Minnesota

West Duluth Equestrian Trail To Be Built

Trail Will Be Ready In October

DULUTH, Minn. – The West Duluth Equestrian community will soon have a trail of their own. The project was approved by the Duluth City Council in 2014, due to high demand from West Duluth horse riders. The first installment called the Ely Peak Loop, is expected to be completed by October 1. The trail will also be used for multiple outdoor…

Minnesota Power Discusses Community Solar Gardens With Public

The next information session will be held Tuesday, August 22.

DULUTH, Minn. -Northlanders got the chance to learn a little bit about Minnesota Power’s community solar garden program. Customers are able to purchase a subscription to the solar power in exchange for a fixed utility rate. They are holding several information sessions in the area for people who may be interested. “It gives them a chance to ask me very…

A Look at Hate Groups in Minnesota

CHRISTINA PALLADINO | FOX 9

(FOX 9 KMSP) – In Minnesota, 10 different organizations considered current hate groups are in operation, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, an organization that monitors online activities, rallies and tracks hate crime reports from police. Compared to the southeastern portion of the country, Minnesota has very few hate groups, but those that exist are actively recruiting. “You can…

Group Wants Hearing on Proposed Mine

Duluth for Clean Water Opposes Copper-Nickel Mining near Lake Superior

DULUTH, Minn. – A group of concerned citizens sent a message to Gov. Mark Dayton Tuesday regarding PolyMet’s proposed copper–nickel mine. The group called Duluth for Clean Water wants an evidentiary hearing before a permit to mine is issued to PolyMet for its proposed site. Critics call the type of mining proposed the most toxic form of mining known in…

U.S. Bank Stadium in Consideration to Host 2026 World Cup Matches

FOX 9 - KMSP

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) – U.S. Bank Stadium is one of 49 stadiums in consideration to host World Cup soccer matches as part of the United States, Mexico and Canada’s joint bid for to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The United Bid Committee of the U.S., Mexico and Canada announced Tuesday it is considering Minneapolis and the U.S. Bank Stadium as one of the…

Starry Stonewort Confirmed on 1 New Minnesota Lake

LOCATED AFTER A 20-COUNTY SEARCH

ST. PAUL, Minn. – After a search of 178 lakes in 20 counties by 200 trained volunteers, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has confirmed that the invasive algae starry stonewort in Grand Lake in Stearns County. Starry stonewort is an alga that can form dense mats, which can interfere with the use of a lake and compete with native…

Minnesota Unions Approve Contract, Raises for State Workers

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Members of Minnesota’s two massive public employee unions have ratified a new, two-year contract for the state’s 30,000-plus workers. Minnesota Public Radio News reports that the contracts for the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees and AFSCME Council 5 call for a 2-percent raise this year and a 2.5-percent raise in 2018. The results of the…

Protesters Hit Minneapolis Streets in Response to Deadly Charlottesville Protest

(FOX 9) MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) – Protesters in Minneapolis hit the streets to rally against hate in the wake of the deadly Charlottesville protest led by white nationalists and Nazis. The group started with a rally at the Minneapolis Republican Party Office at 2200 East Franklin Avenue at 5 p.m. Hundreds of people then marched from Franklin Avenue to Cedar Avenue…

Glensheen Introduces “The Best Damn Tour”

New Tour Includes Kayaking, Bonfire and Flashlight Tour

DULUTH, Minn. – Glensheen officials are hoping to show guests their best time at the mansion yet with their new experience called “The Best Damn Tour.” This tour includes kayaking, a bonfire on the shore of Lake Superior, and a flashlight tour inside the mansion. It’s offered every Tuesday through the end of September. Each tour is open to just…

Two Harbors Campground Addition Named after Late Representative David Dill

Dill represented Disctrict 3A in Northeastern Minnestota

TWO HARBORS, Minn. – A Two Harbors campground expansion officially got a new name on Monday in honor of a man who helped make it possible. The $1,000,000 expansion at the Burlington Bay Campground was named in honor of the late Minnesota representative, David Dill. The expansion was one of Dill’s projects. State and local representatives, along with Dill’s wife,…

Health Officials Unable to Identify Source in Siblings’ E. coli Infections

(KMSP) – The source of an E. coli bacterial infection that killed a young Wright County girl and seriously sickened her brother remains unclear, according to a Minnesota Department of Health investigation. As a precaution, MDH investigated A maze’n Farmyard near Eden Valley and asked the petting zoo to pull some of their animals from public viewing. The Maresh family had visited the petting zoo before their…

Minnesota Health Insurers Propose Higher Rates

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota’s four largest small-business health insurers are proposing average premium increases next year. The Star Tribune reports that increases range from 8 to 17 percent. Some insurers say the increases are needed because enrollees are consuming more care while medical costs are rising. The proposed increases could affect about 160,000 people. They’re also rekindling fears that some…

Local, Regional Artists to Show Work at Annual Festival

Coffee Conversation: Art in Bayfront Park

DULUTH, Minn. – This weekend art will be filling a park in Duluth. The 7th Annual Art in Bayfront Park Festival starts up Saturday, August 18 and runs through Sunday, August 19. The art fair features local and regional artists. Work includes jewelry, painting, photography, ceramics, metal work, glass and more. The event is free. Saturday, the festival is open…

Three Injured in Minneapolis Shooting

Police Say They Havne't Arrested a Suspect

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  Police say that three men were hospitalized after an early morning shooting in Minneapolis. Authorities say that police responded to the shooting shortly before 3 a.m. Saturday. Officers found three adult men suffering from gunshot wounds when they arrived. The victims were transported by ambulance to Hennepin County Medical Center. Police say two victims are being treated for…

Food Truck Fridays Brings Communities Together

Food trucks are at the Duluth Public Library every Friday until the end of August.

DULUTH, Minn. – Folks enjoyed food and music down at the Duluth Public Library on Friday. Every Friday during the summer months, the library hosts Food Truck Friday, which brings local food trucks, local musicians, and local people all together in one place. “The whole reason behind a public library is to be open to everyone in the community,” library…

Pipe Organists Make a Stop Through Duluth

It's part of the Organ Historical Society Convention

DULUTH, Minn. – Organ recitals were happening all across Duluth on Friday. It’s the 62 annual Organ Historical Society in the Twin Cities, but a few organists also made a stop through Duluth. Pipe organ enthusiast from around the world have come to celebrate the massive instruments, and hear what these talented musicians are capable of. “You feel so powerful,…

Mall of America Celebrates 25th Anniversary

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The biggest mall in the United States is celebrating its 25th anniversary with cupcakes and party hats. The Star Tribune reports that the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, will attempt to set the Guinness World Record, on Friday, for the most people wearing conical birthday hats and the most people simultaneously decorating cupcakes in celebration. The…

State Shows Off Capitol’s $310M Face Lift with Weekend Bash

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – It’s time to party: The Minnesota Capitol is back open. The Capitol has technically been open since January after a massive renovation to the century-old building kept it closed to the public for several years. But construction crews were putting the finishing touches on the building and its grounds until late last month. The formal…

Judge Awards Mother of Philando Castile Entire Settlement

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A judge has ordered that the mother of Philando Castile, a motorist fatally shot by a Minnesota police officer last summer, receive what remains of a $3 million settlement after attorneys are paid. Hennepin County Judge Susan Robiner decided in favor of Valerie Castile on Wednesday. The Star Tribune reports the judge ruled after reviewing letters from…

Victim’s Family Statisfied with Katzmark Sentence

Theresa Katzmark was Sentenced to 48 Months Thursday

DULUTH, Minn. – Theresa Katzmark was sentenced to 48 months in prison Thursday for criminal vehicular homicide in Donna Estrem’s death last April. 6th Judicial District Judge Shaun Floreke admitted he struggled with the decision to send Katzmark to prision but in the end, prison was Floerke’s only choice. “I’m not here to say you are a bad person, I’m…

UMD Holds Mock Incident

Mock Active Shooter Event Happened at NRRI

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Duluth held an emergency drill Thursday at the school’s Natural Resources Research Institute. The university staged an active shooter situation, UMD’s first ever active drill event. The exercise was paid for with a $12,000 grant involved several law enforcement agencies. UMD Police Chief Sean Huls says bringing in outside emergency responders made the…

New Minneapolis Police Chief Voted In

Former Chief Resigned Earlier this Year

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.-A Minneapolis City Council committee has unanimously endorsed the nomination of Acting Chief Medaria Arradondo to become the first African-American police chief in Minnesota’s largest city. The committee heard nearly two hours of public comments Wednesday from a broad cross-section of community members, who overwhelmingly supported Arradondo. But many speakers warned that Arradondo can’t change the department’s culture without…

Search Warrant Issued for Minneapolis Officers’ Phone, Social Media Accounts

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Cell phone and social media records for Officer Mohamed Noor and his partner, Matthew Harrity, are being parsed as part of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s investigation into the fatal shooting of Justine Damond in south Minneapolis, according to a new search warrant released Thursday. The new document marks a key difference between the investigation into…

Twin Cities Looking to Regulate Airbnb as Super Bowl Nears

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Officials in the Twin Cities are trying to decide how to best deal with Airbnb short-term home rentals as the Super Bowl approaches. Minnesota Public Radio reports that St. Paul has a proposed regulation that would limit rentals to only accommodating four unrelated adults. It would also require hosts to collect city taxes and become licensed. Some…

Minnesota Timberwolves New Uniforms Unveiled

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) – The new Minnesota Timberwolves uniforms have been unveiled. The team released the new unis in a flurry of social media posts Thursday morning, showing off the first two of four designs. The new Wolves uniforms feature a deep navy blue and white palate, with a block stripe across the top of the chest, and a stripe and block of color above the…

Kids Hit the Ice for Open Skate

Heritage Center Hosts Weekly Open Sessions

DULUTH, Minn. – Local kids beat the heat Wednesday by hitting the ice. The City of Duluth and the Essentia Health Heritage Sports Center hosted an open skate for kids of all ages. The session gave some parents a chance to teach their kid the basics, while others were keeping skills sharp for hockey season. “The only sad thing is…

Minnesota Teen Dies While Climbing Flatirons in Colorado

FOX 9 - KMSP

Via Fox 9, photo courtesy of Family Members BOULDER, Colo. (KMSP) – A Maple Grove, Minnesota teenager fell and died while climbing by himself in the Flatirons in Colorado last weekend. The body of 17-year-old Carter Christensen was found near the First Flatiron in Boulders Chautauqua Park on Sunday, according to the Boulder County Coroner’s Office. Along with a statement,…

Organ Music to be Heard Throughout Duluth as Organ Historical Society Comes to Town

Four Concerts to be Performed

DULUTH, Minn. – The Organ Historical Society is coming to Duluth as part of its 62nd Annual Convention. Several organ recitals will be happening around town Friday, August 11 to celebrate. FULL SCHEDULE: Isabelle Demers and Jillian Gardner on the 2011 and 1980 Jaeckel organs at First Lutheran Church When:    11:35 a.m. Where:   1100 East Superior St., Duluth, MN  55802…

Grilling Summer Favorites with Fireplace Corner

Cooking Connection: Fireplace Corner Grills

DULUTH, Minn. – Fireplace Corner in Duluth is known for keeping homes warm, but the business also features several grills. Every Friday and Saturday in the Summer employees grill for customers to show them how the different grills work while eating lunch. In this week’s Cooking Connection, Fireplace Corner Salesman Alan DelVecchio did some grilling with FOX 21’s William Seay….

Walleye Fishing on Mille Lacs Lake Reopens Friday

Will close again after Labor Day

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Catch-and-release walleye fishing and use of live bait returns to Mille Lacs Lake on Friday, Aug. 11, according to the Department of Natural Resources. Night fishing will continue to be prohibited from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. through Nov. 30. Regulations do allow anglers to fish for muskie and northern pike at night, but only artificial…

Nonprofits Want State Gambling/Gaming Taxes To Lower

Some Say The State Gets To Much Already

Duluth, Minn. Each year billions of dollars are spent on charitable gaming across the state of Minnesota. Sounds like a lot of money, but with increasing state taxes on gaming and the states percentages getting bigger and bigger. What’s left over for the charities that rely on their slice of the pie? Nonprofits across Minnesota including Duluth are feeling the…

Duluth and Superior Combine to Honor Survivors

Mayors Proclaimed Aug. 16 as Break the Silence Day in the Twin Ports

DULUTH, Minn. – Mayors Emily Larson and Jim Paine joined sexual assault survivors from Duluth and Superior, as well as their allies on Park point Wednesday to dedicate a day towards breaking silence. “Therefore, we, Jim Paine and Emily Larson, Mayors of the City of Superior and the City of Duluth, do officially proclaim August 16th, 2017 as Break the…

Gov. Dayton Appointed Chair of NGA’s Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The National Governor’s Association (NGA) has appointed Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton as chairman of the NGA’s Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee. Dayton will replace Gov. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas. “I am very honored to have been asked to serve as Chairman of the National Governors Association’s Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee,” said Gov. Dayton….

Minnesota Sees Growing Wind Energy Capacity

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – New data from the U.S. Department of Energy shows that Minnesota’s wind energy capacity increased nearly 10 percent last year. The Minnesota Public Radio reports that wind power accounts for nearly 18 percent of the electricity generated in the state. The data shows that Minnesota ranks seventh in the nation for wind energy. Minnesota Commerce Commissioner Mike…

Technology Specialist Talks Back-to-School Gadgets

DULUTH, Minn. – Summer vacation is coming to an end in a few weeks and students will be heading back to school. Verizon Wireless Solutions Specialist Rachel Agurkis visited FOX 21 this morning to talk about must-have technology for students. Google Home: Students can ask the device homework questions. Fitbit Alta: This is a great accessory for student athletes. Track…

Fond du Lac Band Asks For Answers; What’s Next?

Ancient Burial Ground Unearthed By MnDOT Road Project

Duluth, Minn. This Spring, Native American grave sites were disturbed at a MnDOT Highway 23 work site. The Fond du Lac band called for some kind of resolution. Tuesday MnDOT held an open house for the community members affected by the issue to speak out. Months after the department of transportation mistake the construction site remains at a standstill and…

Firefighters help fight muscular dystrophy with Fill The Boot events

Firefighters are spread across the town, collecting money for youth with muscular dystrophy

DULUTH, Minn. – Firefighters in Duluth are spread out at busy intersections across town for the Fill the Boot event, which raises money for children with muscular dystrophy. “We take it seriously,” Duluth firefighter Aaron Bujold said.  “Its for a really good cause… Most of the people we deal with are pretty charitable. We get a good outcome out here.”…

Paddlers Alliance Holds Free Paddle Day

Community Paddle Days lets youth groups and the community experience paddling for free

DULUTH, Minn. – The Northland Paddlers Alliance is continuing to help the community get out on the water. Last week, they helped folks get out on some stand up paddle boards, and this Tuesday, they set people up with canoes out at Boy Scout Landing. It’s all provided free of charge, for anyone of any skill level. “It’s all very…

First Duluth Boat Completes Yacht Race

The Eight-Person Crew Finished In Just Over Three Days

DULUTH, Minn. – Sailors on the Trans–Superior International Yacht Race are still making their way into the Twin Ports. Tuesday saw the first Duluth vessel cross the finish line. Papa Paucho II cruised into port a little after 2 p.m. The Duluth boat had a crew of eight. They finished the race in just over three days. “Lots of heavy…

Duluth Unveils Street Repair Plan

Mayor's Proposal Calls for a .5% Sales Tax Increase

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth streets are a problem for virtually every driver. However Mayor Emily Larson thinks she has a solution. “I am announcing a referendum for voters this fall, for a 0.5% sales tax dedicated entirely to fund our Streets Improvement Program,” said Mayor Larson, while unveiling her new plan Wednesday. According to Mayor Larson the sales tax increase…

UMD Police Hiring

University Wants to Add Four Officers

DULUTH, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Duluth Police Department is looking for a few new officers. The UMD P.D. has openings for three new officers right now, with another opening later this year. The department conducted a staffing study a year ago which concluded the current staff of 10 wasn’t enough.  UMD’s police chief, Sean Huls, says more officers…

T-Shirts Designed to Raise Mental Illness Awareness

Steven Gold Selling "Mental Illness Sucks" Shirts to Encourage People to Address Issues

DULUTH, Minn. – Statistics say you or someone close to you battles some form of mental illness. One Duluth man wants to raise awareness. Steven Gold came up with the “Mental Illness Sucks” t–shirt as a way to get people talking about a difficult subject. Gold, who’s battled depression since the 10th grade, says getting people to talk about their…

Remer Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Sexual Conduct with Minors

Jacob White WALKER, Minn. – A Remer, Minnesota man has been sentenced to 12 year in prison for two sexual conduct cases involving minors, according to Cass County Attorney Christopher J. Strandlie. Jacob John White, 32, was sentenced for committing Criminal Sexual Conduct in the First Degree, which will run concurrently with one year in jail for Criminal Sexual Conduct…

Thousands of Ship Documents Archived, Available for Public Research

Northland Uncovered: Fraser Shipping Documents

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The shipping industry is a business impacting the entire Northland. About four years ago, Fraser Shipyards donated thousands of ship drawings dating back to the 1890s to UW-Superior for archiving and research. Now, librarians are finishing up that task. “They’re more works of art than anything else,” Senior Project Assistant Dara Fillmore described of the donated documents….

Fuse Duluth Takes Networking Outdoors

Young Professionals Group Hosts First-ever Disc Golf Tournament

DULUTH, Minn. – This week Fuse Duluth is taking networking outdoors. The organization, designed by the Duluth Chamber of Commerce to attract and retain young talent to the area, is hosting a disc golf tournament on Thursday, August 10. This is taking place at the Miller Creek Disc Golf Course from noon to 5 p.m. Each of the course’s nine…

Trial Begins for Three I-94 Protesters Arrested in Castile Demostration

FOX 9 - KMSP

Activists held a press conference Tuesday morning ahead of the first trial for the I-94 protesters (Fox 9)   ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) – The first trial is set to begin Tuesday for some of the people arrested during protests on Interstate 94 last summer following the shooting death of Philando Castile. Three days after Castile was shot and killed…