Community

Lake Superior Zoo Becomes a “ZANE” Partner

DULUTH, Minn.– The Lake Superior Zoo is now getting a lot more accessible, since they’re the first facility in the state to partner up with the “Zane” Program. ‘ZANE’, or Zoos and Aquariums for Neurodiverse Ecosystem Program is a nonprofit that equips zoos with resources to better understand those needs. Earlier this week, it was announced the Lake Superior Zoo…

6 Arrested in International Falls in Drug Bust

*This article was updated with the names of those charged.* INTERNATIONAL FALLS, Minn. — A drug bust in Koochiching County  lead to the arrest of 6 people and the recovery of approximately 9.5 ounces of suspected methamphetamine. On February 18, the Koochiching County Deputies executed a search warrant on a vehicle and their occupants on the 1500 block of 1st…

Interim President of Northland College Speaks About Campus Closure

ASHLAND, Wis. — The Interim President of the soon-to-close Northland College is talking about the difficult decision that the university is in. On Wednesday, the college made the unexpected announcement that the 133-year-old college is shutting down at the end of this academic school year. The news came just five months after northland college officials said they received donations to…

Beloved Birkebeiner Weekend Returns To Downtown Hayward

HAYWARD, Wis. — Hayward is home to one of the biggest ski races in the nation — the American Birkebeiner.  The week-long event welcomes in thousands of participants from at least seven different countries. And with last year’s race missing out on the Main Street grand finale because of weather, organizers are thankful for this year’s quick turnaround. “It’s such…

Duluth Council Meeting Now Starts at 6 p.m.

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth City Council has a new start-time for it’s twice-a-month council meetings. Starting February 24th the council meeting will begin one hour earlier at 6 p.m. instead of the tradition 7 p.m. start time. Councilor Arik Forsman tells Fox 21 the earlier time is simply more convenient for councilors, city staff, and the public. Start earlier,…

Tiny Riot Boutique Brings Affordable LA Fashion to the Twin Ports

SUPERIOR, Wis. — A newer women’s boutique clothing store in Superior is looking to bring high-end women’s fashion to the Northland. Tiny Riot Boutique opened last year as an online retailer, before opening their storefront in September. Most dresses range in women’s small through three XL. They specialize in inclusive, affordable women’s fashion like ruffled tear skirts and corset lace-up…

Superior Police Department Promotes Michelle Pope to Patrol Captain

SUPERIOR, Wis. — The Superior Police Officer just earned a new stripe being appointed to patrol captain. Captain Michelle Pope has been onboard with the Superior Police Department for the last 23 years. Pope has been a life-long resident of Superior and even graduated from UWS. Captain Pope joined the department back in 2002. Since then she worked in narcotics…

Northland College to Close at End of 2024-25 Academic School Year

ASHLAND, Wis. — Northland College Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Wednesday to permanently close the college at the end of the 2024-25 academic school year. The college was founded in 1892, being the first to fully integrate an environmental focus with its liberal arts curriculum. But after it’s 133-year run, officials say the college is closing due to declining…

WIAA Voted to Ban Transgender Student-Athletes from Girls’ Competition, Not Practices

WISCONSIN — The organization that oversees Wisconsin’s school sports voted on Wednesday to ban transgender girls from competing in girls’ competition. This repeals a 2013 policy that allowed children of all gender identities from competing in both WIAA boys’ and girls’ sports competitions. The new policy states that student-athletes assigned male at birth can still practice with girls’ sporting teams,…

Duluth Pack Continues Core Values Under New Owners

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Pack announced on Wednesday that over-century old business has been purchased by Kevin Hall and another business partner effective immediately. The new business pair plan on carrying on Duluth Pack’s core values and traditions. The new owners say they plan to continue to manufacture their products here in Duluth with a lifetime guarantee. The new owners…

Small Business Brewery Perspectives on Potential Aluminum Tariffs

TWO HARBORS Minn.– Castle Danger Brewing is a larger facility in Two Harbors, producing nearly 25,000 cans of beer daily. And with that significance, the idea of a potential 25 percent tariff increase is on their radar. “So right now, immediate impact, we’re not experiencing immediate impact. It really depends on your supplier. Our aluminum supplier uses primarily U.S. steel,…

KYN: New Owner Sews New Life into Fabric Store

DULUTH, Minn.– Hannah Johnson Fabric & Sewing Store nestled on East Superior Street in Lester Park has been catering to their crafty customers for 16 years. And after dedicating more than a decade to the shop, the previous owner decided it was time to retire. The new owner, Asher Estrin-Haire, is excited to alter the shop in his own way….

Curtains Closing for Two Significant Figures at Duluth Playhouse

DULUTH, Minn.– When you see a production at the Norshor Theater stage, you can’t help but take it all in. The artistic decisions lie within the directors, and costume managers alike. And pretty soon, the Playhouse will be saying goodbye to two of those employees. “They flew me out December 2019 right after a giant blizzard. And I remember getting…

Bad Weather Cancels ‘Book Across The Bay’ Race, But Not The Party

ASHLAND, Wis. — High winds and drifting new snowfall canceled this weekend’s ‘Book Across The Bay’ in Ashland. Winds and snowy conditions on Lake Superior piled up on the luminaires that keep the skate skiiers and snowshoers on course from Ashland to Washburn. The course required 1,000 luminaries, which were unloaded Friday in preparation for the race. Even though the…

FOX 21 Takes The Duluth Polar Plunge, Raises Nearly $5K For Special Olympics

DULUTH, Minn. — FOX 21 was the proud television sponsor of this weekend’s Duluth Polar Plunge, and some of our team members took the frigid jump for the cause. FOX 21 Team courtesy of MIX 108’s Nick Cooper The FOX 21 Team, including  Dan Hanger, Emily Halling, Maria Vollom and general manager Erik Hayes, helped raise nearly $5,000 for Special…

Activists Take to the Streets for 10th Annual Indigenous Memorial March

DULUTH, Minn.– Today the Twin Ports participated in its 10th annual march for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives. The march takes place each year on Valentines Day to bring justice and awareness to those missing. This year, 20-30 people were involved with the event. Before the march took place families met to share personal stories of their loved…

Arctic Compression LLC Supports Employee Diagnosis with Cancer

DULUTH, Minn. — This weekend, a family-owned Superior-based company is supporting one of their employees, who has recently been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. Jesse Porter started in the engineering department at Arctic Compression LLC last year. The company manufactures breathing air tanks for fire and rescue teams. Since his start Porter has helped the company launch their new ALL POWER…

‘Bay Produce’ Introduces Flowers to Harvest Lineup

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Bay Produce is a familiar name seen in grocery stores across the region like Super One. They’ve built a legacy for the veggies they grow every year. But now, the employees behind the scenes are growing with new opportunities. For this harvest, they are introducing hanger baskets and potted flowers. “When somebody comes to buy a couple…

50th Annual ‘Outdoors Sports Show’ Begins at the DECC

DULUTH, Minn.– For 50 years, the DECC has been hosting its highly anticipated outdoor sports show, attracting outdoor enthusiasts from all over the region to explore the latest in outdoor gear and activities More than 250 vendors are preparing to set up shop throughout the DECC. Guests can browse for anything ranging from fishing lures and rods to RVs and…

Spirit Mountain Approved for $26 Million Renovations

The project is expected to replace two ski lifts and eventually rebuild the Skyline Chalet.

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth City Council approved on Monday a $26 million investment into Spirit Mountain. The project has been called the Spirit Mountain Restoration Project. The plan looks to replace of Spirit Mountain’s original lifts, the Summit, and the  the Gandy Chair, by building one new ski lift. Both the Gandy and Summit Chairs can only carry three…

C. Reiss Move to Superior Port, Allows for Larger Ships & More Cargo

SUPERIOR, Wis. — A long-standing Duluth company moved over the waters to Superior in hopes to grow their bulk cargo commodities and expend their business. For the last few weeks, C. Reiss has been operating out of their new facility on Winter Street. It took nearly $23 million for the company to make this move. Federal funds covered roughly $10…

‘Cold Water Dolphins’ Group Braves Freezing Waters

DULUTH, Minn.– What started off as a curiosity for the cold, has now grown to a group of 1,500 dedicated plungers taking on the icy Lake Superior in Duluth. The ‘Cold Water Dolphins’ started five years ago, after the group’s leader Loralee Pasley read up on benefits from plunging into cold water. She said it helps boost immunity, mental health,…

Snow sculptures at the Ely Winter Festival

ELY, Minn. — The 2025 Ely Winter Festival snow sculptures are now complete. Snow sculptors from all over the world, including Quebec, Argentina, Germany, and England, joined Minnesota and Wisconsin natives in Ely. They were given only three days to make their best snowy creation. The Ely Winter Festival goes from Feb. 6th through 16th. For more on this event,…

Big Top Chautauqua Facing Significant Financial Struggles

BAYFIELD COUNTY, Wis. — There are serious financial challenges facing Big Top Chautauqua at the ski hill it sits on in Bayfield County. Despite this, board members told FOX 21 they are determined to reinvent the operations for long-term success. In 2022, the Ashwabay Alliance, which operates Big Top Chautauqua and Mount Ashwabay ski and recreation area, racked up a…

London Road Undergoing Major Construction in 2026

  DULUTH, Minn.– Next year one of the busiest roads in Duluth will be reimagined. And with this construction, 10-17,000 daily commuters will be impacted. In 2026, 26th Avenue East on London Road over to 60th Avenue East in Duluth will undergo major construction. The 20 million dollar project will include the addition of round-abouts replacing sidewalks, as well as…

5th Annual Musical Bingo Raises Nearly $6,000 For Local Music

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Two hundred people came out to the annual Musical Bingo fundraiser at Barker’s Island to help support local artists and musicians. Superior City Councilor and local business owner Lindsey Graskey and FOX 21’s Dan Hanger hosted the fun with plenty of one-liners. Musical Bingo is a version of bingo. The band Mackie Brothers sings a short clip…

Superior Council Debates How To Fund Lead Pipe Replacements

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — The Superior City Council had quite the lengthy discussion Tuesday night on whether to support a change to state statute that would allow federal dollars into the city to help replace lead water pipes. The discussion went on so long that a vote will happen at the next council meeting Feb. 18. The change in state statute…

Fundraiser to be Held for a Duluth East Girls Basketball Coach Who is Battling Cancer

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth East Basketball Community is coming together to support one of their own. Kailee Olson, who has been a Duluth East Girls Basketball Assistant Coach for 11 years,  is receiving immense support after being diagnosed with colon cancer. Saturday, Feb 8, at 2:30 p.m. a fundraiser is being held during the Duluth East Boys Basketball game….

Mama T’s Smokin’ Eats Fights to Overcome Costly Setbacks

VILLAGE OF SUPERIOR, Wis.– It’s hard for a business to survive its first year. But for Mama T’s Smokin’ Eats in the Village of Superior, they were doing everything right. Receiving 21 award nominations and winning “Best Place to Work”. “Oh, the community. I love the community, I love the people, I love meeting people. My first question is, ‘Where…

26th Annual Blackwoods Blizzard Tour Kicks Off

GOODLAND, Minn.– Engines roared to life this morning as one of the state’s largest snowmobile fundraising races began. After last year’s event was canceled, the recent snowfall brought in over 200 racers to compete in the three-day Blizzard Tour event. The money raised from this race will toward ALS research. The course spans about 180 miles. Starting at Black Bear…

Duluth Hotel Rates Still Affected from Pandemic

DULUTH, Minn.– Duluth is a popular destination for conventions, events, and conferences, but lately, it’s been facing its own set of challenges. Since the pandemic, Duluth’s hotel industry has been working to recover to pre-pandemic levels. The general manager of the Sheraton Hotel says that over the past year, their average daily rates have remained flat, and they’ve seen a…

Students participate in annual winter walk to school day

DULUTH, Minn. — It was a frigid morning for those students participating in the annual winter walk to school day. On Feb. 5, schools across the state of Minnesota encouraged students to walk or bike to school if able, instead of their usual mode of transportation. Congdon Park Elementary was one such school, and had many families who lived close…

HRA Celebrates Skyridge Flats for Duluth Seniors

The affordable housing apartment complex reserved for seniors age 55+

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Housing & Redevelopment Authority held a ribbon cutting Wednesday for their newest affordable housing apartment building. The complex is called Skyridge Flats and looks to home seniors 55 and up. All 70-units inside are affordable to households at or below the 50% of the median income. All units have 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom, with…