Author: Emily Halling

4th Annual Holiday Decor Sale at Boulder Lake ELC

DULUTH, Minn.– Boulder Lake is also taking advantage of holiday sales by using materials on their property. For 4 years now, Boulder Lake Environmental Learning Center has sold homemade wreathes, porch pots, and even kits to make your very own wreath. This is the largest fundraiser for that Boulder Lake hosts every year. They use freshly harvested material to create…

19th Annual Gobble Gallop

DULUTH, Minn.– For 19 years Duluth Running Company has put on the Gobble Gallop. And this year, they had quite the turn out! Over 1,700 runners took on the annual Thanksgiving run. This is the largest turn out they’ve had since 2019. The younger runners participated in the Gobble Giddy up kids run, There was also the Tough Turkey 1…

The DECC Preps for Thanksgiving

DULUTH, Minn.– With Thanksgiving being a day away, volunteers at the DECC is wasting no time with getting their meals squared away. After planning all year, the 1,540 Thanksgiving meals are being boxed up. They have quite the crew helping out this year, even booking out volunteer slots. The DECC has been feeding the Northland for 35 years. “We have…

CASDA Launches ‘Give the Gift of Healing’ Silent Auction

SUPERIOR, Wis.– In Superior, there’s an opportunity to help victims and survivors of abuse though the “Give the Gift of Healing” fundraiser. The virtual silent auction goes live on Black Friday. CASDA is a clinic in Superior that helps victims and survivors of domestic and sexual abuse. Funds raised through this event will help support the shelter’s operations as they…

AFSCME Rally Food and Fund Drive

DULUTH, Minn.– AFSCME union members collected food donations for Second Harvest Northland today outside Duluth city hall, while rallying for a fair contract with the city. AFSCME represents hundreds of City of Duluth employees. They have been calling for fair wages and better benefits and working conditions. Today’s rally came ahead of a meeting with city administration today. “You know…

CHUM Distributes Thanksgiving Boxes

DULUTH, Minn.– For over a decade, CHUM has pitched in to help as many people as possible to make sure they have a Thanksgiving meal they deserve. For the season of giving, CHUM has prepared 100 Thanksgiving boxes filled with all of the essentials. There are favorites such as the turkey itself, stuffing, potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce and even…

Superior Meats Processing Deer for 2024 Season

SUPERIOR, Wis.– After hunting is over, the question of what to do with your deer harvest often comes to mind. Superior Meats is excited to cater to the hunters and help them produce venison products. Some of those products, you wouldn’t initially expect. “Make it into whatever you’re looking for. Whether it be bratwurst, summer sausage, bacon. We do a…

2024 Deer Hunting Season Begins in Wisconsin

  SUPERIOR, Wis.– Deer hunting is a beloved Midwest tradition that brings families together year after year. “My husband, son and I hunt together. You know, they’re not quite in the area, that’s real important too. You know, I’m really looking forward to it,” said Pat Kukull, owner of Superior Shooter Supply. Many enthusiastic hunters, counting down the days until…

Hermantown Area Chamber of Commerce Reflects on 2024

HERMANTOWN, Minn.– The Hermantown Area Chamber of Commerce recognized and celebrated volunteers, members, and efforts of this year. Around 200 members gathered at today’s celebration got an overall look to the 2024 year — the successes from businesses in Hermantown, Proctor, Duluth, and Rice Lake. There are now 300 Chamber of Commerce members. A slide show recognized all of the…

Superior Meats Prepping for Thanksgiving

DULUTH, Minn.– It’s getting down to crunch time when it comes to getting ready for Thanksgiving, and Superior Meats is getting ready for the big day. Thanksgiving will be here before you know it, and staying on top of your turkey plan is key for a happier, stress-free holiday. Superior Meats will be rolling out the fresh turkeys on Thursday…

Keeping Tabs on Tire Safety for Winter

DULUTH, Minn.– It’s beginning to feel a lot like winter, and it’s never too early to prepare your car for the ice and snow. With the unpredictable Midwest winters, checking out your car’s tires and making sure they’re safe is crucial for a smooth winter. Discount Tire in Duluth is hard at work to help change tires seeing 24 cars…

First Bookstore in 17 Years Opens in Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis.– After nearly two decades, the first bookstore in Superior recently opened their doors. The lack of bookstores in the area sparked owner Maria Lockwood to take the leap and open up Foxes and Fireflies. The shop opened up back in October of this year and they’re located at the Superior Business Improvement building. Foxes and Fireflies is homing…

Wildcat Sanctuary Expands Both Acres and Residents

SANDSTONE, Minn.– Lately, there’s a lot to be excited about at the Wildcat Sanctuary in Sandstone. The Wildcat Sanctuary recently expanded from 80 acres to 200 acres, when they were able to buy 120 acres of additional land. The Wildcat Sanctuary does not have any plans for the new space. They are using the additional land as a buffer for…

Car Memorial Gathering for Skyline Parkway Crash Victim

DULUTH, Minn.– Over two dozen friends and family members gather two days later and turned the emotional get together into a car show, to celebrate his hobby, following the devastating loss of 19-year-old Tyriq Gordon. Tyriq died over the weekend in what authorities are believing to be a high-speed accident, off of West Skyline Parkway in Duluth. The day after…

Duluth Public Schools District Reduces Budget by 5 Million Dollars

  DULUTH, Minn.– The Duluth Public School District will be reducing their overall budget by 5 million dollars. There are several reasons for the 2025-2026 school year budget reduction. The end of federal pandemic relief funding, financial challenges, inflation, and rising special education costs are a few. Currently, state funds for education have increased 2 -3% each year. And the…

New Safe Exchange Area at Duluth Safety Building

  DULUTH, Minn.– A lot of purchases these days involve transactions through the internet. And with those exchanges, finding a safe place to meet up can be challenging. And to help with that uncertainty St Louis County, and the Duluth Police Department launched the new safe exchange area. It is located at the Duluth Public Safety building. It’s meant to…

Superior Schools Referendum Passed

SUPERIOR, Wis.– With the recent elections, a referendum was passed to support Superior schools. The approved 5.5-million-dollar referendum will go toward continuing to cover operational expenses, as well as maintain programs, and keep class sizes low. Superior School District Administrator Dr. Amy Starzecki tells us, the goal with the referendum was to “maintain status quo”. “I think last year was…

WI State Superintendent Tours Cooper Elementary

SUPERIOR, Wis.– Wisconsin State Superintendent Jill Underly took a tour of Cooper Elementary in Superior. This is part of a statewide tour to explain her 2.5 million-dollar 2025-2027 biennial budget. Underly emphasized Cooper Elementary as one of the schools that was able to maintain critical staffing and programs. She is pushing for these opportunities for all Wisconsin schools. With the funding…

First Duluth Chick-Fil-A Opens Nov. 14

DULUTH, Minn.– A popular fast-food chicken restaurant will finally be opening its doors in Duluth on Nov. 14. A team of 120 workers are part of the Chick-Fil-A location in the Miller Hill Mall parking lot. The menu features signature chicken sandwiches, chicken nuggets, salads, and waffle fries. Chick-Fil-A will also be serving customers early in the morning. “So, we’re…

Sofidel Paper Company Begins Expansion

DULUTH, Minn.– Sofidel ,the paper company that took over the paper mill along I-35 is getting an expansion. Construction for 200-million-dollar project started two weeks ago. The former Verso building used to produce paper to make magazines, and newspapers. But now, with Sofidel, they switched over to tissue and toilet paper production. With the expansion, the company will get an…

St. Louis County Landfill Unveils Geothermal Field

VIRGINIA, Minn.– St. Louis County’s landfill got a new first-of-its kind technology in the state that creates new energy from garbage. A ribbon cutting was held today in Virginia at the site of the landfill’s new 10-acre geo-thermal field. The field has a specialized liner with coils at its base. Heat produced through decomposing garbage will now be captured in…

Duluth Salvation Army Red Kettle Season Begins

DULUTH, Minn.– With the holidays approaching, storefronts will be decorated with bell ringers once again. This year, the Duluth Salvation Army has a kettle goal of $250,000. Inflation and raised prices led to the higher donation goal, and they need that amount to keep things running smoothly. The Salvation Army is looking for more bell ringer volunteers to help reach…

DECC Hosts 12th Annual Junk Hunt

DULUTH, Minn.– Over 150 vendors are gathering at the DECC to sell their antiques, treats and trinkets. The event draws in junk hunters near and far. With some of the booths selling heavy furniture, the junk hunt has their team of “junk hunks” in orange shirts to help load those items. “We started with like half a dozen vendors back…

Kolar Hyundai Breaks Ground on New Location

HERMANTOWN, Minn.– The new spot, just off of highway 53 in Hermantown, broke ground Friday morning. As demand for services and vehicles grew, Kolar needed to expand. The group is looking forward to serving the community with the new building and providing the Northland with new car features that can be hard to find. “If you look for a Tesla station,…

UW-Superior Celebrates 3rd Annual Sonia Kovalevsky Day

SUPERIOR, Wis.– UW-Superior held their 3rd annual Sonia Kovalesky Day to highlight mathematical activities for young girls. 76 girls from schools throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota met today to rotate through workshops, run by mathematics professors. The gathering designed to celebrate Sonia Kovalevsky. The first woman in Europe to receive a PHD. The event is also included career exploration, where students…

FOX 21’s Local Election Coverage

FOX 21’s Emily Halling, Lucretia Free and Maria Vollom covered key races in Minnesota for the 2024 election. Below are clips of brief interactions with each candidate.   United States Representative District 8 JEN SCHULTZ PETE STAUBER State House District 3B NATALIE ZELEZNIKAR MARK MUNGER County Commissioner District 3 ASHLEY GRIMM   JANET KENNEDY   State Representative District 8A MARK…

Crank & Dasher Opens Second Location

DULUTH, Min. — The local ice cream business Crank & Dasher has expanded in the Twin Ports! Nestled in Lakeside, the neighborhood’s new addition opened their doors on Thursday. Their first location, being a seasonal shop over at Fitgers. Now, they will be open all year long in this brick and mortar. Owner Annie Carmichael says she has a passion…

Downtown Duluth Welcomes New Mediterranean Restaurant

DULUTH, Minn. — Downtown Duluth welcomed a new Mediterranean restaurant last week and they’re eager to share these flavors with the Northland! Alto Pino is homing in on seasonal Duluth ingredients and turning them into something new and exciting. The dishes are described as “small but complimentary,” and the meals are meant to be shared with others. Right now, they…

Wildcat Sanctuary Unveils “Catio Town”

SANDSTONE, Minn.–Can you imagine living in a jungle, a Barbie Dreamhouse, or even in the set of the hit tv show “Friends”? At the Wildcat Sanctuary in Sandstone, rescued hybrid cats get to live in these fun rooms. The Wildcat Sanctuary is known for their tigers and lions but today, they’re celebrating a new home for their hybrid cats. “We…

Duluth’s Brighton Beach Reopens

DULUTH, Minn. — After years of construction, Duluthians will be glad to hear that Brighton Beach is finally reopening. You might recall when Brighton Beach closed back in August of 2021. The beach endured years of erosion, leading to lengthy repairs. But now, they’re finally ready to welcome back the public. “What I will say, and I hope you will…

The Wonders of Japanese Kimono Silks

DULUTH, Minn. — The Needle Art Guild in Duluth is celebrating a special craft when it comes to sewing. The 51-year-old organization has been teaching a variety sewing techniques such as embroidery, stitching and beading. But Monday, the Needle Art Guild is learning about Japanese Kimono Silks by welcoming guest speaker Patty Sampson. She’s a custom dressmaker and designer who…

Remembering Senator Paul Wellstone 22 Years Later

EVELETH, Minn.– Nearly 2 dozen people gathered Friday from Duluth, the Iron Range, and even the Twin Cities, reminisced and connect with one another about one senator who touched the lives of many, as well as the loved ones who died alongside him. “I just thought he was an amazing lawmaker with great energy. He stood for progressive values. Which…

Annual Fall Community Connect Event at Damiano Center

DULUTH, Minn. — The annual Community Connect took off Thursday at the Damiano Center. Nearly 400 people took advantage of everything the center is offering. The Damiano Center is partnering up with organizations such as Safe Haven, CHUM, and St Louis County. They provided different services that is accessible for anyone. Such as haircuts, a hot meal and over thirty…

DECC Hosts Annual MCEA Conference

DULUTH, Minn. — 500 community educators from all over the state gathering at the DECC Wednesday. They got to learn from one another and improve local school districts and communities. The Minnesota Community Education Association meets every year. In 2020, the most recent Duluth conference was cancelled. But now, the DECC is hosting the largest MCEA since the pandemic. Breakout…

Special Report: Ski Accident Inspires Duluth Man’s New Career

DULUTH, Minn.– After enduring a ski accident back in 2021, it left 17-year-old Duluth native paralyzed. It became an injury that inspired him to help others. “I became a wheelchair user. And not just a wheelchair user. But I had to deal with the chronic symptoms that came along with spinal cord injuries. Like bowel and bladder management, taking care…