Author: KQDS Staff

Rep. Stauber On Speaker McCarthy’s Ousting: ‘Sad Day For America’

U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber (R-Hermantown) called the ousting of Speaker Kevin McCarthy Tuesday as a “sad day for America.” Below is Stauber’s full statement: “This is a sad day for America. Speaker McCarthy and House Republicans have consistently delivered strong results for the American people, who are hurting thanks to the policies of the Biden Administration. Under his conservative and…

College Loan Payments Begin Again

Those who owe are forced to deal with return to the way it was.

For many college students, Halloween is not nearly as frightening as the debt they are racking up. And this month, a three-year pause in paying back loans came to an end. The national break had been put in place during the pandemic. But it all came to an end this month, and millions must now resume making payments. For many…

September Swimming Ends With Red Flag Warning on Park Point

Fire Department Warns Everyone to Be Careful

Those considering swimming on Park Point beaches Saturday were warned to be careful. And that warning carries into Sunday. The Duluth Fire Department said there was a high risk of rip currents, and they issued a warning about noon Saturday. The warning continues until 10 a.m. Sunday morning. The department says the warning means that wind and wave conditions can…

Keewatin Man Dead After Crash Involving Commercial Vehicle

MOUNTAIN IRON, Minn. — One man is dead after colliding into a commercial vehicle in Mountain Iron Thursday morning. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says the incident happened around 6 a.m. on Park Ridge Drive at the MinnTac entrance. A 28-year-old man driving a commercial vehicle carrying hazardous materials was traveling west. 44-year-old Kevin Jurek of Keewatin was driving…

Paige Hansen

PHOTOJOURNALIST / REPORTER

Paige joined the Fox 21 news team in September 2022. Born and raised in Superior, Wisconsin her love for the Twin Ports runs deep. Paige is currently a student at the University of Minnesota Duluth, working to achieve a degree in Communications and Journalism. Paige has a passion for telling stories through her reporting and visuals. She has background in…

Duluth Standoff Ends, Suspect Dead From Apparent ‘Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound’

8:30 P.M. Update:  “Tactical Response Team and Crisis Negotiations Team responded on scene and attempted to make contact with the involved individual. After multiple failed attempts, members of TRT made entry into the residence and located the individual with what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The name of the individual will be released once next of kin has…

Sawyer County Deputy Arrested, Accused Of Domestic Abuse

A Sawyer County Sheriff’s Deputy is under arrest and accused of domestic abuse, according to Sheriff Doug Mrotek. Mrotek issued a news release Monday that said his office learned of the allegations against Schick on Sept. 21. Due to the nature of the allegations, Mrotek said he handed the investigation over to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators in Polk…

Tickets Available: Animal Allies Fur Ball Fundraiser Oct. 14

DULUTH, Minn. — If you love animals, there’s a fantastic fundraiser coming up Oct. 14. It’s the annual Fur Ball at the Northland Country Club in Duluth. The fundraiser is the biggest event of the year for Animal Allies. FOX 21’s Dan Hanger will once again be the MC. Your ticket comes with complimentary beer, wine, hors d’oeuvres and desserts…

Why No Vikings vs Eagles Over-The-Air Broadcast in the Northland?

League rules don't allow it. FOX21 cannot carry the game.

Many excited Minnesota Vikings fans are making plans to watch Thursday night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles. And, because FOX21 broadcasts so many football games all season, we are being asked if we are going to air the Vikings/Eagles game. Unfortunately, the answer is no. But it’s not our choice! We are not allowed to broadcast the game. The NFL’s…

Duluth School Board Candidates on the Issues

Referendum and School Resource Officers are election issues.

Wednesday, the public had a chance to hear from Duluth School Board candidates in their own forum. In the city-wide At-Large race, incumbent Alanna Oswald and challenger Stephanie Williams discussed their views. Both candidates said they support the school referendum directed toward technology investment as pandemic relief funds end. However, they disagreed on the use of School Resource Officers. Oswald…

Southbound Lane On Garfield Avenue To Close Temporarily Thursday

DULUTH, Minn. — The southbound lane on Garfield Avenue will temporarily close Thursday morning. MnDOT says the closure is needed for the deck pour of the overpassing bridge, passing over the current ramp that takes traffic to Superior and onto the Blatnik Bridge. The closure will occur from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. Go to MnDOT’s website for more information…

Superior Street Reopen After Closing Due To Monday Night Flash Flood

UPDATE (September 12, 2:30 p.m.) — Superior Street has reopened according to Downtown Duluth. The street was closed due to major erosion from a flash flood Monday night. ORIGINAL POST: DULUTH, Minn. — Superior Street in Downtown Duluth is closed due to the flash flood that happened Monday night. A press release from the City says about 1,000 cubic yards…

The Northland Remembers Loss Of 9/11 By Climbing Stairs

Firefighters and others climb equivalent of 110 stories in Duluth

While lowered flags were a very visible way to remember 9/11 across the country, Monday in the Northland there was also a quieter, but just as serious way to honor those who died. Inside the DECC in Duluth, several groups came together and repeatedly climbed up and down the stairs. When they were finished, they had methodically covered the equivalent…

Memorial Blood Centers Encourages Donations On 9/11

MINNESOTA — Memorial Blood Centers is encouraging the community to honor those who lost their lives on September 11 by donating blood. Memorial Blood Centers is calling Monday a day of service in remembrance of the tragedy 22 years ago. According to MBC, blood donations still have not returned to pre-pandemic levels. The blood supply currently stands at a 5-day…

One Dead After Being Struck by a Train Near Sawyer Township

Carlton County, Minn. — In Carlton county, the sheriff’s office received a report of an accident involving both a vehicle and a train. This happened around 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 9, on Lammi Road and Hwy 210 in Sawyer Township. According to the report, the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) train was traveling west bound. Meanwhile, 22-year-old Brock Hascall…

Two dead and one in critical condition after crash near Floodwood on Highway 8

UPDATE (September 10, 5:53 a.m.) — Authorities have released the names of those involved in the fatal Floodwood crash from Saturday morning. Authorities responded to an automated 911 call from an iPhone, stating the owner had been in a severe crash. The crash happened on the curve near the 11500 block of HWY 8, near Floodwood, Minn. Upon arrival two…

Peat Soil A Challenge In Barnum Area Wildfire

Fire is now 85% contained, and 10 acres larger than first estimate.

Photo: AJ Hoffman/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service UPDATE (September 8, 2:15 p.m.) — The fire is more under control, the size is about ten acres larger than originally thought, and it may be a fire that could smolder for a while. That is the latest assessment from the Minnesota Interagency Information Center. The fire was 85% contained as of Friday…

38th Annual Duluth Rotary Club Rose Sale Begins

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Rotary Club is hosting its largest fundraiser of the year. The 38th Annual Rose Sale is happening now through October 7. Funds from the sale will be used to provide grants to local organizations helping children and less fortunate individuals by providing food, shelter, and clothing. It’ll also help purchase new books for the library….

Spirit Halloween Now Open In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — With spooky season near a thrilling store is now open in Duluth. Spirit Halloween is located in the former Bed Bath and Beyond next to Buffalo Wild Wings. It is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays. The Halloween themed store offers a wide variety of…

Wildfire Hits 40 Acres in Carlton County

At least one homeowner evacuated Tuesday as fire remained stubborn

The wildfire that had people scrambling near Barnum Monday night, continued to cause problems when the sun came up Tuesday morning. It all started in a swampy marshland area in Carlton County, southeast of Barnum. Fire crews from several communities responded on the ground to try and knock the fire out. Air equipment was also brought in, so that both…

Pets Can Help Reduce Stress, Make Positive Impact On Mental Health

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Mental health issues like depression and anxiety are becoming more common among Americans under 30. The American Psychiatric Association says symptoms include loneliness and lack of motivation. One way to help with these symptoms is a four-legged companion. 86% of pet owners say their pets have made a positive impact on their mental health. A furry friend…

Cass County Woman Found Safe

Cass County Sheriff's Office Had Asked For The Public's Help

WALKER, Minn. — A missing Cass County woman has been found safe. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office had asked the public for help in finding a missing woman in Shingobee Township, Walker. In a press release Wednesday morning, the sheriff’s office said 38-year-old Amanda Gould was found safe. The agency said no other information was being released at this time….

Superior Restaurant Brings Back Later Closing

Julie's faced same challenges as other restaurants: not enough staff

SUPERIOR, Wis. — There are some happy faces and stomachs in Superior this week. Julie’s Family Restaurant has added back some evening hours. The long-time food favorite had to shorten its hours earlier this summer and close at three in the afternoon. In a predicament facing many restaurants, it was difficult to find enough workers, and those carrying on were…

Fisherman Found Dead In Chippewa Flowage

SAWYER COUNTY, Minn. — A Sawyer County man has been found dead three days after his boat was found abandoned in the Chippewa Flowage. The sheriff’s office says they got a call just before 3 p.m. Friday of the boat full of fishing gear found floating near Cedar Swamp Island in the Town of Hunter. Their investigation determined the owner…

Vandalism Strikes in New Place

Ballfield facility in Duluth/Proctor sprayed with racial slurs and religious symbols

Several police departments in the Northland have been dealing with vandalism cases in the past several weeks. One of the most recent was along the Duluth/Proctor border this past weekend. Duluth Police say officers responded to a report of graffiti at Klang Park along Boundary Avenue late Saturday afternoon. The graffiti included offensive racial slurs and religious symbols. There were…

Duluth Man Dead After Being Struck By Train

INDUSTRIAL TOWNSHIP, Minn. — One man is dead after being struck by a train early Monday morning in Industrial Township. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says the incident happened just before 6 a.m. on the railroad tracks near Bear Trap Road, West of Highway 33. The 18-year-old man from Duluth was alone and not in a vehicle when he…

Fond du Lac Band Hosts Science and Medicine Fair

DULUTH, Minn. — Families gathered at Park Point’s Beach House to learn about science and the medical field. The Center of American Indian and Minority Health and AICHO held their second science and medicine fair Sunday. The event looked to bring awareness to Anishinaabe culture in the local area as well as the importance of science and medicinal professions. 22…

2 Dead After Single Vehicle Crash in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — Two people are pronounced dead after a single vehicle crash at the intersection of Haines Rd and Skyline Pkwy. According to the Duluth Squads, they responded to a report of a crash at 1:21 p.m. Saturday.  Once arrived, officers determined that a 2001 Ford F-150 was traveling southbound, before leaving the roadway, and striking a concrete barrier…

Preservation Group Says More Duluth Historic Buildings In Danger of Being Demolished

Preservation Alliance Lists "Ten Endangered Places"

There was a call Friday to save many of Duluth’s buildings from the wrecking ball before it is too late. Outside of the New Garrick Building, built in 1923, the Duluth Preservation Alliance unveiled this year’s “Ten Endangered Places List.” The goal is to highlight buildings whose future may be uncertain. The group says eight buildings have been torn down…

Body of Man Flying Ultralight Found in Lake Superior

A piece of his clothing found on shore helped searchers focus their efforts

Denny Pechacek (Photo courtesy Abbey Johnson) Hovland, Minnesota- Authorities say they have found and recovered the body of a man missing since last Friday. The Cook County Sheriff’s office says the body of Denny Pechacek was recovered from Lake Superior off the shore of Hovland, MN. Many people and groups had been searching for him since he and the ultralight…

Employees Temporarily Evacuated From Cenovus Superior Refinery Due To Propane Leak

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Employees were temporarily evacuated from the Cenovus Superior Refinery after a propane leak happened Wednesday morning. The Superior Fire Department says at 7:53 a.m. crews initially showed up to a report of a fire but found an ongoing propane release. Emergency personnel used water fog steams to stop the release by 9:25 a.m. The fire department says…

Makinen Woman In Jail For Allegedly Starting House Fire

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn. — One woman is in jail after allegedly starting a house on fire in the Makinen area. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says authorities responded to a disturbance call early Tuesday morning. When officers arrived, they found a woman standing in a field by the house. After initial investigation a woodpile under a lean-to was…

Rice Lake Road Closure Extended

Work taking longer than expected

DULUTH, Minn. — Drivers using Duluth’s Rice Lake Road will have their detour headaches extended another week. Through-traffic on Rice Lake Road is closed between Central Entrance and Arrowhead Road. A culvert on Chester Creek is being replaced, and St. Louis County says working around existing utilities has taken longer than expected. The road will now remain closed to through-traffic…

Roundabout For London Road Not Moving Forward At This Time

DULUTH, Minn. — A controversial roundabout proposed for London Road in Duluth is no longer moving forward at this time. The Minnesota Department of Transportation says the roundabout at 60th Avenue East and London Road is being dropped in order to stay on schedule to finish the overall project as planned. The comes after multiple public meetings about the roundabout…