DULUTH, Minn. – Governor Tim Walz recently ordered all Minnesota K-12 schools to close starting on Wednesday. The Duluth Public School District is speaking out about how this time of closure will be used to plan for the future as coronavirus concerns continue to grow. District officials say they are standing ready by looking into precautions with the best interest…
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – A growing number of governors across the U.S. are ordering the temporary closure of certain businesses such as dine-in restaurants, fitness centers, and movie theaters because of concerns over the coronavirus. Other governors on Monday were still leaving those decisions to local officials or the businesses themselves. That’s created a patchwork of precautions nationwide in…
DULUTH, Minn. – The University of Minnesota announced on Monday that classes will continue through alternative modes through the remainder of the semester. You can read the entire U of M release below: Situation Update: As you have seen, the pace of the pandemic in the United States only continues to grow. Each day the magnitude of what we are…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minneapolis ordered bars and restaurants to close as the number of coronavirus cases in Minnesota spiked to 54 on Monday and the Legislature sharply scaled back its operations. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey declared a local public health emergency, ordering the closure of or limiting access to bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and coffee shops effective at noon…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Health has updated the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the state to 54. The MN DOH website reported the new cases Monday morning. The number of cases rose by 19 since Sunday, March 15. Current counties with cases include Anoka, Blue Earth, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Olmsted, Ramsey, Renville, Sherburne, Stearns, Waseca, Washington,…
ST. PAUL, Minn. – The State Public Defender’s Office is pushing for the release of jail inmates across Minnesota to protect them from the spread of the coronavirus. Chief Public Defender Bill Ward sent an email to staffers Sunday asking them to get on board and demand that their clients be released. Ward calls the jails a “petri dish” of…
DULUTH, Minn. – The city is hosting an update at 10:00 a.m. with local leaders to provide an update on the city’s plans going forward regarding COVID-19. Speakers: – Mayor Emily Larson – Congressman Pete Stauber – Noah Schuchman, Chief Administrative Officer – Shawn Krizaj, Duluth Fire Chief & Emergency Management Manager – Mike Tusken, Duluth Police Chief – Amy…
GRAND LAKE TOWNSHIP, Minn. – Fire crews from Grand Lake Fire, Canosia Fire, Hermantown Fire, Solway Fire, and Air National Guard Fire battled a garage fire in Grand Lake Township around 11:00 p.m. Sunday night. According to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, the fire broke out at 5930 North Pike Lake Road. A resident noticed the garage fire and…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Fire Department responded to reports of a house fire on 8 N Lakewood Rd shortly after 9:30 Sunday night. Crews found heavy smoke when they arrived. No one was inside the house at the time of the fire. No injuries were reported. Damages are estimated at around $250,000. The cause of the fire remains under…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say Americans should cancel or postpone all gatherings of 50 people or more for the next eight weeks. That’s as experts say social distancing is imperative to curb the spread of coronavirus. The CDC says the new guidance applies to conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings, and any other…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra is canceling programming for the next two weeks. This comes as the CDC recommends all events with more than 50 people be canceled. This means the cancellations of two DSSO concerts — Beethoven Fifth on Mar. 21 and Beethoven Adventure Casual Concert on Mar. 22. DSSO officials say it was a difficult…
DULUTH, Minn.- The President of the Duluth Local Restaurant Association is commenting on how some restaurants in the city are coping with the impacts of people taking precautions and staying home because of the Coronavirus. Currently, all bars and restaurants in Illinois, Ohio, California and Massachusetts have been ordered by their Governors to close to slow the community spread of…
DULUTH, Minn.- In the most intense step the State of Minnesota has taken in response to the Coronavirus, Governor Tim Walz signed an executive order closing all schools in the state starting Wednesday, until March 27th. This comes just two days after Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers announced all schools statewide would close through April 6th. While parents prepare to cope…
DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Mayor Emily Larson will be holding a press conference Monday at 10 a.m. with an update on the city’s plans regarding the coronavirus. The event will be closed to the public to honor the Minnesota Department of Health’s social distancing guidelines, according to Larson. The press conference will be streamed on the city and FOX 21’s…
DULUTH, Minn.- A family-friendly St. Patrick’s Day celebration is happening at Dubh Linn Irish Brew Pub. According to Pub staff, they’ve been less busy than most years, mostly due to people staying away from public places due to the Coronavirus. However they still expect a lot of families Saturday night, to partake in the green beer 400 lbs of corned…
FINLAND, Minn.- Despite Coronavirus fears shutting down many public events across the country, hundreds of people filled Highway 1 in Finland for the 45th annual St. Urho’s Day Parade. It’s like the Mardi Gras of Minnesota, filling the Highway with green and purple. “I think it’s fabulous. It’s nice to see all these people come together and be happy,” Twin…
DULUTH, Minn. – A University of Minnesota Twin Cities student has tested positive for coronavirus. So far there are no reports of UMD students having the virus but that’s not stopping the campus from preparing. Leadership at the school is now planning on using online classes after extending spring break. Some faculty have been using various electronic delivery methods and…
DULUTH, Minn. – Even though it’s Eat Downtown Duluth week, restaurants like Zeitgeist have seen a decline as the week has gone on with growing concerns over the coronavirus. Because of this, management has installed more protocols to ensure the health of both staff and customers. “We have some additional hand sanitizer and Lysol wipes around so that people can…
DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth city leaders and local agencies gave an update on their preparations in response to the Coronavirus threat. City officials say they have been planning for several weeks the best approaches to Covid-19 They say the City of Duluth is fully prepared for effective public safety and emergency response when, rather than if, the virus arrives in…
(courtesy: MN Department of Health) (FOX 9) – Minnesota now has 14 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in the state. Five new cases were confirmed as of Friday. The World Health Organization has now declared the outbreak of COVID-19 a pandemic. Minnesota health officials announced the first confirmed case of COVID-19 on March 6. MDH reports 555 people have been tested for…
DULUTH, Minn. — In this weeks Active Adventures we are running on Duluth’s Lake Walk in style! Grow out you own mustache or slap on a fake one and walk or run a 5k with friends. This event takes place on Saturday March 21st at 5pm by the Fitger’s stairs on the lake walk. You can preregister by clicking HERE…
FINLAND, Minn. – There’s been an invasion! It’s time to chase the grasshoppers from the community of Finland, Minnesota. The annual St. Urho’s Day Celebration is happening Friday, March 13 – Sunday, March 15. The highly anticipated parade will commence down Highway 1 on Saturday, March 14 starting at 12:00 p.m. This year’s theme celebrates the roaring 1920s. St. Urho…
DULUTH, Minn. – Questions, comments, and concerns are filling our social media feeds and television screens this week, so FOX 21 Local News wanted to know what our viewers and Facebook followers are most concerned about regarding the spread of Coronavirus, also known at COVID-19. St. Luke’s Infectious Disease Dr. Andrew Thompson stopped by FOX 21 Local News from 7…
Speakers: Mayor Emily Larson Shawn Krizaj, Duluth Fire Chief & Director of Emergency Management Amy Westbrook, St. Louis County Public Health Division Director Dr. Jon Pryor, Essentia Health East Market President Dr. Nick Van Deelen, St. Lukes Chief Medical Officer and Emergency Medicine Physician Commander Smith, U.S. Coast Guard Amy Rutledge, MN Power, Manager Corporate Communications Lee Stuart, Executive Director,…
(courtesy: Fox 9) ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – The St. Paul teachers union and Minnesota’s second-largest school district have reached a tentative contract agreement, ending a strike that began Tuesday and canceled classes for some 36,000 students. The agreement was reached about 3:30 a.m. Friday after more than 19 hours of mediation that began early Thursday. The union represents about…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – One Minnesota school district has canceled classes Friday over concerns about COVID-19, and the Minnesota House has canceled all meetings until Monday. The Robbinsdale Area School District in suburban Minneapolis said it canceled classes and other activities for the day “out of an abundance of caution” after a parent came in contact with someone who…
SAINT PETER, Minn. – Current Duluth School District Superintendent Bill Gronseth has been extended an offer to become the next superintendent of the Saint Peter School District. Gronseth made the decision to step down as Duluth’s superintendent when his contract is up in June. According to the 508 District website, their school board made the decision Thursday evening during a…
DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth’s Grand St. Patrick’s Day Celebration has been canceled over the potential spread of coronavirus. The decision was made Thursday night not to hold the event at Clyde Iron Malting Building on March 17th. Instead of the event, there will be a live-stream for the public. Families will now be able to view all of the scheduled…
DULUTH, Minn. — Conventions at the DECC are beginning to cancel because of coronavirus fears. And if business continues to drop out, the DECC could shut down for some time. “It’s possible that we would shut down, definitely. It depends on how long this goes. We have things we can do in the building to keep us busy. We have…
DULUTH, Minn. — The city of Duluth’s largest union – AFSCME Council 5 — is calling on Mayor Emily Larson’s administration to reverse its decision to cut two maintenance worker positions. And the union is asking for residents of Duluth for support because it says the city is not respecting public workers and access to critical services that the community…
DULUTH, Minn. – The health and safety of correctional staff and inmates at the Northeastern Regional Corrections Center are becoming more of a priority as the coronavirus threat moves closer to our region. NERCC has about 100 inmates living in their facility. This makes it critical for the institution to find ways to help eliminate exposure to the virus. The…
DULUTH, Minn. – CHUM in Duluth is taking the first steps to prevent and delay any potential threat of the coronavirus within its facilities. The organization has rented and installed nearly 10 portable handwashing stations in the shelter and the food shelf to help make it easier for people to keep their hands clean. They are also following guidelines from…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System is extending spring break for students as they move to alternative modes of delivery for on-campus classes. The 32 colleges and universities that are currently on spring break will suspend classes March 16-22, with class resuming March 23. The five colleges that have spring break scheduled for the week of…
(Glen Stubbe/Star Tribune via AP) ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Gov. Tim Walz has proposed banking $1.2 billion of Minnesota’s projected $1.5 billion budget surplus because of the uncertainties over how the new coronavirus will affect the economy. The Democratic governor’s supplemental budget would add only $256 million in new spending on programs to the budget the Legislature approved last…
(FOX 9) – Minnesota now has nine confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in the state. Four new cases were reported on Thursday. The World Health Organization has now declared the outbreak of COVID-19 a pandemic. Minnesota health officials announced the first confirmed case of COVID-19 on March 6. MINNESOTA CASES SO FAR Fox 9 reports there are now cases…
DULUTH, Minn. – Benedictine Living Community is limiting visitors into their Duluth campus effective immediately to help protect the health of their residents. According to a recent press release from the organization, while there is still a lot of unknown information about COVID-19 these precautionary steps will help protect the health of the elderly population that they serve. “The health…
DULUTH, Minn. – A new mobile sauna is taking up a residency on the Lakewalk in Duluth. Cedar and Stone Nordic Sauna, which launched in December, is partnering with the Inn on Lake Superior in Canal Park to offer a unique experience. Visitors to the wood fire sauna will have a chance to enjoy the gorgeous views of Lake Superior…
DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth City Council passed an ordinance giving census workers access to multi-unit housing structures, like apartment buildings, as they conduct the upcoming 2020 census. “Meaning that we can now officially access residents who want and need and deserve to be counted that we were previously unable to get to on a door to door basis,” explained…
DULUTH, Minn. – The College of St. Scholastica announced Wednesday it would be joining the University of Minnesota Duluth and the University of Wisconsin-Superior by extending spring break for students and moving classes online when those students return amid concerns about the COVID-19 strain of the coronavirus. Below is the statement from the president CSS: Dear St. Scholastica Family, As…
DULUTH, Minn. – One of downtown Duluth’s historic buildings now has a new tenant. Fargo-based Bell Bank recently signed a lease agreement to occupy all three floors of the Temple Opera Building to expand into the Twin Ports. Bell Bank officials have been on the hunt for several months for the right space to begin operations in Duluth. The Temple…
DULUTH, Minn. — The University of Minnesota Duluth and the University of Wisconsin-Superior have announced they are extending spring break and moving classes online when students return because of the growing concerns involving the COVID-19 strain of the coronavirus. Below are the two official releases from each university. UMD: Dear students, faculty, and staff, As the challenges presented by COVID-19…
DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth School Board has released the names of the six candidates who will be interviewed for the Duluth Public School District superintendent job. The board approved the final six candidates on Tuesday. The semifinalists were selected from 20 applicants. The candidates are James Wagner, the superintendent of the Johnson County School District in Buffalo, Wyoming, Fabby…
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota health officials have confirmed the state’s fourth case of the coronavirus in a person in Olmsted County. That county’s public health department planned a news conference later Wednesday and no additional details were immediately available. The state’s earlier cases involve residents of Anoka, Ramsey and Carver counties. The state earlier this week set aside $21 million…
MADISON, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Madison announced on Wednesday that they will be suspending spring semester face-to-face instruction due to coronavirus concerns. According to a message from the Chancellor posted to the University’s website on Wednesday, the suspension will be effective Monday, March 23 and will continue at least through Friday, April 10. Additionally, students are being asked to…
DULUTH, Minn. – Christian Fraser and Kelly McMohon are both avid outdoorsmen. And in a quiet woodland neighborhood, they began making their passion come to life. “Making leashes on our own time. So however you prefer to do that. I’ve done quiet a bit down here when I’m trying to get something done quickly or experimenting with dog toys and…
DULUTH, Minn. – A U.S. Coast Guard cutter has started ice-breaking activities in the Twin Ports of Duluth and Superior, an annual ritual that signals the approach of spring. The cutter Alder began clearing the channels Tuesday for the upcoming shipping season. It’s so the 1,000-foot long ships loaded with taconite, coal, limestone and other cargo can maneuver through without…
DULUTH, Minn. – Harlem Globetrotter Flip White slam dunked his way into the FOX 21 Local News Studios Wednesday morning. The Harlem Globetrotters will be playing at Amsoil Arena Sunday, March 29. White will be making two stops Wednesday, March 11. One at Lakewood Elementary School and the other at YMCA at the Essentia Wellness. In advance of the Harlem…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota Senate Republicans have moved to try to change the direction of the contentious gun control debate in this election year. They unveiled a slate of bills Tuesday to address the problem of gun violence, mostly by increasing penalties for crimes involving firearms. Members of the Senate GOP majority say their bills can actually pass…
(courtesy: Northland FireWire) HIBBING, Minn. – A fire has gutted the former Coachman Lounge located on First Avenue in Hibbing. According to the Northland Firewire, the fire broke out shortly after 9:00 p.m. Tuesday night. Firefighters from Hibbing, Chisholm, and Keewatin battled the blaze. Officials say when crews arrived on the scene flames could be seen coming from the back…
DULUTH, Minn.- A big portion of a retaining wall collapsed at a busy Duluth McDonald’s. It happened around 5:30 Tuesday evening at the McDonald’s on the corner of 21st Avenue East and London Road. The railing detached from the parking lot, and chunks of the wall fell down below along the road. City officials told FOX 21 that contractors were…
