Author: Jason VanHorn

Inmate escapes from Northeast Regional Corrections Center

  SAGINAW, Minn. — An inmate has escaped from the Northeast Regional Corrections Center (NERCC). Officials say that on Tuesday evening, Michael Todd Hart escaped from custody at the NERCC. According to officials, Hart is a white male, 5’10” tall, 169 lbs with brown hair and blue eyes, and was last seen wearing a yellow sweatshirt, grey T-shirt, and blue…

Bulldog Pizza & Grill announces sale to new owners

  DULUTH, Minn. —  Bulldog Pizza and Grill has announced it has been sold to new owners. Founders Ken and Sue Wright have officially sold the restaurant to Bob and Sonja Jones after serving the community since 1986. Bulldog Pizza says the new owners bring more than 60 years of combined restaurant experience, along with a deep passion for family…

Duluth man arrested for threatening to shoot elementary school released on bail

Richard Neault DULUTH, Minn. — A Duluth man who was arrested for threatening an elementary School has been released on a $100,000 bail. Richard Neault was arrested on September 11 for threatening to shoot the windows of Laura MacArthur Elementary School. 72-year-old Neault is being charged with felony threats of violence and is facing a maximum sentence of 5 years…

Essentia Health releases study highlighting economic and community impact

DULUTH, Minn — Essentia Health released an economic impact study Tuesday morning showing the health care providers’ impact on the Twin Ports. The third-party study highlighted over $4.5 billion in economic output and over 14,800 jobs directly and indirectly in the Twin Ports.  Officials said the report found that for every full-time job at Essentia, .94 jobs are created in…

Tomassoni Tour raises $321,000, breaks fundraising record

  DULUTH, Minn. — The 3rd annual Tomassoni Tour has broken its fundraising record. Last weekend, the cycle tour raised $321,000 to support individuals and families battling ALS. 95 cyclists and 25 volunteers participated in this year’s tour.  The tour, named after the late Minnesota Senator David Tomassoni, who died from ALS in 2022, is hosted by Never Surrender Inc.,…

Suspects named in Fredenberg Township burglary

  Damian Lyle Coon(left) and Cayden John Pappas(right) FREDENBURG TOWNSHIP, Minn —  Suspects have been named after a home was ransacked in an alleged planned burglary in Fredenberg Township. 26-year-old Damian Lyle Coon of Duluth and 18-year-old Cayden John Pappas of Cloquet are being charged with felony 2nd-degree burglary and felony theft. SEE PREVIOUS: 2 Arrested After Home Burglary In…

Outage leaves over 800 people without power

Minn. — 825 Minnesota power customers across the northland are without power Thursday morning. According to officials, the outage began at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday night, impacting Skelton Township, Moose Lake Township, and Barnum. Minnesota Power released a statement regarding the outage: “The outage is the result of a small, contained fire at our substation last night, which was caused by…

Stowe Elementary hosts Fruit, Flower and Vegetable Show

DULUTH, Minn. — Students at Stowe Elementary took part in the annual Fruit, Flower, and Vegetable Show Friday morning. Kindergarten through 5th-grade students had the chance to bring their fruit, flower, and vegetable creations for a chance at impressing the judges. A 5th grader at Stowe Elementary, Ruby, entered Gloria the potato person and her Beet dog, “Beet”hoven in this…

Minnesota Discovery Center restores Sami Hut

  CHISHOLM, Minn. — The Minnesota Discovery Center has renovated a traditional Sami hut that was first built at the center in the 1990’s. The Sami people are an indigenous group from northern Sweden, Finland, and Russia. In 1996, a group of Sami people who immigrated to the Northland built a traditional hut at the Minnesota Discovery Center. Nearly 30…

Cook County Public Health and Human Services experience data breach

  COOK COUNTY, Minn — The Public Health and Human Services of Cook County has experienced a data breach. According to officials, the breach may have exposed the private information of those who used their services. Those impacted will receive a letter in the mail from Cook County officials. Questions regarding the breach can be directed to Kristen Trebil-Halbersma, County…

Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota receives $218,000 grant for ‘pro bono’ services

WASHINGTON D.C. — The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) announced Thursday that it is awarding $218,895 to Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota (LSNM). According to LSC, of low-income Americans seeking legal help, half are turned away. Organizations such as LSNM use private attorneys who volunteer their time and take cases “pro bono” for those in need. Officials say the grant will…

Duluth Firefighters host stair climb in remembrance of 9/11

DULUTH, Minn. — In remembrance of the 24th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks, Duluth firefighters hosted their annual memorial stair climb. Starting at 8:46 am, firefighters from around the area, Air National Guard Fire, and Lake Superior College fire students took part in the 2,200-step climb at the DECC. Duluth Fire Chief, Shawn Krizaj highlighted the continued importance…

Lockdown Cleared at Denfeld High School

DULUTH, Minn. — Denfeld High School has been cleared after a lockdown on Tuesday morning. According to officials, at 10:43 a.m., the school went into a precautionary lockdown after a student with a felony warrant was arrested. The felony warrant was for 2nd Degree Assault and Possession of a Dangerous Weapon.  No weapon was on campus, according to police. The…

Girl Scouts announce new cookie flavor

NEW YORK, Ny. — The Girl Scouts of the USA have announced a new cookie for their 2026 lineup. Named Exploremores, the rocky road ice cream–inspired sandwich cookie is filled with flavors of chocolate, marshmallow, and a toasted almond–flavored crème. The Girl Scouts say the new cookie reflects the spirit of exploration at the heart of every Scout. Exploremores will…

Minnesota DFL name new House Leader

  ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota House DFL has announced a new House Leader following the June assassination of former Speaker Melissa Hortman. Representative Zack Stephenson of  Coon Rapids has been elected for the position. SEE PREVIOUS: Accused assassin of Melissa Hortman and her husband pleas not guilty. “Representative Stephenson will provide steady leadership for our caucus as House…

Tribal Flag Plaza inauguration held at Minnesota State Capitol

  ST. PAUL, Minn. — A tribal flag-raising ceremony was held at the Minnesota State Capitol on September 5. The Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, in partnership with Tribal Nations, the Governor’s Office, and the Minnesota Department of Administration, held the ceremony to honor the new Tribal Flag Plaza. The plaza is located on the Dakota homeland and honors…

Duluth club figure skater wins national medal at U.S. Figure Skating National Qualifying

    CHICAGO, Ill. — Duluth Figure Skating Club’s Gabriella Manion of Superior won a national medal at last weekend’s U.S. Figure Skating National Qualifying Series event in Chicago. Manion started Friday with a Short Program that earned her a new personal best score, placing her in 4th going into the Free Skate. Saturday, Manion’s Free Skate earned her another personal best…

Four winning Powerball tickets sold in Minnesota

  Minn. —  Four Minnesota Powerball players won big over the weekend. The winning numbers in the Powerball drawing on Saturday were 11, 23, 44, 61, 62, and Powerball was 17. The Power Play® multiplier was 2. Three winning $50,000 tickets were sold at: The Faribault at the Holiday Stationstore located at 707 4th Street NW. The Hastings at the…

Three conservation officers recognized by Minnesota DNR for life saving efforts

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Three conservation officers have been recognized by the Minnesota DNR for their life-saving efforts, two of whom are local to our area. Officer Curtis Simonson of International Falls,  Officer Corey Sura of the Remer area, and Officer Nick Baum of Park Rapids. All received lifesaving awards for their efforts over the last few months: Officer Simonson…

Auntie Anne’s coming to Miller Hill Mall

DULUTH, Minn. — A location of the world’s largest hand-rolled soft pretzel franchise is coming to Duluth.   Auntie Anne’s is set to open in the Miller Hill Mall food court in Spring 2026. This follows other new openings in the mall, including Cinnabon, Windsor, and Perfumania, all opening in the fall. Categories: News, News – Latest News

Downtown Duluth Wells Fargo branch set to close

DULUTH, Minn. — The Wells Fargo downtown Duluth branch is set to close in December. Officials say that customers can continue to use the branch until 11 a.m. December 3, when they must switch to the Kenwood branch or other nearby locations. A statement sent to FOX21 by a Wells Fargo spokesperson regarding the closure stated: “Branches continue to play…

6 students displaced in early morning Duluth house fire

Officials say that thanks to working fire alarms, all six of the students living in the home made it out safely.

Duluth, Minn. — 6 students were displaced after a house fire in Duluth early Tuesday morning. According to fire officials, at 3:47 a.m. they received reports of a home on fire in the 600 block of Woodland Avenue. A crew from the UMD fire station was first on scene and was able to knock down the flames quickly. Officials say…

Former owner of The Wildcat Sanctuary’s four new big cats indicted on 371 charges

West Coast Game Park Safari’s former owner, 53-year-old Brian Scott Tenny, is facing more than 300 charges of alleged animal neglect.

COOS COUNTY, Ore. — The Wildcat Sanctuary in Sandstone took in four new big cats in May after a seizure from a park in Oregon. The cat’s former owner has now been indicted on 370 charges by an Oregon Grand Jury. SEE PREVIOUS: ‘The Wildcat Sanctuary’ Takes in Four Seized Big Cats West Coast Game Park Safari’s former owner, 53-year-old…