Author: Dan Hanger

Lincoln Park Convenience Store Victim Of ‘Smash And Grab’

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth police are investigating a “smash and grab” burglary at the KornerStore on the 1800 block of West Superior Street. Officers responded to the store around 1 a.m. Friday. They found a broken front-door window, but no one inside. The only items stolen were cigarettes, according to police. The investigation is ongoing. Categories: Crime, Minnesota, News, News…

Two Areas Of Cultural Concern Remain Within Twin Ports Interchange Project

DULUTH, Minn. — The Minnesota Indian Affairs Council continues to investigate two sites of cultural significance within the Twin Ports Interchange Project. One of the sites is in Lincoln Park along West Superior Street where Indigenous human remains were discovered in early 2023. The other location of cultural concern is at Garfield Avenue near the base of the Blatnik Bridge….

NTSB Releases Final Report On Fatal 2023 Cirrus Crash In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — The National Transportation Safety Board has released its final report involving a Cirrus plane crash in Duluth that killed one of the aircraft company’s longtime employees. David Rathbun David Rathbun, 52, of Hermantown was the only person on board the 2016 SR-22 when it nose-dived into the frozen St. Louis River near the Bong Bridge around 4…

Duluth Mayor Comm. Team Mum On Internal Review Process; 3 Of 9 Councilors Respond

DULUTH, Minn. — There were still unanswered questions Monday from Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert’s communication team and most city councilors about an internal review involving the mayor’s girlfriend and former campaign manager directly handling city business since he took office in January. On Thursday, Sept. 26, FOX 21 asked multiple questions following up on the mayor’s announcement Wednesday in a…

One-On-One With Chelsea Handler Ahead Of Comedy Show At Black Bear Casino

Chelsea Handler Live arrives at the Otter Creek Event Center on Oct. 18

DULUTH, Minn. — A-List Comedian Chelsea Handler is taking her stand-up tour to Black Bear Casino’s Otter Creek Event Center Oct. 18.  Chelsea made some time for FOX 21’s Dan Hanger to talk about the tour, among other topics – some not suitable for television, of course. Chelsea, if you didn’t know, is also a TV host, six-time New York…

Mayor Issues Statement About Girlfriend’s Duluth City Hall Involvement; Internal Review Underway

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert responded Wednesday to recent media reports that accuse his girlfriend and former campaign manager of directly handling city business since he took office in January. “I want to assure you that this administration is committed to serving the people of Duluth in an ethical and transparent manner, and yes, Amber is my partner,”…

Duluth News Tribune Breaks In New Downtown Duluth Headquarters

DULUTH, Minn. — The staff at the Duluth News Tribune, the city’s long-standing newspaper, is getting comfortable in their new modern-day newsgathering headquarters in downtown Duluth. DNT Newsroom “I’m really glad that people know they can walk down the street or drive down the street, Superior Street, and see this is your local paper produced by people sitting and working…

Sun Country To Bring Back Direct Flights From Duluth To Fort Myers

DULUTH, Minn. — Sun Country Airlines is returning to the Duluth International Airport with direct flights to Fort Myers, Florida this winter. The direct service will begin January 31 and operate on Mondays and Fridays.  Flights will depart DLH at 7 p.m. and arriving at RSW at 11:35 p.m., and departing RSW at 3:05 p.m. and arriving at DLH at…

Duluth Man Enters Guilty Plea in Girlfriend’s Death

DULUTH, Minn. — A Duluth man accused of killing his girlfriend in March and who first denied committing the death has entered a guilty plea of second-degree murder, while committing domestic assault and strangulation. As part of the plea deal, 25-year-old Dale John Howard has agreed to a sentence of 20 years in prison for the death of 27-year-old Allisa…

New Owner, New Vision For Duluth’s Former Anderson Furniture Bldg.

DULUTH, Minn.– The new owner of the 40-thousand square foot building has a dream to make it into what she calls a “mini mall.” Duluth entrepreneur DeBora Rachelle and her son are envisioning a restaurant and different shops on the first floor. The second and third floors could be for vacation rentals or a boutique hotel. And the fourth floor…

Hermantown Native Collapses, Dies During NorthShore Inline Marathon

DULUTH, Minn. –  The rollerblading community is mourning after one of their own collapsed and died during the NorthShore Inline Marathon in Duluth Saturday. Medical personnel responded the tunnels of I-35 around 7:30 a.m. for a skater who was down along the course, according to Duluth police. The skater, Mike Lufholm, 36, of Minneapolis, who is a graduate from Hermantown…

FBI: Trump Was Subject Of ‘Apparent Assassination Attempt’ At His Florida Golf Club

AP WASHINGTON (AP) — A man with an AK-style rifle pointed the firearm’s muzzle into Donald Trump’s golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, as the former president was playing a round, prompting the U.S. Secret Service to open fire, according to three law enforcement officials. The former president is safe and unharmed, and the FBI says it is investigating…

Chisholm Police Investigate Home Invasion, Possible Shooting

CHISHOLM, Minn.  – Chisholm police are investigating a possible shooting that occurred during a home invasion. The incident was reported around 8:30 p.m. Saturday during an altercation with some armed suspects. Police said two people were forcibly entered a residence on the 400 block of Central Avenue South. One of the suspects had a handgun and the other had a…

Driver Injured In T-Bone School Bus Rollover Is Asst. Volleyball Coach At South Ridge

CHERRY TOWNSHIP, Minn.– It was a truly a terrifying school bus ride Thursday morning for students from Cherry School when their bus was t-boned, sending it rolling into a ditch. Twenty-one students were on board when the bus rolled and ended upright. Twelve students were sent to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.  The bus driver is also going to be…

Essentia Health To Drop Medicare Advantage Plans With UnitedHealthcare, Humana

Essentia Health is dropping in-network coverage for 20,000 patients who have Medicare Advantage plans through UnitedHealthcare and Humana. Essentia said those two companies are too often “denying or delaying” patient care at more than twice the rate of other Medicare Advantage plans. “This was not a decision we made lightly. The frequent denials and associated delays negatively impact our ability…

Public Hearing for SWL&P Proposed Rate Hike

SUPERIOR, Wis. — On Monday Superior residents got a chance to testify during a public hearing involving a proposed rate increase by Superior Water Light & Power. The power company is proposing an overall 5.9% increase on utilities around $7.3 million. The utilities include electric, natural gas and water rates. Officials with SWL&P say the increase would allow for continued…

Mayor Reinert Directs Internal Review Post Fish Kill In Tischer Creek

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert said on Sunday that he has directed internal leadership to review all procedures and training to figure out how 1.7 million gallons of treated drinking water got into Tischer Creek in August, ending with the killing of more than 1,000 fish. Reinert took to social media Sunday to say the city’s drinking water…

Public Hearing Mon., Sept. 9 On SWL&P’s Proposed Rate Increases

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Residents in Superior are invited to a public hearing Monday involving rate increases proposed by Superior Water Light and Power (SWL&P). The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin is hosting the public hearing at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Government Center in Superior, room 270.  The overall proposed increase is 5.9%, or about $7.3 million. This…

Pedestrian Struck By Vehicle Near City of Kinney

The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office is reporting an apparent hit-and-run involving a pedestrian. The incident was reported around 4:45 p.m. Thursday. That’s when first-responders and law enforcement were dispatched to the 5300 block of Highway 25, which is just south of the city of Kinney. A 26-year-old man was found lying in the ditch. Officials said the man was…

Noodles & Company Opens Sept. 11 In Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Noodles & Company is one week away from opening in Superior. The establishment is located at 1624 Belknap Street, which is near the Superior Public Library. The doors open Wednesday, Sept. 11. The company describes the chain as a fast-casual brand serving globally-inspired noodle dishes, among other items like salads. This is the second Twin Ports location. …

2 Shot In Duluth’s Downtown Neighborhood

DULUTH, Minn. —  Two people were shot early Saturday in the 100 block of E. 3rd Street, which is considered the edge of downtown Duluth. The shooting happened around 2:15 a.m. Saturday.   The Duluth Police Department issued a press release on the incident at 4:16 p.m. Saturday. Police described the scene where they located two victims as “chaotic.” A 56-year-old…

Tenants Report Piles Of Trash In Lincoln Park Apartments Bldg.; Owner Responds

Submitted by tenant DULUTH, Minn. —  Tenants of the Lincoln Park Apartments, formerly a middle school, are not happy with growing trash in and outside the building. Submitted by tenant Photos and video show overflowing garbage shoots and piles of trash in hallways, along with bugs. Click here for video. When FOX 21 reached out to the building’s owner, Sherman…

Hibbing Police Investigate Shooting, Stabbing Involving Juveniles

HIBBING, Minn. — A shooting and stabbing are under investigation as one criminal case in Hibbing. Police said the gunshots were reported around 2 a.m. Wednesday in the area of Bennett Park. When police arrived, a juvenile male was located with a gunshot to the abdomen, according to police. The boy was transported to Aspirus St. Luke’s in Duluth. Officers…

MnDOT, Duluth Chamber Applaud Reopening Of Blatnik Bridge, I-35 Connection

It was a day in history Tuesday for MnDOT’s Twin Ports Interchange project, as I-35 ramps to and from the Blatnik Bridge officially re-opened for business. “We know there’s still construction. There’s going to be for months to come, but anytime there’s an opportunity to celebrate some new accessibility for our businesses, both in Duluth and Superior, that’s great,” said…

Blatnik Bridge Closing 6 A.M. Mon. – 6 A.M. Tues.

DULUTH, Minn. — The Blatnik Bridge will be fully shut down starting at 6 a.m. Monday, Aug. 19, until 6 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20. MnDOT crews will be connecting the last bypass section between the bridge and the Twin Ports Interchange project. The goal is to have I-535 back open by this fall, including the ramps to and from southbound…

Bong Bridge Construction In 2025; Public Meeting Wednesday

SUPERIOR, Wis. — A public meeting is set for Wed., Aug. 21, at the Superior Public Library to talk about construction plans for the Bong Bridge. The meeting takes place from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. The project includes concrete surface repairs and replacing light poles, some of which came down during accidents and storms. Click there for an overview…

Railway Bridge Collapses Near MN-CA Border; No Reports Of Injuries

Courtesy: Rainy Lake Property Owners Assoc. MN/CA BORDER. — CN-owned Rainy River Rail Lift Bridge collapsed Wednesday, which is on the Canadian side of the Minnesota-U.S. border, according to NWOnewswatch.com. “A pile of twisted metal lies at one end of a bridge that connects the CN network to the Port of Thunder Bay,” NWO reported Wednesday.  Photos from Rainy Lake…

Demolition Begins Of Former St. Mary’s Medical Center

DULUTH, Minn. – Demolition has begun on the former St. Mary’s Medical Center on East 4th Street in Duluth. Crews were seen Monday tearing down one of the campus skywalks that connected the former medical center to other Essentia Health buildings. Meanwhile, roads are closed in the area during demolition, which will last through the end of August. The city…

Duluth’s Priley Fountain Reopens, Damaged Grounds Being Restored After Encampment

DULUTH, Minn. — Priley Circle within the Duluth Civic Center was a much different site Thursday compared to the three-month-old encampment that was cleared out on Wednesday. City crews have since fenced off the land where the encampment used to be.  It’ll stay that way until the damaged grounds can be restored, according to the city. The historic Priley Foundation…

Duluth Shooting Incidents Down Significantly So Far In 2024

DULUTH, Minn. — There is good news about Duluth’s violent crime so far in 2024. It’s the lowest it’s been since before the pandemic. FOX 21 recently requested a six-year breakdown of data from the Duluth Police Department involving shooting incidents through July.  The numbers show a steep decline in 2024 compared to the past five years. As of July…

City Of Duluth Releases Statement After 1,000+ Fish Die In Tischer Creek

DULUTH, Minn. — The city of Duluth says it is cooperating with regulatory agencies after more than 1,000 fish were found dead last week in Tischer creek. The DNR confirmed that hundreds of brook trout, minnows, crayfish, and aquatic bugs were among the dead. Field crews from the DNR and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MCPA) collected fish and water samples…

Wis. Farming Family’s Dog Killed By Wolves; Congressmen Tiffany, Stauber Talk Wolf Hunt

MASON, Wis. – Living up north means living with some of America’s most beautiful creatures, like gray wolves, which are on the endangered species list. But for a farming family in Mason, Wis., they say the growing wolf population has become a serious problem for their livestock and even their beloved pets, as FOX 21’s Dan Hanger reports. Growing up…

Temporary Plan Unveiled To Battle Overheating At DECC Arena

DULUTH, Minn. — After two recent weekends of unbearable heat inside the DECC Arena, Exec. Dir. Dan Hartman says he’s made the “tough decision” to rent a temporary AC unit until $2.8 million in state bonding money can be used to install a modern-day AC system for that side of the DECC. Hartman said the project could take up to…

Tuesday At 9 P.M.: Wis. Farming Family Speaks Out After Wolves Kill Family Dog

MASON, Wis. – Coming up Tuesday night on FOX 21 Local News at 9, a special report from Mason, Wisconsin, involving a recent wolf attack. You’ll hear from life-long residents of northern Wisconsin who say the wolf population is out of control, killing livestock and even and 11-year-old Labrador just feet from its house. “I know that wolves, they’re a…

DECC Arena Struggles To Stay Cool During Recent Harbor Monsters Games

DECC calls recent arena heat level "simply unacceptable"

DULUTH, Minn. — It’s been a hot, steamy and humid summer the past few weekends, which has been nice for beachgoers, but not so nice for the Harbor Monsters and their fans after the air in the DECC arena rose to uncomfortable levels. The DECC told FOX 21 on Tuesday that the level of heat during the past two weekend…

Police: Victim Of Duluth Stabbing ‘Uncooperative’

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth police are investigating a stabbing that they say involves an uncooperative victim. The stabbing happened Friday night in the area of the 100 block of East 4th Street. Officers made contact with the victim who received minor injuries. The victim refused medical attention and refused to cooperative with investigators, according to a news release. Police believe…

Update: Coast Guard Clears ‘Vista Star’ For Operation After Striking Breakwater

Five-foot waves were reported during the incident, according to the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office.

6:15 p.m. update:  After the Vista Star struck a breakwater wall in the Wisconsin Entry to the Duluth-Superior harbor late Saturday evening, the Coast Guard inspected the hull of the boat Sunday evening and gave the all clear for operations to resume, according to Vista Fleet Owner Justin Steinbach.  He added the Vista Star cruises will start back up as…

MnDOT Finds Unexpected Amount Of ‘Deteriorated Concrete’ On I-35 Duluth Ramp

DULUTH, Minn. – One of the most traveled I-35 ramps in Duluth will be shut down for weeks because of unexpected concrete damage. MnDOT told FOX 21 crews were planning to fix “some deteriorated concrete” on I-35 ramps in Duluth when they found additional concrete concerns on the Lake Avenue on-ramp for Northbound I-35. So because of that discovery, a…

Black Water Lounge To Close In Downtown Duluth

The last day of business will be July 25.

Courtesy: Black Water DULUTH, Minn. — After 15 years of serving hand-crafted martinis in downtown Duluth, Black Water Lounge has made the difficult decision to close. The lounge on the 200 block of East Superior Street is part of the Black Woods Group. Courtesy: Black Water Co-owner Julie Thoreson told FOX 21 it’s a tough decision to close, but the…

Ex-Superior Police Officer Sentenced For Double-Fatal Drunken Crash

SUPERIOR, Wis. – It was an emotional day in court Wednesday as a Douglas County judge handed down his sentence against a former Superior police officer who killed a father and newborn son in a drunken hit-and-run in 2022. Judge George Glonik sentenced Gregory Swanson, 44, to 5 years in prison and 5 years supervision for each of the two…