Features

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…

Northern Star: Bjorn Lind

Duluth East senior to play college baseball at Augustana

DULUTH, Minn- Duluth East’s baseball team is chock full of returning starters in their lineup, including Augustana-commit and versatile defender Bjorn Lind. “I’m definitely a lot stronger, faster, more physical and (I’ve) grown a couple inches.” says Lind, who has a lot of reasons to why he loves baseball. “I would say going into the field every day with your…

Knowing Your Neighbors: Ritual Salad

A new restaurant has opened up in Lincoln Park that serves a healthier option to the community. Ritual Salad offers salad, bowls and occasionally soup.  The owner hopes that your experience there will be a magical one. “There’s a lot of delicious salads and bowls in the area, but there wasn’t just a place that focused on that. And so…

Northern Star: Aidan Altona

Denfeld senior returns to court after severe knee injury

DULUTH, Minn.- After suffering a torn meniscus and a partial ACL tear in December, Duluth Denfeld’s Aidan Altona returned to the court in last week’s Iron Range Senior All-Star Game. Altona was set to have an earth-shaking season with the Hunters in 2023-24. But after going up for a shot block in their season opener, everything changed when he landed…

Northern Star: Kloe Zentkowski and Eva Peterson

Spartans' duo both named to Lake Superior All-Conference Team

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The Superior girls basketball team know they have two giant holes to fill next season with Kloe Zentkowski and Eva Peterson graduating in May. It’s now been over one month since Superior had their season come to an end in WIAA Regionals on their home court. Since then, Zentkowski and Peterson have gained some perspective on their last…

Coffee Conversation: 17-Year-Old Belle Modeen Pursues Dream in Music

SUPERIOR, WI. — In honor of Thursday, March 21 being National Absolutely Incredible Kid Day, a local musician of Superior High School showcased her talent on the FOX21 morning newscast. 17-year-old Belle Modeen joined Fox 21 Thursday morning to talk about her passion for music, past accomplishments and future goals. Modeen played a cover of What Was I Made For? By…

Northern Star: Will Esterbrooks

Senior reached State Tournament in all three years with Hawks

HERMANTOWN, Minn.- Will Esterbrooks of the Hermantown truly put it all on the line in his three years playing for the Hawks’ boys hockey team. It’s now been over a week since Hermantown suffered a 3-1 loss to St. Cloud Cathedral in the 3-1 Class A State Championship. Following the game, Head Coach Patrick Andrew acknowledged they wouldn’t have made…

Knowing Your Neighbors: Damage Boardshop

DULUTH, Minn. — The hill that Duluth is built on provides a natural landscape for a variety of downhill sports. Once local shop that has been around for nearly 20 years has been watching and helping two sports in particular grow in popularity. “We carry snowboards, the snowboarding boots, bindings, jackets, snow pants, goggles, helmets, mittens, beanies, you name it,”…

Northern Star: Drew Blair

Holds UMD's all-time scoring record

DULUTH, Minn.- 5 seasons, 141 games, and 4,719 minutes. Entering the NCAA Division II Tournament, that’s how long Drew Blair has played in a UMD uniform. “Hopefully, I still have a little bit more left in the tank here as we go on the stretch and can keep playing better,” says Blair, who recently turned 24 years old. After proving…

Mayor Reinert Asks For Communication From Kathy Cargill After Park Point Home Purchases

Reinert said Kathy Cargill has purchased at least 20 properties so far.

DULUTH, Minn. — The future of Park Point’s landscape is uncertain.  Mayor Roger Reinert said  more than 20 properties on the world’s longest freshwater sandbar have been purchased by a member of the Cargill family. North Shore LS is the company behind the purchases. The LLC is owned by Kathy Cargill, who is married to one of the heirs to…

Coffee Conversation: A+ Garden Center Prepares for Spring Planting

DULTUH, Minn. — With sunshine and 60 degrees in the northland, many are planning and preparing their spring gardens. FOX 21 checked in with Tabatha Beier, owner of A+ Garden Center, to see how they’re getting ready for the spring planting season. A+ Garden Center will open its Kenwood location on May 3. Click here for more information. Categories: Coffee Conversation,…

Twin Ports Women’s Invitational Hockey Tournament Begins

24 teams come together for meaningful 30-year tradition that may come to an end.

The Twin Ports Women’s Invitational begins this weekend. The games started over 30 years ago and attracts women hockey players all around the state from ages 18 to 80. Like so many players at the invitational, Angie Hugdahl began playing hockey as a little girl. In college she says hockey changed her life. It was the sense of belonging that…

Applications Now Open for Community Funding Grant Awards

DULUTH, Minn. — The Junior League of Duluth is now accepting applications for the 2024 community funding grant awards for local non-profits. Junior League of Duluth President Angela Engblom and Community Council Director Patty Salo Downs joined FOX 21 on the morning newscast Friday to talk about the grant opportunities. In the past several years, JLD has awarded over $68,000 to local non-profit…

Coffee Conversation: Northwood Children’s Services Celebrates 141 years with Fundraising Gala

DULUTH Minn. — The Northwood Children’s Services is celebrating 141 years of serving kids and families with its third annual Northwood Night Out fundraising gala. Northwood Children’s Services Director of Resource Development Morgana Kolenda and Program Supervisor Amanda Ross joined FOX 21 live on the morning newscast Thursday to talk about the purpose of the event. The gala is taking…

Northern Star: Isaiah Kastern

Solon Springs senior to play for Bemidji State in 2024-25

SOLON SPRINGS, Wis.- The Solon Springs boys basketball team is fueled by a senior class that have run up the ranks sharing the rock. “We’ve been playing together since like fifth grade, so chemistry probably for sure would be our strong suit,” says Dylan Taggart, who recently scored his 1,000th career point. “Since they’ve been little kids, they’ve been on…

Coffee Conversation: Kicking off Spring Racing Season with the Saint Fennessy 4K

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — With temperatures on the rise, it’s time to slip the running shoes back on and kick off the spring racing season. Enter the Saint Fennessy 4K on Saturday, March 16. Zach Schneider is the Marketing and Public Relations Director with the Young Athletes Foundation. He joined FOX 21 live on the morning newscast Tuesday to talk about…

Hermantown’s Cyndi Lewis Paves the Way for Others in the Community

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — There are only so many hours in a day, and one local woman likes to make the most of them as she finds herself giving back to the community through various organizations. Hermantown mom Cyndi Lewis wears many hats throughout her day-to-day life. One is her role as the Director of Development at Duluth’s Salvation Army. “When…