News

Wisconsin Parents of Student Who Died in Rome Sue University

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A Wisconsin couple whose son died in Rome last year is suing the university he planned to attend in Italy, alleging it didn’t warn students about previous deaths near campus. The Wisconsin State Journal reports that Nick and Jodi Solomon filed a federal lawsuit against John Cabot University. The lawsuit alleges the American university student was…

Starry Stonewort Confirmed on 1 New Minnesota Lake

LOCATED AFTER A 20-COUNTY SEARCH

ST. PAUL, Minn. – After a search of 178 lakes in 20 counties by 200 trained volunteers, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed that the invasive algae starry stonewort in Grand Lake in Stearns County. Starry stonewort is an alga that can form dense mats, which can interfere with the use of a lake and compete with native…

Minnesota Unions Approve Contract, Raises for State Workers

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Members of Minnesota’s two massive public employee unions have ratified a new, two-year contract for the state’s 30,000-plus workers. Minnesota Public Radio News reports that the contracts for the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees and AFSCME Council 5 call for a 2-percent raise this year and a 2.5-percent raise in 2018. The results of the…

Protesters Hit Minneapolis Streets in Response to Deadly Charlottesville Protest

(FOX 9) MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) – Protesters in Minneapolis hit the streets to rally against hate in the wake of the deadly Charlottesville protest led by white nationalists and Nazis. The group started with a rally at the Minneapolis Republican Party Office at 2200 East Franklin Avenue at 5 p.m. Hundreds of people then marched from Franklin Avenue to Cedar Avenue…

Glensheen Introduces “The Best Damn Tour”

New Tour Includes Kayaking, Bonfire and Flashlight Tour

DULUTH, Minn. – Glensheen officials are hoping to show guests their best time at the mansion yet with their new experience called “The Best Damn Tour.” This tour includes kayaking, a bonfire on the shore of Lake Superior, and a flashlight tour inside the mansion. It’s offered every Tuesday through the end of September. Each tour is open to just…

Living History Walk Returns to Superior

Northland Uncovered: Douglas County Historical Society

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Living History Walk is coming back to Superior to bring the city’s past back to life. A history tour will be conducted through Greenwood Cemetery. Several actors from the Twin Ports will portray prominant former community members at their gravesite. Tony Tracy, the Executive Director of the Douglas County Historical Society, says this is just another…

Mother of Man Who Drowned With Daughter Shares Message

Family Expresses Gratitude to First Responders

The family of the father and daughter who drowned on Park Point last week are sharing their gratitude with the first responders who worked to try to save the two. Father Ryan Fuglie, and his 10-year-old daughter Lillian died in the rough waters Thursday night. The mother of Ryan Fuglie says they want to thank Duluth fire, the St. Louis…

Two Harbors Campground Addition Named after Late Representative David Dill

Dill represented Disctrict 3A in Northeastern Minnestota

TWO HARBORS, Minn. – A Two Harbors campground expansion officially got a new name on Monday in honor of a man who helped make it possible. The $1,000,000 expansion at the Burlington Bay Campground was named in honor of the late Minnesota representative, David Dill. The expansion was one of Dill’s projects. State and local representatives, along with Dill’s wife,…

Canadian Based Oil Company Buys Out Calumet

A Deal Worth Nearly 500 Million Dollars

SUPERIOR, Wis. – One of Superior’s largest employers, Calumet Oil Refinery, is being sold to a Canadian company. “This is a key wonderful addition to our asphalt business into our integrated corridor in North America.” Jerry Miller, U.S. Refining, Vice President The new owner, Husky Energy tells Fox 21 they plan to keep the roughly 180 workers at the refinery. “We’ll…

New Location of 7 West Taphouse Officially Opens

New Tap House Opens 3rd Location

DULUTH, Minn. – The new location of 7 West Taphouse has officially opened their doors. It’s the companies third location with the 7 West Taphouse name attached. The restaurant is located at 2510 Maple Grove Rd., which Duluthians may also recognize as the old Nevada Bob’s location near Miller Hill Mall. The owners also own Grizzly’s Steakhouse in both Superior…

Larson Budget Proposal: $2.1M In Cuts, $1M Increase In Streets With Levy Increase

DULUTH, Minn. – Mayor Emily Larson has released her proposed city budget for 2018. It includes cuts to all departments, including $700,000 combined from the fire and police departments, as well as a heavy investment in city streets. Larson wants $2.1 million in cuts to city expenses, an $895,000 investment into a community solar garden and a $1 million increase…

Morgan Park Man Rescues Drowning Woman on Saint Louis River

Noah VanRiper overheard an emergency on his scanner and rushed to the river near Blackmer Park

DULUTH, Minn. – A Morgan Park man is being called a hero after he saved a woman from committing suicide yesterday. 36–year–old Noah VanRiper overheard an emergency on a scanner and rushed to the Saint Louis River near Blackmer Park. It was there he found a 52–year–old woman trying to drown herself in the river. VanRiper told officers at the…

Chisholm Pocket Park Making Downtown a Better Place to Be

The Park is the First Component of the Revitalization Project

CHISHOLM, Minn.- Chisholm’s downtown now has a pocket park  for community members to enjoy. The Chisholm Downtown Revitalization Committee received a grant from the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation board to make the city’s downtown a better place to be. The Pocket park used to be an unused lot, but now has been developed into a space with benches designed…

Superior Working to Become a Better Place to Live

Leaders Are Working on Making Exposition District a Reality

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The business community in Superior has been working to grow the city for the last 4 years, and in the November 2016 election, citizens in superior voted to approve the Better City Superior Referendum. Now, local leaders in Superior are working to pass an advisory referendum asking legislators in Madison to allow Superior to make an exposition district….

Rainy Weather Hasn’t Stopped CSA Farms from Thriving

Sunny Weather Between Rainy Days Has Been the Saving Grace

WRENSHALL, Minn.- Despite the rainy weather and even storms that have hit the Northland this summer, Community Supported Agriculture farms are still thriving. Rick Dalen, the farmer at Northern Harvest Farm says a saving grace of the rainy weather has been the warm and sunny days that have followed the rain.  This season Northern Harvest Farm has also planted Almost…

Registration Begins for UMD

Classes Begin at UMD Aug. 28

DULUTH, Minn.-Today new students for UMD’s Fine Arts Department registered for classes and got advisement from campus counselors. It’s all done with the goal of making the students feel more comfortable on campus. “It’s important because everyone gets to be in this space, meet each other, said Asher Carlson, lead student advisor. “We’re all kind of in the same boat…

Nature Classes Begin at Boulder Lake

Classes Focus on Natural History and Conservation

BOULDER LAKE, Minn.-At Boulder Lake Environmental Learning Center, the classroom will be outdoors this week. A 40-hour hands-on course began today at their facility that will focus on the Northland’s natural history and conservation. It’s also teaching some local educators about how they connect better with their students. “I am a special education teacher and I think it’s important to…

Itasca County Murder Trial Begins

Victim was Beheaded

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn.-A murder trial began today in Itasca County beheading case. Thirty-six-year-old Joseph Thoreson is facing multiple counts of first- and second-degree murder for allegedly killing 20-year-old David Haiman last June. Thoreson accused the victim of raping his girlfriend Kayleene Greniger. The girlfriend has already plead guilty for her role in the crime and will be sentenced to around…

Health Officials Unable to Identify Source in Siblings’ E. coli Infections

(KMSP) – The source of an E. coli bacterial infection that killed a young Wright County girl and seriously sickened her brother remains unclear, according to a Minnesota Department of Health investigation. As a precaution, MDH investigated A maze’n Farmyard near Eden Valley and asked the petting zoo to pull some of their animals from public viewing. The Maresh family had visited the petting zoo before their…

Great Lakes Aquarium Announces Death of Retired River Otter

Anang was 20 years old, and died of natural causes related to her age

DULUTH, Minn. – The Great Lakes Aquarium announced the death of its beloved, retired river otter, Anang. Anang was 20 years old, and the Aquarium says she died of natural causes related to her age. She was in an off-exhibit holding area, designed as her retirement quarters, where she passed away. “Anang has been with us for many years. We…

Florida Couple Transporting Grill Injured after SUV Explodes when Woman Lights Cigarette

(Orlando Police Dept.) (FOX NEWS) – A Florida couple transporting a propane barbecue grill inside their SUV was injured Sunday after a woman lite a cigarette, sparking an explosion. The grill was turned on and the propane tank was open in the back of the red Kia Sorento, when the couple left a barbecue at the Central Florida Fairgrounds, Orlando…

Trump Names Hate Groups, Denouncing Charlottesville Violence

(AP) WASHINGTON (AP) — Under relentless pressure, President Donald Trump on Monday named and condemned “repugnant” hate groups and declared that “racism is evil” in a far more forceful statement than he’d made earlier after deadly, race-fueled weekend clashes in Charlottesville, Virginia. Trump’s initial failure on Saturday to denounce the groups by name — instead he bemoaned violence on “many…

Annual Jefferson Street Block Party on Saturday

DULUTH, Minn. – The annual Jefferson Street Block Party will take place on Saturday, Aug. 19 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the 1600 block of Jefferson Street. The party is a family friendly celebration that brings the Endion neighborhood together. The party will feature live music, including traditional Anishinaabe music and American folk; food; and a vast array…

Minnesota Health Insurers Propose Higher Rates

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota’s four largest small-business health insurers are proposing average premium increases next year. The Star Tribune reports that increases range from 8 to 17 percent. Some insurers say the increases are needed because enrollees are consuming more care while medical costs are rising. The proposed increases could affect about 160,000 people. They’re also rekindling fears that some…

Calumet Announces Agreement to Sell Superior Refinery

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Calumet Specialty Products Partners, L.P., has announced that it has signed an agreement to sell the ownership of its Superior refinery and various related assets to Husky Superior Refining Holding Corporation, a unit of Canadian company Husky Energy. Under the agreement Husky has agreed to pay $435 million in cash, plus additional payment for networking capital, inventories,…

Wisconsin Regulators Approve SWL&P Rate Increases

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin has authorized base utility rate changes for Superior Water, Light & Power’s electric, gas, and water utilities. The rate adjustments will help to pay for upgrades to electric substations and transmission lines, a portion of water infrastructure along Belknap Street and other areas of Superior, as well as gas utility infrastructure…

Local, Regional Artists to Show Work at Annual Festival

Coffee Conversation: Art in Bayfront Park

DULUTH, Minn. – This weekend art will be filling a park in Duluth. The 7th Annual Art in Bayfront Park Festival starts up Saturday, August 18 and runs through Sunday, August 19. The art fair features local and regional artists. Work includes jewelry, painting, photography, ceramics, metal work, glass and more. The event is free. Saturday, the festival is open…

Northlanders Prepare for Solar Eclipse

Sun Will Be 80 Percent Covered By Moon In Duluth

We are just more than week away from an event that hasn’t happened for 99 years. A solar eclipse that is visible in all of the lower 48 states. There’s two ways to prepare, and that depends on just what kind of solar eclipse you want to see. It’s hard to find a college job as better suited as at…

Buhl Man Drowns Trying To Save His Dog

BUHL, Minn. – A Buhl man is dead after trying to rescue his dog from a water-filled mining pit. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office has identified the man as 56-year-old Gary Paternoster. The drowning happened around 6 p.m. Saturday. Authorities said the dog got caught on something in the water. Paternoster was swimming out in the mine pit to…

Jet Skiers Collide With Yacht In Duluth Harbor

DULUTH, Minn. – There were some scary moments for jet skiers in the canal of Duluth Saturday after the machine they were riding slammed into a yacht. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said the 21-year-old Duluth females on the jet ski were leaving under the Minnesota Slip Bridge at roughly 30 mph when they lost control and rammed into…

Bike Duluth Festival Wraps Up

Hundreds of People Raced in the Event

DULUTH, Minn.- Hundreds of bike lovers were at Spirit Mountain for the weekend to race their hearts out, and enjoy other bike related events. The festival holds more than 20 different races over the course of 3 days. It’s a chance for people to show off their cycling skills for a good cause. It’s a non-profit event, with 50 percent…

Civilian and Military Car Show Held at Richard I Bong Center

Attendees Even Had the Chance to Get Inside a WW2 Tank

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Military vehicles like tanks, and civilian vehicles like mustangs lined the parking lot of the Richard I Bong Veterans Historical Center. It’s all part of a Military and Civilian Car show. “It’s awesome you got these really cool civilian cars with these big ol’ military vehicles here,” said Hayes Scriven, the Executive Director of the historical center. Community…

Art Lovers Enjoy the Lake Superior Art Festival

The Festival Has Been Going on for 4 Years

DULUTH, Minn.- The Lake Superior Art Festival drew hundreds of Art lovers to the shores of Lake Superior. People walked Brighton beach to check out the work of dozens of artists using a wide range of mediums like photography, watercolor, and glasswork. Festival goers used the opportunity to purchase handmade and original pieces by the local artists to take home….

UMD Invites Community to Tour Land Lab

The Lab Teaches Students About Sustainable Agriculture

DULUTH, Minn.- UMD invited community members to see their land lab for farm and field day. The UMD land lab teaches students how to grow organic produce, and sells the food they grow to the school. Employees of the land lab gave guided tours of the 15 acre organic farm, and showed people the projects they have been working on….

Three Injured in Minneapolis Shooting

Police Say They Havne't Arrested a Suspect

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  Police say that three men were hospitalized after an early morning shooting in Minneapolis. Authorities say that police responded to the shooting shortly before 3 a.m. Saturday. Officers found three adult men suffering from gunshot wounds when they arrived. The victims were transported by ambulance to Hennepin County Medical Center. Police say two victims are being treated for…

Man who Drove into Crowd in Custody

Witnesses Say He Drove into Group Protesting Rally

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP)  A state official said the driver of a car that plowed into a group of marchers in Charlottesville is in police custody. Virginia Secretary of Public Safety Brian Moran said the driver, a man, has been arrested. Moran did not immediately provide a name of the driver. Witnesses say a car plowed into a crowd of people…

Heavy Rains Damage Mount Vernon

George Washington's Estate Hit by More than 5 1/2 Inches of Rain in an Hour Friday

MOUNT VERNON, Va. (AP) Heavy rains have caused major damage at George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate in northern Virginia. Mount Vernon CEO Curt Viebranz said about 100 feet of a brick wall located between Washington’s iconic mansion and the Potomac River fell over after the estate was hit by more than 5 1/2 inches of rain in a single hour…

Milwaukee Police Investigating Fatal Stabbing

Police Say Suspect Has Been Arrested

MILWAUKEE (AP) Milwaukee police are investigating the fatal stabbing of a 24-year-old woman. The department says the woman was stabbed on the 1500 block of South 25th Street. Police say a 27-year-old male suspect has been arrested. Authorities say the circumstances of the stabbing are under investigation. Authorities say officials attempted to stabilize the woman, but she died at the…