Community

Lester Park Elementary Students Bring Holiday Cheer to Aspirus St. Luke’s Patients

Duluth, MN. — It’s the 23rd year of Students at Lester bringing the cheer to local hospital patients. Students delivered trees with handmade ornaments and gifts to patients at St. Lukes today. The students raised money for the gifts by doing chores. This yearly tradition began with a student that wanted to give back after his brothers life was saved…

Amazon Distribution Center tackling busy holiday season

DULUTH, Minn.– The holidays are here, and for many people, that means finding the perfect gift for their loved ones online. For the Amazon Distribution Center in Duluth, that means a significant increase in package deliveries. But the station manager said, it’s been like that for a while. “The holiday season for us started the day after Thanksgiving. We saw about…

Duluth Public Schools Superintendent releases statement in response to ICE being in Twin Ports-area

John Magas DULUTH, Min,. – Duluth Public Schools Superintendent John Magas sent a message to parents in the district titled, “Our Commitment to Student Safety and Belonging.” The statement said in part, “We understand that many in our community are currently experiencing fear and uncertainty regarding immigration enforcement.  While we cannot control the actions of outside agencies, we want to…

’12 Hours of Giving’ Blood Drive brings lifesaving blood during the holiday season

DULUTH, Minn. — People across the Twin Ports are giving the gift of life by donating blood during the Red Cross “12-Hours of Giving” Blood Drive at The Garden Event Center. As an official media sponsor, FOX21 is proud to be involved in Duluth’s first-ever 12 Hour Blood Drive, which began today and will continue throughout tomorrow. As a thank…

Hartel’s Disposal wraps up $75,000 gift for Salvation Army

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Salvation Army and Hartel’s Disposal have wrapped up their “Hartel’s Holiday Impact Challenge”. The challenge invited local businesses to “dump their donations” into a trash bin at Hartel’s, with the disposal company matching up to $75,000 in donations. At the end of the 2-week campaign, the contributions totaled approximately $8,000. Despite not reaching the goal,…

Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame set to build $70 million complex

INVER GROVE HEIGHTS, Minn. The Minnesota Hockey Hall of Fame officially announced its plans to build a $70 million complex in Inver Grove Heights. Natalie Darwitz, a former Eagan High School star and Hockey Hall of Famer, is leading the large project. The facility will feature a world-class interactive museum, an NHL-size sunken ice rink, event and performance space, and…

Portman Hockey’s 4th annual “Great Skate” postponed

DULUTH, Minn. — Messy weather has forced Portman Hockey to postpone their annual “Great Skate” fundraiser. The event typically signals the “official start” of Portman’s outdoor hockey season. The “Great Skate” fundraiser has consistently been a family-friendly, community-favorite event with food, games, and activities for all ages. Money raised goes toward the organization’s equipment, programs and rink improvements. More information,…

St. Lukes Foundation “Boot Drive” gives warm clothes to patients

DULUTH, Minn. — The re-freezing temperatures may be catching some people off guard, and for patients at Aspirus St. Lukes who may not have the best clothing for the cold, the St. Lukes Foundation is doing what they can to help. The foundation’s Boot Drive is focused on gathering new and lightly used winter clothing for patients at the clinic…

Grandma’s Marathon offers free youth entry for local races

DULUTH, Minn. — Grandma’s Marathon announced a new initiative offering free youth entries to five local races throughout next year. In celebration of the marathon’s 50th annual race, free youth entry is being offered for the Saint Fennessy 4K, Fitger’s 5K, Park Point 5-Miler, Minnesota Mile, and the Superior Nightmare 5K, all of which support the Young Athletes Foundation. “Offering…

Marshall School students showcase genius hour projects

DULUTH, Minn. — 7th and 8th-grade students presented their projects during the Genius Hour Showcase at Marshall School. Teachers instructed the students to focus on real-world problems and provide solutions. Students spent several weeks doing research and interviewing experts, helping to create the overall project, which includes visuals and interactive displays. The projects vary from student-produced podcasts, a deep dive…

Family Freedom Center hosts holiday market

DULUTH, Minn.– Right on time for the holidays, the Family Freedom Center gave entrepreneurs the chance to show off their products. The holiday market is filling the halls of the family center full of local vendors. Throughout the afternoon, entrepreneurs of all ages showed off items such as baked goods, earrings, wreathes, and sweatshirts. “My favorite part about this is…

Salvation Army in Duluth hosts distribution day for local families

DULUTH, Minn.– The Salvation Army is transformed into a Christmas wonderland, because of their busy distribution days. In years past, they’ve helped out 600 families. But this year, Community Engagement Director said, this year they had twice as many applicants. Throughout the course of the two days, the Salvation Army will be giving 1,000 families a Christmas. Each guest will…

Local organization get grants from Green Bay Packers Foundation

GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers Foundation announced it has distributed $1.5 million in annual grants to 395 civic and charitable groups throughout the state of Wisconsin. “We’re pleased to award $1.5 million through our annual Packers Foundation grants this year,” said Packers President and CEO Ed Policy. The grants awarded by the foundation are not recurring and…

Behind the scenes: Duluth factory is the country’s only producer of popular ingredient

DULUTH, Minn.–Whenever you decide to crack open a bag of salt and vinegar chips or break into a bag of some sour candy you’ve likely tasted malic, or fumaric acid. For 47 years, a key ingredient found in many popular food items has been made right here in Duluth. The factory, Primient Duluth, is the country’s only producer of the…

Duluth East Choralaires treat Essentia patients to Christmas carols

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth East Choralaires brought some of their music to Essentia Health, as the performers spent time going from floor to floor singing to patients at the facility. For many of the students, getting to share their music with those around is one of the best parts of the holiday season. “My favorite part is just singing…

Family Freedom Center hosting first “Hillside Holiday Market”

DULUTH, Minn. — Family Freedom Center is welcoming in the Twin Ports community for its first Hillside Holiday Market. The market will be featuring over 30 different area vendors, as well as items designed and made by some of the children who are a part of the Freedom Center and their S.T.A.R.T program. The event is designed as a by-the-community, for-the-community…

Founding partner of Duluth Folk School passes away

DULUTH, Minn. — One of the founders of the Duluth Folk School, Tim Bates, has passed away. Since the inception of the school Bates, along with those around him, worked hard to establish a comforting environment where people could learn new skills. Bates was also a long-time figure within the University of Minnesota-Duluth’s outdoor education program, where he taught students…

Duluth Fire Department holds 25th employee toy drive

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Fire Department has once again gotten into the holiday spirit, as firefighters both, current and retired, purchased toys for kids as part of its 25th annual employee toy drive. The department raised over $7,000 from employee donations in the lead-up to the shopping spree, the most ever raised in the drive’s history. For the firefighters…

Chum warming shelter sees record breaking numbers

DULUTH, Minn.– After a stretch of sub-zero temps, chum staff say record-breaking numbers of people are turning to the warming shelter, and they need extra support. The peer recovery specialist at chum told FOX 21 they’ve noticed a drop in winter gear donations. This has led to several cases of frostbite that could result in medical attention. In December, their…

RSM Duluth donates $21,000 to Duluth Area Family YMCA

DULUTH, Minn.– A recent $21,000 donation to the Duluth Area Family YMCA came largely from a place of love. RSM Duluth, part of a global accounting firm, has partnered with the YMCA for its annual ‘Power of Love Stewardship Campaign.’ Each year, the campaign focuses on selecting a youth-centered organization to support through volunteer service and fundraising efforts. A managing…

Arrowhead Ice Fishing & Winter Show takes over DECC

DULUTH, Minn. — Outdoors people of the Twin Ports united at the DECC once again for the annual Arrowhead Ice fishing and Winter Show. With the venue packed to the gills with goods and activities, the yearly event, which is now a decade old, has been a favorite of fishing and outdoors community in the Northland, as attendees get a…

Community Action Duluth now under ‘Enhanced Monitoring’ by the state

Community Action Duluth Logo DULUTH, Min. – The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families is now doing what they are calling “enhanced monitoring” of Community Action Duluth (CAD). Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) tells FOX21, “DCYF observes board meetings as part of the standard grant monitoring and program oversight processes. Staff are conducting enhanced monitoring in response…

Salvation Army in Duluth celebrates Truckers for Tots and sock drive

DULUTH, Minn.– It was a big morning for the salvation army, in Duluth as they had two generous events take place, back-to-back. Truck drivers arrived at the salvation army following last night’s mission at fleet farm. There was a massive turn-out with cash donations, and people shopping. Ascendance Trucks in Duluth have made this shopping spree a tradition for 17…

Duluth’s Best Bread steps in to host farmers market after Lincoln Park cancellation

DULUTH, Minn.– Following the sudden cancellation of the ‘Community Action Duluth, Lincoln Park farmers market, the owners of Duluth’s Best Bread, took matters into their own hands. Duluth’s Best Bread is hosting a farmers’ market, at their Superior street location in Duluth. The vendor sales are independent, and they are simply using the space for the market. The owner of…

CHUM urgently seeking gloves and hand warmers as extreme cold weather approaches

  DULUTH, Minn.– With this weekend projecting to be the coldest in the season so far, CHUM is hoping to help prevent frostbite in the community. At this time, CHUM in Duluth is in desperate need for gloves and hand warmers. CHUM staff told FOX 21, they’ve already had several guests experiencing frostbite already. They’ve seen record numbers this season…

FOX21 donation to help Northwoods Children’s Services ‘Winter Wishes’ program

DULUTH, Minn. — Northwood Children’s Services receives $200 donation ahead of the Holidays As part of the kicking off the Arrowhead Ice Show, Fox21 participated in an Ice Bocce tournament among area media broadcasters. Fox took 2nd place, winning $200 to donate and we selected Northwood Children’s Services as the recipient. FOX21 Northwoods Children’s ServicesL to R: Jason Van Horn,…

FOX 21 morning crew takes 2nd place at ice bocce tournament

  DULUTH, Minn. — Maria Vollom, along with some of our other Fox 21 morning crew, participated in the media ice bocce tournament at the DECC. The tournament is helping to kick off tomorrow’s ice show. The team had a blast playing against other local TV and radio stations while keeping it friendly. The first-place winner received a check for…

Wisconsin congressional candidate tours Northland

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Wisconsin congressional candidate Paul Wassgren visited Superior as the Republican continues on a tour through Wisconsin’s 7th district. The tour first hit Merrill, WI, on Dec. 10, before stopping in Chippewa Falls and Ace’s on 29th in Superior, with the final stop happening Dec. 12 in Balsam Lake, where he’ll once again speak on how he plans…

Governor Walz to announce new anti-fraud chief

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz DULUTH, Min. – Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is expected to announce a new Director of Program Integrity for Minnesota on Friday, December 12, 2025. The director’s goal is to address and prevent fraud. The governor is also expected to announce the hiring of outside experts to create a statewide fraud prevention program. Fraud in government programs have…

Lake Superior Zoo welcomes a pair of Canadian lynx brothers

  DULUTH, Minn.– The Lake Superior Zoo was thrilled to announce two new big cats, after they arrived back in October. Canadian lynx brothers six-year-old Bjorn and seven-year-old Floki traveled to Duluth from the Pittsburgh Zoo. The boys are right at home, as they originated in this region, but they also live all over Canada. Zoo staff telling us, they…

American Legion Post 109 hosts annual lutefisk and Swedish meatball dinner

TWO HARBORS, Minn. — The American Legion Post 109 in Two Harbors hosted its 21st annual Lutefisk and Swedish Meatball Dinner, a tradition that brings together locals, travelers, and longtime supporters. Guests purchase meals, choosing either lutefisk or Swedish meatballs, to support veterans. Lutefisk is a Scandinavian tradition stretching back hundreds of years, and with its deep roots in the…

St. Louis River Alliance hold ‘River Appreciation’ party

DULUTH, Minn. — The St. Louis River Alliance set up shop at Clyde Iron Works for a “River Appreciation” party. The party was free and open to the public, with cake served to the attendees before a presentation, recapping the organization’s 2025. A focus of the event and others like it for the alliance is the organization’s ongoing “Membership Drive,”…

’12 Hours of Giving’ Blood Drive nearing Twin Ports debut

DULUTH, Minn. — In continuing with Fox 21’s partnership with the Red Cross’ 12 Hours of Giving Blood Drive, Fox 21 is taking the weeks leading up to the event to tell the stories of those whose lives have been affected for the better through blood donation. The event itself will be Dec. 18. and 19, at The Garden Event…

Injured Pelican highlights the costs of cruelty

ANTIGO, Wis. — A pelican that was recently rescued from Chequamegon Bay in Ashland is currently being treated for lead poisoning following a gunshot wound. SEE PREVIOUS: Resident pelican rescued in Ashland Officials say Lead poisoning in birds is complex. “We have to use injections, chelating injections, twice a day to remove the lead from the blood, and then we…

Norma Hoffbauer celebrates 100th birthday

DULUTH, Minn. — Norma Hoffbauer turned 100 today. She celebrated this milestone surrounded by friends and family, with some guests traveling from as far away as Alaska. Cupcakes and drinks were shared all around as everyone mingled, and the kids decorated some festive gingerbread houses. Norma shared one important piece of advice. “Live one day at a time, and make…

Lake Superior Zoo shows off pygmy slow loris babies

DULUTH, Minn.– The Lake Superior Zoo welcomed two new pygmy slow loris babies, and they’re growing fast! The little critters were born unexpectedly back on November 17th. And since then, zoo staff has been carefully managing their care with supplemental feeding, and health monitoring. Slow Pygmy Lorises are the only venomous primates in the world, and they’re critically endangered. This…

148th Fighter Wing honors TSgt Ryan Ewald with 13th annual toy drive

DULUTH, Minn.– For thirteen years, the 148th Fighter Wing has honored Tech Sergeant Ryan Ewald through their annual toy drive. And this year’s toy haul was quite successful. Two truckloads of toys were brought in for the salvation army distribution. One of the airmen said Ewald passed away from an ATV crash and was known for toy drive involvement every…

Solvay Hospice House receives nearly $45,000 from Super One’s register round-up

DULUTH, Minn. — Super One raised nearly $45,000  for Solvay Hospice House. These funds were raised during their recent Register Round-up campaign, where customers could choose to round up their change or donate more when checking out. This campaign was at 19 regional stores. Solvay has been a register roundup participant for 18 years now, raising more than $373,000  in…

Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott gave $7.1 billion to nonprofits in 2025, a major increase

Mackenzie Scott NEW YORK (AP) — The author and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott revealed $7.1 billion in donations to nonprofits in 2025 Tuesday, marking a significant increase in her annual giving from recent years. Writing in an essay on her website, Scott said, “This dollar total will likely be reported in the news, but any dollar amount is a vanishingly tiny fraction of the personal…

Lake Superior Train Museum hosts holiday party

DULUTH, Minn. — The Superior Railroad Museum held its after-hours annual holiday party alongside the History in a Pint event put on by the Veterans Memorial Hall. The family-friendly events featured crafts, festive Christmas decorations, and plenty of photo opportunities. While some browsed the trains, others sat down to enjoy a pint of beer from a local brewery and listen…

UW-Superior music celebrates annual “Season of Song” holiday concert

SUPERIOR, Wis. — A musical Twin Ports holiday tradition happened once again in Superior as UW-Superior’s “Season of Song” concert held its final performance of season. The performances all taking place at The Cathedral of Christ the King Church, with saw hundreds of people braving notable poor weather to make it to the annual event. The concert caps the Fall…

City Council approves transfer of former Lester Park Golf Course

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth City Council has approved an ordinance allowing the transfer of the former Lester Park Golf Course property to the Duluth Economic Development Authority. After extensive debate among a roomful of Duluth residents, the ordinance passed by an 8-to-1 vote. The ordinance approves the transfer of the 230-acre parcel to DEDA, but the transfer will only…

Lake Superior College hosts student art show for Fall ’25 semester

DULUTH, Minn. — Lake Superior College is treating Twin Ports residents to the artistic visions of their students with a campus-wide art show. The free-to-the-public art show runs through the college’s main campus building, showing off art produced by the school’s students during the Fall 2025 semester. With the art forms ranging from photography, to painting, to jewelry, the show…

Duluth Area YMCA to integrate Superior location

DULUTH, Minn.– For over 150 years, the YMCA has graced its presence in Duluth, and 72 years in Superior. Going forward exciting changes have been announced. The Duluth location has now acquired the Superior YMCA location. The employees over in Wisconsin will temporarily be laid off but are expected to immediately be re-hired under the new Duluth ownership of the…