(AP Photo/Steven Senne, File)DULUTH, Minn. — Two people in the Northland have been treated for lung issues earlier this summer that may have been caused by vaping, according to Essentia Health, which treated the patients. Essentia Health was not able to share the ages or current conditions of the two patients with respect to HIPPA laws. St. Luke’s Hospital has…
DULUTH, MN – Grandma’s 44th annual Oktoberfest kicked off this afternoon with a ceremonial keg tapping and live music. Grandma’s is also working with the Duluth Oktober Festival at Bayfront Park this weekend to give everyone a unique German experience. “It begins a longtime tradition with our company where we bring in authentic German fair, food, features and beer,” Grandma’s…
TWO HARBORS, MN – The wastewater treatment plant in Two Harbors is looking to get $20 million in upgrades. On Thursday morning, Two Harbors city leaders met with the senate and capitol investment committee to bring forward and appropriation bill which would cover half of the project. The plant was originally built in the 1950’s and has had upgrades throughout…
VIRGINIA, Minn. – On Saturday, September 14, you’re invited to come together and help raise awareness for suicide prevention on the Iron Range. Event organizer Dano Zebro stopped by FOX 21 Local News Thursday morning to share details about the event, and how the public can get involved. Registration for the 4th annual Iron Range Walk to Remember will begin…
VIRGINIA, MN – Employees at the Northland Office Building in Virginia, Minnesota were in need of a big change. “The old building was basically a recreation hall converted to an office building, converted to a government office building,” Property Management Division Director, Tony Mancuso says. The 7,000 people a month seeking their services often had a difficult time finding their…
DULUTH, Minn.- With the half percent sales tax taking effect next month, the city announced their first part of the sales tax project Wednesday. The city says the sales tax will bring in $10 million dollars of revenue that Duluth can use to fund road projects for the next 25 years. The project will be broken up into 52 segments…
HERMANTOWN, Minn.- A legal decision has been made about a fatal officer-involved shooting in Hermantown that happened back in May. The St. Louis County Attorney’s Office has ruled the two deputies involved were justified in their actions that killed the man who exchanged gunfire with them after fleeing from a traffic stop. St. Louis County Attorney Mark Rubin says “their…
DULUTH, Minn. — The Adas Israel Congregation synagogue will be demolished after the investigation into the fire is complete, and the answer to the question of if it will be rebuilt is still up the air, according to a member of the board of directors with the synagogue. “We are a very small congregation so our need for space is…
DULUTH, Minn. – Folks are not advised to be swimming at Park Point Beaches today. The Duluth Fire Department has issued a red flag warning Wednesday, September 11 due to the high risk of rip currents. The warning is effective through Thursday, September 12. This means wind and wave conditions can support rip currents. Fire officials say rip currents are life-threatening…
DULUTH, Minn. – Northlanders will have the chance to visit Italy September 12 – 15, but you won’t have to travel to do so! In it’s newest production, Cirque Italia is bringing the towns of Italy to the Northland as their majestic ship sails from port to port. Performers with the show are thrilled to be stopping in Duluth. The…
DULUTH, Minn. – Throughout the years, FOX 21 has reported on countless fundraising efforts by Animal Allies Humane Society in Duluth. In this week’s Animal Answers, donors get a first hand look at how continued support and generosity is making an impact on a daily basis. This week, staff at the shelter have had to make many decisions based on…
DULUTH, Minn. — The Minnesota Nurses Association has accepted the terms of a new three-year contract with Essentia Health, according to a press release from the group. The previous contract expired on June 30th, and Essentia Health nurses have been working without one since then. Both Essentia Health and St. Luke’s nurses went on informational strikes this summer to raise…
DULUTH, Minn.- Nurses at Saint Luke’s in Duluth are one step closer to a possible strike after negotiations stalled between the hospital and its union on Monday. It’s happening as nurses at Essentia Health are voting on their new contract. After negotiating for about 18 hours, Saint Luke’s nurses and management will return to the bargaining table again on Wednesday….
DULUTH, Minn.- Police Chief Mike Tusken has ordered nearly two dozen officers and detectives with the Duluth Police Department to find out if anybody started the fire at the Adas Israel Synagogue, a place of worship for more than a century. The Chief said his department is following up interviews with two people of interest who were at the scene…
DULUTH, Minn.- September is “I Stand With Kids Month” which recognizes the grave problem of child abuse in society, and rallies a call to action to prevent it. Which is why, The First Witness Child Advocacy Center announced on Tuesday a campaign to raise $50,000 to support local school districts. 1 in 6 girls and 1 in 8 boys are…
DULUTH, Minn. – New details are emerging for the fire that ripped through the Adas Israel Synagogue in the early morning hours Monday. Duluth Police Chief Mike Tusken says new evidence has been uncovered in the case, but did not reveal what it is, as they continue to investigate the cause of the fire. He added that they are continuing…
BEMIDJI, Minn. (AP) – A summer of heavy rains has caused a rise in cases of a rare fungal infection in northern Minnesota. So far this year, more than 45 people and 150 animals have been diagnosed with blastomycosis. Last year, only 31 human cases and fewer than 100 animal infections were reported by this time. An epidemiologist with the…
MOOSE LAKE, Minn. – Moose Lake police chief Bryce Bogenholm was put on paid leave last month according to city officials. Bogenholm, a nine-year-veteran of the department, was placed on leave August 26. At this time there has been no word on why Bogenholm was put on leave or when he will return. City officials verified that there is no…
DULUTH, Minn. AMSOIL Arena is rolling out seven new food items at its concessions stands on October 5. The new items include: Fish Tacos: Beer-battered cod with red and green cabbage, tomatoes, and avocado poblano sauce. Served with an accoutrement of chips and salsa. Hand-Dipped Corn Dog: All beef hotdog hand-dipped in corn meal batter, paired with a creamy raspberry…
DULUTH, Minn. – Nurses at St. Luke’s Hospital are one step closer to a possible strike after negotiations stalled between the hospital and the Minnesota Nurses Association Monday night. Negotiations lasted until nearly 3:00 a.m. on Tuesday and according to MNA spokesperson Rick Fuentes they did not go well. According to Fuentes, St. Luke’s nurses and management will return to…
DULUTH, Minn. (AP) – Authorities say a preliminary investigation has found no signs of accelerants at a fire that destroyed a historic synagogue in northern Minnesota. But Duluth Fire Chief Shawn Krizaj said Monday that further investigation will have to be done once the building is stabilized. Firefighters responded to the fire at the Adas Israel Congregation in downtown Duluth…
DULUTH, Minn.- The charred remains are all that stands of the historic Adas Israel Synagogue in Duluth. At a press conference at City Hall, officials said while it is early in the investigation, arson has not been ruled out, and they are interviewing people of interest. “We have today interviewed a couple of people of interest and we will see…
DULUTH, MN – Mark Edwards has been in the restaurant business for over 40 years. “I was at Spirit Mountain when they first opened and unpacked the plates from the straw back then,” Exchange Cafe and Bakery Owner, Mark Edwards says. The Exchange bakery and cafe first opened back in 1988, and after his tenure with Spirit Mountain, Edwards took…
DULUTH, Minn.- The largest private investment in Duluth’s history began Monday as Essentia Health started construction on its 3 year Vision Northland Project. And with it comes road closures that will restrict access to the 1st Street building which is why Essentia is now offering free valet parking via the 2nd Street building enterance at 502 East 2nd Street, something…
DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth School Board is moving forward to fill a vacant seat after last week’s abrupt resignation by Josh Gorham. Gorham cited his frustrations with administration and board leadership for what he calls a “dismissive approach to improving graduation rates and student test scores”. Monday the board held a special meeting and voted unanimously to accept applications this…
DULUTH, Minn.- At a press conference, the Duluth Fire Chief released an update on the fire that burned down the Adas Israel Synagogue in Duluth. The East Third Street building caught fire around 2:30 Monday morning, in a blaze the Fire Chief said is the biggest they’ve seen in a while. It took crews a few hours to get the…
(AP Photo/Jim Mone, File) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A divisive fight over a crude-oil pipeline across Minnesota is pinning Democratic presidential hopefuls between environmentalists and trade unions in the 2020 battleground state. And that’s testing those candidates’ campaign promises to ease away from fossil fuels. Progressive candidates Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders have condemned a Canadian company’s plan to replace and…
DULUTH, Minn. – According to the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office, drowning was cited as the preliminary cause of death for 21-year-old Jacob Lavoie. The UMD student was pulled from the Minnesota Slip in Canal Park around 3:00 p.m. on Friday. Lavoie was last seen leaving Grandma’s Sports Garden around midnight and early morning September 1. The Medical Examiner’s Office says…
DULUTH, Minn. – Longtime Denfeld High School Principal Tonya Sconiers announced on Monday morning she is filing a lawsuit against the Duluth School District. Sconiers was placed on administrative leave in June for unknown reasons. In an email to Fox 21 last month, Superintendent Bill Gronseth said “she was the subject of allegations. The nature of the allegations remains private…
COON RAPIDS, Minn. (AP) – Authorities say an adult and a child escaped from their car just before it was hit by a freight train and caught fire in Coon Rapids. Fire officials say the car got stuck on railroad tracks late Saturday. The driver saw the approaching train and made it out of the vehicle with the child. Firefighters…
SAWYER, Minn.- This Sunday mass was no regular one for these churchgoers. They were attending service in the newly restored St. Mary and Joseph Log Church. “They think this is the greatest thing that happened,” said Deacon Bryan Bassa. “I’m just, oh I can’t explain, it’s just out of this world.” Also called the “Sawyer Log Church” and the “Church…
DULUTH, Minn.- An impressive win for the Minnesota Vikings in their first game of the season as the NFL celebrates its 100th year. “GO VIKINGS! Come on let’s hear it for the Vikings! Woohooo!” Purple was everywhere as Vikings fans flooded the Reef Bar on London Road as fans turned out for the first game of the season. They said…
DULUTH, Minn.- Habitat for Humanity dedicated a home in Duluth to a family in need, their first Duluth home in years. The home is located in Lincoln Park. It now belongs to the Witherspoon family who also does work in the community. The family will pay for the home with Habitat’s help. Lake Superior Colleges’ construction program and ISD 709…
DULUTH, Minn.- Garfield Avenue is the loudest road in town when the 12th Annual Duluth Drag Races rolls into town. The roar of engines, the scream of tires on asphalt, and the smoke rise off of Garfield Avenue. “It’s loud, there’s a lot of smoke from the tires,” said Ryan Kern, President of Kern and Kompany, who put on the…
DULUTH, Minn.- The Lake Superior Harvest Festival took over Bayfront Festival Park Saturday. Farmers and more than 30 local craftspeople and artists showed off their items. They also attended a renewable energy fair to learn more about making farming more sustainable. “This event is a really good time for people to meet their farmers face to face,” said Festival Director…
DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Police have confirmed that the body pulled from the Minnesota Slip in Canal Park Friday afternoon is that of missing 21-year-old UMD student Jacob Lavoie. St. Louis County Rescue says the body was recovered at approximately 3:00 p.m. Lavoie went missing early Sunday morning in Canal Park. Police say he was last seen leaving Grandma’s…
DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth’s Earned Sick and Safe Time Ordinance is set to take effect in January for businesses with more than five workers on staff. Now, the City of Duluth is accepting public comments and questions on the proposed ordinance. The city will be hosting several training sessions starting next month so there will be no confusion once the ordinance…
DULUTH, MN – The Veterans Service Center Office in Duluth held an open house Friday afternoon. There, vets were able to grab a free lunch, tour the office and meet veteran service officers. Organizers say, it’s all to provide an open, inviting space for members of the armed forces that served out country. “Open up a dialogue with some of…
DULUTH, MN- The Exchange Bakery and Cafe, which opened back in 1988, will officially close on September 30th. Restaurant owner Mark Edwards cited an expiring lease and remodeling of the board of trade building – where the restaurant calls home – as the main reasons for the decision . This all has left patrons wondering what comes next. “People who…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota health officials are reporting the state’s first vaping death amid a national outbreak of serious lung illnesses linked to the practice. The state health department says the victim was more than 65-years-old and had a history of lung disease. State epidemiologist Ruth Lynfield says the state began looking at the case after the patient…
Wisconsin Point Lighthouse DULUTH, Minn. (AP) – A historic lighthouse on Lake Superior has been sold to a tech industry executive from San Francisco. Thirty-four-year-old Steven Broudy won the lighthouse at auction last week with a high bid of $159,000. The lighthouse, built in 1913, sits on the tip of Wisconsin Point in Superior, Wisconsin. Broudy bought the 56-foot structure…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Three dozen first responders and 15 ambulances from Minnesota are headed to North Carolina to help with Hurricane Dorian. Gov. Tim Walz authorized the emergency response when North Carolina asked for assistance through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, a mutual aid agreement between all 50 states. The first responders are divided into three teams which…
DULUTH, Minn. – Without a healthy lunch, kids can have trouble concentrating, lack energy for after school activities and may end up filling up on low-nutrient snacks. St. Luke’s Clinical Dietitian Mary Cherne offers these tips to get started packing health lunches your kids will actually eat. Get kids involved. Let them pick out their lunch box and let them…
DULUTH, Minn. – For 26 years the Lake Superior Chapter of the Sustainable Farming Association has hosted the annual Harvest Festival. This year’s event is taking place on Saturday, September 7 at Bayfront Fetival Park in Duluth. Farmers and vendors will begin selling locally produced goods at 10:00 a.m. and wrap things up around 4:00 p.m. Event organizers refer to…
DULUTH, Minn.- Mother nature is causing delays for one of the Duluth School Districts major construction projects, and the delays are now impacting some athletic events. When the Duluth Public School Stadium was built back in the early 2000’s school officials knew the track surface would have to be re-done in about 18 years. Fast forward to today, and construction…
DULUTH, MN- Blood centers across the country are expressing their need for donors as Hurricane Dorian hits the east coast. Here in Duluth, multiple blood drives were held today, including at University of Minnesota Duluth. All blood types are being accepted. Leadership from Memorial Blood Centers, who put on the event, say a lot of the blood donated today will…
EDINA, Minn. (AP) – The mother of a former student at an Edina elementary school is suing the school district, saying staff members violated district policy when they searched her child. The alleged incident happened at Countryside Elementary School in the 2017-18 school year, when the student was in second grade. According to the Star Tribune , the lawsuit says…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Wildlife managers say late-season snowstorms and heavy spring rains have taken a toll on Minnesota’s pheasant population. The Department of Natural Resources’ annual roadside survey indicates that Minnesota’s pheasant numbers are down 17% from 2018. The index is 11% below the 10-year average and 60% below the long-term average. DNR upland game research scientist Tim…
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – The Minnesota Supreme Court says parents who defame their children’s public high school coaches don’t have legal protection against their claims. The high court ruled Wednesday the coaches are not public officials so they have a lower bar to prove any defamation case. The Star Tribune says the court’s decision involves former Woodbury High School…
(courtesy: Cathy Isaacson for The Northland Fire Wire) HIBBING, Minn. – According to a Northland FireWire Facebook post, three dogs and two cats died in a Hibbing house fire early Wednesday evening. Fire crews responded to a fire in the 1700 Block of 1st Avenue around 5:25 p.m. in Hibbing. Officials say no people were home when the fire started….
