Community

Northland Ukulele Group Holds Community Jams

The Duluth Ukulele Strum Group meets twice a month for jam session

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Ukulele Strum Group is one of several ukulele groups in the Northland. They meet twice a month, to hang out with friends and jam on the ukulele. “There’s a trend in the United States,” group organizer Christina Cotruvo said. “There’s a huge movement of people picking up the ukulele again, and in Duluth there’s more…

Diving Instructor Offers Safety Advice

SCUBA Divers Always Check Weather and Wave Conditions

DULUTH, Minn. – Diving instructors want to remind people to take safety precautions. They say it’s important to get certified as a SCUBA diver by taking a twenty hour program that includes textbook reading plus pool and open water training. Experienced divers always check weather and wave conditions before heading out. “You want to come back alive, definitely you want…

St. Louis River Alliance Highlights Fall Colors, Estuary Projects on Annual Train Ride

Annual Fall Color Train Ride is Sunday

DULUTH, Minn. – Fall has officially started and the season changes are visible as many leaves are changing colors. The St. Louis River Alliance is taking advantage of this beauty this weekend for the annual Fall Color Train Ride. The ride shows off the Fall colors, while SLRA staff discuss the projects taking place in the St. Louis River Estuary….

Annual Festival Takes Duluthians Hundreds of Years Back in Time

Annual Lester River Rendezvous

DULUTH, Minn. – This weekend Duluth is going back in time 200 years for an annual festival. The Lester River Rendezvous is Saturday, September 30 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The festival shows what life was like over 200 years ago and is described as being “a living history attraction devoted to recreating the days of the fur trade.”…

Two Harbors Man Brings Home Gold in Horseshoe Competition

Joe Raycraft Started Tossing Horseshoes Years Ago, Now he Competes in State Competitions

TWO HARBORS, Minn. – A Two Harbors man is now sporting gold after trying his best in a state horseshoe competition. After many years of practice and dedication to the game, Joe Raycraft is looking to encourage others to join the fun as he continues to compete in competitions. “I still needed to be throwing something,” said Raycraft. “I’ve always…

Mothers and Sons Dance as Super Heroes

Annual Super Hero Dance Offers Family Fun Bonding

DULUTH, Minn. – There was a great opportunity for mothers and sons to get some bonding time while dressing up like their favorite characters. The Mother Son Super Hero Dance was at Clyde Iron Works in Duluth. Families could eat pizza, get super hero training, and dance the night away in their favorite costumes. “The moms and sons love to…

Dirt Yard Dash Racers Get Muddy

Obstacle Race Was Fun for Kids and Adults

DULUTH, Minn. – It was a great day to race around outside and get covered in mud. The 5th annual Dirt Yard Dash was held Sunday at the Vineyard Church in Duluth. Adults and kids got messy competing in the race that featured a swamp crawl, a ton of obstacles and, of course, a whole lot of mud. “It’s a…

Former Minnesota Judge Leads Discussion in Duluth

Judge LaJune Lange Talks About Challenges Facing Children of Color

DULUTH, Minn. – Retired Minnesota Judge LaJune Lange led a discussion in Duluth. Lange spoke at St. Mark’s AME Church about her experiences as a judge. She discussed challenges facing Native and African American children and what Duluth officials can do to empower children of color. “The people in Duluth need to own the problem, make the changes from their…

Volunteers Clean Up Canal Park Beach

Canal Park Brewing Company Hosts What May Become Monthly Event

DULUTH, Minn. – Volunteers hit the beach today to help keep the Lake Superior shoreline clean. Canal Park Brewing Company hosted a beach cleanup where volunteers put in the time to help keep Lake Superior clean and healthy. “We love the Great Lakes,” said Paul Kaz, co-owner of Canal Park Brewing Company. “We love the beach ourselves. We’re located right…

Mentor Superior Celebrates Five Years Helping Kids

Organization Matches Children With Positive Adult Role Models

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Mentor Superior is celebrating five years helping the community. The program matches kids, ages five to seventeen, with positive adult role models. So far, the organization has helped more than seventy kids, and they have forty-five mentor and child matches right now. “There’s a lot of kids today that come from a single parent family and maybe…

First annual Ice Fishing Expo at Black Bear Casino

Ice houses, ATVs and more from various local vendors

CARLTON, Minn. – The first annual Ice Fishing Expo at Black Bear Casino is being put on by Coates RV. Attendees were able to get up close looks at all the latest ice fishing gear, as well as brand new ice fishing houses. Organizers say these kinds of events are a good way for potential customers to see a variety…

Maurices Gives Back to the Community with Best Day Ever

Maurices associates volunteered at more than 30 different non-profits

DULUTH, Minn. – Friday was the 4th annual Best Day Ever thanks to Maurices. Maurices associates made their way across town to more than 30 different non–profits to help give back to the community. They made a stop at the Damiano Center in Duluth, providing meals to the people there. “It’s really special to them,” development director at the Damiano…

New Proposal Brought Forward by Duluth Council for Budget Cuts

Budget Discussions Will Continue Monday

DULUTH, Minn. – A new plan is emerging from two Duluth city councilors about what do about a $2.1 million budget cut. Last night, councilors Noah Hobbs and Elissa Hansen, made a motion to supply about $180,000 back to the fire and police departments, which were facing some cuts. Under their proposal, a tax levy would be increased by another…

Annual Adopt-a-Beach Cleanup Saturday

DULUTH, Minn. – Volunteers will be hitting the beach to participate in the largest Great Lakes cleanup day on Saturday. From Lake Superior to Lake Ontario Adopt-a-Beach volunteers will take to the shoreline to pick up litter and debris. Groups will be along the Lakewalk, Bayfront, Brighton, and Park Point Beaches. Those interested in joining the effort are encouraged to…

Duluth Gets Ready to be Lit Teal for Ovarian Cancer

September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

DULUTH, Minn. – This weekend, the Aerial Lift Bridge and Enger Tower will be lit teal to help raise awareness for ovarian cancer. September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Ovarian cancer can often go undiagnosed during the early stages, which makes it a very lethal illness. A fundraising gala will be held at the DECC this Saturday to try and…

UMD Chancellor Addresses Budget Concerns

The university is working to reduce the budget deficit over the next few years

DULUTH, Minn. – University of Minnesota Duluth’s budget deficit will continue this year. But some good news is on the horizon. The deficit is projected be down from the $4 million dollars last year around $3.2 million this fiscal year. According to the administration, the budget troubles are due to legacy costs as well as recent years of declining student…

Bully Free Block Party

Raleigh Edison School invited parents, students and surrounding neighbors

DULUTH, Minn. Raleigh Edison School invited parents, students and surrounding neighbors to enjoy a night of fun festivities for their bully free block party. Schools around the area are doing what they can to stop bullying. Staff at the school tells us that by inviting everyone in the surrounding area and gives them an opportunity to see what Raleigh Edison…

Bacon and Beer are the Focus of a New Beargrease Fundraiser

Saturday: Beer and Bacon Bash

TWO HARBORS, Minn. – The Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon is still a few months away, but that doesn’t mean the big race isn’t on the minds of Northlanders. Jason Rice, the Vice President of the Board of Director for the race, visited FOX 21 to chat about the Beer and Bacon Bash. The event is taking place Saturday, September 23…

Encounter Youth Center to Host New Fundraiser Saturday

Saturday: First Annual Skate and Cake Fundraiser

DULUTH, Minn. – The Encounter Youth Center is looking for support and this weekend the non-profit’s leaders are hoping Northlanders step up to help. The First Annual Skate and Cake Fundraiser will be held at the Encounter Youth Center on Saturday, September 23 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. This is an all-you-can-eat Pancake Dinner to benefit the Encounter’s indoor…

Health Center Offers 24-Hour Fitness Center and Physical Therapy

Active Adventures: Bodies in Balance

TWO HARBORS, Minn. – A fitness center in Two Harbors is promoting fitness and wellness. Bodies in Balance offers physical therapy services as well as a 24-hour gym. For this week’s Active Adventures, FOX 21’s William Seay worked with a physical therapist in the fitness center to get his body moving. Bodies in Balance is located at 1451 Highway 2, Two…

Lake Superior Zoo hosts Uncorked and Tapped for Conversation

It's the 8 year for the fundraiser

DULUTH, Minn. – The Lake Superior Zoo hosted the 8th annual Uncorked and Tapped for Conversation wine and beer tasting event on Thursday. The event is a fundraiser that looks to raise around $15,000 for the zoo’s programs. “Being able to do educational events that engage children and youth, and just working on the infrastructure of the zoo that always…

Firewood sales rise and temperatures drop

Dluth Firewood has been busy fulfilling winter orders since August

DULUTH, Minn. – With the fall temps starting to set in, people are looking to get their heat in order for the winter. Businesses like Duluth Firewood have been busy this time of year, cutting and delivering firewood for customers that enjoy heating their houses the old-fashioned way. “It’s what Minnesotans do,” Duluth Firewood owner Wade Haworth said. “We live…

Northland Clinics to Start Offering Flu Vaccinations

St. Luke's Primary Care Clinics will Offer Flu Shots Starting in Early October

DULUTH, Minn. – Flu shot season is fast approaching and physicians at St. Luke’s in Duluth are reminding folks about an easy way to reduce your risk. The flu vaccine will soon be offered at all St. Luke’s primary care clinics in the Northland come early October. Medical experts say it’s important to wash your hands, but the vaccine can…

Lost Hunter Located in Nemadji Forest

PINE COUNTY, Minn. – Around 6:45 a.m., on Tuesday, Sept. 19, the Pine County Sheriff’s Office received information about a lost hunter in the Nemadji Forest area of Pine County. The missing hunter was the caller and due to poor cell phone connectivity, information at the time was limited. Deputies responded to the area the call was believed to have…

Creating Creamy and Savory Pork Tenderloin Medallions with JJ Astor

Cooking Connection: JJ Astor

DULUTH, Minn. – JJ Astor, the revolving restaurant in the Radisson in Duluth, has hired a new Executive Chef and is creating an updated menu. The new Executive Chef and Director of Food and Beverage, Bob Boyd, joined FOX 21 in the kitchen for this week’s Cooking Connection. This week Boyd showed FOX 21’s Natalie Froistad how to make Roasted…

Mayor Larson Meets With Morgan Park Residents

Talking About Sales Tax Increase

DULUTH, Minn. Duluth Mayor Emily Larson is continuing her speaking sessions across town focusing on her proposed 0.5 percent sales tax increase for 2018 to specifically fix roads and the infrastructure below. Mayor Larson projects $7 million would come out of this 0.5 percent sales tax increase if voters approve it in November and if the legislature gives the final…

Vision Jet Becomes Reality for Duluth Based Cirrus Aircraft

New Vision Jet by Cirrus Aircraft Proves to be Popular with Consumers

DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth aircraft manufacturer, founded back in 1984, is now skyrocketing to new heights in the Northland. Cirrus Aircraft recently unveiled the company’s latest product and company officials say demand is already taking off. “There’s not a better place to be than up above the clouds,” said Matt Bergwall, Director of Cirrus’ new Vision Jet. Northlanders woke…

DSSO Unveils New Season Artwork

Posters Are Inspired By This Year's Music Selections

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra kicks off their new season this weekend, and on Wednesday they unveiled their new season’s official artwork. Local artist Michael Smisek created ten original posters for the DSSO to promote their concerts. The designs are inspired by the music the orchestra will play. “For this particular one, he was inspired by Erin’s…

South American Artists Visit Duluth

The Bead Artists Met With Local Native American Creators

DULUTH, Minn. – Artists from South America stopped in Duluth today and brought some of their work. The bead artists from Ecuador are known for their necklace creations. Local Native American artists were on hand to learn about about the artists’ culture and how it inspires their creations. “It allowed for both local indigenous people and the women from Ecuador…

Leaders Meet to Discuss Opioid Epidemic

Center for Alcohol and Drug Treatment Is Expanding Their Detox Unit

DULUTH, Minn. – The opioid epidemic has been a huge problem in the Twin Ports for years. Today, a round table discussion was held in Duluth where officials talked about better ways to address the problem. Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith (DFL-Minn.) came to Duluth to to learn about some of the ways organizations are fighting opioid addiction and what more…

Conference Aims to Educate Seniors About Scams Online and Over the Phone

DULUTH, Minn. — They’re more dangerous than telemarketers or spam email; they’re scam artists out to steal our identities or our private information. And they’re the topic of an educational conference at Clyde Iron Works in Duluth earlier this morning. The “Scam Jam” is put on by the Better Business Bureau and AARP Minnesota. It’s a free event aimed at…

Friends of Animals Trade Donations for Dogs

Humane Society Sets Up Donation Drive to Help Hurricane Harvey Victims

CLOQUET, Minn. – Hurricane Harvey shook the lives of many just weeks ago. Since then, Northlanders have rallied, looking for ways to help Texans as they overcome this natural disaster. On August 25, Harvey washed ashore the coast of Texas, tampering with the lives of millions. “I said, what kind of stuff you guys need? Give me a list,” said…

Benefit Dinner to be Held for Hurricane Victims

Benefit Dinner Will be Held Oct. 1

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Oliver Companies of Duluth, a local real estate business, and the local chapter of the Red Cross will be hosting a hurricane relief benefit spaghetti dinner and auction Sunday, Oct. 1 from noon to 6 p.m. at Barkers Island in Superior. Their goal is to raise $15,000. All proceeds from the event will go to the Red Cross….

Volunteers Help Clear the Beach at Wisconsin Point for Endangered Birds

SUPERIOR, Wis. — The weather was nice and warm this morning on Wisconsin Point during a volunteer effort to clear the critical beach habitat for the Great Lakes’ piping plover. The birds head south for the winter, but they nest right here on the shores of the Great Lakes. These volunteers are working with the St. Louis River Alliance and…

Pumpkin Stands Already Popping up in Northland

Pumpkin Season is Getting to Full Strength

DULUTH, Minn.-With the fall chill in the air, that means it’s pumpkin season. One pumpkin seller has already popped up in the Miller Hill Mall Parking lot. He said people can be pretty selective about the pumpkins they purchase, including little kids who fall in love with the fruit. “It’s so fun,” said Adam Jaros, of DC Produce. “I’ve done…

Annual Oktoberfest Celebrations to Take Over Grandma’s Saloon & Grill

Grandma's Celebrates 42 Years of Oktoberfest Fun

DULUTH, Minn. – This week the keg will be tapped to kick off Oktoberfest celebrations at Grandma’s Saloon and Grill. This is the 42nd year of the festival at Grandma’s Restaurants. The beer tapping will take place at 11 a.m. at the Canal Park location on Wednesday, September 20. For the first week of Oktoberfest at Grandma’s there will be…

Research Center Preserves Stories of Minnesota’s Iron Ranges

Northland Uncovered: Iron Range Research Center at Minnesota Discovery Center

CHISHOLM, Minn. -For hundreds of years mining has been the focus of life on the Iron Ranges of Minnesota. The Iron Range Research Center in the Minnesota Discovery Center in Chisholm preserves the past of these areas in its archive collection. The mission of this department is to collect materials to interpret the human experience on all three of Minnesota’s…

Mayor Emily Larson Defends 2018 Proposed Budget Cuts

Larson: Officers, Firefighters Won't Lose Jobs

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Mayor Emily Larson is defending her 2018 budget proposal that includes $2.1 million in cuts spread out throughout all city departments. Mayor Larson told FOX 21’s Dan Hanger Monday that nobody wants cuts and cuts are stressful, but she says that doesn’t mean her office should avoid the problem, especially with aging streets and infrastructure –…

Essentia Health – Duluth hosts 19th annual Journey Awards

The awards recognize those who have made an impact on people living with disabilities

DULUTH, Minn. – Essentia Health – Duluth hosted the 19th annual Journey Awards on Monday. The Journey Awards recognizes individuals who have made contributions to helping people living with disabilities. This year’s award went to Kelsey Peterson, for her work on the film project The Cure Map, as they look find a cure for paralysis. “We drove around the country…

Life House promotes peace before International Day of Peace

The youth organization is celebrating peace all week

DULUTH, Minn. – International Day of Peace day is coming up this Thursday, but one Duluth organization is celebrating all week long. Life House, an organization that helps homeless youth in the community, is trying to promote the idea of peace and nonviolence. On Monday they held a get together at the Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial to kick off the…

New Time Capsule Being Created in Virginia

50 Year Capsule Will Be Placed on New Highway 53 Bridge

VIRGINIA, Minn. – Last year, the City of Virginia opened a fifty-year time capsule, giving their residents a look inside the past. Now, a new time capsule is being created. The capsule will be built into the pedestrian plaza on the new Highway 53 bridge. It will be sealed on September 29th. Officials are now looking for materials to include…

Volunteers Needed for Bentleyville

Volunteer Work Begins this Weekend

DULUTH, Minn.-Bentleyville will be opening up in a few months, and that means volunteers are needed to help set it up. Preparations are expected to begin this weekend as volunteers flood into Bayfront Park. “We’ve had volunteers that have been returning for the ninth consecutive year down there,” said Nathan Bentley, event organizer. “People make friends down there. They become…

Touchstone Award Given to Three Local Non-Profits

A Total of Seven Organizations Were Recognized

DULUTH, Minn.-Those who give back were honored on Monday, for all they do. Three non-profits were given the Touchstone Award by the Duluth-Superior Area Community Foundation. The local chapter of the American Red Cross, the Scott Anderson Leadership Forum, and the Myers-Wilkins Community Collaborative were all honored. “We think non-profit organizations are doing really vital work in Duluth and Superior and…

Upcoming Fundraiser Supports Free Dental Care for Students

8th Annual Sips & Slices

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Just Kids Dental is continuing its campaign of providing free dental care to children and an upcoming fundraiser will support that mission. The 8th Annual Sips & Slices is Thursday, September 21 from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. at the Superior Curling Club. This is a pizza and beer tasting fundraiser. There will also be raffles featuring items…

Engwall’s Corn Maze Open for the Season

Hermantown Maze is Open Saturdays and Sundays Through October 29th

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Engwall’s Corn Maze is now open for the season. Starting Saturday, maze goers can try to find their way our of three acres of corm while exploring about a mile of pathways. They can also fire off the corn cannon or try their hand at pumpkin bowling. “I think it gets families excited because it’s another thing…