Community

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…

View Search Warrants into Investigation of Infant Left At Duluth Shelter

FOX 21 provides the signed warrants and sworn affidavits from department's search of Safe Haven

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth’s Chief of Police Mike Cenoywa released a video statement Wednesday regarding two search warrants that were executed at a shelter operated by Safe Haven Shelter and Resource Center on Jan. 21. According to the two warrant applications sworn to by Officer Ryan Puhle, and warrants signed by Judge Shawn Reed, officers responded to a call from…

Local Woodworker Crafts Hobby into a Career

SOUTH RANGE, Wis.– Josh Dumke of South Range Wisconsin has worn many hats throughout his career. “So, for twelve years I was a research scientist at the national resources research institute. I did fisheries, and aquatic invasive species research. That was about the time that I kind of started my woodworking business. And my interests kind of changed. What I…

Duluth Police Chief Releases Statement After Newborn Surrendered at Shelter

Police say the newborn is safe with a foster family

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Police say their investigation into the events from January 21, are focused on the health of the infant and the mother and identifying who dropped the baby off at Safe Haven; not into the shelter itself. Chief of Police Mike Ceynowa, released a video statement, followed by a written press release, Wednesday afternoon. Two search warrants…

Cloquet Area Fire District Looking to Build New Facility

CLOQUET, Minn.– The chief of the Cloquet Area Fire District said, it’s beyond time for a new headquarters because the current one is falling apart, packed beyond capacity and a safety concern. The current fire station downtown was built decades ago and no longer meets the standards required for modern emergency responses. The Cloquet Area Fire District serves well beyond…

Knowing Your Neighbor: Free Air Life Co. Reopens Doors at a New Location

DULUTH, Minn. — Free Air Life Co., an outdoor lifestyle store has reopened its doors to a new and bigger space after a 2-year hiatus. Husband and wife Sarah and Justin Steinbach first started the store in 2019. “We had a space down the block in Lincoln Park, and it was very small. Things were going really well for us….

‘Climate Future’ Conference at UMD

DULUTH, Minn.– The future climate of Duluth is the center of a two-day public conference at UMD this week. Environmental experts throughout the state of Minnesota are part of the “Climate Future” conference, including the D-N-R, NOAA and ‘the institute of environment’ a U-M-D. Workshops, panel discussions and presentations are all part of the process to engage everyday citizens who…

Cannabis Business License Set to Open for Minnesota

MINNESOTA — The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) announced it will be accepting applications for cannabis license starting this upcoming February 18, 2025. The application window will close by March 14, 2025. During this license cycle, OCM is accepting applications for both verified social equity applicants and any applicants looking for a general licensing. General licensing includes micro business,…

Pass Program Begins between DTA and Duluth Public Schools

DULUTH, Minn. — High School Students in Duluth have more access to transportation around the city. Duluth Public Schools and the Duluth Transit Authority have partnered to offer all high school students and staff free bus rides through the DTA. This will help give students more ways to get to and from school. There aren’t limits on the passes, so…

Visit Duluth, Madden Media Talk 2025 Duluth Tourism Outlook

DULUTH, Minn. — Visit Duluth and the city’s new tourism market agency, Madden Media, are one month on the job together with a common goal of showcasing what makes Duluth the gem it is. Madden Media is a national tourism marketing organization tasked with promoting Duluth over the next two years. We spoke with Madden Media’s CEO, Daniel Janes, to…

Blackwoods Blizzard Tour is still on despite concerns amid snowfall

LAKE VERMILLION, Minn. — Despite nervousness after a lackluster snowfall this year, the Blackwoods Blizzard Tour is still on. Over 200 snowmobile riders will be heading up to Lake Vermillion on Feb. 5 through 8. The snowfall by Lake Vermillion has been adequate, and the trails are being groomed. This year, 70 new riders are being welcomed to the tour….

Behind the Brew at Duluth Cider

DULUTH, Minn.– Duluth Cider is one of two cideries in the Northland. And their entire cider making process happens all under one building. “It’s really nice, in the middle of Duluth Minnesota, we’re taking on cider, we’re doing it all in our cellar, and bringing it up, out the door, all over, it’s actually pretty cool,” said Kyle McKean. Duluth…

Gabriel’s Bookstore & Others Told to Vacate After Potential Demolition

DULUTH, Minn. — Gabriel’s Bookstore, Sami Cultural Center, and other tenants within the Lakeside Professional Building have until late spring to vacate the site after recent plans to demolish the over 100 year-old structure. The property is owned by St. Michael’s Catholic Church. The building was originally constructed in 1914, but numerous financial meetings with the pastor it was ultimately…

Lake Superior Elementary School Transforming into Apartments

DULUTH, Minn.– After the recent closure of the Lake Superior Elementary School in Superior, an agreement was made to revitalize the property into apartment units. The elementary school closed it’s doors at the end of the school year back in June. The closure happened cause of a decrease in enrollment as well as budget constraints. But that opened up the…

16 Teams Look to Sweep Competition in 2025 USA Curling National Championship

DULUTH, Minn. — The USA Curling hosted a national championship in Duluth, it’s first time hosting in 17 years. 16 teams looked to compete head-to-head in the 2025 USA Curling National Championship. Eight men and eight women’s team looked to sweep the competition, hoping to advance to the World Championships and represent Team USA. This year’s line-up featured a wide array…

Second Harvest Northland Reports Increased Food Distribution in 2024

DULUTH, Minn. — In just the last year, Second Harvest Northland has reported an increase in their food distribution programs, serving up an additional 370,000 meals. Second Harvest Northland services 15 counties in northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. Through the organization’s food shelves, on-site meal program, and tribal organizations, they have increased food distribution by 4%, which equated to about…

City of Superior Honing in on Infrastructure Improvements for 2025

SUPERIOR, Wis.– The year 2024 had a huge focus on incorporating nature back into the City of Superior. They revitalized Woodstock Bay and planted trees in the neighborhoods. “2024 was a very successful year in the city of Superior. We made a number of significant investments in our infrastructure; we developed many new housing units. And we’ve been increasing quality…

New Permanent Housing Facility Opens in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — A new permanent housing facility has been completed in Duluth, providing housing to single adults who have experienced homelessness. Plover Place is owned and operated by the Duluth Salvation Army. One Roof Housing developed and constructed the two buildings, which consists of 24 units. Four of those units are reserved for veterans and each building has a…

‘Heart Berry’ Small Business Store Steals Hearts On and Offline

CLOQUET, Minn.– ‘Heart Berry’ is a woman and native owned store, and they back in 2023. The store was by inspired a strong desire to teach and share art with the Cloquet community. “I started out as a moccasin maker and beadwork artist. And really quickly saw that my community really wanted cultural art. I really wanted to teach cultural…