Features

Spirit Mountain Offers Kids’ Camps and Cyber Monday Deals

DULUTH, Minn. – Winter is almost here and a local ski hill is ready to take on winter sports. Spirit Mountain offers winter kids programs for all ages and skill levels. There are varying winter kids’ programs from ages 4-12. There are Learn to Ski and Ride packages for ages 13 and up, as well as lessons starting at age…

State Parks Offer Free Admission for Free Park Friday

DULUTH, Minn. – Black Friday deals aren’t just taking place inside shopping malls and storefronts today. State Parks across the country are offering free admission for Free Park Friday. Some are even hosting programs. Tettegouche State Park is teaching Primitive Fire Starting from noon until 2:00 p.m. For more information head to www.dnr.mn.us. Categories: Community, Entertainment, Environment, Features, Health, Links,…

Preparing Side Dishes for Thanksgiving Dinner

Cooking Connection: Thanksgiving Sides with Texas Roadhouse

DULUTH, Minn. – Many Northlanders may have their turkey prepared, but what about the side dishes? For this week’s Cooking Connection we got some tips from Texas Roadhouse on making the best green beans, gravy and sweet potatoes possible. GREEN BEANS: Chop apple smoked bacon and cook in pan Add onions Add bases: water, dry seasonings Add sugar, salt, and…

Animal Blood Donors Needed in the Northland

Dogs and Cats Can Be Tested to See if They're Eligable to Donate

DULUTH, Minn. – According to the American Red Cross, every two seconds someone in the United States is in need of donated blood. Experts say it’s why blood drives are so critical in every community across the Northland. But have you ever thought about your animals when it comes to donating? Every year thousands of humans do good by donating…

Great Outdoors: Dog Parks

A New Dog Park Opened Tuesday in Gary-New Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – There’s a new dog park at the Gary-New Duluth Community Center. There are now four dog parks across Duluth. “Not everybody wants to walk five miles, not everybody wants to walk around the block, but they love coming to the dog park and hanging out and meeting other people and then watching the dogs’ interaction, it’s a…

Former Students Remember Happy Times at Morgan Park School

Northland Uncovered: Morgan Park School

DULUTH, Minn. – A school standing in Duluth for over 100 years is being torn down to make room for new apartments. A fence and no trespassing signs now surround the old Morgan Park School. These images representing a much different message than the one former students remember. “It was like a big, happy community,” said 1980 graduate Mike Letica….

Christmas City Express Ranked One of 10 Best Christmas Trains in America

Annual Train Ride Begins Friday

DULUTH, Minn. – A holiday season staple in the Northland is now chugging down the tracks with a big title. Web portal MSN has named the Christmas City Express of the North Shore Scenic Railroad one of the 10 best Christmas train rides in America. The ride received this honor due to a combination of the train ride and the…

FOX 21 Exclusive: Jim Carlson Breaks Silence From Prison

After more than four years in prison, former Last Place on Earth owner Jim Carlson speaks to FOX 21 in his first television interview.

DULUTH, Minn. – In a FOX 21 exclusive, former Last Place on Earth owner Jim Carlson breaks his silence to FOX 21’s Dan Hanger. It’s his first television interview since he went to prison four years ago and since he got his lengthy sentence a year after that. In part one, we talk about Carlson’s life behind bars, if he…

Marshall Hockey is a Family Affair with the Staubers

Levi and Willy Stauber are both seniors this year at Marshall.

DULUTH, Minn.- Levi and Willy Stauber couldn’t be more different but a couple things they have in common are their name and their work ethic. “I remember like it was yesterday when they first started in ninth grade with us and we could tell right away these Staubers were hockey players. You know what you’re going to get when you…

Local Farmers Prepare for Holiday Decor Sales

DULUTH, Minn. – With Thanksgiving just next week, many Northlanders are close to purchasing their fresh Christmas tree. Derek Hoffbauer, Owner of the Duluth Flower Farm, says they have been busy preparing for the holiday season. Already they’ve received several orders online for wreaths, garland and more. Their products can be picked up in person at Dan’s Feed Bin in…

Working Out with Kettlebells

Active Adventures: Duluth YMCA

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth YMCA in downtown offers several options for exercise. They have offerings from group classes, rock climbing, racquetball, to swimming lessons, pickleball, basketball, and much more. For this week’s Active Adventures, FOX 21’s William Seay learned how to work with kettlebells. Alisha Bradley, Director of Healthy Living for the YMCA, says it’s a strength training device…

Creating Chicken Saltimbocca

Cooking Connection: JJ Astor

DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth restaurant is cooking up a new menu. JJ Astor has hired a new Food and Beverage Director, Bob Boyd, who is working on spicing up the menu. For this week’s Cooking Connection, Boyd showed FOX 21’s William Seay how to create Chicken Saltimbocca. CHICKEN SALTIMBOCCA: Place chicken breast skin side down on plastic wrap Place…

Special Report: Finding Pet Friendly Housing in the Northland

Landlords and Pet Owners Open Up Regarding Pet Friendly Rules and Regulations When it Comes to Renting in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – According to the American Pet Products Association, nearly 85 million families in the United States own a pet. As more and more people are purchasing animals, many are also deeming it difficult to find their family a forever home. Every year, thousands are descending on Duluth; human beings constantly on the move in today’s ever changing world….

Shelters Team Up For Annual “Love A Pet” Adoption Event

The Adoption Event is Happening Saturday, November 18 and Sunday, November 19

DULUTH, Minn. – Northlanders have the chance to “Love a Pet” this weekend at Miller Hill Subaru. Happening Saturday, November 18 from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, November 19 from 11:00 a.m. until 3 p.m., three local shelters will come together for the Northland’s biggest adoption event of the year. Star of the North Shelter in Grand Rapids,…

Gingerbread City Offers Nordic Experience for Northlanders

6th Annual Pepperkakebyen Gingerbread City

DULUTH, Minn. – This weekend the holiday spirit will be in full swing at the Nordic Center in Duluth. The 6th Annual Pepperkakebyen Gingerbread City opens to the public on Saturday, November 18. A gingerbread village will fill the Nordic Center and there will also be a chance for families to make some traditional Nordic-Minnesota crafts. The event is free,…

Great Outdoors: Wisconsin Firearm Deer Season Opening Saturday

WISCONSIN – Rifle deer hunting season opens this Saturday and hunters across the state are gearing up. “I love being outdoors,” said Dale Kuhlman of Custom Archery and Outdoors in Superior. “I love being in the woods. Scenery, sounds, smells, and when you see animals, it’s just that much more of a bonus.” Deer season is huge in Wisconsin. “Everybody…

Christmas by the Lake XI to be Released Wednesday

Local and Homegrown Musicians Create Christmas Music for Bluebird Foundation

DULUTH, Minn. – For months local and homegrown musicians have been working to produce a Christmas album that spreads cheer and supports aspiring artists. All of this work is for Christmas by the Lake Volume XI. The album features more than 200 musicians. The CD release party is being held on Wednesday, November 15 from 5-9 p.m. at Clyde Iron…

Knowing Your Neighbors: Hemlocks Leatherworks

DULUTH, Minn. – A business in Duluth’s Lincoln Park Craft District makes custom built shoes and other leather goods for people across the Northland. In this week’s Knowing Your Neighbors, we take you to Hemlocks Leatherworks. Candace Lacosse apprenticed with shoemakers, learning how to craft her own creations. “I love working with leather,” said Lacosse. “It’s very tactile and it’s…

Local Women’s Organization Making Community Impact for Nearly 100 Years

Northland Uncovered; Junior League of Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – An organization in Duluth has been giving back to the community for nearly 100 years. The Junior League of Duluth is celebrating 96 years in December. The national organization was actually founded in 1901, beginning a chapter in Duluth in 1921. It’s a women’s volunteer organization with more than 150,000 members. Their goal is to invest in…

Bentleyville Remains Nation’s Largest Free Lighting Display

Coffee Conversation: Bentleyville Tour of Lights

DULUTH, Minn. – With the holidays right around the corner, giant lighting displays are beginning to take over Bayfront Festival Park in Duluth. This is for Bentelyville Tour of Lights. Nearly four million lights fill the nation’s largest free walk through lighting display. Through the walk, there are stops for complimentary hot cocoa, cookies, popcorn and roasted marshmallows. Children will…

Wisconsin Muskies Bring Hockey Back to Spooner

Junior League Team Playing Inaugural Season in Front of Thousands of Fans

SPOONER, Wis. – A new junior hockey team is playing their first season on the ice in Spooner, and the Wisconsin Muskies have proven that hockey means a lot to Northern Wisconsin. After four long years without a team or an arena, hockey is back in Spooner, Wisconsin. It was once a hockey town with a youth program and a…

Santa and Mrs. Claus to Visit Miller Hill Mall

Tonight: Slumber Party with Santa

DULUTH, Minn. – Santa is coming to the Northland! It’s all to support little Northland boys and girls. This evening, Friday, November 10, is the 5th Annual Slumber Party with Santa. Santa Claus is coming to the Miller Hill Mall via the DTA Port Town Trolley at Door 6 at 6:45 p.m. Pre-registration begins in the Barnes & Noble court…

St. Luke’s Showcases Traveling Art Show

Art Can Be Seen On Third Floor

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Luke’s hospital is adding some new art to their hallways for a short period of time. The hospital is hosting the traveling, community focused art exhibit known as, to really see. The exhibit focuses on the display of creative medication use stories that users, artist, and participants want to express and share. “I would like this…

Gearing Up for Cold Weather

Active Adventures: Proper Dressing for Frigid Temperatures

DULUTH, Minn. – Below average temperatures have been keeping the Northland cold throughout the week. For this week’s Active Adventures, FOX 21’s William Seay got advice for dressing for the cold weather. Eve Graves told William how to dress if he’s interested in skiing, jogging, or doing some other active activity in frigid temperatures. Graves tells FOX 21, “there’s no…

Special Report: Early Education

State Funding Sends Thousands of Young Minnesotans to Preschool

MINNESOTA – More than 20,000 of  Minnesota’s 4-year-olds are heading to preschool this year because of state funding. This has been great news for some rural Northland areas. However, it is having an impact on area child care centers. As a result of the 2017 Legislative Session, Minnesota lawmakers are providing $50 million in new, one-time funding to 59 school…

Nearly 200 Craft Vendors to fill DECC this Weekend

Junior League of Duluth Holds Festival of Trees

DULUTH, Minn. – This weekend, the Junior League of Duluth is hoping Northlanders get in the holiday spirit because they’re hosting the region’s largest arts and crafts show. The Festival of Trees is being held on Saturday, November 11, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, November 12, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the DECC. At Festival…

Cooking Connection: Tortellini Aglio e Olio

Cooking with JJ Astor

DULUTH, Minn. – With one of the best views of the Twin Ports, JJ Astor is working to also produce the tastiest food. Newly hired Food and Beverage Director, Bob Boyd, was back in the kitchen with FOX 21. For this week’s Cooking Connection, Boyd showed FOX 21’s William Seay how to create Tortellini Aglio e Olio. TORTELLINI AGLIO E…

Mobile Wellness Clinic Offers At-Home Pet Care

For the Past Five Years, Dr. Michael Hargrove and His Team Have Looked to Provide Care to Animals at Home

DULUTH, Minn. – The North Shore Veterinary Hospital in Duluth is looking to bring wellness on wheels to your doorstep this winter. For the past five years, Dr. Michael Hargrove and his team of talented veterinarians have worked to offer at-home wellness to clients. Hargrove and his team often travel in the Duluth, Proctor and Hermantown areas to provide routine…

Duluth Depot Celebrates 125 Years

Free Tours to Celebrate Depot Milestone

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Depot has been standing in Duluth for 125 years. Wednesday evening, Depot officials are hoping residents help them celebrate that milestone. Now known as the St. Louis County Heritage & Arts Center, the center is home to eight non-profits. As part of the celebration, The Minnesota Ballet and Duluth Playhouse will be performing and the…

Duluth MakerSpace and Robotics Teams to Fill Barnes and Noble

Saturday: 3rd Annual Mini Maker Faire

DULUTH, Minn. – This weekend, local inventors will be taking over Barnes and Noble in Duluth for the 3rd Annual Mini Maker Faire. Duluth MakerSpace, Marshall Topper Bots, Hermantown Lego League Teams, UMD Rocketry Club, UMD Bulldog Racing Club, UMD R&D Diesel Club Esko Subzero Robotics team will all be at the event. Several stations will be set up throughout…

Historical Center to Honor Veterans, Host Field Trip Fair

Northland Uncovered: Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center

SUPERIOR, Wis. – In Wisconsin, folks at the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center are working hard to share the wealth of history they have through many different ways. The first is through a veterans event this week. In collaboration with WDSE, the center interviewed several Vietnam veterans from around the Northland to create a documentary. On Thursday, November 9,…

Knowing Your Neighbors: Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad

TREGO, Wis. – Have you ever been on a train? Taken a ride through the scenic north woods? This week, we give you a look inside the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad. Wisconsin Great Northern trains depart their depot in Trego five days a week all year long. “We have really found a market,” said Greg Vreeland, President and General Manager….

Minnesota-Made Gift Options for the Holiday Season

EDINA, Minn. – We’re entering the gift buying season and this year you can find those perfect presents in Minnesota. Shelly Loberg with Explore Edina stopped by FOX 21 to discuss some of the gifts made in the state. That includes products from Loll Designs which has expanded to the Twin Cities area. Loll Designs makes durable, outdoor furniture that…

Shuster Eyes Fourth Winter Olympics

Chisholm Native Hopes To Represent U.S.A.

Whether it’s the World Curling Championships, or the Winter Olympics its nothing new for John Shuster. The Chisholm native has now his sights set on yet another milestone, a 4th winter Olympic games, with a team that’s been training together for years. But Shuster didn’t start with the Olympics in mind, it started as a hobby that grew into a…

Sclavi’s Italian Restaurant Features Breaded Pork Chop as Special

Cooking Connection: Breaded Pork Chop, Butternut Squash Risotto, Tomato Salad

SUPERIOR, Wis. – For this week’s Cooking Connection FOX 21 was back in the kitchen with Sclavi’s Italian Restaurant and Bar. Owner Anthony Sclavi showed FOX 21 how to make a breaded pork chop with fresh rosemary, butternut squash risotto with gorgonzola, and a tomato salad. Sclavi’s is located at 1006 Tower Ave. in Superior, WI. They are open Wednesdays…

‘A Dozen Excuses Donuts and More’ Named A Top Doughnut Shop

Superior Store Ranked Seventh in Wisconsin's Top Shops

SUPERIOR, Wis. – A Dozen Excuses Donuts and More was recently named one of the best doughnut shops in the state. Best Things Wisconsin ranked the store seventh in their top ten doughnut shop list, but the Tower Avenue bakery makes a whole lot more than doughnuts. As the holiday season approaches, they’re offering special cookies and a traditional kringle….

St. Luke’s Honored with American Heart Association Awards

Hospital Has Received Awards Four Consecutive Years

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Luke’s Hospital was honored with awards from the American Heart Association recognizing their quality care for heart attack and stroke patients. The hospital held a presentation and luncheon today to thank the members of their cardiac team. “To recognize them and recognize their efforts and dedication to their craft and how good they are at it…

Duluth Junk Hunt Heads to DECC for Fall Sale

Semi-Annual Event Starts Friday

DULUTH, Minn. – If you’re one to search for a special find for your home, The Duluth Junk Hunt may be the place for you. The semi–annual Duluth Junk Hunt kicks off Friday. Vendors will fill the DECC’s Pioneer Hall Friday, November 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, November 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Vendors…

Tours Now Offered at Nopeming Sanatorium

Northland Uncovered: Going Inside Nopeming Sanatorium

DULUTH, Minn. – For years an abandoned tuberculosis sanatorium has been the interest of Northlanders, ghost hunters, and historians around the country. Nopeming Sanatorium sits almost empty in Duluth. “In 1908 they built the first building and then after that it filled so they built other buildings to accommodate more patients,” explained Tanya Graysmark, the Project Director at Nopeming. A…

Special Report: Investigating Lake Superior Mysteries

Is Lake Superior An Open Door for the Paranormal?

Lake Superior has taken the lives of roughly 10,000 people with fierce weather, and ever-changing conditions out on the water. There are said to be about 350 shipwrecks in her waters, but what’s very unsettling are the dozens of ships that disappeared without a trace and still are yet to be found. It’s said the lake never gives up her…

Christmas Lighting Challenge Begins this Week

Twin Ports Area Christmas Lighting Challenge Starts Wednesday

DULUTH, Minn. – It may be Halloween on Tuesday, but registration for the Twin Ports Area Christmas Lighting Challenge begins this week. Families and business owners are encouraged to decorate their buildings in Christmas lights and enter them in the competition. Once the establishments are entered, families can see the list online, tour the displays and vote for their favorites….

Duluth Paranormal Society Investigates What Can’t Be Explained

Over the Past Six Years, the Group Has Found Paranormal Evidence All Over the Northland

MOOSE LAKE, Minn. – A team of paranormal investigators took on a challenge this month braving the halls of a supposedly haunted school searching for ghosts. Have you ever experienced something you can’t explain? Strange noises in your basement? Lights that turn on and off by themselves? Well, the Duluth Paranormal Society investigates those strange situations and tries to find…

Sclavi’s Italian Restaurant & Bar Introduces New Menu Items

Cooking Connection: Braised Cauliflower

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Sclavi’s Italian Restaurant and Bar is has made a few menu tweaks, so FOX 21 worked in the kitchen with them in this week’s Cooking Connection. Owner Anthony Sclavi showed FOX 21 how to make braised cauliflower. This is a healthy and vegan dish. Sclavi’s is located at 1006 Tower Ave. in Superior, WI. They are open…

St. Croix Inn to Hold Diabetes Fundraiser

ATV Poker Ride for Research

SOLON SPRINGS, Wis. – This weekend the St. Croix Inn is hosting their 1st Annual Diabetes Fundraiser. All money raised from the event will go to diabetes research. There will be an ATV Poker ride on Saturday, October 28, 2017. At the end of the day riders are invited to meet in the “Diggers” lakeside lounge and enjoy music, food…

UMD Theatre Prepares to Present Comedic Play

Students to Perform "Noises Off"

DULUTH, Minn. – UMD Theatre’s next production starts up next week. “Noises Off” actors Amelia Barr and Sarah Dickson visited FOX 21 to talk about the plot. They tell us the story follows a theater company that continues to run into problems while trying to get a show complete. The show will be running November 2-4 and 8-11 at 7:30…