Dan Hanger, Author at Fox21Online

Special Report: Inside Duluth’s 2020 Surge In Gun Violence

One-one-ones with police Chief Mike Tusken, the head of Duluth's Major Crimes Bureau, the medical director at St. Luke's ER and Mayor Emily Larson

December 1, 2020

Dan Hanger, Marcus Asmus,

DULUTH, Minn. – We’re in the final month of a pandemic-ridden 2020 that’s created a lot of pain, unknowns and problems of all types for so many in the Northland. For the Duluth Police Department, the challenge has not only been navigating the virus but facing a record number of shootings — 36 of them this year alone — something…

Duluth Police Officer Charged In Shooting; Victim’s Atty. Wants Attempted Murder Charge

"It's obviously a grave charge that I’m referencing, but that's the fact here, that's what happened,” according to Andrew Poole, attorney for victim Jared Fyle, 23.

November 30, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Attorney Andrew Poole spoke out Monday about felony charges filed against Duluth Police Officer Tyler Leibfried, 28, who shot his unarmed client, Jared Fyle, 23, through his apartment door during a domestic assault call on Sept. 12. “The facts are this is a case where Mr. Fyle was in his own home behind a closed locked…

DECC COVID-19 Saliva Testing Site, Parking Change Tuesday

November 23, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – The COVID-19 saliva testing site at the DECC is moving Tuesday into the DECC’s more spacious South Pioneer Hall. Drivers are asked to enter through the east entrance closest to the William A. Irvin and Marcus Duluth Cinema before parking and walking to “Door A” by the Curling Club entrance. Anybody from Minnesota or Wisconsin can get…

Duluth Police Investigate 34th Shooting of 2020

November 23, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth police are investigating the city’s 34th shooting of the year — this time in the Central Hillside neighborhood. Officers responded around 8:15 p.m. Monday to a report of the sound of shots fired in the area of 6th Avenue East and 6th Street. “Officers discovered evidence consistent with the report,” according to Ingrid Hornibrook, public information…

Wisconsin Passes Grim Milestone of 3,000 Coronavirus Deaths

November 22, 2020

Dan Hanger,

MILWAUKEE (AP) – Wisconsin has surpassed 3,000 COVID-19 deaths, adding a about third of that tally in November. The state Department of Health Services reported 51 deaths on Saturday, bringing the state’s death toll to 3,005 since the pandemic began. The Journal Sentinel reports it took Wisconsin about five months from the beginning of the pandemic in March to hit…

In Wisconsin Recount, Trump Challenges Pile Up, Slow Tally

November 22, 2020

Dan Hanger,

MILWAUKEE (AP) – A large contingent of observers supporting President Donald Trump are making their presence felt in Wisconsin’s partial election recount. Trump is paying $3 million for the recount in the state’s two biggest and most liberal counties in a long shot bid to erase Democrat Joe Biden’s more than 20,000-vote victory. The atmosphere inside the convention hall where…

Police Arrest 15-Year-Old Boy in Wisconsin Mall Shooting

November 22, 2020

Dan Hanger,

WAUWATOSA, Wis. (AP) – Authorities say they arrested a 15-year-old boy in connection to a shooting at a suburban Milwaukee mall that injured eight people. Wauwatosa Police Chief Barry Weber says the shooting happened during an altercation Friday afternoon between two groups. He said four “innocent bystanders” suffered what were believed to be non-life threatening injuries. Police say the suspect…

Minnesota Officials Report 40 New Deaths Due To COVID-19

November 22, 2020

Dan Hanger,

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Minnesota health officials are reporting 7,219 new coronavirus cases, lifting the total number of positive tests to more than 270,000 since the start of the pandemic. Officials confirmed 40 deaths due to complications from COVID-19 in the last day, for a total of 3,241 fatalities. Data filed Saturday by researchers from Johns Hopkins University shows that Minnesota’s…

Report on Possible Merger of DECC, Visit Duluth to be Released Wednesday

November 17, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. — The possibility of merging the DECC and Visit Duluth will come to the table Wednesday as board members for both entities are presented a report on the pros and cons of the idea. The possible merger was first made public in September as severe budget woes from the pandemic became very real for the convention center and…

Death Investigation Underway Involving Douglas Co. Inmate

November 15, 2020

Dan Hanger,

SUPERIOR, Wis. – A death investigation is underway involving an inmate at the Douglas County Jail. The Sheriff’s Office said the inmate was brought to the hospital early Saturday morning with “an unknown medical condition.” The inmate, whose name was not released Sunday, died at the hospital several hours later. Sheriff Tom Dalbec said he expects to release more details…

Republican Majority Leader Gazelka Tests Positive For Virus

November 15, 2020

Dan Hanger,

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – State Republican Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka says he has tested positive for the coronavirus. The East Gull Lake lawmaker said in a statement released Sunday that he has been in quarantine since experiencing symptoms on Monday and is following the advice of his doctor. He says he is not experiencing any major issues or…

Duluth Police Dept. Switches To COVID-19 Emergency Schedule

November 10, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department is switching to a COVID-19 emergency patrol schedule to allow for a built-in quarantine period. Officers will now work five-day, 12-hour shifts with 10 days off. Investigative staff will be on rotating shifts to serve as back-up for patrol. As of Tuesday night, 27 employees were in quarantine for being exposed to the…

COVID-19 Spike Forcing Duluth Edison Charter Schools To Go Virtual

November 9, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Edison Charter Schools has announced it’s switching to distance learning Tuesday for grades K through 5. The county’s COVID-19 spike has led to a large scale quarantine of students and staff, which Duluth Edison says is “crippling” their ability to provide in-person schooling. Distance learning is expected to continue until at least the end of the…

Superior School Dist.: 67 Staff, 276 Students Quarantined

District went to virtual learning Monday.

November 9, 2020

Dan Hanger,

SUPERIOR, Wis. – On Monday the Superior School District reported just how many students and staff are in one way or another affected by COVID-19. As of Friday, 67 staff and 276 students were quarantined. 28 of those quarantined were for positive cases, according to the district. “Additionally, we saw continued high numbers in our county over the weekend, and…

‘Duluth Restaurant Week — Gift Card Edition’ Begins Amid Pandemic

November 8, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – The first-ever Duluth Restaurant Week – Gift Card Edition began Sunday as a replacement to the traditional Eat Downtown Restaurant Week because of the pandemic. So rather than attracting people to dine in for specially priced menus, this week is all about purchasing gift cards for deals. Nearly 30 participating restaurants throughout Duluth will provide a $5…

Duluth Police ‘Experiencing Impacts of COVID-19,’ But City Won’t Say Total Cases

November 5, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – The city of Duluth would not confirm how many officers or staff members with the Duluth Police Department were off the beat Thursday with COVID-19 after a press release was sent out that said the department is “experiencing impacts of COVID-19.” “We respect our employees right to privacy and all disclosures are voluntary. Therefore, we will not…

Home Struck 8 Times During Drive-by Shooting in Duluth’s Piedmont Neighborhood

This is the 32nd shooting in Duluth so far this year compared to 22 in 2019.

November 2, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Another shooting has happened in Duluth – the 32nd so far this year compared to 22 last year. It was a drive-by shooting around 11:30 p.m. Sunday involving a home in the Piedmont neighborhood – just one block from Piedmont Elementary School, according to a press release. Nearby surveillance video obtained by FOX 21 shows the vehicle…

Condemned Kozy Building Starts on Fire — Again

The cause of the fire remained under investigation Sunday.

November 1, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. — The condemned Kozy building in downtown Duluth went up in flames again Sunday. The Duluth Fire Department got the call for a structure fire around 9:50 a.m. at 129 East 1st Street. When crews arrived, thick smoke was coming from the second floor of the building. Fire crews on scene Sunday morning after fire broke out at…

Superior Homes Turn Spooky For Halloween

October 29, 2020

Dan Hanger,

SUPERIOR – The city of Superior is showing signs of horror throughout the community these days with homes turning into haunted houses. Some of the decorated homes are very elaborate and part of a “Haunt Your House” contest with Superior Spooktacular. You can check out the entries on Facebook. The entry with the most “likes” will win People’s Choice. Below…

School Board Approves Potential Future Sale of Historic Old Central Building H.S.

October 13, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth School Board unanimously voted Tuesday night to move forward with the potential sale of the Historic Old Central High School building in downtown Duluth. The vote allows the district to enter into a final purchase agreement with a potential buyer down the road. “A purchase agreement allows a buyer to conduct due diligence prior to…

Pedestrian Struck, Killed Along Highway in Coleraine

October 11, 2020

Dan Hanger,

COLERAINE, Minn. – A Bovey man is dead after being hit by a vehicle along Highway 169 at Bay Road in Coleraine Sunday morning. The Minnesota State Patrol says the accident happened around 1 a.m. The victim, Michael Marok, 59, was walking in the southbound right driving lane when a 55-year-old man from Grand Rapids struck him with his Ford…

Councilor Medved: Mayor Larson Crossed The Line Calling Pres. Trump A ‘White Supremacist’

October 1, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth City Councilor Derek Medved is condemning Mayor Emily Larson’s recent comments that called president trump a “white supremacist” after Tuesday’s debate in Cleveland where Trump refused to directly denounce groups centered on racism and hate, such as the Proud Boys. You’ll hear Medved’s reasons why below, but first Mayor Larson’s comments from the press call hosted…

Police K9 Locates Meth Suspect’s Handgun After Accidental Shooting

October 1, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Police say a man with meth on him somehow shot himself in the thigh and went to the hospital before being arrested. A police K9 located the handgun involved near the 2200 block of West Arrowhead Road after police got a call around 12:30 a.m. Thursday the 23-year-old man was at the emergency room with a gunshot…

2,000-Plus Saliva Tests Given in First Week of Pilot Program at DECC

September 28, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – The first week of COVID-19 testing by saliva in Duluth is complete and thousands showed up. St Louis County confirmed to FOX 21 Monday that 2,374 tests were given out between Wednesday, Sept. 23 and Sunday, Sept. 27. There was no immediate word on how many tests came back positive, but county officials said they were working…

Owner of Duluth Storefront Smashed by SUV: ‘It Could Have Been A Lot Worse’

September 28, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department says an SUV crashed into a storefront in downtown Duluth Monday morning. According to police, officers responded to the incident around 7:30 a.m. in the 100 block of West 1st Street. The 53-year-old male driver told police he lost his brakes at the stop sign on 3rd Street while traveling down 2nd Avenue…

East Superior Street to Reopen Friday Evening

September 24, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – A portion of East Superior Street is reopening at the end of the day Friday. It’s the section that starts at Lake Avenue in front of Pizza Luce. The street has been closed to traffic since the final Phase 3 of the reconstruction project began earlier this spring. There’s no opening date announced yet for West Superior…

Superior Police Ask For Public’s Help Locating Missing Teenager

September 22, 2020

Dan Hanger,

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Superior police are asking for the public’s help finding a missing teenager. Tereia Campagna, 14, of Superior was last seen on Sept. 15. She is 5’7” tall, weighs 130 pounds and has brown hair and black eyes. At this time, police believe this is a runaway case. If you know of her whereabouts, you’re asked to contact…

1 Killed, 1 Injured in Head-On Crash in Bayfield County

September 21, 2020

Dan Hanger,

TOWN OF BARKSDALE, Wis. — One person is dead and another was hospitalized Monday after a reported erratic driver slammed into oncoming traffic — setting both vehicles on fire. The accident happened Monday just before 12:30 p.m. on Wedal Road in the Town of Barksdale, which is in Bayfield County. First responders and a bystander helped get the victims out…

Traffic Stop Ends With 2 Arrested, Loaded Handguns Seized

September 20, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – A traffic stop early Sunday morning in the Central Hillside neighborhood resulted in four handguns seized by Duluth police and two people arrested. The traffic stop happened around 3 a.m. on the 100 block of East 4th Street after a person called 911 to report an erratic driver. A 25-year-old man and a 29-year-old man in the…

Unarmed Man Shot by Duluth Police Lawyers Up as Investigation Continues

September 17, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – An attorney in Duluth is now representing the unarmed man shot by Duluth police over the weekend during a domestic assault call. Attorney Andrew Poole sent a letter to local news outlets Thursday saying Jared Fyle, 23, of Duluth “is fortunate to still be alive” after being shot in the shoulder by police while standing behind his…

Joe Biden To Speak in Duluth Friday as President Trump Rallies in Bemidji

September 16, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. — Former Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden announced Wednesday that he’ll be speaking in Duluth on Friday. “In the afternoon, Vice President Biden will tour a union training center and deliver remarks,” a statement read in a short press release from the campaign. The location and time are “to be announced.” Meanwhile, President Donald Trump will…

New Details Released in Downtown Duluth Officer-Involved Shooting

September 15, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has identified the Duluth police officer who shot a man during a domestic assault call in downtown Duluth Saturday, Sept. 12. Officer Tyler Leibfried, a five-year veteran of the Duluth Police Department, is on standard administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation after discharging his weapon and hitting the…

New Black Male Group at UMD Hosting ‘Peaceful Protest and March’

September 15, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – A new UMD student organization called Black Men Serving Excellence is calling on faculty, staff, students and Duluthians to attend what they are calling a “peaceful protest and march.” The event is happening at 5 p.m. Wednesday at UMD’s Malosky Stadium. The goal is to raise awareness of black students on campus and encourage social activism within…

COVID-19 Case Confirmed at Lincoln Park Middle School

September 14, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – The principal of Lincoln Park Middle School informed faculty and staff Monday of a confirmed COVID-19 case involving a “member” of the school’s community. Principal Brian Kazmierczak said the infected person was last in the school Sept. 11. “We have worked with the MDH to identify those who had close contact with the case, and have communicated…

Duluth’s First Street To Covert To Two-Way Traffic Monday

September 13, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Starting Monday, First Street traffic in Duluth will officially be converted to two-way traffic. It’s happening from Mesaba Avenue through downtown to 24th Avenue East. Traffic flow has not been consistent on First Street — with some sections two-way and others one-way. The city says the change will help cut down on confusion for drivers and improve…

Duluth Police Shoot Suspect During Domestic Assault Call

September 13, 2020

Alexandra Burnley, Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. — A Duluth police officer shot a suspect during a domestic assault call on Saturday night, according to a spokesperson with the Duluth Police Department. Officers were called to the 100-block of W. 1st Street in downtown Duluth shortly before 9:30 p.m to respond to “a report of a physical domestic.” During the call, one of the…

Duluth’s 2020 Projected Budget Shortfall Falls To $12 Million; 2021 Deficit Projection Announced

September 10, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – There is some good news for the city of Duluth’s budget crisis related to millions of dollars in lost revenue this year because of the pandemic. The projected 2020 budget shortfall that was once nearly $40 million in April and was decreased in June to $25 million is now projected to land around $11.88 million. Duluth Mayor…

Duluth Man Charged In Beltrami Co. Officer-Involved Shooting

September 9, 2020

Dan Hanger,

A Duluth man is accused of shooting at Minnesota deputies after a carjacking. Isaac Nabors, 21, of Duluth is charged with first-degree assault after authorities say he shot at them from the passenger’s seat of the stolen vehicle during a pursuit Sept. 4 around 9:30 p.m. A deputy’s vehicle was hit by a bullet. Nobody was hurt. The two deputies…

COVID-19 Case Confirmed At Esko High School

September 8, 2020

Dan Hanger,

ESKO, Minn. – Esko High School’s first day of in-person classes has come with a positive case of COVID-19. In an email to parents Tuesday afternoon, the district said a person with a positive test was in Esko High School Tuesday, Sept. 8. The district said it will clean and disinfect the school to control the spread of the virus,…

Charge: Wis. Man Tried To Stab Victim To Death at Ironwood Motel

September 7, 2020

Dan Hanger,

IRONWOOD, Mich. – A Wisconsin man is accused of trying to murder another man in Ironwood, Michigan last week. Benjamin Bozile, 30, of Gillett, Wisconsin is accused of stabbing a 36-year-old man several times and slitting his throat at a motel in Ironwood Sept. 1. The victim was found in the parking lot of the motel. His condition Sunday was…

Former Hermantown Teacher, Coach Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Student

September 3, 2020

Dan Hanger,

A former Hermantown Middle School science teacher and junior high volleyball coach is accused of sexually assaulting a student she used to teach. Madeleine Schmaltz, 29, of Saginaw, Minnesota is charged with fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct as a “current or recent position of authority over the victim,” which is a felony. According to the criminal complaint filed in St. Louis…

35th Annual Duluth Rotary Rose Sale Starts Sept. 3

September 2, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – The 35th annual Rose Sale kicks off Sept. 3 to benefit the Duluth Rotary Club’s mission of improving the lives of people in our communities. You can purchase a dozen roses for $25 through Oct. 6, which will include a coupon book for local businesses. All you have to do is call 348-ROSE or log on to…

DECC Interim Exec. Dir. Roger Reinert Wants To Innovate Venue’s Use During Pandemic

Bringing a local brewery's outside beer garden inside the DECC is just one idea Reinert is looking into.

August 27, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. — Roger Reinert — known in the world of politics in Duluth and St. Paul after stints as a city councilor, state senator and representative — is the new interim executive director of the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center – replacing Chelly Townsend whose contract was not renewed for reason not disclosed by the board. Reinert is not new…

Drive-Thru Experience, No Experience Among Options For 2020 ‘Bentleyville Tour of Lights’

August 26, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. — The DECC is hopeful Bentleyville Tour of Lights will return again this year but Bentleyville’s owner told FOX 21 Wednesday that nothing is for sure at this point. One idea being thrown around is a drive-thru version of Bentleyville at its usual location at Bayfront Park. Owner Nathan Bentley says his team is discussing a variety of…

DECC Board Parts Ways With Executive Director, No. 2 Leader To Retire

August 25, 2020

Dan Hanger,

Chelly Townsend DULUTH, Minn. – A major shake-up is underway at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center as the DECC’s board is parting ways with its executive director, and the No. 2 person under her has decided to retire. All of this comes as the DECC is virtually empty and facing a serious financial challenge during the pandemic. Chelly Townsend told…

First Quarter of School Year Now Distance Learning for Duluth Middle, H.S. Students

August 24, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH — The Duluth School District announced Monday that middle and high school students will fully use a distance learning model for the first quarter of the school year. Supt. John Magas said the change through Nov. 6 will allow the district to safely handle state-mandated childcare service for around 1,000 kids who have at least one parent who is…

Man In Critical Condition After ATV Accident Near Babbitt

August 23, 2020

Dan Hanger,

A man is in critical condition after an ATV accident near Babbit. The accident happened around 7 p.m. Saturday on Pulkinen Road — about 10 miles northwest of Babbitt. The ATV went off the road and hit a tree. The driver — 53-year-old Ward Meyer of Cambridge, Minnesota — was hospitalized Sunday in Duluth in critical condition, according to the…

Two Harbors Man Seriously Injured In ATV Rollover

August 23, 2020

Dan Hanger,

PEQUAYWAN TOWNSHIP, Minn. — Alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor in an ATV accident that left the driver seriously injured. The rollover happened just before midnight Saturday at 8744 Pequaywan Road in Pequaywan Township in St. Louis County. When deputies arrived, they found the driver — a 40-year-old man from Two Harbors — unconscious with severe injuries. He…

Mayor Larson Endorses Biden For President, Talks Future Political Aspirations

August 18, 2020

Dan Hanger,

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Mayor Emily Larson is backing Joe Biden for president and says he and his running mate Kamala Harris have the intelligence to move the country forward. “To me, it’s a ticket of people who have a depth of knowledge capacity and emotional intelligence to really be a powerful force of change and good, and I really…

Bald Eagle Attacks Woman Along North Shore: ‘It Was Terrifying’

“He had both of his claws in her. He was trying to get at her with its beak," said Bernie Banks, the man who rescued the woman.

August 13, 2020

Dan Hanger,

LUTSEN, Minn. — A scary attack between a young bald eagle and a woman took place along Lake Superior Thursday – and it was all caught on video, as FOX 21’s Dan Hanger reports. The aggressive bald eagle was seen attacking the woman Thursday morning just 100 yards away from the Cascade Lodge and Restaurant along Highway 61 in Lutsen….

Author: Dan Hanger

One-one-ones with police Chief Mike Tusken, the head of Duluth's Major Crimes Bureau, the medical director at St. Luke's ER and Mayor Emily Larson

"It's obviously a grave charge that I’m referencing, but that's the fact here, that's what happened,” according to Andrew Poole, attorney for victim Jared Fyle, 23.

District went to virtual learning Monday.

This is the 32nd shooting in Duluth so far this year compared to 22 in 2019.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation Sunday.

Bringing a local brewery's outside beer garden inside the DECC is just one idea Reinert is looking into.

“He had both of his claws in her. He was trying to get at her with its beak," said Bernie Banks, the man who rescued the woman.

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