Minnesota

UPDATE: Ex-Minneapolis Cop Gets 57 Months in Killing of 911 Caller

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A former Minneapolis police officer who fatally shot an unarmed woman after she called 911 to report a possible rape behind her home has been sentenced to 57 months in prison, which was the maximum term possible under the state’s sentencing guidelines. Mohamed Noor was initially convicted of third-degree murder and manslaughter in the 2017 death of…

Starbase Receives $25,000 Grant From New Partner

DULUTH, Minn. — Starbase Minnesota-Duluth is excited to receive a $25,000 grant Wednesday from Enbridge Fueling Futures. Starbase is a non profit education organization that specializes in teaching area 5th graders in various branches of science, technology, engineering and math in a hands-on way. Starbase opened up their new state of the art building in September of 2020, and this…

St. Luke’s Raises Awareness During ‘Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month’

DULUTH, Minn. – The birthing center at St. Luke’s in Duluth is looking to remind grieving parents they are not alone during this Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. Statistics show 1 in 4 families will suffer this type of loss at some point in their pregnancy journey. St. Luke’s looks to help families grieve by offering memento boxes with…

Sun Country Ready For Take Off Come December

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth International Airport is getting excited as they are closer to launching their Sun Country Airline which offers direct flights to two new and warm destinations starting in December. Sun Country is launching its first direct flights to Fort Myers, Florida and Phoenix, Arizona starting December 17th and running seasonally through April 25th of 2022. The…

Duluth Reminds Public of Snow Emergency Routes With Winter Approaching

DULUTH, Minn. — The snow isn’t here yet, but the cities of Duluth and Superior are in snow-prepping mode right now, and they’re sending out a few reminders for the community to be aware of what to do as the snow begins to fall. A snow emergency is when the city anticipates heavy snowfall to make driving conditions unsafe so…

‘Visit Duluth’ Board Agrees To Much Smaller Sales Role With City

DULUTH, Minn. – Visit Duluth — the city’s top marketing arm since 1935 — has agreed to a much smaller role with the city so it isn’t dissolved altogether. This comes after the city council recently approved a 2022 tourism marketing contract with Bellmont Partners out of the Twin Cities worth $1.8 million. The company came out on top after…

Union Gospel Mission Hosts Jacket Giveaway

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth’s Union Gospel Mission held their annual jacket giveaway earlier today. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the food shelf closed off their indoor rooms from the public but continued to serve hot meals and more, using a window to provide service. A table was set up outside the facility, filled with clothing and food, while people lined…

The Depot Welcomes Kids to Ojibwe Storytime

DULUTH, Minn.- The St. Louis County Historical Society began its weekly Ojibwe storytime today at the Depot in Duluth. The museum’s Ojibwe gallery is currently closed for renovations, and Depot organizers want to continue educating people about the indigenous culture. Museum assistant Abby Johnson reads Ojibwe children’s books to kids every Wednesday to teach them about Native American history. “Hoping…

Duluth Firefighters Train in Old Seaway Hotel

DULUTH, Minn.- For several months, the Duluth Fire Department used the old Seaway Hotel building in Lincoln Park to conduct hands-on training. Multiple fire grounds survival training sessions were held in the old Esmund building this past summer, but today’s fire training included a realistic and hazardous situation involving special effects. “The idea of this training is teaching every individual…

Truck Drivers Seeing Workforce Shortage

Faculty say, that the course has been thriving with a current waiting list for students. 

DULUTH, Minn. — Technical Fields at Lake Superior College are going strong as several industries in the area and across the country are experiencing a workforce shortage. Specifically, the truck driving course at the college which is a 9-10 week course that combines online and in-person learning as students get to drive the trucks at the college’s site in Gary…

Local Appliance Stores Still Experiencing Supply Shortage

The reasoning behind the shortage? Lack of raw materials, shipping containers tripling in cost, and missing components all play a part in the long wait.

DULUTH, Minn. — Businesses in the area are continuing to see a supply chain shortage with not being able to get certain products in a timely manner, or not at all. “This all-new territory since probably the beginning of second quarter last year, Daughtery Appliance Sales Owner, Scott Boedigheimer says. Daughtery Appliance Sales in West Duluth has been around for…

Unvaccinated Minnesotans 30x More Likely To Die From COVID

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm says unvaccinated Minnesotans are 15 times more likely to require hospitalization for COVID-19 and 30 times more likely to die from the disease than unvaccinated residents. The commissioner gave those figures Wednesday as the Minnesota Department of Health began posting additional data as part of its weekly report on vaccine breakthrough cases, which…

Proctor Police Department: Football ‘Misconduct’ Investigation Nearing Completion

PROCTOR, Minn. – The Proctor Police Department says the investigation into the football “misconduct” allegations is nearing completion. On Wednesday, City Administrator Jess Rich released a statement on behalf of the Proctor Police Department which reads in full: “The Proctor Police Department has been working closely and cooperatively with the St. Louis Count Attorney’s Juvenile Office and Proctor School Officials…

Gov. Walz Announces More COVID Rapid Testing Sites Across Minnesota

ST. PAUL, Minn. – On Wednesday Governor Walz’s office announced more COVID-19 rapid testing sites will be added in the coming weeks across Minnesota, including Duluth and Hibbing. Beginning Friday the current COVID testing site located at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center will offer rapid tests to the community. Earlier this month the DECC exapnded its COVID testing capacity by…

MN DOC Searching for Missing Man on Intensive Supervised Release

Authorities are asking for the public's help locating Daryl Brian Quagon who has ties to Sawyer County

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Corrections is searching for a Minnesota man recently released from prison on Intensive Supervised Release who is now missing. According to a recent news release, 56-year-old Daryl Brian Quagon left his home in Pine City without permission and removed his GPS monitoring bracelet in the area of Stone Lake, Wisconsin. He has…

Biden Administration Delivers Serious Blow to Proposed Twin Metals Mine

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Biden administration dealt a serious blow Wednesday to the proposed Twin Metals copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota, ordering a study that could lead to a 20-year ban on mining upstream from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The government said it has filed an application for a “mineral withdrawal,” which would begin with a comprehensive study…

Ice Castles Returning to New Brighton, Minnesota

(courtesy: Fox 9) (FOX 9) – The Ice Castles are coming back to Minnesota this winter after missing out last year due to the pandemic. According to Ramsey County officials, the Ice Castles are returning to Long Lake Regional Park in New Brighton this year. The park last hosted the Ice Castles in 2020. In past years, the attraction has…

Advocate: I-35 Homeless Encampment Fire Highlights Duluth’s Affordable Housing Crisis

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth’s top homeless outreach advocate is speaking out one day after a homeless camp in Duluth created quite the fire and smoke show under a busy stretch of I-35 downtown. Deb Holman, outreach coordinator for CHUM and the Human Development Center, said homeless advocates and the Minnesota Department of Transportation are working together to try to find…

Hartley Park Pond Clean-Up

DULUTH, Minn.- Members of Duluth Public Works and Utilities are cleaning up the Hartley Park pond just in time for winter. As a part of routine maintenance, crew members began clearing out tree debris and cattail plants from the pond’s dam Tuesday morning. The pond will be undergoing its annual dam inspection before we move into colder temperatures. “Right now,…

General Election Day is Around the Corner

DULUTH, Minn.- We are only weeks away from Duluth’s 2021 general election on November 2, and officials encourage people to vote early. The city’s general election ballot includes two City Councilors-at-Large positions, two district city council seats, and multiple school board positions. This Friday is the last day to request mail-in ballots. After Friday, voters can come into City Hall…

Life 97.3 Looking to Spread Kindness in the Northland

So far, the station has already received hundreds of stories and video submissions on their website. 

DULUTH, Minn. — One local radio station is looking to spread kindness around the Northland. Earlier this month, Life 97.3 asked its listeners to submit videos to the station’s website of themselves or others doing acts of kindness. The radio station has a goal of reaching 973 acts by World Kindness Day on Nov. 11, and they are also sharing…

Carlton County Advocacy Group Created to Promote Animal Shelter Need

The group of almost 200 members held their first information meeting last week.

CARLTON COUNTY, Minn. — Since the closure of the friends of animal’s humane society in Cloquet back in 2018 the city, and county have been looking to fill that void. After the loss of the only animal shelter in the Carlton County area, city and county staff have stepped in to provide free microchip clinics to residents. Local law enforcement…

Mount Royal Library Gets a New Mural

DULUTH, Minn.- The Mount Royal Public Library in Duluth unveiled a new mural, designed and constructed by Anishinaabe artist and Heart Berry CEO Sarah Agaton Howes. Visually, the mural is of a Native American woman and her granddaughter, sitting together as the older woman tells her a story. The mural, “Grandma’s Lap,” shows a bond between the family members and…

Artists Create Mural To Support Fire-Damaged Bar & Grill

The restaurant is still months away from opening the kitchen, but Witherspoon says opening the bar in a few weeks is the first step to get back to interacting with the folks he loves to see.

DULUTH, Minn. — Spoon’s Bar and Grill in Duluth is getting closer to reopening. This after two fires in August and September caused over $400,000 worth of damage to the building. Now, the restaurant is getting a special new makeover on its siding. “It’s amazing how the smallest things in life mean the most ya know,” Spoon’s Bar & Grill…

St. Louis County Public Health Announces New Vaccine and Testing Options

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Louis County Public Health is continuing to offer COVID-19 vaccine appointments and testing opportunities for the community. Vaccines available at these clinics include Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson. Also available are Pfizer boosters for those who are eligible, as well as third doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for immunocompromised individuals. Vaccine appointments this week…

Union Gospel Mission Building Vandalized, Duluth Police Searching for Suspect

  DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Police are searching for an individual who vandalized the Union Gospel Mission and other surrounding buildings in the 200 block of E 1st Street earlier this month. According to police, it is believed the incident occurred between 6:00 p.m. Saturday, October 2, and 10:00 a.m. Sunday, October 3. Damage to the buildings included multiple signs…

Several Sled Dogs ‘Severely Injured’ in Itasca County Hit-and-Run Incident

ITASCA COUNTY, Minn. – Authorities say several sled dogs were struck and severely injured Saturday night while training on a trail in Itasca County. According to the Itasca County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a call around 7:10 p.m. of a vehicle driving on the Circle T Snowmobile Trail near Button Box Road. The vehicle had struck several sled dogs…

1st Woman To Lead State Minnesota Air National Guard Assumes Duties

(courtesy: Minnesota National Guard) ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – The first woman to lead the Minnesota Air National Guard has officially assumed her duties. Command Chief Master Sgt. Lisa Erikson is the most senior enlisted member of the Minnesota Air Guard. She’s in charge of about 2,000 airmen located at two separate wings and the command headquarters. Erikson has 32…

Evictions Rise as State COVID-19 Protections Begin To Lift

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Housing experts say rental evictions are rising in Minnesota as state protections adopted because of COVID-19 are beginning to ease. As of last week, a 15-day notice is no longer required before an eviction notice is filed over delinquent rent. Lease terminations can also occur more easily. For some, a pending application for financial aid through…

Duluth Police: ‘Real Men Wear Pink’ Campaign Canceled

DULUTH, Minn. – The ‘Real Men Wear Pink’ campaign hosted by the Duluth Police Department has been canceled, the department announced on its Facebook page Tuesday morning. The campaign was scheduled to take place at the Texas Roadhouse from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The campaign raises funds for the American Cancer Society to help combat the fight against cancer…

Gov. Walz Announces Bid for Second Term

Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan Also Announced Re-Election Tuesday Morning

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota’s Democratic Gov. Tim Walz has launched his campaign for a second term in an increasingly divided state, saying he made the tough calls necessary to beat back the COVID-19 pandemic and revive the economy. The former high school football coach made the announcement in a YouTube video posted Tuesday that shows him standing on a football…

Mayor Larson, City Officials to Talk Snow Emergencies in Virtual Public Meeting Tuesday

Officials say they're posed to declare the city's first-ever snow emergency this winter.

DULUTH, Minn.- With winter around the corner, the City Of Duluth is hoping to get information out on navigating parking and emergency plow routes to avoid tickets and fines. Mayor Emily Larson and city staff will host a “City Hall in the City: Let’s Talk about Snow” meeting Tuesday evening. Officials say they’re posed to declare the city’s first-ever snow…

Proctor Police Chief: County Atty. To Receive Football ‘Misconduct’ Investigation This Week

PROCTOR, Minn. – Proctor’s police chief told FOX 21 on Monday that his investigators worked on police reports over the weekend to wrap up their investigation into criminal misconduct allegations involving some members of the high school’s football team. Chief Kent Gaidis expects to hand over his department’s reports this week to the St. Louis County Attorney’s Office for possible…

Gov. Walz Announces Gift Cards, Shot at Scholarships for Vaccinated 12-17 Year-Olds

Those between the ages of 12 to 17 can get a $200 VISA gift card if they get vaccinated, and a shot at one of 5 $100k scholarships

ST. PAUL, Minn.- Governor Tim Walz just rolled out a new incentive program for Minnesota pre-teens and teens to get the COVID vaccine. The program is called “Kids Deserve a Shot.” Those between the ages of 12 to 17 can get a $200 VISA gift card if they get vaccinated. The Governor says with covid-19 cases surging in the state…

Homeless Encampment Under I-35 In Duluth Catches Fire, Burning Freeway Before Being Put Out

DULUTH, Minn. — Part of I-35 northbound caught on fire on Monday evening in Duluth because of the large homeless encampment underneath it, according to the city’s fire department. It happened near the Mesaba-Superior Street exit around 6 p.m. Crews didn’t find anyone in the camp during their search efforts, and no one was hurt from the fire. Firefighters did…

Costco Shelves Filling Up as Duluth Location Prepares to Open in 10 Days

With $10 million of inventory stocked to date and liquor shipments arriving this week, the big-box store is gearing up to open.

DULUTH, Minn.- Finishing touches are going into Duluth’s new Costco, set to open in just 10 days. It’s all coming together inside the Costco building on Arrowhead Road. With shelves filling up, the warehouse floor is bare no more. “Kind of the final process right now is setting up our checkout lanes and receiving the remainder of our inventory in…

Kitchi Gammi Park Lakewalk Trail Extension Now Open

No events will take place at the park until the spring of 2023 at the earliest.

DULUTH, Minn. — The New Brighton Beach lakewalk trail extension is now open to the public. The paved trail is for bicycle and pedestrian use. City officials say the new section of trail is an extension of the existing lakewalk connecting to bike route 41 which follows scenic highway 61 from Duluth to Two Harbors. Brighton Beach will fully close…

Trunk or Treat Returns to Canal Park

DULUTH, Minn.- The popular community event, “Trunk or Treat,” will be returning to Canal Park on October 31. A little over 50 organizers and other community business owners are decorating the trunks of their vehicles for Halloween. They will be passing out candy to trick or treaters from noon to 4 p.m. Not only will kids get candy, but each…

Duluth Police Department Partners with Auto Shops to Stop Catalytic Converter Thefts

DULUTH, Minn.- With the spike in catalytic converter thefts, the Duluth Police Department is teaming up with a few local auto shops in preventing future thefts from happening. Catalytic converter thefts in the Northland are high as people are stealing the auto part for their valuable scrap metals. From September 1 to October 13, there have been 13 reported thefts….

Minnesota Nears 400 Traffic Deaths This Year, Outpacing 2020

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota public safety officials said Monday that nearly 400 people have died in traffic crashes on Minnesota roads this year, putting the state on pace to see the highest number of traffic fatalities recorded since 2007. Officials said there have been 384 traffic fatalities in 2021. That’s a 23% increase over this time last year….

Gov. Walz Launches “Kids Deserve A Shot” Vaccine Incentive Program

ST. PAUL, Minn. – On Monday, Governor Walz announced the launch of the “Kids Deserve a Shot” vaccine incentive program in an effort to encourage Minnesotans 12-17-years-old to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19. According to the governor’s office, the program consists of two sets of rewards: a $200 Visa gift card for 12-17-year-olds who start and complete their vaccine series…

Two Juvenile Girls Injured in Cass County ATV Crash

CASS COUNTY, Minn. – Two juvenile girls were injured Saturday afternoon in an ATV crash in Cass County, according to the Cass County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responded to a report of an ATV crash on the Bull Moose Trail, in rural Backus, Minnesota around 12:50 p.m. Saturday. When first responders got to the scene they learned that a 2017 Honda…

Duluth Police Department Announces Catalytic Converter Initiative

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department on Monday announced a new initiative to limit the number of catalytic converter thefts in the area. Between September 1 and October 13 of this year, authorities say they took roughly 12 reports of catalytic converter thefts within Duluth. Thieves cut off catalytic converters and sell them because they contain high-value precious metals….

October Angel of Hope Vigil Provides Extra Light for Parents Grieving Loss of Child

Normally held in December for Worldwide Candle Lighting Day, the Duluth organization wanted to have an additional vigil this year after postponing 2020's.

DULUTH, Minn.- Not every event which restarts after the pandemic is a joyous festival or celebration. Yet, somber as it was, an Angel of Hope Vigil Sunday was one welcomed by parents grieving the loss of a child. “I think a lot of people really missed that,” said Debbie Davis, one of the founders. “I think a lot of people…

Identities Released In Double-Murder Suicide In Culver Township

CULVER TOWNSHIP, Minn. – The names of those involved in a double-murder suicide in Culver Township early Saturday morning were released Sunday evening by the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office. The suspect is identified as Cody Pirila, 31, of Brookston. The victims are identified as Skylar Hunter, 31, of Brookston, and his father, Jamie Hunter, 51, of Moose Lake. Pirila…

Enbridge Fails To Meet Aquifer Cleanup Deadline in Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Enbridge has failed to meet a deadline set by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for cleaning up a site where an aquifer ruptured during construction of the Line 3 oil pipeline. The DNR had given the company until Friday to repair the damage to the artesian aquifer near Clearbrook. Regulators will require compensation for the additional…