Features

Coffee Conversation: Hoyt Lakes Water Carnival Returns July 25-28

HOYT LAKES. Minn. — The 69th annual Hoyt Lakes Water Carnival will take place Thursday, July 25, through Sunday, July 28. Organizers Nikki Swanson and Cherie Grams, Queen Allie Lamppa, and Splash the new mascot joined Fox 21 on the morning newscast Wednesday ahead of the event. The 4-day festival will include softball, volleyball and bean bag tournaments, 5K race,…

Coffee Conversation: Father/Son Duo Visit Uganda for a Music Cultural Exchange

SUPERIOR, Wisconsin/UGANDA, East Africa. — Father-son duo travel to Uganda for four weeks of cultural exchange through music and dance experiences. University of Wisconsin-Superior Student Seth Gudmunsen and his father Shawn Gudmunsen, who is the architect of the project and a teacher himself, joined Fox 21 on the morning newscast Monday to share more about the Pamoja Project. More information…

Coffee Conversation: Duluth Community Service Centers Speak On Proposed Ordinance Plan

DULUTH, Minn. — Community service centers weigh-in on the recently proposed ordinance amendments to curb non-violent crimes in the City of Duluth. Damiano Center Executive Director Seth Currier and Union Gospel Mission Executive Director Katie Hagglund joined Fox 21 on the morning newscast Monday to talk more about the proposed ordinances. Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert and the Chiefs of Police…

Coffee Conversation: Duluth Playhouse Presents 9-5, The Musical at the NorShor Theatre

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Playhouse will close out its Main Stage production season with 9-5, The Musical running July 12 – 28 at the NorShor Theatre. Cast Members Haley Methner and Ole Dack joined Fox 21 on the morning newscast Tuesday to talk about the production, which is based on the classic movie and incorporates songs by the legendary Dolly Parton….

Coffee Conversation: Brantley Gilbert, Rafe Carlson & Elvie Shane at Bayfront Festival Park

DULUTH, Minn. — Country Artist Brantley Gilbert will perform at Bayfront Festival Park on Thursday, July 18, as part of his Off the Rails Tour. Local Musician Rafe Carlson is one of the opening acts. He joined Fox 21 on the morning newscast to talk more about the concert and his upcoming summer performances. He also played some tunes live…

Coffee Conversation: Annual Gordon Good Neighbor Days 2024

DULUTH, Minn. — Gordon goes big for its annual Gordon Good Neighbor Days on July 5, 6, & 7 of 2024. Gordon Good Neighbor Days Chair Erik Finstad and Committee Member Dave Hodek joined Fox 21 on the morning newscast Tuesday to talk about the festivities. Huge fireworks display, mud volleyball, 5k, duck races, pancake breakfast, classic car show, parade,…

Coffee Conversation: Second Annual Under The Big Top Concert in Ely Benefits Veterans

ELY, Minn. — The Spiritwood Foundation presents the second annual Under The Big Top Concert at Veterans On The Lake on Saturday, July 13 at 7:00 pm. Pat and Donna Surface from the Spiritwood Foundation joined Fox 21 on the morning newscast Monday to talk about the success of last year’s inaugural event and the hopes for year two. The…

Coffee Conversation: “Is This Magic?” Experimental Dance Solo at the NorShor Theatre

DULUTH, Minn. — Two Harbors Dance Artist Kayla Schiltgen will perform experimental dance solo “Is This Magic?” on Saturday, June 29 at The Lab at NorShor Theatre. Schiltgen joined FOX 21 live on the morning newscast Thursday ahead of the performance. “Is This Magic?” will have two showings at The Lab on Saturday, June 29 at 4:00pm & 7:00pm. Performances…

Coffee Conversation: One Roof Community Housing talks Homeownership

DULUTH, Minn. — June is National Homeownership Month, and with increased home prices and higher interest rates the U.S. housing market can be intimidating. Enter One Roof Community Housing. One Roof Senior Director of Community Land Trust Jim Philbin and Housing Services Manager Niki Kolodge joined FOX 21 on the morning newscast Tuesday with information about homeownership locally. The two…

Coffee Conversation: Local Band to Release New Music Video Filmed at Duluth Armory

DULUTH, Minn. — Local band Indecent Proposal will release a music video for their new song “Albright” on Tuesday, June 25, filmed in the Historic Duluth Armory on London Road. The band joined FOX 21 on the morning newscast Monday to talk about the production. The crew also played a sneak peak of original song “Glow” that has yet to…

Coffee Conversation: What Runners Should Know Ahead of Grandma’s Marathon

DULUTH, Minn. — The final sprint is on to Grandma’s Marathon. Here’s what runners should know before race day. Essentia Health Athletic Trainer Christina Nistler, who has also ran 10 marathons, joined FOX 21 on the morning newscast Tuesday to talk about how runners can stay healthy before and after a big race like Grandma’s Marathon. Nistler also talked about…

Coffee Conversation: Two One-Act Murder Mysteries at Time Arc Theatre

SUPERIOR, WI. — Two one-act murder mysteries, Murder in Poplar and Heartbreak, will take the stage at Time Arc Theatre June 21 – June 30. Director of Murder in Poplar Kathleen Laakso and Director of Heartbreak Rob Larson joined FOX 21 on the morning newscast Monday ahead of opening night. The Time Arc Theatre is located in the Old Post…

Coffee Conversation: Rubber Chicken Theater Presents, “The Chicken Hat Plays”

DULUTH, Minn. — Rubber Chicken Theater will present eight plays all created in the span of 24 hours on Saturday, June 15 at 7:30pm at Harbor City International School Theater. Brian Matuszak joined FOX 21 on the morning newscast Wednesday to talk about The Chicken Hat Plays. Seating is general and admission is $20 per person. Email brian@rubberchickentheater.com for tickets…

Coffee Conversation: ‘The Great American Trailer Park Musical’ at Fitger’s

DULUTH, Minn. — Boat Club Productions presents ‘The Great American Trailer Park Musical’ at Fitger’s Spirit of the North Theatre June 7-16, 2024. Boat Club Productions Producer Jason Vincent joined FOX 21 on the morning newscast Tuesday ahead of opening night. The show is about rising above our impulses, mistakes and surroundings to make a future. Showtimes include June 7-8…

Knowing Your Neighbor: Anne Labovitz

DULUTH, Minn. — For the past 30 years, one Duluth native has been making a name for herself in the international art community.  Last month she brought some of that artistic skill back home for all visitors of Downtown Duluth to see. “I love Duluth and I love Lake Superior. I really wanted to tell my stories, and memories,” said…

Northern Star: Finn Furcht

Esko ace aiming for return to state tournament

ESKO, Minn.- As the Esko baseball team defends its 2023 section and state titles, Finn Furcht will no doubt do his part on the mound. “I’ve been pitching probably since about third grade. I got into it, then I just loved it ever since,” smiled Furcht. “The fastball is my go-to pitch, but I overlay it with the curveball a…

Coffee Conversation: Blue Star Museums Supports Military Families with Free Admission

DULUTH, Minn. — Participating Blue Star Museums look to support active military personnel and families with free admission. There are four Blue Star Museums in Duluth; William A. Irvin, Glensheen, Children’s Museum, and the Lake Superior Zoo. Lucie Amundsen with the DECC joined FOX 21 on the morning newscast to talk about the importance of supporting military families through gestures…

Coffee Conversation: St. Luke’s Highlights Stroke Signs & Treatments

DULUTH, Minn. — May is Stroke Awareness Month. According to the American Stroke Association, stroke is the number 5 cause of death and the leading cause of disability in the United States. St. Luke’s Neurologist Siddhart Mehta joined FOX 21 on the morning newscast Thursday to discuss stroke awareness, and how to recognize and act on stroke symptoms. Mehta also…

Northern Star: Aune Boben

Hibbing senior to play for Northern State in 2025

HIBBING, Minn.- In her five years of pitching for the Hibbing Bluejackets, Aune Boben has proven to be a problem for opposing batters. “I’d say sometimes I like to mess with people. That sounds weird.” Boben smiled as she described her strategy on the mound. “I start it off something kind of strong, try to get a strike. And then…

Coffee Conversation: Duluth Playhouse Main Stage Production, Peter and the Starcatcher

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Playhouse presents a theatrical prequel to Peter Pan, Peter and the Starcatcher, running May 24 – June 2 at the NorShor Theatre. Evan Kelly, who is playing the role of Black Stache (aka Captain Hook), and Jake Mathey, who is played the role of the Boy (or Peter Pan), joined FOX 21 on the morning newscast…

Coffee Conversation: YWCA Duluth To Host Annual Mission Soirée Fundraiser

DULUTH, Minn. — In celebration of 130 years of serving the northland, YWCA Duluth will hold its annual Mission Soirée on Thursday, May 30 to raise funds to continue its programs. YWCA Operations and Communication Manager Asin Biiwaash-Smith joined FOX 21 on the morning newscast Monday to talk about the event and its purpose. The Mission Soirée will take place…

Coffee Conversation: Tutors Needed in Duluth and Across Minnesota Fall 2024

DULUTH, Minn. — Americorps is looking for 45 tutors to help students with reading and math this coming Fall. A total of 1,700 tutors are needed across the state of Minnesota. Early Learning Tutor Paige Blosberg and Duluth Tutor Recruiter Mikayla Karels joined FOX 21 on the morning newscast Friday to highlight the need and provide additionally information. No teaching…

Coffee Conversation: Musicians/Venues Wanted for Make Music Day Superior

SUPERIOR, WI. — Community members will fill the streets with the sound of music for the third annual Make Music Day Superior on Friday, June 21st, from 11am to 9pm. Siggy’s Musical Garden Executive Director Cheryl Finkbeiner, SMG Board President Scott Lillo, and local Musician Shane Nelson joined FOX 21 on the morning newscast Thursday to talk about the purpose…

Northern Star: Anika Burke

Senior catcher eying section three-peat

PROCTOR, Minn.- After being a key contributor to Proctor’s 2023 Section 7AA title, Anika Burke has only gotten better this year as a senior leader with the Rails. With six home runs on the season, Burke has proven to be the strongest hitter in Proctor’s lineup. She also has a strong opinion on Bigfoot, of all things, which stems from…

Coffee Conversation: Local Faith-Based Pop Band Releases New Single, Signs New Deals

DULUTH, Minn. — Faith-based pop band Presence Music finds recent success after releasing their latest single Down in the River. Members of the group joined FOX 21 on the morning newscast Tuesday, where they announced they’ve signed a development deal with Mcglaughlin Music Group and radio promotion deal with Compass Artist Management. They also played their new hit live in-studio. More…

Northern Star: Isaac Fugere

First-Team All-UMAC selection in 2023

SUPERIOR, Wis.- From the perspective of Isaac Fugere, time has flown by in the last four years playing baseball at UW-Superior. “It’s definitely different being an older guy that people kind of look at as just the older guy that has been there.” However, the First-Team All-UMAC selection is taking things in stride as a senior leader for the Yellowjackets….

Coffee Conversation: Mix Cosmetiques DIY Mother’s Day Bonding Bliss Workshop

DULUTH, Minn. — Mix Cosmetiques presents a DIY Mother’s Day bonding class where attendees will craft lip gloss, lip polish and perfume using only plant-based ingredients. Owner of Mix Cosmetiques Lanae Rhoads joined FOX 21 on the morning newscast Wednesday with more information. Rhoads helped FOX 21’s Maria Vollom make a lip polish live in-studio. DIY Mother’s Day Bonding Bliss…

Coffee Conversation: Northspan to host Business Succession Planning Summit

VIRGINIA, Minn. — Northspan will host a succession planning summit, Succession Strategies, on May 23 at Iron Trail Motors Event Center from 7:30 am – 4:00 pm. Northspan Group Consultant & Finance Manage Zack Filipovich joined FOX 21 on the morning newscast Thursday ahead of the event. The Northspan Group provides business development and community development consulting services to clients in…

Northern Star: Carter Boos

Will play for Northern Iowa Area Community College in 2025

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Marshall baseball is getting the most they’ve ever gotten from Carter Boos, who’s in his sixth year playing for the high school team. “I think just the vibes in the dugout have been ‘We’re one unit,’ and we(‘ve) got to go win games together.” Boos has developed into a dependable hitter, a dangerous pitcher, and a…

Coffee Conversation: Local Musician from Carlton Wins Competition with Original Song

CARLTON, Minn. — A local musician from Carlton will receive a close to $10,000 prize after winning a national contest for her original song. Abrianna Schmidt is an 18-year-old high school senior. She recently found out that she won the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Journey of a Song contest. She joined FOX 21 on the morning newscast Tuesday to…

Northern Star: Ella Brisbois

Duluth senior to play college lacrosse at Concordia St. Paul

DULUTH, Minn.- On a team full of general newcomers to the sport of lacrosse, Ella Brisbois brings some uncommon experience to the Duluth Wolfpack. “She’s a really good shooter,” says teammate Grace Karakas. “She’s really confident on the field so it helps a lot. She’s a good passer and she just knows what she’s doing out there.” For Karakas, lacrosse…

Coffee Conversation: Denfeld Theater Presents The Outsiders Play, April 25-27

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Denfeld High School presents a theater performance of The Outsiders based on the popular novel at Lincoln Park Middle School from April 25-27. Duluth Denfeld senior students, Kai Smith and Ayden Cavanaugh, are both playing the role of Johnny Cade in the play. They joined FOX 21 on the morning newscast Wednesday to talk about it…

Knowing Your Neighbor: Spring Creek Manufacturing

MOUNTAIN IRON, Minn.– Dating back to 1985, Spring Creek Manufacturing has a long history of providing recreation enthusiasts with the tools they need to have a great day on the water. “Spring Creek Manufacturing was founded in 1985, Ted Newburg wanted a better way to carry canoes and propel canoes and do all those things and so literally out of…

Coffee Conversation: TNT Timber on Firewise Treatments, Fuels Reduction & Fire Mitigation

DULUTH, Minn. — Two brothers conduct sustainable forest management projects, all the while helping Northlanders protect their homes and structures. Tucker and Tyler Masseth are the Owners of TNT Timber. They joined FOX 21 on the morning newscast Tuesday to talk about Firewise treatments, fuels reduction and fire mitigation. In recent years, a Spruce Budworm outbreak in the Northland region…

Coffee Conversation: UMD Graphic Design Students Fundraising for Nonprofits

DULUTH, Minn. — Two groups of UMD senior graphic design students are competing to raise funds for local nonprofits, Companies to Classrooms and Northwood’s Children Services (NCS). Meaghan Carlson, Marketing Lead of the Classmates to Classrooms exhibition for Companies to Classrooms, and Zach Audette of Protect Play for NCS joined FOX 21 on the morning newscast Monday ahead of the…

Northern Star: Shay Callaway

Played as UMD's #1 singles player 2022-24

DULUTH, Minn.- As UMD’s women’s tennis season came to a close on Saturday, so did Shay Callaway’s four-year run on the court with the Bulldogs. “I think that these four years have been some of the best years of my life,” Callaway said during her final practice with UMD. “And the people that I’ve met on this team are some…

Coffee Conversation: Local Artist Hosts Beach Sand Necklace Making Classes

DULUTH, Minn. — A local jewelry artist gives sand new life by placing it inside the pendant of a handmade necklace, and she’s hosting classes to teach you how to make your own, too. Barb Owen-Boerger will teach class attendees how to make beach sand necklaces, using UV resin and sand from beaches in the northland. She joined Fox 21…