Minnesota

Large Grain Elevator Catches Fire in Southern Minnesota

Fire Crews Battled the Fire for Hours Sunday

CLINTON, Minn. (FOX 9) – Firefighters in western Minnesota have battled for hours to contain a large fire that erupted in a grain elevator. According to the Big Stone County Sheriff’s Office, crews were called around 10:45 a.m. on Sunday for smoke billowing from the Wheaton-Dumont elevator in Clinton, Minnesota — just east of the South Dakota border and a three-hour drive…

Carlton Daze Gives Local Businesses a Much-Needed Boost

Aaron Hanson, owner of Third Base Bar, said he's seeing a 70% increase in sales from last year at this time.

CARLTON, Minn.- Parade-goers weren’t the only ones enjoying “the daze” in Carlton during the “Carlton Daze” celebration. Local businesses have been enjoying a resurgence of customers this summer, especially during the festivities. Aaron Hanson, owner of Third Base Bar, said he’s seeing a 70% increase in sales from last year at this time. “We haven’t seen this in years, decades…

Local Jeopardy Champion Leads Return of Carlton Daze Parade

2019 Jeopardy Tournament of Champions Winner Sam Kavanaugh led the 100 floats down Highway 210.

CARLTON, Minn.- As local celebrations make a comeback after 2020, the streets of Carlton filled for the return of this year’s Carlton Daze parade led by quite a smart cookie – a Jeopardy champion and town native. What is: hometown hero for 200? Cheers rained for 2019 Jeopardy tournament champion Sam Kavanaugh to lead the parade back down Highway 210…

Duluth Police Union Calls Lack Of Qualified Officer Candidates A ‘Crisis’

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth’s police union is calling the struggle to hire qualified officers a “crisis” for the police department and the city. In a post on Local 807’s Facebook page, the union said they recently were not able to fill all open police officer positions because there weren’t enough qualified candidates interested in working for the Duluth Police Department….

Taste of Greece Back in Duluth with Greek Food, Culture

After not having an event in 2020, they say the amount of people excited show how the area misses the taste of Greek culture.

The smells and music of Greek culture once again moved through the neighborhood around Marshall School, as the Taste Of Greece Festival is back this weekend. Within the first two hours organizers say a few hundred came through for the thousands of gyros, kabobs, pastries and more prepared. A grab and go option was once again available outside, and inside…

40th Blueberry/Art Festival Canceled After Storms Rip Through Ely, Destroy Vendor Booths

Around 6 p.m. Friday evening, high winds snapped some trees and uprooted others which crashed down onto many tents and booths in Whiteside Park. There were no injuries reported. 

  ELY, Minn.- The 40th Blueberry Arts Festival in Ely was forced to cancel for the rest of the weekend Friday night, after severe thunderstorms with 60 to 70 mile per hour winds ripped through the town including the park where festivities were already set up. “There wouldn’t have been a whole lot of show left for people to see…

Festival by the Lake Returns to Bayfront Park

DULUTH, Minn.– Saturday at Bayfront Festival Park, Festival by the Lake welcomed thousands of community members through its gates. This is the first un-restricted, big event of the year, for Lundeen Productions, after the event was canceled due to COVID last year. More than 100 vendors and tents set up to interact with the public and offer different pieces of…

Ely Blueberry Fest Canceled

ELY, Minn.– Ely’s Blueberry/Art Festival is canceled due to severe storm damage, after returning from an off year last year. Some images from the Festival on Friday night, taken by Ryan Tischer of Duluth’s Tischer Art Gallery who had a booth there, show the extent of the damage. A severe thunderstorm bringing 60 to 70 mile per hour winds blew…

Roundtable Talks Economic Recovery

DULUTH, Minn.- The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development or DEED, met with local community leaders to talk economic recovery for Northlanders post pandemic. The discussion covered legislative programs for employment development and initiatives towards child care assistance. DEED is looking to help people who lost their job due to COVID. “We just got through an unprecedented moment in…

New Direct Flights are Coming to Duluth International Airport

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth International Airport is announcing its new direct flight service from Duluth to Denver, Colorado, and the $750,000 grant supporting it. The $750,000 grant is being matched with $250,000 from the community along with other financial pledges. “So it’s important for us to have a wide portfolio of air service where it helps the economy grow and…

Shipping Industry Rebounding after Rough 2020 Year

This year, shipping is now making a comeback and iron ore is leading the resurgence.

DULUTH, Minn. — The shipping industry is picking up after a rough 2020. With the total tonnage received last year being the lowest the Port Authority has seen since 1983. This year, shipping is now making a comeback and iron ore is leading the resurgence. So far there have been 2.3 million short tons going through the Twin Ports in…

Skyline Social & Games Offering Free Weekly Bowling For Kids

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — Skyline Social & Games in Hermantown is now offering free bowling for kids Monday through Thursday. The program was previously offered on Tuesdays only. Now with their venue at full capacity, managers wanted people to finally get the full experience of Skyline and its new renovations after having to close multiple times due to the pandemic. “We’ve…

AICHO’s Indigenous Food, Art Market Saturday

DULUTH, Minn.– An Indigenous Food and Arts Market is coming back to Duluth’s Central Hillside community this Saturday. It’s put on by the American Indian Community Housing Organization, known as AICHO. The market offers a local and diverse variety of indigenous food, artwork and handmade goods. Organizers tell us about 500 people showed up in July. “I’m not sure there’s…

28th Taste of Greece Preparations Underway

DULUTH, Minn.– The Taste of Greece Festival makes its return to the Marshall School this Saturday and Sunday for its 28th year. This two-day, free festival, showcases Greek culture through music, dance, and delicious food, drinks, and pastries. After serving pre-packaged meals during the pandemic last year, being able to prepare food and serve close to three thousand people in-person…

Duluth Downtown Farmers Market Canceled for Rest of Season

DULUTH, Minn.– On Thursday morning, the Greater Downtown Council called off Duluth’s downtown farmers market for the 2021 summer season. Some of the reasons include farmers having trouble growing produce from the drought, and not being able to staff both the farms and their stands. One member of the market says “it’s sad” to hear of the cancellation, as so…

Diversity and Inclusion Workshop for Local Business Leaders

DULUTH, Minn.- Diversity and inclusion are important topics for workplaces. That’s why the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce, Lake Superior College, and Visit Duluth teamed up for a diversity and inclusion workshop for local businesses. “Practical ways that we can combat racism in our workplaces, to make those places more welcoming to not just employees but to customers, consumers, patients,…

Planter’s Mr. Peanut Visits Northland

DULUTH, Minn.- A Planter’s Nut Mobile made a stop in Duluth today. Mr. Peanut came to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum to take photos with fans. Families also accompanied Mr. Peanut for a train ride along the North Shore Scenic Railroad. “It’s so incredible to travel with Mr. Peanut in the nut mobile because it is such a historic brand,”…

Gardening Season Is Surviving the Drought

DULUTH, Minn.- Although the Northland is in a drought, local gardens and garden suppliers are doing well this growing season. Business is picking up for Marshall Hardware in the garden supply department. The current dry conditions are bringing crowds of people in for sprinkler systems and water tanks. “A lot of people out and about doing outdoor projects right now,”…

Duluth Airport Authority Receives $750,000 Grant for Direct Air Service to Denver

DULUTH, Minn. – Congressman Pete Stauber announced today that the Duluth Airport Authority received a $750,000 grant from the Department of Transportation to help fund direct flights from Duluth to Denver. Congressman Stauber stated, “As Minnesotans become increasingly more excited to travel again, I am proud to announce funds to help establish a direct flight from the Duluth Airport to…

Superior National Forest, BWCA Tightens Fire Restrictions

DULUTH, Minn. – On Thursday, the Superior National Forest announced campfires of any kind will no longer be allowed in the Forest or the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The newly tightened restrictions include a ban on fires even in designated fire rings and go into effect immediately. According to a recent news release, the Forest Supervisor is restricting campfires…

Greater Downtown Council: Downtown Farmers Market Canceled for Remainder of the Season

DULUTH, Minn. – On Thursday, the Greater Downtown Council announced that the Downtown Farmers Market has been canceled for the remainder of the summer season. The Farmers Market was originally scheduled to be held every Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Fountain Plaza. The council says the decision was made to cancel the remaining dates due to…

State Parks Closely Monitoring Dry Conditions

Campers are urged to keep fires small and under watch.

ESKO, Minn. — As campgrounds around the area continue their busy summer, state parks in the area are keeping a close eye on the dry conditions. Park staff are asking people to be careful with their campfires as they don’t have any burning restrictions. Campers are urged to keep fires small and under watch. “There is of course the fire…

Poor Air Quality Continues to Affect Health

DULUTH, Minn.- The current air quality alert in the Northland is moderate to unhealthy for sensitive groups, while other parts of Northern Minnesota are experiencing very unhealthy conditions. Medical experts advise people stay indoors and limit their physical exercise. “This predominantly affects high risk population. Patients that are under 18 or over 65,” said allergy specialist Dr. Minto Porter. “COPD,…

Duluth Public School Return in the Fall

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth public schools are returning to in-person classes in September. All grades will go back for a full five-day week of learning, but social distancing alternatives are available for high school students through the district’s academic excellence online program. “There’s so much of a human connection that people are really looking forward to,” said superintendent John Magas. “I…

Duluth Public Schools Prep for Return to In-Person Learning This Fall

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Public Schools Superintendent John Magas says schools are prepping to return to five days a week, in-person learning for the upcoming school year. “Our schools will continue to prioritize student learning needs while protecting the health and safety for staff and students and monitor any impact of COVID-19 on school operations,” said Magas. “We’re providing families…

Great Outdoors Explores Gooseberry Falls

TWO HARBORS, Minn.– Drought conditions are common throughout the upper Midwest right now and that’s impacting some of the many tourist destinations up the North Shore, but Gooseberry Falls is still expecting a busy peak visitation stretch, despite the current lower water levels. Gooseberry Falls is described as the gateway to the North Shore. Located just 15 minutes North of…

Saint Luke’s Hosting Hiring Event

DULUTH, Minn.– The healthcare industry is having trouble finding new workers, especially after it was overwhelmed with demand from the pandemic. Saint Luke’s is holding a hiring event Tuesday and Wednesday to encourage a new generation of healthcare workers to sign up. Some areas they are looking to fill are the nursing and hospitality departments. They also need medical assistants…

Wildfires Near Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST-  The Delta Lake fire is active now in the boundary waters. It covers 62 acres and currently at 35 percent containment. Multiple entry points to the Superior National Forest are also closed, in addition to fire bans remaining in place throughout Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. “It’s a very dynamic situation that we’re in right now because…

Duluth Police Investigating “Deceased Individual” Found Near the Rose Garden

UPDATE: DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department says officers responded to the Lakewalk in Lief Erickson Park just before 10:00 a.m. Tuesday on reports that a deceased individual was found near the train tracks by a North Shore Scenic Railroad employee. Authorities have identified the individual as a 50-year-old male. The identity of the male will not be released…

Mesabi Metallics Acquires Land in Itasca County

NASHWAUK, Minn. – Mesabi Metallics announced Tuesday it has bought 3,200 acres of land from Butlertac Holdings LLC. According to a company press release, the acquired land interests include both mineral and surface leases as well as a combination of undivided and whole-fee interests, all lying within the Biwabik Iron Formation in the vicinity of the former Butler mine corridor…

Duluth Fire Department Warns of Dangerous Swimming Conditions

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Fire Department has issued a warning for dangerous swimming conditions due to a high risk of rip currents today. The warning is effective immediately and is in place until 10:00 a.m. tomorrow. This warning means that wind and wave conditions can support strong rip currents. Rip currents develop randomly along the entire Park Point beachfront….

Pilot of Crop-Dusting Helicopter Killed in Minnesota Crash

(courtesy: Fox 9) ELGIN, Minn. – Sheriff’s officials say the pilot of a helicopter has died in a crash in southeastern Minnesota. Authorities say 40-year-old Corey James Adcock from Victoria County, Texas was crop dusting Monday afternoon when the helicopter blades got caught in some power lines near Elgin and the chopper crashed and caught fire. Adcock, the only one…

One Man Drowns in BWCA Water Emergency on Monday

It happened at 11:41 in the morning at Handberg's Marine on Crane Lake in East Loon Bay Lake. 

BWCA, Minn. — On Monday the St. Louis County Rescue Squad, St. Louis County Sheriffs Office and other organizations responded to a water emergency on the BWCA. It happened at 11:41 in the morning at Handberg’s Marine on Crane Lake in East Loon Bay Lake. Dispatch received a call from Canoe Country Outfitters in Ely advising that a canoe had…