Author: Matt McConico

Mexico sends 37 cartel members to US in latest offer to Trump administration

FILE – Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum speaks at the National Palace in Mexico City, Nov. 7, 2025. MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico’s security minister said Tuesday that it had sent another 37 members of Mexican drug cartels to the United States, as the Trump administration ratchets up pressure on governments to crack down on criminal networks it says are smuggling drugs across…

Customers back to normal after gas pipeline explosion; temporary repairs on going

Willow River Pipeline Explosion(Carlton County Fire News) PINE COUNTY, Min. – Minnesota Energy Resources says all of their customers impacted by the recent pipeline explosion can get back to regular usage. Some customers in Willow River, Sturgeon Lake and Finlayson lost service on the afternoon of January 16, 2026. Customers were asked to reduce their heating levels now for four…

Maria Vollom joining FOX 21 evening team

DULUTH, Minn. – An exciting new chapter has begun at FOX 21 Local News. Morning anchor Maria Vollom has been promoted to evening co-anchor with Dan Hanger, Rusty Mehlberg on weather and Neil Vierzba on sports at 5:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. on the evening newscasts. After waking-up early for FOX 21 Local News from 7 a.m. until 9 a.m….

Judge refuses to block new DHS policy limiting Congress members’ access to ICE facilities

Minnesota lawmakers Rep. Angie Craig and Rep. Ilhan Omar say they were denied access to Bishop Whipple Federal Building, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Minneapolis WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge refused Monday to temporarily block the Trump administration from enforcing a new policy requiring a week’s notice before members of Congress can visit immigration detention facilities. U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb in…

Weather slowing installation of temporary pipeline after explosion; Still no cause

Willow River Pipeline Explosion(Carlton County Fire News) PINE COUNTY, Min. – It could take about two weeks to install a temporary natural gas pipeline for customers effected by a pipeline explosion in Pine County on January 16, 2025. That time is extended due to the weather conditions in the area. Northern Natural Gas Company tells FOX21 they are plugging in…

Work continues to fix natural gas pipeline damaged from explosion

Willow River Pipeline Explosion(Carlton County Fire News) PINE COUNTY, Minn. – Crews with Northern Natural Gas Company on Monday (1/19/26) told FOX21 they are still working on the north and south ends of the pipeline segment that exploded on January 16, 2025. They did not give an estimated timeline for the repairs. Northern Natural Gas is supplying compressed natural gas…

ICE says an immigrant picked-up in Minnesota sweep killed himself in detention facility

ERO El Paso Camp East Montana is inside Fort Bliss Texas EL PASO, Texas (AP) — An immigrant from Nicaragua was found dead at a Texas immigration detention facility last week, federal officials said. Victor Manuel Diaz appears to have killed himself Wednesday (January 14, 2026) at the sprawling tent complex at the U.S. Army’s Fort Bill base in El Paso, Immigration…

Justice Department investigating whether Minnesota’s Walz and Frey impeded immigration enforcement

Democratic Gov. Tim Walz, speaking at a news conference on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025, in St. Paul, denounces President Donald Trump for calling Minnesota’s Somali community “garbage” and dismissing the state as a “hellhole.” WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department is investigating whether Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have impeded federal immigration enforcement through public statements…

Following explosion some customers could be without natural gas for days

Willow River Pipeline Explosion(Carlton County Fire News) PINE COUNTY, Min. – Minnesota Energy Resources says some of their customers in and around Willow River and Sturgeon Lake could be without natural gas for days following a pipeline explosion in Pine County.  Minnesota Energy Resources say about 500 customers will be affected by the outage. The explosion happened around 1:45pm on January…

Large explosion in Pine County; Natural gas affected in parts of Willow River and Sturgeon Lake

Willow River Explosion (Carlton County Fire News) Willow River Explosion (Carlton County Fire News) UPDATE: The Pine County Sheriff’s Office say, “On Friday, January 16th, 2026, at approximately 1:43 pm, Pine County Dispatch was inundated with 911 calls of explosions.” The calls were from a rural area west of Willow River. Multiple residences near the explosion were asked to evacuate. Several…

Police: Man who robbed Security Jewelers wanted to see most expensive watches

Jaquay Mckay Hassell DULUTH, Min. – Duluth Police say on January 13, 2026 Jaquay Mckay Hassell, 24, robbed Security Jewelers. Charging documents say just before 10am Hassell walked into Security Jewelers on Superior Street in Duluth. A clerk said Hassell asked to use the restroom.  When he left the restroom, he asked to see the most expensive watches. Hassell then…

Oglala Sioux president walks back claims of DHS pressure, member arrests

Oglala Sioux Tribe Flag (AP) – The president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe has walked back claims he made in a memo and press release earlier this week that immigration enforcement arrested four tribal members and that the federal government tried to extract an “immigration agreement” out of the tribe in return for information about their members’ whereabouts. The U.S. Department…

Minnesota launches on-line reporting form to share impacts of federal actions

Keith Ellison at news conference announcingMinnesota and Twin Citiesare suing Trump administration over widespread immigration operations ST. PAUL, Min. – Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison wants to know how Minnesotans have been impacted by the federal government. He’s looking for, “violations of constitutional rights (racial profiling, excessive force, retaliation against protestors, observers, and media), business closures, reduced healthcare access, reduced…

Adam Thielen announces his retirement

Adam Thielen Retirement Post DULUTH, Min. – In a story on Instagram, former Minnesota Vikings Wide Receiver Adam Thielen announced his retirement. The post with word “retires” behind picture of Thielen said in part, “what a ride it has been! 13 years what a blessing!” The Minnesota Vikings waived wide receiver Adam Thielen in early December, allowing the 13-year veteran…

Oglala Sioux Tribe says three tribal members arrested in Minneapolis are in ICE detention

Oglala Sioux Tribe Flag (AP) – The president of Oglala Sioux Tribe in South Dakota on Tuesday called for the immediate release of tribal members who were detained at a homeless encampment by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minnesota last week. Three of the four Oglala Sioux Tribe members who were arrested in Minneapolis on Friday have been transferred…

Wisconsin Gov. Evers questions his lieutenant governor’s immigration enforcement proposal

Governor Tony Evers MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers is questioning whether a proposal from his own lieutenant governor to ban federal immigration enforcement actions around courthouses, schools, day cares and other locations can, or should, be done. Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, a Democrat, is running for governor this year after Evers decided against seeking a third term. She is…

What to know about the warrants most immigration agents use to make arrests

(AP) – As the Trump administration intensifies immigration enforcement nationwide, a wave of high-profile arrests — many unfolding at private homes and businesses and captured on video — has pushed one legal question into the center of the national debate: When can federal immigration agents lawfully enter private property to make an arrest? That question has taken on new urgency in cities like…

Court documents tie alleged ring-leader of Duluth ‘Drug Trafficking Organization’ to murder

John Deon Herring DULUTH. Min. – Branden Russell King has been arrested accused of shooting and killing Chazz Toney on October 10, 2025.  The indictment filed in St. Louis County court explained the alleged facts of the investigation.  It does not explain a motive.  That indictment does not mention John Herring, but Toney’s name is mention with Herring in other…

Justice Department sees no basis for civil rights probe in Minnesota ICE shooting, official says

A bullet hole is seen in the windshield as law enforcement officers work at the scene of a shooting involving federal law enforcement agents, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in Minneapolis. WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department does not believe there is currently any basis to open a criminal civil rights investigation into the killing of a woman by a U.S….

Eveleth man accused of sexually assaulting two teens

Axsel Davian Ibarraa EVELETH, Min. – Eveleth Police say Axsel Davian Ibarra, 22, Eveleth sexually assault two teens. The probable cause statement says Ibarra invited two teens to his apartment. The three were watching a movie and listening to music, plus playing a card game. Police department says Ibarra was giving the teens alcohol. Ibarra is then accused of becoming…

Prosecutors resigning from U.S. Attorney’s Office in Minnesota

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson describes a sprawling fraud investigation involving state-run programs in Minnesota at a news conference Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Minneapolis. ST PAUL, Min. – Minnesota Governor Tim Walz says at least six prosecutors, including former acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson, have resigned from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota. Governor Walz…

Vikings receiver Jordan Addison faces misdemeanor trespassing charge after arrest in Florida

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison, left, runs with the ball as Dallas Cowboys cornerback Caelen Carson defends during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison faces a misdemeanor trespassing charge following his arrest in Florida. According to Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office arrest records, Addison…

First Look: The state’s Quality Improvement Plan draft to Community Action Duluth

Community Action Duluth Logo DULUTH, Min. – FOX21 has obtained an initial draft of the Quality Improvement Plan given to Community Action Duluth (CAD) by the Minnesota Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF).  The plan is a roadmap the state believes CAD needs to use to improve operations. The document lists 15 “identified deficiencies” within Community Action Duluth.  These…

Indictment: Man that killed Chazz Toney shot the ‘wrong person’ the previous day

Branden Russell King DULUTH, Min. – An apparently mistake in identity lead to a man being shot in Duluth, that is according to court documents. An indictment claims a person was shot accidently on October 9, 2025 when then intent was to kill Chazz Toney.  Toney was then killed the next day, October 10, 2025. The statement of probable cause…

Caregiver accused of sexually assaulting resident at Northome care facility

Morgan Sylvester Johnson NORTHOME, Min. – A Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) investigation says a caregiver at a Lutheran Social Services facility in Northhome sexual assaulted a vulnerable adult. The report from DHS says the caregiver helped the vulnerable adult get into bed. The caregiver then got into that bed with the vulnerable adult and began to kiss them. …

Duluth caregiver who took vulnerable adult on drug run not banned from future roles

DULUTH, Min. – A staff person at a residential facility in Duluth took a vulnerable adult to a home, where the staffer used illegal drugs, and then drove the vulnerable adult back to the facility.  Yet with those allegations, the staff person is still able to care for vulnerable adults according to Minnesota state regulations. The state report where the…

Bessmer Schools closed Monday due to threat

Bessemer Schools Logo BESSMER, Mich. – Bessmer schools in Bessmer, Michigan will be closed on Monday, January 12 due to a threat. A statement on Facebook said: “Out of an abundance of caution, at this time there will be NO SCHOOL Monday, January 12, 2026, due to a threat that we received. Nobody will be allowed in either building until…

Green Bay Packers versus Chicago Bears playoff preview

Green Bay Packers’ Jordan Love scrambles during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, in Chicago. SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers will travel to the Chicago Bears in a wild-card game and rare playoff matchup. The NFL’s longest-running rivalry will only be televised on Amazon Prime. The two teams…

Duluth Schools take moment of silence as part of Minnesota Day of Unity

Duluth Schools Logo DULUTH, Min. – Secondary Schools in the Duluth School District took a moment of silence at 10am on January 9, 2026. It was part of Governor Tim Walz declaring it to be a “Day of Unity”. In the announcement Governor Walz, “encouraged individuals, businesses, faith institutions, and organizations to observe a moment of silence at 10:00 am,…

New Blackout and Retro license plates now available in Wisconsin

Wisconsin Retro & Black Out License Plates MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin’s newest state license plates, a Blackout design and a Retro butter yellow design, are now available for purchase at most DMVs. In making the announcement Gov. Tony Evers said, “I’m really jazzed folks will start seeing these new plates out on our roads that really showcase our proud Wisconsin…

Man arrested for murder of Chazz Toney

Branden Russell King DULUTH, Min. – The Duluth Police Department says they arrested 32-year-old Branden King for pending charges of 2nd Degree Homicide. He’s accused of killing 35-year-old Chazz Toney. Duluth Police say on October 10, 2025 at 12:25am officers were dispatched to the report of a shooting in the 200 block of West 3rd Street. Officers arrived on scene…

Federal immigration officers shoot and wound 2 people in Portland, Oregon, authorities say

2 people shot and wounded by federal immigration officers in Portland, Oregon, authorities say PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The FBI’s Portland office says it is investigating a shooting that happened around 2:15 p.m. Thursday “involving Customs and Border Patrol Agents in which 2 individuals were wounded.” The Portland Police Bureau said its officers responded and found a man and woman with…

Inside the Indictments: Twin Ports anti-drug trafficking operation

John Deon Herring DULUTH, Min. – The Duluth Police Department announced on January 7, 2026 they were, “executing a series of narcotics-related search warrants and arrests in connection with the trafficking of controlled substances in the Duluth/Superior area.” We are now getting a first look into the charges via a “Statement of Probable Cause”. It says the main target was…

What federal policy says about shooting at vehicles

A bullet hole is seen in the windshield as law enforcement officers work at the scene of a shooting involving federal law enforcement agents, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP) – The Department of Justice says in its Justice Manual that firearms should not be used simply to disable a moving vehicle. The policy allows deadly force only in…

Driver shot in Minneapolis is at least the fifth person killed in US immigration crackdown

A bullet hole is seen in the windshield as law enforcement officers work at the scene of a shooting involving federal law enforcement agents, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP) – The fatal shooting Wednesday of a woman by an immigration officer in Minneapolis was at least the fifth death to result from the aggressive U.S. immigration crackdown the Trump…

Governor Walz notifies National Guard to prepare to protect public safety in Minneapolis

TIm Walz News Conference follow ICE shooting of woman in Minneapolis (AP) – An Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed a Minneapolis motorist on Wednesday during the Trump administration’s latest immigration crackdown in a major U.S. city — a shooting that federal officials claimed was an act of self-defense but that the city’s mayor described as “reckless” and unnecessary….

Security cameras catch another alleged porch pirate in the act

DULUTH, Min. – Duluth Police say Lance William Olson, 30, Duluth stole a package from infront of a person’s apartment front door. It happened at the Ramsey Manor Apartments. The Statement of Probable Cause said  the theft happened the day after Christmas. Documents say Olson was spotted on a Ring doorbell camera taking the package. Police say another security camera in…

Duluth caregiver takes vulnerable adult on errand to do drugs in a garage

DULUTH, Min. – A staff person at a TBI Residential & Community Services facility in Duluth took a vulnerable adult to a home, where the staffer used illegal drugs, and then drove the vulnerable adult back to the facility. That’s the allegation in a Minnesota Department of Human Services investigation. The report said the vulnerable adult asked the staffer for…

Soo Locks soon closing for seasonal repair and maintenance

Soo Locks closing for seasonal repair, maintenance SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – The Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan will close to all marine traffic beginning 11:59 p.m. January 15, or until commercial traffic ceases, through 12:01 a.m. March 25 to perform seasonal critical maintenance. Operations Branch Chief Jeff Harrington said, “Every year, our lock and dam operators transition…

Voyageurs National Park Snowmobile Trail Hazard Alert

Voyageurs National Park Snowmobile Trail Hazard Alert (1/6/2-26) INTERNATIONL FALLS, Min. – Voyageurs National Park has issued a “Snowmobile Trail Hazard Alert”. The alert issued on January 6, 2026 said, “Snowmobile riders please be aware. An “ice heave” is rapidly growing and changing on the Green Trail near Sphunge Island on Kabetogama Lake.” It added, “In some areas the ice…

Trump says the US ‘needs’ Greenland for Arctic security. Here’s why.

A North American Aerospace Defense Command F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft from the South Carolina ANG’s 169th FW takes off at Pituffik Space Force Base, Greenland, Oct. 9, 2025. Operating in the Arctic provides the flexibility and adaptability needed to overcome logistical hurdles in a dynamic and unforgiving environment. (AP) – Location, location, location: Greenland’s position above the Arctic Circle makes…

Shooter who killed Brown students and MIT professor planned attack for months, says DOJ

A police vehicle is parked at an intersection near crime scene tape at Brown University, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Providence, R.I., following a Saturday shooting at the university. BOSTON (AP) — The man identified by law enforcement as the shooter who killed two Brown University students and an MIT professor had been planning the attack for at least six…

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem appears in Minneapolis ICE raid video

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on ICE raid in Minneapolis WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has launched what officials describe as the largest immigration enforcement operation ever carried out, preparing to deploy as many as 2,000 federal agents and officers to the Minneapolis area for a sweeping crackdown tied in part to allegations of fraud involving Somali residents. Homeland Security…

Trump administration says it’s withholding social safety net money from 5 states over fraud concerns

U.S. Department Of Health And Human Services (HHS) Logo (AP) – President Donald Trump’s administration said Tuesday that it is withholding funding for programs that support needy families with children in five Democratic-led states over concerns about fraud. “For too long, Democrat-led states and Governors have been complicit in allowing massive amounts of fraud to occur under their watch,” U.S….

Man accused of stalking a Wisconsin Supreme Court justice gets probation in a plea deal

Jill Karofsky MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin man accused of sending the state Supreme Court’s chief justice intimidating emails has been sentenced to probation after prosecutors dropped a felony stalking charge. Ryan Thornton, 37, of Racine, was initially charged in October in Dane County with stalking and misdemeanor counts of intimidating a victim and disorderly conduct. Prosecutors dismissed the stalking count…