Minnesota

Bob Saget, Beloved TV Dad Of ‘Full House,’ Dead At 65

Bob Saget arrives at the People’s Choice Awards at the Microsoft Theater on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) LOS ANGELES (AP) – Bob Saget, a comedian and actor best known for his role the sitcom “Full House,” has died. He was 65. The Orange County, Florida, sheriff’s office said via Twitter it was called…

Minnesota Virus Positivity Rate Reaches 15.6% In New Record

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota’s COVID-19 positivity rate over the past seven days reached 15.6% on Friday, in an indication of the rapid spread of the omicron variant across the state. State health officials said the figure demonstrates the increasing spread of the omicron variant and expect a new surge of case growth for at least the next month. Minnesota’s previous…

Wedding Show Back With Over 100 Vendors at The DECC

More than 100 vendors were on hand to meet all the needs of brides and grooms to be from venues to catering, to D.J.s.

DULUTH, Minn.- For those planning their special day, the Duluth Wedding Show was back with hundreds of vendors at the DECC. More than 100 vendors were on hand to meet all the needs of brides and grooms to be from venues to catering, to D.J.s. Organizers say both the number of businesses and attendance this year was down about 25…

Bidders Excited to Get Hands on Last Place on Earth Items Up for Auction

Dozens of collectors filled Sellers Auction on Belknap Street and auction owners said they came from as far as Chicago and Florida.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- It’s been roughly seven years since the infamous Last Place on Earth was shut down. Those memories were unearthed Saturday at an auction in Superior. Dozens of collectors filled Sellers Auction on Belknap Street and auction owners said they came from as far as Chicago and Florida. The controversial head shop closed operations after owner Jim Carlson was…

‘Jazz at the Depot’ Brings Back Quartet, Crowd from Club Saratoga Jazz Days

The musicians originally played at Duluth's Club Saratoga in Canal Park before being hired by the Depot, and jazzists were out to show their love for the quartet as well as their music.

DULUTH, Minn.- What do you get when you mix smooth music, historic trains, and some tasty food? Probably something like Jazz at the Depot. The Lake Superior Railroad Museum hosted a quartet of jazz musicians to perform a number of pieces while the audience sat back and enjoyed both the music and atmosphere. The musicians originally played at Duluth’s Club…

Hunt for History, Win Some Prizes with Duluth Public Library’s Scavenger Hunts

The first of the so-called "GooseChases" began Friday and is themed around the history of Duluth.

DULUTH, Minn.- Starting this weekend, the Duluth Public Library is offering themed scavenger hunts for people all around the city to take part in. The first of the so-called “GooseChases” began Friday and is themed around the history of Duluth. To participate, download the GooseChase app and choose from any of the missions listed for the active hunt. Missions range…

First DFL Candidate Announces Run for Minnesota 8th District

The primary election is scheduled for this August.  

UPDATE: A statement from the Minnesota GOP is included at the end of this article. DULUTH, Minn.- Theresa Lastovich, the first to announce a bid for Minnesota’s 8th U.S. Congressional seat in the upcoming election, launched her campaign at Wildstate Cider Friday.  Lastovich is a native of Chisholm and says she’s the daughter of an iron ore miner with five generations of miners in…

Minnesota Virus Positivity Rate Reaches 15.6% In New Record

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota’s COVID-19 positivity rate over the past seven days reached 15.6% on Friday, emphasizing the rapid spread of the omicron variant across the state. State health officials have said they expect a new surge of case growth for at least the next month. The Star Tribune reported that Minnesota’s previous positivity rate record came early in the…

Glensheen to Offer Free Self-Guided Classic Tours Sunday

DULUTH, Minn. – As a way to say ‘thank you’ to the community, Glensheen is offering free self-guided Classic Tours to all visitors this Sunday for Community Day. In partnership with the City of Duluth, Community Days are a way for many attractions around the city that receive tourism tax funding to offer special discounts to community members throughout the…

Duluth City Councilors Have Tense First Debate About New Mask Mandate

DULUTH, Minn. – The mask mandate debate is firing back up in Duluth and being fueled by Councilor Terese Tomanek.  But the push for a mandate was not received well Thursday evening at the agenda session by the majority of the council after some felt surprised by the topic, which wasn’t on the list of items to discuss ahead of…

How A Grant From DSACF Is Helping Young Moms Who Have Nothing

TWIN PORTS–  The Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation plans to give another $1 million out to nonprofits in the Northland this year. One nonprofit is the Duluth YWCA’s Young Moms program, which is getting $20,000 from the foundation. Young Moms provides daycare while mothers, ages 16 to 21 who may be experiencing homelessness or are at-risk of it, go to…

Grand Marais Sven and Ole’s Building For Sale

  GRAND MARAIS, Minn. – The popular downtown Grand Marais pizzeria Sven & Ole’s Pizza is undergoing some changes. In a Wednesday Facebook post, owner and co-founder Sid “Sven” Backlund announced they are selling the building located on Wisconsin Street in downtown Grand Marais, but not the business. “We won’t be going anywhere until the building is sold,” Backlund said….

New Minnesota COVID-19 Testing Sites Start Opening Friday

ANOKA, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota’s newest COVID-19 community testing site will open at the National Guard Armory in Anoka on Friday, Gov. Tim Walz announced Thursday, while the Guard will help raise the capacity of a similar site in downtown St. Paul by 50%. The moves to boost the state’s testing capacity amid the spike in omicron variant cases are…

Minnesota AG Ellison Quarantining Outside US With COVID-19

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison says he’s quarantining outside the country after testing positive for COVID-19. In a statement Wednesday night, Ellison said he was experiencing only mild symptoms thanks to having been vaccinated and boosted. He said he was isolating himself in place and will travel home when it is safe while conducting business…

Hoops Brewing Closed Today Due to Pipe Burst

DULUTH, Minn. – Hoops Brewing will be closed for the day Thursday after a water pipe burst in the condo above the brewery due to the cold weather, flooding the beer hall. Hoops said in an Instagram post that the Duluth Fire Department was on scene quickly to help shut off the water. The brewery says professionals are on-site to…

Mask Mandates Return To Twin Cities; No Plans In Motion For Twin Ports

Duluth and Superior mayors told FOX 21 Wednesday there are no immediate plans to bring back a mask mandate for their cities after Minneapolis and St. Paul both announced indoor mask mandates returning at 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 6. Duluth Mayor Emily Larson’s office released the following statement: “The City is tracking the infection and spread of COVID-19 in Duluth,…

Sen. Tina Smith Applauds Bi-Partisan Passage Of ‘No Surprises Act’ Involving Emergency Medical Bills

Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith is applauding lawmakers on both sides of the isle in D.C. for a new law now in effect to stop surprise medical bills for most emergency care. The “No Surprises Act” went into effect Jan. 1. Smith said Americans have faced unexpected medical bills for years after seeking emergency care ranging from hundreds to tens of…

DTA Talks About Further Impact From Route Temporarily Shutting Down

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Transit Authority is updating the public on the further impact from shutting down one route temporarily. The DTA is experiencing staffing shortages, and some employees are calling out sick with COVID and seasonal illnesses. For now, the trips on Route 5 are on pause. It’s a direct connection between West Duluth and the Miller Hill…

UMD’s ‘Preschool at the Park’ Reopening On-Campus Nature-Based Program

The Preschool at the Park is set to open on January 10th after being closed since the beginning of the pandemic in March of 2020.

DULUTH, Minn.- After almost two years UMD will be welcoming back some much younger students to their campus little preschoolers. The Preschool at the Park is set to open on January 10th after being closed since the beginning of the pandemic in March of 2020. Located in the Chester Park Building, the program is nature-based enhancing the 3 to 5-year-old’s…

Duluth Warming Centers at Capacity as New, Larger Facility’s Opening Delayed

The new warming center in Lincoln Park was supposed to open in December, but COVID supply chain issues pushed that to February.

DULUTH, Minn- Duluth’s homeless population is truly feeling the pain from these types of cold nights. And that’s fueling a desperate call for more attention and investment in affordable housing — as a new and bigger warmer center has been delayed for months. A new warming center in the lower level of the Lincoln Park Center is in its final…

Cousins Returns From COVID-19 Absence to Vikings for Finale

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Kirk Cousins has returned to the Minnesota Vikings from COVID-19 reserve. He missed the previous game while experiencing mild symptoms. That loss at Green Bay eliminated the Vikings from contention for the playoffs. They play Chicago on Sunday in a meaningless finale game. Vikings coach Mike Zimmer plans to play Cousins and all of the other regulars…

Minneapolis, St. Paul Reinstate Indoor Mask Mandates

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Minneapolis and St. Paul reinstated indoor mask mandates Wednesday as the state grapples with a surge in COVID-19 cases due to the omicron variant. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey signed an emergency regulation reinstating the city-wide mask policy, which requires patrons, employees, and visitors to wear a mask in businesses and places of public accommodation. St. Paul…

Spirit Mountain Skating Rink to Open Friday

(courtesy: Spirit Mountain) DULUTH, Minn. – Spirit Mountain’s new Grand Avenue skating rink is set to open this Friday at the Grand Avenue Chalet. A grand opening event will be held on Friday starting at 5:30 p.m. and will include a bonfire and hot cocoa with marshmallows. The skating rink, located at 8551 Grand Avenue in West Duluth, is free…

Winter Freezing Fish Lake Energizes Anglers, Local Businesses

When the fish start biting, anglers start biting at the products and services of local businesses.

DULUTH, Minn.- For residents and businesses around smaller bodies of water like Fish Lake in Duluth, winter with its frozen water and snowy trails bring back anglers, snowmobilers, and a much-needed boost to local business and life.   “Especially when we get snow on the ground, we get more snowmobilers that want to stay and the trails just right up…

Walz Announces More COVID-19 Testing Sites as Omicron Surges

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Gov. Tim Walz has announced plans to open three more community testing sites for COVID-19 as the rapid spread of the omicron variant puts new strains on Minnesota’s testing capacity. According to updated figures Tuesday, Minnesota is coming off its deadliest month of the pandemic for 2021, with 874 deaths in December. The state’s seven-day test positivity…

Early Morning Duluth House Fire Causes $70K in Damages

(photo: Twitter/Duluth Fire) DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth firefighters say a condemned house in the Observation Hill neighborhood sustained $70,000 in damages after a fire broke out early Tuesday morning. Fire crews responded to the 700 block of West 2nd Street around 6:15 a.m. on reports of a fire at the home. When fire crews arrived at the scene they found…

Minnesota’s Blood Bank Donations Are at a 10-Year Low

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Officials say Minnesota’s blood bank donations are at a 10-year low. Red Cross spokeswoman Tonia Teasley says many people are not donating because they are worried about their own health during the coronavirus pandemic. Teasley says across the region blood donations are down 10 percent. Sen. Amy Klobuchar hosted a virtual roundtable discussion on the issue Monday…

Downtown Duluth YMCA Seeing More Taking Steps Toward Healthier 2022

Staff at the facility on First Street said they've seen a steady increase of people signing up the past few days.

DULUTH,  Minn.- With the New Year comes New Year’s resolutions for many and the Downtown Duluth YMCA has seen more people hoping to start 2022 on a healthier note. Staff at the facility on First Street said they’ve seen a steady increase of people signing up the past few days. They say having a variety of programs like group exercise,…

Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month Continues Education, Prevention

Over time officials say measures like breathing apparatuses and washing gear and skin immediately after calls have become more common.

DULUTH, Minn.- January is Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month as fire crews across the nation work to educate more people about job-related cancer, the leading cause of death among firefighters. Duluth crews hope more people in and out of the firehouse can learn about the toxic carcinogens such as smoke, char, and newer building materials like plastics and technology which firefighters…

Hermantown Night Riders Hosting Dinner to Raise Money for Trail Grooming

The club helps maintain trails in the greater Proctor, Duluth, and Hermantown areas

PROCTOR, Minn.- All this snow is bringing snowmobilers out to area trails and one club is hoping to get more members to help maintain those trails for everyone to enjoy. Hermantown Night Riders snowmobile club will host a dinner fundraiser next Thursday at Blackwoods Grill and Bar in Proctor. The club helps maintain trails in the greater Proctor, Duluth, and…

Vitta Pizza Uses Mostly Wood-Burning Stove, Not Thermostat, To Heat Business

DULUTH, Minn. — Heating bills can get high in the winter, unless you have a business that generates its own warmth. Vitta Pizza in Canal Park barely has to touch the thermostat, as its wood-burning pizza oven helps heat up the restaurant. The oven can heat up to 900 degrees, cooking pizzas in just 90 seconds. While the heating bill…

Ursa Minor Welcomes Guests To Covered Patio For Outdoor Beers

DULUTH, Minn. — One business taking advantage of how hardy Minnesotans can be when the temperatures drop is Ursa Minor Brewing, which is going into its first winter season with an added roof on its patio. The roof was first added back in August. The brewery’s founder tells us even before the patio became a little more sheltered from the…

Duluth Schools Superintendent on Returning to School In-Person Amid Post-Holidays COVID Surge

According to the superintendent, the mask requirement on campuses that started at the beginning of the school year will remain in effect.

DULUTH, Minn.- As the omicron variant fuels a surge of COVID cases nationwide the day kids return to schools after the holidays, Duluth ISD 709 superintendent John Magas said the plan is to continue in-person learning with a heavy dose of caution. “We certainly need to take it very seriously we’re doing everything possible to make sure we’re ensuring safety…

Walz Expects COVID-19 Case Spike as Minnesota Schools Reopen

Walz told Minnesota Public Radio on Monday that school administrators across the state are right to be concerned.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Gov. Tim Walz says coronavirus cases due to the fast-spreading omicron variant will most likely race through Minnesota’s public schools in the next few weeks now that students are back in class. Walz told Minnesota Public Radio on Monday that school administrators across the state are right to be concerned. He noted that modeling by the Mayo…

Mushers, Fans Kick Off Beargrease Marathon Month with Bent Paddle Beer Release

Organizers say 26 mushers will take on the journey, some coming from as far as Alaska and Canada.

DULUTH, Minn.- January has begun which means the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon is just on the horizon. And race month kicked off at Bent Paddle Brewery Sunday. The pour of Bent Paddle’s special Beargrease British Pale Ale marked that the race is ready to run. Signup for the full marathon race of 300 miles from Duluth to Grand Portage,…