Minnesota

City Council Tables Daycare Zoning Proposal for Further Review

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth City Council decided to table the ordinance regarding daycare facilities. The Duluth City Council tabled a proposed zoning change that would make it easier to open daycare centers in residential areas without a special use permit. Councilors stated that they require additional time to ensure everything is finalized and ready before proceeding. “What we’re really…

City Council Approves to Extend Seasonal Closure Dates on Skyline Parkway

DUUTH, Minn. –  The Duluth City Council voted to extend the seasonal closure of Skyline Parkway. The sections of Skyline Parkway that normally close from December 1 to April 15 will now extend to May 15. Frequent weather-related delays, which have occurred in four out of the past five years, have added pressure to the Street Maintenance and Communications departments,…

Cannabis Lottery Selects 75 More Applicants for License

MINNESOTA — The Office of Cannabis Management held a license lottery July 22.  75 candidates were selected from the pool of over 550 retail license applicants. The OCM livestreamed the lottery, and will post the selected application numbers online, and communicate directly with the businesses about their selection. Chosen businesses aren’t automatically granted the license. They will still need to…

Great Lakes Aquarium Celebrates 25 Years by Unveiling Time Capsule

DULUTH, Minn.– The Great Lakes Aquarium is making history today, as well as reflecting on it, by opening their time capsule from 25 years ago. The aquarium wasted no time diving into history to reminisce on the time they first opened. Inside the capsule, guests got to check out the unveiling of numerous news clippings and magazines highlighting the beginning….

Man faces charges after Highway 53 chase

  VIRGINIA, Minn. — A man was taken into custody on Sunday after a police pursuit ended in Eveleth. At about 11:30 am Sunday July 20, 2025, Saint Louis County Deputies received an alert of a suspect in connection to Domestic assault, no contact order violation, weapons possession, and threats to law enforcement and the general public. The incident originated…

Department of Public Safety creates tip program to help advance missing and murdered Indigenous relatives’ cases

Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) Office will announce the official opening of the state’s Gaagige-Mikwendaagoziwag Reward Fund Tip Program. Minnesota Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) Office logo Lawmakers established the state’s Gaagige-Mikwendaagoziwag Reward Fund Account during the 22-23 legislative session. The purpose of the fund’s tip program is to bring…

“Visual Sound Bath” Art Installation at the Duluth International Airport

  DULUTH, Minn. — Visitors can listen to the new “visual sound bath” at the Duluth International Airport.  It’s a new art display by multi-media visual artist Leonarda Boughton. Boughton, a frequent traveler through the city of Duluth, designed the “Visual Sound Bath” in the walkway between the parking garage and the airport terminal. The installation changes with the movement…

The Isabella Section House Reimagined Project Seeks Public Input

ISABELLA, Minn. — The Isabella Section House Reimagined project is seeking public feedback on what the future of the historic building should be. Isabella Section House, Image courtesy of the United States Forest Service The project has people take a virtual tour and give their thoughts on what the building should be used for. Project leaders are looking for a…

St. Paul man accused of driving to Cloquet to see 13-year-old he met on Snapchat

DULUTH, Min – A flat tire on the way to Minneapolis might not lead to an arrest for every driver. But if you are hiding something in your backseat, it will. On July 10th, 2025, 25-year-old Joshua Patrick Baxter was arrested on one count of criminal sexual conduct in the first and second degree both involving a 13-year-old girl. Earlier…

MN Nurses Association To End Strike With Essentia Health

DULUTH, Minn. — The Minnesota Nurses Association sent out a news release late Monday that said the remaining striking nurses at Essentia Health in the Twin Ports will end the strike. News Release: July 21, 2025 – Tomorrow, Tuesday, July 22 at 10:00 AM, striking members of the Minnesota Nurses Association at Essentia’s clinics, surgery center, hospice house and East…

Company working with Incline Village Developer terminates contract; Website removed

DULUTH, Minn. – ICS, a construction and development company, has terminated its contract with Incline Plaza Development. That’s according to an e-mail they sent to the City of Duluth on July 3, 2025. Incline Plaza Development is the lead to develop a property called “Incline Village,” which would be on the site of the old Central High School. Renderings of…

Man killed in Normanna Township incident identified; Officers involved also identified

Law enforcement scene in Normanna near McQuade Road and E Pioneer Road ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has released more information on the deadly incident in Normanna Township on July 15, 2025. BCA says the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office identified Adam Clinton Wolf, 57, of Normanna Township as the man who…

I-35 Bridge Work Near 40th Avenue West Starting July 28th

  DULUTH, Minn.– Starting July 28th, bridge repair will begin on 40th Avenue West out in Duluth. The work will begin by constructing crossovers for the bridge. This will eventually prepare for a bridge repair above the freeway. Once the crossovers are complete, traffic will remain head-to-head through mid-August. This will be one of the last pieces before the I-35…

State Senator convicted of two felonies plans to resign

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – A Minnesota state senator convicted of burglary for breaking into her estranged stepmother’s house plans to resign by early August, her lawyer said Monday. Democratic state Sen. Nicole Mitchell has faced calls from fellow Minnesota lawmakers for her immediate resignation since her conviction on Friday. The jury deliberated for three hours before finding her guilty…

Chief Mike Ceynowa Appointed to Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Police Chief Mike Ceynowa was appointed to the Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training. The board is responsible for licensing peace officers and part-time peace officers, establishes qualifications and standards of conduct, and regulates professional education and continuing education for peace officers. Chief Mike Ceynowa Chief Ceynowa’s term begins July 23rd and ends January 5th,…

Stebner Closure Impacts Traffic Until Friday July 25th

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — A portion of Stebner Road is temporarily closed for a utility installation project. The closure is between Maple Grove Road and Hermantown Road. Stebner is fully closed near the intersection of Stebner Road and Radar Road. Stebner Closure: Yellow – Detour; Orange – Closed to Through Traffic; Red – Full Closure Through traffic is detoured to Lavaque…

Lake Superior Day Brings Great Appreciation

DULUTH, Minn. – Lake Superior Day brought the community together for a day of fun, learning, and appreciation of the world’s largest freshwater lake. People gathered at Barkers Island to celebrate Lake Superior through free Interactive learning activities, games, prizes, and paddle boarding. It was organized ‘Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve’ with support from other organizations like Friends of…

MN Among 3 Democrat-led States To Roll Back Medicaid Access For People Lacking Permanent Legal Status

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — For nearly 20 years, Maria would call her sister — a nurse in Mexico — for advice on how to manage her asthma and control her husband’s diabetes instead of going to the doctor in California. She didn’t have legal status, so she couldn’t get health insurance and skipped routine exams, relying instead on home remedies…

Grand Rapids & Deer River Mascots Approved to Stay

Schools originally needed unanimous approval from all 11 of Minnesota's federally recognized tribes.

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn.- Back in 2023, a state law was passed that banned high schools from using american indian mascots. That put schools such as Grand Rapids and Deer River in limbo for a possible mascot name and logo change. Two years later and the schools finally have an answer. In a Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Tribal Council on…

11th Annual Bike Duluth Festival Begins

DULUTH, Minn.– Gears are turning at spirit mountain, because the 11th annual Bike Duluth Festival is about to take off. The festival itself draws in cyclists of all skill levels. Throughout the weekend, 9 different courses will take place, downhill, cross country, and chainless downhill just to name a few. In addition, a handful of vendors will be available to…

Minnesota State Senator guilty of first-degree burglary

Nicole Mitchell BECKER COUNTY, Minn.  (AP) –  A Minnesota state senator has been convicted of burglary for breaking into her estranged stepmother’s home. The jury on Friday found Nicole Mitchell guilty of first-degree burglary and possession of burglary tools. Bodycam video shows the 51-year-old Democrat telling police when they arrested her in April 2024, “Clearly, I’m not good at this.”…

Weekend Air Quality Alerts across Northern Minnesota

DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued varied air quality alerts across Northern Minnesota for the upcoming weekend. The alerts range from Very Unhealthy to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups. The alerts takes effect 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, 2025 and run until 9 a.m. on Monday, July 21, 2025. Heavy surface smoke from Canadian wildfires will…

Essentia says nominations in Washington, D.C. will help with APP strike negotiations

DULUTH, Minn. – President Donald Trump on July 17, 2025 nominated two people to join the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Essentia has been saying their discussions with the Advanced Practice Practitioners (APPs) are stalled due to an appeal to the NLRB. Essentia says they are concerned about the size and reach of the proposed bargaining unit. Essentia has asked…

Cirrus Aircraft and Duluth Pack unveils parachute lined-bag collection

DULUTH, Minn.  – Cirrus Aircraft has a new production – but not an airplane. They’re launching a collection of handcrafted, aviation-inspired travel bags. Cirrus is utilizing upcycled parachute material repurposed from the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®). Each item is hand-built in Duluth by Duluth Pack. Cirrus Caps Backpack by Duluth Pack The inner lining is cut individually by hand from…

Fatal Beatty Township House Fire Under Investigation

BEATTY, Minn.– At approximately 9:20 on Thursday night, St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office alongside fire personnel from Cook, Ore, Kinney-Great Scott, and Greenwood responded to a residential house fire in Beatty Township. Upon arrival, the house was fully engulfed in flames. During investigation, two parties were located in the residence deceased. At this time, the incident is still under investigation,…

Coffee Conversation: “Don’t Sweat It” Safe Haven Shelter Hygiene Drive

DULUTH, Minn. — On Saturday, July 19, “Don’t Sweat It”, a hygiene product drive supporting Safe Haven Shelter & Resource Center, will be held at 190 Coffee & Tea from 9 a.m. to noon. Safe Haven Community Engagement Coordinator Brittany Lind Libby joined Fox 21 on the morning Newscast Friday to talk more about the drive and its purpose. The…

‘Good Trouble’ Protestors Rally in Downtown Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluthians joined cities nationwide for the “Good Trouble” peaceful protest defending civil rights and honoring the late John Lewis, a former congressman and civil rights icon. The protest was centered around Lake Avenue and Superior Street, with 50 states and 50 cities participating in one mission. They held rallies, marches, teach-ins, and vigils, demanding voter protections, protesting…

Park Point 5-Mile run and 2-Mile run Helped Raise Money for the Youth

DULUTH, Minn. – 650 participants took on the Park Point 5-mile run and 2-mile walk to help support the Young Athletes Foundation. Grandma’s Marathon held both of these races to raise money for the Young Athletes Foundation. This foundation offers the youth grants, scholarships, and free kids’ programming. “For me, personally, I have three kids myself that have benefited from…

Air Quality Alert issued for International Falls-area

DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued an air quality alert for north central and northeast Minnesota. The alert takes effect at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 17, and runs until 1 a.m. on Friday, July 18, 2025. The affected area includes International Falls and the Tribal Nation of Red Lake. A pocket of moderate to heavy…

Final “pour” on Twin Ports Interchange project scheduled

DULUTH, Minn. – The final bridge deck “pour” for the Twin Ports Interchange project will take place Thursday evening, July 17, 2025. The newly poured deck will complete 145,260 cubic yards of concrete, alongside 4,672 tons of reinforced steel. It’s a significant milestone marking the transition into the final phase of construction. Once the new deck has cured, crews will…

IFalls Weighs Future of Ambulance Service Amid $2M Deficit

International Falls, Minn. — The future of International Falls’ ambulance service is facing big questions. At a recent special city council meeting, the entire discussion centered on the city-run service and the financial pressure it’s under. Right now, the ambulance fund is more than two million dollars in the red, and the city has been dipping into reserves just to…

Part of Munger State Trail washed out; Closed until winter

DULUTH, Minn. – A section of the Munger State Trail close to the Buffalo House restaurant is expected to be closed  until later this winter. It’s closed to replace a failing culvert. There is no designated detour available, so trail users should plan accordingly. Munger Trail Closed 07/17/25 Recent heavy rainfall has caused severe soil erosion around the culvert located at…

MNA Accuses Essentia of ‘Intimidation’ and ‘Retaliation’ Amid Strike

DULUTH, Minn. — The Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) blasted Essentia Health Wednesday by saying the healthcare provider is intimidating and retaliating against some of the union’s Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) who have chosen to leave the group’s strike and go back to work. The strong words from the MNA came after Essentia Health sent out the following release to the…

FDLTCC Celebrates 15th Annual Scholarship Event

Fond du Lac, Minn.– The Fond du Lac Tribal Community College didn’t let yesterday’s rain stop their event. And with some adjustments, it was all okay, in Cloquet. The community came together to help support student scholarships. Instead of the typical croquet event, the college switched gears to a taco lunch. The mission remained the same, helping raise money for…

Senator Tina Smith hospitalized

Senator Tina Smith WASHINGTON, D.C. & DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota Senator Tina Smith is in the hospital. Senator Smith’s staff posted on her X account, “While at work at the Capitol today, Sen. Smith started to not feel well. She went to the Capitol physician who recommended she undergo more thorough examination at GW hospital. Out of an abundance of…

Trump Administration Reverses Duluth Federal Prison Camp Closure

DULUTH, Minn. – The deactivation of the Duluth Federal Prison Camp has been officially reversed, and it will remain open. After Congressman Pete Stauber pushed to overturn the decision to close the prison camp, the Federal Bureau of Prisons ‘ William Marshall visited the facility, ultimately leading to the Trump administration’s decision to keep the prison camp open. U.S. Senator…

Suspect Dead After Setting Fires and Shooting at First Responders

DULUTH, Minn. – One man is dead, after allegedly setting fire to multiple houses and shooting at first responders in Normanna Township, just north of Duluth. A 911 caller Tuesday morning reported a neighbor for spraying gas on a family member and setting the caller’s house on fire. Another neighboring home was set ablaze, and the suspect is believed to…

Judge Recommends Against Approving ALLETE Partnership

DULUTH, Minn. — An Administrative Law Judge released a report recommending the Public Utilities Commission reject the proposed purchase of Allete Inc./Minnesota power Under the proposed partnership, ALLETE would no longer be a publicly traded company. It would be sold to two private equity investors, the Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board and Global Infrastructure Partners. The report claims that the…

Spongy Moth Spraying begins in Northern Minnesota

DULUTHJ, Minn. — Spongy Moth spraying in Minnesota was planned to start July 16th. If the weather cooperates, spraying will occur over through the 22nd. Low flying planes will be spreading a non-toxic substance at 24 sites in Aitkin, Carlton, Itasca, Pine and St. Louis counties. The substance does not harm humans, animals, or other insects. It works by confusing…

Coffee Conversation: UMN’s NRRI Open House to Showcase Innovation

DULUTH, Minn. — The University of Minnesota’s Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) is inviting the public to an open house on Friday, July 18, from 2 to 4 p.m. at NRRI Duluth, located at 5013 Miller Trunk Highway (Highway 53). Jamie Alexander, NRRI’s Director of External Affairs, appeared on the Wednesday morning newscast to discuss the institute’s mission and share…

Voting concludes on some MNA contracts with agreement ratified

  DULUTH, Minn. – Thousands of nurses across the Twin Cities Metro area and Duluth finished voting to ratify the new contracts. The announcement was made on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. Nurses in the agreement include all nurses at Aspirus – St. Luke’s and Critical Care Nurses at Essentia. RELATED: Solvay Hospice House temporarily pausing care due to looming MNA…

Duluth Federal Prison Camp to stay open

  DULUTH, Minn. – The Federal Prison Camp in Duluth will be staying open. Representative Pete Stauber say the decision followed a recent visit to the camp by William Marshall, the newly appointed Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. In a statement Rep. Stauber said, “I am overjoyed by the news that the Federal Prison Camp in Duluth will remain open,…

Attic fire in Denfeld-area; no injuries

  DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Fire Department responded to a fire in the Denfeld-area at 3:47am, Tuesday July 15th, 2025. Homeowners and a Duluth Police officer reported a smell of smoke in the house. The fire was on 4700-block of W 6th Street in Duluth. Fire crews saw light smoke coming from the roof when they arrived, Crews found…