Community

Lake Superior College Graduates Celebrate

Commencement marks next stage in many lives

There was no shortage of gowns, tassels and mortar boards Monday at the DECC’s Symphony Hall. It was a day for students from Lake Superior College to celebrate and go through their commencement ceremonies. Almost eight hundred students graduated. Their accomplishments included certificates, diplomas and associate degrees. Their studies covered 67 different program areas. The emotions included a mixed bag…

6th Graders on Quest to Discover the River

1,500 converge to learn more about the St. Louis River.

DULUTH, Minn.  Sixth graders from across the region had a chance to find out what the water in our area is all about. Its official title is ‘2023 St. Louis River Quest.’ As a practical matter, it teaches fifteen hundred sixth graders about Lake Superior, the harbor, the St. Louis River, and everything connected with those waters. The kids learn…

Calling All Musicians! You’re Needed For Superior’s ‘Make Music Day’

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Calling all artists!  Make Music Day is returning to Superior June 21, and talented musicians are wanted. Make Music Day is a global music celebration that happens on the summer solstice each year to bring people of all ages and skill levels together to make music. This is the second year the event is being organized in…

Duluth Junk Hunt Back At The DECC This Weekend

DULUTH, Minn. — The 11th year of the Duluth Junk Hunt is happening this weekend at the DECC. The event offers vintage and handmade items such as home decor, jewelry, furniture, clothing, and more. Vendors come in from all over the state. And part of the proceeds is given to a local non-profit each year, this year going to Second…

On the Menu: Mother’s Day Buffets

Lincoln Park restaurant hopes its barbeque and more will give moms a break.

DULUTH, Minn. — The day for celebrating and showing love for your mom is coming up on Sunday. Many restaurants across the region are getting ready for their Mother’s Day Buffet. One of those is Howard’s Que in Lincoln Park. Friday, owner Howard Ross and his crew were fine-tuning things for another year. He gets a lot of joy seeing…

Some Area Trails Slowly Opening

Trail users urged to be careful and avoid damaging wet trails.

The Duluth Parks and Recreation Department said some of its trails will be opening on Saturday at noon. Thirteen of the local trails will be opening, but another eight remain closed. The Lake Superior Hiking Trail is also officially opening in some areas. A big concern is over muddy areas that could damage trails if used too soon. The department…

Minnesota Moms Fishing Challenge And Free Fishing For All Moms This Weekend

MINNESOTA — For all mothers out there the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is inviting you to join the Mother’s Day weekend fishing challenge. The DNR says moms who live in Minnesota can also fish for free Saturday and Sunday. To enter the contest all you need is join the Minnesota Moms Fishing Challenge Facebook group. Then submit a picture…

Fox Along the North Shore; Waterfalls and More

Area photographer helps Meteorologist Ken Slama get started behind the lens.

This week for Fox Along the North Shore: Waterfalls and More, Fox21 Meteorologist Ken Slama was at the falls and river at Lester Park with photographer Joe Polecheck. They talked about tips and advice on how to photograph waterfalls. There are dozens of waterfalls to choose from. Starting in Duluth and heading all the way to the northeastern tip of…

Ashland Art Teacher/LGBTQ Advisor Back On Job After Community Rally, Board Decision

Bob Graf said he's grateful for the support and being offered a contract for the next school year

ASHLAND, Wis. — Around 70 students, parents and some teachers within the Ashland School District spoke out in protest Wednesday evening in support of an art teacher and LGBTQ co-advisor who was recently put on paid administrative leave and faced non-renewal of his contract after unsubstantiated allegations of being a “pedophile” and a “groomer.” During the eight o’clock hour, that…

New Tourism Campaign Launches In Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. — A new tourism campaign has been launched in Superior. It’s called Gotta Be Superior and is all about the places to see, what to do, and where to stay in the city. SWIM Creative, a marketing agency helped put it together with Superior’s Tourism Development Commission. The hope for the campaign is to bring in people from…

Boys & Girls Club Encourages Support for Mental Health Crisis Line

Several Duluth area groups working to raise funds

DULUTH, Minn. – A new, national suicide crisis line has been getting some attention, and there is a continued local effort to let people know about it. It is called “Just Breathe 988.” Several Duluth area groups are coming together to raise funds for the Boys and Girls Club’s Mental Health Access program. The three-digit number works exactly like 9-1-1…

Three 148th Fighter Wing Members Earn Minnesota Airmen of the Year Honors

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Three members of the Duluth-based 148th Fighter Wing have been selected as part of this year’s Minnesota National Guard Airmen of the Year. Five members of the 148th and the St. Paul-based 133rd Airlift Wing were selected by their Command Chiefs and the State Command Chief based on their job performance, leadership, community involvement, and personal achievement…

Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women

DULUTH, MINN. — Friday was a day to remember missing and murdered Native American women. Family, friends, and advocates gathered at City Hall to help bring awareness to the issue, and to the women themselves. One goal is to focus national attention on it at all levels of government. Rene Goodrich of the Native Lives Matter Coalition says, “Together here,…

Pancake Day At The DECC Thursday

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Lions Club is all set up and ready to go for Thursday’s 64th annual Pancake Day at the DECC. Organizers are hoping the popular fundraiser can attract 10,000 hungry kids and adults. It kicked off at 6 a.m. Thursday and will go through 7:30 p.m. Volunteers will be pouring batter and flipping flapjacks on the…

Northland Community Reflects Canadian Singer-Songwriter Gordon Lightfoot

DULUTH, Minn. — We pay our respects Tuesday to Canadian Singer and Songwriter, Gordon Lightfoot, who passed away Monday. Lightfoot had recently just canceled his 2023 concert schedule due to health issues a month before his passing. He was best known for his song “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” which is the haunting story of the Lake Superior shipping…

Gary New Duluth Thanks Community for Skateboard Park Effort

Excitement builds for push to complete the project

GARY NEW DULUTH, Minn.–The Gary New Duluth community could not wait to celebrate the coming of spring Monday. Part of the celebration included a great meal as a way to acknowledge everyone who has worked so hard to make a skateboard park a reality. “It is so important to get everybody together for something like this. So many of the…

Community Action Duluth Month

DULUTH, Minn. — May 1st marks the start of Community Action Month in Minnesota. Community Action is a non-profit organization that supports low-income households. During the month they offer community events such as a Car Care zoom Class, Tree planting, and Gardeb Bed Raising. They are also having their first block party foundation to help those in need. “Our mission…

Duluth Playhouse Announces Upcoming Productions

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Playhouse has announced their list of productions for the 2023-2024 season. These shows are for the Main Stage and start mid-September. They vary from new to classic productions. The list is below: Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein Book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan Music and Lyrics by Mel Brooks September 15-October 1, 2023 The Sound…

Legal Aid Service Of Northeastern Minnesota Hosts 5k Fundraiser In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — It was a cold one Sunday morning as people participated in the Law Day 5k fundraiser. The Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota hosted its second 5k fundraiser Sunday morning. Participants raised money through donations and raffle items to help provide funds for the Legal Aid Service. This fundraiser will help them provide legal support to low-income…

Duluth Native Curlers Secure Historic USA Gold Win Over Japan

DULUTH, Minn. – Two Duluth native curlers of Team USA have taken a historic gold win over Japan. Korey Dropkin, 27, and Corey Thiesse, 28, secured USA’s first mixed doubles curling world title Saturday in Gangneung, Korea. This is the same arena Team USA took home the gold in 2018. Team Coach Cathy Overton from Winnipeg and National Coach Phill…

Homegrown Music Festival Kicks Off For 25th Year

DULUTH, Minn. — Music is officially taking over Duluth for the 25th annual Homegrown Music Festival. Mayor Emily Larson kicked off the eight-day festival Sunday with a proclamation and toast at Hoops Brewing. Zeitgeist Teatro, Blacklist, Carmody Irish Pub and Pizza Luce are among the 36 venues supporting 171 sets through Sunday. There are dress-up themes every day. For more…

Arrest Made In Minneapolis Mosque Fires That Rattled Muslims

Fire crews at The Mercy Islamic Center in Minneapolis last Monday. (FOX 9) Minneapolis police have arrested a man suspected of setting two fires that damaged mosques in the city last week as part of what the police chief called “an attempt to inflict terror onto our Muslim community.” Police Chief Brian O’Hara announced the arrest of 36-year-old Jackie Rahm…

BMSE Community Day Free Kids Camp Returns for Second Year

The camp is this upcoming Wednesday, May 3. It is scheduled from 4-6 PM at Malosky Stadium. No registration necessary.

DULUTH, Minn.- Next week, mark your calendars, the annual Community Day Free Kids Camp presented by the Black Men Serving Excellence group returns for its second year. Next Wednesday, May 3, all kids across the Northland are welcome to participate in outdoor games and activities at Malosky Stadium. There will be fun friendly competition, group games, personalized paint-your-own t-shirts and…

Superior YMCA Hosts Earth Day Event

  SUPERIOR, Wis. — A collaborative event took place at the Superior YMCA Friday in honor of Earth Day It was to teach students ways to prevent pollution and live a healthy lifestyle. Groups that were there to teach elementary school students from around the area included the Northwest Wisconsin Lung Health Alliance and Superior’s Environmental Services Division, among others….

Duluth Celebrates The Life Of Judge Sally Tarnowski

A day of fond memories, professional achievements, and deep friendships

DULUTH, Minn. — A Duluth born-and-raised attorney and judge was remembered by friends, family and colleagues Thursday during a memorial at the DECC. Judge Sally Tarnowski died unexpectedly in March when she was struck by a vehicle while jogging on vacation in Florida. Tarnowski was 63 years old. Thursday’s reflections included her Duluth public school roots, her going to law…

MN House, Senate Pass ‘Northern Lights Express’ Funding In Transportation Bills

DULUTH, Minn. — For the first time ever, the Northern Lights Express project now has financial backing from the Minnesota House and the Senate. The Senate has approved $50 million toward the passenger rail service between the Twin Ports and Minneapolis. This comes after the House Transportation Committee set aside full funding for NLX in its omnibus bill and was…

Duluth YMCA Celebrates Afterschool Professionals

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Area YMCA celebrates its afterschool professionals for national afterschool appreciation week. This week is about appreciating and advocating for those who work with this communities’ youths during out-of-school hours. The Duluth Area YMCA is making a comeback after the Covid Pandemic. With 140 staff members and growing, they are able to provide care to 1,000…

Brother, Sister Of Fire Victims Thank Duluth Firefighters, Community

DULUTH, Minn. – A brother and sister who lost their sister and nephew in a weekend apartment fire in Duluth are thanking the firefighters who tried to save their relatives and for the outpouring of community support with the unexpected funeral costs. Fatal fires are not common in Duluth, especially fires that take the life of more than one person….

Task Force to Improve Downtown Duluth Reports Progress

Increasing concerns had prompted a search for solutions

Concerns about downtown Duluth’s future and its direction prompted a task force last fall to look at the issues. Monday, members said they feel good about what has happened so far. The task force said progress has been made in several areas, including dealing with the issues of mental health resources, selecting businesses for improved lighting, a meeting in May…

Therese Wisocki Joins List Of Candidates For Duluth City Council

DULUTH, Minn. – Another candidate has announced her run for the Duluth City Council. Therese Wisocki told FOX 21 on Sunday that she’s a retired telecommunications professional who has never run for political office before. Wisocki said she’s hoping to focus on improving public safety downtown and bringing new development there. Rising property taxes and low wages are also on…

Gary-New Duluth Rec Center Raising Money Through A Rummage Sale

GARY-NEW DULUTH, Minn. — The Gary-New Duluth Rec Center is hosting a rummage sale in West Duluth Friday and Saturday. The rummage sale is open and affordable to everyone. Prices are not marked on the items. Instead, people can pay whatever they are comfortable with. Thanks to the generosity of the surrounding community the Rec Center has received many donations…

Special Olympics Minnesota Hosts Unified Indigenous Games At Cloquet High School

CLOQUET, Minn. — A fun event took place at the Cloquet High School bringing students of all abilities together by playing games. Special Olympics Minnesota hosted the Unified Indigenous Games combining students with and without disabilities to play, learn, and grow together. The traditional indigenous games come from all over the world and have always been adaptable and accessible to…

UMD Students Host ‘Be the Match’ To Help Boy Avoid Terminal List

The students will host another swabbing event on Monday from noon until 8 p.m.

DULUTH, Minn. — A Be the Match recruitment event was held at the University of Minnesota-Duluth to help those who are fighting blood diseases. UMD’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) helped organize this event to help patients looking for a blood stem-cell transplant find their match. Thursday’s event was for almost 2-year-old Ari Chambers.  Ari has not been able to find…

“No Hit Zones” Hope to Prevent Spanking of Children or Hitting Others

Staff members in certain public spaces will intervene.

It is child abuse prevention month, and part of that includes an effort by some to get parents to move away from spanking children. Thursday, supporters of that effort gathered at the YMCA in Hermantown to promote an area coalition that is establishing and increasing the number of “No Hit Zones.” The zones will be spaces and agencies where others…

New Bicycle Tour Event To Honor Late Minnesota Senator David Tomassoni

EVELETH, Minn. — The late Minnesota Senator David Tomassoni who died last year from ALS is getting a new ALS fundraising tour named in his honor. ALS nonprofit Never Surrender Inc. is launching a new bike riding event called the “Tomassoni Tour, Cycle for ALS.” The announcement was made Wednesday at the Mesabi Station in Eveleth. The tour will happen…