Minnesota

Minnesota Police: Poison Gas That Killed 7 Came From Furnace

MOORHEAD, Minn. (AP) – Authorities say a furnace was the source of carbon monoxide that last month killed seven members of an immigrant family from Honduras living in Minnesota. Police in Moorhead have said blood samples from the victims showed a lethal level of carbon monoxide, but further testing was needed to determine whether the source was the furnace or…

Laura MacArthur Elementary School Grades 3-5 Move To Short-Term Remote Learning

DULUTH, Minn. – Laura MacArthur Elementary School grades 3-5 will be moving to temporary remote learning beginning Tuesday. Schools officials say in a Monday press release that the decision was made due to ongoing staffing shortages. Students are expected to return to in-person learning on Monday, January 31. “We understand the significant impact remote learning will have on district families,”…

COVID-19 Patient at Center of Ventilator Fight Dies in Texas

(courtesy: Fox 9) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — An unvaccinated COVID-19 patient flown from Minnesota to Texas during a legal battle over whether his ventilator should be turned off died Saturday, the family’s attorney said. A Minnesota judge had issued a restraining order on Jan. 13 blocking Mercy Hospital from turning off the machine that was keeping Scott Quiner alive, after his…

Trial To Begin for Cops Accused of Violating Floyd’s Rights

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – The federal trial for three former Minneapolis police officers charged with violating George Floyd’s civil rights as Derek Chauvin pinned the Black man’s neck to the street is set to begin Monday with opening statements. J. Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao are broadly charged with depriving Floyd of his civil rights while acting under…

Businesses Near Beargrease Starting Line in Duluth Ready for Spectators to Return

For the small Breeze Inn on the outskirts of Duluth, last year's lack of fans after a year riddled with COVID shutdowns was tough.

DULUTH, Minn.- After a year with no fans, the small community of businesses out where the Beargrease starting line is are excited and relieved to have people inside watching the race again. For the small Breeze Inn on the outskirts of Duluth, last year’s lack of fans after a year riddled with COVID shutdowns was tough. So this year they’re…

Staffing Shortage Is So Bad In Schools, Even The Duluth Superintendent Is Filling In

DULUTH, Minn. — The national staffing shortage in schools is also being felt locally, with even the Duluth schools superintendent filling in in the classroom. Superintendent John Magas says he’s stepped in as both a paraprofessional and a substitute teacher, adding that he’s never seen staffing shortages so severe in the education field before. Even the number of bus drivers…

The Family Business: Two Harbors Wallins’ Prepares For Another Beargrease Marathon

TWO HARBORS, Minn. — The John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon is just around the corner, and while teams across the country are getting ready for the races, here in Two Harbors., it’s just another day at the office for the Wallin’s. “It’s just a real celebration of being a Minnesotan and loving the winter,” Colleen Wallin said. The Wallin’s have…

City Of Duluth Wants DNR Grant To Fight Emerald Ash Borer

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth city councilors will also vote on a resolution to continue the city’s effort to remove and replace diseased trees from Emerald Ash Borer. The resolution authorizes the city apply for a grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ forest program to not exceed $150,000. The money will help reimbursement for removing more than 500 infected…

Council To Vote Monday On Procedure To Fill Medved’s At-Large Seat

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth City Council will decided how to move forward with Derek Medved’s at-large seat after he announced he’s leaving the council Feb. 14 to focus on his KornerStore business. The proposal is calling for an application process through the city’s website, which will close at 4:30 p.m. Feb. 14, which is Medved’s final council meeting. The…

Access Again An Issue At Federal Trial In Floyd’s Killing

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – A closed hearing in the federal trial of three former Minneapolis police officers in George Floyd’s killing was canceled Friday after prosecutors and the media objected. It’s the second time in just days that access to the proceedings became an issue. U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson scheduled the conference on the admissibility of some evidence…

EXPLAINER: Will Chauvin Testify At Trial Of 3 Other Cops?

(from left, Derek Chauvin, Tuo Thao, Thomas Lane, and J. Alexander Kueng) ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – As the federal trial for three former Minneapolis officers charged with violating George Floyd’s civil rights is set to begin Monday, some wonder whether Derek Chauvin will take the stand. Many legal experts say they don’t anticipate the jury will hear from Chauvin,…

Minnesota Lawmakers Face $7.7B Surplus In 2022 Session

(AP Photo/Steve Karnowski) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The Minnesota Legislature will confront a $7.7 billion surplus when it convenes Monday, Jan. 31. And that’s bound to set up clashes in this election year over whether to spend the money on unmet needs or give it back to taxpayers. The main job for lawmakers in even-numbered years traditionally is a public works…

Freezing 5k Doesn’t Stop Northland Runners From Giving Their All

It didn't even reach 1 degree yet at Spirit Mountain Saturday morning, when some tough runners warmed up for the Wild Winter Wipeout 5k.

DULUTH, Minn. — It’s what skiers would call a blue bird day, but we’re not here at Spirit Mountain right now for skiers, we’re here for a different kind of athlete who’s come out and braved the elements to do what they love. It didn’t even reach 1 degree yet at Spirit Mountain Saturday morning, when some tough runners warmed…

Access Again an Issue at Federal Trial in Floyd’s Killing

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – A closed hearing in the federal trial of three former Minneapolis police officers in George Floyd’s killing was canceled Friday after prosecutors and the media objected. It’s the second time in just days that access to the proceedings became an issue. U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson scheduled the conference on the admissibility of some evidence…

Duluth Councilor Derek Medved Steps Down Early in Term, Council to Begin Interviewing Candidates to Fill Seat

According to Council President Forsman, Medved was a Councilor-At-Large, so anyone in the city can apply through the city clerk’s office.

DULUTH, Minn.- At-Large Duluth City Councilor Derek Medved has decided he will be leaving his term two years early to focus on his growing business. “It’s great to see a young entrepreneur continue to succeed locally so that’s really great. On the council front, it’s sad to see him go,” newly-appointed Council President Arik Forsman said. In a statement only…

Learn Snowkiting Basics with UMD Rec Sports Outdoor Program

Snowkiting, also called kiteboarding, involves riding the wind with a big kite pulling a skier or snowboarder along.

DULUTH, Minn.- Thrill-seekers looking for another way to get the adrenaline pumping this winter can learn to catch the steady winds that blow over frozen lakes on a snowkite. UMD’S rec sports outdoor program offered introduction-sessions Friday. Snowkiting, also called kiteboarding, involves riding the wind with a big kite pulling a skier or snowboarder along. Students will learn how to…

Florida Man Charged After 4 Found Dead at Canada-US Border

(John Woods/The Canadian Press via AP) WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) – A Florida man has been charged with human smuggling after the bodies of four people, including a baby and a teen, were found in Canada near the U.S. border. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota says 47-year-old Steve Shand has been charged with human smuggling after seven…

Enbridge Says It Has Fixed Pierced Aquifer Near Oil Pipeline

(AP Photo/Jim Mone, File) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Enbridge Energy said it has stopped the flow of spilled artesian groundwater that began a year ago when workers installing the Line 3 oil pipeline in northwestern Minnesota punctured an aquifer. The spill near Enbridge’s terminal in Clearbrook was one of the worst environmental accidents during the construction of the 340-mile pipeline in…

Some Food Shelves Looking Bare After ‘Season Of Giving’

DULUTH, Minn. – Some food shelves are becoming a little emptier again now that the season of giving is over. That’s the case at Duluth Harbor Rescue Mission, which supports people experiencing homelessness, addiction and abuse. The mission need food like pasta sauces, cans of soup, tuna, and boxed meals. “When someone comes in and asks if you have a…

Duluth ‘Law Enforcement Accountability Network’ Marks One Year, Calls For More Feedback

DULUTH, Minn. – A data-driven police accountability group in Duluth is calling on more people from all communities to share experiences they’ve had with police — good or bad — as the group recognizes its one-year mark. The Law Enforcement Accountability Network, or LEAN Duluth, says it has no political agenda. The goal is to produce hard research through all…

Gov. Walz’s Budget Would Send $175 Checks to Minnesotans From Surplus

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Governor Tim Walz is proposing $700 million in direct payments to Minnesotans from the state’s $7.7 billion surplus as part of his budget plan. According to the governor, the budget, if approved, would include sending checks of $175 to single tax filers earning up to $164,400 while couples earning up to $273,470 would get…

MDH Infectious Disease Director Kris Ehresmann Announces Retirement

(photo: Twitter) (FOX 9) – Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Infectious Disease Director Kris Ehresmann has announced her plans to retire on Feb. 2, concluding more than 30 years of service in various public health roles. According to the announcement, Ehresmann has become a respected leader for her COVID-19 response work, as well as, more than three decades of service…

Long-Sought Great Lakes Projects Get Funding Under New Law

(AP) – The Biden administration’s new infrastructure package will pump more funding into two high-profile Great Lakes projects. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says it will devote $479 million to the construction of a new shipping lock at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. The money will be enough to finish the long-sought lock, which will boost the passage of cargo…

Hundreds Take State-Paid Nursing Assistant Training

MINNEAPOLIS – Hundreds of Minnesotans are taking advantage of the state’s offer to cover the cost of training to become a certified nursing assistant. The state has used $3.5 million in federal relief funding to pay for students’ tuition, textbooks, and certification exams in hopes of alleviating staffing shortages in long-term care facilities and veterans’ homes during the coronavirus pandemic….

Annie Harala Announces Run for St. Louis County Board

DULUTH, Minn. – Former Duluth School Board Member Annie Harala announced her run Thursday for the St. Louis County Board of Commissioners District 1 seat. Harala, a local entrepreneur and longtime Hillside resident says she understands the important intersection between mission-driven non-profits, innovative businesses, and the value of the public sector because she’s built her career around all of them….

Jury Selection To Start in Federal Trial Over Floyd’s Death

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Jury selection is scheduled to begin in the federal case against three former Minneapolis police officers who were with Derek Chauvin when he pinned George Floyd to the street. J. Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao are charged with depriving Floyd of his constitutional rights while acting under government authority. Starting Thursday, jurors will be questioned by…

Duluth Fire Chief, Homeless Advocate React To 2nd Fire At I-35 Homeless Encampment

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth’s fire chief and its top homeless advocate reacted to Wednesday’s homeless encampment fire under I-35 near downtown — almost three months to the day since fire erupted in the exact spot from squatters. “People find their way to have shelter, to try to stay warm, literally to try to stay alive at this time of the…

How Frosty Ridge Keeps Their Alpacas Warm During The Winter

DULUTH, Minn. –At the Frosty Ridge Alpaca Farm in Duluth, the owners tell us that the challenge to keep their alpacas warm isn’t the subzero temperatures in the winter, but actually keeping them comfortable with the humidity level. Alpacas are native to the Andes Mountains in South America, where it’s actually far less humid than Minnesota, even in the winter….

North Star Academy Moves Some Grades To Temporary Virtual Learning During Staffing Shortage, COVID Cases

DULUTH, Minn. — The North Star Academy of the Duluth Edison Charter Schools is having some of its grades switch to virtual learning for a few weeks. It’s happening for two reasons: one, COVID has caused staffing issues and teacher shortages, and two, the number of COVID cases within the schools doubled between the first and second week of January…

Cloquet Follows Duluth in 30-Day Mask Mandate

CLOQUET, Minn. — It’s been nearly a week after Duluth mandated masks around the city, and a neighboring town is now doing the same. Last week the Cloquet Community Memorial Hospital was “crisis planning”, for a wave of covid patients, and now this week, they were sending letters to the mayor supporting a mask mandate. The Community Memorial Hospital in…

New City Council President Arik Forsman Outlines 2022 Priorities

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth city council’s new president, Arik Forsman, spoke to FOX 21 about some of his priorities for the year ahead. Having served in the council for three and a half years, this presidency allows Forsman to serve another full year from the front of the helm. Forsman said he’s been a long-time Duluth resident and has…

MN Attorney General Ellison Files Lawsuit Against COVID-19 Testing Sites, Lab for Deceiving Consumers

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced Wednesday he has filed a lawsuit against two COVID-19 testing sites that allegedly failed to deliver test results or delivered inaccurate or falsified results. The two Illinois-based companies named in the suit are Center for COVID Control, LLC and Doctors Clinical Laboratory, Inc. According to Ellison’s office, there have been…

Homeless Encampment Under I-35 In Duluth Catches Fire Again

The first fire started in this location on Oct. 18, 2021.

DULUTH, Minn. – Fire ignited under I-35 in downtown Duluth Wednesday in the exact location a homeless encampment caught on fire just three months ago. Duluth firefighters were called to the scene during the 1 o’clock hour Wednesday near Exit 256-A for Mesaba Avenue and Superior Street. A spokesperson for the fire department said the bulk of the fire was…

June 13 Date Set for State Trial for 3 Ex-Cops in Floyd’s Death

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A state court trial for three former Minneapolis police officers charged with the death of George Floyd has been rescheduled for June 13, after both the defense and prosecutors requested a postponement. Thomas Lane, J. Kueng, and Tou Thao face charges of aiding and abetting both murder and manslaughter. Their trial was supposed to start on March…