Features

Northern Star: Kade Gonsorowski

Gonsorowski is the only senior on the Esko baseball team this season.

ESKO, Minn.- Going into his final season at Esko. Kade Gonsorowski is playing for a reason that’s bigger than baseball. “I grew up playing with my best buds and throughout the years I played with Jackson Pfister, we grew up playing baseball together and he always had dreams to play at the next level,” says Gonsorowski, “I feel like, I…

Coffee Convo: Foster Advocacy Nonprofit ‘New Hope For Families’ To Host Community Carnival

DULUTH, Minn. — New Hope For Families is getting ready to host a Community Carnival Saturday, May 21, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at its Duluth facility to show off all they offer to help support parents and children in the community, while increasing the number of foster families in the Northland. For more on the Community Carnival event…

Coffee Conversation: Duluth Flame To Host Kid-Friendly Drag Show Sunday

DULUTH, Minn. — Drag Queen Mama Dukes joined FOX 21’s Dan Hanger on the morning show Friday to talk about the Duluth Flame’s upcoming kid-friendly drag show this Sunday, May 15 from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m.   It’s called Mama’s Toybox. The drag show is a dry event and free for kids.   For more on the morning show chat, watch…

Coffee Conversation: New Wine Theater Group’s Production Of ‘Bright Star’

CLOQUET, Minn. – Members of New Wine, a Christian theater group at Zion Lutheran Church in Cloquet, stopped by the FOX 21 morning show to talk with Dan Hanger about their production of “Bright Star,” which runs from May 11-15th at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12 and include dessert and beverages during intermission. Tickets can be purchased at: newwine.ludus.com. Click…

Coffee Conversation: ‘Art In The Alley’ Celebrates 14 Years Of Artwork, Clothing, Jewelry

DULUTH, Minn. — The owner of Art in the Alley, Tami LaPole Edmunds, stopped by FOX 21’s morning show Thursday to talk to Dan Hanger about the ups and downs of being in business for 14 years and how the business has evolved into its current space in the Miller Hill Mall.  Check out the conversation below and click here…

American Heart Association Talks Heart Health Awareness

DULUTH, Minn. — The American Heart Association hosted its Go Red For Women luncheon event at the DECC Wednesday to raise awareness about heart disease, which is the No. 1 killer in women and men in the United States. Click the video above to learn more about your hearth health, and check out the American Heart Association’s website for all…

Coffee Conversation: Saginaw Woman Discovers Hidden Talent To Draw

SAGINAW, Minn. – Imagine having a talent you never knew you were capable of until your adult years in life. That’s exactly what happened to Barb Fremling who two years ago discovered she is a talented artist who can draw amazing portraits of dogs, cats and horses. Click the video above to hear Barb’s story! And if you’re interested in…

Coffee Conversation: North Shore Scenic Railroad Revs Up For Season

DULUTH, Minn. — The North Shore Scenic Railroad is revving up for the season, especially National Train Day this Saturday, May 14.  Click the videos below for a conversation with NSSR Station Master Josh Miller and Executive Director Ken Buehler.  And for everything trains, visit duluthtrains.com. Part 1: Part 2: Categories: Coffee Conversation, Community, Entertainment, Minnesota, News, News – Latest…

Northern Star: Blake Imhoff

Imhoff hopes to continue his baseball career at the next level.

  PROCTOR, Minn.- This season Blake Imhoff has proven just why he sits at the lead-off spot in the Rails’ lineup. The junior outfielder is getting on base in more than half his at bats to go along with nine stolen bases. “Part of my game is speed. And so I like to use it and try and do what…

Coffee Conversation: Oasis Del Norte To Expand To Restaurant In Duluth’s Lincoln Park

DULUTH, Minn. – The owner of Oasis Del Norte, Eduardo Sandoval-Luna, talked to FOX 21’s Dan Hanger about the success of his food trailer and his plans to expand the brand into a restaurant in the Lincoln Park Craft District. Click the video above for that conversation, and click here to find out where Oasis Del Norte will have its…

Coffee Conversation: Barbara Reyelts Talks New Book, Journalism, Retirement

DULUTH, Minn. — Barbara Reyelts, who retired from broadcasting three years ago after spending nearly 40 years as an anchor, investigative reporter and news director at KBJR-TV, stopped by FOX 21’s morning show Friday to talk to Dan Hanger about her new book, “Dying To Live.” The book is about an elderly medical scientist who awakes in a hospital to…

Coffee Conversation: Spiritual Coach Monique Forcier

DULUTH, Minn. — Spiritual Coach Monique Forcier stopped by the morning show Thursday to talk to FOX 21’s Dan Hanger about different ways to help people heal and become more mindful and awake in their lives. Click the video above for that conversation, and click here to view Monique’s website of services. Categories: Business, Coffee Conversation, Education, Health, Minnesota, News,…

Coffee Conversation: Ventriloquist Jeremy Lepak

DULUTH, Minn. – Ventriloquist Jeremy Lepak joined FOX 21’s Dan Hanger during the 7 a.m. hour of the morning show Thursday to talk about his 15 years of perfecting his craft. Click the video above for that fun conversation, and check out Jeremy’s website for booking opportunities. Categories: Business, Coffee Conversation, Entertainment, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News

Local Photographer Highlighting the Northland and Beyond

Joe Polecheck is a passionate and local photographer who uses a combination of DSLR's and drones to capture the many scenes of the Northland and beyond.

SUPERIOR, Wis. — The Northland offers so much beautiful scenery for photographers to take advantage of, and one local artist is showing us the view through his lens and how a local business is helping showcase it. Joe Polecheck is a passionate and local photographer who uses a combination of DSLR’s and drones to capture the many scenes of the…

Coffee Conversation: Tickets Available For North Country Ride’s Derby Gala Saturday

The non-profit in Esko helps people with special needs live their best lives through interactions with horses.

DULUTH, Minn. – North Country Ride’s Derby Gala is happening this Saturday, May 7, at the Buffalo House Junction, and one of the non-profit’s board members joined Dan Hanger, who is emceeing the gala, on the morning show to talk about what to expect.  Click the video above for that conversation. For ticket information for the Derby Gala, click here….

Filmmaking in the Northland: Lost 40 Studios Wraps Up Production of Canusa Street

CHISHOLM, Minn. – “It has been an incredible process. Filmmaking should not be this smooth, I have kept waiting, when is the second shoe gonna drop, when is some like chaos moment going to happen. But, it’s been an incredible shooting experience,” Canusa Street Writer and Director, Zack Morrison says. Canusa Street is a half hour TV comedy pilot about…

Live Interview: Duluth East Theatre Students Talk Production Of ‘Harvey’

Performances run May 4-6 at 7 p.m.

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth East High School theatre students joined FOX 21’s Dan Hanger during the 7 a.m. hour Monday to talk about their upcoming performances of “Harvey,” which is a play that was made into a 1950 American comedy drama movie starring James Stuart. Performances are May 4-6 at 7 p.m. at the high school — 301 N. 40th…

Northern Star: Jordyn Thomas

Thomas is a 5th year senior, a captain and VP of the Green Bandana Project.

DULUTH, Minn.– Jordyn Thomas is a superstar on the softball field, holding the all-time home run record at UMD. But, when Covid struck in 2020, ending her season along with athletes across the country, Thomas was granted a fifth year of eligibility. “I kind of just made the decision that you only get so many years of playing the sport…

Twin Ports Dermatology Talks Annual Skin Checks, Protection, Cancer Treatment

DULUTH, Minn. — Melanoma Awareness Month starts May 1, and health experts are taking extra steps to inform people about their skin health. FOX 21’s Dan Hanger talked to Heather Smith, owner of Twin Ports Dermatology, which has been serving the Duluth area for more than seven years now. Smith talks about the importance of annual skin checks, the proper…

Live Interview: Author Talks ‘The Sower,’ Independent Bookstore Day At Fitger’s

DULUTH, Minn. — FOX 21’s  Dan Hanger sat down with Rob Jung, author of “The Sower,” during the 7 a.m. hour of the morning show to talk about his book signing at The Bookstore at Fitger’s Saturday afternoon to celebrate Independent Bookstore Day.   For more on that conversation, watch the video above.  And see a press release below about the…

Live Interview: Nearly 15 Years Of Rubber Chicken Theater

DULUTH, Minn. — Rubber Chicken Theater in Duluth has been around since 2008, and the team of talent behind the sketches, live reads and plays is showing no signs of slowing down. Click the video above for a conversation with Rubber Chicken Theater’s executive producer, Brian Matuszak, who joined Dan Hanger on the morning show Thursday during the 8 a.m….

One-On-One: Duluth Pack CEO Talks 140 Years Of USA-Made Company

DULUTH,  Minn. — Homegrown Duluth Pack is the oldest canvas and leather bag/pack maker in the USA, and the company is celebrating its 140th anniversary with a limited edition Legacy Pack. FOX 21’s Dan Hanger recently chatted with Duluth Pack CEO Tom Sega about the new product and the company’s long success. Click on the video for that conversation and…

Live Interview: New Incentives Offered To Recruit, Retain Duluth Police Officers

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Police Lt. Steve Ring, who has been on the department for more than 20 years, stopped by FOX 21 during the 7 a.m. hour to talk to Dan Hanger about new incentives being offered to recruit and retain Duluth police officers.   Click the video above for more on that conversation, and see below for a press…

Hoops Brewing Owner Dave Hoops Talks Beer Industry, Community, His Legacy

DULUTH, Minn. – Dave Hoops, owner of Hoops Brewing in Canal Park, is one of a select group chosen to judge the World Beer Cup in Minneapolis next month. In the meantime, Hoops talked to FOX 21’s Dan Hanger about the beer industry, community and his legacy.  Click the video above for the conversation. Categories: Business, Coffee Conversation, Community, Entertainment,…

Hoops Brewing Owner Dave Hoops Tapped To Judge World Beer Cup

DULUTH, Minn. – Veteran Duluth brewer Dave Hoops, who owns Hoops Brewing Company in Canal Park, is getting his palate ready as one of only 200 people chosen from around the world to judge the World Beer Cup in Minneapolis next month. It’s the most prestigious beer competition in the world. FOX 21’s Dan Hanger caught up with Dave to…

Northern Star: Jack Perala

Jack Perala stays busy playing baseball, studying to become a bio-chemistry professor and practicing the tuba for his next concert.

DULUTH, Minn.– Jack Perala is not your typical college student. In fact, one might wonder just how he gets anything done. A junior captain on the baseball team, a bio-chemistry major and a member of the CSS band. While Perala brings a big arm to the Saints pitching staff, “I really enjoyed playing tee ball from the beginning, around the…

Live Interview: WLSSD Talks Recycling, Reducing, Reusing On Earth Day

DULUTH, Minn. – AJ Axtell, environmental program coordinator at the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD), stopped by the 8 a.m. hour of FOX 21’s morning show to talk about ways to be better to the planet.  Click the video for Axtell’s chat with Dan Hanger and Ken Slama, and see some information below. “Earth Day is an opportunity to…

Live Interview: Locally Produced Horror Flick ‘Beyond The North Woods’ To Debut At ‘North X North Fest’

DULUTH, Minn. – Local actors, editors and camera operators joined FOX 21’s Dan Hanger during the 8 a.m. hour of the morning show Tuesday to talk about their new horror film called “Beyond the North Woods.” The film was shot mostly in Duluth’s Lester Park and at the Androy Hotel in Superior.  It’s described as “raw, unedited footage recovered from…

Live Interview: ‘Tuesdays with Morrie’ At Fitger’s Theatre, Boat Club’s Stand Up Comedy

DULUTH,  Minn. – Boat Club Productions is getting ready to debut “Tuesdays with Morrie” this Friday at the Spirit of the North Theatre at Fitger’s. Jason Vincent, owner of the Boat Club Restaurant and Productions, is producing the show and joined FOX 21’s Dan Hanger during the 7 a.m. hour of the morning show Tuesday to talk about what people…

Poplar Pilot Developing ‘Skypak’ to Take Off as Personal Propeller-Driven Jetpack

With six propellers strapped to his back, Daniel Gant hopes his invention can soon help with repairs, construction and more manned-flight operations.

POPLAR, Wis.- Aviation has come a long way from the Wright Brothers’ first successful airplane flight in 1903. Now a pilot in Poplar Wisconsin is hoping his personal flying machine can take off, to eventually help with high-altitude repairs, construction, and more. “I’m standing on the shoulders of giants and they have, there’ve been people that have done a lot…

KYN: Northwood Tech Takes Gold and Silver in Carpentry Competition

RICE LAKE, Wis. – “I think anybody right now knows that there is a shortage of people in the trades and an apprenticeship is a great way to get that kind of training in accomplished workforce development,” said President of Northwood Technical College, John Will. Northwood Technical College in Rice Lake, Wisconsin had two of their apprentices through the ABC…

Northern Star: Jake Kidd

For this weeks Northern Star, we hear from one of the newest additions to the Duluth FC soccer team.

SUPERIOR, Wisc.– Superior’s Jake Kidd is a few weeks away from graduating from Superior high school. Kidd wrapped up his soccer career, last fall as one of the all-time leading scorers, not only for the Spartans, but also in the state. Kidd became one of only 13 players in Wisconsin boys soccer history to score over 100 career goals. Kidd…

Live Interview: ‘Tuffy’ Needs Forever Home After Found Starving To Death

CLOQUET, Minn. – A Cloquet woman, who is also a veterinarian technician at the Duluth Veterinary Hospital, is looking to find a forever home for a stray dog that was found severely malnourished about nine weeks ago. Before and after care Jodi Carlson has been working to build up Tuffy’s strength for the past seven weeks. Talking to Dan Hanger…

Carrot Cake Desserts for Easter with The Sweet Exchange

Easter is around the corner and what better way to attract the Easter Bunny than with some Carrot Cake.  Lisa Quarles with The Sweet Exchange helps Meteorologist Ken Slama decorate cupcakes in the spirit of Easter in this week’s Cooking Connection. For orders and inquiries, Lisa can be reached at (218) 310-2412 or by email at SweetExchangeMN@gmail.com. Categories: Community, Cooking…

In-Person Feedback Sessions for Parks and Rec Return to City Hall

DULUTH, Minn. — If you enjoy using the parks and trail systems throughout Duluth, and maybe have a couple of ideas on what you would like to see improved, Duluth Parks and Rec is holding in person feedback sessions this week to hear your thoughts. Wednesday was the first of three community workshops to share feedback on Duluth parks and…

Live Interview: UMD Theatre Starts Performing ‘Pippin’ April 14

DULUTH, Minn. – UMD Theatre is getting ready to hit the stage starting April 14 to perform in “Pippin” the musical. The character Pippin is said to be determined to be extraordinary. But will the price be too high? The 1970s musical is all about Pippin exploring what makes a meaningful life. FOX 21’s Dan Hanger talked to the show’s…

Essentia Health: What Is A Child Life Specialist?

DULUTH, Minn. – JoHanna Orman joined FOX 21’s Dan Hanger during the 8 a.m. hour of the morning show to talk about Essentia Health’s Child Life Specialists and what they do for kids and youth facing uneasy doctor visits, treatments and procedures.   For more on the specialists, click here. Categories: Coffee Conversation, Education, Health, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News

Northern Star: Hanna Hovland

For this week's segment, we feature a Duluth Denfeld softball player who went through 15 weeks of physical therapy after breaking her femur just to play her senior season.

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Denfeld’s Hanna Hovland was looking forward to her senior softball season. That was until the day after this past Christmas, when Hovland broke her femur in a skiing accident. “It was devastating like Hanna was going to be our starting shortstop. Didn’t even know if she’d be able to come back so it’s just been a…

Coffee Conversation: AAD Shrine Circus Returns to Amsoil for 100th Year of Thrills, Smiles

DULUTH, Minn.- Pepper the Clown is one of many excited for the AAD Shrine Circus to return to Amsoil Arena this Saturday after missing the last couple of years due to COVID. The circus is the single largest-running event in Duluth history. Tickets are greatly discounted if patrons go to Super One Foods and get them for this weekend. There…

Northern Star: Tayler and Kaela Kraemer

For this week's segment, we feature a pair of UW-Superior sisters who are stepping up to the plate for their softball team.

SUPERIOR, Wis. — It’s great to have a sibling, and the best part is that when you need them, they always step up to the plate. The same can be said for a pair of UWS softball players, making strides on their team. “It’s amazing, I can’t think of anything better,” Tayler Kraemer, a Sophomore Pitcher said. UWS softball players…

Coffee Conversation: Fur-Tastic K9s at Arrowhead Home and Builders Show at the DECC

In this week’s Coffee Conversation, some cute dogs teach us some new tricks! The Fur-Tastic K9s stop by to preview their time at the Arrowhead Home and Builders Show at the DECC this week. The show runs March 30-April 3, tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for ages 6-17, and FREE for Ages 5 & Under. Categories: Coffee Conversation, Entertainment, Minnesota,…

Knowing Your Neighbors: Heide’s Mastectomy Store in Duluth

Heide's specializes in post-mastectomy care and compression garments for men and women with vascular and lymphatic disorders.

DULUTH, Minn.- Getting fitted for medical garments post-surgery or procedure can feel like a dry expressionless experience. But the folks at Heide’s Mastectomy Store in Duluth are hoping to change that. “So it feels almost like a boutique but we bill insurance for the products,” said Nicole Wrazidlo, a mastectomy fitter and Lymphedema master fitter. The mastectomy and compression store…

Northern Star: The Asumas

For this week's segment, we feature three family members on the Cherry basketball team who are already making a huge impact on the Tigers.

IRON, Minn. – Brothers Isaac and Noah and their cousin Isaiah Asuma have been playing basketball together since they could remember. “Not a lot of people get to do this. We’ve been playing with each other since like kindergarten or pre school. We go to workout in Duluth against each other so it’s really fun and they push me a…

Northern Star: Callie Hoff

For this week's segment, we feature a UW-River Falls Women's Hockey Player who was just named D3 Player of the Year

RIVER FALLS, Wis. — The old Proctor hockey rink was a place that turned out many state tournament teams, but also produced a lot of notable talent, thanks to one alum that has dominated the D3 hockey scene. “Now being the player of the year it’s just, a feeling, it’s hard to put into words,” Callie Hoff, Senior at UW-River…

Saint Fennessey 4k Returns To Normal Operation

A record 728 runners took off Saturday morning for the first Grandma’s race of 2022.

DULUTH/HERMANTOWN, Minn. — On a beautiful blue sky day, came a sea of green as a record number of racers came out for the annual Fennessey 4k “We are thrilled that we can be back here it’s been a long couple years for everybody,” Zach Schneider, Marketing and PR Director For Grandmas Marathon said. A record 728 runners took off…