Author: Matt McConico

Three former Holiday Station Stores in Duluth to be permanently closed

Circle K Logo DULUTH, Min. – Holiday Station Stores around the northland recently went through rebranding to Circle K stores. Now three of those newly branded stores have closed with caution tape placed around the buildings or gas pumps. Those closures are permanent. A Circle K spokesman tells FOX21, “After a recent review of our operations, we made the business…

Wisconsin judge sends Slender Man attacker back to mental health institution after group home escape

Morgan Geyser, one of two Wisconsin girls charged with stabbing a classmate to impress the fictitious horror character Slender Man, sits in a Waukesha County Courtroom for a status hearing Friday, Sept. 29, 2017 MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin woman who almost killed her sixth-grade classmate to please the fictional horror villain known as Slender Man was ordered back…

Feds accuse Minntac of violating pregnant woman’s rights

US Steel Corporation Logo DULUTH, Min. –  The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit against U.S. Steel – the company that runs Minntac. The lawsuit says the violated a pregnant woman’s rights. During her pregnancy she needed to avoid working on the most physically jarring machinery as an accommodation during her high-risk pregnancy. The lawsuit claims, “Instead…

Man accused of attempting to kill ex-girlfriend was guilty of past animal abuse

Dave Bolden SUPERIOR, Wis. – Dave Bolden is being held in the Douglas County Jail on a $1,000,000 cash bond after being accused of trying to kill his ex-girlfriend. Superior Police say Bolden stabbed his ex-girlfriend at least seven times with box cuter on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at a residence on the 2800 block of Ogden Avenue in Superior….

Pete Stauber expresses concerns over newly proposed Canadian border crossing rules

DULUTH, Min. – Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08), Senator Kevin Cramer (ND), and Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-01) on Friday, December 19, 2026 sent a letter to the Canadian government inquiring about new border crossing rules that were just announced. Canada Border Services Agency announced that the Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) program will end on September 14, 2026. Rep. Stauber said…

ICE makes arrests at Ashland restaurant

ASHLAND, Wis. – US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and US Border Patrol made two arrests at an Ashland, Wisconsin restaurant on Monday, December 15, 2025. This all happened at Ashland Family Restaurant which is sometimes also called the “Chequamegon Family Restaurant”. The federal agencies told the Ashland Police Department they would be taking actions in the town, but would not…

Superior man charged with attempting to kill his ex-girlfriend

Dave Bolden SUPERIOR. Wis  – “I thought he was going to kill me” that is what the alleged victim of Dave Bolden said to law enforcement. Bolden is accused of attempting to kill his ex-girlfriend on Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at a residence on the 2800 block of Ogden Avenue in Superior. The victim said she had recently broken-up with…

USPS deadlines for shipping Christmas 2025 packages

DULUTH, Min. – Postal deadline are coming soon to ensure packages and letters arrive before Christmas 2025. December 16, 2025 was the recommended deadline for any service for international or military packages. Recommended send-by dates for expected delivery before December 25. Domestic Mail Class/Product Date (excluding Alaska & Hawaii) USPS Ground Advantage® Service Dec. 17 First-Class Mail® Service Dec. 17 Priority Mail® Service Dec. 18 Priority…

Duluth Public Schools Superintendent releases statement in response to ICE being in Twin Ports-area

John Magas DULUTH, Min,. – Duluth Public Schools Superintendent John Magas sent a message to parents in the district titled, “Our Commitment to Student Safety and Belonging.” The statement said in part, “We understand that many in our community are currently experiencing fear and uncertainty regarding immigration enforcement.  While we cannot control the actions of outside agencies, we want to…

Canada Border Services changing remote border crossing procedures

Flag Of Canada DULUTH, Min & OTTAWA – The Canada Border Services Agency is introducing new telephone reporting border crossings for remotes areas of US – Canadian border crossing. Effective September 14, 2026 the old Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) Program will end. That program allowed permit holders to cross ports of entry into Canada without physically present themselves at…

About half of Medicaid’s $18B in claims paid to Minnesota programs may be fraudulent, official says

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. (AP Photo/Giovanna Dell’Orto) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — About half or more of the roughly $18 billion in claims paid out by Medicaid to Minnesota-run programs may have been fraudulent, and at least 14 programs were…

Minnesota Monsters moving to AMSOIL Arena for 2026 season

Minnesota Monsters Logo DULUTH, Min. – The Minnesota Monsters have signed a deal to host games in the AMSOIL Arena for the 2026 season. The squad, previously known as the Duluth Harbor Monster, played their games in the DECC Arena. Home games will be May 22nd, May 30th, June 22nd, July 5th, July 11th, and July 18th. Minnesota Monsters CEO Steve…

UW-Superior starts new online AI Essentials certificate classes

UW Superior Logo SUPERIOR, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Superior is introducing a new online certificate called “AI Essentials: Strategies for Efficiency & Productivity.” Classes for the AI certificate will start in February 2026. UW-Superior says, “This certificate is designed for learners who want to build strong, non-technical artificial intelligence skills that support today’s workforce needs.” The program also looks…

Local organization get grants from Green Bay Packers Foundation

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers Foundation announced it has distributed $1.5 million in annual grants to 395 civic and charitable groups throughout the state of Wisconsin. “We’re pleased to award $1.5 million through our annual Packers Foundation grants this year,” said Packers President and CEO Ed Policy. The grants awarded by the foundation are not recurring and…

Man arrested in Duluth for multiple murders in Atlanta sent back to Georgia

Kmauri Burnett DULUTH, Min. & ATLANTA – Kmauri Burnett was booked into the Atlanta Fulton County Georgia Jail on December 16, 2025.  Earlier in the day he left the St. Louis County Jail. According to jail records in Georgia he’s being held on two murder charges, carjacking, illegal possession of a weapon, and felony tampering with evidence. Minnesota officials say…

Minnesota Twins announce new ‘limited partners’ and change in leadership

Minnesota Twins Logo MINNEAPOLIS, Min. – The Minnesota Twins have announced two new limited partners and new leadership. Tom Pohlad will succeed Joe Pohlad in overseeing the Twins organization.  Tom is Joe’s brother.  Joe Pohlad has become a lighting rod and face of the Twins cutting payroll saying the team was going to “right size” the payroll following its most…

Quinn Hughes scores in Minnesota debut as Wild beat Bruins 6-2 for 4th straight win

Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes warms up before an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in St. Paul, Minn. xx ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Quinn Hughes scored in his Minnesota debut and the Wild beat the Boston Bruins 6-2 on Sunday for their fourth straight win. Kirill Kaprizov had two goals and an assist…

Mass shooting at Jewish event on Bondi Beach follows rising antisemitism in Australia

Bondi Beach Shooting Scene TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — At least 11 people were killed Sunday in an attack on a Hannukah celebration at a popular Sydney beach and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was quick to call it an act of antisemitic terrorism. Antisemitism has been on the rise in Australia, fueled in part by Israel’s war in Gaza, even as local Jewish…

Trial set to begin for Wisconsin judge accused of helping immigrant evade federal authorities

Hannah Dugan MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Federal prosecutors were set to start presenting their case Monday against a Wisconsin judge accused of helping a Mexican immigrant evade federal authorities. Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan’s trial on obstruction and concealment charges was scheduled to begin with opening statements from prosecutors and defense attorneys followed by testimony from the government’s first witnesses. The…

J.J. McCarthy and the Vikings severely damage Cowboys’ playoff hopes, beating Dallas 34-26

Minnesota Vikings place kicker Will Reichard (16) celebrates after making a field goal during the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — J.J. McCarthy threw for two touchdowns and ran for a score, C.J. Ham had the go-ahead TD on his first carry of the…

Rob Reiner and his wife found dead in Los Angeles home, AP source says

FILE – Rob Reiner and Michele Reiner arrive on the red carpet at the State Department for the Kennedy Center Honors gala dinner, Dec. 2, 2023, in Washington. LOS ANGELES (AP) — Director-actor Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were the two people found dead Sunday at a Los Angeles home owned by Reiner, according to a law enforcement official briefed on…

Community Action Duluth now under ‘Enhanced Monitoring’ by the state

Community Action Duluth Logo DULUTH, Min. – The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families is now doing what they are calling “enhanced monitoring” of Community Action Duluth (CAD). Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) tells FOX21, “DCYF observes board meetings as part of the standard grant monitoring and program oversight processes. Staff are conducting enhanced monitoring in response…

Man accused of burning down Lutsen Lodge no longer in Michigan jail

Bryce Campbell DULUTH, Min. – Jail records show Bryce James Campbell, the man accused of burring down Lutsen Lodge, is no longer in Oakland County Jail in Michigan as of December 12, 2025. He was booked into the Oakland County Jail in  Pontiac, Michigan on December 3. The State of Minnesota requested Campbell be detained in Michigan and then be extradited…

Governor Walz announces ‘Director of Program Integrity’ to fight fraud

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.” ST. PAUL, Min. – Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced Tim O’Malley will join the state as Director of Program Integrity. O’Malley will work across state government…

Treasury rachets up investigations targeting Minnesota’s Somali community for fraud

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks during an event on “Trump Accounts” for kids in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, in Washington. WASHINGTON (AP) — The Treasury Department is targeting businesses that people use to wire money to family members abroad as the Trump administration rachets up investigations into fraud within Minnesota’s Somali community, Treasury Secretary…

Bones found in Chisholm home were not human

Home where bones were found (submitted) CHISHOLM, Min. – The Chisholm Police Department says bones found in a home there on December 2., 2025 were not human. Chisholm Police Chief Jason Vukad release in a statement, the bones were analyzed and determined to not be of human origin. The conclusion was reached after a detailed review by experts trained in…

Governor Walz to announce new anti-fraud chief

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz DULUTH, Min. – Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is expected to announce a new Director of Program Integrity for Minnesota on Friday, December 12, 2025. The director’s goal is to address and prevent fraud. The governor is also expected to announce the hiring of outside experts to create a statewide fraud prevention program. Fraud in government programs have…

Homeland Security Secretary testifies to House of Representatives

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was interrupted by protesters holding anti-ICE signs during her testimony before the House on threats to national security WASHINGTON, D.C. (CNN & AP) – Secretary of Homeland Security Kirsti Noem was interrupted by protesters as she began her testimony at the start of the hearing on Thursday, December 11, 2025. House Democratic identified members of…

Time Magazine ‘Person of the Year’ for 2025 revealed

(AP) – The “Architects of AI” were named Time’s person of the year Thursday, with the magazine citing 2025 as when the potential of artificial intelligence “roared into view” with no turning back. “For delivering the age of thinking machines, for wowing and worrying humanity, for transforming the present and transcending the possible, the Architects of AI are TIME’s 2025 Person…

The 12 scams of the holidays: Better Business Bureau

Better Business Bureau Logo SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin has released their top 12 scams of the holiday season. They say you can avoid most of them by taking a few simple precautions. They says common scams involve social media ads promoting discounted items, holiday events, job opportunities, and donation requests – plus direct messages from…

Governor Walz sends letter to Kristi Noem after ICE actions in Minnesota

Activists confronted a group of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in the largely Somali neighborhood of Cedar-Riverside in Minneapolis, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. DULUTH, Min &  MINNEAPOLIS — Federal agents have used pepper spray to disperse a crowd in a heavily Somali neighborhood in Minneapolis. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, center, speaks during a press conference Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, in…

Duluth PD releases statement on officer under investigation — again

Officer Tyler Leibfried DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth Police Officer who was cleared of any criminal wrongdoing after shooting a man through an apartment door in 2020, is now cleared again of another alleged crime. This time the allegations are of sexual assault involving a fellow Duluth police officer. While he has not been criminally charged for sexual assault, Officer…

Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott gave $7.1 billion to nonprofits in 2025, a major increase

Mackenzie Scott NEW YORK (AP) — The author and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott revealed $7.1 billion in donations to nonprofits in 2025 Tuesday, marking a significant increase in her annual giving from recent years. Writing in an essay on her website, Scott said, “This dollar total will likely be reported in the news, but any dollar amount is a vanishingly tiny fraction of the personal…

Nearly a quarter million visits to Great Lakes Aquarium in 2025

Great Lakes Aquarium Logo DULUTH, Min. – The Great Lakes Aquarium is projecting a record number of visits in 2025. 2025 is the aquarium’s 25th anniversary year with a projected 235,000 visitors. It’s the fifth consecutive year of attendance growth. Great Lakes Aquarium commissioned the Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) at UMD’s Labovitz School of Business and Economics…

Filter with special guests Finger Eleven and Local H coming to Duluth

Richard Patrick of Filter DULUTH, Min. – Rock bands Filter, Finger Eleven and Local H are coming to Duluth. They’ll be taking the stage at DECC on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 7:30 PM. Filter is an industrial rock band formed in 1993 by former Nine Inch Nails guitarist Richard Patrick.  Take a Picture, Hey Man Nice Shot and Welcome…

Criminal history of man accused of shooting officer & crashing into Superior Middle School

Dylan Charles-Edward Wallace SUPERIOR, Wis. – Dylan Charles-Edward Wallace is accused of shooting a Superior Police Officer, crashing a vehicle into Superior Middle School and domestic abuse from incidents over the weekend.  He made his fist appearance in court on December 8, 2025.  Hs’s facing four felony charges including: Attempt 1st-Degree Intentional Homicide (Use of a Dangerous Weapon), Strangulation and…

Superior Police Officer shot; active incident area

SUPERIOR, WI. – A Superior Police Officer has been shot.  Superior Police Chief Paul Winterscheidt says, “the suspect is contained.” The officer was transported to Essentia-Duluth and is in stable condition. The active scene is in the area of North 37th Street and Tower Avenue and the Superior Middle School. Superior Police are asking residents to avoid the area. Categories: News,…

CAD Staff: We’d rather have Community Action Duluth fail than see Classie Dudley succeed

Classie Dudley DULUTH, Min. – FOX21 has obtained a 2022 document from the Minnesota Department of Human Services where staff members at Community Action Duluth (CAD) allegedly said they wanted to see Classie Dudley fail as the organization’s Executive Director. It described CAD in late 2022 as a “chaotic organization.” The report says, ” company time to gather staff, write…

Man arrested for stealing car warming up at MnDOT office then getting stuck in snow bank following chase

Kane Charles Bonga DULUTH, Min. –  A man is accused of stealing a car warming-up at the MnDOT office at the corner of Mesaba Avenue and Central Entrance. Charging documents accuse Kane Charles Bonga of stealing a 2008 Subaru Outback. The car belonged to a MnDOT employee.  That employee got into a co-worker’s car and followed the stolen Subaru.  They…

Atlanta Most Wanted man arrested in Duluth will not fight extradition back to Georgia

Kmauri Burnett DULUTH, Min. –  A man on the Atlanta Police Department’s most wanted list for allegedly committing two murders will not fight extradition back to Georgia. He signed court documents saying so about 24-hours after his arrest in Duluth. 20-year-old Kmauri Burnett was arrested bv the Lake Superior Violent Offender Task Force, DPD, and St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office near the…

US vaccine advisers say not all babies need a hepatitis B shot at birth

  Robert W. Malone NEW YORK (AP) — A federal vaccine advisory committee voted on Friday to end the longstanding recommendation that all U.S. babies get the hepatitis B vaccine on the day they’re born. A loud chorus of medical and public health leaders decried the actions of the panel, whose current members were all appointed by U.S. Health Secretary…

MadHouse Burgers featuring Chilly Billy’s to close Woodland Avenue location

Chilly Billy’s DULUTH, Min. – MadHouse Burgers featuring Chilly Billy’s has announced that it will close its Woodland Avenue location. In a news release the restaurant said the location will soon become Sabor by Pedro’s, The owners of Sabor by Pedro’s approached MadHouse Burgers about taking over the location. The new Mexican spot from the Pedro’s team is promising to,…

The “Leif Erikson Viking Ship” to be back on public display after 40+ years

KNIFE RIVER, Min. – Following more than 40-years of restoration the “Leif Erikson Viking Ship” will be on display and open to the public. Viking Ship Restoration Project Save Our Ship, Inc. has been working on the restoration. It will debut at the annual “Julebyen Christmas Village” celebration in Knife River. The boat was built in Norway in 1926 as a…