Minnesota

St. Louis River Alliance Celebrates River Restoration Funding

DULUTH, Minn. – In May the Minnesota Legislature passed their $988 million bonding bill Among the projects included in the bill is $25.4 million in funding for the St. Louis River Estuary Restoration Project. These funds will trigger $47.2 million in federal funds made available through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to accelerate the cleanup efforts of the St. Louis…

Report: Solar More Cost Effective than Natural Gas

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – A report from a Minnesota university shows adding energy storage may be a cost effective way to help meet the state’s electricity demand. Minnesota Public Radio reports that University of Minnesota’s Energy Transition Lab presented its report to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission this month. The commission recommended the state pursue energy storage pilot projects….

Australian Woman Shot, Killed by Police in Southwest Minneapolis

Brett Bachman - FOX 9 KMSP

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) – A memorial for Justine Damond is growing near the spot where she was shot and killed by a police officer Saturday night, through information about what exactly happened in that southwest Minneapolis alleyway remains scarce. Justine Damond, Fox 9 Officials confirmed in a release Sunday, and later at a press conference, that a woman died as the…

Duluth Native And Lost Marine Laid To Rest After Nearly 75 Years

James Hubert Fought In World War II, His Remains Finally Found

Duluth, Minn A Duluth native killed more than 70 years ago in World War II finally returned home. November 21st 1943, United States Marine Company H, 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marines Division lead an amphibious assault in what is considered one of the most important battles in World War II, the battle of Tarawa. “It had a very big…

WWII Marine to be Laid to Rest Saturday

Sgt. James Hubert's Remains were Unaccounted for Since Battle of Tarawa

DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth Marine missing since 1943 finally returns home Saturday. Sergeant James Hubert will be laid to rest 74 years after he was killed at the Battle of Tarawa in the Pacific theatre of World War II. Sgt. Hubert’s remains were discovered by a group called History Flight and recently identified. His sister, Mary Kay Hagen says…

Health department temporarily funding suicide hotline

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – The Minnesota Department of Health will provide temporary funding to maintain a suicide prevention hotline that was expected to shut down. The department will provide $139,000 to keep the hotline open at least until September 29. The hotline is operated by the nonprofit Canvas Health of Oakdale. It announced earlier this month that it would…

Annual Reggae Festival to Bring Jamaican Culture to Duluth

12th Annual Bayfront Reggae & World Music Festival

DULUTH, Minn. – This weekend music, food, artisans and dancing will be taking over Bayfront Festival Park. The 12th Annual Bayfront Reggae & World Music Festival is taking place. It all starts Saturday, July 15 when gates open at 11 a.m. Music begins at 1 p.m. and runs until 11 p.m. Tickets are available online, at the gate or at…

Local Doctor Speaks on Benefits of Physical Therapy

Active Adventures: In Motion Therapy

DULUTH, Minn. – Through many different instances, one can become injured. A local doctor is looking to educate those injured about proper healing methods. For some, an injury could be so serious they require surgery, but according to Annita Winkels, DPT, for others, physical therapy is the answer. Dr. Winkels, Founder of In Motion Therapy says the goal is to…

WWII Veteran Awarded High School Diploma

Marine Sgt. James Hubert was Killed in the Battle of Tarawa

DULUTH, Minn. – Some 78 years after Marine Sgt. James Hubert should have graduated from Denfeld High School, the World War II veteran received his diploma. “This is just one small thing we as a district and as a community can do to honor the ultimate sacrifice the family and Sgt. Hubert made for our country,” said Amy Starzecki, Duluth…

Workshop Offers Genealogy Tips

First Genealogy Worshop Hosted Ten Students

DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Louis County Historical Society offered a genealogy workshop at The Depot Thursday. In this Basic Genealogy class, people learned how to start their own family research using resources in their own backyard. The class’ instructor says genealogy teaches people about who they are. “I think it provides people with a sense of place,” said Kathleen…

Duluth Kennel Club Hosts Dog Shows

Nearly 800 Dogs Compete Over Four Days

DULUTH, Minn. – For the rest of this week, the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center has gone to the dogs. Through Sunday, the Duluth Kennel Club hosts its annual series of all–breed dog shows inside the DECC’s Pioneer Hall. Between 750 and 800 pure-bred dogs from across the United States and Canada take part in four days of competition for…

Minnesota Nabs $8M in Health Care Fraud in National Sweep

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Several Minnesota residents are facing charges of defrauding the state of millions of dollars in health care money as part of a national crackdown. Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson filed a lawsuit Thursday against a Brooklyn Center woman and her daughter for allegedly claiming more fraudulent personal care assistant expenses. The lawsuit says Juanita Swain…

New Measles Case Confirmed in Minnesota Outbreak, Up to 79 Total

(KMSP) – After several weeks with no new cases, the Minnesota Department of Health confirmed an additional case of measles associated with the outbreak that started in March. There are now 79 total cases of measles across four different counties in Minnesota. Seventy-one of those cases are in unvaccinated patients. The majority of cases are in children. The newest case…

Husband Charged with Wife’s Murder at Crystal, Minn. Home

FOX 9 - KMSP

Fox 9 CRYSTAL, Minn. (KMSP) – A Crystal, Minnesota man has been charged with murder for allegedly shooting his wife Wednesday night and then calling his son to tell him. According to the criminal complaint, Dennis Sandland, 56, called his son around 6:30 p.m. to inform him he shot his mother at their home on the 4800 block of Yates Avenue North. The son then called police….

Historic Union Depot Needs Millions in Repairs

St. Louis Co. to Seek Funding During 2018 Application Process

DULUTH, Minn. – The more than century old Union Depot needs repairs.  About $8 million worth in the next five to seven years. “It’s time to make a significant investment back into this building to preserve it for the next 100–plus years,” said St. Louis Co. Property Management Director Tony Mancuso. One project though, needs immediate attention. “We need to…

Lake Minnetonka Zebra Mussel Study Tests Population Control

Photo: Amy Benson – U.S. Geological Survey MINNETONKA, Minn. (AP) – A study is continuing in Lake Minnetonka this year on a potential new method to control zebra mussel populations. Researchers from the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District and the Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center are testing low dosses of copper-based product to kill off or at least slow the…

Minneapolis Police Union ‘Fully Supports’ Officer’s Decision to Shoot Dogs

FOX 9 - KMSP

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) – The Minneapolis police officer who shot and wounded two dogs over the weekend while responding to an alarm “reacted correctly and in accordance with his training,” the head of the police union said in a statement Wednesday. Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis vice president Sherral Schmidt added, “This entire incident is tragic and shows how quickly incidents…

CenturyLink Lawsuit in Minnesota over Cable, Internet Billing

ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) – Minnesota’s attorney general has filed a lawsuit against CenturyLink for billing higher amounts than sales agents quoted to customers for cable TV and internet service. According to the lawsuit, the company often refused to honor the quoted prices to consumers who catch the discrepancies, and CenturyLink’s internal records acknowledge the problem. In the lawsuit, Attorney General Lori Swanson…

Storms Across Minnesota Leave Thousands Without Power

Storm Damage on North Shore Drive in Forest Lake, MN. (Kristine Baillargeon via Fox 9) MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) – Storms ripped through the Twin Cities metro early Wednesday morning leaving thousands without power. Residents in Washington County have reported trees down and roads blocked. Some of the heaviest damage was reported in Forest Lake, Minnesota. Xcel Energy reports more than 56,000…

Man Found in Nevada After Escaping Minnesota Prison 25 Years Ago

Convict Will be Extradited Back

FROM FOX 9 IN MINNEAPOLIS NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev.-A man who escaped from a Minnesota federal prison in 1992 and had been on the run ever since was taken back into custody last month after trying to renew his driver’s license. Investigators from the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles withheld 64-year-old Robert Frederick Nelson’s driver’s license after a facial recognition…

City Testing New Bike Lanes

Test of Protected Lanes Runs Through July

DULUTH, Minn. – The city recently opened new bike lanes on Michigan Street downtown and leaders are looking for input. These protected bike lanes are the first of their kind in the city.  Traffic flows both east and west separated from vehicular traffic by pylons. The test runs throughout July, and the city encourages cyclists, drivers and businesses to give…

Tuesdays are Kids Days Downtown

Library, Depot Offer Summer Kids Activities

DULUTH, Minn. – The downtown Duluth Public Library kicked off its annual Kaleidoscope for Kids summer program Tuesday. The library has run the Kaleidoscope program for more than 35 years. Every Tuesday through early August, kids and their parents can take in a free show outside in the library’s plaza area. Some lucky kids might even get to be part…

DTA Unveils New Bus Routes

Four New Routes Start Service August 27th

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Transit Authority will soon offer more options for public transportation users. Starting August 27th, the DTA will expand Route 5 service to run from Gary New Duluth to the Miller Hill Mall. Also, three brand new routes will start on the 27th. Route 21 will go from Lakeside to the mall via UMD’s Kirby Student…

Officer Who Killed Castile gets $48,500 in Agreement

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The Minnesota police officer acquitted in last year’s fatal shooting of black motorist Philando Castile will receive $48,500 as part of a separation agreement with the Minneapolis suburb of St. Anthony. Jeronimo Yanez, who is leaving the St. Anthony Police Department under the agreement announced Monday, also will be paid for up to 600 hours of unused…

Annual Sidewalk Days Festival Begins Wednesday with New Events

Sales and Car Show Return to Take Over Superior Street

DULUTH, Minn. – A downtown, summertime tradition will be shutting down parts of Superior Street once again. The Sidewalk Days Festival begins Wednesday, July 12 and runs through Friday, July 14. About 80 vendors are expected to participate. There will be a car show, crafts, clothes, food, live music and more. New this year, there will be a selfie scavanger…

Minnesota’s Oldest Craft Co-op Celebrates 45 Years

Northland Uncovered: Northwoods Pioneer Gallery and Gifts

CASTLE DANGER, Minn. – In a little shop along the North Shore dozens of Northland artists and crafters display their passions. “There are some forms that are kind of lost. Like, we have a lady that does tatting. Most people don’t even know what tatting is,” said Mabel Tarlton, President of the Board for Northwoods Pioneer Gallery and Gifts. Northwoods…

Minnesota Mental Health Crisis Line to Shut Down

The Service Will Be Shut Down Friday, July 14th for Financial Reasons

MINNESOTA – A Minnesota mental health crisis hot line will be shutting down at the end of the week. It’s a service that took 50,000 calls last year alone, connecting people with local psychiatrists and counselors, as well as first-responders and emergency rooms. The Crisis Connection hot line was seeing an increase in calls this year, but will have to…

Two Tornadoes Touch Down in Minnesota This Morning

Lake Crystal Hit Hard

LAKE CRYSTAL, Minn. (AP) – Forecasters say stormy weather spawned a couple of tornadoes in south-central Minnesota, but there are no reports of injuries or significant damage. The National Weather Service says one tornado was reported about 10:30 p.m. Sunday by a trained spotter between Lake Crystal and Judson. A second twister was seen a short time later about six…

Fewer Marketplace Insured Equates to State Rebate Savings

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Fewer enrollees in Minnesota’s individual health insurance marketplace will result in millions of dollars in savings in state-funded discounts. State lawmakers in January passed a $310 million discount package offering a 25 percent rebate for people who buy insurance on the individual marketplace. Earlier estimates anticipated about 120,000 people might be eligible for the discounts….

Minneapolis Police Officer Shoots Woman’s Dogs

IRIS PEREZ - FOX 9

  MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) – A north Minneapolis woman says she caught a Minneapolis Police Officer on video shooting her two dogs while responding to a burglary call at the residence Saturday night. Jennifer LeMay says her two Staffordshire bull terriers, Rocko and Ciroc, survived the incident–though both were injured and required extensive medical treatment. The officer showed up at LeMay’s house after her…

Wisconsin, Minnesota to Fight Invasive Species along River

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Decontamination units in Minnesota and Wisconsin will launch a multiday effort to stop numerous invasive species that threaten a river separating the two states. The Star Tribune reports that inspectors will staff six decontamination boats on the St. Croix River July 14 and July 15 to search for and get rid of invasive species including zebra mussels, Eurasian…

Museum to Mark 10th Anniversary of I-35W Bridge Collapse

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The Minnesota Historical Society will commemorate the upcoming 10th anniversary of the Interstate 35W bridge collapse with a new display. Thirteen people died and 145 were injured when the bridge fell into the Mississippi River in downtown Minneapolis during the evening rush hour on August 1, 2007. The National Transportation Safety Board concluded the probable cause was…

NRRI Receives Recurring Funding

Coffee Conversation: Natural Resources Research Institute

DULUTH, Minn. – It’s big news and big funding for the Natural Resources Research Institute. The institute was granted an additional $2 million in recurring funding from the Minnesota State Legislature. This almost doubles the previous state funding they were receiving and was the first funding increase since the 1980s. According to June Breneman, External Affairs Manager for the NRRI,…

Nolan Gets Hearing on Bill to Push Through PolyMet Land Swap

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) _ U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan gets a hearing this week on his bill to push through a land exchange needed for the proposed PolyMet copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota. It’s one of four land exchange bills the House Subcommittee on federal lands will consider Friday in Washington. PolyMet wants to swap 6,650 acres of federal land it needs…

St. Louis County Commissioner Announces Bid for US Congress

Has served on the Duluth Police Department for 22 years

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Police Lieutenant and St. Louis County Commissioner, Pete Stauber has announced that he will be running for U.S. Congress from Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District. Stauber, a Republican, will be seeking the seat currently occupied by Democratic Representative Rick Nolan. Pete Stauber Stauber was elected to the St. Louis County Board of Commissioners in 2012, representing the…

Deer Crashes into Motorcycle

Driver was Taken to Hospital with Minor Injuries

HIBBING, Minn. – A Missouri man was taken to the hospital after a deer hit his motorcycle. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, the crash happened around 3:30 p.m. Saturday.  53 year old Troy McMahon of Kansas City was riding his motorcycle on Highway 73 near Sand Lake, when a deer ran into traffic and made contact with his bike….

Minnesota DNR Upgrading Electronic Licensing System in 2020

New System Will Lead to More Profeciency

  ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) –Minnesota hunters and anglers can expect a more modern electronic licensing system with some new bells and whistles. The Department of Natural Resources is looking for a vendor to upgrade the system when its current vendor contract expires in 2020. DNR licensing program director Steve Michaels says it’s still too early to say exactly what…

Fire Deaths Up 36 Percent from 2016

MINNESOTA – The Minnesota State Fire Marshal reports that fire deaths are up 36-percent compared to this time last year, according to preliminary numbers. According to the preliminary data, 30 people have died in fires in 2017, and by July last year, 22 people had died. The most recent fatality was reported just last week on July 28, when John…

New Deal: Blue Cross Blue Shield to Keep Children’s Minnesota In-Network

(KMSP) – Children’s Minnesota and major health insurance company Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota have reached an agreement that would keep Children’s Minnesota as an in-network provider for Blue Cross patients. Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson helped broker the new deal between the two parties. According to her office, she acted as the mediator after Children’s and Blue Cross failed to meet the…

Summer Camps Beginning at Spirit Mountain

DULUTH, Minn. – Several parents throughout the Northland are looking for ways to keep their kids busy while they’re off from school for the summer. Spirit Mountain in Duluth is hosting several camps to encourage kids to stay moving and try new activities. The following is a sample of the camp programs offered in July at Spirit Mountain, based on…

Over 300 Agencies to Crack Down on Speeding

The Minnesota State Patrol is Partnering with Local Agencies from July 7-23

DULUTH, Minn. – Starting Friday, July 7, the Minnesota State Patrol will be joining forces with 300 local agencies across the state to crack down on speeding. The partnership comes as Minnesotans drive through the 100 deadliest days of summer on Minnesota roadways. According to the State Patrol, 92 people lost their lives last year on Minnesota roads due to…

MNsure Assistance Offered at Duluth Public Library

Every Thursday, a MNsure Navigator Answers Questions and Helps Fill Out Applications

DULUTH, Minn. – Anybody with questions about MNsure can get some help at the Duluth Public Library. A certified MNsure navigator is stationed on the Downtown Library’s second floor every Thursday from 10:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. for anyone with questions about health coverage, or who needs assistance filling out a MNsure application. “People don’t think about or have insurance until…

Minneapolis Leaders May Restrict Menthol Sales

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The sale of menthol cigarettes in Minneapolis may soon be restricted to adult-only tobacco shops. The Star Tribune reports that the city has an ordinance that limits other flavored tobacco products to adult-only tobacco shops. Council Member Cam Gordon says restricting menthols is the next step. Anti-smoking advocates say a mint-flavored compound in the cigarettes creates a…

Gov. Dayton Urges New Police Training Fund to be Named after Philando Castile

Dayton also appoints Castile's uncle to the Peace Office Standards Training Board

Joined by family of Philando Castile, Governor Dayton recommends new law enforcement training fund be named in memory of Philando Castile. ST. PAUL, Minn. – Governor Mark Dayton today issued a letter to the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Board, requesting that its members name a new law enforcement training fund in memory of Philando Castile, who was tragically…

Local Musician, Todd Eckart, Performs on FOX 21

Summer Concert Series Begins Tonight at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College

CLOQUET, Minn. – Starting tonight, music will be filling Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College’s Ampitheater Stage. The 2017 Hot Summer Nights Concert Series will be held from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. every Thursday night in July. The first performer of the series, Todd Eckart, visited FOX 21 to chat about the series, his new album and to play…