Author: Dan Hanger

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…

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. …