Dan Hanger, Author at Fox21Online

COVID Outbreak Among Cast, Crew Cancels ‘The Octette Bridge Club’ Performances

"It's tough. It's heartbreaking,” said Merry Renn Vaughan, the production's director.

November 17, 2021

Dan Hanger,

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Cases of COVID-19 have shut down a theatre production in Superior after just one live performance and weeks of rehearsals. In a story on FOX 21 last week, the cast and crew were excited about the all-alumni production of “The Octette Bridge Club” at UW-Superior Theatre. They got to perform opening night Friday, Nov. 19, but one…

Zeitgeist Restaurant & Bar To Reopen Without Traditional Tipping Model

November 14, 2021

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Zeitgeist Restaurant & Bar in downtown Duluth is getting ready to reopen in just days – but without the option to tip your server. In a post on its Facebook page, Zeigeist said it will now implement a “20-percent universal hospitality charge.” They say the change will provide “an elevated and fair living wage for all team…

Snow, Ice Cited In St. Louis Co. Crash That Killed 2

November 14, 2021

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) – Wintry weather carrying strong winds, snow and icy conditions may have contributed to a highway crash in northeastern Minnesota that killed a woman and an 11-year-old boy. The Minnesota State Patrol cited snow and icy roads in a fatal crash Thursday afternoon on Highway 135 in St. Louis County. A Toyota Corolla carrying four people was…

Virus Surge Sends Minnesota Hospitals Scrambling For Room

November 14, 2021

Dan Hanger,

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota hospitals are scrambling to make room for patients as patients needing medical care for COVID-19 have hit a high for the year. Hospitals have delayed non-essential procedures, diverted less serious cases to outpatient clinics, and treated emergency room patients in hallways and ambulance bays that have been converted to urgent care centers, the St. Paul Pioneer…

Duluth Police Complete Investigation Into DTA Crash That Killed Pedestrian

The St. Louis County Attorney's Office is now reviewing the police department's report.

November 11, 2021

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – FOX 21 learned Thursday that the Duluth Police Department has completed its investigation involving a DTA driver who struck and killed a pedestrian at the Miller Hill Mall in September. A spokesperson for the department said the investigation is now in the hands of the St. Louis County Attorney’s Office for possible charges. David Weston, 64, died…

2 Officers Shot At Wauwatosa Hotel, Suspect Arrested

November 7, 2021

Dan Hanger,

WAUWATOSA, Wis. (AP) – Police in Wisconsin say a shooter wounded two officers as they investigated a report of shots fired inside a hotel. Wauwatosa police say in a news release that the officers responded Saturday night to the Radisson Hotel. Witnesses and guests told the officers that gunshots had come from the 2nd floor. The officers were shot when…

Walz Takes To Field For Deer Opener; Visits CWD Testing Site

November 7, 2021

Dan Hanger,

PINE CITY, Minn. (AP) – Gov. Tim Walz was among the thousands of hunters who took to the field for Minnesota’s firearms deer hunting season opener. Walz hunted on private property in Pine County on Saturday. Here’s a video message from his stand. The owners permanently protected the land by donating a conservation easement to the Minnesota Land Trust. The…

Tickets For 2022 Duluth Airshow Go On Sale Nov. 10

November 3, 2021

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – If you’re a fan of the Duluth Airshow, you can get your tickets for next year in just days. Tickets for the July 16 and 17 air show go on sale Wed., Nov. 10 at DuluthAirshow.com. Sales start at 8 a.m. The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will headline the 2022 Duluth Airshow after the Blue Angles had…

COVID-19 Wave Overwhelms Rural Hospitals Short On ICU Beds

October 24, 2021

Dan Hanger,

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The case of a rural Minnesota man who waited two days for an ICU bed and later died is among several examples that have frustrated officials in rural hospitals whose facilities are overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients. Bob Cameron spent two days in his hometown hospital in Hallock, Minnesota, where caregivers searched nonstop for space in a larger…

Fire Damages House For Homeless In Virginia, 7 Displaced

October 24, 2021

Dan Hanger,

Courtesy: Northland FireWire VIRGINIA, Minn. – Seven residents of a house for people who are homeless were displaced by fire Saturday in Virginia. The flames broke out around 4 p.m. at Bill’s House on the 200-block of 3rd Street North, according to the Northland FireWire. Courtesy: Northland FireWire When firefighters arrived, they found a mattress on fire. One bedroom was…

All Wisconsin Calls Will Require Dialing The Area Code

October 24, 2021

Dan Hanger,

MILWAUKEE (AP) – Starting Sunday people in Wisconsin will have to dial local numbers using 10 digits – the area code and the seven-digit phone number. Currently, people in Wisconsin can place a call to a number in the same area code without dialing the area code. The change will affect both landlines and cellphones and all of Wisconsin’s six…

Small Plane Crashes into Wisconsin Home, Kills 2 Onboard

October 24, 2021

Dan Hanger,

MARENGO, Wis. (AP) – Authorities say two people died when a single-engine plane crashed into a home in northwestern Wisconsin. The Ashland County Sheriff’s Office received numerous 911 calls about 2:40 p.m. Saturday with reports of the crash in the town of Marengo. No one on the ground was hurt. The sheriff’s department says the victims are a 29-year-old man…

Duluth Firefighters Rescue Cat From Burning Building

October 22, 2021

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth firefighters rescued a cat from a burning building Thursday night. Firefighters could be seen giving the cat some oxygen after taking in too much smoke. The fire broke out around 7:15 p.m. on the 1600-block of Commonwealth Avenue in the Gary-New Duluth neighborhood. When crews arrived, flames were seen from the second floor of the four-plex….

St. Louis County Rescue Squad Trains Through Big Waves In Ship Canal

October 22, 2021

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Training was at an extreme for the St. Louis County Rescue Squad Wednesday in the Duluth Ship Canal. The waves were fierce, creating perfect conditions for the rescue squad crews to take out four boats and practice their swift-water rescue skills. At one point, their small Zodiac boat overturned in the big waves, but Capt. Rick Slatten…

MN Air Rescue Team Holds Demonstration At The DECC

October 21, 2021

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – The DECC became ground zero for an aerial search and rescue demonstration for Minnesota firefighters. The mock rescue was performed by the Minnesota Air Rescue Team, which is a joint venture between the Minnesota State Patrol and the St. Paul Fire Department. The team is available to assist hundreds of fire departments across the state for high-risk…

‘Visit Duluth’ Board Agrees To Much Smaller Sales Role With City

October 20, 2021

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Visit Duluth — the city’s top marketing arm since 1935 — has agreed to a much smaller role with the city so it isn’t dissolved altogether. This comes after the city council recently approved a 2022 tourism marketing contract with Bellmont Partners out of the Twin Cities worth $1.8 million. The company came out on top after…

Advocate: I-35 Homeless Encampment Fire Highlights Duluth’s Affordable Housing Crisis

October 19, 2021

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth’s top homeless outreach advocate is speaking out one day after a homeless camp in Duluth created quite the fire and smoke show under a busy stretch of I-35 downtown. Deb Holman, outreach coordinator for CHUM and the Human Development Center, said homeless advocates and the Minnesota Department of Transportation are working together to try to find…

Identities Released In Double-Murder Suicide In Culver Township

October 17, 2021

Dan Hanger,

CULVER TOWNSHIP, Minn. – The names of those involved in a double-murder suicide in Culver Township early Saturday morning were released Sunday evening by the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office. The suspect is identified as Cody Pirila, 31, of Brookston. The victims are identified as Skylar Hunter, 31, of Brookston, and his father, Jamie Hunter, 51, of Moose Lake. Pirila…

Volunteers ‘Desperately’ Needed For Bentleyville Setup

October 12, 2021

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – America’s largest free walk-thru Christmas light display, Bentleyville Tour of Lights, is facing a serious lack of volunteers to get everything set up. Owner Nathan Bentley said volunteers are “desperately” needed every weekend before opening in November. He’s averaging 10 volunteers on Saturdays and Sundays, which is 90 people short of what’s needed to put up millions…

All City of Duluth Employee Unions Reject Mayor’s 2022 Healthcare Proposal

October 4, 2021

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – FOX 21 learned Monday that all six employee unions with the city of Duluth have rejected the administration’s new healthcare proposal for 2022. This comes after a rally outside City Hall late last week where union members said they have a strong health fund and want to keep it that way. The proposed changes to employee health…

Police Investigate Gun Threat At Duluth Car Lot; Friday’s Standoff Suspect Possibly Linked

October 3, 2021

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth police are investigating a threatening gun incident that could be connected to the suspect in Friday’s standoff. There was a report Friday around 12:30 p.m. of a person who displayed a gun at a car lot, New Duluth Auto, in Gary-New Duluth, according to Mattie Hjelseth, public information officer for the Duluth Police Department. Hjelseth said…

Federal Judge Sets Hearing On Blocking Wisconsin Wolf Hunt

October 3, 2021

Dan Hanger,

(AP Photo/Dawn Villella, File) MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A federal judge has set a hearing for later this month on whether to block Wisconsin’s fall wolf hunt. Six Chippewa tribes filed a lawsuit on Sept. 21 seeking to block the hunt, saying hunters killed too many wolves during the state’s February season and kill quotas from the fall hunt aren’t…

Popular Wilderness Area Closures Lifted After Summer Fires

October 3, 2021

Dan Hanger,

ISABELLA, Minn. (AP) – Superior National Forest officials say the last remaining closure order related to wildfires in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness has now been lifted. A hot and abnormally dry summer caused extreme fire danger and prompted a complete closure of the popular wilderness in northern Minnesota for a couple of weeks after wildfires broke out. The…

Duluth’s Plastic Bag Fee Begins Oct. 15

September 29, 2021

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – After more than a year of delays, the city of Duluth is about to start its plastic bag fee. The 5-cent fee will take effect Oct. 15 for places like grocery stores and retailers. The fee per bag will be added on to the total bill at an establishment. The fee will not be required for the…

Longtime St. Louis County Attorney Mark Rubin Passes Torch To Kim Maki

September 29, 2021

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – There was a moment in history Wednesday as longtime St. Louis County Attorney Mark Rubin passed the torch to the county’s next leader in prosecution and justice – Kim Maki. Dozens of people showed up outside the courthouse to watch the handover in power. Rubin has been the county attorney since 2010 with more than 42 years…

Duluth Police Join ‘Pink Patch Project’ For Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The public is encouraged to purchase patches to help raise money for the American Cancer Society.

September 28, 2021

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – For the first time, the Duluth Police Department is joining the Pink Patch Project for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. During the month of October, officers will be wearing commemorative pink patches on their uniforms, along with other law enforcement agencies in the state. Police Chief Mike Tusken says it’s a way to raise awareness in conversation while…

Skunk Named ‘Snacks’ Unexpectedly Dies At Great Lakes Aquarium

September 27, 2021

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. — There are heavy hearts at the Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth after one of their animals died over the weekend from heart failure. Snacks, a 4-year-old striped skunk, began to rapidly get sick Sunday afternoon, which led to the difficult decision to humanely euthanize him. Care workers said heart failure in animals can happen at any time…

Fundraiser For Fire-Damaged Spoon’s Bar & Grill

Damage is now estimated to be as much as $400,000, according to owner Solomon Witherspoon.

September 23, 2021

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. — The official cause of a fire at Spoon’s Bar & Grill in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood remains under investigation, but people came out Thursday evening to raise money for the owner so he can eventually reopen. That event was held at the Spirit Room in Superior. Spoon’s owner Solomon Witherspoon said damage is now estimated to be…

Former Longtime Duluth City Attorney Headed to City of Hermantown

September 20, 2021

Dan Hanger,

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Former longtime Duluth city attorney Gunnar Johnson is now going to work in that same role with the city of Hermantown. The city council voted unanimously Monday night to hire Johnson, who will start in January. He is replacing Steve Overom who held the city attorney position for 42 years. Overom is scaling back duties with the…

COVID Concerns Forcing Chisholm’s K-3rd Graders Back To Distance Learning

September 15, 2021

Dan Hanger,

CHISHOLM, Minn. – An “increasing” number of COVID cases is forcing some elementary grades in the Chisholm School District to learn from home for at least the next two weeks. The changes are affecting K-3rd graders at Vaughan Steffensrud Elementary School, according to Adrian Norman, the district’s superintendent. Norman confirms St. Louis County health officials raised the alarm about the…

Greenwood Fire Now 67% Contained

September 12, 2021

Dan Hanger,

ISABELLA, Minn. — There was good news for the Greenwood Fire on Sunday as officials said the fire was 67 percent contained and was not expected to have any new growth. Cooler air in the 60s, lighter winds and an increase in humidity have all contributed to the positive improvements with the fire, which started by lightning nearly a month…

‘On Golden Pond’ to Light up Fitger’s Spirit of the North Theater

September 8, 2021

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Live theater is returning to the Spirit of the North Theater inside the Fitger’s Complex this weekend with a brand new production. The original 1979 screenplay version of “On Golden Pond” will take center stage. It’s a romantic, funny and family oriented show. The production will run for two weekends starting this Friday at 7 p.m. The…

Bus Driver Shortage Causing ‘Very Real Concerns’ For Barnum Student Athletes

September 8, 2021

Dan Hanger,

BARNUM, Minn. — A shortage of bus drivers with the Barnum School District is causing “very real concerns” about not being able to transport student athletes to their games, according to a letter from the district to parents and students Wednesday (see below). Parents are being asked to get ready to figure out how to get their own athletes to…

‘Travel Superior’ CEO Speaks Out Against Mayor Paine’s Tourism Commission Proposal

September 2, 2021

Dan Hanger,

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The president and CEO of Superior’s visitor’s bureau, known as Travel Superior, is speaking out against Mayor Jim Paine’s proposal to create a tourism commission to handle 100 percent of the city’s tourism tax revenue. Taylor Pedersen believes the process to potentially do away with Travel Superior has been rushed and he doesn’t believe a six-person commission…

Greenwood Fire Destroys Nearly 70 Structures In McDougal Lake Area

No injuries have been reported so far.

August 25, 2021

Dan Hanger,

The Greenwood Fire’s devastating destruction became very real Wednesday evening as officials released how many structures were damaged or destroyed in the McDougal Lake area. According to the Superior National Forest Service, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office has counted 12 cabins and homes destroyed by fire and nearly 60 outbuildings, like sheds, also destroyed. Three other primary structures, like cabins…

Duluth School Dist. To Mask Up For Full In-Person Learning

August 24, 2021

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth School District confirmed its back-to-school plans Tuesday evening that include students learning in-person five days a week and students 2 and older wearing masks. The mask requirement also includes all school employees and guests. The confirmation came as district officials updated the ISD 709 Safe Learning Plan. Supt. John Magas said he’s following the guidance…

‘Get Ready’ Notifications Issued For Portion Of Gunflint Trail As Wildfires Grow

August 23, 2021

Dan Hanger,

BWCAW – The Cook County Sheriff’s Office and Gunflint fire personnel are alerting people along a northern portion of the Gunflint Trail to “get ready” for potential evacuations because of growing wildfires in the BWCAW. The pre-evacuation alert is for property owners from Seagull Lake to the south end of Loon Lake. Sheriff Pat Eliasen posted on social media Monday…

Native American Advocate Group Holds Backpack Giveaway

August 19, 2021

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Kids and families got a chance to check out a backpack giveaway in Duluth Thursday. The American Indian Movement of the Twin Ports was behind the event. More than two dozen backpacks, a whole lot of supplies and even a half-dozen new pairs of shoes were all given out. “It’s really important to me because I was…

Feasibility Study Underway For Possible Convention Center In Superior

August 19, 2021

Dan Hanger,

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The city of Superior is looking into whether the city should be home to the area’s next convention center. A feasibility study is underway right now by a company out of the Twin Cities. The city’s planning director, Jason Serck, said the convention center wouldn’t be as big as the DECC in Duluth, but a size that…

Large Wildfire Ignites 15 Miles SW Of Isabella

Some camp sites have been evacuated and closed until further notice.

August 15, 2021

Dan Hanger,

Greenwood Fire/USDA Forest Service GREENWOOD LAKE, Minn. — A large wildfire ignited around 3 p.m. Sunday near Greenwood Lake — about 15 miles southwest of Isabella, Minn. Courtesy: Karl Kaufmann The USDA Forest Service did not immediately have the current size of the fire, other than it being estimated at a couple hundred acres and moving quickly. “The Forest Service…

Life In Prison For Man Who Killed Manitowoc Father, Daughter

August 15, 2021

Dan Hanger,

Karl Hess MANITOWOC, Wis. (AP) – A man convicted of killing a father and his teenage daughter at the victims’ Manitowoc home has been sent to prison for life. Karl Hess continues to maintain his innocence in the fatal shooting of 51-year-old Richard Miller and 19-year-old Jocelyn Miller. The 38-year-old Appleton man was found guilty in June of two counts…

Mayor Larson Provides Detailed Response To Critics Of Plan To Outsource Duluth’s Tourism Marketing

Larson's full e-mail to council with answers to critics can be found at the bottom of this story.

August 12, 2021

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Mayor Emily Larson addressed city councilors at Thursday night’s agenda meeting — three days after announcing her plan to outsource the city’s 2022 marketing contract and no longer use Visit Duluth. It’s a bold move Larson acknowledges, and one that’s fueled a lot of pushback from the local creative community. As FOX 21’s Dan Hanger reports,…

Mayor Larson’s Email Answering Questions Critical Of Outsourcing Duluth’s Marketing

August 12, 2021

Dan Hanger,

Councilors, Thank you for your service and dedication to Duluth. CAO Schuchman and I will be in attendance tonight at agenda session to answer questions on the tourisms action before you and we will be with Bellmont Partners on Monday to present as a Committee of the Whole. Because this is new terrain it has understandably created a significant response….

Critics Grow Louder Over Mayor Larson’s Plan To Outsource Duluth’s Tourism Marketing; Councilors Weigh In

August 12, 2021

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth city councilors are getting an earful and raising questions — one day after Mayor Emily Larson boldly announced plans to pass up longtime Visit Duluth for the city’s next tourism marketing contract worth nearly $2 million and instead choose Minneapolis-based Bellmont Partners and its partner, Lawrence & Schiller. Mayor Larson told FOX 21 she stands by…

One-On-One: Mayor Larson Explains Choosing Minneapolis Agency Over ‘Visit Duluth’ For Tourism Marketing

Visit Duluth is being offered a significantly smaller second contract for "convention and visitor center operations."

August 11, 2021

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – After 85 years as Duluth’s main tourism marketing arm, Visit Duluth will no longer have that title come 2022 — pending council’s approval — as Mayor Emily Larson continues to scrutinize how millions of dollars in tourism tax revenue is handed out every year. Larson made the big announcement Tuesday by saying her team has chosen Minneapolis-based…

Larson Chooses Minneapolis Agency Over ‘Visit Duluth’ For City’s Main Marketing Contract

Visit Duluth is being offered a significantly smaller second contract for "convention and visitor center operations."

August 10, 2021

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – After 85 years as Duluth’s main tourism marketing arm, Visit Duluth will no longer have that title come 2022, as Mayor Emily Larson continues to scrutinize how millions of dollars in tourism tax revenue is used every year. Mayor Larson made the announcement Tuesday saying her team has chosen Minneapolis-based Bellmont Partners and its partner, Lawrence &…

Evers OKs Use-Of-Force Bill, Vetoes Plan To Defund Cities

August 8, 2021

Dan Hanger,

(Steve Apps/Wisconsin State Journal via AP, File) MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Gov. Tony Evers has signed a bill that establishes a uniform use-of-force policy for police across Wisconsin. Evers announced he signed the bill on Friday. Under the bill, police can use force based on a situation’s circumstances and whether a suspect is fleeing or resisting arrest. Deadly force is…

Duluth Police Union Calls Lack Of Qualified Officer Candidates A ‘Crisis’

July 25, 2021

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth’s police union is calling the struggle to hire qualified officers a “crisis” for the police department and the city. In a post on Local 807’s Facebook page, the union said they recently were not able to fill all open police officer positions because there weren’t enough qualified candidates interested in working for the Duluth Police Department….

Authorities Identify Victims In Wisconsin Triple Homicide

July 25, 2021

Dan Hanger,

LA CROSSE, Wis. (AP) – Authorities have identified the victims of a triple homicide in far western Wisconsin. The La Crosse County Sheriff’s Office says the bodies of 24-year-old Peng Lor, 24-year-old Nemo Yang and 23-year-old Trevor Maloney were discovered shortly before 5 a.m. Friday by two workers of the Milestone Quarry. The quarry is located near West Salem, about…

Nearly 3 Dozen Athletes With Wisconsin Ties In Tokyo Games

July 25, 2021

Dan Hanger,

Credit: Associated Press MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Nearly three dozen athletes with ties to Wisconsin will be going for the gold as the Olympics get underway in Tokyo. The Badger State athletes will represent Team USA in competition that includes trap shooting, track and field, rowing and sailing. Alie Rusher, from West Bend, will be participating in the quadruple sculls…

Author: Dan Hanger

"It's tough. It's heartbreaking,” said Merry Renn Vaughan, the production's director.

The St. Louis County Attorney's Office is now reviewing the police department's report.

The public is encouraged to purchase patches to help raise money for the American Cancer Society.

Damage is now estimated to be as much as $400,000, according to owner Solomon Witherspoon.

No injuries have been reported so far.

Some camp sites have been evacuated and closed until further notice.

Larson's full e-mail to council with answers to critics can be found at the bottom of this story.

Visit Duluth is being offered a significantly smaller second contract for "convention and visitor center operations."

Visit Duluth is being offered a significantly smaller second contract for "convention and visitor center operations."

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