Community

Larson Secures DFL, Labor Endorsements; Reinert Lands Police, Fire Unions

DULUTH, Minn. — The Aug. 8 primary election is less than three weeks away. Duluth Mayor Emily Larson and former state Sen. Roger Reinert are the likely two candidates headed to the general election Nov. 7. “I doorknock five days a week. I’ve been out since January door-knocking. The campaign itself is really resonating with people. It is clear people…

Chick-fil-A Is Officially Coming To Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — Chick-fil-A is officially coming to Duluth. The Atlanta-based restaurant will be located on the north side of the Miller Hill Mall’s property facing Miller Trunk Highway, according a news release. This will be the first Chick-fil-A in the Twin Ports area, joining 17 other Chick-fil-A restaurants in the Twin Cities area. Construction is expected to start in…

Thanksgiving In July At Chum

DULUTH, Minn. — Thanksgiving is on the minds of the folks at Chum Food Shelf. The spirit of giving is alive and well at Chum. Chum is asking for donations so they can purchase food for their Thanksgiving food boxes. Even though we are in the middle of the summer, planning is already underway to feed local families for Thanksgiving….

Duluth Affordable Housing Coalition Reflects On This Year’s Efforts

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Affordable Housing Coalition held their annual celebration to reflect on this year’s efforts and plan for the future. This past legislative was a win with big investments for housing activity and services across the state. Tuesday at One Roof Community Housing it was a way to say thank you. And a reminder that although the…

Duluth Public School Board Votes On Possible Referendum

DULUTH, Minn.–The Duluth Public School Board Members voted earlier today for plans for a potential school referendum. During the COVID-19 pandemic, temporary ESSER funds helped the Duluth Public Schools take that step forward into a 21st century learning environment. Duluth Public Schools Superintendent John Magas said that the referendum’s plan is to keep Duluth Public Schools up to date with…

MNA Essentia Nurses Prepare for Friday’s Picket

DULUTH, Minn.–“To avoid any HIPPA violations I’ll just say that nurses are almost daily in tears trying to deal with the struggle of knowing that we don’t have enough staff. It’s very stressful,” said RN Staff Nurse Stacee Rosier.  Essentia nurses with the Minnesota Nurses Association are getting their signs ready for an informational picket July 21, calling staffing levels…

New Mural Brightens Building, Neighborhood and Faces

Zenith Bookstore celebrates mural combining history and heritage of West Duluth.

It is always fun when you can brighten up a city landscape with a bit of art–some great big wall art. The Zenith Bookstore was the place to be Thursday afternoon for the official celebration of their new mural. Congratulations went to artist Jonathan Thunder. He was praised for his vision, energy, inspiration and heart. But the mural was also…

Woodland Days Rummage Sales This Weekend

DULUTH, Minn. — The third annual Woodland Days Rummage Sales started up on Thursday. Over 30 houses are hosting sales and people can find not only garage sale treasures, but lots of house plants. One sale in particular offers perennial gardening with daylilies and hostas. The whole family participates in helping with the sales, even the kids. “It’s just getting…

Blood Donations Needed Even In Busy Summer Months

A blood drive at the Duluth Red Cross chapter office Wednesday was part of the effort to keep donors involved.

Summer is a very busy time for many people, but the need for a steady supply of blood continues year-round. Wednesday the Red Cross held a blood drive at their chapter office by the Miller Hill Mall. The entire morning was booked with appointments and there were just a few openings left heading into the afternoon. Volunteers from St. Cloud…

Superior Hiking Trail Association In Need Of Volunteers For Upcoming Projects

TWO HARBORS, Minn. — The Superior Hiking Trail runs over 300 miles from the Wisconsin-Minnesota border to the Canadian border and is maintained through the help of volunteers. Over the next 6 weeks the Superior Hiking Trail Association is in need of 200 volunteers for some big projects. Helping out on the trail includes moving rocks and dirt, building boardwalks,…

St. Luke’s To Affiliate With Aspirus Health

Combined system will cover portions of Wisconsin, Michigan's Upper Peninsula and Northeastern Minnesota.

St. Luke’s in Duluth and Aspirus Health in Wisconsin announced Wednesday they have agreed on a proposal to join their systems. The health care systems said their approach and philosophies are a good match. The St. Luke’s system includes two hospitals and more than 40 clinics. Aspirus has 17 hospitals and 75 clinics. “Evolving community needs require us to find…

St. Luke’s Foundation Hosts 40th Annual Benefit Tournament

DULUTH, Minn. — Monday was the 40th Annual Benefit Tournament for the St. Luke’s Foundation. The tournament located at the Northland Country Club included golf, jewelry making, pickle-ball, and more. All funds raised go to the foundation’s Unrestricted Campaign. Which is where employees can help a patient in need by asking the foundation for programs and services provided to them…

Felon Voting Registration Events Held Following New MN Law Enactment

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – It’s been more than a month since over 55,000 Minnesotans re-gained the right to vote, and efforts to remind them of that continue. “A lot of these events are really to continue to keep the message out there,” said Michelle Witte of the League of Women Voters Minnesota. “That this is now available to you to have the freedom…

Do You Know How To Geocache?

SUPERIOR, Wis.– Grab a GPS and get searching. The Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center in Superior held a Geocaching 101 presentation Sunday, July 9,  to educate people on what Geocaching is and how you can get started. “And my husband and I found it together and I said, ‘We have this new thing that we have to try.’ So…

Reggae & World Music Festival Takes Over Bayfront July 15

DULUTH, Minn. – Excitement is building for the 17th annual Reggae and World Music Festival at Bayfront Park this Saturday. Singers from all over the world will take the stage starting at 1 p.m. and lasting through the night. It’s an all-ages event that keeps getting bigger every year. The Bayfront Reggae Fest’s mission is to provide cultural entertainment through…

Downtown Duluth’s ‘Sidewalk Days’ Starts Wednesday

DULUTH, Minn. — 75 vendors and 15 food vendors will be taking over downtown Duluth for Sidewalks Days this week. The fun kicks off at 9 a.m. Wednesday. Sidewalk Days is described as downtown Duluth’s biggest shopping festival of the year. The event covers Superior Street from Lake Avenue to 5th Avenue West. Local retailers bring merchandise into the street….

Solar Storm Thursday Expected To Make Northern Lights Visible In 17 States

A solar storm forecast for Thursday is expected to give skygazers in 17 American states a chance to glimpse the Northern Lights, the colorful sky show that happens when solar wind hits the atmosphere. Northern Lights, also known as aurora borealis, are most often seen in Alaska, Canada and Scandinavia, but an 11-year solar cycle that’s expected to peak in…

Two Harbors Heritage Days Draw Crowds

Food, gift vendors, entertainment and the dunk tank all have their fans.

TWO HARBORS, MINN. – There are countless reasons to head up the North Shore, and Two Harbor SHeritage Days is certainly one of them. The streets and sidewalks were filled with people out enjoying a Friday in July. There was a mix of street vendors, and various booths and displays. You couldn’t walk far without seeing something to eat, or…

Bikes and Riders Swarm Spirit Mountain

Bike enthusiasts and spectators gather at Spirit Mountain Chalet on Grand Avenue.

Lake Superior often gets all the attention in Duluth, but this weekend it’s the dry land of Spirit Mountain where things are happening. It is the Bike Duluth Festival that happens every year. Close to one thousand bikes and their riders will be flying down the hill, and over and around all kinds of terrain. There are a lot of…

Silver Bay Community Center Gets Help

$50,000 grant will bolster program that helps older residents and unites the community.

https://www.fox21online.com/content/uploads/2020/05/cropped-fox-21-avatar.pngIn Silver Bay Friday afternoon, it might have felt a little bit like Christmas. The community center that is important in bringing people together, received some financial support. T-Mobile has donated fifty thousand dollars as part of its initiative to help small towns. Silver Bay’s North Shore Area Partners will use the funds to further develop a gathering place downtown….

Colleague Remembered by Deputies and Rescue Squad

Debra Slatten had many "firsts" in her career, and an ability to connect with people.

A local woman was remembered Thursday for a lifetime dedicated to service. The presence of emergency vehicles, squad cars and flags honored the memory of Debra, “Deb,” Slatten. She passed away unexpectedly on June 29 due to a cardiac event. Local residents, and fire and law enforcement members gathered to pay their respects. “It is obvious by the turnout today…

Boats Wrapped in Red, White and Blue

Annual boat parade on Caribou Lake a long-standing tradition.

Fourth of July is not just celebrated on land. It’s also celebrated by sea–or at least by lake. Caribou Lake to be exact. Tuesday it wasn’t waves of grain, but waves generated by every boat and pontoon imaginable. There was no shortage of red, white and blue as residents decked out their vessels to honor the nation’s beginning. Each year…

Minnesota College Tuition Program Has North Dakota Worried

Concern is that Minnesota students may stay in home state.

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota higher education officials are deeply worried about losing students and revenue in 2024 when neighboring Minnesota makes public college and university tuition free for thousands of residents. Officials estimate around 15,000 to 20,000 Minnesota students a year will use the free North Star Promise program, and North Dakota education officials are projecting an $8.4…

Smarts and Caution Urged When Lighting Fireworks

There are ways to make it safer for everyone around you.

With many area burning restrictions lifted or eased in recent days, it is expected that more people will be wanting to light fireworks on their own. Those who deal with fireworks and those who deal with the aftermath of injuries are reminding people to be careful. Despite the lack of rain early this summer, sales have been pretty steady at…

Camp Esquagama Holds Free Activities Day At Duluth Depot

DULUTH, Minn. – Camp counselors from around the world held a one-day, fun-filled camping experience at the Duluth Depot this weekend. Camp Esquagama lead a variety of activities for free Saturday — from arts and crafts to outdoor games and sing-alongs. The camp is based out of Gilbert and has a goal of creating lasting friendships, building self-confidence, developing lifelong…

Duluth’s CAO Responds To Concerns About $195K Tiny Home

DULUTH, Minn. — A new tiny home in Duluth with a sale price of nearly $200,000 is getting quite the sticker-shock response and concerns from locals. The concerns are being heard by the city’s chief administrative officer who addressed the issue to the council with some background and perspective. The tiny home is located along 6th Avenue East. It’s a…

Cancer Society Gets Donation from Super One Customers

June fundraising effort results in big money.

Super One presented a check donation to the American Cancer Society Thursday morning in Hermantown. Super One President Patrick Miner presented a $76,000 check to the American Cancer Society. Customers made donations at forty-four Super One locations during several weeks in June. He expressed gratitude to customers for the campaign’s success. “We’re incredibly fortunate to have generous customers in the…

Rain Fails To Quell Canadian Wildfires; More Smoky Haze On The Way

AP TORONTO (AP) — Canadian wildfires will send worsening smoky air across the country and neighboring United States in coming days after recent heavy rains failed to fall in areas of Quebec where the fires are most active, officials said Wednesday. Drifting smoke from the wildfires has lowered curtains of haze on broad swaths of Canada and the United States,…

Weightlifting Couple Raising the Bar

New Weightlifting Gym in Hermantown

Regardless of what sport you play, almost everyone is interested in getting a little stronger. For some, that means heading to the gym. A Twin Ports couple has combined their love for each other with their love of lifting weights. The result is a new, state-of-the-art weightlifting facility. They titled it Los Campeones, or The Champions. Owner Carl Sievert began…

Historic Civic Center’s Fountain Broken, Could Be Dry All Summer

The city says work on the fountain will take at least 12 weeks

DULUTH, Minn. — One of Duluth’s oldest fountains in one of Duluth’s most historic places is still shut down from the winter, and it’s likely going to stay that way for the rest of the summer. We’re talking about the decades-old Priley Fountain in the Civic Center.  The 1970 structure usually has multiple sources of water shooting into the air,…

Chum Selling Leftover Rhubarb Festival Pies

DULUTH, Minn. — The Chum Rhubarb Festival is not quite over yet as there is one last chance to pick up a pie. At noon on Monday the leftover pies, crisp, and scones will be sold at Chum’s office 102 West 2nd Street. The Rhubarb Festival is Chum’s biggest fundraiser of the year as the funds go toward helping support…

Lutsen’s Papa Charlie’s Ruled A Total Loss After Fire

LUTSEN, Minn. – Papa Charlie’s at Lutsen Mountains is considered a total loss after fire ripped through the beloved restaurant and bar over the weekend. The call for help came in around 6 a.m. Saturday. The Lutsen Fire Department and mutual aid from departments in Cook County responded. Fire officials said suppression efforts were at a high level but the…

Security Jewelers Hosts Block Party To Involve The Community

DULUTH, Minn. — The 300 block of Superior Street is letting the community know that downtown is still thriving and has lots to offer. Security Jewelers is hosting what they call the Summer Showcase Block Party. The party includes food, drinks, drawings, music and more. Neighboring businesses were happy to participate with offerings of their own. A Security Jewelers employee…

Mural On St. Louis County Depot Rotunda Is Complete

DULUTH, Minn. — The mural on the rotunda at the St. Louis County Depot is complete. Local artist Adam Swanson has spent the past two months putting the mural together in his studio. The 350-square-foot mural is full of beautiful butterflies that are local to the area. This was Swanson’s first mural in downtown Duluth that he created himself. A…