Author: Matt McConico

Trump administration takes major step toward dismantling the Education Department

FILE – Education Secretary Linda McMahon speaks during a meeting in the East Room of the White House, Sept. 4, 2025, in Washington. WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Education Department is handing off some of its biggest grant programs to other federal agencies as the Trump administration accelerates its plan to shut down the department. The changes announced Tuesday represent a…

Congress acts swiftly to force release of Epstein files, sending bill to Trump

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., speaks during a news conference on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington. WASHINGTON (AP) — Both the House and Senate acted decisively Tuesday to pass a bill to force the Justice Department to publicly release its files on the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a remarkable…

State looking into alleged drunk and high group home van crash

Michael Edward Rahja Jr. DULUTH, Min. – The court case is moving forward against the group home employee accused of crashing a group home vehicle while drunk and high.  The state is also looking into what happened. Court documents say Michael Edward Rahja, Jr told law enforcement that he had been puffing on a 80% THC vape all night prior…

Warrant issued for Personal Care Assistant accused of stealing credit card from client

DULUTH, Min. – A personal care assistant is accused of stealing the credit card of one of his clients and changing thousands of dollars to it. Court documents allege Henry Opoku Ware Jr. visited his client’s home in late July, 2025.  The same day he visited the the client, Ware used their credit card to pay bills for the College…

Man charged with murder in shooting of Oakland football coach and ‘Last Chance U’ star John Beam

Crime scene tapes ropes off an area one day after a shooting at Laney College in Oakland, Calif., Friday, Nov. 14 2025. OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — A 27-year-old man was charged Monday with murder in the shooting death of celebrated former football coach John Beam, who died Friday after being shot in the head on the junior college campus in Oakland where…

Deputy shot in Cass County released from hospital

Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk WALKER, Min. – Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk says the deputy injured in a Turtle Lake Township shooting has been released from the hospital. It happened on Sunday, November 16th, 2025, In a news release Welk said deputy was shot during the exchange of gunfire and treated at a Fargo hospital. The deputy sustained a gunshot…

Free entrance to Minnesota state parks for one day in late November

Minnesota DNR Logo DULUTH, Min. – The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is waiving vehicle fees to all 73 state parks and recreation areas on Friday, November 28, 2025. The DNR offers four “Free Park Days” each year to encourage Minnesotans to explore the parks. Director of the DNR Parks and Trails Division Ann Pierce said, “After Thanksgiving celebrations, we…

Staff member accused of taking narcotics from patients at skilled nursing facility

DEER RIVER, Min. – A staff member at Essentia Health – Deer River, 24-hour skilled nursing facility, is accused of taking “narcotic pain medications from the resident’s medication supply for personal use”.  The investigation revolved around medicine intended for three patients. One patient had been receiving medication because they “experienced almost constant pain”.  The investigation report from the Minnesota Department…

Former Viking and current Jet critically injured in New York City shooting

FILE – Houston Texans cornerback Kris Boyd, currently a player with the New York Jets, looks on prior to an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Nov 24, 2024, in Houston. (AP) – New York Jets cornerback and special teams standout Kris Boyd was critically injured in a shooting in midtown Manhattan early Sunday, according to Mayor Eric Adams’ office….

Trump drops tariffs on beef, coffee, tropical fruit as pressure builds on consumer prices

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday to get rid of tariffs on a broad swath of commodities, including beef, coffee and tropical fruits. It’s part of a response to pressure from consumers who complain prices are too high. The move comes after voters in off-year elections earlier this month cited economic concerns as their top…

Caregiver accused of stealing $10,000+ from vulnerable adult they were caring for

DULUTH, Min. – A Minnesota Department of Health report say a caregiver with a Duluth comprehensive home care agency stole money from one of their clients. The report say the, “The stole the client’s bank card the first day the worked in the client’s home and fraudulently used the bank card to pay tuition expenses and order online items.” The…

Michigan adopts updated sex education standards after contentious meeting

Michigan Department of Education Logo (AP) – Despite opposition from some parents and pastors, the Michigan State Board of Education approved revised state health education standards Thursday that include recommendations that students be taught about gender identity and sexual orientation. Proponents of the standards say they are age-appropriate and will help LGBTQ+ students understand themselves. Opponents say the standards undermine…

Judge says he’ll approve a $7 billion opioid settlement

FILE – Several 5-mg pills of Oxycodone NEW YORK (AP) — A federal bankruptcy court judge on Friday said he will approve OxyContin-maker Purdue Pharma’s latest deal to settle thousands of lawsuits over the toll of opioids that includes some money for thousands of victims of the epidemic. The deal overseen by U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Sean Lane would require members…

Attorney for group suing Duluth Vineyard Church reacts to pastor leaving church

Spencer T. Kuvin DULUTH, Min, – Pastor John Kliewer lead Duluth Vineyard’s congregation following a sex scandal from their youth pastor and his family. After being put on leave for a number of months, Kliewer left the Duluth Vineyard. Kliewer led the effort to uncover what happened within church walls when Jackson Gaitlin was sexually assaulting children. Vineyard USA and…

Superior man caught in on-line vigilante child porn sting sentenced to three years in prison

Joey Edward Scott SUPERIOR, Wis. – Joey Edward Scott, 62, Superior plead guilty to two counts of Possession of Child Pornography. He was sentenced to three years in prison, follow by seven years of “Extended Supervision”. For his guilty pleas on the two charges, the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office allowed two other charges of Possession of Child Pornography to…

Pastor tasked with leading Duluth Vineyard following sex scandal leaves church; Church apologizes to pastor

John Kliewer DULUTH, Minn. – Pastor John Kliewer was tasked by the Duluth Vineyard’s congregation to lead their flock following a sex scandal from their youth pastor and his family.  Kliewer has now left the Duluth Vineyard. In March of 2025, the Duluth Vineyard placed Kliewer on leave to investigate him.  That investigation was focusing on allegations that Kliewer’s management created…

Ore trade down for Lake Superior ports in 2025 so far

Lake Carriers’ Association Logo DULUTH, Min & CLEVELAND – The Lake Carriers’ Association is releasing their October shipping numbers for iron ore. They say, “Year-to-date, the iron ore trade stands at 35.8 million tons, a decrease of 12.6 percent compared to last year.” Through October 2025, ship leaving Duluth had  6,558,750 tons of iron ore, that’s compared to 6,622,906 tons in…

MMIR office asking hunters to keep an eye out for clues

Hunting Season Generic ST. PAUL, Min. & DULUTH, Min. – The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR) Office is asking hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts to stay alert and report anything unusual they might encounter in the woods. They say discoveries could help uncover new clues in missing persons cases. Law enforcement urges the public to…

Man cited for starting Camp House Fire pleas guilty

DULUTH, Min. – Court records show Parker John Wilson has been convicted of “Forestry-Failure to Extinguish a Fire”. He paid $190 in a fine and fees for the conviction. He was originally cited on September 9th for starting the fire. The fire broke out on May 11, 2025 near Brimson. The $190 was made up of a $100 fine, a…

New principal announced for Superior High School

Ryan Haroldson SUPERIOR, Wis. – The School District of Superior will welcome Ryan Haroldson as the next Superior High School Principal effective January 1st, 2026. Kate Tesch has been Interim Principal since the start of the new calendar year. Tesch will resume her full-time duties as Director of Continuous Improvement and Assessment for the school disrrict. Haroldson joined the school district in…

30 votes separate candidates for Deer River School School Board

Deer River Schools Logo DEER RIVER, Min. – 30 votes separated LuAnn Robinson and Richard Fieldsend in the special election for Deer River (ISD #317) School Board. LuAnn Robinson finished with 450 vote besting Richard Fieldsend’s 420 votes. There were 17 write-in votes. Categories: Education, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News, Political

Deer River Schools tax increases fail at ballot

Deer River Schools Logo ITASCA COUNTY, Min. – Voters in the Deer River School District (ISD #317) rejected two tax increases. Question #1 failed with a 63% to 37% margin. Question #1  asked, “The school board of Independent School District No. 317 (Deer River Schools) has proposed a capital project levy authorization of 3.945% times the net tax capacity of…

Tomanek leads voters in Duluth City Council At Large race; Johnson & Medved battled for the other seat

Terese Tomanek (Incumbent) DULUTH, Min. – Terese Tomanek cruised to re-election for one of the Duluth City Council At-Large seats up for election. Tomanek got 34% of the vote in the four person race for two open seats. Jordon Johnson and former Duluth City Councilor Derek Medved battled for the second open seat. Johnson won with 27.8% of the vote…

Right to Repair passes in Duluth

DULUTH, Min. – The “Right to Repair” ballot initiative passed with more than two thirds of yes votes. The measure asked, “Shall the petition ordinance 25-015-0 amending Chapter 29A of the Duluth City Code be passed to give tenants the right to make repairs in residential rental property, and withhold up to half of a month’s rent or $500, whichever…

Diane Desotelle wins her race for Duluth City Council

Diane Desotelle DULUTH, Min. – Diane Desotelle won the race for Duluth’s 2nd City Council District. She won with 80% of the vote compared to Chris Adatte’s 20%. The race was for the open seat after Mike Mayou resigned. Deborah DeLuca was appointed to fill Mayou’s term, but she said she would not run for the seat. Categories: Community, Minnesota,…

Zohran Mamdani wins NYC mayor’s race, capping a stunning ascent

Zohran Mamdani NEW YORK (AP) — Zohran Mamdani was elected mayor of New York City on Tuesday, capping a stunning ascent for the 34-year-old state lawmaker, who was set to become the city’s most liberal mayor in generations. In a victory for the Democratic party’s progressive wing, Mamdani defeated former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa. Mamdani must now navigate the unending demands of…

Littlefork-Big Falls School District special election decided by four votes

Littlefork-Big Falls School District Logo KOOCHICHING COUNTY, Min. – In the Special Election for School Board Member Littlefork-Big Falls School District (ISD #362) the race came down to just four votes. Chelsey Melander garnered 134 votes compared to Delane Klemetse’s 130 votes.   Categories: Community, Education, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News, Political

A UPS plane crashed on takeoff from Louisville, Kentucky igniting huge fire on ground

A fireball erupts near airport property after reports of a plane crash at Louisville International Airport, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in Louisville, Ky. LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A UPS cargo plane crashed and exploded in a massive fireball Tuesday while taking off from the company’s global aviation hub in Louisville, Kentucky, killing at least seven people and injuring 11, authorities…

Two men accused of plotting terror attacks at LGBTQ+ bars in the Detroit area

An FBI agent stands by an Evidence Response Team truck outside a home in a Dearborn, Mich., neighborhood on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. DETROIT (AP) — Two 20-year-old men who had acquired high-powered weapons and practiced at gun ranges were scouting LGBTQ+ bars in suburban Detroit in September for a possible Halloween attack, authorities said Monday in filing terrorism-related charges….

Gone! Minnesota Millionaire Raffle sells out in record time

ROSEVILLE, Min & DULUTH, Min. –  Minnesota Lottery’s Millionaire Raffle Sells Out in Record 14 Days — Fastest in Game’s History. Last year’s raffle sold out in 15 days. Each $10 ticket offers a chance at two $1 million prizes and thousands of additional cash prizes. The Minnesota Millionaire Raffle winning numbers will be announced on January 1, 2026. RELATED:…

Packers tight end Tucker Kraft has torn ACL and will miss remainder of the season

Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (85) runs against Carolina Panthers safety Nick Scott (21) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP) – Green Bay’s Tucker Kraft seemingly was on his way to putting together one of the most prolific seasons by any tight end in Packers history….

Diane Ladd, 3-time Oscar nominee, dies at 89

FILE – Actress Diane Ladd poses after she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, Nov. 1, 2010. OJAI, Calif. (AP) — Diane Ladd, the three-time Academy Award nominee whose roles ranged from the brash waitress in “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” to the protective mother in “Wild at Heart,” has died at 89. Ladd’s…

Rescuers work to reach worker trapped in medieval tower that partially collapsed in Rome

This combo of three pictures shows a cloud of debris from a second collapse surrounding firefighters who were trying to rescue a worker after a medieval tower near the Roman Forum partially collapsed during renovation work, in Rome, Italy, Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. ROME (AP) — Firefighters worked to rescue a worker trapped for hours beneath the rubble of a…

George Thorogood & The Destroyers coming to Duluth; The Robert Cray Band as special guest

GEORGE THOROGOOD & THE DESTROYERS: The Baddest Show On Earth Tour with special guests THE ROBERT CRAY BAND DULUTH, Min. – George Thorogood & The Destroyers have been “The All-American rock & roll party band” (Goldmine Magazine) for the past 5+ decades. They will be playing the DECC Symphony Hall Wednesday, March 25th, 2026 at 7:30PM. Their ‘The Baddest Show On Earth…

Trump administration says SNAP will be partially funded after judges’ rulings required food aid program to continue

Dairy products, which are covered by the USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), is displayed for sale at a grocery store Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. PROVIDENCE, R.I (AP) — President Donald Trump’s administration said Monday that it will partially fund SNAP after a pair of judges’ rulings required it to keep the food aid program running. It’s not clear…

Indictment filed for drug case tied to immigration raid in Hibbing

DULUTH, Min. – Arcadio Carrera Flores made is first appearance in Minnesota state court on October 31, 2025. He is facing charges of Felony 3rd Degree Sale of Narcotics and Gross Misdemeanor Possession of a Firearm by an Illegal Alien. It appears thought statements and timing, the investigation into Flores is tied to immigration raids in Northern Minnesota on October…

What we know about the Northern Minnesota immigration raids

Two people detained at El Charro Mexican Bar and Grill in Hibbing, Minnesota (10/29/2025) DULUTH, Min.- There were at least three likely immigration-related actions around Northern Minnesota on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. Here is what we know about them at this point. El Charro Mexican Bar and Grill, 2520 E Beltline, Hibbing: A FOX21 photographer happened to be getting lunch…

SNAP Text scams showing up in Minnesota

COOK COUNTY, Min. – The Cook County Public Health department says there are SNAP text message scams going around. They say the Minnesota Department of Children Youth and Families has been alerted of the scam. This scam claims that all Minnesota residents qualify for emergency food relief. The text asks recipients to click a link to claim funds. Cook County…

Former Auditor St. Louis County Don Dicklich passes away

Don Dicklich DULUTH, Min. – St. Louis County leaders have released statements on the passing of Don Dicklich. Dicklich served as St. Louis County Auditor/Treasurer for 14 years. He passed away earlier in Arizona. He moved there following his retirement in 2018. Dicklich was first appointed by the County Board to fill the role in 2004 following the retirement of the…

AT&T wireless internet outages in Duluth-area

AT&T Logo UPDATE: An AT&T Spokesperson tells FOX21, “We’re currently performing scheduled maintenance in the Duluth area. During this time, our customers may experience temporary service disruptions. Our technicians are working diligently, and we expect service to return to normal soon. We appreciate the patience and understanding of our customers during this time.” — DULUTH, Min. – AT&T customers have…

Huge Brazilian raid on Rio gang leaves at least 60 people dead and 81 under arrest

Police gather outside the Getulio Vargas Hospital where a colleague was brought after getting injured in an operation against alleged drug traffickers in the Complexo do Alemao favela where the criminal organization “Comando Vermelho” operates in Rio de Janeiro, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — About 2,500 Brazilian police and soldiers launched a massive raid on a…