Community

New Red Panda To Join Lake Superior Zoo

DULUTH, Minn. — The Lake Superior Zoo is preparing to welcome a new animal to the Northland. A brand-new Red Panda named Pip will be joining Zoozee, the 2-year-old Red Panda that came to the Zoo last year. Pip flew in from the New Bedford Zoo a couple days ago and is currently at the Zoo’s animal care center. The…

Ending of CSS Theater Program Draws Sit-in by Students and Supporters

DULUTH, Minn. – A decision announced by the College of St. Scholastica last Friday to cease offering theater productions this fall has shocked students, staff, alumni and the community.  A sit-in by students and others took place Monday. The all-day sit-in outside the school president’s office saw many people from the school and the community taking part. The students talked…

Longtime Hartley Nature Center Leader Moves to Next Adventure

Tom O'Rourke taking his passion for environment and nature to his next challenge.

Duluth’s Hartley Nature Center is a city treasure. And now the person who has helped lead it for over a decade is moving on to his next adventure. “Hartley is such a community gem, you know, and the staff are so amazing. The board, the supporters,” said outgoing Executive Director, Tom O’Rourke. “You know any time you tell people that…

Students Protest Ending of Theater Program at St. Scholastica

DULUTH, Minn. — A late Friday afternoon announcement that the College of St. Scholastica is ending its theatre productions led to a protest Monday outside the school president’s office. Students from the theater program and others gathered for a sit-in to let school officials know they disagree with the decision. The CSS students were joined by UMD theatre students who…

Endion Station Inn Hosts ‘The Great Duluth Sweat Together’

DULUTH, Minn. – Hearty Duluthians came out Saturday for The Great Duluth Sweat Together at the Endion Station Inn in Canal Park. The fun included around a dozen mobile Wood Fire Saunas and an Endion Deck Sauna. People also got their cold plunge into Lake Superior or use cold plunge tubs. The event was described as a day full of…

Students To Protest College of St. Scholastica’s Decision To Cut Theatre Program

DULUTH, Minn. —  There was growing disappointment and sadness Sunday from current and former theatre students at the College of St. Scholastica after learning Friday that the college’s long-running theatre program will be dissolved.  Students plan to hold a sit-in protest at CSS during the day Monday to try to get the decision reversed. “These stories that everyone has, it…

$3 Million Secured In Senate Bonding Bill For New 148th Fighter Wing Hangar

Sen. Grant Hauschild (DFL-Dist. 3) has announced $3 million for the 148th Fighter Wing has been secured in the Senate Capital Investment Bonding Bill. If a super majority approves the funding, it would assist in the construction of a new hangar for the Fighter Wing. The Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce has been the lead advocate for the new hangar…

College Of St. Scholastica’s Decades-Long Theatre Productions To Shut Down

The decision was made as the college "navigates the challenging environment of higher education"

DULUTH, Minn. – The Twin Ports theater community will be losing one of its longest-running stages this fall when the College of St. Scholastica shuts down its decades-long theatre program. Students have been producing high-quality productions for the CSS campus and the general community since at least the 1970s, according to a former director of the program. The college released…

Duluth Pack Giving Back to the Outdoors with Arbor Day Campaign

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Pack has started up their annual campaign all about giving back to the great outdoors. It is the 7th annual Arbor Day Campaign, “Buy A Pack, We Give Back.” The business partners with the Minnesota DNR to plant tree saplings. They plant one sapling for every single one of Duluth Pack manufactured items sold. To date…

Duluth Junk Hunt Back At The DECC This Weekend

DULUTH, Minn. — A 3-day indoor market filled with vintage items and handmade goods is taking place at the DECC starting Thursday. The Duluth Junk Hunt has over 150 vendors. Visitors can find furniture, home decor, clothing, bakery treats, artwork and more. The Junk Hunt happens twice a year, one in the fall and one in the spring. Part of…

Duluth’s Best Bread Expands to Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Duluth’s Best Bread is officially expanding to Superior after a successful pop-up event there. This will be the company’s third location. It will be located at 1418 Tower Avenue in the same location where the pop-up shop was held. It will open May 28 and open Tuesdays through Sundays. The family-owned French-German bakery opened its first store…

Organ Donor’s Mother Urges Others To Do The Same

Part of the effort to raise awareness; 17 people die every day while waiting for an organ.

We often hear about the need for human organ donations, but we can sometimes get immune to the message. Every day across the country, seventeen people die while waiting for an organ. That is why a very special flag was raised Wednesday outside Duluth’s Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center. The flag read “Donate Life,” as part of national Donate Life…

Polka Legend Florian Chmielewski Dies at 97

DULUTH, Minn. — After a lifetime of Polka Music, governing at the Minnesota Legislature, and farming, 97-year-old Florian Chmielewski has passed away. He leaves behind a legion of fans who loved him and the polka music he played. Playing the accordion for decades with the Chmielewski Fun Time Band, Florian Chmielewski entertained thousands upon thousands of people in person throughout…

Northland College Receives Last-Minute ‘Transformative Donor Gifts’

ASHLAND, Wis. — Another sign of hope was reported Tuesday evening involving the future of Northland College. College officials they received “several transformative donor gifts” within the last 24 hours that has “considerably” impacted what is possible for the future of Northland College. Three weeks ago the Board issued a statement of financial crisis. Northland had a goal of raising…

FOX 21 Visits UWS Journalism Students At ‘The Promethean’

SUPERIOR, Wis. — FOX 21’s Dan Hanger was invited to visit UWS journalism students Tuesday to talk about the television news business, learn about UWS’s longstanding student-run newspaper, The Promethean, and watch the latest Promethean TV newscast.  Three UWS students currents work at FOX 21 and have been a great addition to our newsgathering operation!   Categories: Community, Education, News,…

UMD Students Create Tiny Study Buddies Ahead of Finals

'Make and Take' Air Clay Creations Just One of Many Activities During Stressless Week

DULUTH, Minn. — Finals season is fast approaching at UMD and the Kathryn A. Martin Library is once again holding Stressless Week for students. In the lead up to final exams, the library is looking to help students reduce stress and take a break. Tuesday afternoon, it partnered with the Graduate Student Association to hold a ‘Make and Take’ Study…

Enbridge To Test ‘Emergency Alert System’ At Superior Terminal

SUPERIOR, Wis. — If you live near the Superior Terminal, you’ll be hearing bursts of alarm tones Tuesday.  But it’s just a test. Enbridge Energy will sound its “emergency alarm system” starting at 9 a.m.  The alarm will put out 15-second tones followed by an audio message. Testing will continue Wednesday. Starting in May, Enbridge will test the alarm system…

Community Members Take Part in Superior City-Wide Earth Day Cleanup

SUPERIOR, Wis. — A city-wide Earth Day cleanup took place in Superior Monday. City departments all coming together for the first time to organize groups of community members to take part. Nearly all of Superiors parks, trails, boat launches, and other city spaces are getting cleaned. The hope is to raise awareness of the need to protect our Earth. One…

Get Downtown Week Highlights Local Businesses in Duluth

Get Downtown Week is April 22nd-27th.

DULUTH, Minn. — Downtown Duluth is celebrating local businesses by highlighting them this week. Get Downtown Week is April 22 though the 27. Around 30 businesses are all offering special promotions and deals. Businesses include Black Water Lounge, the Duluth Playhouse, Security Jewelers, and more. This week supports small businesses and drives additional traffic to the downtown area right before…

United Steel Workers, Ecolibrium3 Clean Up Ahead Of Earth Day Monday

Earth Day is Monday, and Ecolibrium3 is hosting its 4th annual Earth Week. Earth Day is all about raising awareness about environmental issues, and learning how to protect the planet. FOX 21’s Jenna van Sickle has more on Earth Day events over the weekend, including a clean-up project with United Steel Workers, and what’s happening Monday.  Click the video for…

16th Annual ‘Continental Bike Swap’ Set For April 26-28

DULUTH, Minn. — If you’re looking to sell, donate or buy a bike, the 16th annual Continental Bike Swap is the place to be next weekend. Continental Ski and Bike puts on the event every year at its store in Duluth.  This year’s even happens April 26-28. The goal is to help Duluthians stay healthy and active. The Bike Swap…

Pelicans Make Pit Stop In Duluth Before Flying To Canada

DULUTH, Minn. – A pelican invasion has happened on the St. Louis River in Duluth, but it’s only temporary. The great white pelicans have made a pit stop by the Chambers Grove Park in the Fond du Lac neighborhood. The birds are fueling up to complete their migration journey to Canada, according the Duluth Parks and Recreation department. Pelicans are…

Local Shop Celebrates Record Store Day

DULUTH, Minn. — A fun day highlighting vinyl records is happening Saturday. Record Store Day is an international event celebrated by local record stores and music enthusiasts. Globe News in Superior offers a wide range of collectible items such as sports cards, comic books, and of course vinyl records. As part of the day the store got their hands on…

Duluth Union Members Bring Attention To Truck Hitting 40th Ave. West Bridge.

Teamsters say the apprentice programs are not the same.

Last week a truck hit a bridge in Duluth, and Friday union workers held signs outside the offices of the non-union company that owned the truck. Members of Teamsters General Local Union 346 gathered Friday morning at the offices of the Kaski Inc. construction company. It was one of Kaski’s drivers and trucks that hit the bridge crossing the freeway…

Annual Raising of the Roses Starting This Weekend

DULUTH, Minn. — An annual event including flowers is taking place starting this weekend. It is the Raising of the Roses at the Rose Garden! It’s an open-house style community event. City of Duluth Parks and Rec staff and the Lake Superior Rose Society are inviting anyone to come out to help. Experts will be on hand to teach volunteers…

GND Rec Center Hosts Spring Rummage Sale

DULUTH, Minn. — A rummage sale is taking place this weekend and it’s all for a good cause. The Gary New Duluth Recreation Center hosting the annual spring sale starting Thursday. The event has a wide variety of items available from different puzzles, books, and lots of clothing. Funds raised go toward ongoing activities at the Rec Center. The biggest…

Superior Firefighters Respond To Partial Building Collapse, Natural Gas Leak

SUPERIOR, Wis. — A partial building collapse and natural gas leak in Superior Thursday afternoon caused some tense times at the Franklin Apartments and the Happy Hearts Childcare center located next door. The incident started when a small section on the outside of the apartment building collapsed. The debris fell into the area where the apartment’s boilers were located as…

Fire Takes Duluth Family Home, But Friends and Community Rally

Sunday fundraiser for thankful Johnson family after return home from hospital

A Duluth family lost almost everything in a fire last month, and the community is getting ready to do more to help them out. The March 13th fire not only destroyed the family mobile home and most of their belongings, but also put an expectant mother and her children in the hospital. Rainy Johnson and her two kids were treated…

Carnival-Style Food Festival Brings Together Different Cultures

DULUTH, Minn. — UMD organizations hosted a carnival-style food festival all to learn about each other’s cultures. The annual food festival is presented by the Asian Pacific American Association who collaborate with other multi-cultural organizations. The idea is to do an activity or game at each table to win food tickets. Different cuisines included lam skewers, Korean short ribs, and…

Law Enforcement Agencies Visit Fond du Lac Tribal and Commmunity College Looking for Applicants

CLOQUET, Minn – It’s a story affecting police and sheriff’s offices across the state. More than 50% of police departments in Minnesota are short-staffed. The Duluth Police Department is more than 20 officers short of its allotted officer slots. The Peace Officer and Criminal Justice Expo was held at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. At the Expo more…

‘Meaningful Progress’ Made To Keep Northland College From Closure

ASHLAND, Wis. — Leaders at Northland College say they’re making “meaningful progress” in their efforts to keep the 132-year-old institution from shutting down. In mid-March, the college said it urgently needed to raise $12 million by April 3 to avoid closure. It only raised $1.5 million. So on April 4, the college’s Board of Trustees declared a financial emergency. Since…

Duluth First Responders Compete in First Annual Battle of Badges Blood Drive

DULUTH, Minn. — First responders are facing off against each other in a little competition… and blood is involved. The first annual Battle of Badges Blood Drive took place Wednesday. The Duluth Police Department, Fire Department, and Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service are all partnering with the Memorial Blood Center to make the event happen. The drive builds camaraderie between the…

UMD Criminology and Sociology Club Gives Back to Youth in Need

DULUTH, Minn. — The Criminology and Sociology Club at UMD are helping community members in need. On Tuesday the club hosted an open donation. Items asked for included non-perishable food, winter clothes, hygiene products, art supplies, and more. The organization that donations will be given to is the Carlton County Restorative Justice Program. The program works with at-risk youth in…

Carlton School Board Approves Four-Day Week

CARLTON, Minn. — The Carlton School District is doing what they call “challenging the status quo” with the school board approving the motion 6-0 for a four-day school week. The school talked about being the “leader in educational transformation.” And wanted to be the district to find more opportunities for students to get real world, authentic opportunities, giving students a…

UMD Offers New Speech-Language Therapy Program to Help Those with Parkinson’s Disease

DULUTH, Minn. — April is Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month and UMD is highlighting a new clinic program that is helping patients reclaim their speech. The neurological disease affects people’s movement such as walking, talking, and swallowing. According to clinical instructor Samantha Burlingame, it impacts nearly one million people in the United States. She says the Parkinson Voice Project gave UMD…

Cenovus Energy to Sponsor New School Soccer Fields in Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. — The Superior School District is getting a financial boost of support for new soccer fields at Cooper Elementary. Cenovus Energy is sponsoring the construction of new state-of-the-art soccer fields. The space will be used by the greater community to provide a hub for soccer, lacrosse, and other sports. The Superior Soccer Association is also behind the project….

Mourning Continues Outside Downtown Memorial For Duluth Stabbing Victim

DULUTH, Minn. — Another vigil was held Saturday night for a young woman who was stabbed in the neck at bar close Friday morning on West First Street in downtown Duluth. Sunday afternoon, close friends and family of the victim held a community BBQ as they called for justice to be served in Duluth’s second homicide of the year. Chantel…

BE Design Celebrates New Location in the Lincoln Park Craft District

DULUTH, Minn. — A new alterations, sewing, and upholstery business had its grand opening in Duluth Friday. BE Design is now in the heart of Lincoln Park’s Craft District. The business was founded in 2021 originally operating out of a house. They do everything from clothing alterations and patch work to bigger upholstery projects and are all about community and…