Author: Dan Hanger

Longtime Chinese Restaurant In Duluth Closing

April 30 will be the last day of China Cafe.

DULUTH, Minn. – One of Duluth’s longest-running Chinese restaurants is closing in just days. China Café, located on the 1600 block of London Road, has been operating for more than 20 years. Last April, the building had a listed price of just under $1 million. The owners told FOX 21 on Monday that they are moving to California. It was…

Fire Rips Through Spirit Mountain Storage Facility

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Fire Marshal is investigating after fire took over a storage barn at Spirit Mountain. The fire was reported around 9:30 p.m. Saturday on the 8500 block of Knowlton Boulevard. A passerby called 911. The barn was used for storing equipment. Spirit Mountain Exec. Dir. Ann Glumac released the following statement to FOX 21 on Sunday:…

Riverdance Returning To Duluth With Rejuvenated 30th Anniversary Tour

Lead male performer Will Bryant talked to FOX 21's Dan Hanger ahead of the big show at the DECC.

DULUTH, Minn. — Riverdance has launched a brand new North American tour that celebrates 30 years of the international Irish dance phenomenon, and they’re making a stop in Duluth in May. Riverdance 30 – The New Generation rejuvenates the original show with new costumes, lighting and choreography. The new generation of performers, who are part of the 40-city tour, weren’t…

Standoff In Carlton County After ‘Shots Fired’ Call

Courtesy: Dustin Soukkala 7:30 p.m. Update:   The Carlton County Sheriff’s Office said a suspect was safely taken into custody Sunday evening after shots were fired from a residence, which then created a standoff. The call for help came in around 4 p.m. Sunday about a man who said he shot himself while cleaning a gun, according to the sheriff’s office….

Wife of Superior Police Chief Suing The City

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Mikayla Marie LeRette, the wife of Superior Police Chief Paul Winterscheidt, is suing the City of Superior and former Superior Police Capt. Thomas Champaigne. Superior Police Chief Paul Winterscheidt LeRette is a currently an investigator for the Superior Police Department. The federal lawsuit was filed in March 2025.  It has two key claims in it. The lawsuit…

Mayor: Superior Police Dept. Internal Struggles Near Possible ‘Crisis’

SUPERIOR, Wis. — The Superior Police Department is dealing with “urgent” internal struggles that Mayor Jim Paine said needs an outside review as soon as possible to keep the situation from becoming a “crisis.” Mayor Paine made his concerns known at the April 17 Public Safety Committee meeting. He said there are a number of cultural issues, interpersonal conflicts and…

Juvenile Dies After Vehicle Pursuit, Crash In Itasca County

COHASSET TOWNSHIP, Minn. — The Itasca County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a juvenile female died in a crash early Sunday morning during a police pursuit. According to Sheriff Dasovich, a deputy saw a vehicle without its headlights on traveling westbound on County Road 63 in the area of County Road 271 around 1:30 a.m. Sunday. The deputy attempted to…

“Purple Up” Day Highlights Children of Military Families

Children of military families in Minnesota are being recognized this month for their sacrifices to our country. Organizations like Duluth’s 148th Fighter Wing, the American Red Cross, and even the UMD Bulldogs took part Friday evening in “purple up” day to celebrate local kids from military families. It’s part of the “month of the military child” as it is known…

Chisholm Man Dies In Motorcycle Accident

CHERRY TOWNSHIP, Min. – A Chisholm man was killed Saturday afternoon after authorities said he lost control of his motorcycle in Cherry Township. The accident was reported around 4:30 p.m. on Highway 5 near the intersection of Herman Road, which is about five miles east of Hibbing. Witnesses told the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office that the 46-year-old man failed…

Update: Death Investigation In Eveleth Not Criminal

UPDATE April 2, 2025:  Eveleth Police Chief Jesse Linde provided an update Wednesday on a Mar. 30 death investigation. Linda said all criminal wrongdoing had be cleared in the case. He said the victim took their own life. EVELETH, Minn. — The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is assisting the Eveleth Police Department in a death investigation. Police Chief Jesse…

Duluth Public Schools Supt. Reacts to President Trump’s Order to Dismantle Dept. of Education

  DULUTH, Minn. —  Duluth Public Schools Supt. John Magas has released the following statement about President Trump’s executive order to dismantle the U.S. Dept. of Education: “Duluth Public Schools is aware of the recent presidential executive order concerning the U.S. Department of Education. We are carefully reviewing the implications of this order for our district and our families. In…

Busy Section Of Railroad Street To Be Resurfaced This Summer

DULUTH, Minn. — One of Duluth’s heavily traveled roads for tourists and entertainment goers is getting much-needed upgrades. We’re talking about Railroad Street from 5th Avenue West near Bayfront Park, east to South Lake Avenue in front of the Dairy Queen in Canal Park. The half-mile road will be resurfaced this summer. Some curbs and sidewalks will also be fixed…

Letter Carriers Rally In Duluth, Superior: ‘Hands Off The Postal Service’

DULUTH, Minn. — Letter carriers rallied Sunday in Duluth and Superior calling on U.S. lawmakers to keep their “hands off the postal service.” Dozens of people stood outside the federal building in downtown Duluth. The National Association of Letter Carriers were behind the “emergency” rallies. The organization said an effort to privatize or restructure the United States Postal Service is…

Mother Hopes To Inspire Others After Fast-Track Diploma Experience At Northwood Technical College

SUPERIOR, Wis. — We don’t always get to see the impact stories we share have on the community. We were lucky enough to have one local woman reach out to us, sharing her story of achieving an education later in life, thanks to an education institution we reported on in Superior. Now, she’s hoping to inspire others to reach for…

City Council Votes to Bring Back Visit Duluth’s Power

DULUTH, Minn. — After losing its 85-year title as Duluth’s sole tourism marketing organization in 2022, Visit Duluth is gaining back some of its longtime power. It’s set to eventually get back its original power in about two years. The city council has authorized a five-year agreement with Visit Duluth to handle advertising and publicity of the city at a…

‘Tequila Town’ Owner Changes Sign After Controversy In Esko

ESKO, Minn. — A Mexican restaurant in Esko has made some changes to its sign after the town board raised issue with alcoholic words in the sign being too close to Esko Schools. The original sign recently installed read: “Tequila Town Authentic Mexican Cuisine & Bar.” But over the weekend, Owner Rafael Mata posted a photo of the sign edited…

St. Louis Co. Rescue Squad’s Infrared Drone Helps Locate Missing Man

BREVATOR TOWNSHIP, Minn. — The St. Louis County Rescue Squad is crediting its drone technology for safely locating a missing man with dementia. Deep red along the tree line is missing man Drone Pilot Carter Nelson was one of the pilots using the infrared technology Saturday night for the missing 61-year-old man. The search effort was centered around Brevator Township…

“Tequila Town” Restaurant Name Sparks Controversy within Esko Community

ESKO, Minn.– A new Mexican restaurant in Esko is being forced to change the name of its business because the town board says it violates liquor license laws. “Tequila Town Authentic Mexican Cuisine & Bar” opened last month across the street from Esko Schools. The owner told FOX 21 the name of the business was inspired by his hometown “Tequila, Mexico.”…

1 Dead, 1 Rescued After UTV Falls Through Ice In Bay Along St. Louis River

The scene is near Billings Park

SUPERIOR, Wis. — A top law enforcement official confirmed with FOX 21 Thursday evening that a body was located in the water along the St. Louis River after the UTV they were in fell through the ice. The body was located within the vehicle 14 feet below the surface in Kimballs Bay near Billings Park, according to the official. The…

Beargrease releases statement in regards to new starting point

MINN. — Another weather obstacle for the John Beargrease sled dog marathon, as “rapidly deteriorating snow” is forcing a change in this weekend’s starting location. This announcement comes after a lack of snow and icy conditions postponed Beargrease from Jan. until this Saturday, March 2nd. The race was set up to begin at Billy’s Bar in Duluth, but it will…

Interim President of Northland College Speaks About Campus Closure

ASHLAND, Wis. — The Interim President of the soon-to-close Northland College is talking about the difficult decision that the university is in. On Wednesday, the college made the unexpected announcement that the 133-year-old college is shutting down at the end of this academic school year. The news came just five months after northland college officials said they received donations to…

Delta Airlines Flight From Minneapolis Flips Upside Down At Toronto Airport

There are no reporters of fatalities.

Courtesy: AP TORONTO (AP) — A badly injured child is among eight people who were hurt Monday when a Delta Airlines plane flipped upon arrival at Toronto’s Pearson Airport. The airport confirmed on X that an “incident” occurred with the Delta flight from Minneapolis and that all 80 passengers and crew are accounted for. One passenger is critically injured and…

Kitchen Fire At Duluth Apartment Building; Sprinklers Helped Contain Flames

DULUTH, Minn. — Fire sprinklers are being credited with keeping a kitchen fire from getting out of control in a Duluth apartment building. The fire was reported just before 5:30 p.m. Sunday at the Midtowne Manor at 2011 West 2nd Street. A city spokesperson said the fire was 75 percent contained by the sprinkler system. Two people inside the unit…

Bad Weather Cancels ‘Book Across The Bay’ Race, But Not The Party

ASHLAND, Wis. — High winds and drifting new snowfall canceled this weekend’s ‘Book Across The Bay’ in Ashland. Winds and snowy conditions on Lake Superior piled up on the luminaires that keep the skate skiiers and snowshoers on course from Ashland to Washburn. The course required 1,000 luminaries, which were unloaded Friday in preparation for the race. Even though the…

FOX 21 Takes The Duluth Polar Plunge, Raises Nearly $5K For Special Olympics

DULUTH, Minn. — FOX 21 was the proud television sponsor of this weekend’s Duluth Polar Plunge, and some of our team members took the frigid jump for the cause. FOX 21 Team courtesy of MIX 108’s Nick Cooper The FOX 21 Team, including  Dan Hanger, Emily Halling, Maria Vollom and general manager Erik Hayes, helped raise nearly $5,000 for Special…

1 Dead, 1 Severely Injured In Separate Northern MN Snowmobile Crashes

WALKER, Minn. — Alcohol is believed to be a factor in a fatal snowmobile crash in rural Walker, Minnesota, according to authorities. The accident happened just before 9 p.m. Friday. The 50-year-old man driving the snowmobile lost control before striking a snow embankment and some trees near 60th Avenue Northwest. The victim, who is from Corpus Christi, Texas was taken…

Hermantown High-Speed Pursuit Caught On Video

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — A high-speed pursuit took Hermantown police for quite the ride early Tuesday morning. The chase started just after midnight after an officer spotted a suspicious vehicle behind the Goodwill store on Miller Trunk Highway. When the officer initiated a discussion, the driver took off. The chase went on for 11 miles until a pit maneuver was used…

Nearly 15-Year Saga Ends With Demolition Of Former Kozy Building

DULUTH, Minn. —  Demolition began Tuesday on the burnt-out former Kozy building and apartments in downtown Duluth. The tear-down is part of a roughly $2 million settlement agreement between the city of Duluth, the building’s former owner, Dr. Eric Ringsred, and Respect Starts Here, which is a group of preservationists. $1.4 million is partially being used for the demolition across…

Big Top Chautauqua Facing Significant Financial Struggles

BAYFIELD COUNTY, Wis. — There are serious financial challenges facing Big Top Chautauqua at the ski hill it sits on in Bayfield County. Despite this, board members told FOX 21 they are determined to reinvent the operations for long-term success. In 2022, the Ashwabay Alliance, which operates Big Top Chautauqua and Mount Ashwabay ski and recreation area, racked up a…

Woodstove To Blame For Duluth Township House Fire

DULUTH TOWNSHIP, Minn. — A woodstove is to blame for a house fire in Duluth Township, according to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office. The fire broke out around 8:30 a.m. Sunday in the 5400 block of Ryan Road. Investigators said the homeowner inside got out without injury. The homeowner told authorities the fire started near the chimney before taking…

Duluth Police: Stabber Is Victim Of Domestic Assault

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth police are investigating a stabbing at one of the city’s newest apartment buildings. The stabbing happened around 7 p.m. Friday at the Brewery Creek Apartments in the 600 block of East 4th Street. Investigators located a 29-year-old man with a non-life-threatening wound to the chest. The man stabbed ended up being arrested for preliminary charges of…

Man Arrested After Vehicle Prowls At Duluth Trailhead Parking Lots

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth police arrested a 36-year-old man Friday related to multiple vehicle prowls. The break-ins happened at trailhead parking lots throughout the city. The suspect is facing multiple preliminary charges, including financial fraud and felony theft. Police are reminding drivers to keep valuable out of sight and lock your doors when out enjoying the trails. Categories: Crime, Minnesota,…

Superior Council Debates How To Fund Lead Pipe Replacements

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — The Superior City Council had quite the lengthy discussion Tuesday night on whether to support a change to state statute that would allow federal dollars into the city to help replace lead water pipes. The discussion went on so long that a vote will happen at the next council meeting Feb. 18. The change in state statute…

Visit Duluth, Madden Media Talk 2025 Duluth Tourism Outlook

DULUTH, Minn. — Visit Duluth and the city’s new tourism market agency, Madden Media, are one month on the job together with a common goal of showcasing what makes Duluth the gem it is. Madden Media is a national tourism marketing organization tasked with promoting Duluth over the next two years. We spoke with Madden Media’s CEO, Daniel Janes, to…

‘Catastrophic Failure’ Of Pipe Causes Significant Water Damage At Keewatin Elementary

KEEWATIN, Minn. — A “catastrophic failure” of a pipe Sunday morning caused significant water damage at Keewatin Elementary, forcing the school to be closed through at least Tuesday, Jan. 28, according to Principal Dr. Rae Villebrun. Cafeteria “We are currently working with Service Master, IEA, our custodial/maintenance staff, and insurance company to ensure the building is ready for the students…

49 Days Later, Essentia Deer River Workers End Strike with Essentia Health

  DULUTH, Minn.  — A 49-day strike ended Sunday between Essentia Health and 70 employees at its Deer River Hospital. On Sunday evening, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which represents the Deer River workers, said Essentia “significantly” improved its latest offer compared to the original offer before the strike began. SEIU said the agreement includes a 12 percent raise…

Applications Now Open For St. Louis County Sheriff’s Citizens’ Academy

DULUTH, Minn. — The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office has opened registration for its Citizens’ Police Academy. The academy is happening every Tuesday night from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. from March 4 until May 20. The free interactive presentations and tours will show you the inner workings of a dozen departments within the Sheriff’s Office, including the Jail, 911…

1880s Water Main Breaks At Busy Duluth Intersection

DULUTH, Minn. — One of Duluth’s oldest water mains caused quite a mess at one of Duluth’s busiest intersections Wednesday night, which went into a second night Thursday. The break was reported around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at West Superior Street and Mesaba Avenue. City utility crews were dispatched just before 11 p.m. Wednesday as bubbles were pouring out of the…

Officials: Man Shoots At Vehicle, Hits Woman In Duluth Township

DULUTH TOWNSHIP, Minn. — A 19-year-old man is accused of shooting a woman in Duluth Township in what authorities believe was a drug-related crime. The shooting was reported around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. A 19-year-old female was at Aspirus St. Luke’s with a gunshot wound to the foot. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said the shooting happened in the 6200…

Settlement Agreement: Burnt-Out Kozy Building Will Be Demolished

DULUTH, Minn. – Nearly 15 years after fire gutted the former Kozy Bar and Apartments in downtown Duluth, the burnt-out structure will finally be torn down. That tear-down decision is part of a settlement agreement between the city of Duluth, the building’s former owner Dr. Eric Ringsred, and Respect Starts Here, which is a preservationist group. In a joint statement…

2025 Outlook for Duluth Entertainment Convention Center

DULUTH, Minn.– Management at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center are ready for a stronger year ahead following operational challenges that lead to a million-dollar loan request from the city in 2024. “We had a lot of capital projects here that failed. So, when the DECC arena system broke, we then had to do an emergency fix for our entire AC…

Minnesota State Fair Ticket, Parking Prices To Rise In 2025

The Minnesota State Fair will hike ticket prices by $2 this year, bringing the cost of a regular ticket for an adult to $20. On Sunday, fair officials said ticket prices would go up as the fair looks to “fund extensive capital improvements and maintenance work and address rising operational costs.” The fair kept ticket prices flat in 2024 after…

Missing Snowmobiler Found Dead In Chequamegon Bay

ASHLAND, Wis. – A missing snowmobiler was found dead in the open waters of the Chequamegon Bay Sunday morning. The discovery came after a nine-hour search effort by the U.S. Coast Guard, Wisconsin DNR and the Ashland Fire Department, among other agencies. The 20-year-old male victim was reported overdue for ice fishing around 12:15 a.m. Sunday. The last known communication…