Minnesota

Fond du Lac Band Says Casino Employees Would Be Laid Off First

CARLTON, Co. – The Fond du Lac Band is trying to avoid layoffs of its employees as its two casinos sit dark with zero cash flow. The tribe’s secretary treasurer, Ferdinand Martineau, addressed the financial concerns in a Facebook video Wednesday. He said leadership is discussing when and who could be laid off if the governor’s closure order lasts longer…

Lake Superior Zoo Lays Off 12 Full-Time Staff Members Including CEO During Shutdown

Essential employees still working to care for animals

DULUTH, Minn. -The Lake Superior Zoo has been forced to lay off twelve full-time employees including its CEO. The coronavirus outbreak is to blame as the zoo has been closed to the public for the past two weeks with no signs of opening up anytime soon. Now, much of the staff is laid off and others have been reduced to…

Fundraising Effort Helps “Lift Up” Lincoln Park During The Pandemic

More than 250 cookbooks have already been sold.

DULUTH, Minn – During this tough time, business owners are looking to bring hope back to Lincoln Park. Just a few weeks ago, life was different for Tom Hanson, the owner of OMC Smokehouse, Duluth Grill and many other Lincoln Park businesses. Things have changed drastically due to Covid-19, which caused bars and restaurants to close to help prevent the…

Virtual Medical Appointments Spike Amid Pandemic

Both St. Luke's Hospital and Essentia Health offer this type of virtual service.s

DULUTH, Minn – Virtual medical appointments are now on the rise as more healthcare facilities are encouraging patients to use the new type of service. St. Luke’s telehealth offers patients a virtual exam room experience. Patients can have a video conference with their doctor to talk about their medical issues. Typical telehealth appointments can be used for annual wellness or…

148th Fighter Wing Airmen Return Home After 60 Day Mission

Coming home with a pandemic going on and being able to reunite with our families is very comforting," said 179th Fighter Squadron Commander Paul Thorton.

DULUTH, Minn. – Airmen from the 148th Fighter Wing in Duluth recently returned home after completing a 60 day mission. A group of aviators from the fighter wing were deployed to an undisclosed location to help support a northern air defense mission. This required them to help enforce temporary flight restrictions for the purpose of national defense. The Squadron Commander…

Walz to Deliver Video State of the State Speech Sunday

(Glen Stubbe/Star Tribune via AP) ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz has announced that he’ll deliver his postponed State of the State address on Sunday evening at 7 p.m., and he says he’s looking forward to speaking directly to Minnesotans during this uncertain time. The governor said Wednesday that he’ll deliver the speech alone with a remote camera…

City of Cloquet Closes Playgrounds, Athletic Facilities in Response to COVID-19

CLOQUET, Minn. – The City of Cloquet announced the closure of all outdoor play structures, including playgrounds and athletic facilities, effective immediately in continued response to the coronavirus pandemic. The city says sidewalks, trails, and other outdoor public areas will remain open, but the public should continue to practice safe social distancing. City-owned buildings remain closed at this time and…

Minnesota Department of Health Reports 5 More COVID-19 Deaths, 13 Cases now in St. Louis County

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Department of Health said Wednesday five more people have died of coronavirus complications, bringing the state’s death toll to 17. The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases continued to climb as expected with 70 additional cases announced Wednesday for a total of 689. The MDH reports that as of Wednesday morning St. Louis County…

Sara’s Table Chester Creek Cafe Fully Closes Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

DULUTH, Minn. – The owner of the popular At Sara’s Table Chester Creek Cafe in Duluth says she’s fully closing her restaurant until further notice. In a post on the restaurant’s Facebook page Tuesday, owner Carla Blumberg said take-out and delivery is no longer an option. She said cost and logistics “overwhelmed us.” Sara’s Table is just one of dozens…

Wal-Mart To Take Employees’ Temperatures Before Shifts

The company will also supply masks and gloves for employees.

DULUTH, Minn.- Businesses that have been deemed essential are trying to find the balance between protecting its workers while staying open for customers. Wal-Mart announced it’s going to start taking employees’ temperatures at stores and warehouses everyday before their shifts start. Any employee with a temperature over 100 degrees will be sent home. Wal-mart will supply face masks and gloves…

Cloquet Public Schools Launches Distance Learning Plan

School has plans to utilize both paper packets and online resources.

CLOQUET, Minn.- Cloquet Public Schools launched their Distance Learning Plan for the rest of the year. Elementary School-aged children will receive paper packets weekly to work on at home. Staff will be in charge of picking up finished packets, while dropping off packets for the following week. Middle and High Schoolers will complete work online. The District has plans for…

Minnesota National Guard Delivers Cots to St. Louis County for Potential COVID-19 Shelter

250 cots from Camp Ripley will be stocked and distributed on a need-basis.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Minnesota National Guard arrived in St. Louis County Tuesday morning to deliver hundreds of cots for a potential COVID-19 shelter. According to officials, while they’ve planned for pandemics in the past, none come close to the magnitude of planning required for Coronavirus. The Minnesota National Guard assisted St. Louis County by delivering 250 cots, bringing their total…

Kids Kitchen Serves To-Go Meals at Damiano Center

Prorgram is open every Monday-Thursday

DULUTH, Minn. – The Damiano Center is serving meals to kids through its ‘Kids Kitchen’ program. It normally provides academic support and interaction for the students, but now because of social distancing, they program is handing out meals and activity bags to-go. The meals include sandwiches, granola bars, milk, and other healthy snacks. “Without this, where else would they be…

Grandma’s Marathon Cancellation Causes Major Impacts Runners & Community

A potential spike in the number of Covid-19 cases is being predicted for this spring by medical experts.

  DULUTH, Minn – One of Duluth’s largest events has now been canceled as Covid-19 continues to be a huge concern around the world. Grandma’s Marathon, which was scheduled for June, will no longer happen this year. This is the first time grandma’s marathon has had to be canceled out of the 44 years the race has existed. Every year…

Students Say University of Minnesota Shortchanged Refunds

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Students, regents and some state lawmakers are criticizing the University of Minnesota for shortchanging students with a refund of only $1,200 for room and board after having to move off campus because of the coronavirus pandemic. A semester roughly costs a student more than $5,000 for a combination of student housing and meal plans. The $1,200 covers…

Electric Fetus, Pizza Luce Businesses Damaged In Isolated Incident

  DULUTH, Minn. – On Monday night Duluth police responded to a report of criminal damage to property to two superior street businesses. Officers arrested a twenty-six-year-old individual for breaking windows at the Electric Fetus and Pizza Luce. Although this is considered an isolated incident, members of the department say during this pandemic they have responded to fewer calls for…

Some Minnesota Families Won’t Get $500 Stimulus Checks for Children

(FOX 9) – Minnesota families will not get $500 stimulus checks for dependent children over the age of 16, something that U.S. Rep. Angie Craig says is “a real problem” that Congress needs to address. Last week’s $2.2 trillion coronavirus package will deliver $1,200 to most adults and $500 per child under the age of 17.  But, it excludes older dependent children, including college students, from…

Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial Commemoration Event Postponed Until 2021

DULUTH, Minn. – The Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial commemoration ceremony has been canceled due to COVID-19 concerns. June 15, 2020 marks 100 years since the lynching of Elias Clayton, Elmer Jackson, and Isaac McGhie in the streets of Duluth. This year, CJM anticipated around 10,000 people would have been in attendance for the ceremony. The organization wrote a message to…

Two Additional MN Deaths Due to COVID-19 Complications

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The coronavirus outbreak in Minnesota continued to track upward Tuesday with dozens of new confirmed cases and additional deaths. The state Department of Health said 12 people have died from COVID-19 complications, up by two deaths since Monday’s toll. The state has 629 confirmed cases Tuesday, up 53 from Monday. (courtesy: MN Department of Health)…

2020 Grandma’s Marathon Canceled Amid COVID-19 Concerns

Race Weekend Was Scheduled for June 19-20, 2020

(courtesy: Grandma’s Marathon) DULUTH, Minn. – Grandma’s Marathon is canceled for 2020 amid growing concerns over coronavirus. Race weekend was scheduled for June 19-20, 2020. The decision comes after careful deliberation by the Grandma’s Marathon staff and board of directors along with medical and public agency leaders in an effort to keep participants, volunteers, partners, spectators, and the community as…

Driver Killed in UTV Crash in Northern Minnesota

BIWABIK, Minn. (AP) — Authorities in northern Minnesota say a driver was killed when a utility vehicle crashed near Biwabik. Benjamin Kaiser,37, of Gilbert was driving a utility side-by-side when the vehicle went off the road into a ditch and struck a tree, the St. Louis County sheriff’s office said. Deputies responded to the crash early Monday afternoon. Despite lifesaving…

Cloquet, Carlton County Prepares for Spread of COVID-19

City officials, emergency personnel and hospital personnel taking extra precautions.

CLOQUET, Minn.- As one positive case is confirmed at the Moose Lake Prison in Carlton County, the City of Cloquet and County Health officials are taking stronger precautions to try and minimize the virus’s presence. “We are preparing for the worst, and hoping for the best, and expecting something in-between,” Community Memorial Hospital CEO Rick Breuer said. The Hospital is…

Customers Buy Up Fridges, Kitchen Appliances at Appliance Stores

Daugherty Appliance sees increase in customers.

CLOQUET, Minn.- As more people are staying at home, some appliance stores have seen more customers. Owners of Daugherty Appliances in Cloquet said their fridges and freezers have been selling like hotcakes as people look for more storage to stock up more food. They also add that more people have been buying full kitchen suites to update their kitchen. The…

Essentia Health Placing 500 Employees on ‘Special Administrative Leave’

DULUTH, Minn. –  Essentia Health announced Monday a plan to reduce non-medical staffing levels by 500 employees next week as the company prepares for a surge of COVID-19 patients in the communities it serves.  The employees affected are not involved in direct patient care, according to hospital officials. “These plans include redeploying our workforce to best position Essentia Health to…

Itasca County Official Speak On Confirmed Covid-19 Case

"This positive case shows we are not invisible in Itasca County," said Grand Itasca Clinic's Vice President of Medical Affairs Dan Soular.

ITASCA COUNTY, Minn.- The first case of Coronavirus has been confirmed by Minnesota health authorities in Itasca County. The person, who tested positive for the coronavirus, is a man in his sixties. The individual was hospitalized at the Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital in Grand Rapids. The patient was tested upon admission to the hospital and later confirmed positive. At…

Churches Find New Ways To Reach Parishioners During Pandemic

"I think part of it is people are really feeling a need to connect with their faith," said First United Methodist Pastor Jeanine Alexander.

DULUTH, Minn. – Many ministries have been looking for ways to spread their messages outside of normal church services. As the coronavirus continues to impact millions globally churches are shifting to virtual worship. The First United Methodist Church also known as The Coppertop in Duluth is one of many churches making the transition. Every Sunday parishioners can tune in to…

MN Department of Corrections: Moose Lake Inmate Tests Positive for COVID-19

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Corrections has confirmed that an inmate at the Moose Lake Correctional Facility has tested positive for COVID-19. The facility says the individual is experiencing mild symptoms and does not require hospitalization at this time. “We have been working directly with epidemiology staff from the Department of Health for several weeks to plan…

Essentia Health Restricting Clinic Visitors Beginning Wednesday

DULUTH, Minn. – Essentia Health announced on Monday they will be restricting clinic visitors beginning April 1. Patients visiting any Essential Health clinics are being asked to attend their appointments alone. As an exception, one additional person will be allowed to accompany: Children Obstetric patients Adults patients that require assistance Essentia says anyone accompanying a patient to the clinic must…

St. Luke’s, Essentia Health Expand Patient Appointment Services

DULUTH, Minn. – Two Duluth hospitals announced today that they will be expanding options for patient appointments amid the coronavirus pandemic. Essentia Health says they fast-tracked their virtual visit technology that was originally scheduled to be unveiled later this spring to allow patients the option to schedule a video visit with their provider. The vital visit model is being used…

Live: City of Cloquet Hosts Press Conference Regarding COVID-19

LIVE: The City of Cloquet holds a press conference regarding COVID-19 Posted by Fox 21 News on Monday, March 30, 2020   CLOQUET, Minn. – The City of Cloquet is holding a press conference at Cloquet City Hall in the Council Chamber today to broadcast information to the public from our local and regional agencies regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. The press conference…

Itasca County Confirms First Case of COVID-19

ITASCA COUNTY, Minn. – Minnesota health officials confirmed the first case of COVID-19 in Itasca County on Sunday. According to the Itasca County Health and Human Services, the individual is in their 60’s. “At this point, there has been no request for the County to provide any essential services to this person. The Minnesota Department of Health will conduct contact…

Duluth Home Damaged in Monday Morning Fire

DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth home sustained an estimated $45,000 in damage after an early morning fire broke out in the home on Monday morning. The Duluth Fire Department says they responded to the structure fire just after 1:00 a.m. Monday at 607 East 9th Street. The Duluth Police Department had already removed two occupants and two dogs from the…

Minnesota COVID-19 Death Total Reaches 9 on Sunday

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota reported four new deaths from COVID-19 on Sunday, bringing the state’s death toll from the new coronavirus to nine. State Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm said three of the new deaths were among people who lived in long-term care facilities in Hennepin County. The fourth death was in Martin County, in southern Minnesota, but was…

Country Singer Joe Diffie Dies After Contracting Coronavirus, Was To Perform At Bayfront

NEW YORK (AP) – Country singer Joe Diffie, who had a string of hits in the 1990s with chart-topping, rock-tinged singles such as “Home” and “Pickup Man” has died after testing positive for COVID-19. He was 61. A spokesman for Diffie on Friday announced he had contracted the coronavirus, becoming the first country star to go public with such a…

Schwan’s Home Delivery Sees Rise In Frozen Food Orders

ESKO, Minn. – Schwan’s Home Delivery has been swamped with orders due to the coronavirus outbreak. The Minnesota-based company has a depot in Esko, and their drivers are seeing a rise in customers wanting frozen foods delivered. Schwan’s management says their employees are even limiting interactions with customers by doing simple drop-offs right at their doors. “And that’s a change…

Five New COVID-19 Cases in St. Louis County Confirmed in One Day

Unlike the past five cases, the way these individuals were infected is not known at this time.

DULUTH, Minn.- St. Louis County saw a jump in COVID-19 cases over the weekend. Five new presumptive cases were confirmed, doubling the total number of cases to 10 in the county, in just one day. The newest cases include a woman in her early 60s who is being hospitalized for treatment–the first case severe enough to require hospitalization in the…

St. Louis County Recorder’s Office Offering Drive-Up Service By Appointment

DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Louis County Recorder’s Office in Duluth will begin offering drive-up service on Monday, March 30. The service is available by appointment between 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. Officials say the service is for people with an immediate need for a vital record, including marriage licenses, birth and death certificates, and real estate…

City Prepares For Snow in the Weekend Forecast

"Just because there is a pandemic doesn't mean the city is stopping," said Public Information Officer Kate Van Daele.

DULUTH, Minn. – With more snow in the forecast for the Northland, city officials tell us plow drivers are at full capacity and are prepared to hit the roads. Crews are continuing to pay attention to the forecast to map out the best plan of action for the storm as it could have the potential for downed power lines and…

Local Businesses Team Up to Donate Meals to St. Luke’s Employees

The group dropped off more than fifty meals.

DULUTH, Minn. – A few local businesses in Duluth are working together to give back during this global pandemic. The owner of the Rambler and Mid Coast Catering has teamed up with the owner of Yellow Bike Coffee in Duluth to form the group called “Lookout for the Helpers”. Their mission is to remember those serving on the front lines…

B&B Market Donates Groceries to People in Need

CLOQUET, Minn. – It all started on Tuesday when a State Farm employee in Cloquet donated one-hundred pounds of ground beef to the local B&B market. “And the ball just started rolling. We’ve had just people come in and donating,” B&B Market Owner, John Lind says. After the market posted a push for donations on Facebook, hundreds of dollars worth…