Author: Dan Hanger

MnDOT: Homeless Encampment Fire Caused $1.9M In Damage To I-35 In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — FOX 21 has learned of a nearly $2 million price tag to repair a section of I-35 in Duluth that officials say was caused by a homeless encampment fire. The bridge work is just south of the Heritage Sports Center on I-35, according to MnDOT. The encampment fire happened in September 2024. An inspection found “enough damage…

One-Vehicle Rollover In Duluth Construction Area

Submitted DULUTH, Minn. – Firefighters responded to a one-vehicle rollover in Duluth Thursday. The accident happened on 6th Avenue East and 6th Street, which is an area with heavy construction right now. FOX 21 has reached out to the Duluth Police Department to find out a cause and if anybody was injured. Categories: Minnesota, News, News – Latest News, Public…

2 People Rescued From Windy Chequamegon Bay

Ashland Fire Dept. ASHLAND, Wis. — Firefighters in Ashland rescued people out on a windy Chequamegon Bay Thursday. Fire officials said wind and a deflating raft got the 13-year-old girl and her grandmother stuck about 400 yards from shore. The winds were so bad that the nearby Solstice Outdoors was not renting kayaks for the day. Firefighters used a resident’s…

40 Years Later, Leif Erickson Viking Ship To Become Housed Exhibit In Knife River

KNIFE RIVER, Minn. — The day has finally arrived — 40 years in the making.  The Leif Erickson Viking Ship is fully restored, has a permanent home and will soon be fully protected from the weather with a roof and public exhibit. “One-of-a-kind ship. This is an antique that’s been restored,” said Neill Atkins, chair of the Leif Erickson Restoration…

‘Force on Fifth Avenue’ Close to Opening

DULUTH, Minn. – “Force on Fifth Avenue,” the new housing development, is close to opening in downtown Duluth. “I’m proud of this particular project because it’s really the gateway to downtown Duluth and to our community. And as you can see, we’re doing work out there now to make sure it’s beautiful,” said Brian Forcier, president of Titanium Partners. That…

Report Of Man With Firearm Creates Standoff With Superior Police

SUPERIOR, Wis. – A man accused of pointing a firearm at someone caused a standoff with Superior police Tuesday. Officers got a report around 2:50 p.m. of an intoxicated man inside a home in the 1700 block of Iowa Avenue who pointed the firearm at “another occupant” who was trying to leave, according to police. “Officers arrived and attempted to…

Wanted Man Arrested In Greysolon Apartments After Standoff

DULUTH, Minn. — The Greysolon Apartments in downtown Duluth became the center of a standoff Monday. Duluth police said a 37-year-old man wanted for felony domestic assault barricaded himself in a bedroom of an apartment. The man was originally arrested Friday for the alleged assault. But at some point Friday, police said he fled a local hospital while in custody….

City Charter Commission Recommends Duluth Council Pay Increase

DULUTH, Minn. — A pay increase is being recommended for Duluth city councilors, which would be the first increase since 2018. The City Charter Commission is proposing councilors be paid $1,425 a month, up from $1,150 per month, bringing a councilor’s annual pay to $17,100. For all nine councilors, the increase would add up to $29,700 out of the $108…

Duluth Schools Asst. Supt. Arrested For DWI

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Public Schools on Tuesday said its assistant superintendent, Anthony Bonds, was arrested overnight for drunken driving. In a statement, a district spokesperson said this is a first-time DWI offense for Bonds. Bonds started with ISD-709 in 2020. The district said it is “committed to transparency that is consistent with the law to ensure the community is…

MN Nurses Association To End Strike With Essentia Health

DULUTH, Minn. — The Minnesota Nurses Association sent out a news release late Monday that said the remaining striking nurses at Essentia Health in the Twin Ports will end the strike. News Release: July 21, 2025 – Tomorrow, Tuesday, July 22 at 10:00 AM, striking members of the Minnesota Nurses Association at Essentia’s clinics, surgery center, hospice house and East…

Girl Dies After Being Hit By Vehicle In Burnett County

WOOD RIVER TOWNSHIP, Wis. — A 10-year-old girl has died after being struck by a vehicle in Burnett County. It happened Sunday around 11:50 a.m. in the parking lot at the Burnett Dairy Cooperative in Wood River Township, according to the Burnett County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators said the incident appears to be accidental. The victim’s identity was not immediately released….

MNA Accuses Essentia of ‘Intimidation’ and ‘Retaliation’ Amid Strike

DULUTH, Minn. — The Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) blasted Essentia Health Wednesday by saying the healthcare provider is intimidating and retaliating against some of the union’s Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) who have chosen to leave the group’s strike and go back to work. The strong words from the MNA came after Essentia Health sent out the following release to the…

Mama Duck Hatches Ducklings In Essentia Health Courtyard For Third Time

SUPERIOR, Wis. — A mama duck recently hatched ducklings in the courtyard at Essentia Health in Superior. But because it’s enclosed, the only way out is to prop open a few doors and let her do the rest by guiding her babies to safety. Melissa Walrath and her fellow co-workers in Outpatient Surgery took this video. Melissa says this is…

Port Authority: Closure Of CHS Superior Terminal Is ‘Disappointing Blow’

SUPERIOR, Wis. – “Disappointing blow.”  Those are the words from the Duluth Seaway Port Authority about the shutdown of one of the Twin Ports oldest and largest grain shippers. Employees at the CHS Superior Terminal told FOX 21 they were notified Thursday that they will be out of a job on Sept. 8. The grain facility has been operating at…

Fire Damages Longtime Manufacturing Plant In Floodwood

FLOODWOOD, Minn. — Firefighters in Floodwood remained on the scene Monday after a large fire ignited Friday at a longtime business. Courtesy: Northland Fire Wire The fire broke out around 10:30 p.m. Friday at the Mat, Inc. facility on Highway 2. When firefighters arrived, they encountered an 18,000-gallon propane tank with 40-foot flames, according to the Northland Fire Wire. A…

Man Drowns In Tettegouche State Park

A man drowned while swimming in Tettegouche State Park. The incident happened on the 4th of July around 1 p.m. The Lake County Sheriff’s said Hari Senagana, 25, of Kansas was seen struggling at Illgen Falls before going under. The St. Louis County Rescue Squad was called in to help with the recovery efforts. The victim’s body was recovered in…

President’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Would Cost St. Louis County At Least $16M, County Says

DULUTH, Minn. — St. Louis county leaders put out a warning to residents Wednesday to say President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” – if passed — would cost the county at least $16 million. As written now, the federal bill would shift Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) costs from the federal government to the states, according to the county. For…

Female Stabbed To Death In Duluth’s Lincoln Park

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth police are investigating after a female was stabbed to death Saturday evening. Around 7:30 p.m., officers responded to a report of a stabbing that occurred in the 600 block of North 27th Avenue West. “Upon arrival, a female was located deceased with stab wounds. Lifesaving measures were attempted but unsuccessful,” according to a news release. The…

Official: 2 Dead, 1 Injured In Domestic-Related Shooting in Chisholm

CHISHOLM, Minn. — A law enforcement source with close knowledge of the investigation told FOX 21 on Wednesday that a fatal domestic-related shooting in Chisholm Tuesday night was a result of murder-suicide. The shooting happened in the 100 block of 5th Street Northwest. The official said the killer shot the two victims before turning the gun on themselves. One victim…

Gov. Walz Issues Statement On Arrest Of Murder Suspect Vance Boelter

Gov. Tim Walz released the following statement Sunday night on the arrest of Vance Boelter following the “assassination” of Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and the “attempted assassination” of Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, according to the governor’s office: “After a two-day manhunt in which hundreds of law enforcement officials left their families to run…

1 Dead, 2 Arrested After Overnight Shooting In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that took place early Sunday morning in the city’s Central Hillside neighborhood. The call for help came in around 1:30 a.m. in the 100 block of East 3rd Street. When officers arrived, they located a male with multiple gunshot wounds.  He was taken to a local hospital where…

Official: Missing Cliff Diver’s Body Recovered Near Gilbert

6/6/25 UPDATE: The identity of the cliff diver near a Gilbert mine pit has been identified. The victim has been identified as 27-year-old Axel John Jurva of Virginia, MN. Yesterday, Authorities recovered the body of a missing cliff diver. The victim’s friend on-scene reported seeing Axel resurface, but then disappearing back into the water. ORGINIAL STORY: Authorities recovered the body…

Duluth’s New Homeless ‘Safe Bay’ At Vineyard Church Closed — At Least For Now

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth’s new Safe Bay location for homeless to sleep in their vehicles overnight has been shut down — at least temporarily — after only being operational for about a week. City and CHUM officials told FOX 21 on Sunday that an attorney for nearby neighbors of the Safe Bay location in the church’s back parking lot has…

Grand Rapids Man Facing 20 Charges Related to Animal Torture & Improper Burial

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. — A Grand Rapids man is accused of animal torture and improper burial in Itasca County. 42-year-old Jacob Landeslag is facing 20 charges. According to the criminal complaint, 92 of his 140 goats dies while on a property in Bovey. Officers found three piles of dead goats on the property. The surviving goats were dehydrated and malnourished,…

Jury Found Michigan Man Guilty in Chantel Moose Murder

DULUTH, Minn. — A jury has found a Michigan man guilty of killing a Duluth woman after bar close in downtown Duluth last year. And Tuesday night the victim’s family has released a video statement remembering their loved one. But first, Tuesday’s guilty verdict. 35-year-old Darrius Plummer of Canton Michigan is convicted of second-degree murder in the death of 25-year-old…

Sheriff Offers Likely Causes Of 3 St. Louis County Wildfires

DULUTH, Minn. — There were no official causes of the three wildfires burning in St. Louis County Wednesday, but Sheriff Gordon Ramsay is offering his likely causes for the wildfires that have burned more than 35,000 acres. The Camp House wildfire appears to have been started by an unattended campfire, according to Ramsay. The DNR is said to have identified…

FOX 21 9 P.M. Wildfire Coverage: May 13, 2025

DULUTH, Minn. —  Click the video above to watch the first 15 minutes of FOX 21’s 9 p.m. wildfire coverage from Tuesday, May 13.   Topics covered included the latest acres burned, an update on firefighting efforts from Incident Command in Two Harbors, and what St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay believes caused the three separate wildfires that continued to burn…

Activities Dir.: ‘Sexual Toy’ Is Center Of Hazing Investigation Involving Superior H.S. Boys Lacrosse Team

SUPERIOR, Wis. – A hazing investigation is underway by the Superior Police Department involving the Superior High School boys lacrosse team. In an email to the families of the team, Activities Director Ella Olson said she and the dean of students interviewed “many boys regarding the ‘sexual toy’ that was brought into the BLAX hotel and made its way into…

Sheriff: 40-Plus Structures Destroyed In ‘Camp House’ Fire Near Brimson

As Tuesday morning, there were no reports of injuries of fatalities in the three active wildfires in St. Louis County.

CAMP HOUSE FIRE: Camp House Fire Monday (FOX 9) One day after a massive wildfire erupted near Brimson, officials reported Monday night that at least 40 structures had been destroyed by the Camp House wildfire. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office made that announcement about the losses in a news release around 10:30 p.m. The Camp House fire grew to…

‘Rapidly Spreading’ Wildfire Reported Near Brimson; Dozens Of Residents Evacuate

AULT TOWNSHIP, Minnesota — Multiple fire agencies are battling a “rapidly spreading” wildfire around the 2200 block of Highway 44 in Ault Township near Brimson. Courtesy: April Schultz The call for help came in around 1:15 p.m. Sunday. The flames were traveling in a northeasterly direction through the woods. As of 10 p.m. Sunday, the fire was estimated to be…

Sheriff: Canoeist Found Dead While On Trip In BWCAW

The body of a canoeist was recovered Saturday afternoon from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. United State Forest Service employees located a capsized canoe around 2:20 p.m. Saturday on Iron Lake, which is just north of Ely. “Upon investigating further, the USFS employees located a deceased individual and their gear floating near the canoe,” according to the St. Louis…

True North Goodwill Leaving Garfield Ave., Opening $20M Headquarters At Atlas Industrial Park

Goodwill's headquarters near the Blatnik Bridge have been in operation since 1980.

DULUTH, Minn. – Since 1980, Duluth’s Goodwill has operated its headquarters near the base of the Blatnik Bridge on Garfield Avenue. But now, that’s about to change in a big way. A new True North Goodwill Resource and Training Center will be built in a new location at the Atlas Industrial Park on the western end of Duluth, which is…

Mayor: Duluth’s Local Government Aid Could Be Cut By $1.1M

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert is concerned, but not surprised, more Local Government Aid (LGA) could be cut from the city. On Wednesday, Reinert said the Minnesota Legislature’s Senate Committee on Taxes released its omnibus tax bill, which includes a 3.1 percent cut to Duluth’s LGA, or $1.1 million out of the city’s general fund budgets. Mayor Reinert…

Douglas County Humane Society Takes In Malnourished Horse, Needs Donations

SUPERIOR, Wis. — A severely malnourished horse is in need of financial support to get back to good health. The Douglas County Humane Society is organizing the fundraiser for Sunny the horse.  The staff members said Sunny is with a loving foster home right now while the long road to recovery begins. While the Humane Society did not give specifics…

Motorcyclist Seriously Injured After Collision With School Bus

COLERAINE, Minn. — A motorcyclist was fighting for his life Wednesday after crashing with a school bus in Coleraine. The motorcyclist was identified as Damian Heinkel, 44, of Bovey. The accident was reported around 2:15 p.m. Wednesday. The Minnesota State Patrol said the school bus was turning from Southbound U.S. Highway 169 for Morris Avenue when it collided with the…

Charges: Superior Teen Threatened Grandmother, Shot At Deputies Over Denial Of Video Game Purchase

SUPERIOR, Wis. — A teenager from Superior who is accused of shooting at Douglas County deputies Tuesday was charged as an adult Wednesday for five felonies, including first-degree attempted intentional homicide. According to the criminal complaint, Carsen Peterson, 13, was so out of control and angry that his grandmother was forced to call 911. The incident began around 4:30 p.m….

City Council Approves Outside Investigation Into Internal Issues With Superior Police Dept.

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Urgent internal struggles within the Superior Police Department will officially be handled by an outside consultant for no more than $50,000 after the city council unanimously approved the measure at tonight’s city council meeting. Last month, Mayor Jim Paine told the Public Safety Committee there are a number of cultural issues, interpersonal conflicts and potential personnel concerns…

Sheriff: ‘Tragic Outcome’ Avoided After Boy Shoots At Douglas Co. Deputies

TOWN OF SUPERIOR, Wis. – A shooting investigation is underway in the Town of Superior after authorities said a teen shot at deputies multiple times during a standoff. The incident unfolded around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at a home in the 5000 block of STH 35. Douglas County deputies responded there for a report of an out-of-control boy. When authorities arrived,…

Grand Rapids Man Arrested At Work After Stabbing Incident

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. — A Grand Rapids man was arrested at his work Sunday after investigators said he stabbed his friend in the hand. Seth Marshall Hanna, 23, was taken into custody at the Pickled Loon Sunday morning on second-degree assault charges. Authorities with the Itasca County Sheriff’s Office said the arrest came after responding to an address on Mishawaka…

Brush Fires Force Temporary Closure of Highway 2 in Ashland

ASHLAND, Wis. —  Multiple brush fires shut down a section of Highway 2 in Ashland Monday evening. Road Closure As for 5:30 p.m. the Wisconsin Department of Transportation closed a section of Highway 2 in both directions from Old Odanah Road to 26th Avenue. Video from resident Christie Branagan showed sections of fire and thick smoke near the Three Eagles…

5 Killed, 6 Injured In Minneapolis Shootings; Indigenous Communities On Edge

(FOX21/FOX9) Minneapolis police are investigating six shootings that left at least five people dead and another six injured within 24-hours. The six shootings happened between late Tuesday night and Wednesday evening. Police said some of the shootings may be tied to gang violence. While law enforcement search for the suspects in the shootings, officers are putting more resources in the…

PhoHolic Family Ready To Expand Vietnamese Flavor In Duluth

The second location will be in the now-former China Cafe building on London Road.

DULUTH, Minn. — The family of a Vietnamese restaurant in Duluth is more than excited to expand into a second location this summer. PhoHolic on Central Entrance opened before the pandemic. And now, a second operation will move into the now-former China Café building on the 1600 block of London Road. “We’re super excited. Since day one, a lot of…

China Cafe Moves Out, PhoHolic To Move In With 2nd Duluth Location

DULUTH, Minn. — A popular Vietnamese restaurant is expanding to a second location in Duluth, as a longtime Chinese restaurant moves out. PhoHolic on Central Entrance in Duluth will expand into the former China Cafe building on the 1600 block of London Road. China Cafe closed on Wednesday, April 30, after more than 20 years in business.  The owners told…