Minnesota

Minnesota Lawmakers Reach Deal For Free College Tuition

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Tuition at Minnesota’s public colleges would be free to residents whose families earn less than $80,000 annually, starting in the 2024-2025 academic year, under an agreement reached by legislative negotiators. If the full House and Senate accept the language, which would be part of a broader higher education budget bill, qualifying Minnesotans would no longer…

Coffee Conversation: Matrescence & The Evolution of Motherhood

DULUTH, Minn. — While Mother’s Day quickly approaches, the entire month of May is dedicated toward Maternal Mental Health Awareness. FOX21 caught up with a local Perinatal Mental Health Specialist to talk about matrescence — or the physical, mental, emotional, and social transitions a person goes through when becoming a mother. The term matrescence was first coined by Dana Raphael…

Minnesota Senate Approves Paid Family And Medical Leave Plan

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Senate approved a plan Monday to entitle workers across the state to paid leave when they’re sick or caring for relatives who are ill. While Senate Democrats hold only a one-seat majority, paid family and medical leave has been a priority of the party for several years, and the final 34-33 vote followed party lines. The proposal passed…

New Grant To Increase Water Quality Monitoring in St. Louis River Estuary

TWIN PORTS – A lot of action has taken place to clean up the St. Louis River of nutrients and sediment dumped in the past.  A new grant hopes to keep improving that water quality in the future. Scientists with the UW-Madison Extension Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve and UMD’s Natural Resources Research Institute will use the $400,000 to increase…

Boys & Girls Club Encourages Support for Mental Health Crisis Line

Several Duluth area groups working to raise funds

DULUTH, Minn. – A new, national suicide crisis line has been getting some attention, and there is a continued local effort to let people know about it. It is called “Just Breathe 988.” Several Duluth area groups are coming together to raise funds for the Boys and Girls Club’s Mental Health Access program. The three-digit number works exactly like 9-1-1…

Art and Music Showcase Supports Local Art Department

HERMANTOWN, Minn.–Art is important as it helps people connect and relate to abstract concepts and serves as a means of self-expression. With art departments in schools being underfunded, one local high school showcases student work for the community to see.  “Art for me is just a really big way to express myself and tell my story and other stories on…

Design Your Own Candles Kicks Off For Mother’s Day

DULUTH, Minn. — With Mother’s Day right around the corner, many people are still looking for that home-touched gift for their beloved moms.  Throughout the month of May, Lake Superior Glass Art is partnering up with Naturalight Candles with customizable candles. The candles are made in-house at Lake Superior Glass Art and then hand-poured at Naturalight Candles in Canal Park. …

Construction Projects Set for This Week on I-35, Superior St. in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – A heads up for motorists traveling around Duluth Monday with two new road construction projects taking place this week. The Minnesota DOT says crews will be replacing the guardrail and conducting bridge inspections Monday from 9 to 3 for the ramp connecting I-35 northbound to the Bong Bridge. If weather is an issue, it will be delayed to…

UMD Graduate Osei-Tutu Honored for Her Work on Voting

DULUTH, MINN. — A UMD Graduate has been recognized as part of the 2023 ALL IN Student Voting Honor Roll. Her name is Olivia Osei-Tutu, ALL IN’s Student Voting Honor Roll recognizes college students at participating campuses who have gone above and beyond to advance nonpartisan student voter registration, education and turnout efforts in their communities. Nationwide, Just 175 students…

That’s A Lot of Pancakes

DULUTH, MINN. –There are some preliminary numbers from the 64th Annual Duluth Lion’s Club Pancake Day that was held this past Thursday. According to the Chair of the Public Relations Committee for the Lions, Larry Winner, 7,525 people were at the DECC for their annual pancake fix. That is 1,207 more people that attended this year as compared to 2022….

Vintage Magazine Sale Brings Back the Past

DULUTH, Minn. — Friends of the Duluth Public Library went back to the past today for it’s first ever Nostalgic Newsstand Vintage Magazine Sale. From Saturday Evening Posts from the 1920’s, to Sports Illustrated issues from the 90’s, there was a vide variety of classic magazines to browse through. The rare sale comes at a time when the library is…

Sjodin Strong Benefit

CARLTON, MINN — The family members and friends who organized this event weren’t sure what to expect, but they obviously hoped for the best. Cassie Avernik a cousin who helped organize said, “Turnout is way more than we could have imagined, expected, and planned for, it’s been really great ” As you might expect there were some tears, but there…

UMD Graduation Day

DULUTH, Minn. — It was graduation day for Seniors at the University of Minnesota Duluth. There were approximately 2,000 Bulldogs graduating. The graduates earned their bachelor’s degree, doctoral degree, or master’s degree. There were two ceremonies held today, both of them at the AMSOIL Arena. The morning was for the College of Education and Human Professions, as well as the…

Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women

DULUTH, MINN. — Friday was a day to remember missing and murdered Native American women. Family, friends, and advocates gathered at City Hall to help bring awareness to the issue, and to the women themselves. One goal is to focus national attention on it at all levels of government. Rene Goodrich of the Native Lives Matter Coalition says, “Together here,…

Tara Swenson Enters Duluth City Council Race

DULUTH, MINN.  — Another candidate has entered the Duluth City Council race to represent the Fourth District.  On Friday evening Tara Swenson officially announced her candidacy at a gathering at Warrior Brewing Company. Swenson and her husband and two children live in the Piedmont neighborhood. Swenson says she is committed to supporting economic growth, and core services including streets, utilities, and…

Arrowhead Youth Games Give Kids With Disabilities the Chance to Play

DULUTH, Minn. — The weather was perfect Thursday for the Arrowhead Youth Games which gives kids with disabilities a chance to get in on all types of adapted recreational activities. More than 300 students from 24 elementary and middle schools were at UMDs field house. The kids were taking part in events like climbing, dance, parachute games, archery, wheelchair races,…

Fox Along the North Shore: Geological History of the Waterfalls

DULUTH, Minn — Along the North Shore of Lake Superior, there are numerous waterfalls, each with their own beauty and awe. Despite their unique appearance, they share a common history in how they were formed starting over a billion years ago. “So, we had about 1.1 billion years ago there was a major event. It’s now known as the mid-continent…

64th Annual Lions Club Pancake Day

DULUTH, Minn. — All day the batter was flowing and the flap jacks were flipping at the DECC for The Duluth Lions Club’s 64th Annual Pancake day. Lines of people poured into Pioneer Hall to get the all-you-can-eat breakfast treat. Delicious pancakes filled thousands of plates throughout the long day that ran from 6:00 A.M. Thursday morning to 7:30 P.M….

New Movie Filming in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — Lights, Camera, Action!! A new holiday movie is being filmed in Duluth coming from the same producer of “Merry Kiss Cam” which was shot and based in Duluth. “Rescuing Christmas” starring Rachael Leigh Cook and Sam Page is currently filming in popular locations around the city, including OMC Smokehouse, Dovetail Café and Marketplace, the Depot, and many…

Docks In Place, Charter Boats Arrive In Duluth’s Minnesota Slip

DULUTH, Minn. – Capt. Riley Leslie of Happy Hooker Charters, one of Duluth’s premiere charter fishing companies, is back in the water for the season in the Minnesota Slip. Crews got the docks loaded down into the slip Wednesday morning. Some of the spots are rented for personal boats, but most are for charter businesses. Happy Hooker has been serving…

UPDATE: **FOUND** Cloquet Police Issue Missing Person Alert For 12-Year-Old Boy

**UPDATE** 5:48 AM, Thurs. May 4 — The Cloquet Police Department has confirmed Friedman has been found safe and is back home with family. CLOQUET, Minn. — The Cloquet Police Department is seeking the public’s help locating 12-year-old Leon Roy Friedman. Friedman was last seen leaving the Cloquet Middle School Wednesday. “While he is not believed to be in immediate…

Duluth-Based Maurices Makes Cuts To Staffing Amid Economic Downturn

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth-based Maurices recently laid off two dozen employees. The 24 employees were let go April 18 within corporate offices and field positions. Company officials told FOX 21 the reduction in staffing was needed to deal with the current economic downturn and challenging market conditions. The employees received severance packages. The women’s apparel retailer has been operating for…

Man Accused Of Attacking MSOP Counselor Charged With Attempted Murder

MOOSE LAKE, Minn. – Attempted murder and assault charges have been filed against a man accused of attacking a staff member Monday at the Moose Lake Sex Offender Program. Nicolas Ladell Aron-Jones, 29, has been committed at MSOP as a “sexually dangerous person” since 2015, according to the criminal complaint. Court documents say a 53-year-old male security counselor entered a…

Connecting Principles: SmartLab Coming Soon to Chisholm Public Schools

CHISHOLM, Minn. — In this week’s Connecting Principle’s segment, we checked in with Chisholm Public Schools as they gear up to add a new SmartLab class to school grounds. Principal Mark Morrison and English Teacher Brady Boehm joined FOX21 via zoom on the morning newscast to talk about the project plan and its purpose. While it’s not ready just yet,…

Coffee Conversation: New Wine Ministries Presents “The Sound Of Music”

CLOQUET, Minn. — Zion Lutheran’s New Wine Ministries group presents a classical rendition of “The Sound Of Music.” The performance is held to raise funds for the groups annual tour, this year to Washington D.C., in June. Group members Ben Meysembourg and Rebecca Nyberg joined FOX21 on the morning newscast Wednesday to talk about the upcoming showcase. Meysembourg gave a…

Minnesota House Approves Paid Family Leave Bill

(AP Photo/Steve Karnowski) ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – House lawmakers have approved a state-run paid family and medical leave program in Minnesota. The bill was passed Tuesday night on a 68 to 64 vote. When Gen Zers think about moving to a different state, access to paid family medical leave is one of their top considerations, according to Minnesota House Democrats….

988: The Mental Health And Substance Abuse Hotline

DULUTH, Minn. — A local group in Duluth is launching a campaign to educate people on the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. “Everyone knows what 911 is, but 988 is the 911 for a mental health crisis or substance abuse crisis,” explained Jerry Thoreson, a member of the 2023 Leadership Duluth class and organizer of the campaign. If you or…

Congressional Hearing on Minerals on Iron Range

Republican lawmakers advocate for permitting reform

The mineral deposits in Northeastern Minnesota brought congressional lawmakers to the area Tuesday. Representative Pete Stauber brought members of the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources to Mountain Iron for a hearing. Stauber said it was a chance for members to hear directly from the community. Congressman Rob Wittman of the state of Virginia said the entire country had an…

Gary New Duluth Thanks Community for Skateboard Park Effort

Excitement builds for push to complete the project

GARY NEW DULUTH, Minn.–The Gary New Duluth community could not wait to celebrate the coming of spring Monday. Part of the celebration included a great meal as a way to acknowledge everyone who has worked so hard to make a skateboard park a reality. “It is so important to get everybody together for something like this. So many of the…

Duluth Mayoral Race: Reinert No On Party Endorsements; Larson Says ‘Show Up’

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth mayoral candidate Roger Reinert, who has been endorsed by the DFL party in previous political elections, is bypassing any political party endorsements for his run for mayor. Reinert made the announcement Monday through a video release. He said the office of mayor should be non-partisan and open to all political views. Reinert said he’s had nearly…

Coffee Conversation: Bike Duluth Festival 2023

DULUTH, Minn. — The 9th annual Bike Duluth Festival will return to Spirit Mountain this summer (2023) at an earlier date, July 7 – 9. The festival draws in hundreds of mountain bikers of all skill levels for three days of races, non-competitive ride events, bike and equipment demonstrations, and family activities. Bike Duluth Chairperson Jeremy Jeannette joined FOX21 on the…

Ex-Officer Thao Convicted Of Aiding George Floyd’s Killing

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A former Minneapolis police officer who held back bystanders while his colleagues restrained a dying George Floyd has been convicted of aiding and abetting manslaughter. Tou Thao, who already had been convicted in federal court of violating Floyd’s civil rights, was last of the four former officers facing judgment in state court in Floyd’s killing. He rejected a plea agreement and, instead of…

‘Unprovoked Attack’ At Moose Lake Sex Offender Program Leaves Staff Member Seriously Injured

MOOSE LAKE, Minn. – An “unprovoked attack” by a man committed to the Minnesota Sex Offender Program (MSOP) in Moose Lake on Monday left a staff member “seriously injured,” according to the Minnesota Department of Human Services. The call for help came in around 1:20 p.m. Carlton County sheriff’s deputies, Essentia Health Ambulance and Moose Lake fire personnel responded. The…

Shipping Mix-Up Sends 14 Lbs Of Pharmaceutical Powder To Grand Marais Family

GRAND MARAIS, Minn. (FOX 9) – Matt and Maria Conlan’s 11-year-old daughter was eager to try on some new outfits after ordering clothes online last week. But instead of fast fashion, the family received something much different at their home in Grand Marais. Inside the shipment, not clothes, but a drum containing nearly 14 pounds of white powder in plastic bags. “Somebody…

Duluth Native Curlers Secure Historic USA Gold Win Over Japan

DULUTH, Minn. – Two Duluth native curlers of Team USA have taken a historic gold win over Japan. Korey Dropkin, 27, and Corey Thiesse, 28, secured USA’s first mixed doubles curling world title Saturday in Gangneung, Korea. This is the same arena Team USA took home the gold in 2018. Team Coach Cathy Overton from Winnipeg and National Coach Phill…

Alborn Fire Chief Discusses Fatal Tanker Fire Response, Training

We’re learning more about that fatal fire fight involving a tanker that rolled Saturday in New Independence Township. The Alborn Fire Department was the lead agency and first on the scene. Fire Chief Jack Carlson told FOX 21 Sunday that the big rig was fully engulfed when his crews arrived on scene. The tanker spilled diesel and gasoline, according to…

Homegrown Music Festival Kicks Off For 25th Year

DULUTH, Minn. — Music is officially taking over Duluth for the 25th annual Homegrown Music Festival. Mayor Emily Larson kicked off the eight-day festival Sunday with a proclamation and toast at Hoops Brewing. Zeitgeist Teatro, Blacklist, Carmody Irish Pub and Pizza Luce are among the 36 venues supporting 171 sets through Sunday. There are dress-up themes every day. For more…

Arrest Made In Minneapolis Mosque Fires That Rattled Muslims

Fire crews at The Mercy Islamic Center in Minneapolis last Monday. (FOX 9) Minneapolis police have arrested a man suspected of setting two fires that damaged mosques in the city last week as part of what the police chief called “an attempt to inflict terror onto our Muslim community.” Police Chief Brian O’Hara announced the arrest of 36-year-old Jackie Rahm…