Author: Dan Hanger

‘Force on Fifth’ Celebrates Grand Opening in Downtown Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — Force on Fifth Avenue held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday to celebrate the grand opening of its extended stay corporate housing project in downtown Duluth. Courtesy: Force on Fifth Originally, the multi-story building at the corner of 5th Avenue West and Superior Street was going to continue as a non-profit office center, which it was known for years…

Charges: Duluth Man Filmed Under Skirts At Mariucci Arena Graduations, 144 victims

Benjamin Goldsmith of Duluth MINNEAPOLIS. Minn. (FOX 9) — A Duluth man is accused of taking inappropriate images of more than 100 female students at high school graduation ceremonies at Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis. Benjamin Thomas Goldsmith, 32, of Duluth is accused of getting closely behind girls while taking pictures and videos under their skirts, according to charges. 144 victims…

Garage Fire Erupts After ‘Explosions’ In Cherry Township

CHERRY TOWNSHIP, Minn. – A garage fire is under investigation in St. Louis County after homeowners reported hearing “two explosions” before the fire broke out, according to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office. The call came in around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the 4000 block of River Road in Cherry Township. After the homeowners heard the explosions, they “observed smoke…

Charges: Homeless Man Shot Out Door Of Downtown Duluth Business During Burglary

DULUTH, Minn. – Serious felony charges have been filed against a man after a burglary and shooting of a downtown Duluth business. James Eugene Ferry, 36 According to the criminal complaint, James Eugene Ferry, 36, whose address is listed in Duluth as “homeless” on the court records, shot out the front door of Namaste Gifts and Healing at 4th Avenue…

Duluth’s Japanese Garden Lantern Vandalized, Yet Hope Shines On

DULUTH, Minn.– There is disappointment after vandals targeted one of Duluth’s pristine gardens that represents Duluth’s sister city in Japan. Over the weekend, the Japanese Peace Bell Garden’s Kotoji lantern — a symbolism of unity between people, cultures and views — was destroyed. Destroyed Kotoji lantern “So, all pieces were put apart. It’s a cemented granite piece put apart and…

4:20 P.M.: Duluth’s ‘Legacy Cannabis’ Becomes State’s First Licensed Dispensary

DULUTH, Minn. — History was made in Duluth Tuesday when Legacy Cannabis expanded its operations to become the state’s first licensed dispensary of marijuana. Legacy Cannabis is located in the heart of the Lincoln Park Craft District, and the line was out the door Tuesday afternoon for people wanting to buy cannabis. The store was granted a license to sell…

Wed. On FOX 21: ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’ Talks Minnesota State Fair

DULUTH, Minn. — The Minnesota State Fair may be over, but not for “The Drew Barrymore Show” this Wednesday, Sept. 17 on FOX 21. Drew and her sidekicks will sample the viral Uncrustaburger that was new to the fair’s menu this year. Drew will also be sharing photos from her summer vacation visit to the Great Minnesota Get-Together. Click the…

12 Injured In Minneapolis Shootings At Homeless Camp, Near Transit Station

Courtesy: FOX 9 MINNEAPOLIS (AP/FOX9) — Seven people have been wounded, including four with critical injuries, in a shooting at a homeless camp on private property in Minneapolis, police said. The shooting happened just hours after and blocks away from another shooting that left five injured near a transit station as city officials acknowledge a spate of recent violent crime…

Georgia Teen Wanted For Homicide, Kidnapping Arrested In Duluth

Monday: 1200 block of East 4th Street DULUTH, Minn. – A 16-year-old boy wanted in the state of Georgia for homicide, armed robbery and kidnapping, among other charges, was arrested by Duluth police Monday while officers were responding to a “possible burglary in progress,” according to a news release Tuesday. The possibly burglary call came in around 2:40 p.m. Monday…

2 MN Firefighters Take On 150-Mile Walking Journey From Duluth To St. Paul

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Fire Department’s downtown headquarters became the start of a 150-mile walking journey for two Minnesota firefighters and an important cause. Excelsior firefighter Doug Foote and St. Paul firefighter Kyle Bode got a round of applause as they walked out of the Duluth fire station to make their way to St. Paul by foot. Over the…

Duluth Mayor Defends Removal Of Long-Standing Group Council Email

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert is defending his administration’s decision to remove a long-standing city email that reached all city councilors at once and was copied to media outlets to allow journalists a better understanding of what issues residents were addressing to the council. In an email Friday to the media, the city’s public information officer said the…

Strike Over: Teamsters, U of M Reach Tentative Contract Agreement

DULUTH, Minn. – A strike at the University of Minnesota campuses ended over the weekend involving 1,400 employees with Teamsters Local 320. At UMD, 185 employees were on strike. The union represents employees in custodial, maintenance and food service. While the university said they gave their “last, best and final offer” on Sept. 5, a new offer has been made…

2 Arrested After Home Burglary In Fredenberg Township

FREDENBERG TOWNSHIP, Minn. – Burglary suspects are under arrest after a home in Fredenberg Township was ransacked over the weekend and firearms were stolen. The discovery happened Saturday in the 6000 block of Olson Drive. The property owner found the doors to the home and barn were kicked in. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said there was significant damage…

Superior Police: Armed Intruder Found By Homeowner

As of 9 p.m. Tuesday, the suspect was on the run.

SUPERIOR, Wis. — An armed intruder in Superior caused an hours-long standoff at a home Tuesday evening, according to police. Authorities said a man came home to find another man armed with a gun inside his home.  The homeowner fled the house safely, but the homeowner did not know if the suspect fled the home, too. The scene unfolded in…

Police Investigate Robbery, Assault In Canal Park

DULUTH, Minn. — A case of robbery and assault in Duluth’s Canal Park is being investigated by the Duluth Police Department. After FOX 21 received a news tip about this crime, we reached out to police. A public information officer said the crime happened behind Caribou Coffee around 8:30 p.m. Monday. A 29-year-old male victim suffered minor injuries, according the…

Union: 1,400 University Of Minnesota Service Workers Go On Strike

DULUTH, Minn. — A strike is officially on for 1,400 University of Minnesota employees with Teamsters Local 320 – and that includes 185 employees at UMD. Teamsters President Erik Skoog confirmed to FOX 21 around 4:30 p.m. Monday that some campuses within the U of M system began the picket Monday evening. UMD’s picket will begin Tuesday morning, according to…

Garmin Device Helps Save Man In Boundary Waters

BOUNDARY WATERS, Minn. – A rescue in the Boundary Waters (BWCAW) happened Sunday afternoon northwest of Ely. A 70-year-old man from Colorado got injured in the area of Stuart River with a possible broken leg, according to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office. The man’s Garmin safety device notified 911. Rescue crews responded, including a LifeLink helicopter. The man was…

Phoholic Set to Open Monday in Former China Cafe Building

DULUTH, Minn. – On London Road in Duluth, a second, much larger Vietnamese restaurant known as Phoholic is opening. The new spot is the former longtime home of China Cafe, which has a much larger parking lot. This will make it easier for people to park, enter, and leave. The restaurant opens tomorrow at 11 a.m. on the 1600 block…

UMD Releases Statement Amid Possible Strike By Teamsters 320

DULUTH, Minn. – UMD responded Sunday evening to a possible strike by its service workers with Teamsters Local 320, which involves those in custodial, maintenance and food service. This update comes after the union voted down the university’s “last, best and final offer” on Friday. “While we respect our employees’ rights to collective bargaining, our priority remains ensuring that vital…

‘Force on Fifth Avenue’ Shines Brighter in Downtown Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – The skyline of downtown Duluth is shining a little brighter with a new addition to the downtown’s latest housing development. Inside Force on Fifth Avenue New signage has been installed on Force on Fifth Avenue’s building at the corner of 5th Avenue West and Superior Street. Brian Forcier, president and CEO of Titanium Partners, is behind this…

Charges: Woman Randomly Stabbed In Duluth’s ‘Memorial Park’ Near School

DULUTH, Minn.– A Duluth woman is accused of randomly stabbing another woman in a city-owned park next to Laura MacArthur Elementary School, according to court documents. Tasha Lucille Carlson, 37, of Duluth, is charged with second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon. Court documents said the stabbing happened around 10 p.m. on Sept. 1 in Memorial Park, which is located at…

Superior Woman Accused Of Stabbing Man Multiple Times

Dana Wood SUPERIOR, Wis. — The Superior Police Department on Thursday night said they are investigating a stabbing that happened on Saturday, Aug. 30. Dana Wood, 35, of Superior is accused of stabbing a 38-year-old Michigan man multiple times, according to the Superior Police Department. The stabbing was reported around 9:15 p.m. in the 1600 block of Oakes Avenue. The…

‘Broadway At The DECC’ Unveils Season 2 Lineup After Successful Debut

DULUTH, Minn. – Back by popular demand, as the saying goes. The 2025-2026 season of Broadway at the DECC is a go. Season 2’s line-up includes The Book of Mormon, Hadestown, Tina – The Tina Turner Musical, and the beloved classic, The Music Man. There will also be a seasonal performance with A Magical Cirque Christmas. Indiana-based promoter The Roberts…

Source: Duluth Mayor To Propose Inflation-Only Property Tax Levy Increase

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert will be proposing a property tax levy increase of 4.1% for the city’s portion of the 2026 levy, a credible source inside city hall told FOX 21 Wednesday. But because there’s been new growth within the city, the 4.1% would actually end up being an inflation-only increase of 2.7% to property owners, according…

St. Louis County Board Backs 12.4% Maximum Property Tax Levy Increase For 2026

St. Louis County DULUTH, Minn. — The St. Louis County Board has approved a 12.4 percent maximum property tax levy for 2026.  A final vote will happen at the next board meeting Sept. 9 before a state-required deadline of the end of the month.  The full budget will be voted on by the  middle of December.   Below is the full…

Superior Police Release ‘Critical Identifying Characteristic’ Of Missing Woman

SUPERIOR, Wis. — The Superior Police Department released new information Thursday about Corrine Johansen, 41, of Superior who has been missing since early August.  Officials said Johansen suffers from a condition that prevents her head from sitting in a forward-facing direction. Below is the full press release: “The Superior Police Department is providing an important update regarding the description of…

Duluth Man Charged In Mother’s Murder; Summit School Remembers Victim

DULUTH, Minn. — A second-degree murder charge was filed Tuesday in St. Louis County Court against Nathan Davin, 46, of Duluth. Court documents accuse Davin of shooting his mother, MaeDean Davin, 74, of Duluth in the face at close range while she sat in her recliner. Nathan Davin, 46 Officers on scene described her injury as a “devastating gunshot wound.”…

Wanted In NW Wisconsin: Robert Ganz-Brown

BAYFIELD COUNTY, Wis. –  The Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office, along with the assistance of surrounding agencies, are searching for a runaway suspect with multiple arrest warrants in Wisconsin. Robert Ganz-Brown got away from Bayfield authorities during an attempted traffic stop around 4 a.m. Tuesday. Spike strips were deployed, which disabled the van Ganz-Brown was driving, but he fled the scene,…

Sheriff’s Office Investigating 3 Vehicle Thefts At Grand Marais Auto Shop

GRAND MARAIS, Minn. – Three vehicles were recently stolen from a repair business in Grand Marais, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. The vehicle thefts happened at Tire & Auto Lodge during the early morning hours of Aug. 14. Two vehicles were eventually recovered after the suspects left them abandoned. On Aug. 18, the third stolen vehicle, a 2014…

Superior Police Dept. Releases Timeline Of Response To Missing Woman Case

SUPERIOR, Wis. — The Superior Police Department released a timeline Monday of its response to a missing person case involving Corrine Johansen, 40, of Superior.  The full release is below: The Superior Police Department is releasing an extended update to provide the community with a clear timeline of events related to the disappearance of Corrine Johansen and the steps taken…

Kari Toyota Breaks Ground On New Dealership Headquarters In Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. – One of the Twin Ports’ longest-running family owned dealerships has officially broken ground on a new facility in Superior. The Kari Toyota family and city and county leaders recently celebrated a groundbreaking in the 3200-block of Belknap Street in Billings Park next to The Shack restaurant. The new dealership will be larger than the current one on…

Authorities Launch Sunday Search Effort For Missing Superior Woman

SUPERIOR, Wis. – It has been nearly two weeks since a woman in Superior went missing.  And on Sunday, another search effort was launched with the help of Superior police and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Sunday Multiple emergency vehicles and a command unit were stationed in the parking lot of the Superior High School Sunday. Previous Story:  Daughter Of…

Roof Nears Competition Over Leif Erickson Viking Ship In Knife River

Courtesy: Neill Atkins KNIFE RIVER, Minn. — A protective roof — 40 years in the making — is almost complete over the Leif Erickson replica Viking Ship in Knife River. Courtesy: Neill Atkins Organizer Neill Atkins took a few snapshots of the new structure. The Save Our Ship non-profit is behind the project.  They’ve raising a few hundred thousand dollars…

Police: Son Shoots, Kills Mother In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – A woman was shot and killed Saturday by her 46-year-old son, according to the Duluth Police Department. Officers responded to the 1500 block of North 9th Avenue East where they located the body of 74-year-old MaeDean Davin. Home where shooting happened Police said she died of an “apparent gunshot wound.” Officers arrested the son without incident on…

Visit Duluth’s New Leader Hired; Full Tourism Marketing Control 1 Year Away

DULUTH, Minn. – Visit Duluth, once the city’s sole tourism marketing organization for 85 years, is one step closer to gaining back full control like it had for decades. Visit Duluth has tapped Haley Hedstrom as its new executive director. She was chosen out of 50 applicants for the critical marketing job for the city. Earlier this year, the city…

Update: Body Recovered On Shannon Lake

SHANNON LAKE, Minn. – A body was recovered Tuesday from Shannon Lake after emergency crews responded to a water emergency, according to a law enforcement official. The victim was identified Tuesday evening as Louis Vajdl, 76, of Chisholm. Shannon Lake is about seven miles northwest of Chisholm in St. Louis County. The call for help came in around 3:45 p.m….

2 Dogs Die In Solway Township House Fire

SOLWAY TOWNSHIP, Minn. — Two dogs died in a house fire in Solway Township Tuesday. The call for help came in around 1 p.m. in the 3900-block of Crosby Road. The house was burning out of control when firefighters arrived. Nobody was home at the time, other than the two dogs that died. A cause of the fire is being…

Man Dies After Jump From High Falls In Tettegouche State Park

Stock photo of High Falls (DNR) SILVER BAY, Minn. —  A water emergency at Tettegouche State Park on Monday ended with a 54-year-old man dead. The call for help came in around 11:30 a.m. The caller reported a man had jumped off the High Falls but did not resurface, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Multiple agencies responded, including…

Daughter Of Missing Superior Woman Desperate For Answers

SUPERIOR, Wis.–  There is an urgent and ongoing search for Corrine Johansen, a 40-year-old mother in Superior who went missing nearly a week ago. Johansen’s daughter, Chloe, is leading the search efforts. Over the weekend, family and friends helped search in areas Johansen visits often, like the Superior Dog Park and Wisconsin Point. Corrine and her friend Joanie Matson “I…