Author: KQDS Staff

Roger Reinert, Duluth Mayoral Candidate Hosts Coffee And Conversations

DULUTH, Minn. — Roger Reinert is one of the candidates running for the Duluth mayoral election coming up this fall. Reinert is hosting a total of 6 “Coffee and Conversations” meet-ups with the public, and one of them happened Wednesday. He says it’s an open invitation for anyone to join him for small group conversations on issues they’re concerned about…

UPDATE: Missing Duluth Resident Found Dead

UPDATE (March 22, 2:20 p.m.) — 35-year-old Duluth Resident Joshua Parker has been found dead, according to the Duluth Police Department. Police say his body was found Wednesday in the 220 block of 45th Avenue East in Duluth. Parker died from cold weather conditions and no foul play was suspected. UPDATE (March 21, 5:15 p.m.) — 35-year-old Duluth resident Joshua…

House Fire Kills 2 People In Rural Pine River

PINE RIVER, Minn. — Two people died in a house fire overnight in the Walden Township in rural Pine River. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says first responders and deputies were dispatched to a home on 40th Avenue Southwest just after 2 a.m. Tuesday. When they arrived, they found a house swallowed in flames. A man and a woman were…

Mentorship Program Fundraiser Kicks Off At Hoops Brewing

DULUTH, Minn. — Mentor North kicked off a month-long fundraising drive at Hoops Brewing Monday night. The nonprofit matches kids and teens with adult mentors who inspire creativity and learning. Throughout the next month, Hoops Brewing is hosting a variety of events, closing with a comedy show. One of the leaders of the organization explained how role models who take…

Changes For Drivers On I-35 Happening Friday

Northbound Changes DULUTH, Minn. — If you use I-35 through the Twin Ports Interchange, also known as the “can of worms,” here’s a heads up. Starting this Friday at 7 p.m. southbound lanes between Garfield Avenue and 27th Avenue West will be moved to single lane. Those going northbound on I-35, it’ll close completely between 40th Avenue West and Garfield…

Essentia Health’s Mall Facilites Set To Reopen Following Roof Collapse

DULUTH, Minn. — While the Miller Hill Mall will be closed through at least Sunday, Essentia Health says its mall facilities will be reopening starting Saturday. The roof collapse did not directly impact Essentia’s mall locations, but they were closed the last few days out of safety for patients and staff. Essentia officials say an inspection has been completed by…

St. Louis County Jail Inmate Dies After Suicide Attempt

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn. — A St. Louis County Jail inmate who was recently convicted of a serious crime has died after being found “unresponsive” in his cell last Friday. St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay said John Maio, 60, hanged himself. Staff were doing routine checks Friday, Mar. 10 when they found Maio unresponsive at around 9:30 a.m. Staff…

School Closings and Delays March 17, 2023

NORTHLAND — With the major winter storm coming in the Twin Ports, there are many schools closed, delayed, or holding an e-learning day from home. After school activities may also be affected. Below is the list which will be updated continuously. School Closings & Delays Cherry School – Closed. Nashwauk Keewatin School – Closed. North Woods Schools – Closed. South Shore…

Students, Potential Employers Converge At Spring Career Fair

The Northeast Minnesota Office of Job Training hosted dozens of businesses at a career fair Tuesday. The primary focus was to highlight careers that are accessible with general education and also provide a ladder of opportunities. The event was held at Black Bear Casino. Employers ranged in fields like human services, business and natural resources. Rowdy Egger, a senior at…

FOX 21 Participates In ‘Hunger Bowl Twin Ports’ Bowling Tourney

FOX 21 was once again representing at this year’s Hunger Bowl Twin Ports bowling tournament. The event raised money for Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank. FOX 21’s Dan Hanger, Rusty Mehlberg and Ken Slama greased up their bowling shoes for the cause.  News Director Steve Goodspeed cheered them on. The tournament was held a Superior Lanes in Superior. For…

UPDATE: Duluth I-35 Southbound Changes Happening Tuesday

UPDATE (March 10, 4:10 p.m.) — The traffic changes on I-35 through the Twin Ports Interchange are now starting Tuesday. Originally the change was supposed to happen Monday, but due to weather, the Minnesota Department of Transportation says it will begin Tuesday. ORIGINAL POST: DULUTH, Minn. — A heads up for drivers, if you use I-35 through the Twin Ports…

Ida Rukavina, Commissioner Of IRRRB Confirmed

EVELETH, Minn. — Ida Rukavina was appointed as commissioner of the IRRRB by Governor Walz last December and she assumed the role on January 2. Thursday, the Minnesota Senate officially voted to confirm Rukavina as the commissioner of the IRRRB. FOX21 talked with her last month, and she told us she is confident her past experience working with schools, businesses,…

Two Lumber Yards In Grand Marais Merge Into One

GRAND MARAIS, Minn. — Two lumber yards in Grand Marais are now merging into one. According to a press release from a Cook County Home Center representative, Sawtooth Lumber Inc will become the Westside branch of the Home Center located just east of Grand Marais. The representative says this will provide customers who go to both businesses with more inventory…

DECC In Need Of Concessions Workers For Women’s Frozen Four, Offering Incentive

DULUTH, Minn. — The DECC is hosting the NCAA Division I Women’s Frozen Four next weekend and they badly need help keeping concession stands open for thousands of hockey fans from across the country. A spokesperson at the DECC tells FOX21 they’ve gotten 50 organizations to volunteer through the DECC’s paid fundraising program, but it’s still not enough. So, to…

Northern Minnesota’s 218 Is Among Area Codes Most Associated With Spam Calls

BRAINERD, Minn. (FOX 9) – A northern Minnesota area code is among the area codes most associated with spam phone calls. According to the Federal Communications Commission, around 60 million Americans reported a phone scam in 2021. GoBankingRates has listed the top area codes you should never answer if you don’t know who is on the other line, and that includes the 218 area code in northern…

Shamrock Shake Fundraiser For Ronald McDonald House

St. Patrick’s Day is less than 2 weeks away leading McDonald’s to bring back its Shamrock Shake, for a good cause. Starting March 6 through March 16 select McDonald’s locations in Minnesota, Western Wisconsin, and Michigan will donate 25 cents from every Shamrock Shake and Oreo Shamrock McFlurry purchased. This will be to support Ronald McDonald House Charities in Minnesota….

Former Duluth City Councilor Barb Russ Dies

DULUTH, Minn. — Former Duluth City Councilor Barb Russ passed away at the age of 74. Russ served on the City Council for 5 and a half years before she resigned in April of 2020 due to health issues. According to a press release from her family sent Monday morning, Russ died of natural causes. Her husband Neil Glazman said…

One Dead After Snowmobile, Groomer Crash In Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. — A man is dead after crashing his snowmobile into a groomer Thursday in Grand Rapids. The Itasca County Sheriff’s Office says it happened just before 5:30 p.m. on the Driftskipper/Blandin Snowmobile Trail. The snowmobiler was passing around a corner when he crashed into an oncoming groomer, resulting in the man to be pinned under the groomer….

Singing With The Stars: Ness, Hanger Are Nervous But Excited

DULUTH, Minn. — FOX 21’s Dan Hanger and former Duluth Mayor Don Ness discussed their nerves Thursday night about the Duluth Playhouses’ ‘Singing With The Stars’ event happening Friday night at the NorShor Theatre. Needless to say, they are both nervous but excited to help raise money for the Playhouse.  Click the video for a listen. For tickets, click here. …

Snow Conditions Cause Delays For Duluth School Buses

DULUTH, Minn. — The snow conditions have caused driving delays for many, including school buses trying to get students home. According to a tweet from Duluth Public Schools buses were running on plowed roads only as of 3:50 p.m. Wednesday afternoon. It says students were dropped off as close to their stop as possible and expected to get home later….

One Dead After Head-On Collision On Highway 63

LENROOT, Wis. — One person is dead after a head-on collision on Highway 63 in the Town of Lenroot Tuesday morning. The Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office says a 27-year-old man from Cable, Wisconsin named Harley Karow was driving north on 63 when he suddenly crossed over the center line and crashed head-on into a semi-trailer truck. Karow was found dead…

Coffee Conversation: Singing With The Stars Happening Friday

DULUTH, Minn. — A one-night event is happening this Friday at the NorShor Theatre to raise money for the Duluth Playhouse. It’s called “Singing with the Stars” and Wes Drummond, Executive Director of the Duluth Playhouse came on the morning show to talk about it. FOX 21’s Dan Hanger will be kicking off the show with a song from Disney’s…

Monday School Closings, Delays, E-Learning

The following schools are closed, delayed or operating as e-learning for Monday, Feb. 27: Cloquet School Dist.: E-learning Barnum School Dist.: Closed Birchwood School Dist.: E-learning Esko School Dist.: E-learning Hayward School Dist.: Closed Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe School: Closed Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University: Closed McGregor School Dist.: 2-hour delay Moose Lake School Dist.: E-learning Northwoods School Dist.: Closed…

Duluth Man Charged In Alleged Involvement Of Drive-By Shootings

DULUTH, Minn. — A Duluth man has been formally charged in his alleged involvement in multiple drive-by shootings that occurred the end of January. The Duluth Police Department says 19-year-old Kristopher Kautz is charged with 11 counts of Drive-By-Shooting, two counts of Possessing a Machine Gun, and 6 counts of Possessing a Firearm with no Serial Number. He was charged…

UPDATE: Winter Storm Shuts Down Ashland Roadway For 9 Hours

Highway 2/13 was declared "impassable."

UPDATE (Feb. 24, 8:30 a.m.) — The Wisconsin Department of Transportation says the stretch of US 2/Wisconsin 13 is open. The roadway had been closed for about 9 hours Thursday. It opened back up at 4:05 p.m. ORIGINAL POST: Howling winds and driven snow are blowing through Ashland, and at least one roadway has said, “Okay, Enough Already!” The Wisconsin…

Former Wisconsin Governor “Tony” Earl Dies At 86

The state's 41st Governor had a stroke last weekend and passed away today.

Former Wisconsin Governor Anthony “Tony” Earl died today after suffering a stroke over the weekend. The announcement came from current Governor, Tony Evers. Evers said Earl had been hospitalized since the stroke, and had been surrounded by his close family. Earl was 86. Earl was governor from 1983 to 1987. You can read Evers full statement and background on Earl…

56th Annual Duluth Sport Show At The DECC This Weekend

DULUTH, Minn. — The 56th Annual Duluth Sport Show is coming to the DECC this weekend. The show features many different opportunities truly making it feel like you are in the great outdoors. From hunting, fishing, camping, traveling gear and events, to testing your boating skills. There is even a waterskiing squirrel. This is a family friendly event with an…

Duluth Police: Man In Jail After Threatening Security Officer With ‘Edged Weapon’

DULUTH, Minn. — A man is in jail after  threatening a security officer with an edged weapon in the East Hillside neighborhood, according to the Duluth Police Department. The police department says the incident occurred on Wednesday at 8 a.m. near North 6th Avenue East and East 3rd Street in Duluth. When officers arrived, they saw a 54-year-old man holding…

Two Harbors Residents Vote For 2 Mayoral Candidates On April Ballot

TWO HARBORS, Minn. – Residents voted Tuesday in a special primary election for mayor of Two Harbors. Former mayor and current council vice president, Robin Glaser, got the most votes at 289. Lew Conner came in second with 194 votes. Jay Cole got 15 votes and Jillouise Simonson got 10. Glasser and Conner will not head to a special election…

Local Pizzeria Offers Heart Shaped Pizza For Valentine’s Day

DULUTH, Minn. — If you’re looking for something Valentine’s Day themed to eat Tuesday, a local pizza place in Duluth is offering some romance. Vitta Pizza, a Neapolitan Pizzeria is offering heart shaped pizza upon request. Vitta is offering these love themed meals at both of their locations in Canal Park and on West Central Entrance. Check out their menu…

Man in Greysolon Standoff Charged With Attempted Murder

He allegedly stabbed a police officer, who was protected by a protective vest.

The man who was in a standoff with police last week at Duluth’s Greysolon apartments has been charged. Alexander Jan Dougherty has been charged with six counts, including attempted murder against a police officer. The complaint says Dougherty was inside an apartment and would not come out. Officers said they could hear him yelling and screaming. The complaint says that…

Body Of Ice Climber Recovered In Lake Superior

PICTURED ROCKS NATIONAL LAKESHORE, Mich. — The body of the ice climber who disappeared after falling into the waters of Lake Superior has been found. 31-year-old James Bake of Gaylord, Michigan fell off a cliff while ice climbing at the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on February 7. According to a press release, his body was found Sunday evening about 30…