Author: Dan Hanger

Sen. Hauschild Asks President To Rescind Clemency Of Former Duluth Headshop Owner Jim Carlson

DULUTH, Minn. — Minnesota Sen. Grant Hauschild (DFL-Hermantown) is calling on President Joe Biden to rescind his clemency ruling for former Last Place On Earth owner Jim Carlson. Carlson is among roughly 1,500 people whose sentences have been commuted by Biden — people who were “serving sentences in home confinement during the pandemic and who have successfully reintegrated into their…

Management Of Bayfront Festival Park Set To Return To DECC

DULUTH, Minn. — Management of Duluth’s premier entertainment venue, Bayfront Festival Park, is headed back to the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center for the next five years if the council signs off on Monday. For the last year, Winterfell Management has handled all promotions, productions and management of Bayfront with a one-year agreement with the city. Newly elected Mayor Roger Reinert…

AFSCME Local 66 Takes Duluth Mayor To Task Over Contract Offer

DULUTH, Minn.– Following a vote Tuesday, AFSCME Local 66 overwhelmingly authorized a strike as early as mid-January if the city of Duluth does not come back with an offer that they feel is fair and equitable. Union members held a press conference Wednesday to voice their frustrations, calling the city’s latest offer “insulting, inadequate, and unacceptable.” “We are being asked…

City Of Duluth’s Largest Employee Union Authorizes Strike Mid-January If Needed

DULUTH, Minn. – The city of Duluth’s largest employee union, AFSCME Local 66, voted Tuesday to authorize a strike, demanded “fair wages and dignity” and called on Mayor Roger Reinert to fix it. AFSCME called the city’s next contract offer “insulting, inadequate and unacceptable,” according to a news release. The union said the police and fire departments got 8% market…

Scores Released For Top 5 Finalists Of Duluth’s Next Tourism Marketing Contract

Council to vote for or against Madden Media of Arizona at Monday night's city council meeting (Dec. 9)

DULUTH, Minn. — We now know the scores for the top five marketing agencies that applied for Duluth’s next multi-million dollar tourism marketing contract. Below are the scores based off a 100-point scale: Madden Media of Arizona: 81.65 Hailey Sault of Duluth: 78.31 AIMCLEAR of Duluth: 78.29 Lawrence & Schiller of South Dakota: 75.20 Swim Creative of Duluth: 73.55 Any…

Duluth Federal Prison Shutting Down

DULUTH, Minn. — The decades-old Duluth Federal Prison is shutting down. The Federal Bureau of Prison said Thursday that it’s one of six prisons across the country being “deactivated.” The agency said the decision is being made to help deal with significant challenges, including a critical staffing shortage, crumbling infrastructure and limited budgetary resources. The Duluth camp is not only…

Bicyclist Stuck, Killed By 2 Vehicles At Busy Duluth Intersection

DULUTH, Minn. – A bicyclist was struck and killed by two vehicles at a busy intersection in Duluth Wednesday evening. Duluth police said the 60-year-old man was struck around 5 p.m. on Mesaba Avenue below West 1st Street. Investigators believe the man was riding westbound when he went through the crosswalk without checking for oncoming traffic, which is when the…

‘Tinsel Tavern’ to Shine at Duluth Winter Village

DULUTH, Minn. — This year’s Duluth Winter Village at the DECC is expanding to include a Tinsel Tavern. The tavern includes 1,000 feet of tinsel, 600 feet of wrapping paper and 36 strings of lights.  As for the tavern, Vikre Distillery will be creating holiday cocktails and mocktails, like a Gingerbread Old Fashion. The Winter Village is Saturday and Sunday…

Officers Assaulted, Student Arrested After Fight At Denfeld High School

DULUTH, Minn. — A fight at Denfeld High School Tuesday ended with one student arrested and officers assaulted. A school resource officer responded to help staff members try to separate the students. During the chaotic scene, one staff member and two officers were assaulted, according to a police spokesperson. Three other staff members suffered the effects of a chemical irritant,…

CAO: Arizona Firm’s Win For Duluth’s Tourism Marketing Is ‘Tremendously Fair’; Local Finalist Disagrees

In March, Mayor Roger Reinert said he believed Duluth talent was best to tell Duluth's story.

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Chief Administrative Officer David Montgomery talked publicly Sunday for the first time since the Star Tribune broke the news Friday that a committee he appointed had chosen an Arizona firm to handle Duluth’s next multi-million-dollar tourism marketing contract – something Mayor Roger Reinert said earlier in the year should be handled by Duluth talent. “We feel…

Update: Duluth Tourism Marketing Finalist Chosen; Name Announced Dec. 5

DULUTH, Minn. (Nov. 21) — The city of Duluth announced Thursday that a special selection committee has determined its finalist for Duluth’s next two-year tourism marketing contract. The top-scoring finalist will be announced at a committee of the whole meeting on Dec. 5 before the council makes a vote to deny or approve during the council meeting Dec. 9. The…

Brad Is Back! Sheep Safely Captured After Weeks-Long Getaway

The sightings of Brad over the past weeks even caught the attention of Twin Cities media.

A multi-county, multi-week search for Brad, the daring sheep on the run from city to city, came to a safe end Tuesday with one story to tell. Midway Township sighting Monday “Oh God. I don’t even feel like it’s real. I don’t think it’s real, but it is,” said Shana Roberts, a volunteer at the Lake County Humane Society in…

Superior Grain Elevator Explodes On Connor’s Point; No Injuries Reported

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Superior Fire Department is investigating an explosion at a plant on Connor’s Point in Superior Monday night. Doorbell video from a home on Duluth’s Park Point captured multiple bursts of flames around 6:15 p.m. Mayor Jim Paine told FOX 21 that fire crews responded to a grain explosion at the Viterra Grain Elevator at 400 Main…

On-The-Run Sheep Makes Visit In Midway Township; Backstory Revealed

Midway Township sighting Monday MIDWAY TOWNSHIP, Minn. – The on-the-run Northland sheep known as Brad has been spotted again Monday – this time in Midway Township, just outside of Proctor where he was spotted on Sunday. Midway Township sighting Monday The Midway Township homeowners are in contact with Shana Roberts who works at the Two Harbors animal shelter and is…

Decades-Old Barko Hydraulics Shutting Down In Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. – FOX 21 learned Monday that a decades-long manufacturing facility in Superior is shutting down. Barko Hydraulics is located on Banks Avenue. Employees found out Monday morning by mail that they are to not return to the office and are terminated Dec. 1. Barko President Justin Rupar said in the letter to employees that Superior’s operations are being…

Braaad The Sheep: Minneapolis’ FOX 9 Covers Duluth-Area Sheep On The Run

DULUTH, Minn. — Our friends at FOX 9 in Minneapolis had some fun today talking about Brad, the missing sheep, that’s been on the run for at least two weeks now — from Two Harbors to Proctor.  Click the video below to watch the segment with Anchor Amy Hockert and Senior Producer Amber Milner.  Click here to watch FOX 21’s…

Mother Of Teen Killed In W. Skyline Parkway Rollover Remembers His Love For Cars, Family

Duluth police said speed was a major factor in the accident.

DULUTH, Minn. — A Duluth mother is remembering her son, Tyriq Gordon, 19, who died over the weekend after his beloved Audi left West Skyline Parkway in what authorities believe was a high-speed accident. Tyriq celebrates 19th birthday Tyriq planned to celebrate his 20th birthday on Nov. 22. The one-vehicle accident happened around 1:15 a.m. Saturday on the 5-thousand block…

‘Rocket Deli’ To Open In Heart Of Downtown Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – A taste of New York is coming to downtown Duluth. The Rocket Deli is under construction right now at the corner of East Superior Street and 2nd Avenue, in the former T-Icy Roll location and next to Blacklist Brewery. The windows were covered Wednesday with the deli’s menu, which includes Rueben, Italian and pastrami sandwiches, along with…

E-Mailed Bomb Threats Target Minnesota Election Offices

E-mailed bomb threats have targeted more than half of Minnesota’s election offices since Nov. 8. St. Louis county has not been targeted, though, according to a county spokesperson Tuesday night. Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon issued the following statement: “Threats of violence against election workers, aimed at disrupting our democracy, are absolutely unacceptable. Although election day is over, election…

Investigation of Superior Police Officer Leads to Dismissal of 40 Criminal Cases

Dist. Atty. Mark Fruehauf said he discovered serious inconsistencies between the officer's written report and body camera evidence.

SUPERIOR, Wis. — A Superior police officer is no longer on the force after Douglas County District Attorney Mark Fruehauf discovered the officer may have intentionally lied on a police report to raise a suspect’s charges to a felony. As FOX 21’s Dan Hanger reports, Fruehauf has been forced to dismiss 40 criminal cases because of credibility concerns involving the…

Former Two Harbors Mayor Dies

Randy Bolen, former mayor of Two Harbors, has died. Bolen, 48, died Oct. 22 with his parents by his side. His cause of death has not been published. According to his family, Bolen filled his life with service to his community, he was a part of the Two Harbors City Council, worked as an engineer for the Canadian National Railroad…

Coffee Conversation: Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert was on the FOX 21 morning show Tuesday to talk about his 10 months on the job.  Click the videos below to hear the wide-ranging conversation of topics and issues. Part 1: Part 2:       Categories: Coffee Conversation, Community, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News, Political, Public Safety

Coffee Conversation: St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay

DULUTH, Minn. — St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay was on the morning show Tuesday to talk about his nearly two years on the job, including what changes he believes needs to happen at the state capitol to make it easier to recruit talent. Part 1:   Part 2: Categories: Coffee Conversation, Crime, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News, Political,…

DECC $1M Line Of Credit Untouched, Not Extended; Board Celebrates New Revenue

DULUTH, Minn. — It’s been exactly one year since Duluth city councilors said they were blindsided by a $1 million emergency line of credit request from the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC). But on Tuesday, the DECC board publicly celebrated that not a dime of the line of credit had been touched, and new revenue is up. Board President Peter…

Duluth Police Chief ‘Cautiously Optimistic’ With 2024’s Opioid Overdose Stats

DULUTH, Minn. — While one death is too many, Duluth’s top cop is hoping the city is finally turning the corner on the opioid crisis after a record number of overdoses and deaths in 2023. “I’m cautiously optimistic that our numbers are starting to trend in the right direction, and I think it is a significant reduction from this time,…

Vandals Strike Piedmont Soccer Organization Again

Vandals have struck again at the Piedmont Soccer Organization facilities, and the non-profit needs your financial help to get back up and running. The soccer shed’s overhead door has been damaged to the point it needs to be replaced. A bench was also busted up. Kiki Watts, the association’s president said, the spray paint on the shed’s door was from…

Missing Woman Found Dead In Brookston

BROOKSTON, Minn. — The body of a woman missing for days in the Brookston area was located Thursday. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said Nori Pribble, 51, was found dead in a wooded area off a logging road just south of the 8800 block McCamus Road in Brookston. Pribble went missing around 11 p.m. Sunday. Investigators do not suspect…

Gilbert Man Convicted In 2013 Overdose Death Sentenced In Double-Fatal Overdose Case

A Gilbert man convicted in the 2013 overdose death of his girlfriend is headed back to prison for 13 years involving the overdose deaths of two people. Bryan Joseph Hodapp, 37, got his sentence Thursday in United States Dist. Court of Minneapolis for “conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.” The sentencing stems from the 2022 overdose deaths of two men in Biwabik…

Superior Police: Bones Found At Construction Site Are Not Human

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Superior police have confirmed bones discovered at a construction site Tuesday morning are from an animal, not a human. Police got the call around 10:45 a.m. Tuesday in the 600 block of North 5th Street. Superior police said workers were conducting excavation when they discovered bones six feet below ground. A superior police detective collected several of…

Duluth CAO: Outside Atty To Review Mayor’s Girlfriend’s Involvement In City Business

The city of Duluth’s chief administrative officer, David Montgomery, provided an update Monday night on the internal investigation involving Mayor Roger Reinert’s girlfriend and former campaign manager directly handling city business since he took office in January. At Tuesday’s city council meeting, Montgomery said the internal review by the City Attorney’s Office has been completed. But for full transparency purposes,…

Superior Mayor Says NTEC Is Scrapped; Minnesota Power Says No

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Superior Mayor Jim Paine believes the proposed Nemadji Trail Energy Center, or NTEC, is officially not going to be built along the Nemadji River. But Minnesota Power says that is not the case. Paine’s conclusion comes after Minnesota Power and its NTEC partner, Dairyland Power, recently withdrew their air permit to build the natural gas-powered plant near…

Twin Ports Power Crews Arrive In Hurricane-Damaged Florida

TAMPA BAY, FL – Power crews from the Twin Ports have arrived in Tampa Bay, Florida to help restore hundreds of thousands of people still without power. Twenty workers from Minnesota Power and Superior Water Light & Power arrived in Florida Friday. 300,000 customers with Tampa Bay Electric are still without power, according to a spokesperson with Minnesota Power. The…

Suspects Charged In Double Shooting In Itasca County

CALUMET, Minn. – Three suspects have been charged in a double shooting in Itasca County. Daniel Brusacoram, 31, of Talmoon, Minnesota, is facing three felony charges, including second-degree attempted murder. Court documents said he shot a female and her brother multiple times. The other two suspects are identified as Jessica Schinzing, 46, of Grand Rapids, and Isabelle Smith, 23, of…

Powdery Substance At Moose Lake Correctional Facility Hospitalizes 4 Staff Members

MOOSE LAKE, Minn. — An area of the Moose Lake Correctional Facility was put on lockdown Thursday after staff members came in contact with a powdery substance, according to a spokesperson for the Department of Corrections. The incident happened around 12:30 p.m. Thursday. Officials said staff members were conducting a room search when they were exposed to the substance that…

Mount Royal Market Attack Suspect Ruled Incompetent

Duluth, Minn. — The man accused of attacking an elderly man with a hammer at a Duluth grocery store has been ruled incompetent to stand trial at this time.  43-year-old Lance Tolbert is facing a first-degree murder attempt charge. But Dr. Emma Welch, a psychologist, met with Tolbert and concluded, “He lacked insight into the nature of his incarceration or…

Charges: Superior Man Shot, Killed Ex-Girlfriend’s Boyfriend

DULUTH, Minn. — A one-million-dollars bail has been set for a Superior man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend’s boyfriend over the weekend. Aaron Johnson, 30, is facing three felony charges, including first-degree intentional homicide. According to court documents, the ex-girlfriend and her boyfriend were in her garage Sunday around 9:20 p.m. on the 2400 block of Ogden Avenue when Johnson…

Man Dies In House Fire In Chisholm

Courtesy: Northland Fire Wire CHISHOLM, Minn. — Authorities are investigating after a man died in a house fire in Chisholm Monday night. The call for help came in around 9:25 p.m. for a house fire on the 100 block of 1st Street NW. A man was rescued from the upstairs by firefighters. Chisholm EMS preformed life-saving measures and transported the…

Ranger Dies Trying To Rescue Stranded Boaters In Voyageurs National Park

A National Park Service law enforcement ranger died Sunday while trying to rescue a stranded family in Voyageurs National Park, according to St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay. Ramsay told FOX 21 a father and his two kids were stranded on an island Sunday on Namakan Lake after their boat got stuck. The ranger responded late Sunday morning to the…

8 Kayakers Rescued From Bayfield’s Meyers Beach

Courtesy: USCG BAYFIELD, Minn. –  The United States Coast Guard responded to a water rescue Sunday at Meyers Beach in Bayfield. Crews responded to a report of two capsized kayakers who were clinging to another person’s kayak. The two kayakers were part of a group of eight kayakers. The remaining six kayakers who did not capsize were uncertain they could…