Author: Pat Brink

Senator Tina Smith Talks Housing

DULUTH, Minn. — Minnesota Senator Tina Smith held a hearing this week on the lack of housing nationwide and ways the housing situation could be improved. Smith is the Chair of the Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development. She says the housing shortage is not a new issue, it’s been happening and growing for the past 30 years. Smith…

Love Gala to be Held Thursday

DULUTH, Minn. — Being a foster parent can be difficult. Oftentimes, the caregivers need support, a break, or even just someone to talk with. That’s where Duluth-based “New Hope for Families” steps in to help. The non-profit started in 2019. It’s all about creating a supportive community for all adoptive and foster children and families. Thursday night, New Hope for…

Helping Teachers With Free Supplies

DULUTH, Minn. — Teachers go above and beyond to ensure their students get the best education possible. In many cases, this means teachers spend their own money on supplies or additional teaching aids for their classroom and this can add up. Amanda Techek has been teaching for 14 years in a variety of roles and schools. On Tuesday, she picked…

Rotary Club of Superior Raising Money for Ukraine

SUPERIOR, Wisc. –It was February 2022, when Russia invaded its neighbor Ukraine. Now a year and a half later, the war continues and the people of Ukraine continue to find ways to meet their daily needs.  Rotary groups in Ukraine have been leading the effort to raise money and coordinate the distribution of the supplies. Now the Rotary Club of…

Wisconsin Secretary of State Visits Superior

SUPERIOR, Wisc. –The Wisconsin Secretary of State wants to correct myths and disinformation that have been circulating about what her office and local clerks can do. And can’t do. The first item Sarah Godlewski wants to clear up is that her office does not administer elections. But she is responsible for witnessing and validating both the certificate of votes for…

Cloquet’s Annual Labor Day Parade

CLOQUET, Minn. –It’s a tradition in Carlton County and Cloquet to have a Labor Day parade. With the great weather today, the parade was very well attended. Scott Loons was one of many at the parade and explained why the parade is important to him. “Well, it’s a family tradition, bring the kids down, support labor. I’m in a union,…

Backpack Give Away

DULUTH, Minn. — For students heading back to school this week, it’s important to come prepared with a backpack and the school supplies needed. And there are people who want to make sure every student has a backpack and the supplies needed for the school year. One of those people is Mike Letica, who organized and collected between 400 and…

“Eat Mor Chikin”

DULUTH, Minn. — It’s true, Chick-fil-A will be building and opening a store in Duluth. It is scheduled to open about a year from now. But on Saturday hundreds and hundreds of people were given the chance to have some Chick-fil-A. Yes, that is the Chick-fil-A logo, and yes that is in Duluth. It’s likely to be a year before…

School Resource Officers May Not Be in School

DULUTH, Minn. –School Resource Officers play a variety of roles in the schools where they’re assigned. But now a new law passed by the Minnesota Legislator has created uncertainty about how much restraint SROs can use when dealing with students. This law has left many police departments and sheriff’s offices in a quandary, worried about possible lawsuits that could be…

St. Scholastica Freshmen Move into Dorms

DULUTH, Minn. — It’s a day students are excited and look forward to while parents have mixed feelings about college move-in day. These were most assuredly the emotions that were in place at St. Scholastica this morning as freshmen arrived on campus Upperclassmen were on hand being cheerleaders for new students and their parents as they entered the drive to…

Fentanyl Testing Strips Will be Available in Some Wisconsin Vending Machines

BAYFIELD, Wisc. — The government is expanding its efforts to battle the nation’s drug problem and help users. One approach is to make it easier for users to test their drugs to see if it has fentanyl. Illegally produced fentanyl can be impure or doses can be unpredictable. Wisconsin announced Thursday they are making more vending machines available with kits…

Francisco Hockey is Finalist in MN Cup Competition

HERMANTOWN, Minn.  – A Hermantown company is a finalist in the Minnesota Cup Competition.  Francisco Hockey’s founder Joe Francisco presented his final one-minute pitch to Venture capitalists and others Thursday morning at the Carlson School of Management in Minneapolis. Before he left for the Cities, Francisco talked with FOX 21 about his company. Francisco Hockey started five years ago to…

Heat Exhaustion or Heat Stroke

DULUTH, Minn. —  It’s not often the temperatures in the Northland get so high that we need to be worried about heat exhaustion or heat stroke. However, over the next few days, the high temperatures will continue increasing daily, until Sunday when it will be downright hot. With it being the Labor Day holiday weekend, more people are likely to…

Radio Controlled Cars Race to the Finish

IRON RANGE — Many people have hobbies. They come in all styles, sophistication, and sound. There’s a spot on the Iron Range where one hobby is going in circles…but in a good way. It’s getting some traction, and making some noise. Fox 21’s photojournalist Adam Jagunich tells us the story through his videography. Categories: Minnesota, News

Game Show Host Bob Barker Dies at 99

(AP) LOS ANGELES  — A publicist says popular game show host Bob Barker, a household name for a half-century as host of “Truth or Consequences” and “The Price Is Right,” has died at his home in Los Angeles. Barker was 99. Barker — also a longtime animal rights activist — died Saturday morning, according to publicist Roger Neal. Barker retired…

Superior Rotary Club Holds Annual Dragon Boat Races, Raises Funds for 23rd Veterans

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Rotary Club of Superior’s biggest event of the year took place Saturday in the form of their annual Dragon Boat Festival It’s a fundraiser that brings the whole community together for fun. Dragon Boat Racing has been around for more than 2,000 years.  But here in Superior, it’s the 20th annual Dragon Boat Festival. On a…

Cass County Sheriff Arrests Mother in Connection with Death of 23-Month-Old Child

CASS LAKE, Minn. — Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk reports that at 9:34 PM on August 19th, 2023, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office dispatch center received a 911 call reporting a twenty-three-month-old child was reportedly run over by a vehicle in the Prescott Housing Area in Wilkinson Township, rural Cass Lake, MN. Officers responded to the residence and performed lifesaving…

Families Enjoy Annual Lakehead Harvest Show

ESKO, Minn. –The 62nd Annual Lakehead Harvest Show is taking place in Esko this weekend and if you’re a fan of everything farm, especially from earlier years, this is a must-attend event. A non-profit group organizes the annual event which is known for its wide variety of activities and its steam-powered tractors. There will also be hundreds of other tractors…

Group Encourages Keeping the Wrecking Ball Away From Historic Structures

DULUTH, Minn. — There was a call today to save many of Duluth’s buildings from the wrecking ball before it is too late. Outside of the New Garrick Building, built in 1923, the Duluth Preservation Alliance unveiled this year’s Ten Endangered Places List. The goal is to highlight buildings whose future may be uncertain. The group says eight buildings have been…

Lutsen Denied Permission To Expand

LUTSEN, Minn.–The United States Forest Service issued a decision Friday, tht denies a proposed expansion of the Lutsen Ski Hill. Tom Hall the Superior National Forest Supervisor, says input from the public and consultation with local tribes as well as several other factors played a part in the decision. Officials cited impacts to tribal resources and access, negative impacts to…

Superior School District Asks for Community’s Input on Elementary Boundaries

SUPERIOR, Wis –In the 2024 -25 School year, there will be one less elementary school in Superior. That decision was made last April by the School Board.  Now, the district is asking for community input about what are the most important things to be considered when drawing new elementary boundaries. The district, along with Cooperative Strategies, has created a survey…

Emergency Crews Respond To Propane Leak At Cenovus Energy

SUPERIOR, Wis.– A propane leak at Cenovus Energy refinery caused the facility to be evacuated for a short time Wednesday morning. The Superior Fire Department was called to the refinery just before 8 a.m. to assist Cenovus’ on-site emergency response team as they used tactics to control the propane flow. Superior Fire Chief Camron Vollbrecht said, “The Cenovus emergency response…

Missing Pilot & Aircraft in Cook County

UPDATE (10 p.m. 8/20/2023): Cook County Sheriff Pat Eliasen tells FOX 21 their search and rescue team will continue looking for the pilot and aircraft Monday morning. “The aircraft was an ultralight,” says Sheriff Eliasen, “which means it was basically an engine with a seat and other controls, this type of flying machine utilizes a parachute to keep it airborne….

18-Year-Old Woman Dies After Being Struck by Pickup at Underage Alcohol Party

SAND LAKE, WISC. –Early Saturday morning Sawyer County Deputies responded to a report of a person being struck by a vehicle. The incident took place at Snowmobile Trail number 31 north of Sissabagama Rd in the town of Sand Lake, Wisconsin. A news release from the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office reported that when Deputies arrived they found an 18-year-old woman…

Fundraiser for Family of Tammy Churness

HERMANTOWN, MINN. — There was a benefit fundraiser for Tammy Churness on Saturday, who was told in 2021 that she had breast cancer. The cancer spread throughout her body and early Friday morning she passed away. The fundraiser went on as scheduled and all the money raised will go to the family. Tig’s Smokin Pig BBQ set up its Food…

Bus Drivers Needed Now

BARNUM, MINN. — In just over a week Barnum Schools, like most schools in Minnesota will start the day after Labor Day. Last year Barnum had eight routes and eight drivers, bringing students to and from school. This year they have just 5 drivers. That’s a real problem and the Transportation Supervisor for both Barnum and Willow River schools is…

Cloquet Church Flooded By Vandal During Break-In

CLOQUET, Minn. — When Pastor Mike Stevens of Good Hope Church in Cloquet returned last Saturday from a three-month sabbatical, he was ready to get back in the pulpit and return to preaching, but that didn’t happen. “I came into church Saturday morning, going to record a sermon, and there was just water coming straight down, the fire alarm was…

Cloquet Fire of 1918: Could It Happen Again?

CLOQUET, Minn. – The University of Minnesota has a Research Forestry facility in Cloquet. Lane Johnson is one of the Research Foresters based there.  He explained that fire can be beneficial when it’s done as a prescribed burn. There are plants and trees that can benefit from fires such as the Red Pine. “It reduces fuels so that when you…

Minnesota Nursing Homes Get Lifeline From State

DULUTH, MINN — On the last day of the Minnesota legislative session, the leaders of both parties got together and worked out an agreement to provide $300 million to help nursing homes across the state.  State Representative Natalie Zeleznikar, talked with FOX 21 about the agreement that likely saved many nursing homes. The first-term representative knows the issues, she’d been…

Duluth Bethel to Celebrate 150th Anniversary

DULUTH, MINN. — Duluth Bethel will be holding its third annual ’Concert for Recovery’ in early September and it will be a two-day event. This year marks the 150th anniversary of Duluth Bethel, it’s one of the oldest social service agencies in the state. The group helps people rebuild their lives as it works with people with drug or alcohol…

New Vacation Home Community Being Built in the City

DULUTH, MINN. — New housing development, designed specifically for Short Term Vacation Rentals is going up at the base of Spirit Mountain. Already three of the homes are built or being built. The area is known as River West, and while the first phase has just three homes, it’s planned that the second and third phases will add another 30…

BB & Friends Preparing For Minnesota State Fair

DULUTH, Minn. — The company known as Bailey Builds is changing its name to BB & Friends and for the third straight year, the company that creates wood art will have a presence at the Minnesota State Fair. The company makes a big impression at the fair each year as they build their own building to display and sell their…

RFP Issued For Part Of Lester Golf Course

DULUTH, Minn. — The City of Duluth has posted a Request for Proposals or RFP for a Master Developer to plan, design and build a mixed-use development on part to what was the Lester Golf Course. The city is looking for proposals that include residential development for persons of all income levels and housing for families and seniors. Developers are…

More People Eligible to Donate Blood

DULUTH, MINN. –More people are now eligible to donate blood thanks to recent decisions by the FDA and the Red Cross. In May the FDA issued a new policy that allows blood banks to change the risk-based questionnaire they use to maintain safeguards in the blood supply. The screening questions that had been in use included travel restrictions and restrictions…

Registering to Vote in Minnesota

DULUTH, MINN. — I’m Pat Brink and I voted in Bismarck, North Dakota in 2022 and moved to Duluth the day after the mid-term elections were held. So I am not registered to vote here in Minnesota. But I found just how easy it is to become registered. First things first, you need to find which of the 34 precincts…

Visitor From Canada Helps Save Two Swimmers

Tr-Color Flags Signify If Dangers Exist in the Water

DULUTH, MINN.– Friday evening, the Duluth Fire Department responded to the report of two swimmers in distress in the 800 block of South Lake Avenue. Duluth Fire sent a water rescue response of three fire companies to access the swimmers.  However, when they arrived they learned a visitor from Toronto has already assisted the two girls and they were all…

Two Men Charged With Second-Degree Murder

  DULUTH, Minn. — Second-degree murder charges along with two other felony charges have been filed against the men who allegedly fired the shots that killed 19-year-old Paris Allen and injured another in Duluth on Wednesday. The two men are identified as 21-year-old Sanussi Bangoura and 25-year-old Brandon Williams-Gillard. They each face the same three charges: Aid & Abet Murder…

Former Hermantown PTO Treasurer Charged With Seven Felonies

DULUTH, Minn. — The former Treasurer for the Hermantown Parent Teacher Organization has been charged with seven felonies for allegedly stealing more than $100 thousand dollars. 43-year-old Trista Irene Swanson allegedly stole $103,017 between 2109 and 2022. Charges say she wrote checks to herself, used the PTO’s debit card, and made unauthorized personal purchases. The statement of probable cause states…

Mayoral Candidates Raise Significant Money for Campaigns

DULUTH, Minn. — Next Tuesday, the Duluth Primary Election will be taking place to finalize the candidates that will appear on the November general election ballot.  Two mayoral candidates filed their Campaign Financial Reports that list contributions and expenditures through July. Roger Reinert’s campaign reports that it has raised nearly $47 thousand dollars. While current mayor Emily Larson’s campaign says…

Confusion Over Hemp CBD and THC

DULUTH, MINN. — For the past five years, Craig Sutherland has been selling both CBD and THC products made from Hemp, at his stores in Duluth and Superior. Hemp-based products have been legal nationwide since 2018. Sutherland says Minnesota’s new marijuana law has caused some confusion for many of the people who visited his Duluth store on Tuesday. “Well, everyone thinks…