Midday Update 3-18-20
Join FOX 21's Brett Scott for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, March 18, 2020.
Latest Headlines
Minnesota Unemployment Claims Jump as COVID-19 Cases Rise to 77
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota saw a sharp jump in applications for unemployment insurance after Gov. Tim Walz ordered restaurants, bars, theaters, fitness clubs and other places of public amusement closed to…
Minnesota Salons, Spas Close Amid COVID-19 Crisis
(FOX 9) - In accordance with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's executive order, all salons and spas across the state are closed until March 27 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. According to the Minnesota Board of Cosmetology, all hair salons, nail…
Animal Allies Taking Precautionary Measures Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
DULUTH, Minn. - The COVID-19 pandemic is now impacting the animals up for adoption in the Northland. Animal Allies Humane Society in Duluth announced Wednesday morning on FOX 21 Local News that…
Miller Hill Mall Modifies Operating Hours Due to COVID-19
DULUTH, Minn. - The Miller Hill Mall is temporarily changing its operating hours amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The mall says the changes were made to support retailers and the community and are in accordance with CDC guidelines. Operating hours will now…
Emergency Steps Eyed to Help Wisconsin Deal With Outbreak
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gov. Tony Evers was expected to issue an executive order Wednesday to speed up unemployment benefits for workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic as he meets with legislative leaders to discuss a more far-reaching emergency plan…
Morning Update 3-18-20
Join FOX 21's Brett Scott and Meteorologist Brittney Merlot for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, March 18, 2020.
US, Canada to Close Borders to Nonessential Travel
TORONTO (AP) — The U.S. and Canada have agreed to temporarily close their shared border to nonessential travel, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday as the two nations work to stem the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Trump made the announcement…
Judge Backs Minnesota’s Twin Metal Mines in Lease Dispute
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A federal judge on Tuesday rejected a challenge by environmental groups against the proposed Twin Metals copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota, saying the Interior Department had the authority to reverse itself and renew the project’s federal mineral…
Grandma's Marathon Still on for June, Officials Discussing Further Action
DULUTH, Minn.- Grandma's Marathon has not decided yet if the race of more than 9,000 runners will be cancelled because of the Coronavirus. Race officials told us they are right now discussing whether they…
Gov. Evers Shocks Bar, Restaurant Owners with Sudden Statewide Closure
SUPERIOR, Wis.- Wisconsin business owners had just three hours to get ready for a 5 p.m. hard shutdown of bars and restaurants ordered from the very top in Madison. "We all thought it…
Great Outdoors: Northlanders Enjoy The Sun
DULUTH, Minn. - "Spend a couple days up here in Duluth and enjoy the surrounding area," Champlin Resident, Jared Galligan says. That's just what Jared Galligan and his family were able to…
Instructors Get Creative as Colleges Move to All-Online Classes
CARLTON COUNTY, Minn. - Colleges and universities are switching to all-online classes as the coronavirus spreads. That can be a big challenge for teachers who have to change their curriculum to fit the current…
Arrowhead Regional Arts Council Offers Grant for Artists Impacted by Cancellations
DULUTH, Minn. - Artists could face dire situations in the coming months as performances and art shows are being cancelled across the world. The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council now has a grant to help…
Minnesota Businesses Shut Down Due to Coronavirus
DULUTH, Minn.-- Governor Walz laid out his plan for Minnesota businesses to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus. On Tuesday, that plan was put into action. The new measures taken by the…
Essentia Health Postpones Routine Appointments, Elective Procedures
DULUTH, Minn.-Essentia Health is postponing all routine appointments and elective procedures for two weeks, beginning Wednesday. The decision affects appointments and elective procedures scheduled at any Essentia hospital or clinic from March 18 to April 1. Decisions about appointments and…
Salvation Army Provides Box Lunches to Area Residents
DULUTH, Minn. - Instead of hosting lunch in a room with several dozen other people, the Salvation Army is now providing box lunches for area residents that they can now take on the go.…
Duluth Loves Local Group Helps Local Businesses Amidst Coronavirus
DULUTH, Minn. - The group Duluth Loves Local is helping city businesses stay afloat during coronavirus-related closures combat by letting them advertise on their Instagram page for free. Leaders from the group say…
A Duluth Bar Is Doing "St. Patrick's Day To-Go"
DULUTH, Minn. - Bars and restaurants are now closed to dine-in customers after being ordered to do so by Governor Walz on Monday. That's not stopping a Duluth bar from taking a new…
Coronavirus Impacts on Local Real Estate
TWIN PORTS - The mass closures due to the coronavirus have not dampened the housing market in the Northland, according to real estate agents. Experts are calling it a seller's market in this area,…
Donations Help Feed Students With Food Insecurities During Covid-19 School Closures
DULUTH, Minn - With schools being mandated to close during the Coronavirus pandemic, it brings into question the potential limited access to food for many people dealing with food insecurities. Piedmont Elementary in Duluth…
Latest Worldwide Coronavirus Numbers: Approximately 196,000 Cases, more than 7,000 Deaths
According to the Johns Hopkins University & Health Center Coronavirus Resource Center, there are 196,640 confirmed cases of the coronavirus worldwide as of Tuesday afternoon. Other worldwide confirmed coronavirus numbers include 80,840 recoveries, and 7,893 deaths. The United States has…
Free Breakfast, Lunch Available to Duluth Students Starting Wednesday
DULUTH, Minn. – Free breakfast and lunch will be made available to Duluth students starting Wednesday, March 18. According to a press release from ISD 709, Duluth public schools will have free breakfast and lunches available to Duluth students 18…
Duluth Mayor Declares Local Emergency
DULUTH, Minn. – Mayor Emily Larson has declared a local emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The City says this declaration will allow the mayor and the City’s emergency manager to request and coordinate aide and resources from surrounding…
Evers Orders Bars, Restaurants to Close, Limits Gatherings
MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has ordered a statewide ban on all gatherings of more than 10 people as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, and closed all bars and restaurants,…
DTA Announces Service Reductions in Response to COVID-19 Concerns
UPDATE: The DTA, under the guidance of the Board of Directors and Senior Management, has made the decision to begin offering free bus service on all of our routes beginning Wednesday. "This decision comes in a response to our evaluation…
Black Bear Casino, Fond-du-Luth to Temporarily Close in Response to COVID-19
FOND DU LAC RESERVATION, Minn. – The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa announced on Tuesday that they will be temporarily closing the Black Bear Casino and Resort in Carlton as well as the Fond-du-Luth Casino in downtown…
Midday Update 3-17-20
Join FOX 21's Brett Scott for a local look at news and weather making headlines Tuesday, March 17, 2020.
Health Officials Confirm 60 Cases of COVID-19 in Minnesota, 47 in Wisconsin
(FOX 9) - Minnesota now has 60 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in the state, according to state health officials. On Tuesday, the Minnesota Department of Health announced that the state now has 60 cases of COVID-19, with 2,336 people tested. The…
Mall of America Closing Until March 31 Amid Coronavirus Outbreak
(FOX 9) - The Mall of America will close due to the COVID-19 pandemic, officials announced Tuesday. According to a release, the mall will close temporarily at 5 p.m. March 17 through at least March 31. "Our top priority at Mall of…
