Author: Dan Hanger

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…

Strong Opinions On Proposed Public Safety Plan; Duluth Mayor, Chiefs Encourage More

DULUTH, Minn. — One day after a standing-room only council meeting, the city of Duluth’s top public safety leaders are reacting to 3.5 hours of public comments and dialogue about Mayor Roger Reinert’s proposed ordinance changes to get tougher on non-violent crime. Property damage, graffiti, illegal dumping and camping on public property are among the non-violent crimes that would become…

Update: Bayfield County ‘Animal Neglect Investigation’ Of Horses Sent To Dist. Atty.

7/12/24 Update: Courtesy: Bella Bretting Courtesy: Bella Bretting TOWN OF BELL, Wis. –  Two days after the Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office said there was not enough evidence to prosecute an animal neglect case involving more than 15 horses, FOX 21 has learned the Sheriff’s Office has sent their investigation over to the District Attorney’s Office for possible charges. On Wednesday,…

Longtime Meteorologist Karl Spring Rejoins FOX 21 Weather Team

DULUTH, Minn. — Longtime meteorologist Karl Spring is re-joining the FOX 21’s weather team later this month. He’ll be filling in as needed for all newscasts. Karl Spring Karl is a native Minnesotan and a life-long Twins and Vikings fan. Besides his time forecasting for years in the Twin Ports, including at FOX 21 in 2008-2009, he has also worked…

DECC’s ‘Taco Fest’ Faces Criticism For Not Including Local Mexican Restaurants

DECC officials said its kitchen-prepared event will break even and support staff during slow summer months.

DULUTH, Minn. – The DECC’s first-ever Taco Festival is drawing some criticism because the event does not include any local Mexican restaurants. The DECC describes the event as “a festival-style taco extravaganza,” “a street party with tacos,” and “signature margaritas.” The Taco Fest is happening outside Pioneer Hall Saturday, July 6, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.  The DECC’s kitchen…

Hibbing Police Make Big Break In 2017 Unsolved Murder Of Businessman

HIBBING, Minn. — The 2017 murder of Hibbing business owner Brian Nelson remains unsolved, as the 7th anniversary of his death approaches next week. But Monday night, FOX 21 confirmed Hibbing police investigators are closing in on the case. After seven years of investigating every lead possible, new forensic technology has created the most credible lead yet into finding out…

Diver Drowns In Crane Lake While Trying To Recover Sunken Machinery

CRANE LAKE, Minn. – A scuba diver from Embarrass drowned Sunday while trying to recover a piece of sunken machinery on Crane Lake, according to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office. The 50-year-old, William Rebarich was in 70 feet of water when he failed to resurface during the attempt to recover the sunken equipment. Crane Lake is just outside Voyageurs…

Cook Community Leans On Each Other As Swollen River Takes Over Downtown

Gov. Walz will visit Cook and Biwabik on Thursday to survey the flood damage.

COOK, Minn. – The small, close-knit city of Cook is dealing with a big problem.  The swollen Littlefork River has sent feet of water into the low-lying downtown. Homes and businesses are surrounded by water.  Some basements have feet of water, according to locals. There was a slight sign of relief Thursday because forecasters believe the river has hit its…

UPDATE: Two Juveniles Arrested in Robbery and Assault of 75-year-old Man

DULUTH, Minn. — Two male juveniles, a 14-year-old and 16-year-old, were arrested Wednesday, June 19 in the assault and robbery of a 75-year-old man in the DECC parking ramp. UPDATE (6/20): The juveniles are facing pending charges of Aid and Abet 1st Aggravated Robbery and 3rd Degree Riot charges. They were detained at about 10:30 pm on Wednesday, June 19…