Health

LIVE: Governor Walz, health leaders provide COVID-19 update ahead of Labor Day weekend

The press conference will be held Thursday at 3:15 p.m.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and state health officials will be providing an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as Minnesotans prepare for the long Labor Day weekend and the coming fall. Joining Walz will be Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm, Infectious Disease Director Kris Ehresmann, and Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University…

Fargo Cass Public Health shows parents what e-cigarettes to watch out for

The use of electronic cigarettes continues to rise among youth.

FARGO, N.D. –The use of electronic cigarettes continues to be on the rise among youth. According to the CDC, more than 27% of high school students reported using an e-cigarette in 2019. Fargo Cass Public Health say there’s a common product parents should be watching out for. “When parents don’t know what they Juul looks like, that is concerning,” said…

Lewis and Clark kindergarten teacher prepares classroom for a socially-distant school year

Mona Heggedal will have just 9 kids in her classroom at one time as a result of Fargo Public School's hybrid learning model guidelines.

FARGO, N.D. — Mona Heggedal has been a kindergarten teacher for 34 years, but returning back to school this year is unlike anything she has experienced in her career before. “Just to have only nine students in the class, it is something I have never had,” said Heggedal. That small size is the result of guidelines set by Fargo Public…

Local healthcare providers prepare for flu season and COVID-19 pandemic to coincide

A Sanford Health infectious disease specialist says getting your flu shot is more important this year than ever

FARGO, N.D. — Medical workers are concerned over the flu season and the coronavirus pandemic merging this fall. Just like most healthcare providers across the country, Sanford Health in Fargo is in preparation mode. “We ramp up our testing supplies and we are rolling out a massive campaign for early influenza vaccination so we can have most people, as many…

Running on Faith: Two runners honor the legacy of a West Fargo cross country star

"She had a great faith with God through her journey, and honestly, I'm just out here running on faith," said Schwab.

FARGO, N.D. — In the late 80’s and early 90’s, Kelly Breidenbach rocked the Cross Country world in North Dakota. In 1988, she and her teammates would help win the Eastern Dakota Conference State Cross Country Championship for the West Fargo Packers. “She was the one we always looked up to. She was the leader,” said Staci Birrenkott, a former…

White House Coronavirus Task Force Coordinator coming to ND tomorrow

FARGO, N.D. –  National Coronvirus Task Force Coordinator Doctor Deborah Birx will be in Fargo on Saturday according to The White House. Birx will be meeting with Governor Doug Burgum and participating in a roundtable with community and state health officials. We will bring you the latest from the meeting on KVRR Local News at 9 Saturday evening. Categories: Health…

Routine wellness visit at Sanford Health helps West Fargo girl with eating habits

Aria Traylor refused to eat most foods before being referred to the Sanford Pediatric Feeding Disorder Program at an annual wellness check. She is now eating on her own and consumes a full, healthy diet.

WEST FARGO, N.D. — Micha Traylor is a mother of four, so she knows what a healthy child’s appetite is suppose to look like. When her youngest daughter, Aria, turned a year old, she could tell something about her eating habits were off. “All the other foods that we tried to give her she had been rejecting,” said Micha Traylor….

Sen. Smith wants to make a future coronavirus vaccine free

WASHINGTON – Minnesota Senator Tina Smith introduces a bill that would make a coronavirus vaccine free once it is available. The Free Covid-19 Treatment Act would provide states the option and financial incentive to expand Medicaid to cover the cost of coronavirus treatment for those without insurance. It would also waive cost-sharing for coronavirus treatment and medically necessary items and services…

Pet Connection: Meet Summer

Summer lovin,' comin' up.

We know the calendar and the outdoor temps show that summer’s on its way out soon. But you can hang on to Summer forever with this week’s Pet Connection. Literally, as it turns out. She even walks on a leash, so she’s much easier to hang on to. Summer was rescued once as a newly-delivered mama by the rescue workers…