Author: Dan Hanger

Reinert Takes Duluth Mayoral Primary Win Over Incumbent Larson

100 percent of precincts reporting DULUTH, Minn. — For the first time in Duluth Mayor Emily Larson’s run for the city’s top job, she is facing her biggest challenger — Roger Reinert.   That was made clear Tuesday when results came in for the Primary Election. Reinert secured 63% of the vote Tuesday night with 8,223 votes.  Larson secured just under…

Gov. Walz Endorses Duluth Mayor Emily Larson For Reelection

DULUTH, Minn. —  The most power political figure in the state of Minnesota, Gov. Tim Walz, is officially endorsing Duluth Mayor Emily Larson for re-election. Larson’s campaign provided the following statement to FOX 21 from Gov. Walz late Monday night: “Emily Larson is a workhorse who has dedicated her career to making Duluth a better place for everyone to live…

Noodles & Company, Boulder Tap House Coming To Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Demolition is underway in Superior to make way for the city’s first Noodles & Company restaurant. Crews were out Thursday continuing to remove what’s left of the former Huntington Bank building on the 1600 block of Belknap Street, which is between the Superior Public Library and Hardee’s. The city confirms Noodles & Company will open sometime in…

Hermantown P.D. Releases First Details In July 25 Road-Rage Attack It Calls ‘Altercation’

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — Seven days after a violent road-rage attack of a 73-year-old man in Hermantown, the police department released its first news release Tuesday on the incident because the department says the investigation is now complete. Aug. 1 press release The release did not mention the suspect’s name, sex or age.  It also did not say anything about the…

Initial Suspect Cleared In Attack Near Superior Baseball Game

DULUTH, Minn. — Charges have been dropped against a man accused of cutting up a member of the Superior Youth Organization during a game last week, according to the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office. The incident happened around 6:30 p.m. July 20 in a wooded area near the Hayes Court Complex baseball fields. The victim said he heard what sounded…

‘Marine 19’ Rescues Person Suffering Medical Issue Along Lakeshore

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Fire Department’s Marine 19 emergency vessel was dispatched Monday afternoon to help a person experiencing a medical emergency along Lake Superior. Marine 19 arriving into ship canal with patient The location was not easily accessible — about 1,000 yards east of Leif Erikson Park, according to a news release. Firefighters first arrived by the Rose…

Frost River Sues Lucasfilm Over Backpack In ‘Indiana Jones’ Film

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth-based Frost River is suing the film company behind “Indiana Jones 5” over a backpack. Picture provided in the federal complaint. The clothing company says Lucasfilm used its signature backpacks without approval and then marketed them as a competitor’s product. The lawsuit filed in California federal court said Frost River’s Geologist Pack was intertwined in promotional video…

Update: Superior Police Investigate ‘Possible Knifing’

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Superior police are investigating what they call a “possible knifing” incident Thursday evening during the Superior Youth Organization’s baseball games. The call for help came in around 6:30 p.m. for a report of an altercation that had occurred in a wooded area about “50 yards to the west of the Hayes Court Complex Baseball Fields located off…

Blandin Paper Union Members Call Contract Offer ‘Laughable’ & ‘Pathetic’

Courtesy: Teamsters GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. — Members of Teamsters Local 346 in Grand Rapids are calling Blandin Paper Company’s contract offer “laughable” and “pathetic,” according to a news release Thursday. This comes as roughly 170 workers plan to hold a rally strike Friday from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. along Highway 2 in Grand Rapids. The Teamsters walked off the…

Larson Secures DFL, Labor Endorsements; Reinert Lands Police, Fire Unions

DULUTH, Minn. — The Aug. 8 primary election is less than three weeks away. Duluth Mayor Emily Larson and former state Sen. Roger Reinert are the likely two candidates headed to the general election Nov. 7. “I doorknock five days a week. I’ve been out since January door-knocking. The campaign itself is really resonating with people. It is clear people…

Chick-fil-A Is Officially Coming To Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — Chick-fil-A is officially coming to Duluth. The Atlanta-based restaurant will be located on the north side of the Miller Hill Mall’s property facing Miller Trunk Highway, according a news release. This will be the first Chick-fil-A in the Twin Ports area, joining 17 other Chick-fil-A restaurants in the Twin Cities area. Construction is expected to start in…

Teamsters Workers At Blandin Paper To Hold Strike Rally Friday

Courtesy: Teamsters GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – A worker strike continues at Blandin Paper Company in Grand Rapids. 170 members of Teamsters Local 346 will hold a strike rally Friday from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. along Highway 2. The union has concerns around staffing levels, management performing their work and wages they say are 10 dollars an hour behind inflation….

Parachutist Expected To Make ‘Full Recovery’ After Duluth Airshow Accident

DULUTH, Minn. – The U.S. Navy parachute diver who was injured in a hard fall at the Duluth Airshow Saturday is “progressing well and expected to make a full recovery,” according to a spokesperson for the Airshow. The two parachute members disconnected late as they were falling around 90 mph, which caused the one member to hit the ground. He…

Hundreds Of Northshore Mining Workers Join United Steelworkers Union

Hundreds of workers at Cleveland Cliffs’ Northshore Mining Company have joined the United Steelworkers Union. The union said in a statement Tuesday that Northshore Mining was the last remaining taconite mine on the Iron Range without a union. Roughly 400 workers mine taconite in Babbitt and make iron ore pellets in Silver Bay. “We chose to unionize so that we…

Essentia Nurses To Picket Friday, Call Staffing Levels ‘Disastrous’

The informational picket will be on the same day Essentia will hold an open house of its new downtown medical center

DULUTH, Minn. — Essentia nurses with the Minnesota Nurses Association are headed back to the picket line this week amid continued concerns over what they call “disastrous staffing levels.” It’s been six months since nurses at Essentia reached a new contract that gave them more input in the staffing process.  But the Minnesota Nurses Association says Essentia executives aren’t listening…

Essentia Employees With United Steelworkers To Hold Picket Friday

The informational picket will happen with the Minnesota Nurses Association

DULUTH, Minn. — Essentia Health coworkers with United Steelworkers Local 9460 will be holding an informational picket Friday along with Essentia workers with the Minnesota Nurses Association. Below is the full statement from USW: “Our union is locked in tough contract negotiations with Essentia Health for our Red Book contract, as well as a Year 3 wage re-opener for our…

U.S. Navy Parachute Member ‘Stable’ After Hard Landing At Duluth Airshow

DULUTH, Minn. – A member of the U.S. Navy Leap Frog parachute team was listed in stable condition Sunday after landing hard during the Duluth Airshow Saturday, according to a spokesperson for the event. “The individual was immediately tended to by emergency personnel and Airlifted to Essentia Health/St. Mary’s where he is in stable condition and being treated for his…

Canoers Discover Human Remains In Nemadji River

CARLTON, Co. — Human remains were recovered from the Nemadji River in Carlton County Saturday. The Carlton County Sheriff’s Office said a family canoeing on the river discovered the body around 1:30 p.m. The remains were found southeast of the SOO Line ATV trail and Highway 23 intersection. The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office is investigating, including a positive identification of…

Duluth Police Search For Man With ‘Potential Risk To The Public’

Trevor Billings DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department is searching for a suspect they considered a “potential risk to the public.” Trevor Billings has active warrants out for his arrest, according to police. “We are concerned for his safety and well-being,” said Mattie Hjelseth, public information office for the police department.  “Trevor poses a potential risk to the public…

Virginia Murder Suspect: “I Woke Up From A Dream And Was Told To Shoot My Brother”

VIRGINIA, Minn. — An attempted murder charge has been filed against a Virginia man accused of shooting his brother in the head. According to the criminal complaint, Robert Cope, 30, told authorities he “…woke up from a dream and was told to shoot my brother.” The shooting happened around 10:20 a.m. July 8 at a residence on 9th Street South…

Reggae & World Music Festival Takes Over Bayfront July 15

DULUTH, Minn. – Excitement is building for the 17th annual Reggae and World Music Festival at Bayfront Park this Saturday. Singers from all over the world will take the stage starting at 1 p.m. and lasting through the night. It’s an all-ages event that keeps getting bigger every year. The Bayfront Reggae Fest’s mission is to provide cultural entertainment through…

Downtown Duluth’s ‘Sidewalk Days’ Starts Wednesday

DULUTH, Minn. — 75 vendors and 15 food vendors will be taking over downtown Duluth for Sidewalks Days this week. The fun kicks off at 9 a.m. Wednesday. Sidewalk Days is described as downtown Duluth’s biggest shopping festival of the year. The event covers Superior Street from Lake Avenue to 5th Avenue West. Local retailers bring merchandise into the street….

Motorcyclist, SUV Collide Near Island Lake Killing 1, Injuring Another

DULUTH, Minn. – A motorcyclist was killed and his passenger was critically injured Thursday evening near Island Lake when their motorcycle collided with a vehicle. The accident happened around 6 p.m. near the 7400 block of Rice Lake Road in Duluth. Michael Allen Scott, 62, of Duluth, died at the scene. His female passenger who was not identified by the…

Motorcyclist’s Tire Locks Up, Loses Control

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth police were called to a motorcycle accident in the Kenwood neighborhood Thursday. The incident happened around 11:45 a.m. at the intersection of Kenwood Avenue and West Arrowhead Road. The motorcyclist said he fell off his bike when the rear tire locked up while downshifting and changing lanes, according to police. The motorcyclist sustained minor injuries and…

Routine Inspections On Blatnik Bridge Start July 10

DULUTH, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Transportation will be conducting routine bridge inspections on the Blatnik Bridge starting on July 10. Motorists can expect right lane closures between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Work will begin on the Superior-bound side of the bridge. Inspections will take about three weeks to complete. Categories: Minnesota, News, News –…

Woman Killed In Two-Vehicle Accident In Hermantown

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — A woman was killed Monday afternoon in a two-vehicle accident in Hermantown, according to a news release. Hermantown police identified the victim as 46-year-old Penny Jean Polaski. Investigators believe the Kia Rio Polaski was riding in as a passenger was driving south on Lavaque Bypass near Ugstad Road around 2:20 p.m. when it crossed the center line…

Camp Esquagama Holds Free Activities Day At Duluth Depot

DULUTH, Minn. – Camp counselors from around the world held a one-day, fun-filled camping experience at the Duluth Depot this weekend. Camp Esquagama lead a variety of activities for free Saturday — from arts and crafts to outdoor games and sing-alongs. The camp is based out of Gilbert and has a goal of creating lasting friendships, building self-confidence, developing lifelong…

Duluth’s CAO Responds To Concerns About $195K Tiny Home

DULUTH, Minn. — A new tiny home in Duluth with a sale price of nearly $200,000 is getting quite the sticker-shock response and concerns from locals. The concerns are being heard by the city’s chief administrative officer who addressed the issue to the council with some background and perspective. The tiny home is located along 6th Avenue East. It’s a…

Hairball’s Dave Moody On Bayfront Park Concert July 3: ‘Duluth Is The King Of Energy’

DULUTH, Minn. – Hairball — one of the most popular cover bands in America — is taking the stage at Bayfront Festival Park in Duluth on July 3. It’s an annual rock-and-roll tradition for the band to perform to thousands of fans at Bayfront during the 4th of July holiday. Dave Moody The band jams out to all the greatest…

Sheriff Issues Warning After Double Drowning In Lake Superior

SILVER BAY, Minn. — Two teens who died Sunday cliff diving into Lake Superior were identified Monday. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said they are Austin Henning, 18, from South St. Paul and Maximillion Williams, 18, of Inver Grove Heights. The U.S. Coast Guard said the men resurfaced after their jump at Black Beach in Silver Bay Sunday afternoon but…

Police: Man, 25, Attacked In Piedmont Heights Neighborhood

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth police are investigating after a man was attacked in the Piedmont Heights neighborhood. The crime was reported around 12:30 a.m. Friday near the intersection of Hutchinson Road and Hagberg Street. Police told FOX 21 Monday the victim is a 25-year-old man. The man was taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Officers were not…