Minnesota

Grandma’s Marathon Security Preparations

DULUTH, MINN. — Grandma’s Marathon is just two months away and that means more planning is happening. Friday, more than 15 agencies including the police and fire departments, public works, ham radio operators, homeland security, and even the Coast Guard got together to review and improve security plans for the race. On the morning of June, 17 runners will set…

Man Charged in Duluth Cab Driver Robbery

Police recognized his face in Superior surveillance video

DULUTH, Minn. — A 19-year-old man was charged Friday for allegedly robbing a cab driver at gunpoint in Duluth. The criminal complaint says the man is Jaquiel Joseph Omiga. He appeared in court Friday morning. He is charged with aggravated, first-degree robbery, and threats of violence with a reckless disregard of the risk. He turned 19 this week. The criminal…

Cub Foods Workers Reach Tentative Agreement Ahead Of Holiday Weekend Strike

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (FOX 9) – Cub Foods employees reached an agreement ahead of a looming strike that would have affected dozens of stores on a busy holiday weekend. Workers at 33 corporate-owned stores planned on striking Friday and Saturday beginning at 5:30 a.m. over alleged unfair labor practices and working without a contract since March. But, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Union…

Vikre Distillery Breaks Down the Non-Alcohol Cocktail Trend

DULUTH, Minn. — Non-alcohol cocktails are making their way more and more into the booze industry, as places like Vikre Distillery offer a range of “zero-proof” drinks with all the flavor and artisanship of a classic cocktail. Owner Emily Vikre joined FOX21 on the morning newscast Friday morning to talk about why she finds it important to offer non-alcohol concoctions…

Grocery Workers Union Declares Strike Over Wages, Employee Protections

(FOX 9) – Union member workers have officially declared they will strike at more than 30 grocery store locations throughout the Twin Cities. “We voted today to stand up and be heard, and to strike,” workers said in a unified statement announcing the strike on its official Facebook page Tuesday. Following the formal vote by United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 663…

City Of Duluth Provides Winter Storm Update

DULUTH, Minn. — The City of Duluth shared an update Tuesday afternoon on the winter storm passing through the Northland. City of Duluth staff are monitoring storm forecasts provided by NWS Duluth today. The National Weather Service in Duluth is forecasting a Winter Storm Warning for northeast Minnesota that will bring messy conditions, with the potential for heavy snow, freezing…

Protest Over Duluth Apartment Building’s Partial Hotel Changes While Management Gives New Insight

DULUTH, Minn. – People protested Monday outside a one-year-old housing development in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. The protesters said they don’t want to see one floor of the building converted into boutique hotel units. Lincoln Park Flats on West Superior Street is owned by P&R Properties. Company officials told FOX 21 Monday that turning the second floor into 24 short-term…

Minnesota Gun Ruling Is Latest Citing Supreme Court Decision

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A federal court ruling that a Minnesota law prohibiting 18-to-20-year-olds from obtaining permits to carry handguns in public is unconstitutional remained on hold Monday while the state pursues a potential appeal. A reluctant U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez struck down the state law on Friday, citing a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision on gun rights last year….

University Of Minnesota President Joan Gabel Leaving To Take Job With Pitt

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – After slightly less than four years on the job, Joan Gabel is leaving her role as President of the University of Minnesota to become chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh. Her track record at the University of Minnesota has drawn praise and scrutiny. She steered the U through the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the racial reckoning following…

Biden To Push Clean Energy, Economic Agenda In Minneapolis

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — President Joe Biden is set to tour a clean energy technology manufacturer in suburban Minneapolis on Monday as part of his effort to highlight his investment agenda ahead of an expected reelection campaign. Biden plans to highlight job growth and investments nationwide while pushing clean energy and manufacturing in the U.S. during his visit to engine maker Cummins…

Striking Bullseye at the 2023 MSAA Indoor Tournament

CARLTON, Minn. — “You get up to the line. Anxiety sets in. You start shaking and you got to overcome those nerves,” said the Intramural President of the Minnesota State Archery Association Paul Parsons. “It’s a very disciplined sport.” In 1939, the Minnesota State Archery Association started bringing together a strong community of archers. And hundreds of those with the…

11-Year-Old Sales Whiz Makes the Register Ring

DULUTH, MINN.  –Whenever you attend a show such as the Arrowhead Home and Builders show, you will undoubtedly run into some sharp salespeople. That is the case this year as well at the Home show, but the talk of the show is a young lady selling marshmallows. “Would you guys like to try some Minnesota Marshmallows? You won’t regret it,…

Family Free Day at Lake Superior Railroad Museum

DULUTH, Minn. — The Lake Superior Railroad Museum is celebrating its 50 anniversary this year and to celebrate they re-introduced Family Free Day. The museum partnered with Every Child Ready Duluth to fill the great hall will vendors, crafts, and even face painting. The trains and train displays on the lower level were very popular with both the children and…

Egg-Splosion in Lincoln Park

DULUTH, Minn. — It may not look like it, but spring is, officially here and Easter is right around the corner. Lincoln park hosted a Easter celebration at the Harrison Community Center Saturday. The Easter event welcomed community members to have fun with games and crafts. It would have been the 10th year for the event if it had not…

April is Distracted Driving Month

DULUTH, MINN. — Since 2019, Minnesota has had a hands-free law in place for driving. The law is designed to keep people from being distracted while driving. Yet, in 2022 distracted drivers caused at least 126 injuries and 22 deaths.  Today, the Department of Public Safety and the Minnesota State Patrol kicked off Distracted Driving Enforcement and Awareness Month. Although…

Duluth Mayor, CAO Release Statements About ‘Lincoln Park Flats’ Partial Changes To Hotel Units

DULUTH, Minn. –  Duluth Mayor Emily Larson and Chief Administrative Office Noah Schuchman released joint statements late Friday involving a newly built apartment building in Lincoln Park that could potentially be changing a floor to boutique hotel units, which the city said was not what was originally presented for development. Statement from CAO Schuchman: “The City of Duluth and DEDA are…

Minneapolis Leaders Approve Agreement To Revamp Policing

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minneapolis City Council on Friday approved an agreement with the state to revamp policing, nearly three years after a city officer killed George Floyd. The state Department of Human Rights issued a blistering report last year that said the police department had engaged in a pattern of race discrimination for at least a decade. City leaders subsequently…

Deer River Woman Sentenced To 36 Years In Prison For Murder And Arson

ITASCA COUNTY, Minn. — A woman from Deer River has been convicted and sentenced to 36 years in prison for Second Degree Intentional Murder and First Degree Arson. This is according to the Itasca County Attorney’s Office. Crystal Marie Wilson, 42-years-old, stabbed a man to death and later set his camper on fire last July in Ball Club, Minnesota. According…

Train Derails, Starts On Fire In Western Minnesota; Area Evacuated

RAYMOND, Minn. (FOX 9) – More than a dozen rail cars on a BNSF train derailed near Raymond, Minnesota, early Thursday, with several derailed tankers starting on fire. BNSF told FOX 9 approximately 22 rail cars derailed at 1:02 a.m. The Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office says the train was carrying ethanol and corn syrup liquid. Numerous rail cars were engulfed in flames,…

National Legislation Would Ensure Firefighters’ Cancer Deaths are Treated as Line-Of-Duty Deaths

DULUTH, Minn. — There’s legislation at the federal level called the Honoring our Fallen Heroes Act that would expand line-of-duty deaths to include firefighters who have died from cancer. That means families of those who have died from the disease would receive the benefits of a line-of-duty death. The legislation is being co-sponsored by Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar and North…

Northern Lights Express Funding Closer Than Ever At MN Capitol

DULUTH, Minn. — The idea of a passenger rail service from the Twin Ports to Minneapolis has gained its best steam yet at the Minnesota Capitol. On Wednesday, the House Transportation Committee set aside full funding for the Northern Lights Express in its omnibus bill. The amount is $194,300,000, which is the state’s 20-percent share of the project. The remaining…

Former Duluth Councilor Speaks Out Against ‘Lincoln Park Flats’ Partial Hotel Conversion

DULUTH, MINN. — Former Duluth city councilor Joel Sipress says the news that P&R Properties plans to convert 24 rental units into hotel rooms at Lincoln Park Flats did not please him. “I voted for this with every expectation that what the development agreement called for is what would happen. And I am very disappointed and in fact, appalled that…

MN Film Festival to Feature Actress/Comedian Mary Lynn Rajskub

DULUTH, Minn. — The Minnesota Film Festival to feature popular actress and comedian, Mary Lynn Rajskub, at Zeitgeist in Duluth. Rajskub, who you may know from “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” and “24,” joined FOX21 on the morning show to talk about her role in a local film along with her comedy show at the festival. The actress stars in…

MN Film Festival Kicks Off With Duluth Screenwriter’s Film With The Late Bob Saget

DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Film Festival opens Wednesday at Zeitgeist in downtown Duluth featuring independent films from our region and even around the world. On the FOX 21 morning show Tuesday, Duluth screenwriter Matthew Dressel gave us the lowdown on the festival and the festival’s opening film “Daniel’s Gotta Die,” which Dressel is the screenwriter for. The film features…

Vaping Trial: Juul, Altria Sued By Minnesota AG Over Youth Usage Epidemic

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Claiming the companies played large roles in propelling the vaping epidemic among the nation’s youth today, the trial of vape manufacturer Juul and tobacco marketer Altria, brought by the Minnesota Attorney General, is set to begin. One of 13 states that have sued the company since 2019, Minnesota will be the first case against Juul to go to…

Vista Fleet Ready To Set Sail For 2023 Season

DULUTH, Minn. — Vista Fleet, a local sightseeing and dinner cruise company in Duluth, is getting ready to set sail for their 2023 season. Crews have been working all winter long to plan their cruises for spring and summer with the season starting May 5. Vista offers regular sightseeing and dining cruises along with ones for special occasions, such as…

Study Of Potential Changes To I-35 In Downtown Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — There has been some discussion about possible changes in how the interstate goes through downtown Duluth. Now the University of Minnesota Duluth has added to the conversation. A study concludes that freeing up land for other uses could infuse between $500 million to over $4 billion to Duluth’s economy. The potential economic effects have been studied by…

Coffee Conversation: Minnesota Film Festival Starts Wednesday

DULUTH, Minn. — Minnesota Film Festival is starting Wednesday at Zeitgeist in Duluth. A feature film from Duluth screenwriter Matthew Dressel with its Always Sunny in Philadelphia actress, Mary Lynn Rajskub in attendance will be played to kick off the event. The feature film is called Daniel’s Gotta Die and includes actor Bob Saget from Full House who passed away…

Juice Pharm Celebrates 3rd Anniversary

DULUTH, Minn. — A downtown Duluth business celebrated its 3rd anniversary Sunday. The Juice Pharm on 1st Street threw a party for the occasion, and everyone was welcome. The band, “Multigrade” played some tunes, while guests could grab a birthday cake smoothie from the Juice Pharm and so some shopping with the local vendors who stopped by. The Juice Pharm…

UPDATE: Duluth Missing Man Found Safely

UPDATE (March 27, 9:35 a.m.) — Duluth Police say that missing 23-year-old Joe Benjamin has been found safely on Monday. ORIGINAL POST:  DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Police Department is asking for the public’s help in finding a missing man. 23-year-old Joe Benjamin was last seen Sunday night in the East Hillside/Chester Creek area wearing a blue sweatshirt, blue undershirt,…

Turtle Story Time at Zenith Bookstore

  DULUTH, Minn. — It was story time at the Zenith Bookstore in West Duluth, kids gathered for a reading of a book about a turtle, then got to meet a very special guest. Sacred Serpents is a non-profit organization centered on breeding and the preservation of pythons. Founder Sarah Glesner read a book calley Mossy by Jan Brett to…

Duluth Jigsaw Puzzle Contest

DULUTH, Minn. — Hundreds of jigsaw puzzlers filled the great hall of the Duluth Depot this weekend. Each person was there to complete the goal finishing a 500 piece puzzle in the least amount of time with their team. The puzzle aficionados gathered from all across Minnesota, neighboring states, and some from even further. “The best thing about jigsaw puzzling that’s…

I-35 Closure Leads to Many Delays

DULUTH, MINN.  — Interstate 35 is closed this weekend through 6 PM Sunday. If you were trying to get somewhere today and you usually used I-35, you learned that first hand. There were traffic jams heading south on I-35 as cars backed up for quite a ways on the highway as they waited to get off to Michigan Street. They…

Much of Miller Hill Mall Now Open

  DULUTH, MINN — It’s been eleven days since the roof at Miller Hill collapsed in the area of Caribou Coffee. Most of the stores in the mall were closed for at least a week. Saturday it’s quite a different story….at least 50 of the stores are now open according to the Mall’s Facebook page. People were seen going into…

UMD Hosts First Medication Take Back Event

DULUTH, Minn. — UMD hosted its first Medication Take Back event Friday to spread awareness on how to properly dispose of your unused or expired meds. Often when people throw away their medications improperly there are harmful effects that can happen. That’s why the UMD Police Department teamed up with business school students to host this event. During the event…