Author: Emily Halling

KYN: New Owner Sews New Life into Fabric Store

DULUTH, Minn.– Hannah Johnson Fabric & Sewing Store nestled on East Superior Street in Lester Park has been catering to their crafty customers for 16 years. And after dedicating more than a decade to the shop, the previous owner decided it was time to retire. The new owner, Asher Estrin-Haire, is excited to alter the shop in his own way….

Curtains Closing for Two Significant Figures at Duluth Playhouse

DULUTH, Minn.– When you see a production at the Norshor Theater stage, you can’t help but take it all in. The artistic decisions lie within the directors, and costume managers alike. And pretty soon, the Playhouse will be saying goodbye to two of those employees. “They flew me out December 2019 right after a giant blizzard. And I remember getting…

Activists Take to the Streets for 10th Annual Indigenous Memorial March

DULUTH, Minn.– Today the Twin Ports participated in its 10th annual march for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives. The march takes place each year on Valentines Day to bring justice and awareness to those missing. This year, 20-30 people were involved with the event. Before the march took place families met to share personal stories of their loved…

‘Bay Produce’ Introduces Flowers to Harvest Lineup

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Bay Produce is a familiar name seen in grocery stores across the region like Super One. They’ve built a legacy for the veggies they grow every year. But now, the employees behind the scenes are growing with new opportunities. For this harvest, they are introducing hanger baskets and potted flowers. “When somebody comes to buy a couple…

50th Annual ‘Outdoors Sports Show’ Begins at the DECC

DULUTH, Minn.– For 50 years, the DECC has been hosting its highly anticipated outdoor sports show, attracting outdoor enthusiasts from all over the region to explore the latest in outdoor gear and activities More than 250 vendors are preparing to set up shop throughout the DECC. Guests can browse for anything ranging from fishing lures and rods to RVs and…

‘Cold Water Dolphins’ Group Braves Freezing Waters

DULUTH, Minn.– What started off as a curiosity for the cold, has now grown to a group of 1,500 dedicated plungers taking on the icy Lake Superior in Duluth. The ‘Cold Water Dolphins’ started five years ago, after the group’s leader Loralee Pasley read up on benefits from plunging into cold water. She said it helps boost immunity, mental health,…

‘ARPA’ Powered St. Louis County Through COVID-19 Pandemic

DULUTH, Minn.– Tuesday morning St. Louis County board members reflected on the impact that the American Rescue Plan Act or ‘ARPA’ brought to the community. At the height of the COVID pandemic, the U.S. Federal Government allocated 5.5 million dollars to the St. Louis County. The large sum of money went towards responding to the public health emergency and addressing…

Big Top Chautauqua Facing Significant Financial Struggles

BAYFIELD COUNTY, Wis. — There are serious financial challenges facing Big Top Chautauqua at the ski hill it sits on in Bayfield County. Despite this, board members told FOX 21 they are determined to reinvent the operations for long-term success. In 2022, the Ashwabay Alliance, which operates Big Top Chautauqua and Mount Ashwabay ski and recreation area, racked up a…

London Road Undergoing Major Construction in 2026

  DULUTH, Minn.– Next year one of the busiest roads in Duluth will be reimagined. And with this construction, 10-17,000 daily commuters will be impacted. In 2026, 26th Avenue East on London Road over to 60th Avenue East in Duluth will undergo major construction. The 20 million dollar project will include the addition of round-abouts replacing sidewalks, as well as…

Mama T’s Smokin’ Eats Fights to Overcome Costly Setbacks

VILLAGE OF SUPERIOR, Wis.– It’s hard for a business to survive its first year. But for Mama T’s Smokin’ Eats in the Village of Superior, they were doing everything right. Receiving 21 award nominations and winning “Best Place to Work”. “Oh, the community. I love the community, I love the people, I love meeting people. My first question is, ‘Where…

26th Annual Blackwoods Blizzard Tour Kicks Off

GOODLAND, Minn.– Engines roared to life this morning as one of the state’s largest snowmobile fundraising races began. After last year’s event was canceled, the recent snowfall brought in over 200 racers to compete in the three-day Blizzard Tour event. The money raised from this race will toward ALS research. The course spans about 180 miles. Starting at Black Bear…

Duluth Hotel Rates Still Affected from Pandemic

DULUTH, Minn.– Duluth is a popular destination for conventions, events, and conferences, but lately, it’s been facing its own set of challenges. Since the pandemic, Duluth’s hotel industry has been working to recover to pre-pandemic levels. The general manager of the Sheraton Hotel says that over the past year, their average daily rates have remained flat, and they’ve seen a…

Local Woodworker Crafts Hobby into a Career

SOUTH RANGE, Wis.– Josh Dumke of South Range Wisconsin has worn many hats throughout his career. “So, for twelve years I was a research scientist at the national resources research institute. I did fisheries, and aquatic invasive species research. That was about the time that I kind of started my woodworking business. And my interests kind of changed. What I…

Cloquet Area Fire District Looking to Build New Facility

CLOQUET, Minn.– The chief of the Cloquet Area Fire District said, it’s beyond time for a new headquarters because the current one is falling apart, packed beyond capacity and a safety concern. The current fire station downtown was built decades ago and no longer meets the standards required for modern emergency responses. The Cloquet Area Fire District serves well beyond…

‘Climate Future’ Conference at UMD

DULUTH, Minn.– The future climate of Duluth is the center of a two-day public conference at UMD this week. Environmental experts throughout the state of Minnesota are part of the “Climate Future” conference, including the D-N-R, NOAA and ‘the institute of environment’ a U-M-D. Workshops, panel discussions and presentations are all part of the process to engage everyday citizens who…

‘Green Iron Project’ Paves Way for Hydrogen-Based Steel Manufacturing

DULUTH, Minn.– A first of its kind project using hydrogen-based energy is in limbo after a federal pause on grants loans took place but was quickly revoked. That first of a kind project is called ‘Green Iron Project’, and it centers around the conversion of iron into steel using a hydrogen energy plant. The Minnesota Natural Resource Institute has a…

Behind the Brew at Duluth Cider

DULUTH, Minn.– Duluth Cider is one of two cideries in the Northland. And their entire cider making process happens all under one building. “It’s really nice, in the middle of Duluth Minnesota, we’re taking on cider, we’re doing it all in our cellar, and bringing it up, out the door, all over, it’s actually pretty cool,” said Kyle McKean. Duluth…

Former President Jimmy Carter’s Boundary Waters Legacy

ELY, Minn. — Former President Jimmy Carter teamed up with the Friends of the Boundary Waters during his administration, to help back up his efforts around the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness. “There’s been a lot of sacrifice, a lot of victory too, and not all of those sacrifices accumulated into what we have today,” said Riley Smith. Riley Smith…

Lake Superior Elementary School Transforming into Apartments

DULUTH, Minn.– After the recent closure of the Lake Superior Elementary School in Superior, an agreement was made to revitalize the property into apartment units. The elementary school closed it’s doors at the end of the school year back in June. The closure happened cause of a decrease in enrollment as well as budget constraints. But that opened up the…

Preview: Jimmy Carter’s Impact on the Boundary Waters

ELY, Minn.– Following the death of former president Jimmy Carter, he left behind quite the legacy for the Boundary Waters. After his recent death back in December, Friends of the Boundary Waters are looking back at his impact fondly. During Carter’s presidency, he teamed up with the Friends of the Boundary Waters. Together they passed numerous bills and acts promising…

City of Superior Honing in on Infrastructure Improvements for 2025

SUPERIOR, Wis.– The year 2024 had a huge focus on incorporating nature back into the City of Superior. They revitalized Woodstock Bay and planted trees in the neighborhoods. “2024 was a very successful year in the city of Superior. We made a number of significant investments in our infrastructure; we developed many new housing units. And we’ve been increasing quality…

‘Heart Berry’ Small Business Store Steals Hearts On and Offline

CLOQUET, Minn.– ‘Heart Berry’ is a woman and native owned store, and they back in 2023. The store was by inspired a strong desire to teach and share art with the Cloquet community. “I started out as a moccasin maker and beadwork artist. And really quickly saw that my community really wanted cultural art. I really wanted to teach cultural…

Duluth School District Budget Reduction Leads to Potential Layoffs

DULUTH, Minn.– Staff layoffs are taking place in the Duluth School District due to budget cuts. Superintendent John Magas says, the budget reduction is caused by pandemic relief funding ending as well as financial challenges, inflation, and rising special education costs. 83-85% of that budget is responsible for salaries and benefits. Over 50 meetings took place to discuss the best course…

Spanish Immersion Program Expands to Meyers-Wilkins Elementary

DULUTH, Minn.– Following the popularity of the Spanish Immersion Program at Lowell Elementary School. Meyer’s Wilkins Elementary is next in line. The Spanish Immersion Program is part of the Duluth Public School’s efforts to help the demand for diverse learning. Right now, this program takes place at Lowell Elementary. Lowell has 325 students enrolled in the program. For Fall of…

2025 Outlook for Duluth Entertainment Convention Center

DULUTH, Minn.– Management at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center are ready for a stronger year ahead following operational challenges that lead to a million-dollar loan request from the city in 2024. “We had a lot of capital projects here that failed. So, when the DECC arena system broke, we then had to do an emergency fix for our entire AC…

‘Pho’licious’ Opens in Canal Park

DULUTH, Minn.– The local restaurant, Taste of Saigon in Canal Park, now has a new name and a new taste. Under new ownership, ‘Pho-licious’ is serving up authentic Vietnamese cuisine. The co-owner, who is also the owner’s wife, received hands-on training in Washington, D.C., learning the art of crafting traditional dishes. They described making pho as a true labor of…

Important Tips for Braving Dangerous Temperatures

DULUTH, Minn.– The winter season is feeling a bit more seasonal this year, because some freezing cold temperatures are on the horizon. The Northland is bracing for a cold stretch, lasting through next Wednesday. With temperatures falling well into the negative teens and ’20s. Temps that low matched with windchill are especially dangerous, because frostbite can occur in as little…

DECC wrapping up plans on “Portside Park”

DULUTH, Minn. — The DECC in Duluth has begun wrapping up a project they’re calling “Portside Park.” The site will act as a venue that will hold 4-thousand guests. Stemming from the success following popular events such as the Winter Village, they’re excited to incorporate this while rebuilding the sea-wall. The DECC is looking forward to holding concerts and other…

Local Unions back Strikers from Deer River Essentia Facility

DULUTH, Minn. — Union workers from Essentia’s facility in Deer River, picketed in Duluth on Wednesday. The workers are apart of the Service Employees International Union, but were joined today by local chapters of ASFME and the United Steel Workers. The various unions showed their support by braving the cold in front of Essentia’s 2nd Street facility. The Deer River…

UMD Unveils New Kirby Rafters

DULUTH, Minn.– UMD’s Kirby Rafters has received a makeover right on time for the start of their spring semester. The Kirby Rafters is an event center at University Minnesota Duluth that has lived many lives. Originally starting as a student lounge center, The Rafters has now transformed to a venue for small concerts karaoke and board meetings. According to UMD…

‘Another Door’ Shelter For Young People Opening In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn.– A new shelter for young adults in Duluth is receiving its final touches, and they’re eager to begin helping the community. The site is located at Peace Church and is operated by Lutheran Social Services. Another Door emergency shelter will provide short-term emergency housing for people ages 18-24. The facility is offering 12 units, equipped with beds and…

Winter Weather Safety Reminders

DULUTH, Minn.– With the Northland experiencing another cold snap there are a few things to keep in mind. The seasonal snowfall brought in a wave of customers checking out equipment to handle the weather. Staff at Marshall Hardware in Duluth informed FOX 21 about the importance of stocking up on the right winter gear. These items including plastic window covers,…

Outdoor Trails Ready for Winter Activities

DULUTH, Minn.– Outdoor staff and enthusiasts alike are breathing a sigh of relief because ski trails are finally usable. The trails are finally up and running, because they were finally groomed Monday morning. Following the weekend snow, the trails are ready for mountain biking, snowshoeing, and skiing. Being able to offer these activities after having a disappointing winter season is…

Bent Paddle Brewing Participates in Dry January

DULUTH, Minn.– While many people are ringing in the new year with a toast to ‘Dry January,’ Bent Paddle Brewing in Duluth is tapping into the trend, offering something for everyone. Bent Paddle Brewing has been embracing inclusivity since 2018 with their ‘Canna-products’ lineup. From THC sodas and seltzers to gummies, they’re offering a unique twist on your favorite beverages….

Smooth Sailing for Duluth Port Authority’s 2024 Season

DULUTH, Minn.– The 2024 shipping season was apparently smooth sailing for the Duluth Port Authority. Duluth Port Authority officials told FOX 21, Through the end of November, import and export tonnage was nearly 30 percent ahead of last season. It has also been a good year for grain, specifically wheat, being one of the port’s leading export cargos. The port…