Minnesota

Minnesota Sets New Daily Record for COVID-19 Cases, Deaths

(FOX 9/FOX 21) – Minnesota saw its highest number of COVID-19 cases and deaths reported in a single day Friday with 5,454 new cases and 36 deaths, according to the latest data from the state health department. The Minnesota Department of Health reports the state has now recorded 170,305 cases of COVID-19 and 2,591 deaths attributed to the disease since the onset of…

2nd Polymet Permit Complaint Reaches Minnesota Supreme Court

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Lawyers for the proposed PolyMet Mining Corp.’s copper-nickel mine were back in front of the Minnesota Supreme Court for the second time in a month, arguing Thursday about an air pollution permit granted by state regulators. It’s the second dispute over the embattled $1 billion mine project that the state’s highest court is considering. Both cases involve canceled permits…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Friday, November 6

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 170,307 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Friday morning and 36 new deaths bringing the death total to 2,591 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 3,029,108 tests have been completed to date. There are 139,190 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 11,193 patients have required hospitalization…

Duluth Emergency Warming Center to Change Locations

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth announced on Friday morning that the emergency warming center, currently located at 5830 Grand Avenue, will be changing locations. The Duluth Housing and Redevelopment Authority will now be hosting the warming center site in the Rainbow Center at Tri-Trowers located at 211 North 3rd Avenue East. The Duluth Housing and Redevelopment Authority says…

Duluth Police ‘Experiencing Impacts of COVID-19,’ But City Won’t Say Total Cases

DULUTH, Minn. – The city of Duluth would not confirm how many officers or staff members with the Duluth Police Department were off the beat Thursday with COVID-19 after a press release was sent out that said the department is “experiencing impacts of COVID-19.” “We respect our employees right to privacy and all disclosures are voluntary.  Therefore, we will not…

Some Long Term Care And Assisted Living Facilities Are In Need Of Workers

DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is requesting help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He wants FEMA to support the needs of long-term care and similar facilities in the state suffering from staffing shortages. There are hundreds of long term care facilities right here in the Northland. As COVID-19 lingers, one of their biggest challenges is having enough…

Increase in COVID-19 Hospitilizations Prompts St. Luke’s to Reschedule Some Overnight Stay Surgeries

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Luke’s hospital says they have started rescheduling some elective surgeries that require overnight stays to help free-up hospital beds and staff at the facility. The move comes as the hospital says they are seeing a “significant increase in patients needing hospitalization” due to COVID-19. “The COVID-19 community infection rates continue to rise throughout the region and…

Keewatin Taconite Plans to Restart Plant, Bring Back Workers

KEEWATIN, Minn. (AP) — U.S. Steel plans to bring back hundreds of workers at the Keewatin Taconite plant in northern Minnesota that was shut down in May due to a drop in demand for iron and steel during the coronavirus pandemic, officials said Thursday. Dan Pierce, United Steelworkers union president for Keetac, said the company plans to begin recalling union…

Gov. Walz Signs Executive Order on the Safe Learning Plan

(John Autey/Pioneer Press via AP,Pool) ST. PAUL, Minn. – On Thursday, Governor Tim Walz signed Executive Order 20-94, which makes adjustments to the Safe Learning Plan originally outlined in Executive Order 20-82. Walz says the order aims to support students, families, and educators in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Executive Order 20-94 provides clarity around: Who qualifies for no-cost…

Minnesota Virus Cases Reach Record High for 3rd-Straight Day

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Department of Health reported 3,956 new coronavirus cases and 25 deaths on Thursday, breaking the single-day record for new cases for the third straight day. Minnesota has seen explosive case growth in the past week after a steady increase since mid-September. State health officials said Wednesday that the northwestern and central regions of the state…

Auditor’s Service Center at Miller Hill Mall Temporarily Closed Nov. 11-15

The Closure is in Preparation for a Statewide Launch of MNDRIVE System

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Louis County residents looking to renew driver’s license or deal with motor vehicle services will not be able to do so at the Auditor’s Service Center at the Miller Hill Mall from November 11-15. The closure is in preparation for the statewide launch of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services’ new MNDRIVE…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Thursday, November 5

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 164,865 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Thursday morning and 25 new deaths bringing the death total to 2,555 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 2,984,331 tests have been completed to date. There are 137,824 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 11,016 patients have required hospitalization…

646 People Arrested for Marching Onto I-94 in Minneapolis

(Leila Navidi/Star Tribune via AP) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Law enforcement officers arrested more than 600 demonstrators who marched onto an interstate in Minneapolis Wednesday night protesting President Donald Trump’s threats to challenge the results of Tuesday’s unsettled election, as well as a variety of social injustices. Officers in riot gear surrounded the crowd and ordered them to sit on the…

Judge Declines to Move Trial of Officers in Floyd’s Death

(Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office via AP) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A judge on Thursday declined defense requests to move the trial of four Minneapolis police officers charged in George Floyd’s death, and also ruled that all four would be tried in a single proceeding. Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill ruled after defense attorneys had argued that pretrial publicity had made it…

Voters React To Unknown Presidency Results

DULUTH, Minn.- Election day has come and gone, but results for the president has yet to be determined. Fox 21 caught up with some Northlanders to find out how they are feeling about the unknown presidency results. With ballots still being counted in a handful of states, some Northlanders say they are becoming anxious not knowing the results. “It looks…

Visit Duluth Gets 100k To Help Promote Winter Tourism

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Economic Development Authority is extending a lifeline to Visit Duluth to help the organization promote winter tourism in the area. Last week DEDA awarded Visit Duluth $100,000 after the group requested help. Visit Duluth is like many organizations hit hard by the pandemic and could not afford to promote tourism on their limited budget. The…

This Presidential Elections Sees Increased Voter Turnout

Some precincts in the City of Duluth had 90% or higher voter turnout.

DULUTH, Minn. – This year’s presidential election broke barriers as many more people voted than usual. About 80% of registered voters in the City of Duluth cast ballots in this year’s election. That is a significantly larger turnout compared to the 2016 presidential race. Another big takeaway from this year’s election is some precincts in the City of Duluth had…

Saliva Testing at the DECC now Open to Wisconsin Residents

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Louis County officials announced on Wednesday afternoon that the COVID-19 saliva testing site at the DECC is now available to Wisconsin residents. The free COVID-19 saliva testing site first opened to Minnesota residents in September. The site is open Wednesday through Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to…

Trump Sues for Michigan Ballot Access, Asks Wis. Recount

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump campaign filed a lawsuit Wednesday in Michigan state court demanding access to locations where ballots are being counted in one of the undecided states that could determine whether President Donald Trump gets another four years in the White House. The campaign said it is calling for a temporary halt in the counting until it is…

Lake Superior Zoo Temporarily Closed Due to COVID-19

DULUTH, Minn. – The Lake Superior Zoo announced on Tuesday that it will be temporarily closed due to a staff member that has tested positive for COVID-19. “We will be temporarily closing the Zoo to the public while our buildings are fully sanitized and deep-cleaned. We have conducted a contact-tracing investigation and any staff that was in CDC-defined close contact…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Wednesday, November 4

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 160,923 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Wednesday morning and 31 new deaths bringing the death total to 2,530 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 2,949,591 tests have been completed to date. There are 136,457 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 10,849 patients have required hospitalization…

What’s Next? UMD Political Science Professor Details Days Ahead in Election 2020

Dr. Cynthia Rugeley is the Associate Professor and Department Head of Political Science at UMD

DULUTH, Minn. – Many Americans woke up Wednesday morning wondering what comes next in the race for the White House. Ballots are still being counted in a handful of key states, including Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, and North Carolina among others. Dr. Cynthia Rugeley is the Associate Professor and Department Head of Political Science at UMD. She joined…

Voter Turnout Unprecedented in City, County Clerks Say

St. Louis County Officials say more than 54,000 absentee ballots have come in this year, a huge jump from the roughly 16,000 in 2016.

DULUTH, Minn.- According to officials nearly 8,000 more residents in St. Louis County registered to vote this year than during the 2016 Presidential Election, and the City of Duluth also smashing records when it comes to absentee ballots and turnout. City and county officials told FOX 21 the influx of absentee ballots this year have been unprecedented. While that has…

Deputy Auditor: 7,953 New Registered Voters in St. Louis County for Election 2020

Phil Chapman, St. Louis County Deputy Auditor, Says a Record Amount of Absentee Ballots Have Been Received in 2020

DULUTH, Minn. – According to Phil Champan, St. Louis County Deputy Auditor, nearly 8,000 more residents in St. Louis County registered to vote in 2020 than during the 2016 presidential election. Chapman says polling places have been well equipped with personal protective equipment thanks to help from the Secretary of State’s Office in Minnesota. Chapman tells FOX 21 Local News…

Authorities Ask for Public’s Help Locating Missing Teen Possibly in Duluth Area

DULUTH, Minn. – Authorities in Stearns County are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing teen. The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office says 16-year-old Mackenzie Rose Langner left her Duluth foster care placement without her cell phone on October 31 around 2:00 p.m. and has not been heard from since. Authorities say the teen goes by “Kenzie” and is…

Saint Scholastica Physical Therapy Students Dealing with Hybrid Learning

Members of the Physical Therapy program say, the communication between both students and faculty has never been better.

DULUTH, Minn. – “We really have a holistic approach and learn about the whole body so we can treat the person as a whole throughout physical therapy,” Second Year Graduate Student, Mackenzie Davidge says. The rigorous physical therapy program at Saint Scholastica normally has 48 students in a group. This year, they have split those students into two separate classes….

Positivity Rate for COVID-19 Climbs to 9% in Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The positivity rate for coronavirus tests increased to 9% Tuesday in Minnesota, after previously hovering around 5%, an unwelcome sign that the disease is spreading rapidly in the state. The Minnesota Department of Health reported 3,483 new positive cases and 15 additional deaths compared to Monday. A total of 157,096 people have been infected with COVID-19 in…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Tuesday, November 3

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 157,096 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Tuesday morning and 15 new deaths bringing the death total to 2,499 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 2,916,431 tests have been completed to date. There are 134,227 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 10,647 patients have required hospitalization…

2020 Election Day Voting Guide

Polls open Tuesday at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m. Not sure if you are registered?: Minnesota – CLICK HERE Wisconsin – CLICK HERE Michigan – CLICK HERE Where do I vote?: Minnesota – CLICK HERE Wisconsin – CLICK HERE Michigan – CLICK HERE Help! I didn’t register in advance: You’re in luck! Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan allow same-day…

Knowing Your Neighbors: New Salon Aims to Bring Black Haircare, Heritage to Duluth

"Our hair is a part of who we are," said owner Denisa Ford-Washington

DULUTH, Minn.- A new salon in Duluth’s Central Hillside Neighborhood is catering to African American hair types, which they see as underrepresented in Northland haircare. “Our hair is a part of who we are,” said owner Denisa Ford-Washington. “And without it I just feel like there’s a whole side of us that isn’t there.” Ford-Washington opened up Natural Braiding and…

Unsafe Structure of Kozy Prolongs Investigation into Cause of Latest Fire, Chief Says

Chief Krizaj said a natural spark like lightning isn't suspected, and no electricity or people were found inside.

DULUTH, Minn.- Duluth’s Fire Chief spoke out Monday involving Sunday’s fire, once again at the condemned former Kozy building in Downtown Duluth — with the cause still under investigation. According to the Chief, the fire broke out around 9:50 Sunday morning, on the second floor above the bar. The flames were put out around three in the afternoon. “We got…

Home Struck 8 Times During Drive-by Shooting in Duluth’s Piedmont Neighborhood

This is the 32nd shooting in Duluth so far this year compared to 22 in 2019.

DULUTH, Minn. – Another shooting has happened in Duluth – the 32nd so far this year compared to 22 last year. It was a drive-by shooting around 11:30 p.m. Sunday involving a home in the Piedmont neighborhood – just one block from Piedmont Elementary School, according to a press release. Nearby surveillance video obtained by FOX 21 shows the vehicle…

“Moms Demand Action” Group Promotes Voting; Supports Candidates Who Will Fight Gun Violence

DULUTH, Minn. — The organization “Moms Demand Action For Gun Sense in America,” which promotes gun violence prevention and gun safety, is getting the word out about voting in the Northland and beyond. The organization was formed nationally after the Sandy Hook school shooting in 2012. The group defines itself as nonpartisan and supports political candidates on either side of…

Voters Line Up Outside Duluth City Hall To Cast Ballot

DULUTH, Minn. – There are less than 24 hours left until election day. Nearly 50% of registered voters in the City of Duluth have already returned their ballots. This adds up to a little over 24,000 mail-in votes from Duluth residents, which city officials say is unprecedented compared to previous presidential elections. On Monday, voters took advantage of the warmer…

Thanksgiving Burrito Returns To Burrito Union

DULUTH, Minn. – The wait is finally over. The Thanksgiving burrito returns for the holidays at Burrito Union. The legendary burrito is packed with all your Thanksgiving favorites including roasted turkey, corn, stuffing, and mashed potatoes. It also comes with a side of gravy and cranberry salsa. The manager says every year the burrito is a hit. “It’s always an…

Supreme Court Denial Keeps Mask Mandate at Minnesota Polls

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A requirement that Minnesota voters wear masks at the polls to help stop the spread of the coronavirus will remain in place on Election Day after the U.S. Supreme Court declined Monday to block the mandate while a lawsuit is being appealed. Justice Neil Gorsuch, who handles emergency requests from the federal appeals court that oversees Minnesota,…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Monday, November 2

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 153,620 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Monday morning and 9 new deaths bringing the death total to 2,484 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 2,905,229 tests have been completed to date. There are 132,125 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 10,437 patients have required hospitalization…

Confirmed Cases of the Coronavirus Top 150,000 in Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Minnesota has topped 150,000, according to data released Sunday by the state Department of Health. The update showed an increase of 2,217 positive tests for COVID-19 and 18 deaths in the last day. Health officials have reported a total of 150,672 cases since the start of the pandemic….

Stillwater Prison Inmate Dies of Coronavirus Complications

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Another inmate has died of coronavirus complications at a state prison in Minnesota. A 61-year-old inmate at the Stillwater prison died at the facility Sunday, authorities said. The man had existing medical conditions and tested positive for COVID-19 on Oct. 20, according to prison officials. The inmate was taken to a hospital on Saturday, evaluated, and released…

Temporary Heating Fix at St. Regis Apts. Doesn’t Mean Tenants Can Return Yet

Management says they got the furnace running for now while continuing help tenants find somewhere new to live.

DULUTH, Minn.- Representatives for the St. Regis Apartments in Downtown Duluth tells us they’ve temporarily fixed the heating system there after nearly a dozen families were forced to leave when it broke down in October. Owner Eric Ringsred, also prior owner of the former Kozy Building, submitted plans to replace everything with a new system, but recently found out the…

Condemned Kozy Building Starts on Fire — Again

The cause of the fire remained under investigation Sunday.

DULUTH, Minn. — The condemned Kozy building in downtown Duluth went up in flames again Sunday. The Duluth Fire Department got the call for a structure fire around 9:50 a.m. at 129 East 1st Street. When crews arrived, thick smoke was coming from the second floor of the building. Fire crews on scene Sunday morning after fire broke out at…

Fitger’s Celebrates Halloween with Socially Distant Storytelling, Candy

Only a few people at a time were allowed into the courtyard, masks were required and individual bags of candy were handed out. 

DULUTH, Minn.- Fitger’s Complex in Duluth also got in the Halloween spirit, hosting a socially distant event in their courtyard, decked out all spooky. Individual bags of candy were handed out, and a kids could listen into a Halloween story being read. Only a few people at a time were allowed into the courtyard, masks were required and individual bags…

Duluth School District Extends Hybrid, Distance Learning Through End of Year

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth School District announced on Friday that Duluth Public Schools will continue with the current learning models through the end of December. Currently, elementary schools are in a hybrid learning model while secondary and middle schools are in a distance learning model. In a recent press release, the district said the decision was made due to…

Minnesota Virus Cases, Hospitalizations at Single-Day Record

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota health officials Friday reported a single-day high of 3,165 new coronavirus infections, with 18 deaths. The state also reported 738 hospitalizations, another single-day high, with 176 people in intensive care. States around the country are struggling with rising cases of the coronavirus. Despite the rising hospitalizations, Dr. Rahul Koranne of the Minnesota Hospital Association told the…