Minnesota

Trucker Who Drove Into Floyd Protest Could Have Charges Drop

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A truck driver who drove through a large crowd of protesters on a Minneapolis highway last year during demonstrations over George Floyd’s death will have criminal charges dropped if he remains law-abiding for the next year. Hennepin County prosecutors entered into a “continuance without prosecution” agreement with Bogdan Vechirko, of Otsego, on Friday during a virtual court…

St. Louis County Attorney: Use of Deadly Force Justified in Saginaw Officer-Involved Shooting

SAGINAW, Minn. – The St. Louis County Attorney’s Office has ruled that the use of deadly force was justified in a January officer-involved shooting in Saginaw. The ruling is in connection to a January 29, 2021 incident, when Deputy Jason Kuhnly of the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office fired his gun in the direction of 34-year-old Scott Michael Jordan while…

Suspect in Lakeside Stabbing Formally Charged

DULUTH, Minn. – The 28-year-old Duluth man arrested for allegedly stabbing a 78-year-old man at his Lakeside home on Wednesday has been formally charged. Authorities say Warren Holt Jr. is charged with first-degree aggravated robbery, and two counts of first-degree burglary. According to the criminal complaint, officers responded to reports of a medical assault just before 2:00 p.m. Wednesday on…

Duluth School Board Approves Moving Forward With New Location for ALC, Academic Excellence Online Programs

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth School District administration can now move forward with lease negotiations for the Radio Central building. On Thursday, the Duluth School Board approved a resolution to allow the administration to carry out a lease agreement with Advance Acquisitions for the space located on Central Entrance. The plan is for the building to be utilized by the Area…

Duluth Police K9 Hondo Retires After 6 Years on the Job

(courtesy: Northland K9 Foundation/Facebook) DULUTH, Minn. – The Northland K9 Foundation announced in a Friday Facebook post that Duluth Police K9 Hondo is retiring after six years on the job. K9 Hondo finished his last patrol shift Friday with his partner Officer Hurst who he has been working alongside since 2015. With a specialty in explosive detection, K9 Hondo and…

Protests Continue at Minnesota Line 3 Oil Pipeline Project

(Evan Frost/Minnesota Public Radio via AP) PARK RAPIDS, Minn. (AP) — Opponents of the Enbridge Energy Line 3 oil pipeline project in northwestern Minnesota continued their protests this week by disrupting traffic in front of an Enbridge equipment site, leading to 31 arrests. Hubbard County Sheriff Cory Aukes said the incident began about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday when a van pulled in front…

Suspect Arrested for Assaulting, Stabbing 78-Year-Old Man in Lakeside

DULUTH, Minn. – Authorities say a 28-year-old Duluth man has been arrested after allegedly stabbing a 78-year-old man at his home in Lakeside and then stealing his truck. Warren Holt Jr. is currently being lodged at the St. Louis County Jail on pending charges of first-degree aggravated robbery, first and second-degree assault, and motor vehicle theft. According to the Duluth…

New Wellness Spa Opens in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn.- A new wellness spa is opening up in Duluth, specializing in services that aren’t common in this area. Heaven on Earth Wellness Spa off of East Central Entrance held its grand opening today. They offer cryotherapy, colon hydrotherapy, floatation therapy, an oxygen bar, and a lot more. “Most of our services boost immune systems and strengthen the body–the…

Juneteenth is Now a Federal Holiday

DULUTH, Minn.- President Joe Biden signed a bill this afternoon to make Juneteenth a federal holiday after it was passed by Congress. Juneteenth celebrates the end of the Civil War and slavery. The celebration is connected with the freed slaves of Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865. As they got the news the war was over and they were free…

Gov. Walz Appoints Bhupesh Pattni to Fill Sixth Judicial District Vacancy

DULUTH, Minn. – Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan announced on Thursday the appointment of Bhupesh Pattni as District Court Judge in the Sixth Judicial District. Minnesota’s Sixth Judicial District encompasses Carlton, Cook, Lake, and St. Louis counties. “I am honored to appoint Bhupesh Pattni to the Sixth Judicial District,” said Governor Walz. “Mr. Pattni has a wealth of experience,…

Businesses Preparing Days in Advance for Grandma’s Marathon

TWO HARBORS, Minn.– Preparations have begun for this weekend’s Grandma’s Marathon and there is a lot more work to be done behind the scenes. It looks empty now, but by Saturday morning, thousands of fans and racers will be out here to get ready, set, and go for the 45th annual Grandma’s Marathon. This the largest event to return to…

Essentia Health Fitness Expo Kicks Off Thursday

There will be close to 75 vendors displaying the latest and greatest in runner gear and fitness items.

DULUTH, Minn. — The official kick off of events for Grandma’s Marathon begins on Thursday with the Essentia Health Fitness Expo at the DECC. There will be close to 75 vendors displaying the latest and greatest in runner gear and fitness items. Although the Expo will look a bit different with Covid-19 protocols still in place, organizers still wanted to…

Portion of Superior Street Reopens

Superior Street between First and Third Avenue West reopened Wednesday night after being closed since late April.

DULUTH, Minn. — A section of Superior Street reopened to traffic on Wednesday. Superior Street from First through Third Avenue West reopened Wednesday night after being closed since late April. Just in time for the start of the busy tourism season, businesses like the Lyric Kitchen which officially reopened on Monday, are excited about seeing more traffic in the area….

DULUTH PLAYHOUSE KICKS OFF SUMMER CAMP SERIES

DULUTH, Minn.- Time to put on your dancing shoes; The Duluth Playhouse kicked off their summer theatre camp series at the NorShor Theatre this week. The playhouse offers acting and musical theatre camps for different age groups. This week they have groups doing productions of Shrek and Bring It On. All groups will showcase their work in a performance Friday….

Minnesota Reaches Vaccination Mark of 3 Million Residents

(David Joles/Star Tribune via AP,File) ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota has reached 3 million residents who’ve had at least one COVID-19 shot, health officials said Wednesday. The Minnesota Department of Health said 3,005,706 Minnesotans had received at least their first dose as of Monday, while 2,774,889 had completed the series. The department logged 5,979 new vaccinations Monday. The 3…

Man Who Drove at Minneapolis Protesters Charged With Murder

(Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office via AP) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A St. Paul man has been charged with intentional second-degree murder for allegedly driving into a group of protesters in Minneapolis. Prosecutors say 35-year-old Nicholas Kraus was drunk Sunday night when he tried to “jump” a car that was being used as a barricade by protesters in the city’s Uptown neighborhood….

Minnesota Slip Bridge to Have Special Hours of Operation Saturday

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth announced Wednesday that the Minnesota Slip Bridge will have special hours of operation on Saturday, June 19. The special hours of operation will be from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. due to many Grandma’s Marathon events taking place at Bayfront Park and an expected increase in pedestrian traffic crossing the bridge. The bridge…

Duluth City Hall Closes Due to Power Outage

The public will be notified once power has been restored.

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth City Hall will be closed to the public until power can be restored. A power outage occurred early Wednesday morning which is impacting City Hall. The public will be notified once power has been restored. Minnesota power crews are also working to restore power to in several Duluth neighborhoods. Over 4,000 customers are currently without power…

Strapped for Staff: Northland Restaurants Balance Business, Employee Burnout through Labor Shortage

For some restaurants, it means cutting back on hours of operation while trying to balance the quality of life for the workers they do have.

DULUTH/CLOQUET, Minn.- From Duluth to smaller cities like Cloquet, restaurants big and small are experiencing the effects of being short on labor. For some, it means cutting back on hours of operation while trying to balance the quality of life for the workers they do have. Just last week, Family Tradition Restaurant in Cloquet has had to close their restaurant…

Cloquet’s Senior Day Expo Aims to Bring Older Adults Back Out of Isolation

The event aimed to recognize Senior Day and World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

CLOQUET, Minn.- Older adults in Cloquet got a day to themselves to party and enjoy the outdoors, as a Senior Day Expo returned for the first time since the pandemic. The event in Veterans Park aimed to recognize Senior Day and World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Arrowhead Transit gave free rides to the event which featured live music, food, and…

101st Annual Day of Remembrance at Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial

DULUTH, Minn.- Tuesday marked the 101st annual day of remembrance of three black men, Elias Clayton, Elmer Jackson, and Isaac McGhie, who were lynched in 1920 for a crime they did not commit in Downtown Duluth. Every year board members from the memorial organization invites the public in acknowledging the three men who were wrongfully accused of raping a woman….

The Zeitgeist Healthy Hillside Steering Team Holds Wellness Festival

DULUTH, Minn.- The Zeitgeist Healthy Hillside Steering Team partnered with local organizations to host an inaugural Wellness Festival in Duluth, offering services to adults and kids. The event was held at the Damiano Center and promoted resources connected to financial assistance, mental health, physical hygiene and wellbeing, and more. The event featured COVID-19 vaccines, portable showers, haircut stations, children’s dental…

Tents and Tables Were Set Up in Canal Park for Grandma’s Marathon

DULUTH, Minn.- Preparations are underway for this weekend’s 45th annual Grandma’s Marathon. Today, near the finish line in Canal Park crews with London Road Party Express Event Services were setting up big tents, tables, and chairs for all the vendors to use on race day. “Being back, getting ready for Grandmas even though COVID–is hopefully over, everyone can do good…

NRRI Looks to Public to Measure Stream Height

DULUTH, Minn.– Since 2017, the Natural Resources Research Institute has placed measurement gauges in streams throughout Duluth and neighboring areas, and now they continue to need your help in tracking this important data. Those participating can text in the height of the water to a national database that uses the recording to study stream behavior and environmental impacts. Organizers says…

The Hills Youth and Family Services is Closing After 112 Years

DULUTH, Minn.– A local Duluth youth treatment center that has helped children and families for 112 years must close its doors. The Hills Center has served as a juvenile residential treatment facility for over 100 years, but in less than a month, they must shut down their operations permanently July 2nd. After the group opened a mental health facility in…

Boomtown Holds Soft Opening

Boomtown restaurant on Martin Road in Duluth, held a soft opening on Monday with plans of fully opening in early July.

DULUTH, Minn.-A popular restaurant on the Iron Range has made its way down to Duluth and is getting ready to open fully. Boomtown Restaurant on Martin Road in Duluth, held a soft opening last week with plans of fully opening in early July. “Locations typically don’t fail. Once you find a good location you go for it,” Boomtown Owner, Erik…

Biden Reveals 9 Ambassador Nominations, Including Duluth Native Thomas Nides

(courtesy: United States Department of State) DULUTH, Minn. (Fox) – President Biden unveiled a slate of nominations for nine ambassadorial positions on Tuesday, including a Duluth native to serve as U.S. ambassador to Israel. Thomas Nides, a Morgan Stanley executive and former senior State Department official, has been tapped to hold the key diplomatic post. On Tuesday afternoon, U.S. Senator…

Man Jailed in Fatal Crash at Minneapolis Rally Has Past DWIs

(Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office via AP) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minneapolis police say a 35-year-old St. Paul man with multiple convictions for driving while impaired is the driver who plowed into a crowd of demonstrators, killing one and injuring three others. Police say Nicholas Kraus was booked into the Hennepin County jail on suspicion of criminal vehicular homicide. Online jail records…

Traffic Advisories for the 45th Annual Grandma’s Marathon Weekend

DULUTH, Minn. – Motorists can expect a number of road closures and heavier-than-normal traffic as thousands of runners and visitors descend on Duluth and the surrounding area for the 45th annual Grandma’s Marathon this weekend. “We encourage anyone traveling to town for our event to do so as early as possible this week,” Race Director Greg Haapala said. “If you can…

Vaccine Requirements: A List of Minnesota Colleges and Universities’ Policies

(FOX 9) – The University of Minnesota announced Monday that vaccinations won’t be required for students across its five campuses when school resumes this fall. The policy aligns with the vast majority of Minnesota colleges and universities, which won’t require vaccinations for students when they return this fall. Four institutions will require vaccines for on-campus students next school year and for some…

Landlords Sue To Force End to Minnesota Eviction Moratorium

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A group representing Minnesota landlords announced a lawsuit Tuesday to force an end to the eviction moratorium imposed by Gov. Tim Walz, saying his order makes it all but impossible for property owners to remove disruptive tenants. The Minnesota Multi Housing Association says the governor’s executive order, which was issued in the early days of…

Early Morning Fire Causes $7,000 in Damage

Duluth fire crews responded shortly before 2 o'clock Tuesday morning. 

DULUTH, Minn. — An early morning fire along the 2200 block of west 11th street in Duluth has caused $7,000 in damage. Duluth fire crews responded shortly before 2 o’clock Tuesday morning. The fire was contained to the front porch of the home. All residents and pets were able to get out of the home safely. The fire was put…

101-Year-Old WWII Veteran Alice Iverson of Two Harbors Honored for Service

Alice Iverson joined the Marine Corps during World War II. Her brother and fiancé were both killed in action.

TWO HARBORS, Minn.- A 101-year-old World War II veteran was honored by the community and other service men and women today. Alice Iverson joined the Marine Corps during World War II. Her brother and fiancé were both killed in action. Since the war, she worked to build up the VFW and the community center in Two Harbors, among other services…

Lyric Kitchen and Bar Reopens After Being Closed Since Pandemic Began

Management says roughly 35-40 employees, which is about a full staff, returned after being laid off this whole time.

DULUTH, Minn.-  A downtown Duluth restaurant which has been closed since the first COVID shutdown reopened Monday. Lyric Kitchen and Bar in the Holiday Center Downtown opened its doors for the first time since last march. Management says roughly 35-40 employees, which is about a full staff, returned after being laid off this whole time. After more than a year…

Clayton, Jackson, McGhie Honored at Burial Site on Eve of 101st Anniversary of Lynching

Many speaking at the gathering Monday also voiced their concern that the lynching isn't taught adequately in schools along with Duluth history.

DULUTH, Minn.- A day before the 101st anniversary of the lynching of Elias Clayton, Elmer Jackson and Isaac McGhie,a gathering was held at Park Hill Cemetery– but many also said teaching about the killings as part of Duluth history would also be a good way to honor them, and move toward change. “We honor their lives, we mourn their loss,…

Duluth Public Library Brings Back Popular ‘Story Strolls’ Event

Families can participate in the story stroll, and afterwards each child will receive a free book.

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth public library and the parks department brought back their popular ‘story strolls’ event on Monday morning. Last summer, it was used to help get library resources out into the community in a safe manner. Now back by popular demand, library staff are using these events to continue to bring resources to the public since they…

LSC Summer Camps Kick Off for the Season

DULUTH, Minn.- From robotics to welding, summer camps are back up and running after a yearlong break caused by the pandemic. LSC camp leaders are excited to be back with three in-person camps being offered this summer, including a robotics academy, welding, and computer aided design. The LSC center is also hosting a virtual computer camp. “It’s really exciting when…

Chris Jensen Health and Rehabilitation Center Holds Job Fair

DULUTH, Minn.- The Chris Jensen Health and Rehabilitation Center is hosting a job fair this week. Similar to other businesses, the Health and Rehabilitation center is struggling to find employees. They are looking to fill multiple positions in different departments. “I think we’re a great place to work at, a lots of friendly people, usually always fun things going on,”…

Local Dance Studio Kicks Off Summer Camp Series

SUPERIOR, Wis.- A local dance studio in Superior hosted their first summer camp of the season. Sterling Silver dance studio kicked off their summer camp series with face masks and manicures. Sparkling Spa Summer camp is the first of the ten themed summer camps they have planned. “Most our camps aside from the parade camp are geared for kids ages…

Pinehurst Pool Opens With New Safety Guidelines

The pool will be open Monday through Friday 12-7 p.m. and 12-5 p.m. Saturday and Sundays. 

CLOQUET, Minn. — The Pinehurst Pool in Cloquet officially opened for the 2021 season Monday afternoon. The sand bottom pond in Cloquet is one of the few left in Minnesota. “We are good for any age group to be able to come in from toddlers to young teenagers,” Cloquet Community Education Director, Erin Bates says. After closing all of last…

Minnesota Lawmakers Convene Special Session to Finish Budget

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota lawmakers have returned to unfinished business at the Capitol as they begin a special session to finalize a two-year budget and avert a potential government shutdown at the end of the month. Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman says four of the 13 unresolved budget bills are “completely ready to go.” She says the public…