News

St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office Warns of Phone Scam

DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office would like to inform citizens of a current phone scam. The Sheriff’s Office has received multiple, recent reports of callers posing as law enforcement telling parties that they “have missed federal jury duty and have arrest warrants.” The caller goes on to state that the person can clear up warrants by…

Whooping Cough Reported in Grand Rapids School

There is a Vaccine Available to Fight Whooping Cough

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn.-A case of whooping cough has been reported in Grand Rapids Schools. A representative from the Minnesota Department of Health said they are concerned about an outbreak in that region right now. They said the symptoms are whooping cough are similar to the flu, which makes it hard to tell what illness you have. One way to help…

Xcel Energy Plans Solar Garden in Ashland

ASHLAND, Wis. – Xcel Energy has announced plans to develop a third, one megawatt solar garden in Ashland. The garden will be part of Solar*Connect Community, Wisconsin largest community solar garden program. If enough customer interest is demonstrated, the garden will be built in 2019 by OneEnergy Renewables, and will be located on the property near Xcel’s Ashland service center….

Duluth Wedding Show Celebrates 30 Years with Biggest Show Yet

Nearly 150 Exhibitors Expected for Annual Event

DULUTH, Minn. – Planning a wedding can be stressful and difficult, but luckily there’s a resource in town to help local brides and grooms prepare for their special day. The 30th Annual Duluth Wedding Show is Saturday, January 13th at the DECC. Nearly 150 exhibitors will fill six rooms of the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center. These will feature the latest…

Apostle Islands Ice Caves Not Open Yet

Ice Caves Could Open at End of January

APOSTLE ISLANDS, Wis.-The ice caves on the Apostle Islands are still not open yet, but they could be opening at the end of January. Staff have been checking the ice lately and say it’s too unstable right now to visit the beautiful caves. When the caves do open, visitors will be asked to pay a $5 recreation fee to enjoy…

Northern Lights Foundation Calls for “More Cowbell”

Annual Fundraiser Takes Place Thursday Night

DULUTH, Minn. – A night of music, dinner, and drinks is supporting a worthy cause this week. The 9th Annual More Cowbell fundraiser is taking place on Thursday, January 11. The event is once against supporting the Northern Lights Foundation. The foundation gives grants to families who have children with life-threatening illnesses. Several groups will perform on stage with The…

Osmek Says His Governor Campaign is Over

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Republican David Osmek says he’s ending his campaign for governor. Osmek, a state senator from Mound, says he decided to drop out after discussing prospects with family and supporters over the holidays. Osmek finished fifth of seven candidates in a straw poll at the party’s State Central Committee meeting in December. He said he’ll support…

Wisconsin Sees Decline in Dairy Farms

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin is seeing a decline in the number of dairy farms despite increasing milk production as commercial farms expand. Wisconsin Public Radio reports that numbers from the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection show the state lost 500 dairy farms last year. Wisconsin had just over 8,800 dairy herds licensed at the beginning of…

Storyteller Teaches Ojibwe Culture

Mike Sullivan from the LCO Reservation Tells Cultural Stories in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – An Ojibwe storyteller from the LCO reservation near Hayward told traditional stories of his people at the American Indian Community Housing Organization in Duluth. Mike Sullivan learned the tales from elders and tells them the same way they were told to him, in the Ojibwe language. Many of the traditional stories are about the half man, half…

Skating with the UMD Bulldogs

Little Northlanders skated at AMS Oil Arena with the UMD Women's Hockey team

DULUTH, Minn.-Sunday AMS Oil Arena was full of little hockey players. It’s a great day to be a UMD Bulldog, the UMD Women’s Hockey team hosted an open skate Sunday afternoon. The ladies said it was a perfect way to spend their Sunday. “A lot of them come to the games and I think just getting that one on one…

Norshor Theatre Wrapping Up Renovations

The historic Nor Shor Theatre will open up the first of February.

DULUTH, Minn.–  The countdown is on for the revival of downtown Duluth’s historic Norshor Theatre. In less than a month the stage will be lit and the arts and entertainment will begin.  The Duluth Play House will be turning on the Norshor Theatre marquee lights on February 1st. Many helping hands are ensuring the curtain will open. “It’s a historic…

Four Renters Displaced After Duplex Fire

DULUTH, Minn. – Four renters are without a home after the duplex they were living in went up in flames. It happened Sunday morning at 3105 Restormel Street. When crews arrived, the fire was in full force. Everybody got out of the home safely, including a litter of cats. A dog, however, did not make it. Damage is estimated at…

Minnesota May See Smoky Skies Due To Western Wildfires

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota could see a repeat of smoky skies next summer as huge fires continue in the western United States. Daniel Dix is an air quality meteorologist with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. He tells Minnesota Public Radio that wildfires are becoming more common. State pollution control officials say climate change and years of fire suppression…

Suds for Shelter Hosts Final Fundraiser

The oldest brewery in Duluth held the final fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity.

DULUTH, Minn.– This winter season breweries around the Northland are teaming up to raise money for Habitat for Humanity during Suds for Shelter. The last fundraiser is at Minnesota’s oldest brewery the Lake Superior Brewing Company. During the Suds for Shelter for every beer purchased $1 is donated to the Western Lake Superior Habitat for Humanity. “It’s kind of a neat…

Banff Film Festive Shown in Duluth

The festival highlights adventures from around the world.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Banff Mountain Film Festival kicked-off night at the DECC in Duluth, but it’s not too late to catch the films. The film festival highlights short films of expeditions and outdoor adventures from around the globe.  The Banff Mountain Film Festival travels around the world. Thanks to the Duluth Cross Country Club the films are shown in the…

Saturday Morning at the Races Kicks-off

The races give kids an opportunity to exercise away from the cold weather.

DULUTH, Minn.– Friday was a day for the races over at the college of St. Scholastica. Kids of all ages took part in the first Saturday Morning at the Races of this winter. Around 400 kids had a chance to exercise and take part in a friendly competition at the St. Scholastica gym. The races vary from 1/8 of a mile…

Spirit Mountain Hosts USSA Race

Kids of all ages competed in the family fun event.

DULUTH, Minn.- The sun was shining at Spirit Mountain as the USSA held the Minnesota/Planet Cup on Saturday. Around 360 racers headed down the slopes participating in timed and un-timed races. The competition included six different USSA teams one team is from Duluth, participating on their home slope. “It’s a unique event that you can be out on the hill, involved…

“Anonymous” Collecting Clothing and Blankets for the Homeless

One Group Member Will Sleep Outside to Raise Homeless Awareness

DULUTH, Minn. – Freezing cold temperatures can be dangerous for thousands of homeless people across the country. In Duluth, the group “Anonymous” is collecting clothing and blanket donations for the homeless. They will make bundles with the donations and leave them around the city. One group member will be sleeping outside in Superior for a whole night next week to…

Gander Outdoors in Hermantown to Open Early This Year

CEO Announced List of Stores Opening Before Late May

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Many Gander Outdoors stores are re-opening, including the former Gander Mountain in Hermantown. The Gander Outdoors CEO gave a list of stores expected to open by the end of May. The Hermantown store was number nine of the list, meaning it should be the ninth location to open its doors. This is a list that we feel…

Local Business Mining Cryptocurrency

Market Is Volatile, But Money Can Be Made from Digital Currency

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – There has been a lot of talk about bitcoin and other cryptocurrency recently. Now, there’s a business in the Northland where that currency is mined and released into the market. One of the owners says his business can be very profitable after an investment in computer hardware is made. “Duluth is an excellent place to mine cryptocurrency…

Ordinance May Restrict Flavored Tobacco Products In Duluth Convenience Stores

The Ordinance Would Amend Chapter 11 of the Duluth City Code

Management from both smaller local convenience stores and big names like Kwik Trip are speaking out against the proposed ban. Gary Milk House Owner Derek Medved carries a variety of flavored tobacco products. But the store owner does not want young people buying them. “We’re here to work with the city on that to prevent of course selling to minors,”…

Flu Season Affecting Many in the Northland

Doctors say if you have flu like symptoms, stay home to avoid affecting others.

DULUTH, Minn.- Have you been feeling under the weather lately? Doctors say this flu season could be shaping out to be worse than last years. Medical professionals say you don’t need to visit the doctor if you have the flu stay home and rest. But the flu can affect some worse than others. “You may have influenza, you may not…

Senator Tina Smith Visits the Northland

Senator Tina Smith made her first public appearance since being sworn in.

DULUTH, Minn.- Friday night Senator Tina Smith made her first big public appearance, meeting Northlanders in Duluth. Senator Smith spoke with Northlanders at Hoops Brewery, on what she hopes to tackle while in Washington. “I wanted to come to Duluth and the north country right away because I love this part of the state so much,” Sen. Tina Smith said. …

Local Investing Expert Sees Future Dip in Market

Dow Closed at 25,300 Today

DULUTH, Minn.-The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed out at 25,000 yesterday, the first time that’s ever happened. That begs the question if Northlander’s should start investing more. One local financial advisor said you should always be investing in your future, but doesn’t want the public to think this surge will continue in the near future. He said that the market…

FX CEO Says No Sexual Misconduct by Louis C.K. While at Company

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — FX Networks CEO John Landgraf says an investigation into sexual misconduct by Louis C.K. found nothing involving his work for the company over the past eight years. The investigation followed a published report of misbehavior, Landgraf told TV critics Friday. The network cut ties in November with C.K. after he admitted wrongdoing. After the comedian was…

University of Wisconsin System Exec to Plead Guilty to Drunken Driving

(UW System) MILWAUKEE (AP) _ The attorney for University of Wisconsin System executive Jessica Tormey says Tormey plans to plead guilty to first-offense drunken driving from an incident in Menomonie in October. Tormey is the chief of staff to UW System President Ray Cross. The Journal Sentinel reports that Tormey was stopped by police on the night of Oct. 5…

Mother of Murdered Girls Confronts Suspected Killer on His Death Bed

FOX 9 KMSP

ST. CLOUD, Minn. (KMSP) – A mother from St. Cloud whose two daughters were mysteriously murdered in 1974 now believes she knows who killed them. The two girls, 15-year-old Mary Reker and her 12-year-old sister Susie, disappeared while out shopping for school supplies on Labor Day in 1974, their bodies discovered riddled with stab wounds in a quarry outside St. Cloud. Despite the efforts of…

Ely Winter Festival Looks for Talented Sculptors

The Ely Winter Festival is Celebrating a 25th Anniversary This Year

ELY, Minn. – Those of you looking to brave the cold and create a stunning piece of art have a few more hours to apply if you’d like to do so in this year’s Ely Winter Festival. The search for sculptors ends Friday evening at 11:45 p.m. The festival is a chance for artists to make snow sculptures from large…

Minnesota Releases Critical Draft Permit for PolyMet

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A contentious copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota has taken another step forward with state regulators releasing a crucial draft permit for public comment. PolyMet Executive Vice President Brad Moore calls Friday’s release “a major milestone for the project” after more than 10 years of environmental review and permitting. The draft “permit to mine” includes a requirement that…

4 Women Accuse Filmmaker Paul Haggis of Sexual Misconduct

(AP/The Canadian Press File) LOS ANGELES (AP) — A civil lawsuit charging Oscar-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis with raping a publicist has prompted three additional women to come forward with their own sexual misconduct accusations, including another publicist who says he forced her to perform oral sex, then raped her. One of the other women speaking out told The Associated Press…

Multiple Events Happening on North Shore This Weekend

Dog Sledding and Bike Race Happening This Weekend

COOK COUNTY, Minn.-It may be a little chilly out, but that’s not going to stop bicyclists and dog sledders from hitting the trails this weekend on the North Shore. The Norpine Fat Bike Classic starts at 8 a.m. tomorrow at the Lutsen golf course and goes for either 16 or 24 miles, depending on what type of course the racers…

Mayor Larson Announces Community Listening Sessions for 2018

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Mayor Emily Larson will be continuing her annual outreach to Duluth residents through City Hall in the City Community Listening sessions held throughout Duluth. City staff will also be in attendance representing Public Works, Parks, Public Safety, Human Rights, and Imagine Duluth Comprehensive Plan. “I’m excited to start 2018 with a new series of listening sessions…

Fat Tire Biking Trails Expand in Cook County Ahead of Annual Race

Active Adventures: 2nd Annual Norpine Fat Tire Bike Classic

COOK COUNTY, Minn. – Cold temperatures and snow covering the ground in the Northland means fat tire bike enthusiasts are hitting the trails. The second annual Norpine Fat Bike Classic is being held Saturday, January 6. Approximately 200 cyclists are expected from across the United States and Canada. Racers can compete in a 24-mile race or 16-mile race. Racing begins…

Minnesota Releases Crucial Draft Permit for Disputed Mine

Big Step Forward for Proposed Mine According to Experts

MINNEAPOLIS-A contentious copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota has taken another step forward with state regulators releasing a crucial draft permit for public comment. PolyMet Executive Vice President Brad Moore calls Friday’s release “a major milestone for the project” after more than 10 years of environmental review and permitting. The draft “permit to mine” includes a requirement that PolyMet provide a…

Cold Temperatures Causing Shipping Delays

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Port normally sees cold temperatures like these in January, but officials say it’s the most ice on the lake at this time of year since about 2001. The freeze is happening so early it’s starting to hamper some of the ship movement, particularly in Lake Erie, which is much shallower than Lake Superior. Ships that would…

Sen. Tina Smith To Speak In Duluth Friday

DULUTH, Minn. – Former Minnesota lieutenant governor and now U.S. Sen. Tina Smith is coming to Duluth Friday to meet the public. The reception is being hosted by Mayor Emily Larson at Hoops Brewing in Canal Park from 5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. It’s a free event. This will be Sen. Smith’s first public gathering in Minnesota since taking over…

Competitive Dancers Prepare for Competition Season

The workshop helps performers learn costume tips.

SUPERIOR, Wis.– Dance students at Sterling Silver studio are getting ready for the competition season. The studio held a make-up workshop, teaching competitive dance students how to get in full costume for their competitions. The girls are shown how to do their make-up and hair for the show. “All the hair styles and makeup are themed to fit into what…

Working in Winter Conditions

Many Northlanders face the cold everyday, are you doing what you can to avoid frostbite?

DULUTH, Minn.– This winter has been extremely cold so far in the Northland. While some are bundling up avoiding the outdoors others braving chilly temperatures at work. “It’s a battle but we’ve been through it before,” Krause Anderson Construction Mark Burdick said. Many workers around the Northland clock in, spending their workday outside in freezing temperatures.  One construction worker told…

Cancer Screening Could Benefit Your Health

St. Luke's Radiation Oncologist Dr. Nils Arvold Says While Cancer Screening Can Be Beneficial, it Can Also Be Controversial

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s a procedure many of us may never think about until it’s too late. Cancer screening can be beneficial to your health, but local medical experts also say it’s a topic some doctors aren’t comfortable with quite yet. Doctors at St. Luke’s tell FOX 21, some cancers can be recognized at an earlier stage by getting screened…

Two New Police Officers in Superior

One of the New Officers is From Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis.-Two new police officers have been sworn in by the Superior Police Department. One of the new officers is from Superior, and before working for the police there, he was a Douglas County Jailer. He said today’s swearing in ceremony was a dream come true because he can serve the community he loves. “I’ve always had a love for…

Duluth Designated Baby Friendly City

Duluth earned the recognition on Dec. 14. from the Healthy Northland.

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth has been named the fittest city and the least stressful city in the past and now one more title can be added to that list. Mayor Emily Larson was presented with an award recognizing Duluth as a baby friendly city at City Hall. Duluth was chosen because of its commitment to make breastfeeding easier and more accessible…

New Art Show Opens Tomorrow

Event Goes from 5-8 p.m. Friday at Old Washington Gallery

DULUTH, Minn.-A new art show begins tomorrow at the old Washington Gallery on Lake Avenue. The event will feature a group of 10 local artists who have been working together for the last five years. Organizers said this type of event is unique, as it brings all sorts of styles together on one roof. “We have a lot of differences,”…

Empty Bowl Preps Begin

Event Bowl Event Held April 17

DULUTH, Minn.-The annual Empty Bowl fundraiser is four months away, but that hasn’t stopped some local sculptors from creating bowls for the event already. Today the Duluth Art Institute hosted an open studio where the public could come in and sculpt their own bowl for the charity, which helps raise money for the Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank. One…

Experts Offer Tips on How to Avoid Frostbite

Health Officials Say Avoiding Caffeine Can Help Hold Off Frostbite

DULUTH, Minn.-If you dared to battle the frigid temperatures the last few days, there’s a chance you were rolling the dice on getting frostbite. Local medical experts say that you can get it in less than an hour when being out in frigid temperatures. If you are not sure if you have it, here’s some telltale signs. “If you notice…

Great Lakes Aquarium Breaks Attendance Record

The newest exhibit, Unsalted Seas, features the largest sturgeon tank in North America.

DULUTH, Minn. – “If you’ve gone on a visit to the Great Lakes Aquarium in 2017, you”ve helped set a 15 year attendance record. A total of 162, 676 people made the Aquarium 2017’s number one paid attraction in Duluth. Attendance grew almost 14 percent, which is the greatest one year growth in the Aquarium’s history. Aquarium staff say memberships for…

Sessions Terminates US Policy That Let Legal Pot Flourish

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration threw the burgeoning movement to legalize marijuana into uncertainty Thursday as it lifted an Obama-era policy that kept federal authorities from cracking down on the pot trade in states where the drug is legal. Attorney General Jeff Sessions will now leave it up to federal prosecutors to decide what to do when state rules…

Semi Crashes into Iron River Home

Driver of Semi Taken to Hospital With Non-Life Threatening Injuries

IRON RIVER, Wis.-A semi crashed into a home on U.S. Highway 2 near District Avenue at 8:55 a.m. today leaving the driver of the vehicle with non-life threatening injuries. The person who lived in the home was there, but was not injured, as they were in a backroom of the home at the time of the incident. The driver, 46-year-old…

MNLARS MESS: Troubled Vehicle Registration System Goes Back Under Microscope

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) – Minnesota lawmakers are getting an update on efforts to fix the troubled MNLARS vehicle registration system, scarred by a failed rollout and a backlog of title transfers. Now, many are hoping a change in leadership could make a difference. The state spent 10 years and $90 million planning for the transition  to MNLARS, and lawmakers are…