Author: KQDS Staff

Key Duluth City Official Remembered; Dies at 61

Chris Fleege was Director of Planning and Economic Development

DULUTH, MINN. –A key member of the Duluth City administration and a longtime community member has passed away. Chris Fleege was the city’s Director of Planning and Economic Development. According to his obituary, he died last Sunday at home of natural causes, surrounded by family. He was 61. Fleege joined the city in 2019 as part of a varied and…

Violent Offender Arrested In Duluth

Courtesy: Trevor Rowley DULUTH, Minn. — The Lake Superior Violent Offender Task Force, with the help of Duluth Police arrested a convicted felon who they say was in possession of a loaded firearm and drugs. According to the Duluth Police Department it happened near 2nd Avenue East and 3rd Street around noon Wednesday. A Fox21 viewer, Trevor Rowley captured the…

Hummingbird Feeders At Lake Superior Art Glass

DULUTH, Minn. — If Cinderella can have glass slippers, you can have your very own glass hummingbird feeder thanks to Lake Superior Art Glass. The glass-blowing experience in Canal Park is happening through the month of July. You don’t have to be an expert either. Skilled artists work with you to customize your very own feeder. You can choose the…

Maria Vollom

ANCHOR/PRODUCER

Born and raised in International Falls, Minnesota, I’m a proud Northland native and former athlete turned storyteller. At just 20 years old — while still in college — I became one of the youngest main news anchors in the country. Now, I’m honored to share the stories of the community that built me. Contact Maria at mvollom@kqdsfox21.tv Categories: Anchors, Anchors/Reporters

Record Breaking Fundraiser For ALS Fishing Tournament

DULUTH, Minn. — The Kolar Toyota ALS Fishing Tournament was a success Saturday with a record-breaking fundraising amount raised. The event raised over $284,000. This year adaptive fishing equipment was provided for those afflicted by the disease to be able to fish. 103 boats were on the water at Island Lake and more teams competed virtually. Organizers say all money…

Duluth-Area Students To Travel To 9 ‘Historic Black College And Universities’

DULUTH, Minn. — HBCUs are Historic Black College and Universities. They provide an upper education for students while creating a supportive community around them. Many people in the Northland aren’t aware because Minnesota, and primarily northern Minnesota, doesn’t have many. The Zeitgeist Atrium hosted a trip fundraiser Thursday to support students from the Duluth-area high school and colleges. They will…

5.6 Megawatt Solar Project Unveiled On Iron Range

Minnesota Power project near Hoyt Lakes will produce enough energy for 1,100 homes.

HOYT LAKES, Minn. — Another step toward more solar energy took place on the Iron Range Friday. Minnesota Power unveiled and showed-off the second of its three new solar projects. This one is near Hoyt Lakes and is known as the Laskin Solar Project. It will generate enough energy to power 1,100 homes a year. There was a lot of…

Update: Missing Cloquet Man Found Safe

6:45 p.m. Update:  Authorities have called off their search for Larry Kallberg after they say he returned home safe. CLOQUET, Minn. — The Cloquet Police Department is asking for the public’s help in finding a missing 82-year-old man named Larry Edward Kallberg. Police say Kallberg was last seen at 4 p.m. Tuesday leaving his house in his vehicle. He drives…

Toward Zero Deaths Workshop Focuses On Reducing Traffic Injuries

DULUTH, Minn. — Minnesota is working hard with first responders and engineers to reduce the number of traffic related deaths. The Towards Zero Death workshop is recognizing 20 years of saving lives. Law enforcement is working with engineers and emergency responders to make Minnesota Roads a safe environment. In the meetings they work on strategizing and ways to educate before…

Storage Bin Program For Those Without Permanent Home

The goal is that people won't feel they have to carry everything they own with them

One of the challenges facing people living on the street, is what to do with their belongings. A place to put those items until they are needed is the goal of a new resource that launched Tuesday in Duluth. Bins, described as Safe Storage Bins, are now available through the Damiano Center. The run-up and launch had been a little…

Traffic Impacts On I-35 As Part Of The Twin Ports Interchange Project

DULUTH, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Transportation says there will be closures and traffic impacts on I-35 as part of the Twin Ports Interchange project. Crews are working to pour bridge deck, causing reduced lanes and temporary closures. Below is the list of impacts from MnDOT: Wednesday, May 31, at 9 a.m., traffic will be placed in two-lane, two-way…

Duluth Memorial Day Parade

DULUTH, Minn. — All across America today, millions remembered those who died while serving their country. The Memorial Day parade in West Duluth was part of that. A variety of people walked with our veterans such as business owners and charitable groups. One of them was the Twin Ports Ghostbusters, a charity group who just launched last year. They do…

Brighton Beach Work to Resume

DULUTH, Minn. –The process to complete park and costal work at Brighton Beach will resume Tuesday. Work has been ongoing for the past several years after a mini-master plan update was approved in 2019. Construction of park amenities and landscape restoration should be completed by the fall. Access to the lake-walk through Brighton Beach will remain open, but plan on…

2 People Airlifted To Hospital After Structure Fire In Makinen Township

MAKINEN TOWNSHIP, Minn. — 2 people were airlifted to the hospital after a structure fire happened early Monday morning in Makinen Township. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says responding agencies were called out to a structure fire in Unorganized Township 56R-16, Southeast of Eveleth at 4:05 a.m. Police say flames were coming from the outside of the home and…

Duluth’s “Other” Train Back on Tracks in July

L.S.&M. Railroad Excursion Soon Back to Showcasing Beauty of St. Louis River Surroundings

The Lake Superior & Mississippi Railroad will soon be back on the tracks. It looks a little quiet right now, but things will definitely be picking up as they get ready to reopen in July. During a three-year pause, they’ve been working on everything from improving the tracks to refurbishing authentic rail cars. They have a ninety-minute round-trip that goes…

Duluth Police: Traffic Advisory For Memorial Day Parade

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Police Department sent out a traffic advisory for the annual Duluth Memorial Day Parade and other events happening on Monday. Below is the press release: Traffic Advisory: Memorial Day Parade/Gary Veteran’s Memorial The annual Duluth Memorial Day Parade will start at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, May 29, on Grand Ave in West Duluth/Spirit Valley. The…

Cleveland Cliffs Secures Mineral Leases To Keep Hibtac Open For Decades

A dispute over mineral leases has ended in favor of Cleveland Cliffs, and Cliffs says the leases will allow it to keep Hibbing Taconite open for at least another two decades. The five-member Minnesota Executive Council chaired by Gov. Walz awarded the company leases for 2,600 acres near Nashwauk. Another company owned by Essar had also been trying to get…

This Weekend: Duluth Playhouse’s ‘The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time’

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Playhouse is opening a new award-winning act this weekend at the NorShor Theatre that’s all about a heartwarming and uplifting adventure. “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” opens Friday at 7:30 p.m. It’s a unique theatrical experience that puts you inside the mind of a 15-year-old with autism who is accused of…

Duluth Musician Promotes Bach-Inspired Music By Play Flute

DULUTH, Minn. — All across Minnesota people are taking up their instruments and performing classical pieces inspired by Bach. The Minnesota Bach Society had their fourth installment of the Mobile Mini-Concerts Wednesday. Levi Gregg is a local graduate from UMD who was one of the many artists performing across the State. They visited 5 different venues across the Duluth area…

Duluth Police Looking For Individual Involved In Shooting

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Police are actively investigating an over-night shooting that left one person wounded. Duluth Police say it happened in the 6700 block of Redruth Street at 12:35 a.m. When officers arrived, they found a man with a gunshot wound to his abdomen, who was then transported to the hospital in stable condition. After initial investigation, police say…

Update: Missing Woman In Grand Rapids Found Safe

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. — Debra Hagenbuck. 68, has been found safe after going missing Tuesday afternoon in Grand Rapids. GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. — The Grand Rapids Police Department is requesting the public’s help assistance in locating 68-year-old Debra Hagenbuck. “On May 23 around 1:30 p.m., she was seen on foot near the Wal-Mart on 29th Street SE in Grand Rapids. She…

One Dead After Rollover Crash In Douglas County

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Wis. — One person is dead after a rollover crash happened on Highway 35 in Douglas County near Spooner. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation says the crash happened Tuesday around 9 a.m. near County Road T. When authorities arrived, they found one of the back-seat passengers, a 24-year-old man from Eden Prairie, was ejected and did not survive….

Grandma’s Marathon Less Than A Month Away

DULUTH, Minn. — Grandma’s Marathon is less than a month away. What organizers describe as an unofficial holiday is on June 17th this year. Participants of all ages run every year for various reasons such as charity or just to have fun! Grandma’s Marathon partners with 19 charity organizations such as Make-A-Wish, Ronald McDonald House, and Special Olympics. Last year…

Downtown Duluth Dental Office To Focus On Children From Low-Income Families

DULUTH, Minn. — A new multi-faceted dental office is coming to downtown Duluth, and it’s focused on providing oral health to low-income families, especially children. The building is located at 25 West Superior Street. Children’s Dental Services is the non-profit behind the project, along with the financial help from 20 organizations and foundations — local and within the state. Organizers…

Shoreview Natives In Two Harbors Opens First Retail Garden

TWO HARBORS, Minn. — Shoreview Natives is a company working on reducing the amount of labor needed to keep up with your lawn care while also giving back to the environment. Focusing on planting native plants to replace typical yards, Shoreview Natives is working on creating pollinator friendly habitats and reinventing people’s lawns. In 2015 they opened their business and…

Vikings Icon Bud Grant Remembered At U.S. Bank Stadium

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (FOX 9) – Bud Grant may be the most recognizable figure in all of Minnesota sports, and over the course of his life the 95-year-old made the most of that aura. More than just the winningest coach in Minnesota Vikings history, Grant shined as an athlete across three sports for the Golden Gophers. Then he went on to compete for…

UPDATE: Search Results In No Threat To Hibbing High School Following Alleged Bomb Tip

The Duluth Police Bomb Team is assisting with the search.

UPDATE (May 19, 12:25 p.m.) — The Hibbing Police Department says after a thorough search, there is no threat to the Hibbing High School. This was determined after the Duluth Police Bomb Team traveled to Hibbing to search the school after an anonymous tip was placed regarding an alleged bomb threat. ORIGINAL POST: HIBBING, Minn. — An alleged bomb threat…

St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office Looking For Suspects Involved In Babbitt Shooting, No One Hurt

BABBITT, Minn. — The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a shooting happened at a residence near the City of Babbitt, in the early morning hours Friday. The Sheriff’s Office says at about 12:54 a.m. a report came in of a shooting. Officers learned individuals had forcefully entered the residence and began shooting. No one was hurt. Authorities…

Attempted Robbery At Lincoln Park Gas Station, No Weapons Displayed

Police say there was no money lost, no injuries, and no weapons seen.

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Police Department says an attempted robbery happened Thursday night at the Korner Store gas station in Lincoln Park. It happened around 9 p.m. at 1831 West Superior Street. According to DPD Lieutenant Matt McShane, a male entered the building with his hand in his pocket, approached the clerk at the counter, and demanded money. Authorities…

Transcript: Superior Mayor Jim Paine’s State of the City Address

“I’d like to thank the Board of Directors and the staff of the Richard I Bong Veteran’s Museum, especially Executive Director John Gidley, for hosting us in this beautiful space.  I hope before everyone leaves you can take a moment to appreciate not only the exhibits but the work of the museum, which features professional research, an innovative education program,…

Lincoln Park Structure Fire Displaces Three People

DULUTH, Minn. — A structure fire occurred in the early morning hours in Lincoln Park on Thursday, displacing three people. The Duluth Fire Department said they got the call around 4 a.m. at a duplex on the 2400 block of West Fourth Street. Responding agencies discovered flames coming from the second floor of a duplex. Fire officials said all residents…

Essentia Health Calls MN Nurse Staffing Bill Flawed

DULUTH, Minn. — Essentia Health is speaking out against a nurse staffing bill at the Minnesota Legislature. The Keeping Nurses at the Bedside Act would establish committees to set specific staffing levels at hospitals. The levels would include a limit on the number of patients a nurse should safely care for. The bill’s sponsors believe it will help the crisis around…