Jr. scored 19 points and Ryan Rollins finished with 16 for Milwaukee, which had won two in a row and was looking for its first three-game win streak of the season.

PCA services affected by funding suspensions

DULUTH, Minn. — On Christmas Eve, Heartland PCA, a home care agency in northern Minnesota, received notice from the Department of Human Services that payments were being suspended under a new federal Medicaid pre-payment review process. Heartland PCA says their agency, along with 600 others, was impacted yesterday by an abrupt halt in payments, tied to fraud concerns, involving 14…

John Gibson makes 24 saves as surging Red Wings beat slumping Jets, 2-1

John Gibson kept up his hot December with 24 saves, Dylan Larkin and Mason Appleton scored goals, and the Detroit Red Wings beat the slumping Winnipeg Jets 2-1. Gibson won for the ninth time in 10 starts as the Red Wings improved to 11-3-1 in December. The Jets lost their seventh straight game (0-4-3) on a night where Connor Hellebuyck made 17 saves. Logan Stanley scored Winnipeg’s goal. The Red Wings took a 1-0 lead at 8:22 of the first period when Larkin ripped a shot over Hellebuyck’s glove while on the power play. Appleton put the Red Wings ahead 2-0 with 5:12 left in the first.

Manning uses arm and legs to lead No. 14 Texas to a 41-27 Citrus Bowl win over No. 18 Michigan

Arch Manning was just as potent with his legs as with his arms. That combination carried 14th-ranked Texas to a 41-27 victory over No. 18 Michigan in the Citrus Bowl. The game was tight until Manning broke it open with a 60-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter. He finished with 221 yards passing and two scores, and 155 yards rushing and two TDs on the ground. Michigan capped off a month the Wolverines would rather forget. Coach Sherrone Moore was fired for an extramarital affair with a staffer. New coach Kyle Whittingham watched from a coaching box.

Pope asks that Rome welcome foreigners as he closes out 2025

Pope Leo XIV has closed out 2025 with a prayer that the city of Rome might be a welcoming place for foreigners and fragile people young and old. Leo presided over a New Year’s Eve vespers service in St. Peter’s Basilica. He gave thanks for the 2025 Holy Year that brought millions of pilgrims to Rome in the once-every-quarter-century celebration of Christianity. Leo will officially close out the Jubilee on Jan. 6. In his homily, he thanked the city of Rome and the volunteers who helped keep crowds moving as they visited St. Peter’s and passed through its Holy Door.

Visit Malaysia 2026 Countdown Festival: A New Year’s Eve Celebration

Prime Minister celebrated the New Year together with Malaysians and officially kicked off Visit Malaysia 2026 at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, amid captivating pyromusical fireworks, drone formations, laser shows, and stunning 3D anamorphic projections, alongside a star-studded lineup of top artistesKUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 1 January 2026 – Malaysia ushered in the New Year on a high…

Celebrini celebrates Team Canada selection by leading Sharks past Wild 4-3 in shootout

Macklin Celebrini had a goal and an assist hours after being selected to play for Team Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics, and the San Jose Sharks beat the Minnesota Wild 4–3 in a shootout. Celebrini and William Eklund scored for the Sharks in the tiebreaker, while Minnesota failed to convert on either of its two attempts. San Jose has won three straight following a three-game slide. Igor Chernyshov had a goal and two assists, and Jeff Skinner also scored for the Sharks. The 19-year-old Celebrini got his 40th assist of the season, passing Mikko Rantanen for second-most in the NHL. Yaroslav Askarov finished with 20 saves. Vladimir Tarasenko, Marcus Foligno and Mats Zuccarello scored for the Wild, who are 2-0-1 on their seven-game trip.

‘Ant-Man’ Edwards leaves bench late in loss for 2nd early exit from a Timberwolves game in 1 week

For the second time in one week, Anthony Edwards didn’t stick around for the end of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ game. This time, the exit was his decision. Edwards left the Minnesota bench and the court during a timeout late in the Timberwolves’ 126-102 loss at the Atlanta Hawks. Edwards apparently disagreed with coach Chris Finch pulling his starters with the Hawks leading 109-80. Edwards tossed his towel and left the bench. Edwards did not speak with reporters after the game. Finch says “Ant-Man” should have remained on the bench to support his teammates.

Gospel singer Richard Smallwood dies at 77, leaving a legacy that inspired many in music

Eight-time Grammy-nominated gospel singer Richard Smallwood has died at 77. His representative announced that Smallwood passed away Tuesday due to complications from kidney failure in Maryland. Smallwood had faced health challenges for years, but his dedication to music kept him going. His songs were recorded by artists such as Whitney Houston and Destiny’s Child. Smallwood’s music inspired many, including Chaka Khan, who praised his brilliance and spirit. He began playing piano at age 5 and formed his first gospel group by 11. One of his biggest hits was the song “Total Praise.”

Duluth Library and Duluth Children’s Museum host New Year’s celebrations for kids

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Public Library held its annual New Year’s celebration called “Noon Year’s.” Families and kids of all ages were welcome to attend the library’s annual Noon Year event. There was all kinds of fun, from a dance party with bubbles, to creating your own noise makers. Many families make the event an annual tradition as a…

Local daycare reacts to the freeze of childcare funds

DULUTH, Minn. — A local daycare is reacting to the Trump administration announcing that it is freezing child care funds to Minnesota. The freeze comes after allegations of fraudulent daycares in the state. Kallie Thomas, the Executive Director of Happy Time Daycare says the freeze could be detrimental. Happy Time is a non-profit, with tuition only covering bills and staff….

Chief Justice says Constitution remains ‘firm and unshaken’ with major Supreme Court rulings ahead

Chief Justice John Roberts says that the Constitution remains a sturdy pillar for the country, a message that comes after a tumultuous year in the nation’s judicial system with pivotal Supreme Court decisions on the horizon. Roberts released his annual letter to the judiciary on Wednesday and said the nation’s founding documents remain firm and unshaken, a reference to a century-old quote from President Calvin Coolidge. It comes after a year in which some raised fears of a possible constitutional crisis amid legal pushback to President Donald Trump’s agenda. The Republican administration has scored wins at the Supreme Court, though major rulings on birthright citizenship and tariffs are yet to come.

Capitol riot ‘does not happen’ without Trump, Jack Smith told Congress

Former special counsel Jack Smith told lawmakers that the Jan. 6. riot at the U.S. Capitol “does not happen” without President Donald Trump. That’s according to a transcript released Wednesday of Smith’s closed-door interview with the House Judiciary Committee. Smith also described the Republican president as the “most culpable and most responsible person” in the criminal conspiracy to overturn the results of the 2020 election. The Dec. 17 deposition was held privately despite Smith’s request to testify publicly. The release of the transcript and video of the interview adds to the public understanding of the decision-making behind two of the most consequential Justice Department investigations in recent history.

Trump administration orders a Colorado coal-fired power generator to stay open

The Trump administration has ordered another coal-fired power facility to remain open. This time it’s telling the owners of the Craig Station in northwestern Colorado to keep running an electricity-generating unit that was slated for retirement Wednesday. The plant’s owners will need to fix a broken valve to keep the unit working. The 45-year-old generator is one of three at Craig Station. The Trump administration also has ordered coal-fired power plants in Indiana, Michigan and Washington state to remain operational against their owners’ wishes. It’s part of President Donald Trump’s push to revive the U.S. coal industry when many utilities are shifting to cheaper, less-polluting energy sources.

Farmers can now learn how much aid they will get from the Trump administration

Farmers are now learning how much aid they can expect to receive from a $12 billion package that President Donald Trump announced earlier this month. The U.S. Department of Agriculture released the figures Wednesday for how much aid per acre farmers can plan on for each row crop. The details arrived after most farmers have already met with their bankers to arrange financing for next year’s crops and placed orders for the seed and fertilizer they will need. But officials have promised that the payments should arrive by the end of February. Farmers say the aid won’t solve all their problems as they continue to deal with soaring costs.

Lions-Vikings Christmas game on Netflix sets NFL streaming record, averaging 27.5M viewers

Two of the NFL’s three Christmas Day games set viewership records. The Detroit Lions-Minnesota Vikings game on Netflix became the most-streamed NFL game in U.S. history. The Denver Broncos-Kansas City Chiefs game set a record for Amazon Prime Video. Nielsen reports the Vikings’ 23-10 victory over the Lions averaged 27.5 million U.S. viewers. The Broncos’ 20-13 win over the Chiefs had a 21.06 million average on Prime Video. The Cowboys-Commanders game averaged 19.9 million. Netflix’s “NFL Christmas Gameday” drew over 632 million social impressions globally, with Snoop Dogg’s halftime show being a major highlight.

What to know about Trump administration freezing federal child care funds

The Trump administration has said it is freezing child care funds to all states until they provide more verification and administrative data about the programs in a move fueled by a series of alleged fraud schemes at Minnesota day care centers run by Somali residents. All 50 states will be impacted by the review, but the Republican administration is focusing most of its ire…

Wussow’s Concert Cafe celebrates New Year’s Eve with all day concert

DULUTH, Minn.– The New Year’s Eve celebrations at Wussow’s began bright and early this morning and sounds of local artists will be filling the room all day. For more than a decade, the concert cafe has made this all-day concert a tradition. Every forty minutes, artists will take turns taking the stage. Attendees of all ages will get to take in…

Bois Forte Band of Chippewa explains what’s next after signing cannabis compact with Minnesota

Shane Drift DULUTH, Min. & NETT LAKE, Min. – The day after making it official and signing a Tribal-State cannabis compact with Minnesota, we’re learning more about what is next for the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa and cannabis. The agreement signed on December 30, 2025 provides a blueprint for a shared goal of safeguarding the health of Minnesotans regarding…

Lake Superior Zoo announces ‘Porcupine Pub’, and 21+ events

DULUTH, Minn.– The Lake Superior Zoo is saying ‘cheers’ to the new year, by welcoming in some new 21+ opportunities. The ‘Porcupine Pub’ is debuting at the zoo, and it’s bringing along some new events. Starting in January, they will be hosting a trivia night every third Wednesday of the month. Attendees can take advantage of their selection of local…

English actors Tom Hiddleston and Zawe Ashton welcome their second child

English actors Tom Hiddleston and Zawe Ashton have welcomed their second child. Hiddleston confirmed the news to GQ in a feature published Monday. He described birth as the “most beautiful, profound, earth-shattering, life-altering” experience. A birth date was not revealed. Hiddleston and Ashton first met while starring in the 2019 revival of the Broadway play, “Betrayal.” They confirmed their engagement in 2022 and welcomed their first child later that year. Both Hiddleston and Ashton were born in London. Hiddleston is best known for his portrayal of Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Ashton is also a member of the MCU, having portrayed Dar-Benn in the 2023 film “The Marvels.”

Trump made lots of tariff threats in 2025. Here are some that never materialized

President Donald Trump made a lot of tariff threats and trade promises this year. And while many led to a barrage of new import taxes that overturned decades of economic policy and plunged the U.S. into trade wars abroad, others never materialized — or have yet to as 2025 comes to a close. Some of Trump’s unrealized threats reflect a broader approach from the president — who has track record of suggesting sky-high levies to pressure other countries into new trade deals, one-up retaliatory measures or even punish political critics. At the same time, other unfulfilled promises underline continued uncertainty for consumers and businesses alike.

These are the best plug-in hybrids for under $55,000

Plug-in hybrids can serve as a bridge to electric vehicles, offering 30–50 miles of electric-only range before a gas engine takes over. Plug-in hybrids recharge from wall outlets or public chargers, making them ideal for short commutes while retaining gas-engine versatility for longer trips. Unlike a full EV, you won’t experience range anxiety or need to plan charging stops unless you want to. Plug-ins come with compromises though, including higher prices, increased weight, and occasionally less cargo space. Plug-in hybrids also tend to be less fuel-efficient than regular, lighter hybrids once the battery runs out.

China announces it ‘successfully completed’ Taiwan military maneuvers

China’s People’s Liberation Army says it has “successfully completed” two days of military exercises in the waters off Taiwan. That concludes a set of high-powered maneuvers aimed at asserting its sovereignty over the island. The actions ratcheted up tension in East Asia in 2025’s waning days. In a New Year’s Eve announcement, the PLA said that the operation it called “Justice Mission 2025” had “fully tested the integrated joint operations capabilities of its troops.” The brief announcement offered no details about what constituted success, nor did it specify when the exercises concluded.

New Zealand’s Auckland kicks off 2026 celebrations with fireworks

Auckland has become the first major city to ring in 2026 with fireworks from Sky Tower. The display marked the start of the new year despite rain dampening celebrations. Australia’s east coast welcomes 2026 two hours later, but Sydney’s festivities are overshadowed by a recent mass shooting. A minute of silence will honor the victims, with a menorah projected on the Sydney Harbor Bridge. In Indonesia and Hong Kong, New Year’s events are scaled back due to recent tragedies. Floods and landslide have killed more than 1,000 and Indonesia and a fire killed 161 in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, Japan and South Korea will hold traditional bell ceremonies.

Russian drones blast Ukraine’s Odesa and injure 6, including children

Russian drones have attacked apartment buildings and the power grid in Odesa, Ukraine, injuring six people, including children. Officials said Wednesday that four apartment buildings were damaged. The power company DTEK reported significant damage to two energy facilities. Russia has escalated attacks on Ukraine’s urban areas and energy infrastructure this year. The United Nations reported over 2,300 Ukrainian civilian deaths from January to November, a 26% increase from 2024. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to end the conflict continue. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to meet European leaders next week.

Latest deep-sea search for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 gets underway

A deep-sea search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 has begun in the Indian Ocean, reviving efforts to solve one of aviation’s greatest mysteries. Malaysia’s Transport Ministry announced Wednesday that a search vessel, the Armada 86 05, arrived at a designated search area with two autonomous underwater vehicles. The search is under a “no-find, no-fee” agreement with Texas-based marine robotics firm Ocean Infinity. The company previously searched the seabed in 2018 but found no trace of the plane. The Malaysia Airlines flight disappeared in 2014 with 239 people on board, and no main wreckage has ever been recovered.

NFL’s fourth-down revolution and new rules lead to record-low punts in 2025

The NFL is seeing a decline in punts, with the 2025 season on track to set a record for the fewest punts per game. This trend is driven by new kickoff rules, K-balls, and increased fourth-down aggressiveness. Teams are attempting more long field goals, with 104 tries from at least 55 yards, the most in history. The Packers have become the first team to lose three games in a season without punting. Meanwhile, Green Bay benefits from the expanded playoffs, securing the seventh seed in the NFC for the third time. The Colts and Texans have experienced remarkable turnarounds, highlighting shifting dynamics in the league.

LeBron James loses on his 41st birthday as Cunningham leads the Pistons past the Lakers, 128-106

LeBron James scored 17 points on his 41st birthday, but Cade Cunningham had 27 points and 11 assists while leading the Detroit Pistons to a 128-106 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. James hit three 3-pointers and added four assists and four rebounds in the 1,577th regular-season game of his unprecedented 23rd season, but he spent the final minutes of his birthday game sitting with his arms folded on the bench. The top scorer in league history is the 12th player to appear in an NBA game at 41 or older. Marcus Sasser scored 19 points and Isaiah Stewart had 15 for the Eastern Conference-leading Pistons.

A rough year for journalists in 2025, with a little hope for things to turn around

By most measures, 2025 was a rough year for those who care about freedom of the press. It’s likely to be the deadliest year on record for journalists and media workers across the world. The number of assaults on reporters spiked in the United States. As is by now familiar, the ranks of people working as journalists continues to thin. The president of the United States continues to berate many who ask him questions, sometimes in harshly personal terms. Outside of name-calling, the second term of President Donald Trump has seen a coordinated campaign against journalists on several different levels.

Trump administration says it’s freezing child care funds to Minnesota after series of fraud schemes

The Trump administration has announced that it is freezing child care funds to Minnesota after a series of fraud schemes in recent years. Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Jim O’Neill said on the social platform X on Tuesday that the move is in response to “blatant fraud that appears to be rampant in Minnesota and across the country.” Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says the state has spent years cracking down on fraudsters but that Trump is “politicizing the issue to defund programs that help Minnesotans.” The announcement comes after years of investigation. It included a $300 million scheme for which 57 defendants in Minnesota have been convicted.

Zohran Mamdani is set to be sworn in as mayor as NYC rings in the New Year

Zohran Mamdani will become mayor of New York City as the clock ticks over into 2026 — but the celebrations are set to last through New Year’s Day. The Democrat’s team is planning two separate swearing-in ceremonies Thursday. First, there will be a small ceremony at midnight at the historic, decommissioned old City Hall subway station. Then in the afternoon there’s a bigger public event on the steps of City Hall, as well as a block party to commemorate the start of Mamdani’s term. His office expects thousands of people to attend the block party and says there will be performances, music and interfaith elements at the public inauguration.

Mesabi Humane Society halts new intake amid funding dispute

VIRGINIA, Minn. — The Mesabi Humane Society decided it will no longer be accepting new animals from the City of Virginia following the city of Virginia’s decision to end the temporary per-animal payment structure that had been in place during negotiations. The 2025 contract called for $45,000, but MHS says it actually costs about $100,000 a year to care for…

Isiah Whitlock Jr., actor from ‘The Wire,’ ‘Veep’ and Spike Lee films, dies at 71

Actor Isiah Whitlock Jr. has died at age 71. His manager confirmed he passed away Tuesday in New York after a short illness. Whitlock played the corrupt state Sen. Clay Davis on “The Wire.” He also appeared in several Spike Lee films, including “25th Hour” and “BlacKkKlansman.” Whitlock played Secretary of Defense George Maddox on “Veep.” Originally from South Bend, Indiana, he studied theater after a football injury and began his acting career in San Francisco. He began appearing in small television guest roles on shows including “Cagney and Lacy” in the late 1980s. He went on to appear in five of Lee’s films.

National Guard arrives in New Orleans for 1st New Year’s since Bourbon Street attack

Nearly a year after a New Year’s Day truck attack on Bourbon Street left 14 dead, New Orleans officials are still seeking permanent security solutions. Ahead of the anniversary of the rampage, officials are ramping up security measures. Some 350 National Guard members arrived Tuesday. The attack happened when a man plowed a truck into revelers before police shot and killed him. The rampage revealed security vulnerabilities surrounding a famous street that is densely populated by bars and pedestrians. A police captain has urged the city to install permanent security gates to prevent future attacks.

Senator Amy Klobuchar speaks on potential hemp ban

DULUTH, Minn.– Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar visited Wild State Cider in Duluth Tuesday to discuss the impacts of a potential hemp ban across the state. In less than a year, breweries and cideries could look a lot different. Many of them are currently selling drinks and gummies with THC and CBD and at the end of this year, things could…

Trump administration says it’s freezing child care funds to Minnesota after series of fraud schemes

Jim O’Neill WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s administration announced on Tuesday that it’s freezing child care funds to Minnesota after a series of fraud schemes in recent years. Acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Jim O’Neill announced on the social platform X that the step is in response to “blatant fraud that appears to be…

Patriots star receiver Stefon Diggs faces strangulation charge, denies allegations

New England Patriots star wide receiver Stefon Diggs is facing strangulation and other criminal charges in connection with a dispute with his former private chef. News of the charges emerged after a court hearing Tuesday in Dedham, Massachusetts. Diggs’ lawyer said in an emailed statement that Diggs “categorically denies these allegations.” According to police, the chef told investigators that Diggs hit her and tried to choke her during a discussion about money. The 32-year-old NFL veteran joined New England this season after a trade from Houston. Diggs has been a standout player for the Patriots this season, helping his team clinch the AFC East title.

Oysters, crab and $400,000 worth of lobster meat stolen in New England

Forty-thousand oysters, lobster worth $400,000 and a cache of crabmeat all were stolen in separate recent incidents in New England. The first seafood heist took place Nov. 22 in Falmouth, Maine, where authorities suspect someone stole 14 cages full of oysters from an aquaculture site in Casco Bay. The other two thefts happened in Taunton, Massachusetts. First, a load of crab disappeared after leaving the Lineage Logistics warehouse on Dec. 2. Then, on Dec. 12, according to a broker, lobster meat destined for Costco stores in Illinois and Minnesota was stolen by a fraudulent trucking company.

What you clicked on in 2025

DULUTH, Min. – Here are the top three stories people clicked on FOX21Online.com for each month of 2025: JANUARY 2025: 1. 1880s Water Main Breaks At Busy Duluth Intersection 2. Two Injured, One in Custody After Stabbing in Duluth 3. Carlton Co. Inmate Charged with Attempted Murder of Guard FEBRUARY 2025: 1. Newborn Left at Duluth Shelter Triggers Police Investigation…

DOJ pushed to prosecute Kilmar Abrego Garcia only after mistaken deportation, judge’s order says

A newly unsealed order in the criminal case against Kilmar Abrego Garcia reveals that high level Justice Department officials pushed for his indictment only after he was mistakenly deported and then ordered returned to the U.S. Abrego Garcia has pleaded not guilty to charges of human smuggling. He is seeking to have the case dismissed on the grounds that the prosecution is vindictive. The newly unsealed order sheds new light on the decision to prosecute. It reveals emails from top DOJ officials calling the criminal case a “top priority” in April. That was after the U.S. Supreme Court ordered the administration to work to bring Abrego Garcia back from El Salvador.

Tatiana Schlossberg, the granddaughter of the late President John F. Kennedy, has died at 35

Environmental journalist Tatiana Schlossberg, the granddaughter of the late President John F. Kennedy, has died. Her family disclosed her death in a statement released Tuesday by the John. F. Kennedy Library Foundation. Schlossberg was 35. The daughter of Kennedy’s daughter, Caroline Kennedy, and Edwin Schlossberg, the journalist revealed she had terminal cancer in a November 2025 essay in The New Yorker. She was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in May 2024 at age 34 after the birth of her second child. In the essay, “A Battle with my Blood,” Schlossberg recounted rounds of chemotherapy, stem cell transplants and clinical trials.