News

Man Charged with 5 Counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct

His conduct involves victims under the age of 13

Richard Dean Wilson, Jr. CASS COUNTY, Minn. – Cass County Attorney Christopher J. Strandlie reports that 42-year-old Richard Dean Wilson, Jr. has been charged with five counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct in the First and Second Degree relating to offenses that occurred in 2014-16. It is alleged that Wilson sexually penetrated or had sexual contact with three children under the…

Minnesota Power’s Competitive Rate Advances Following Utilities Commission Decision

DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota Power has received a decision form the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) that advances the approval of its new competitive rate for some of northeastern Minnesota’s largest employers. The 2015 Minnesota Legislature enacted a law authorizing Minnesota Power to submit discounted rate plans for a limited number of its large industrial customers, including taconite mines and…

Wisconsin Company Wins U.S. Championship Cheese Contest

(Barry Adams/State Journal) GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) – A Wisconsin company can lay claim to having the best cheese in America. The Sartori company in Antigo won the title at this year’s U.S. Championship Cheese Contest with its Sartori Reserve Black Pepper BellaVitano, by master cheesemaker Mike Matucheski. The U.S. championship is considered the largest technical cheese, butter, and yogurt…

Ice House Removal Dates Approaching for Northern Minnesota Lakes

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Ice anglers in northern Minnesota are being reminded by the Department of Natural Resources that ice shelter removal dates are approaching for lakes located north of Highway 200 and U.S. Highway 2. Due to rapidly deteriorating ice conditions, anglers may need to remove shelters before the deadline. Dark houses, fish houses, and portable shelters must be…

ATV Rescue on Leech Lake

CASS COUNTY, Minn. – The Cass County Sheriff’s office received a report that a Class 2 side by side ATV had gone through the ice in the Agency Narrows area of Leech Lake, just after 2 p.m. on Thursday. Deputies and first responders arrived on scene to find the male occupant of the vehicle standing on top of the vehicle,…

19 Plead Guilty in Large Minnesota-Wisconsin Meth Ring

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Nineteen people have pleaded guilty in a drug ring that authorities say trafficked 127 pounds of methamphetamine from the Minneapolis area to central Wisconsin communities over a three-year span. U.S. Attorney John Vaudreuil in Wisconsin says 14 of the suspects have been sentenced, and the remaining five will be sentenced over the next two months. Authorities…

Section of Lakewalk to Temporarily Close for Utility Project

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth is planning utility work along the Lakewalk Trail in Canal Park, specifically the segment located between the restroom facilities by Endion Station and the Fitger’s Complex. The Lakewalk Trail will be closed for two weeks beginning on Monday, March 13 in order for crews to work on the underground drainage system. Lakewalk users…

Sampling Spring Wines with an Expert

Marc Carrigan, Regional Sales Manager for Foley Family Wines Samples Spring Wines

DULUTH, Minn. -Marc Carrigan, Regional Sales Manager for Foley Family Wines, stopped by the FOX 21 Studios Friday morning, with a few spring wine samples, and a whiskey. Carrigan noticed the weather starting to warm up, and change for the better, deciding it was time to think spring and cleanse the winter palate. “The Wine Guy” brought along two white…

Cloquet Woman Charged with Aggravated 1st Degree Sale of Controlled Substance

She was on probation in St. Louis, Hennepin, and Olmsted Counties

Morningstar Webster DULUTH, Minn. – On Tuesday, March 7, investigators from the Lake Superior Drug and Violent Crime Task Force executed a search warrant on a motor vehicle and four occupants of the motor vehicle followed a traffic stop in the city of Duluth. This stop was the result of an investigation into the sale of a controlled substance, specifically…

Dayton Back to Work After Surgery

Still Recovering After Prostate Cancer Surgery

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Gov. Mark Dayton says he’s feeling OK but still recovering after prostate cancer surgery. Dayton made his first public appearance Friday after undergoing surgery to remove his prostate. He revealed the cancer diagnosis in January, a day after fainting while delivering his annual State of the State address. Dayton says the recovery hasn’t been fun…

Council Approves $14,000 Raise for Minnesota Lawmakers

Legislature Pay to Increase by 45 Percent

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota lawmakers will get a hefty raise after a newly created citizen council voted to increase the Legislature’s pay by 45 percent. The Legislative Salary Council voted 13-1 Friday to increase lawmaker’s pay to $45,000, their first raise since 1999. That’s up from $31,000, a sum that doesn’t include daily expenses and travel reimbursements that…

Slide the City Coming to Chisholm

CHISHOLM, Minn. – A 1,000 foot slip and slide is heading to Chisholm this summer! On August 5, 2017, Slide the City will be heading to the heart of Chisholm. Stretching more than three football fields down Lake Street, this slip and slide is bound to entertain people of all ages. The Slide the City event made its way to…

Active Adventures: Hockey with The Minnesota Wilderness

William Seay Laces Up the Skates for a Go-Around with The Minnesota Wilderness

CLOQUET, Minn. – Ahead of Friday’s big game against the Aberdeen Wings, Meteorologist William Seay laced up his skates for the first time in a few months to practice with the Minnesota Wilderness. The team was gracious enough to show William a few tips and tricks on the ice, and he was more than thrilled to practice with the team….

Duluth Workforce Workshops

Getting You Ready For The Job Fair

Duluth, Minn Are you looking for a job and need help putting the finishing touches on that resume? Well stress no more because help is here and it’s free! The Minnesota workforce is teaming up with the Duluth public library every Thursday in March to get you that jump start that you need. The Northland job fair is just over…

Local Author Talks To Teens About Books

Reading Is Important For Young Minds

Duluth, Minn Local professor and acclaimed author Tom Isbell was on hand to talk with teens about his popular post–apocalyptic trilogy “The Prey”. Isbell wanted to give his insights on the dystopian world of literature as well as his characters from his novels. “Books provide comfort, they provide knowledge, they let us escape from reality, and they get the imagination…

Local Man Survives Discovery Channel Show

Iron Range Native Excels at "The Wheel"

An Iron Range native recently completed an ultimate survival challenge; he lasted the complete 60 days on the discovery channel show ‘The Wheel.” Luke Soderling was one of six people dropped off in South America to survive in six different landscapes, from freezing tundra’s to the rain forest carrying a light survival pack and amateur survival knowledge. The finale aired…

Bockfest Begins at Fitgers Brewery

The beer festival is a celebration of spring, that brings people together to welcome the changing of the season from cold to warm

DULUTH, Minn. – Hundreds of years ago the tradition of Bockfest began in Germany. Tonight, that tradition continued in Duluth. The 23rd annual Bockfest kicked off at Fitgers with the blessing of the bock. The beer festival is a celebration of spring, that brings people together to welcome the changing of the season from cold to warm. The Split Rock…

World Kidney Day Helps Raise Awareness

This year's theme focuses on the relation between kidney disease and obesity

DULUTH, Minn. – Every year millions of people die prematurely due to complications from kidney diseases. Today is World Kidney Day. The health awareness campaign helps raise awareness on kidney disease and what people should be aware of as they age. This year’s theme focuses on the relation between kidney disease and obesity. Duluth Kidney Services provide care to those…

Proposed Cuts to EPA Cause Local Concern

The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative could see their funding could go down from $300 million to just $10 million

DULUTH, Minn. – The Environmental Protection Agency is bracing for budget cuts proposed by the Trump administration. The budget proposal would include a 25 percent cut to the EPA. The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative could see their funding could go down from $300 million to just $10 million. Such big cuts would jeopardize many ongoing projects. “Over the years, the…

Minnesota Lawmakers Debate Permitless Carry, ‘Stand Your Ground’ Bills

Rob Olson FOX 9 KMSP

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) – Two gun bills making their way through the Minnesota legislature are raising concerns among some in the law and law enforcement community. One of the bills would do away with permit to carry. The other would redefine self-defense laws. Nearly every person who testified for over two hours on Wednesday about the two gun bills…

Minnesota EagleCam Captures Hatching

First Eagle Chick Born on Camera This Year

TWIN CITIES, Minn.-The bald eagles on the Minnesota DNR’s EagleCam, had their first chick born today. It’s expected two others will be born by this weekend. Biologists were concerned that the first egg might not hatch, as it was left in the cold for quite a while.   To view the EagleCam, visit http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/features/webcams/eaglecam/index.html Categories: Entertainment, Environment, News, News – Latest…

Duluth Pack Unveils New City Portfolio Product

The Handcrafted Bag Comes to Duluth Pack's Line of Products after Receiving Community Feedback

DULUTH, Minn. – After months of gathering community feedback, staff members at Duluth pack are excited to release their newest product for consumers to enjoy. The City Portfolio bag was developed with a lightweight, affordable style in mine. Portfolio bags already produced by Duluth Pack can run anywhere from $200 to $300 dollars. The new product costs $145 dollars. The…

New Online Reservation System Rolls Out for Duluth Parks

The New System is Now Entirely Online, Allowing Park Users to Easily Access Information

DULUTH, Minn. – Next time you’re looking to make reservations at a Duluth Park location, things will be a little easier thanks to a new system being rolled out by the Duluth Parks and Recreation Department. Duluthians and visitors from all over will now be able to see what parks are available, look at pictures, read information, select a date,…

Cab Companies Oppose Ride Sharing Services

Taxi Drivers are Concerned With Lack of Oversight

DULUTH, Minn. – Representatives from Duluth’s cab companies spoke out Thursday against ride sharing services like Uber and Lyft operating in the city. Demand in Duluth for ride sharing services is growing.  But Duluth cab companies are worried about their future if a proposed resolution passes the city council. Duluth City Councilor Noah Hobbs is in favor of bringing businesses…

Police and Fire Departments Renew Rivalry

Department Teams will Meet On-Ice March 14th

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth police and firefighters are set to renew a friendly rivalry on the ice. This year’s hockey game is March 14th at AMSOIL Arena, before the Kernz and Kompany High School Hockey All-Star Game. The on–ice rivalry between Duluth’s police and fire department goes back to the 1930s, but once the final whistle blows, everyone is on…

Miner’s Inc. Super One Foods Purchases Grand Rapids Cub Foods

This will bring the Miner's Inc. to 38 grocery stores and liquor stores

  GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – Miner’s of Grand Rapids, Inc. has reached a tentative agreement to sell its Grand Rapids, Minnesota Cub Foods location to Miner’s Incorporated d/b/a Super One Foods. The Miner family has operated grocery stores in the region since the 1940s. President of Miner’s Grand Rapids, Inc, Jerry Miner and his family have owned and operated several…

Wisconsin Unemployment Drops to 3.9 Percent in January

MADISON, Wis. (AP)  – Wisconsin’s unemployment rate fell below 4-percent in January, the lowest it’s been since January 2001. Data the state Department of Workforce Development released Thursday shows the unemployment rate in January was 3.9-percent down from 4.1-percent in December. The national unemployment rate for January was 4.8-percent. Private-sector job growth remained essentially flat between December and January, however…

Minneapolis Cop Charged with Sexual Assault of Passed-Out Woman

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) – A Minneapolis police officer accused of sexually assaulting an unconscious woman will appear in court Thursday to face two felony charges. Thomas Robert Tichich, 47, was booked into jail early Thursday morning for the alleged December 15 incident. According to the charges, Tichich, the victim, and another woman were out drinking the night before and went back…

Wisconsin Lawmakers Propose Card Skimmer Crackdown

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Two Republican legislators have introduced a bill that would criminalize using credit card skimmers to steal people’s identities. A credit card skimmer is an electronic device that can be attached to a card reader on a gas pump or ATM to secretly collect credit card information. Senator Robert Cowles and Representative Rob Summerfield introduced a bill…

Changing the World for People with MS

Marking MS Awareness Week

DULUTH, Minn. – This week, March 5-11, marks MS Awareness Week. Multiple Sclerosis happens when a body’s immune system attacks the central nervous system. This can cause many symptoms including fatigue, walking difficulties, vision problems, dizziness, pain, and cognitive changes. The National MS Society works to improve the quality of life for people affected by MS. They do this by…

Children’s Minnesota Ends Contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield

Allie Johnson - FOX 9 KMSP

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) – Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota announced Monday it is ending its contract with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota effective on July 5, unless a new contract agreement is reached. Children’s says Blue Cross is demanding a double-digit reduction in payments to the hospitals to provide care for patients insured through Medicaid. “The reductions to…

Baking Pavlova with The Exchange

Cooking Connection: The Exchange Deli, Bakery & Catering

DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Cooking Connection Lisa Quarles, the pastry chef at The Exchange Bakery, showed the FOX 21 crew the ropes in the kitchen. Quarles showed FOX 21’s William Seay how to make pavlova. The Exchange Bakery is located at 301 West 1st Street, Duluth, MN 55802. Their phone number is 218-727-8836. Find them online at www.theexchangecateringanddeli.com….

New Report Highlights Impacts of Opioid on Minnesota Tribal Communities

In Minnesota, opioid deaths have increased 430-percent since 2000

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A new report released Thursday, highlights the impacts of opioids on Minnesota Tribal communities across the state. The report is a summary of the Tribal-State Opioid Summit that took place last fall with Gov. Mark Dayton, Lt. Gov. Tina Smith, and Minnesota’s 11 tribal nations, as an effort to develop strategies for prevention, treatment, and recovery….

Three Vehicles Partially go Through Ice of Leech Lake

Cass County Sheriff Urges Caution

  CASS COUNTY, Minn.-The Cass County Sheriff’s Office has received three separate reports, of vehicles partially going through the ice on Leech Lake yesterday. No injuries were reported during the incidents. Last week’s warm weather played a large role in the deterioration of the ice conditions. The sheriff’s office urges the following safety tips be followed when travelling on the…

Southbound Exit to I-35 Closed in Downtown Duluth

Will Open When Work is Finished

DULUTH, Minn.-The southbound Interstate 35 exit to downtown Duluth and Canal Park is temporarily closed. Currently, Minnesota of Department of Transportation crews are pumping water out of plugged freeway drains there. Motorists are cautioned to take alternative routes. The ramps will reopen once the work is finished. For updated road condition information, call 511 or visit www.511mn.org. Categories: News, News…

Woman Shares Eye-Opening Experience with Police Officer Through Art

Carla Hamilton's exhibit "Targeted" is on display at the Duluth Art Institute

DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth woman is sharing a personal interaction she had with a police officer, and she’s doing it through pieces of art. Carla Hamilton’s new exhibit, called “Targeted” stemmed from an experience she had being stopped by a Duluth police officer while walking downtown. Hamilton, who is an African American woman, says the officer accused her of…

Symbolic Strike in Duluth Takes Aim at Gender Pay Gap

The rally lasted 78 minutes, representing the 78 cents on the dollar a woman earns compared to men in the workplace

DULUTH, Minn. – Collective voices added up to a roar on International Women’s Day. A sea of red gathered at the Minnesota State Capitol to rally for an equal rights amendment to the state and federal constitution. Some in Duluth chose to spend the day on strike. Men and women of all ages gathered today in Duluth to speak out….

Sen. Franken Hosts Annual Hotdish Competition

Many Minnesota Politicians Participated

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Sen. Al Franken hosted his seventh annual hotdish competition in Washington D.C. today, with many noted Minnesota politicians participating. Democrat Rep. Collin Peterson from western Minnesota won the top prize this year with his “Right to Bear Arms” hotdish. It had actual bear in it. Despite Peterson’s win, Franken said he’s not bitter. “If I don’t win it’s fine,” he said….

DEDA Selects Developer for Lot D

City Entered into Agreement with Same Firm that Developed Pier B Resort

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth is ready to move forward in its waterfront development. “Lot D” is the last piece of mixed use real estate available for redevelopment on the waterfront, a process now closer to fruition. “This waterfront has been waiting 150 years for a vision like this,” said Mayor Emily Larson.  “It will combine housing with…

Miracle Eleven Provides Donations to CHUM, Other Shelters

Nearly $6,000 was Donated to Three Local Charities in Dultuh Wesdnesday Morning

DULUTH, Minn. – The CHUM Food Shelf and Shelter in Duluth received a big donation Wednesday from a local non-profit organization. Miracle Eleven was created by a group of brave men and women after a skydiving plane crash happened over Superior in 2013. You may recall, nine skydivers and two pilots walked away from the incident with minor injuries. The…

Duluth Mayor Observes International Women’s Day

Emily Larson Recognizes the Importance of Being Duluth's First Ever Female Mayor

DULUTH, Minn. – March 8th is International Women’s Day. Duluth Mayor Emily Larson says Women’s Day means more to her since she was elected. Larson is the first woman Mayor in the city’s history.  That’s just one of the reasons she makes a point of meeting with as many young girls as possible.  Girls, Who may one day, follow in…

Duluth Coffee Company Expanding

Owners Adding Second Storefront to Serve as Roastery

DULUTH, Minn. – There’s exciting news for the Duluth Coffee Company. The company is adding a new 1,000 square foot roastery and event space two doors down from the current shop on East Superior Street. Duluth coffee currently roasts its beans right there in the store.  Those beans are then served in the shop or are shipped to stores as…

Wisconsin Men Arrested in Theft of 100,000 Diapers

FOX CROSSING, Wis. (AP) – Two Wisconsin men are accused of stealing 100,000 diapers. The Post-Crescent reports the police allege the men stole nearly 1,800 cases of diapers — valued at more than $45,000, from a charitable organization that provides goods to families in need. Authorities say the diapers were stolen during several thefts between January 3 and February 13…