News

Morning Update 10-21-19

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Monday, October 21, 2019

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Brittney Merlot for a local look at news and weather making headlines Monday, October 21, 2019. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, brittney merlot, community, Local News, morning update

Wisconsin Governor Calls Special Session on Gun Control

The Bill Wants to Create Universal Background Checks for Most Handguns

(AP Photo/Alan Diaz, File) MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers is calling the Republican-controlled Legislature into a special session to take up a pair of gun control measures that GOP leaders have been unwilling to debate. The move Evers announced Monday does not force Republicans to debate or vote on the bills. But it does give Democrats…

Staff Shortage Increases Overtime at Minnesota Prisons

The DOC had 113 Officer Vacancies as of Sept. 17

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – The Minnesota Department of Corrections almost doubled the overtime it paid prison staff in the past year because of a chronic staff shortage. The state’s DOC data shows it paid $12.3 million for more than 262,000 hours of overtime during fiscal year 2019. The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports that’s up from the year before…

DNR Board Ready to Move Forward on Water Pollution Rules

The Regulations Could Cost Well-Users Millions

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The state Department of Natural Resources board is poised to move forward on extensive rewrites of Wisconsin’s water pollution regulations that could cost well-users, farmers and wastewater treatment plants millions of dollars. The department has proposed restricting manure in areas prone to pollution; establishing limits for polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, in drinking and surface water; and…

Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health Opens in Duluth

Research Institute has over 100 field staff, most of which are native.

DULUTH, Minn.- The City of Duluth is now home to the Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health. The Center opened its first office in the Midwest last Monday right in Duluth on South Street near London Road. They partner with 11 different tribal communities across the Northland and Canada, to raise community health form the individual level. The research…

Get a Great Glass Pumpkin at Lake Superior Art Glass

Second Annual Pumpkin Patch Party held.

DULUTH, Minn.- At a time of year where people are normally carving their own pumpkins, people in Canal Park got to watch their pumpkins be created–out of glass. Lake Superior Art Glass hosted its second annual Pumpkin Patch Party. People could reserve a spot in line to design their own custom glass pumpkin at various prices and sizes, to be…

Bittersweet Farewell to 829th Engineer Company Deploying to Middle East

Spooner held a parade for the buses of service members and the route was lined with handmade signs, flags, and well wishes from those lining the streets.

SPOONER, Wis. – around 150 soldiers of the 829th Engineer Company said their goodbyes to family and friends before leaving for Texas ahead of their deployment to the Middle East. Spooner held a parade for the buses of service members and the route was lined with handmade signs, flags, and well wishes from those lining the streets. The day left…

Community Holds Healing Walk for Man Shot in Fond Du Lac

Walk held for 45-year-old Broderick Robinson, who was shot in Cloquet.

CLOQUET, Minn.- Community members of the Fond Du Lac Reservation participated in a healing walk after Friday’s shooting in Cloquet. The walk started at the Fond Du Lac Ojibwe High School and continued for half a mile down the road. It was held after 45-year-old Broderick Robinson was shot at a Head Start Facility gym where a funeral was taking…

Duluth’s First Comic-Con Draws Hundreds

DuluCon sells over 300 tickets, far more than initially expected.

DULUTH, Minn.- For the first time ever in the Northland, fans from all the far reaches of nerd-dom gathered together to share their passions at DuluCon. “People that like Star Trek, Star Wars, very specific video games. Anime, battle re–enactments,” said Joshua Effinger, DuluCon Council Member. “Engineers, artisans, people that like to make necklaces, people that like to dress up…

Union Gospel Mission Honors Lifelong Volunteer

91-year-old Bob Anderson continues to volunteer for Mission while battling lung cancer.

DULUTH, Minn.- On Saturday, members of Union Gospel Mission Duluth volunteered to help send out letters about the Mission, while also paying tribute to a longtime volunteer. Dozens stuffed letters in honor of Bob Anderson, who has volunteered most of his life. Family members said Anderson hasn’t faltered in helping the Mission, even while passing 90-years-old last year. “My dad…

12th Annual Fur Ball Raises Money for Animal Allies

This year organizers are hoping to raise enough money to purchase a transport van to get animals to their shelter and to the vet.

DULUTH, Minn. – More than 200 people attended the annual Fur Ball supporting Animal Allies at the Northland Country Club. The event included dinner and a silent auction. This year organizers are hoping to raise enough money to purchase a transport van to get animals to their shelter and to the vet. Pictures of shelter success stories lined the walls…

A Night Without a Home Sheds Light on Homelessness

Throughout the evening people with or without stable housing are encouraged to stop by and get some hot soup and food.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – From noon Saturday to noon on Sunday volunteers were outside City Center Park near the Superior Public Library serving soup and accepting donations. Throughout the evening people with or without stable housing are encouraged to stop by and get some hot soup and food. Plus, the fundraising event supports organizations who are tackling the homeless problem each…

Victim in Fond du Lac Shooting Identified

Victim identified as 45-year-old Broderick Boshay Robinson of Minneapolis

  CLOQUET, Minn. – The victim from Friday’s shooting on the Fond du Lac reservation in Cloquet has been identified as 45-year-old Broderick Boshay Robinson of Minneapolis. According to the Cloquet Police Department, Robinson was released from a Duluth hospital Friday night after sustaining a gunshot wound to the head. Police and tribal officials say the shooting happened around 10…

Fundraising For Gary New Duluth Skate Park Underway

The rummage sale will continue on Saturday at the Gary New Duluth Recreation Center from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Gary New Duluth Recreation Center is hosting a rummage sale on Friday and Saturday. There’s no price that comes with the items on display, but donations are encouraged. The proceeds will go towards the Gary New Duluth Alliance Project, which includes the skate park. During their last rummage sale, the recreation center raised over $2,000. “We…

One Man Shot, Suspect in Custody After Fond du Lac Shooting

The School has Been on Lockdown Since 10:00 a.m. Friday

UPDATE: CLOQUET, Minn. (AP) – One man was shot and a suspect was arrested after a shooting on a northern Minnesota Indian reservation. Police and tribal officials say the shooting happened around 10 a.m. at a community center gymnasium on the Fond du Lac Band reservation, where a funeral was taking place. Interim Cloquet Police Chief Derek Randall said the…

Man Shot While Attending Funeral in Fond du Lac Reservation, Suspect in Custody

CLOQUET, Minn.- A shooting on the Fond–Du–Lac Reservation leaves a man hospitalized with a gunshot wound to the head. The 45–year old victim was allegedly shot at a funeral in a head–start facility gym. Authorities responded to the facility off Big Lake Road just before 10 a.m. to find a chaotic scene where funeral goers subdued a 28-year-old male suspect…

Three Twin Ports Gas Stations Purchased By Ireland-Based Company

SUPERIOR, Wis. – An international gas retailer is expanding its business into the Twin Ports. In August, Ireland-based Applegreen purchased three gas stations previously owned by Cross America Partners… Those stations including the Freedom and Holiday stations on Belknap Street in Superior and the Holiday on Haines Road in Hermantown. Applegreen plans to keep all employees at the stations. Major…

MN Fire Chief Association’s Conference Addresses Mental Illness

DULUTH, Minn. – Firefighters put their lives on the line every day to save the lives of others. It’s very common for that to have a huge impact on the mental health many firefighters. During this week’s Minnesota Fire Chief Association’s conference one organization is bringing awareness to the topic. In Minnesota, nearly five firefighters take their lives every year…

Wildwoods Animal Rehabilitation Temporarily Closes

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth based non-profit animal rehab organization “Wildwoods” is temporarily closed. As of Thursday the building will no longer accept any orphaned, sick or injured animals. The closing is due to their support services. There is no timeline for when the building will re-open, but the animal rehabilitation center will be training new staff members. Wildwoods will also…

Brand New Playground Vandalized In The Village Of Superior

A $100 reward has been offered for any information.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Village of Superior is searching for the culprits who vandalized a brand new playground at the Clarence Benson park on Ogden Avenue. The initials “M” and “K” were found in various areas of the park including on a swing. Vandals also wrote names on a park bench. 99% of the vandalism has since been removed and…

Fear is Here! The Haunt Opens Tonight

Spooky, Scary, Screaming Fun Arrives in the Northland

POPLAR, Wisc. — A horrifying haunted experience leads Northlanders through fun fear and it all starts Friday October 18th, 2019. The rural town of Poplar Wisconsin awaits you for… The Haunt. Formerly known as The Haunt at Wentworth, the owners of the Poplar Golf Course are now hosting the local screams. Winding through the woods on a haunted hayride that…

Superior Adds New Recreational Trail

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – The first leg of the Bear Creek Trail is located right at the head of the Bear Creek Park. It is the only pedestrian wilderness trail in Superior, and the first mile of it opened this morning. The non-motorized trail has paved gravel and bridges built solely by the Wisconsin Parks and Recreation Department. Once completed, it…

Spooner Man Charged With Homicide

(photo courtesy: drydenwire.com) SPOONER, Wis. – A Spooner man has been charged in connection to a suspicious death of a male in his Spooner residence earlier this year. 31-year-old Joseph Rogers is charged with first degree intentional homicide for the death of 52-yearold Troy Sweep. Police discovered Sweep’s body at the Park West Mobile Home Park on July 16. Investigators…

Wisconsin Special Election for Congress Will be May 12

The Primary Will be February 18

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Gov. Tony Evers is setting May 12 as the date of a special election for northern Wisconsin’s 7th Congressional District to replace former Republican Rep. Sean Duffy. The primary will be Feb. 18. Evers opted against setting the general election on April 7, the same day as a state Supreme Court election. Democrats feared holding the…

The Haunt is BACK!

ACTIVE ADVENTURES: Poplar Golf Course Hosts Haunted House & Hayride

POPLAR, Wisc. — There is a new local scare in the Northland! The Haunt, at Poplar Golf Course, just a few miles off of HWY 2 in Douglas County opens Friday October 18th for their first screams and laughs of the season. Formerly held at Wentworth Gardens, the rural haunt has moved just a few miles down the road. Members…

Minntac Production Line to be Shut Down for Maintenance

MT. IRON, Minn. – A Minntac production line is being shut down for maintenance, according to a company spokesperson. The company released a statement Thursday saying, “In order to reflect changing market conditions and the need to adjust our raw materials accordingly, we plan to take advantage of this situation by performing additional maintenance on our 5 Minntac agglomerators for…

Pregnant Woman Killed, 3 Injured in Minneapolis Crash

The Woman Was Eight Months Pregnant

(photo courtesy: Fox 9) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Police say a pregnant woman was killed and three others were injured when a speeding vehicle hit a minivan and several other vehicles in Minneapolis. Authorities say police and fire department personnel worked for nearly an hour to extricate the woman, who was eight months pregnant, from the minivan Thursday about 11 p.m….

Minnesota Youth Deer Hunt Begins

DULUTH, Minn.-The annual Minnesota youth firearms deer hunt began today as way to get more young people involved in outdoor activities. The event coincides with MEA weekend where kids get a four-day break from school. The event is open for anyone ages 10 to 17 who has a deer hunting and firearms license – the young hunters must also be…

Kids Spend Their Day Off At Craft Camp

DULUTH, Minn. – School was out for many students in Duluth today. For a little fun on their day off, a few kids attended a craft camp at the duluth folk school in lincoln park. More than a half a dozen kids spent the day making crafts like handmade mittens. They outlined a stencil onto an old blanket to get…

Twin Ports Rescuers Gifted with ARM-LOC Devices

Emergency devices were invented in Duluth by Water Resource Innovations

DULUTH, Minn. – Twin Ports rescue organizations have been given some new life-saving equipment that will help them with water and ice emergencies, and the technology behind it was invented in Duluth. According to Duluth Fire Chief Shawn Krizaj, his department responds to twelve to fifteen water emergencies every year. Now, the Duluth Fire Department, Duluth Police Department, Superior Police…

Teen Anime Club Meets in Duluth

Group meets monthly for games and bonding

DULUTH, Minn. – Each month, teen anime fans come together in Duluth for a night of bonding. The Teen Anime Club met Thursday at Rogue Robot Games and Comics in Downtown Duluth. Kids enjoyed role playing games and ate pizza. One club member tells us she joined the group to meet friends who like the same kinds of activities. “It’s…

Outdoor Mural Celebrates Indigenous Culture at UMD

DULUTH, Minn. – A new mural was painted outside the Kirby Bus Hub at the University of Minnesota Duluth. The mural honors and celebrates the indigenous people of Duluth. It features a turtle with thirteen shell pieces on its back. That represents the thirteen moons or months on the Anishinaabe calendar. The artist worked collaboratively with UMD students on the…

Fans React To The Return Of The William A. Irvin

DULUTH, Minn. – The William A. Irvin is finally back in the Minnesota Slip after being removed for repairs more than a year ago. Now that The Irvin is back in its place fans have shown up to get their first look at the popular tourist attraction. The return of the Irvin caught the eye of people visiting the area….

Ashland National Guard Prepare For Deployment

ASHLAND, Wisc. – About 80 men and women from the Ashland National Guard prepared for their deployment to the Middle East Thursday morning. They dropped off their gear in the armory along with laptops, books and other comfort items to remind them of home. “It’s very difficult, but I’m proud of them. And I’m happy for the opportunity that they…

St. Luke’s Cardiac Unit Wins Multiple Awards

DULUTH, Minn.-St. Luke’s was honored today with national recognition for their treatment of severe heart attacks. The hospital received two different awards from the American Heart Association for all they do to save lives. Staff from the cardiac unit say they work hard to make sure they follow the latest trends in heart care so they can give their patients…

Juul Halts Sales of Fruit, Dessert Flavors For E-Cigarettes

WASHINGTON (AP) – Juul Labs will stop selling fruit and dessert flavors for its electronic cigarettes. The voluntary step announced Thursday is the company’s latest concession as it tries to weather a political backlash blaming its flavored-nicotine products for hooking a generation of teenagers. The move is unlikely to satisfy the company’s critics. Juul will continue selling its most popular…

University of Wisconsin Enrollment Drops 2.6%

In Contrast, UW Superior Enrollment Was Up

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Enrollment at the University of Wisconsin dropped 2.6% percent compared to last year. Preliminary enrollment for the 2019 academic year announced by the university Thursday was just over 167,000 students. That is down from nearly 4,500 students from last year. Enrollment on the flagship Madison campus was up 2% or 879 students. UW-Green Bay, La Crosse,…

Two Charged Following Duluth Heroin Bust

DULUTH, Minn. – Two men were arrested on drug charges earlier this month following a drug bust by the Lake Superior Drug and Violent Crime Task Force. According to the Duluth Police Department, a search warrant was conducted at an apartment on the 900 Block of East Fourth Street on October 2. Police found heroin and drug packaging materials in…

Evers Creates Climate Change Task Force for Wisconsin

Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes Will Serve as Chairman of the Task Force

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has created a task force to develop strategies to deal with climate change in the state. Evers announced formation of the new group Thursday at the Urban Ecology Center in Milwaukee. Evers tasked the group to come up with recommendations to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change by August….

Wisconsin Unemployment Up For Fourth Straight Month

Tied a Record Low for the State

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin’s unemployment rate ticked up for the fourth straight month and is up nearly half a point since May. The state Department of Workforce Development reported Thursday that unemployment in September was 3.2%. That is up from 3.1% the month before and 2.8% in April and May. That tied a record low for the state. The…

Get Juiced Up On Healthy Smoothies

COOKING CONNECTION: The Juice Pharm

DULUTH, Minn. — In this weeks Cooking Connection we are exploring a lighter alternative for meals and a healthy dose of fruits, greens and more. Duluth’s micro-juicery provides 100% raw juice, superfood smoothies, acai bowls and global inspired plant-based food at The Juice Pharm. This week we blended up the Al Green Smoothie that is made fresh and all natural…

Klobuchar Raised $1.1M for Presidential Campaign Post-Debate

Wednesday was the Campaigns Best Day of Online Fundraising

WASHINGTON (AP) – Sen. Amy Klobuchar says she raised $1.1 million for her 2020 presidential campaign in the 24 hours following this week’s Democratic debate. The moderate Democratic Minnesota senator was among the top critics of Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren on Tuesday, criticizing Warren’s health care plan as a “pipe dream.” She also ripped President Donald Trump. Campaign manager Justin…