Midday Update 5-8-20
Join FOX 21's Brett Scott and Meteorologist William Seay for a local look at news and weather making headlines Friday, May 8, 2020.
Latest Headlines
Corrections: Nearly 1,600 Inmates Released Due to COVID-19
MADISON, WI (AP) -- The Wisconsin Department of Corrections says it's released nearly 1,600 inmates since March to help reduce the possibility of spreading the coronavirus. Corrections spokeswoman Anna Neal says most of the inmates released since March 2 had…
Minnesota Bans Large, In-Person Graduation Ceremonies for Class of 2020 Amid Pandemic
(FOX 9) - Minnesota education and health officials are banning large, in-person graduation ceremonies for the class of 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, saying the safest way for schools to celebrate is for everyone to stay home. Officials released public health guidance…
Morning Update 5-8-20
Join FOX 21's Brett Scott and Meteorologist William Seay for a local look at news and weather making headlines Friday, May 8, 2020.
Walz Outlines Virus ‘Battle Plan’ at Minnesota Nursing Homes
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz outlined a “battle plan” Thursday to keep Minnesota long-term care residents and workers safe against COVID-19, which so far has claimed the lives of…
Duluth Hospitals Confident Elective Surgeries Can Go On 'Safely'
DULUTH, Minn. - Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is allowing elective surgical procedures to start again on Monday, May 11 after hospitals take preventative measures to ensure continued safety. Before surgical dates, both St. Luke's and…
Security Officer Films Encounter with Black Bear Lounging at Miller Hill Mall
DULUTH, Minn. - Miller Hill Mall had an unexpected guest last night when a black bear decided to lounge at one of the entrances. Security officer Ryan Carlson watched the bear walk…
Grandma's Restaurant Co. President Says Weekend Nightclub Scene at Sports Garden Likely Over; More Changes Expected at Other Restaurants
DULUTH, Minn. - Grandma's Restaurant Company has big changes coming its way with how the company operates says, president Brian Daugherty. One of the changes will affect operations at Grandma's Sports Garden as well.…
Grand Itasca Hospital Loses Revenue During Coronavirus Pandemic
GRAND RAPIDS, Minn.-- As of today, there are 24 cases of Coronavirus in Itasca County and local healthcare providers are working to contain the spread in the area. Even though Grand Itasca Clinic…
Temporary Drive-Thru Site Offers Coronavirus Testing in Ashland
ASHLAND, Wis. - Temporary coronavirus testing sites are popping up in northern Wisconsin. As of May 7th, more than 9,200 people have tested positive for COVID-19 across Wisconsin. But in Ashland, Bayfield, and Iron…
The "No Poop Fairy" Returns To Give People A Reminder To Pick Up After Their Pets
DULUTH, Minn. - The "No Poop Fairy" has returned. The unmagical being visited Hartley Nature Center in Duluth to remind residents to do their "civic dooty" of picking up after their pets. Last year,…
UMD Receives Grant To Examine Climate Change Around The Great Lakes
DULUTH, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Duluth recently received a grant for half a million dollars to look more into how climate-driven disturbances are impacting the Great Lakes including lake superior. For the next…
Officials: Northland Likely to See a 'Wave' Rather Than 'Surge' in COVID-19 Patients
DULUTH, Minn. - With strict social distancing measures in place, local health experts now believe the Northland will likely not see a surge in COVID-19 patients, but rather a wave or the occasional spike…
Fond Du Lac Reservation Seeking PPE Donations
CLOQUET, Minn. - The Fond Du Lac Reservation is seeking donations of personal protective equipment. The Reservation has been screening people entering the tribal center for well over a month. Now, the…
Businesses Prepare for Mother's Day
DULUTH, Minn. - Both Sam's Florist and Greenhouses along with Boat Club Restaurant are still preparing for Mother's Day, even with the coronavirus' impact on the Northland. For Sam's Florist and Greenhouses, the shop…
New App Makes Shopping Easier on Iron Range
VIRGINIA, Minn. - Technology is a way for businesses to get their word out to the public. The Laurentian Chamber of Commerce put together a new app called “Shop the Range,” which is…
Vet Clinics Expand Procedures
DULUTH, Minn. - Restrictions are about to be lifted for veterinarian clinics all across the state of Minnesota. Starting on Monday, vet clinics like Dougherty in Duluth will be able to see routine patients for…
Minnesota Company to Close North Dakota Coal-fired Plant
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The company that operates the largest coal-fired power plant in North Dakota announced Thursday it will close the factory and replace most of its energy with new wind farms in Minnesota. Maple Grove, Minnesota-based Great River…
Trump Administration Buries Detailed CDC Advice on Reopening
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Trump administration shelved a document created by the nation’s top disease investigators with step-by-step advice to local authorities on how and when to reopen restaurants and other…
Wisconsin Unemployment Fund Could be Depleted in Five Months
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republicans in more rural parts of Wisconsin joined with business owners to push for a regional reopening plan Thursday to give the economy a boost, as the Department of Workforce Development warned that the state fund…
Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Thursday, May 7
ST. PAUL, Minn. - Minnesota health officials reported 9,365 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Thursday morning and 28 new deaths bringing the death total to 508 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 97,421 tests have…
Two More Employees Test Positive for COVID-19 at USG Plant in Cloquet
CLOQUET, Minn. - Two more employees have tested positive for COVID-19 at the USG plant in Cloquet, according to a USG spokesperson. The company has now had a total of three positive cases at the plant. The first employee tested…
Midday Update 5-7-20
Join FOX 21's Brett Scott and Meteorologist William Seay for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, May 7, 2020.
Cross Orders UW Campuses to Prioritize Courses, Prepare for Layoffs
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — University of Wisconsin System President Ray Cross directed campuses Thursday to quickly identify signature programs to retain and brace for layoffs as the coronavirus pandemic deepens the system’s financial losses. Cross said he wants campuses to…
Fire Crews Battle Lakeside Home Fire Wednesday Night
DULUTH, Minn. - A home in Lakeside sustained heavy damage after a fire broke out Wednesday night. According to the Duluth Fire Department, crews responded to a kitchen fire at 4617 Oneida Street around 11:46 p.m. Thursday. Authorities say one…
Classic Cocktail Recipes with a Spring Twist
DULUTH, Minn. - Spring has sprung in the Northland, and with it comes a refreshing twist on classic cocktail recipes. Meteorologist William Seay has many years as a mixologist under his…
Minnesotans Urged to Fish Close to Home to Slow COVID-19
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesotans should fish close to home to help curb the coronavirus pandemic when the walleye season opens this weekend, avoiding overnight stays and driving no further than they can go on one tank of gas, Department of…
33 Million Have Sought US Unemployment Aid Since Virus Hit
WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly 3.2 million laid-off workers applied for unemployment benefits last week as the business shutdowns caused by the viral outbreak deepened the worst U.S. economic catastrophe in decades. Roughly 33.5 million people have now filed for jobless…
Eagan’s Mayor Pleads Guilty to Drunken Driving
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Eagan’s mayor is finally talking about his decision to drink and drive. At the end of a virtual City Council meeting Tuesday, Mayor Mike Maguire said he had pleaded guilty to driving while impaired earlier in…
