DULUTH, Minn.– What started off as a curiosity for the cold, has now grown to a group of 1,500 dedicated plungers taking on the icy Lake Superior in Duluth. The ‘Cold Water Dolphins’ started five years ago, after the group’s leader Loralee Pasley read up on benefits from plunging into cold water. She said it helps boost immunity, mental health,…
ELY, Minn. — The 2025 Ely Winter Festival snow sculptures are now complete. Snow sculptors from all over the world, including Quebec, Argentina, Germany, and England, joined Minnesota and Wisconsin natives in Ely. They were given only three days to make their best snowy creation. The Ely Winter Festival goes from Feb. 6th through 16th. For more on this event,…
BAYFIELD COUNTY, Wis. — There are serious financial challenges facing Big Top Chautauqua at the ski hill it sits on in Bayfield County. Despite this, board members told FOX 21 they are determined to reinvent the operations for long-term success. In 2022, the Ashwabay Alliance, which operates Big Top Chautauqua and Mount Ashwabay ski and recreation area, racked up a…
DULUTH, Minn.– Next year one of the busiest roads in Duluth will be reimagined. And with this construction, 10-17,000 daily commuters will be impacted. In 2026, 26th Avenue East on London Road over to 60th Avenue East in Duluth will undergo major construction. The 20 million dollar project will include the addition of round-abouts replacing sidewalks, as well as…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – Two hundred people came out to the annual Musical Bingo fundraiser at Barker’s Island to help support local artists and musicians. Superior City Councilor and local business owner Lindsey Graskey and FOX 21’s Dan Hanger hosted the fun with plenty of one-liners. Musical Bingo is a version of bingo. The band Mackie Brothers sings a short clip…
SUPERIOR, Wisc. — The Superior City Council had quite the lengthy discussion Tuesday night on whether to support a change to state statute that would allow federal dollars into the city to help replace lead water pipes. The discussion went on so long that a vote will happen at the next council meeting Feb. 18. The change in state statute…
DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth East Basketball Community is coming together to support one of their own. Kailee Olson, who has been a Duluth East Girls Basketball Assistant Coach for 11 years, is receiving immense support after being diagnosed with colon cancer. Saturday, Feb 8, at 2:30 p.m. a fundraiser is being held during the Duluth East Boys Basketball game….
VILLAGE OF SUPERIOR, Wis.– It’s hard for a business to survive its first year. But for Mama T’s Smokin’ Eats in the Village of Superior, they were doing everything right. Receiving 21 award nominations and winning “Best Place to Work”. “Oh, the community. I love the community, I love the people, I love meeting people. My first question is, ‘Where…
IRON RIVER, Wis.– After having to cancel last year, the dogs are let out for the Northern Pines Dog Sled Race. Officials said the fate of this year’s race was a nail biter because of the uncertainty with the weather. But tomorrow, the course is set for 4 seperate classes to compete. The Northern Pines Dog Sled Race caters to…
DULUTH, Minn. — Downtown Duluth sought feedback on its plans for revitalization over the next few years. They have been on display at the Holiday Center today for community members to give their input. How do we improve downtown Duluth? It’s been a question asked many times and answered hundreds of different ways. But the organization Downtown Duluth and the…
GOODLAND, Minn.– Engines roared to life this morning as one of the state’s largest snowmobile fundraising races began. After last year’s event was canceled, the recent snowfall brought in over 200 racers to compete in the three-day Blizzard Tour event. The money raised from this race will toward ALS research. The course spans about 180 miles. Starting at Black Bear…
DULUTH, Minn.– Duluth is a popular destination for conventions, events, and conferences, but lately, it’s been facing its own set of challenges. Since the pandemic, Duluth’s hotel industry has been working to recover to pre-pandemic levels. The general manager of the Sheraton Hotel says that over the past year, their average daily rates have remained flat, and they’ve seen a…
DULUTH, Minn. — It was a frigid morning for those students participating in the annual winter walk to school day. On Feb. 5, schools across the state of Minnesota encouraged students to walk or bike to school if able, instead of their usual mode of transportation. Congdon Park Elementary was one such school, and had many families who lived close…
DULUTH, Minn. — A local outdoors store is hoping to share the love of dressing warm to those in need of winter clothing. Trail Fitters, inside of Fitger’s Mall, is partnering up with the Damiano Center to gather winter gear. The Damiano Center is in need for winter boots, snow pants, hats, and coats. Trail Fitters is hoping to fill…
DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Housing & Redevelopment Authority held a ribbon cutting Wednesday for their newest affordable housing apartment building. The complex is called Skyridge Flats and looks to home seniors 55 and up. All 70-units inside are affordable to households at or below the 50% of the median income. All units have 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom, with…
DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth’s Chief of Police Mike Cenoywa released a video statement Wednesday regarding two search warrants that were executed at a shelter operated by Safe Haven Shelter and Resource Center on Jan. 21. According to the two warrant applications sworn to by Officer Ryan Puhle, and warrants signed by Judge Shawn Reed, officers responded to a call from…
SOUTH RANGE, Wis.– Josh Dumke of South Range Wisconsin has worn many hats throughout his career. “So, for twelve years I was a research scientist at the national resources research institute. I did fisheries, and aquatic invasive species research. That was about the time that I kind of started my woodworking business. And my interests kind of changed. What I…
DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Police say their investigation into the events from January 21, are focused on the health of the infant and the mother and identifying who dropped the baby off at Safe Haven; not into the shelter itself. Chief of Police Mike Ceynowa, released a video statement, followed by a written press release, Wednesday afternoon. Two search warrants…
SUPERIOR, Wis.– Despite it being very chilly outside the City of Superior is already thinking ahead to some exciting summer plans. Alongside the playground and ice rink at the Wade Bowl Park, the city of Superior is welcoming in a splash pad. With the water play area, they’re looking forward to bringing in some summer fun to the Superior neighborhood….
CLOQUET, Minn.– The chief of the Cloquet Area Fire District said, it’s beyond time for a new headquarters because the current one is falling apart, packed beyond capacity and a safety concern. The current fire station downtown was built decades ago and no longer meets the standards required for modern emergency responses. The Cloquet Area Fire District serves well beyond…
DULUTH, Minn. — Free Air Life Co., an outdoor lifestyle store has reopened its doors to a new and bigger space after a 2-year hiatus. Husband and wife Sarah and Justin Steinbach first started the store in 2019. “We had a space down the block in Lincoln Park, and it was very small. Things were going really well for us….
DULUTH, Minn.– The future climate of Duluth is the center of a two-day public conference at UMD this week. Environmental experts throughout the state of Minnesota are part of the “Climate Future” conference, including the D-N-R, NOAA and ‘the institute of environment’ a U-M-D. Workshops, panel discussions and presentations are all part of the process to engage everyday citizens who…
MINNESOTA — The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) announced it will be accepting applications for cannabis license starting this upcoming February 18, 2025. The application window will close by March 14, 2025. During this license cycle, OCM is accepting applications for both verified social equity applicants and any applicants looking for a general licensing. General licensing includes micro business,…
SUPERIOR, Wis.– The topic of immigration and refugees is getting a lot of attention at the national level these days. That’s why a professor at UW Superior is hosting a free educational week for anybody wanting to learn more. Dr. Haji as he is best known, immigrated to the United States from Iran in 1980s. He’s created a space all…
DULUTH, Minn. — High School Students in Duluth have more access to transportation around the city. Duluth Public Schools and the Duluth Transit Authority have partnered to offer all high school students and staff free bus rides through the DTA. This will help give students more ways to get to and from school. There aren’t limits on the passes, so…
In Rice Lake, the fresh snow came just in time for some outdoor fun. The sixth annual Winter Frolic took place on Sunday, Feb. 2, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Kids there got in on some sledding, hot cocoa, and even snowmobile rides! The mayor of Rice Lake said the event is a great way to give residents another option to spend…
DULUTH, Minn. — Visit Duluth and the city’s new tourism market agency, Madden Media, are one month on the job together with a common goal of showcasing what makes Duluth the gem it is. Madden Media is a national tourism marketing organization tasked with promoting Duluth over the next two years. We spoke with Madden Media’s CEO, Daniel Janes, to…
DULUTH, Minn.– Cider North is returning to the DECC for its third year, and they’ve got a lot brewing for this event. 10 vendors across Minnesota and Wisconsin are gathering at this event eager to share what makes them unique. Some of the cideries came up with exclusive flavors for Cider North. Guests will be able to play yard games,…
LAKE VERMILLION, Minn. — Despite nervousness after a lackluster snowfall this year, the Blackwoods Blizzard Tour is still on. Over 200 snowmobile riders will be heading up to Lake Vermillion on Feb. 5 through 8. The snowfall by Lake Vermillion has been adequate, and the trails are being groomed. This year, 70 new riders are being welcomed to the tour….
DULUTH, Minn.– Duluth Cider is one of two cideries in the Northland. And their entire cider making process happens all under one building. “It’s really nice, in the middle of Duluth Minnesota, we’re taking on cider, we’re doing it all in our cellar, and bringing it up, out the door, all over, it’s actually pretty cool,” said Kyle McKean. Duluth…
DULUTH, Minn. — Gabriel’s Bookstore, Sami Cultural Center, and other tenants within the Lakeside Professional Building have until late spring to vacate the site after recent plans to demolish the over 100 year-old structure. The property is owned by St. Michael’s Catholic Church. The building was originally constructed in 1914, but numerous financial meetings with the pastor it was ultimately…
ELY, Minn.– The city of Ely is gearing up for one of their biggest seasonal events, and they’re wasting no time getting the prep work done. The Ely Winter Fest is a 10 day event celebrating the season with numerous activities. Volunteers from the Rock Country Masonry is hard at work preparing 4,000-pound snow cubes. Snow sculptors from around the…
DULUTH, Minn.– After the recent closure of the Lake Superior Elementary School in Superior, an agreement was made to revitalize the property into apartment units. The elementary school closed it’s doors at the end of the school year back in June. The closure happened cause of a decrease in enrollment as well as budget constraints. But that opened up the…
COOK, Minn. — A bus crash sent two students to the hospital this morning after the school bus landed in a ditch. At around 8:12 a.m. on Jan. 29, emergency services responded to a report of a single school bus accident on Olsen Rd. E. near the Northwoods School. The school bus slid off the road, struck two trees,…
DULUTH, Minn. — The USA Curling hosted a national championship in Duluth, it’s first time hosting in 17 years. 16 teams looked to compete head-to-head in the 2025 USA Curling National Championship. Eight men and eight women’s team looked to sweep the competition, hoping to advance to the World Championships and represent Team USA. This year’s line-up featured a wide array…
DULUTH, Minn. — In just the last year, Second Harvest Northland has reported an increase in their food distribution programs, serving up an additional 370,000 meals. Second Harvest Northland services 15 counties in northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. Through the organization’s food shelves, on-site meal program, and tribal organizations, they have increased food distribution by 4%, which equated to about…
SUPERIOR, Wis.– The year 2024 had a huge focus on incorporating nature back into the City of Superior. They revitalized Woodstock Bay and planted trees in the neighborhoods. “2024 was a very successful year in the city of Superior. We made a number of significant investments in our infrastructure; we developed many new housing units. And we’ve been increasing quality…
SUPERIOR, Wis. — Fairlawn Mansion offering half-price tours Sunday in honor of the Lake Superior Ice Festival weekend. The storied structure was built in the early 1890s by then-Mayor Martin Pattison. The tour gives a look behind the curtain to how life and luxury looked back in the day. Click the video above to take a look inside and learn…
In this week’s Northland Newsmakers, FOX 21’s Lucretia Free sits down with Pastor Brian Cornell of Northwood United Methodist Church. Categories: Community, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News, Northland Newsmakers
SUPERIOR, Wis. — Despite the wind and snow Saturday morning, people showed out for the annual Lake Superior Ice Festival. The festival was filled with outdoor activities, from games, ice skating and ices races. Even some food trucks braved the weather to serve up some treats, but one of the stars of the show was the ice sculptures. People watched…
DULUTH, Minn. — A new permanent housing facility has been completed in Duluth, providing housing to single adults who have experienced homelessness. Plover Place is owned and operated by the Duluth Salvation Army. One Roof Housing developed and constructed the two buildings, which consists of 24 units. Four of those units are reserved for veterans and each building has a…
CLOQUET, Minn.– ‘Heart Berry’ is a woman and native owned store, and they back in 2023. The store was by inspired a strong desire to teach and share art with the Cloquet community. “I started out as a moccasin maker and beadwork artist. And really quickly saw that my community really wanted cultural art. I really wanted to teach cultural…
SUPERIOR, Wis.– This past year, the city of Superior has been sprucing up the area by reworking and reimagining the landscape to be more in touch with nature. Superior reintroduced the new and improved Woodstock Bay Landing in August. It used to be a gravel and dirt boat landing, but transformed into an area filled with trails, a pavilion, and…
DULUTH, Minn.– After what was initially thought to be just a burst pipe situation at Animal Allies, turned out to be so much worse. The shelter posted on their Facebook page last Friday, showing the damage resulting from the flood. The animals living there are all safe. Staff told FOX 21 that the leakage is from their sprinkler system as…
DULUTH, Minn.– Lake Superior Zoo experienced two broken pipes on Wednesday night. This resulted in flooding from the ceiling in several areas of the main building. No animals or staff were injured from the flooding. Staff ran several large fans to help dry out portions of the affected areas. Only one side of the lower level had to be…
SUPERIOR, Wis. — With the weather in the 20s this weekend the Lake Superior Ice Festival is all set for their 10th year. Festivities started Friday night with the festivals annual Guns N’ Hoses Kubb Showdown. New this year is a Polar Ice Sculpture Trolley Tour & Dinner, which tickets were sold out. Saturday they have a whole day of…
MINNESOTA — Essentia Health and the University of Minnesota are looking to build a more sustainable future together with $1 billion dollars investment over the several years. Both organizations’ leaders have proposed the formation of a new non-profit health care organization, which aims to improve patient outcomes, expand access to health care, and combine both institution’s visions towards a stronger…
DULUTH, Minn. — The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office has opened registration for its Citizens’ Police Academy. The academy is happening every Tuesday night from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. from March 4 until May 20. The free interactive presentations and tours will show you the inner workings of a dozen departments within the Sheriff’s Office, including the Jail, 911…
DULUTH, Minn. – Years of lawsuits, multiple fires and several suggested solutions later, the former Kozy Bar and Apartments in Downtown Duluth is coming down. The Pastoret Terrace, commonly known as the Kozy, has been the subject of legal battles for a decade and a half. The city of Duluth has wanted to clear the dilapidated complex that sits at…
MINNESOTA – This last deer season was considered a successful one for northern Minnesota hunters. On Wednesday, the Minnesota DNR released the results from the 2024 hunting season. Hunters harvested more than 170,000 deer during the 2024 hunting season. That’s up 7% from last year’s season, and only 3% lower than a five year average. DNR officials say the weather…
