Community

Duluth Air Show Spreads Aviation Education to Local Students

Air Show Takes Off Saturday

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Air and Aviation Expo, Presented by St. Luke’s is just days away and several pilots and planes are already in town. The Co-Education Directors, Tara Anderson and Amy Hallback, visited FOX 21 to talk about the education aspect of the show. The air show offered free tickets to this year’s airshow to every elementary school…

Duluth Citizens Express Concerns Over LED Lights

Public Meeting Held Tonight Could Bring Better Light To The Situation

Discussion over the use of LED lights in the city of Duluth has been going on for months now. Tonight another public meeting was held to address outdoor lighting. The City of Duluth has already converted a majority of the cities street lights to a blueish colored LED. Because so many have had concerns over the brightness, city staff was…

Dayton Vetoes Legislative Funding, Republicans Prepare for Legal Fight

House republicans are calling the governor's move unconstitutional and are threatening to sue

DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota governor Mark Dayton signed the state’s budget and bonding bills Tuesday to avoid a state government shutdown, but now, he’s taking some serious heat after deciding to veto funding to the house and senate as a way to get lawmakers to fix some key issues included in the bills. House republicans are calling this move unconstitutional…

Mysterious Mural Found in Historic Duluth Theatre

DULUTH, Minn. — As construction continues on Duluth’s historic NorShor Theatre, a mysterious work of art has been found. The nearly ten-foot-tall mural was found in the theatre’s attic, which is a space that used to be the balcony of the old Orpheum Theatre back in the early 1900s. Christine Gradl Seitz, Duluth Playhouse’s Artistic Director, says she hopes to…

Workshop Continues Work “Toward Zero Deaths”

State Agencies Want to Eliminate Crash Fatalities

DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota’s Departments of Public Safety, Health and Transportation are working toward zero deaths on state highways. On Wednesday, officials from eight counties met at Northland Country Club to examine crash trends and come up with ways to reduce traffic deaths. Wednesday’s workshop came after a number of fatal and injury crashes in recent weeks.  Organizers say Summer…

New Program Aimed at Helping Homeless

St. Louis Co. Residents Can Get Help by Texting "Homeless" to 85511

DULUTH, Minn. – Starting June 1st, St. Louis County residents who are homeless or about to become homeless will have a new resource through the United Way’s 211 program. By texting ‘homeless’ to 85511, people can start the pre–screen process 24 hours a day. Officials say the text hotline will serve people who might not get the help they need…

Two Non-Profits in Duluth Receive Grants from St. Louis County Family Service Collaborative

DULUTH, Minn. – Two non-profit agencies in Duluth that serve children and families have been chosen to receive significant grants from the South St. Louis County Family Service Collaborative. The YWCA Duluth will receive $225,000 and the Lincoln Park Children and Family Collaborative will receive $25,000. Recipients took part in a comprehensive application process and were chosen based on their…

Trail Technology to Take in the Great Outdoors

DULUTH, Minn. – This weekend the country will be celebrating nature as National Trials Day is Saturday, June 3. Rachel Agurkis, a Solutions Specialist for Verizon Wireless, joined the Fox 21 morning crew to go over technology suitable for outdoors. Fitbit Alta: Track your activity and take advantage of automatic recognition and recording of select exercises via the Fitbit app’s…

Pond Scientists on the Rise at Hartley Nature Center

Many Student Groups Flocking for Field Trips to Northland Educational Hub

DULUTH, Minn. – In this week’s Animal Answers we’re taking you on a field trip! For some, it may be a trip to the park, museum or movie theater. However, many groups of Northland students are becoming seasoned pond scientists. “I think if you start kids at an early enough age they’ll have an appreciation for the outdoors,” said Matt…

Great Outdoors: Duluth Women Mountain Bike 101

The class was created to help get more women interested in the growing sport

DULUTH, Minn. – As the popularity of mountain biking continues to grow in Duluth, more and more women are starting to get involved with the sport. At Spirit Mountain, a full class is on hand for a “Ladies Only” Mountain Bike 101 class. “We’re just going to go over balance on your bike, braking, shifting a little bit,” said Dee…

Vietnam Veterans Remembered on Northland Memorial’s 25th Anniversary

The annual ceremony recognizes the names of the 136 soldiers from the area who lost their lives during the war

DULUTH, Minn. – A memorial service Tuesday evening honored Northland veterans who served in the Vietnam War. The annual ceremony recognizes the names of the 136 soldiers from the area who didn’t get to come home to their families. Duluth Police Chief Mike Tusken and a soldier who just returned from overseas spoke about the significance of the Vietnam War…

United Taconite Officially Reopens

Officials Cut Ribbon on Facility Producing Mustang Pellets

FORBES, Minn. – Lawmakers and officials from Cliff’s Natural Resources had reason to celebrate, as they cut the ribbon on the re-opened United Taconite facility. “We are truly celebrating here today the largest producer of iron ore pellets in North America sending a brand new mustang pellet to the largest blast furnace in the United States,” said Sen. Amy Klobuchar…

Veterans Memorial Hall Reopens

New Exhibits on Display

DULUTH, Minn.-Veterans Memorial Hall had its grand reopening today. The moment celebrated a major redesign at the facility which honors local veterans and their accomplishments. The exhibit now includes artifacts and stories from multiple conflicts, going back to the Civil War. “War and conflict impacts all lives,” said Jo Anne Coombe, executive director of the St. Louis County Historical Society….

Annual Film Festival Features Regionally Influenced Productions

8th Annual Duluth Superior Film Festival

DULUTH, Minn. – This week may be a good one to head to the theater as the Duluth Superior Film Festival gets underway. In its eighth year, the festival is running from May 31 – June 4. Films will be shown at several locations including Clyde Iron Works Event Center and Mezzanine, Zinema 2, Teatro Zuccone, The Rex Bar, Sacred Heart Music…

Uncovering Logging and Lumberjack History

Northland Uncovered: Tom's Logging Camp

DULUTH, Minn. – Shipping and mining are a couple of the industries many think of when picturing the beginnings of this region, but another profession also kept thousands of men employed. In this week’s Northland Uncovered we head to Tom’s Logging Camp just up Highway 61. “There was almost no protections. If you got hurt you were kind of out…

Knowing Your Neighbors: Paul’s Market

Pasties are the Specialty at this Iron Range Staple

EVELETH, Minn – Locals say in Eveleth there’s only one place to get a pasty. Paul’s Market. Owner Paul Nemanick sells so many pasties he can’t put a number on it. “I don’t know, lots of them,” said Nemanick. “We started out just Wednesdays and Fridays, and people would come in Tuesdays and turn around walk out the door because we…

One Killed in Head-On Collision In Duluth

A Driver Was Pronounced Dead at the Scene

DULUTH, Minn. – One man has died after an accident that happened Monday afternoon in Duluth. Officers arrived on scene and found a vehicle that had been traveling southbound on Rice Lake Road driving by 19-year-old Alex William Day of Duluth collided with a vehicle traveling northbound driven by Charles Frank Zupancich, 68, of Aurora. Zupancich was pronounced dead at…

Memorial Day Services Held at Green Wood Cemetery

Speakers Highlighted Contributions by Women in the Military

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Veterans, family members and loved ones honored fallen veterans at the Green Wood Cemetery in Superior. The Memorial Day celebration in the cemetery is an annual event. This year the vice commander of American legions spoke at the event and highlighted the contributions made by women in the military and the roles the alliance between US and Canadian…

Jeopardized Memorial Day Parade Successfully Takes Place in Duluth

Just Weeks Ago, the Parade Only Had 16 Units Registered to Participate

DULUTH, Minn.- The Northland Memorial Day Parade, which has been around since 1871, were having trouble getting people to participate this year with only 16 units registered just a few weeks ago. But after successfully finding 52 units to be in the parade, the committee was able to pull it off. Organizers believe the popularity of the parade has gone…

Strength in the Community Scholarship Winner, Madeline Roberts

Meet Madeline Roberts, one of 12 winners of the FOX 21 Strength in the Community Scholarship. The Strength in the Community Scholarship was created to help students reach their goals to pursue higher education in a time of rising tuition costs. Twelve finalists will receive $1,000, but one will trade in their $1,000 for a $10,000 check. Madeline is a…

CSS Student Thanks Volunteer Gardener With $500

DULUTH, Minn. – A Saint Scholastica student has raised money to help out a good Samaritan in her neighborhood. Last summer, Lindsay Monson came across an elderly woman named Rosemary, who spends her day cleaning up parks in the Duluth community. Monson wanted to do something to give back to her neighbor before she graduated. Categories: Community, News, News –…

21st Annual Battle of the Jug Bands Rocks in Duluth

Bands Played Hand-Made Instruments at the Event

DULUTH, Minn.- Bands from around the region made unique music using jugs and washboards at the 21st annual Battle of the Jug Bands in Duluth. The musicians played some interesting homemade instruments at the event held at Amazing Grace Bakery in Canal Park for a chance to win the Krumkake Iron, a Norwegian Waffle Iron used by Jug Bands as…

Horse and Carriage Company in Canal Park for Sale

Asking Price: $25,000

DULUTH, Minn.- Bayfront Carriages has been looking to sell the business for a few years now, after owner Andrew James found a full-time job. James first purchased the business eight years ago, and has delighted tourists from all over the place with leisurely horse drawn carriage rides. “You’re sitting there looking at this, looking at that and being able to…

Veterans’ Garden Revamped at Local Cemetery

Garden Revitalized by Local Volunteers

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The Veterans’ Garden at Sunrise Cemetery has been around for quite a while, but in recent years, the monument fell on disrepair. Now, thanks to a local organization, the garden has been revitalized. “My friend and I walked the cemetery, visit our husbands’ graves, and then we happened to come down this way and it was very…

Blue Star Marker Dedicated in Duluth and Sturgeon Lake

The Markers Honor the Service Men and Women of Our Country

DULUTH, Minn .- Blue Star Memorial Markers first started showing up right after World War 2, and now mark highways across the United States from the East to west coast, reminding all who see them, of the sacrifices made by the service men and women of the country. A Blue Star Marker was placed at Thompson Hill Visitor Center this…

Jay Cooke State Park Offers Programs to Connect People With Nature

Kids Had the Chance to Learn About Monarch Butterflies on Saturday

CARLTON, Minn.- Kids and families learned about Monarch Butterflies at Jay Cooke State Park, Saturday. Minnesota State Parks host events to help connect visitors to the natural wonders the parks have to offer. Many events were held at Jay Cooke State Park today, including an educational class about Monarch butterflies. Attendees learned about the state butterfly, its habitat, and life…

The Great Lakes of Fine Arts Exhibit Showcases Students Work

The Exhibit Shows the Students Progress Over the School Year

DULUTH, Minn.- The Great Lakes Academy of Fine Arts is hosting an art Exhibit showcasing the One year progression of the students that study there. Six students have been studying at the academy under professional artists Jeffrey and Brock Larson since September of last year. The art exhibit which kicked off Friday, shows life like drawings the students have been working…

Fuel Oil Leak in Hermantown

Officials Concerned for Runoff into Keane Creek

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Hermantown police and fire departments responded to reports of a fuel oil spill Saturday. According to investigators, a residential fuel oil tank leaked in the 48–hundred block of Maple Grove Rd. Saturday afternoon. The fuel oil may have run off into the Keane Creek water system. Hermantown officials have notified the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Categories: Community,…

Charter Utility Truck Catches Fire

Driver Made It Out Ok

Duluth, Minn. A Charter Communications utility truck caught on fire with the driver still inside. The fire briefly bringing Miller Trunk Highway to a standstill this afternoon. The driver told Fox 21 he started seeing smoke as he was driving up the hill. He pulled over and before he knew it the truck was on fire. The DFD along with…

Duluth Lawmakers’ Hard Work Helps Local Projects Make State Bonding Bill

The bonding bill includes more than $80 million in funding for many big Duluth projects

DULUTH, Minn. – State lawmakers wrapped up a special legislative session by passing a state budget and a nearly billion dollar bonding bill. With the bill awaiting Governor Dayton’s signature, local lawmakers are calling this session a success for projects in Duluth and northeast Minnesota. “There was a lot of uncertainty, so we worked really hard the last few days…

Adventure Park Now Open at Spirit Mountain

Summer Adventures Begin Memorial Day Weekend at Spirit Mountain

DULUTH, Minn. – Spirit Mountain in Duluth is now back open for business as we head into the Memorial Day weekend. The Mountain’s Adventure Park opened gates Friday for the Alpine Coaster, zip line, jumping pillow, mini golf and disk golf. Five mountain bike trails are now open as well. Executive Director Brandy Ream tells FOX 21 she’s optimistic going…

Memorial Day Traffic Advisories

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department has issued traffic advisories affecting the West Duluth and Gary New Duluth areas. Memorial Day Parade – start time 12:30 p.m. in West Duluth Parade units will line up on 59th Avenue West between Raleigh Street and Grand Avenue beginning at 10:30 a.m. Parade Route: Starting at 59th Ave W & Grand Ave,…

Summer Lift Schedule Begins for Aerial Lift Bridge

DULUTH, Minn. – The Aerial Lift Bridge will commence its summer lift schedule beginning today, May 26. The bridge will lift on the hour and half hour from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week until the Tuesday after Labor Day. Exceptions for this include lakers, government, and commercial vessels. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News

Workout Group Provides Fitness & Support for Northland Mothers

Active Adventures: Stroller Strides

DULUTH, Minn. – Moms around the country are encouraging each other to be healthy through a group fitness program. Fit4Mom is a nationwide program with a branch here in the Twin Ports. The goal is to support moms through every step of motherhood. The company offers several classes: Stroller Strides Stroller Barre Body Back Fit4Baby Running Club For this week’s…

Minnesota Legislature passes $46B budget in special session

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota’s Legislature has finished passing a $46 billion budget in a special session. It took three extra days and some horse-trading to win crucial Democratic votes. But the Republican-controlled Legislature passed its final budget bills early Friday morning. The overtime began Tuesday morning after lawmakers passed the constitutionally mandated deadline to finish a budget by…

Major Cuts At Northland College

Millions To Be Scaled Back Affecting Sports And All Employees

Ashland, Wis. In a letter sent out to Northland College students and staff by the board of trustees will hit the pocket books of many. The school is making some big budget cuts totaling around 3.5 million dollars. Many areas of the school will see some type of cuts, affecting some athletes and 100% of the schools employees. As of…

ReUSE Minnesota Explores Duluth Network

Group has been Operating in the Twin Cities Since 2012

DULUTH, Minn. – A successful Twin cities re-use program Is coming to the Twin Ports. Representatives from ReUSE Minnesota and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency met with local re-use businesses to create a network to share resources. Officials say they’re targeting businesses like thrift stores, habitat restores, and consignment shops. “These are the stores that allow the rest of us…

IRRRB Announces Ilmenite Breakthrough

New Processing Method Produces Nearly Pure Samples

DULUTH, Minn. – Officials from the University of Minnesota’s Natural Resources Research Institute announced a breakthrough in ilmentite processing Thursday. NRRI partnered with Canadian firm Process Research Ortech to find a way to separate titanum dioxide and iron oxide from ilmenite deposits. The results, nearly pure samples of both titanium oxide and iron oxide.  But, officials say they’re a long…

New Publication Highlights Community Connections

Magazine Insert Links Duluth and Iron Range

DULUTH, Minn. – The Iron Range and Duluth are connected by more than geography, and officials are proud to showcase those connections. A new magazine insert published by the Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Board and other partners showcases the entire region, from the Range to Duluth. IRRRB Commissioner Mark Phillips says the connection between the communities affects everyone even…

EMS Workers Treated to Cookout

St. Luke's Emergency Department Thanked its EMS Partners

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Luke’s Emergency Department said thanks to EMS workers with lunch Thursday. Burgers and hot dogs were on the menu, as the first respsonders were treated to a cookout in the hospital’s emergency garage. The director of St. Luke’s Emergency Department says he and his staff appreciate everything EMS does. “We are fortunate in this region to…

DMV Offering Temporary Services Near Chetek

CAMERON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles will open a temporary DMV service center for those in Barron County affected by last week’s storms. “Having proof of identity, like a driver’s license or ID car is often the first step to rebuiliding lives after such a tragedy,” said Administrator Kristina Boardman. “With the generous assistance…

Heading into the Kitchen with the A.G. Thomson House

Cooking Connection: Cranberry Wild Rice Strata

DULUTH, Minn. – For this week’s Cooking Connection we cooked with the A.G. Thomson House. The A.G. Thomson House was built in 1909 in Duluth and now serves as a Bed and Breakfast. Tim and Angie Allen own the establishment and do all the cooking for guests. Angie makes a several breakfast dishes and showed FOX 21 how to make a Cranberry…

Veterans Historical Center Honors Fallen Heroes

Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center Offering Free Admission to Veterans

SUPERIOR, Wis. – In honor of Memorial Day, the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center will be part of many Memorial Day activities, including free admission for Veterans and active military all weekend. Tonight, the historical center is hosting a program about the release of a new book written about shipbuilding in Duluth. The author, Gerald Sandvick, will be there to sign copies…

South Pier Inn Celebrates 15 Years

Staff Attributes Their Success To The Relationships Built Over The Years

Duluth, Minn. The South Pier Inn celebrated 15 years in business today. The hotel that’s located just feet away from the aerial lift bridge is known for its pristine views of the canal. The staff attributes their success to the relationships built over the years. “We’ve really gained so wonderful friendships and relationships with our guest. During that time we’ve…

Korean Veterans Memorial Vandalized, Just Months Apart From Vietnam Memorial Vandalism

Red Lines Can Be Seen Drawn On Military Badges

Duluth, Minn. Vandals have struck again. This time defacing the Korean Veterans Memorial marking red lines through the badges of 4 branches of military carved into the granite stone. It’s unknown at this time what was actually used to deface the memorial. This isn’t the first time this year a war memorial along Duluth’s Lake Walk has been struck by vandals….

Community Foundation Working to Close Opportunity Gap for Twin Ports Children

The foundation has already provided 10 grants, totaling $1.5 million to local non–profit organizations helping tackle this issue

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation held its annual celebration Wednesday. This year’s theme was” Opportunity Rising.” A panel discussion centered around how groups locally are working to close the opportunity gap between rich and poor children. The foundation has been working since 2015 to make the community more aware of this issue and helping create more…