Author: Dan Hanger

New Video, Pictures Inside Miller Hill Mall Roof Collapse

The mall remained closed Thursday for the third day since the collapse

DULUTH, Minn. – Thursday marked Day 3 of clean-up and repair efforts after a major roof collapse at the Miller Hill Mall. Crews were again on scene Thursday working to remove a lot of snow off that roof. FOX 21 observed snow removal beyond the area of the collapse near the Applebee’s entrance. A crane was also removing snow above…

Snow-Heavy Roof Concerns Evacuate Michaels Store, County Building In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — More snow, more problems Thursday with at least two more structures in Duluth dealing with roofing issues just days after the Miller Hill Mall’s roof collapsed. Michaels, and arts and craft store, is the latest Duluth business to temporarily close because of roof damage from heavy wet snow. St. Louis County Public Works maintenance facility Construction crews…

City Of Duluth Thursday Storm Update

DULUTH, Minn. — The city of Duluth released the follow storm update Thursday afternoon: City of Duluth staff are monitoring the weather forecasts provided by NWS Duluth. The National Weather Service in Duluth is forecasting a Winter Storm Warning for all of northeast Minnesota today into Saturday. This system is dynamic and difficult to predict, so we encourage you to…

Maria Bamford To Honor Late Father With Stand-Up Show In Duluth

The one-hour show will raise money for CHUM

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth comedian Maria Bamford is getting ready to put on a special one-hour comedy show at Zeitgiest Thursday in honor of her father, Dr. Joel Bamford, who died over the weekend. FOX 21’s Dan Hanger interviewed Joel in 2016, along with Bamford’s late mother, Marilynn, and sister, Sarah.  It was all about Bamford’s Netflix series “Lady Dynamite.”…

City Of Duluth Provides Winter Storm Update

DULUTH, Minn. — The following information below is a Wednesday afternoon update from the city of Duluth about the upcoming winter storm for tonight and into Friday. City of Duluth staff are monitoring the weather forecasts provided by NWS Duluth. The National Weather Service in Duluth is forecasting a Winter Storm Warning for all of northeast Minnesota that will begin…

NTSB Releases Preliminary Report On Plane Crash That Killed Cirrus Engineer

The National Transportation Safety Board has released its preliminary report involving February’s Cirrus plane crash in Duluth that killed one of the aircraft company’s longtime employees. The NTSB said pilot David Rathbun was the only person on board the 2016 SR22 Cirrus aircraft. Courtesy: Daniel Rathbun He took off from the Duluth International Airport around 4 p.m. Feb. 24. The…

The Science, Changing Weather Challenges Behind Duluth’s Snow Plowing Operations

DULUTH, Minn. — Winter isn’t giving up just yet with impressive snow totals over the weekend. And for Duluth plow crews, that’s meant 16-hour shifts since Saturday working through thousands of intersections, and thousands of miles of roadways.  All of this, as a potential second storm in a week is eying the Northland in just days. It’s no secret, frustrations…

Maple School Board Reverses Decision To Consolidate 2nd Grade Classes

There’s some good news for parents within the Maple School District as that district faces a nearly $600,000 deficit next school year. Supt. Sara Cronley said Thursday the school board has decided to not relocate Iron River Elementary School’s second-grade class to Northwestern Elementary School’s second-grade class. This comes after parents expressed serious concerns to the board — from students…

Police: ‘Partial Jaw Bone’ Discovered During Interchange Construction

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth police confirmed Thursday that a human bone was found Feb. 14 during construction of the Twin Ports Interchange project. The “partial jaw bone” was located in the area of North 22nd Avenue W and West 1st Street, which is in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. An archaeologist was called to the scene to confirm the bone was…

Homicide Investigation In Grand Marais Involving Elderly Man

Victim is a 78 years old

GRAND MARAIS, Minn. — A homicide investigation is underway in Grand Marais involving a 78-year-old Lawrence Scully, who police say died after an altercation with another man. The call for help came in around 4:48 p.m. Wednesday at Scully’s home on the 1100 block of East 5th Street, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies found the victim suffering…

Special Coverage: The Death Of Duluth Judge Sally Tarnowski

Tarnowski died Monday after being struck by a vehicle while out running in Venice, Florida, according to the Star Tribune

DULUTH, Minn. — Click the video above to watch FOX 21’s 5:30 p.m. newscast Tuesday with special coverage on the death of Duluth Judge Sally Tarnowski.   We’ll have more tonight at 9 p.m.   Categories: Minnesota, News, News – Latest News, Political, Public Safety

Remembering Duluth Judge Sally Tarnowski Through Rare 2014 Interview

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Judge Sally Tarnowski died Monday while on vacation in Florida, according to the State Court Administrator’s Office.   Details around the cause of death were not immediately released Monday evening. Tarnowski showing off her stylish high heels in her office in 2014 interview. Judge Tarnowski gave FOX 21 rare access into her life as a female judge…

Former Duluth Advocate, City Councilor Barb Russ Remembered As ‘Exemplary Public Servant’

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth City Councilor Arik Forsman is one of many city leaders reflecting on the life of Barb Russ, a longtime Duluth advocate and former city councilor. “She didn’t get high or low, and she wasn’t going to be baited by sort of the circus element of it. I always enjoyed it, especially out of certain other councilors…

Parents Express Concern Over Superior School Dist. Consolidation Plan

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Some concerned parents in Superior spoke up at Monday night’s school board meeting about the district’s plans to possibly consolidate its elementary schools from six to five. A half-dozen parents took to the podium to speak against closing either Lake Superior or Four Corners elementary schools. They said they want more information about the financial benefit of…

Special Report: Heart And Hope, From Ukraine To Duluth

Russia continues to destroy parts of Ukraine, killing innocent men, women and children. In a special report – Heart And Hope – we’re bringing you the story of a Ukrainian family that found refuge in Duluth. Kupriichuk and Gasele families The family arrived this summer, and a Northland couple opened their home and hearts – offering hope when it was…

City Of Duluth Issues Storm Update On Snow Plow Operations

DULUTH, Minn. — The city of Duluth issued a storm update Wednesday afternoon about its snow plow operations..  See the full release below. City of Duluth plow operators have been out all day keeping main roads clear for access to hospitals, schools, for emergency vehicles, buses, etc. Due to the storm system shifting, lingering longer than forecasted, and an increased…

BCA Releases Name Of Man Fatally Shot By Duluth Police

DULUTH, Minn. — The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension released the name of the man shot and killed by Duluth police last week. He’s Zachary Shogren, 34, of Duluth. The BCA said Shogren died from “multiple” gunshot wounds. They said one officer fired their handgun, another fired less-lethal rounds and Officer Jared Blomdahl, a 24-year veteran of the department, used his…

Northern Waters Smokehaus To Move Into Former Amazing Grace Café Space

DULUTH, Minn. – Northern Waters Smokehaus announced Tuesday it will be moving the business within the DeWitt-Seitz building and into the former Amazing Grace Café location. This announcement comes just one day after Amazing Grace closed its doors after nearly 30 years.  The decision to close, according to the owner Connor Riley, was very difficult to make but the right…

Cirrus Releases Statement About Plane Crash That Killed Company’s Longtime Engineer

Courtesy: Cirrus DULUTH, Minn. —  Cirrus Aircraft released a statement to FOX 21 Monday involving the death of their longtime employee, David Rathbun, who died in a plane accident Friday in Duluth’s St. Louis River. Courtesy: Daniel Rathbun “Dave Rathbun, Vision Jet Chief Engineer, was involved in a fatal aircraft accident while on a personal flight Friday afternoon in a…

Pilot Who Crashed Into St. Louis River Was Cirrus Design Engineer

2/25/23: DULUTH, Minn. – The pilot who died after the plane he was operating crashed into the St. Louis River Friday has been identified as David Rathbun, of Hermantown, according to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office. Courtesy: Daniel Rathbun According to David’s brother, Daniel, he was a “brilliant” design engineer for Cirrus Aircraft in Duluth. “David was instrumental in…

Attempted Felony Arrest Ends In Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth police confirmed Friday evening that a man shot by a Duluth police officer during an attempted felony arrest has died. The shooting happened around 2:20 p.m. on the 1500 block of East Third Street. The 34-year-old suspect, who was not identified Friday, was taken to a hospital where he later died. Duluth Police Chief Mike Ceynowa…

Future Of Bergquist Imports In Cloquet ‘Uncertain’ After Fire

CLOQUET, Minn. – The future of Bergquist Imports in Cloquet is uncertain after fire ripped through a large portion of the business Wednesday night. While most of the warehouse houses Bergquist Imports, part of the building also housing Erbert and Gerbert’s as a storefront along the 1400 block of Highway 33. Alan Kurtz, owner of the sandwich shop, told FOX…

City Of Duluth Releases Winter Storm Information, Closings, Delays

DULUTH, Minn. — The City of Duluth’s communications office released the following information about the winter storm: Due to the impending winter storm, the City of Duluth is providing some updates to City facility availability and programming on City properties tomorrow: As of 5:00 PM Wednesday, City Hall will remain open tomorrow. Some departments may have limited in-person staffing tomorrow,…

Pine County Sheriff’s Office Involved In 2 ‘Use-Of-Force’ Incidents Tuesday

PINE COUNTY, Minn. – The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating two separate use-of-force incidents that unfolded Tuesday with the Pine County Sheriff’s Office. The first incident happened around 2 p.m. in Pine City in the form of a shooting. Deputing were trying to arrest a man wanted on a felony warrant. The BCA said at one point deputies fired…

Duluth Man Convicted Of Killing Then-Fiancé’s 3-Year-Old Son

DULUTH, Minn. — A Duluth man accused of killing his then-fiancé’s young son has been found guilty of the crime. St. Louis County Judge Teresa Neo convicting Jordan Carter, 32, of second-degree murder Tuesday. This comes after Carter waived his right to a jury trial. It was in September of 2020 when Carter told investigators he found 3-year-old Cameron Gordon…

Parents Speak Out About Maple School Dist. Cuts, 2nd-Grade Changes

MAPLE, Wis. — Concerned parents spoke up Monday about cuts for the Maple School District next school year as it faces a nearly $600,000 deficit. The school board held a special meeting Monday evening about the cuts after approving them Feb. 13. There are more than a half-dozen teacher positions being eliminated. And while the parents FOX 21 spoke to…

Superior Family, Pets Escape Burning Home; Firefighters Credit Working Smoke Detectors

SUPERIOR, Wis. — For the second time in a week, the Superior Fire Department is crediting working smoke detectors for allowing residents to safely exit burning structures. The latest fire happened around 7:47 p.m. Friday on the 800 block of North 19th Street. Fire crews arrived four minutes later to find fire in the kitchen of the home, according to…

Maple School Dist. Plans To Eliminate Teacher Positions Amid $575K Deficit

MAPLE, Wis. – More than a half-dozen teacher positions are planning to be eliminated within the Maple School District next school year because of an anticipated $575,000 deficit, according to Supt. Sara Croney. As of Friday’s announcement, a full-time math teacher, social studies teacher and part-time library aide are being eliminated at the high school. At the middle school a…

Duluth’s Amazing Grace To Host ‘Last Hurrah’ After 27 Years In Business

Amazing Grace Cafe & Grocery, a staple in Canal Park for 27 years, will close the doors for good at the end of February. The decision to close, according to the owner Connor riley, was very difficult to make but the right one after trying to fight through the pandemic and its aftermath. Amazing Grace has been providing locally sourced,…

Fire Destroys Two-Story Home Near Cook

Courtesy: St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office BEATTY TOWNSHIP, Minn. – Fire ripped through a two-story home north of Cook Friday evening. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said the fire broke out around 4:50 p.m. on the 8700 block of Raps Road in Beatty Township. When firefighters arrived, the structure was fully engulfed in flames. Nobody was inside the home…

Bent Paddle Turns Original Tap Room Into THC, CBD ‘Cann-A-Lounge’

DULUTH, Minn. – Gov. Tim Walz declared Feb. 16 Beer Day in Minnesota.  That means breweries in Duluth were celebrating with specials. The Minnesota Craft Brewers Associations said it’s a day to celebrate not just the past of beer in the state, but also how far it has come, and what the future holds. In the past 20-plus years, more…

UMD, UWS Offer Support After Fatal Michigan State University Shooting

UMD and UWS sent emails to students, faculty and staff to offer support and guidance following the fatal Michigan State University shooting. The following message was sent by UMD Interim Chancellor Dave McMillan: “The events of last evening at Michigan State University are horrifying. UMD shares in the sadness and sorrow of the Michigan State University community. We honor the…

Jungle Gym Announces March Pro Boxing Match In Duluth

FOX 21's Dan Hanger will be the event's ring announcer

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth’s Jungle Boy Boxing has announced a pro boxing match at The Garden in Canal Park next month. Zach Walters, head coach of Jungle Gym in downtown Duluth told FOX 21 Wednesday that he’s more than pumped to get this fight night in front of hundreds of people March 10th. And if you’ve never been to a…

Duluth Police Ask For Public’s Help Locating Kwik Trip Robbery Suspect

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a robbery suspect who they say targeted the Kwik Trip on the 4200 block Grand Avenue at 1:15 a.m. Wednesday. The following is a post on DPD’s Facebook: “The reporting party stated that the suspected male passed a note to them and demanded money from the till….

Klobuchar Applauds 148th Fighter Wing In Object Shootdown, Releases New Details

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) provided new details Tuesday from the U.S. Military involving the 148th Fighter Wing’s involvement in shooting down one of three mysterious objects recently spotted up above. “Today at our classified briefing, the Joint Chiefs and other military members specifically acknowledged the Minnesota National Guard and the Duluth airman who shot down the object over Lake…

Complaint: Duluth-Area Man Sexually Assaulted 2 Girls, Possibly More

Clint Franklin Massie DULUTH, Minn. — A Duluth-area man is accused of sexually assaulting at least two children, and the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office believes more victims have yet to come forward. Clint Massie, 48, is charged with four counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving young girls. The investigation started in January after a woman came forward with…

Superior School Dist. Considers Consolidating Schools

SUPERIOR, Wis. — The Superior School District is beginning discussions to potentially consolidate its elementary schools from six to five. Superintendent Amy Starzecki said a 2022 district study showed the elementary schools are being underutilized — sitting at only 71 percent capacity. So, because of that and a significant budget shortfall coming in 2024, the district believes downsizing into five…

Cohasset Mayor: Loss Of Huber Timber Plant Development ‘Devastating’

DULUTH, Minn. – “Frustrated, disappointed and angry.” Those were the words from Cohasset Mayor Andy MacDonell Thursday after learning plans for a $440 million timber plant have fallen through. Huber Engineered Wood said in a statement the company can’t handle any more delays in getting approved for the new Oriented Strand Board facility. “Due to delays that jeopardize our ability…

Musical Bingo Fundraiser In Superior Supporting Local Artists

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Tuesday night people who love music and games came together in Superior for one big musical bingo fundraiser. The Mackie Brothers performed live, and each ball drawn represented a number like usual, but that number was attached to a well-known song. The Mackie Brothers then played that tune, and everybody checked their bingo card for the name…

‘Very Scary Stuff:’ Resident Describes Police Standoff At Greysolon Apartments

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DULUTH, Minn. – There were tense moments Monday at the Greysolon Apartments in downtown Duluth when a man with a sword caused an hours-long standoff with police. The incident ended safely after Duluth’s Tactical Response Team breached the apartment door, according to officials. While the alleged threats of violence from the man made residents feel uneasy, police said the end…

Don Ness, Dan Hanger Among ‘Singing With The Stars’ Contestants At NorShor Theatre

The competition is March 3!

DULUTH, Minn. — You’ve probably heard of “Dancing With The St’ars,” but what about “Singing With The Stars?” And what if some of the singing contestants included former mayor Don Ness and FOX 21’s Dan Hanger? Well, it’s happening March 3 at the NorShor Theatre! Tickets are on sale now. It’s a 100-percent fundraiser for the Duluth Playhouse. Tickets to…

Family Dog, Daughter Credited For Saving Duluth Home From Fire

DULUTH, Minn. — A Duluth Heights man is crediting his 12-year-old daughter, Zoe, and the family’s 3-year-old lab, Dudley, for saving their home after the nearby garage went up in flames Wednesday night. 12-year-old Zoe Radzak “If she didn’t come down screaming, it would have definitely gotten to the house, and it would have been a different story. So Dudley…

UPDATE: Ashland County Inmate Likely Died Of Overdose

UPDATE: An inmate’s death at the Ashland County Jail was likely caused by a drug overdose. That’s according to the Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office, which is handling the investigation to avoid any conflict-of-interest with the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office. The overdose is information coming from the preliminary investigation. The full toxicology report is still pending. —————————————————————————————————– ASHLAND, Wis. — An…