Community

Nordic Auction’s New Format Proving Popular With Railroad Collectors

DULUTH, Minn. — This weekend local locomotive lovers will be showcasing historic items from the Midwest and beyond at a railroad auction in Duluth. After the seven auctions last June that came from the Carr’s Hobby Shop closing, the owner of Nordic Auction began doing his sales half in person and half online which he says gained him more traction…

Duluth Public Schools Moving to “Optional” Masking Next Week

(AP Photo/Chris O’Meara, File) DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth public schools will be moving to optional masking beginning next week. On Friday, Duluth superintendent John Magas released a weekly update statement where he announced the decision to move from required masking to optional masking. “Updated COVID-19 community levels released Thursday, March 3 shows community levels are low in St. Louis County….

Wellness Center Hosts Prayer Service For Ukraine

DULUTH, Minn. – A local wellness center gathered to hold a prayer service Thursday night to express their compassion for Ukraine and the world. In Harmony Reiki and Inner Wellness held a non-denominational prayer to give people a voice to their inter peace. The owner, Debbie Merrick, said she thinks the community needed a place to meditate and draw positive…

UMD Honors Student Association Donates Thousands to CHUM

DULUTH, Minn. — The Honor Student Association has been in partnership with CHUM for about 8 years, and they presented a special donation to CHUM on Wednesday at the Steve O’Neil Apartments on Fourth Street. Central Hillside, where the Steve O’Neil Apartments are located in, does not have immediate access to any grocery stores, playgrounds or athletic facilities, eespecially if…

Politicians, Students, And Supporters React To President Biden’s UWS Visit

SUPERIOR, Wis. — The Yellowjacket Union welcomed President Joe Biden on Wednesday afternoon, along with a number of politicians, students, and supporters who were ecstatic that the commander-in-chief chose Superior as his first stop the day after the State of the Union address. “It’s not too often you get an email saying the president of the United States is coming…

Pres. Biden Stops at UWS to Talk Bolstering Blatnik Bridge, Other Northland Infrastructure Needs

On his way to UWS President Biden stopped under the Blatnik Bridge to get an up-close look at the shape it was in.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Bridges were front and center of President Biden’s speech as he made Yellowjacket Union at UWS his first stop after the State of the Union Address Tuesday. “Hello Wisconsin, the President said to cheers, “and if you’re hearing me across the river hello Minnesota.” On his way to UWS President Biden stopped under the Blatnik Bridge near the…

Power of Storytelling at UMD’S Equity, Race, Ethnicity Summit

More than 400 people were set to participate in the event held both in person and through zoom.

DULUTH, Minn.- Members of the BIPOC community hoped to build more bridges with the power of their stories at UMD’s annual Summit on Equity, Race and Ethnicity. More than 400 people were set to participate in the event held both in person and through zoom. Workshops focused on community leaders sharing personal stories accounts of events and more around a…

Duluth Ukrainians Relieved, Thankful City Changed Course To Light Lift Bridge

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth’s iconic Lift Bridge shined blue and yellow in support of Ukraine for the first time Tuesday evening, adding to the slew of iconic structures across the country and world lit to support the freedom we American’s sometimes take for granted. Tuesday morning’s update The moment came Tuesday after an overwhelming stand Duluthians took since the weekend…

Volunteers Coming to Spirit Mountain to Help with 18th Great Lake Mono Ski Madness Camp

With over forty volunteers helping out, some specialized clinicians will be coming from as far as the Rocky Mountains.

DULUTH, Minn.- After missing last year, the Great Lake Mono Ski Madness Camp is back for its 18th year. The camp is specialized for those with a lower extremity disability that use a mono-ski. The goal of the camp is to help those who are skiing at a beginner level to become independent skiers. Spots are already filled up as…

Bob Tavani House Receives Grant to Expand Services

DULUTH, Minn. – An organization that helps homeless people recovering from acute medical conditions in the Twin Ports is planning on how it can sustain and expand its services in the future. Bob Tavani House, located next to First Covenant Church in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, has been around since 2018.  They converted the church’s old parsonage into a space where…

Mayor Larson Changes Tune, Will Light Lift Bridge Through Sunday in Support of Ukraine

DULUTH, Minn. – Yesterday, Mayor Larson doubled down on her decision to not light the iconic Aerial Lift Bridge in support of Ukraine. Today, she seems to have had a change of heart. On Tuesday morning, Mayor Larson released yet another statement on lighting Duluth landmarks. The full statement reads: Good Morning, Sometimes you make a decision based on important…

Douglas County Courthouse Shines For Ukraine; Duluth Mayor Doubles Down, Won’t Light Lift Bridge

DULUTH-SUPERIOR — Support for Ukraine shined blue and yellow Monday night outside the Douglas County Courthouse in Superior following other city, county and state buildings glowing for Ukraine in recent days across the country, but not necessarily in the Northland. Douglas County Courthouse lights up for Ukraine Monday evening. One of those examples is Duluth’s most iconic structure, the Aerial…

Veteran Community Upset Over Increasing Fees For Duluth Memorial Day Parade

DULUTH, Minn. — Some veterans and community members are concerned that they are losing some city funding for the annual Memorial Day parade. Organizers say the city of Duluth used to cover the costs of the Memorial Day parade for free. Then from 2008 on, there was a “gentleman’s agreement” that the vets would pay $400 for it every year….

How Superior-Grown Produce Is Teaching Job Skills To Adults With Disabilities

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Next time you’re in the grocery store, check out the produce section and see if you spot some vegetables with the “Bay Produce” stickers on them. It turns out, there’s a whole mission behind those vegetables that is helping adults with disabilities learn job skills. Bay Produce in Superior is part of the Challenge Center, which supports…

Brule’s Morgan Martens Takes Third Place at 2022 Junior Iditarod

The 15-year-old won it all last year and was able to finish third this year with only eight dogs.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Brule, Wisconsin native Morgan Martens finished third in the 2022 Junior Iditarod. The 15-year-old won it all last year and was able to finish third this year with only eight dogs. Martens was five minutes behind the top two mushers, who finished just six seconds apart from each other. The full Iditarod is scheduled to begin this…

Vision Northland Project Reaches New Milestone

DULUTH, Minn. – The Vision Northland Project reached a new milestone this week, bringing it one step closer to completion. In a Monday press release, Essentia Health officials announced the new hospital tower and attached clinic are now fully enclosed from outside elements. “This brings us one step closer to being able to bring our state-of-the-art equipment into the building,…

Mayor Not Lighting Duluth Lift Bridge For Ukraine Adds To List Of Other Rejections

Mayor Emily Larson stopped taking community requests to light the Lift Bridge colors for causes after installing a $150,000 LED colored lighting system on bridge.

DULUTH, Minn. — From London to Milwaukee, to Minneapolis — structures are being lit blue and yellow in support of Ukraine.  But in Duluth, its most iconic structure, the Aerial Lift Bridge, is not.  Mayor Emily Larson is instead sticking with the usual lighting of the less-visible Enger Tower, which went blue and yellow over the weekend after community requests…

Salvation Army Among Those In Need Through March FoodShare Campaign

DULUTH, Minn. – Starting Monday, the Minnesota FoodShare March Campaign begins for food shelves across Minnesota. And for the Salvation Army in Duluth, the donations couldn’t come any sooner. Through April 10, people are urged to donate non-perishable food and even cash so they can buy more food at a lower price from area food banks. The Salvation Army says…

AFSCME Union Workers Rally at Duluth City Hall Amid Contract Negotiations

They say they want a fair and equitable contract agreement and for the city to drop what they call harmful healthcare proposals that would increase costs for workers.

DULUTH, Minn.- Union workers from Duluth’s AFSCME local 66 gathered on at City Hall Saturday to rally for a fair contract agreement with the city. About 300 street maintenance, librarians, and other city workers gathered to call on the administration to remember how AFSCME, they said, experienced 50 layoffs, wage freezes, and agreed to take 18 unpaid days off during…

Townsquare Media Wraps Up St. Jude’s Radiothon

DULUTH, Minn.- Friday marked the end of Townsquare Media’s annual St. Jude Radiothon. The event ended at 6 p.m. five stations at Townsquare Media Duluth stream the Radiothon to raise money to help kids battling cancer and other diseases. The research and treatments the money funds benefit kids around the country including here in the Northland. “This does affect everybody…

MnDOT Lights I-35W Bridge Blue, Yellow in Support of People of Ukraine

According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation's Twitter, it'll stay those colors through the weekend in support of the people of Ukraine.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.- The I-35 W Bridge in Minneapolis glowed blue and yellow Friday night. According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Twitter, it’ll stay those colors through the weekend in support of the people of Ukraine. MN-DOT added: “We stand united with Ukrainians here in Minnesota and around the world.” Here in Duluth Mayor Emily Larson says she does not…

Walz to Stop in Duluth Friday as Part of Statewide Public Safety Tour

(Elizabeth Flores/Star Tribune via AP) DULUTH, Minn. – Today, investments in public safety will be front and center at Duluth City Hall with Gov. Tim Walz. According to the governor’s office, Walz is holding a roundtable discussion this afternoon with Mayor Emily Larson, Police Chief Mike Tusken, and other city leaders as part of his statewide public safety tour. This…

Some Duluth Residents Frustrated By Snow Banks From Plows, Alleys Cleared Later

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Mayor Emily Larson previously ended the option for Duluth residents to make special requests for snow plowing, but some residents are still feeling frustrated by the change. Larson said she felt it was time to streamline the snowplowing process so crews could get the job done more efficiently, as the list of special requests became too…

Northland Residents with Ukraine Connections React to Russia Invasion

DULUTH, Minn. – The events in Ukraine since late Wednesday evening have people who have connections to the country concerned about its future, and the current health and safety of people they know and love. “(Wednesday) night it was horrible,” says Liliya Kacharova, a lab chemistry professor at the College of St. Scholastica and chemistry teacher at Lake Superior College,…

Spirit Mountain Running “Spirit Hearts Duluth Days”

DULUTH, Minn. – Spirit Mountain is saying thank you to Duluth by offering special discounts for city residents. On Thursday, February 24, and Sunday, February 27, they are offering five-dollar rates for lift tickets, Nordic passes, rentals, as well as free ski and board beginner lessons.  This evening also features a special for glow tubing. This is the second year Spirit…

Midday Update 2-24-22

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, February 24, 2022

Join FOX 21’s Natalie Noury and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, February 24, 2022. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Ken Slama, midday update, Natalie Noury, News, weather

Morning Update 2-24-22

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, February 24, 2022

Join FOX 21’s Natalie Noury and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, February 24, 2022. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, Natalie Noury, News, weather

CSS Ready for Musical Theater Return

DULUTH, Minn. – Musical theater returns at The College of Saint Scholastica as they open their production of “Little Shops of Horrors” Thursday, February 24. The college did return to theater productions last fall with “The Frogs, A Modern Adaptation”, but this is the first production with songs since the COVID pandemic began nearly two years ago.  Nearly 50 students, staff,…

Safe Haven Partners with Women’s Expo, Asking For Donations

DULUTH, Minn. — This weekend’s Women’s Expo at The DECC will not only be a time for shopping, exhibits and demonstrations, it’s also a place to help women facing domestic violence. The Women’s Expo once again partnered with the ‘Safe Haven Shelter’ to collect donations at various sites over the past few weeks and this Saturday during the expo. Items…

Duluth Children’s Museum Prep for Busy Week

DULUTH, Minn. – The combination of winter break for Duluth Public Schools and the recent snow and cold is making for a busy week for indoor activities across the Twin Ports. The Duluth Children’s Museum says they are ready to handle the higher number of kids and parents looking to do something outside the home. “If last weekend was any indicator,”…

Remember to Clear Sidewalks of Snow

DULUTH, Minn. – As the latest winter storm moves out of the Northland, it’s time to follow the city’s sidewalk snow removal ordinance. Property owners who have sidewalk along their property are required to remove all snow and ice from it within 24 hours after a snow event ends.  The department works with the National Weather Service to determine when…

Duluth Officials: Adjustments Made for Latest Snow Emergency

DULUTH, Minn.- City of Duluth officials say they are ready for their second snow emergency, which will run from 9 p.m. Tuesday, February 22, through 6 p.m. Wednesday, February 23. This declaration means there will be no parking allowed on the roughly 120 miles of city streets that have been designated snow emergency routes.  A map of those streets can be…

City Facilities to Reopen Wednesday

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth will reopen City facilities tomorrow, February 23, that had been closed to the public due to inclement weather. City Hall, the three Duluth Public Library branches, and the CareerForce (Workforce Development) Center will be open for regular operating hours. The City says it would like to thank the public’s understanding in keeping City…

Mayor Emily Larson to Make Afternoon ‘Snow Announcement’

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Mayor Emily Larson, Public Works, and Utilities Interim Director Greg Guerrero, and other staff will hold a virtual media briefing this afternoon to make a snow announcement. The virtual press conference will be held at 1:30 p.m. You can watch this press conference live on our Fox 21 Facebook page by clicking here. Categories: Community, Minnesota,…

Trapp Family of Esko Breaks Guinness World Record for World’s Tallest

Last week, Guinness World Records confirmed the Trapps were the tallest family in the world with an average height of 6 feet 6 inches.

UPDATE: Check out Guinness World Records’ video on the Trapp family from April here. From left to right: Adam. Savannah, Scott, Molly, and Krissy ESKO, Minn.- A family in Esko is reaching new heights, thanks to their height. Meet the Trapp family —  Scott, Krissy, Savanna, Molly, and the youngest and only son, Adam. “He likes to tease us that…

Blacklist Introduces “Bar Down” Pale Ale to Benefit 218 Hockey

DULUTH, Minn. — A partnership between 218 Hockey and Blacklist Brewery is finding ways to keep more kids on the ice. 218 Hockey is a brand that fundraises and provides support to all local youth hockey organizations. Blacklist has once again created a unique brew to help raise funds for them called the “Bar Down Pale Ale” where a portion…