Community

Brats and Beer! Duluth’s Oktoberfest Wrapped it’s 4th Year

DULUTH, Minn. — A celebration of beer, brats, and German traditions wrapped up this weekend in Duluth. The 4th annual Oktoberfest took place at Bayfront Festival Park, the three-day celebration of German culture. People enjoyed and experienced traditional German food, drinks, and live music. The event was for all ages, closing on Sunday was family day. Families enjoyed a wide variety…

Pick Your Own Pumpkin At Farmer Doug’s

DULUTH, Minn. — It is the opening weekend for pick your own pumpkin at Farmer Doug’s in Duluth. The farm has 3 acres of pumpkins. All ranging from big pumpkins perfect for carving to pie pumpkins, gourds, and squash. And even with the lack of rain we’ve had this summer, the pumpkins were able to survive and grow. Co-owner Doug…

Duluth’s Arbor Day Shines Light On Public Orchards

DULUTH, Minn. — It’s apple picking season, or at least it is in sixteen different parks around Duluth. As part of Duluth’s Arbor Day, the Duluth Parks and Recreational team is informing the public about public orchards. There are twelve different varieties of apples within the 16 parks with public orchards. And one park even has a cherry orchard. “Around…

Duluth Central Exhibit Reception At The Depot

DULUTH, Minn. — After several historic items from Duluth’s Central High School were auctioned off this past summer. Duluth Central Alumni Association was able to salvage many of the items from the auction for all to enjoy. Those artifacts became part of an exhibit honoring the school. Even though the school has been closed down since 2011 the Duluth Central…

Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank Raising Awareness For Hunger Action Month

DULUTH, Minn. — September is Hunger Action Month and one food bank in Duluth is raising awareness. Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank hosted a “behind the scenes” tour of their distribution center to show their agency partners and donors what they do, as well as the impact they have on our community. The nationwide campaign raises awareness, food and…

Senator Tina Smith Talks Housing

DULUTH, Minn. — Minnesota Senator Tina Smith held a hearing this week on the lack of housing nationwide and ways the housing situation could be improved. Smith is the Chair of the Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development. She says the housing shortage is not a new issue, it’s been happening and growing for the past 30 years. Smith…

Why No Vikings vs Eagles Over-The-Air Broadcast in the Northland?

League rules don't allow it. FOX21 cannot carry the game.

Many excited Minnesota Vikings fans are making plans to watch Thursday night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles. And, because FOX21 broadcasts so many football games all season, we are being asked if we are going to air the Vikings/Eagles game. Unfortunately, the answer is no. But it’s not our choice! We are not allowed to broadcast the game. The NFL’s…

Local Domestic Violence Shelter Asking For Winter Gear Donations

DULUTH, Minn. — As the weather starts getting colder, a domestic violence survivor shelter in Duluth is asking for the community’s help by donating. Safe Haven Shelter and Resource Center serves 7 counties in northern Minnesota providing services to more than 15-hundred people annually. The shelter is asking for people to donate by going through their Amazon Wishlist. The Wishlist…

Duluth School Board Candidates on the Issues

Referendum and School Resource Officers are election issues.

Wednesday, the public had a chance to hear from Duluth School Board candidates in their own forum. In the city-wide At-Large race, incumbent Alanna Oswald and challenger Stephanie Williams discussed their views. Both candidates said they support the school referendum directed toward technology investment as pandemic relief funds end. However, they disagreed on the use of School Resource Officers. Oswald…

City Council Approves ‘Armored Rescue Vehicle’ For Duluth Police

DULUTH, Minn. — After years of trying, the Duluth Police department has officially been given the OK to purchase its own Armored Rescue Vehicle (ARV) instead of continuing to borrow Superior’s armored vehicle for the city’s most dangerous calls. The council voted 8-0 Monday night to approve Duluth Police Chief Mike Ceynowa to purchase the nearly $380,000 piece of equipment….

Benedictine Living Community Celebrates National Assisted Living Week

DULUTH, Minn. — Benedictine Living Community in Duluth is celebrating those who live and work in assisted living with a week full of fun events. It is National Assisted Living Week and this year’s theme is “Season of Reflection” with events such as a cornhole tournament, dunk tank, special music, and barbeque throughout the week. Benedictine is recognizing those who…

The Northland Remembers Loss Of 9/11 By Climbing Stairs

Firefighters and others climb equivalent of 110 stories in Duluth

While lowered flags were a very visible way to remember 9/11 across the country, Monday in the Northland there was also a quieter, but just as serious way to honor those who died. Inside the DECC in Duluth, several groups came together and repeatedly climbed up and down the stairs. When they were finished, they had methodically covered the equivalent…

Community Leaders Learn All About Firefighting In Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Friday, Superior Firefighters Local 74 hosted a program to show community members what it’s like to be them. It was called FIRE OPS 101, which is an interactive way to teach community members how firefighters keep our communities safe. The event was designed for local business leaders and elected officials to participate in hands-on operations. Those operations…

City of Duluth’s Street Maintenance Crew Busy This Summer

DULUTH, Minn. — With a record amount of snow this past winter here in Duluth, comes record road maintenance. The City of Duluth Street Maintenance crew has been busy this summer with pothole patching, crack filling, and other road repairs. There are 6 patching trucks for employees to work with and every week there is anywhere from 3 to 4-hundred…

Unity Fund Awards First Grant Of $10,000 To Support Homeless Mothers And Children

DULUTH, Minn. — A local program has awarded its first grant to support homeless mothers and children. The Unity Fund of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation works to provide funding for those of African Heritage with business opportunities in the Northland. The first grantee is Divine Konnections, which operates Annie’s House of Refuge and Restoration. The house is a…

UMD Hosts 3rd Annual Volunteer Fair

DULUTH, Minn. — UMD students are finding new ways to give back to the community. It was the 3rd Annual UMD Volunteer Fair Thursday. The fair gives students the opportunities to find different ways to serve and build relationships in the community. The event has doubled in size from last year with around 60 organizations. One UMD students says she…

38th Annual Duluth Rotary Club Rose Sale Begins

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Rotary Club is hosting its largest fundraiser of the year. The 38th Annual Rose Sale is happening now through October 7. Funds from the sale will be used to provide grants to local organizations helping children and less fortunate individuals by providing food, shelter, and clothing. It’ll also help purchase new books for the library….

Duluth Haunted Ship Getting Ready For Spooky Season

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth’s spookiest attraction is preparing for its upcoming season. It is the 29th year of the Haunted Ship in Canal Park. Crews work all winter coming up with new frightful ideas to make it as realistic and scary as possible. This year organizers are calling it fever dream-like with a sinking boat room, narrow escape through catacombs,…

Wildfire Hits 40 Acres in Carlton County

At least one homeowner evacuated Tuesday as fire remained stubborn

The wildfire that had people scrambling near Barnum Monday night, continued to cause problems when the sun came up Tuesday morning. It all started in a swampy marshland area in Carlton County, southeast of Barnum. Fire crews from several communities responded on the ground to try and knock the fire out. Air equipment was also brought in, so that both…

Memory Screens Can Help Detect Dementia or Alzheimer’s Early

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Wisconsin has around 120,000 people living with dementia, reported by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. This number is suspected to double by 2040. But memory screens can offer some relief for early detection. “We get a lot of family that can call us about, you know, we’ve noticed some changes in our loved one.”  Everyone ages,…

Pets Can Help Reduce Stress, Make Positive Impact On Mental Health

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Mental health issues like depression and anxiety are becoming more common among Americans under 30. The American Psychiatric Association says symptoms include loneliness and lack of motivation. One way to help with these symptoms is a four-legged companion. 86% of pet owners say their pets have made a positive impact on their mental health. A furry friend…

Cloquet’s Annual Labor Day Parade

CLOQUET, Minn. –It’s a tradition in Carlton County and Cloquet to have a Labor Day parade. With the great weather today, the parade was very well attended. Scott Loons was one of many at the parade and explained why the parade is important to him. “Well, it’s a family tradition, bring the kids down, support labor. I’m in a union,…

A Local Resident Gives $200,000 to Charity

DULUTH, Minn. — Karen Hallback Main was a person of faith. She cared about the devastating effects of injustice and wanted to do something about it. Today her family presented a gift of $200,000 to the Duluth Salvation Army. She passed away last November at the age of 79. Karen’s brother, Jeff Hallback said, ” In her personal life in…

Superior Restaurant Brings Back Later Closing

Julie's faced same challenges as other restaurants: not enough staff

SUPERIOR, Wis. — There are some happy faces and stomachs in Superior this week. Julie’s Family Restaurant has added back some evening hours. The long-time food favorite had to shorten its hours earlier this summer and close at three in the afternoon. In a predicament facing many restaurants, it was difficult to find enough workers, and those carrying on were…

Vandalism Strikes in New Place

Ballfield facility in Duluth/Proctor sprayed with racial slurs and religious symbols

Several police departments in the Northland have been dealing with vandalism cases in the past several weeks. One of the most recent was along the Duluth/Proctor border this past weekend. Duluth Police say officers responded to a report of graffiti at Klang Park along Boundary Avenue late Saturday afternoon. The graffiti included offensive racial slurs and religious symbols. There were…

MnDOT To Use Text Alerts For Highway Road Closures

  St. PAUL, Minn. — Tired of being surprised by road closures? The Minnesota Department of Transportation will soon be able to notify drivers. MnDOT has entered an agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to use Wireless Emergency Alerts alerting road closures to the public. MnDOT plans to use these text alerts to notify only for highway closures that…

Superior Rotary Club Holds Annual Dragon Boat Races, Raises Funds for 23rd Veterans

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Rotary Club of Superior’s biggest event of the year took place Saturday in the form of their annual Dragon Boat Festival It’s a fundraiser that brings the whole community together for fun. Dragon Boat Racing has been around for more than 2,000 years.  But here in Superior, it’s the 20th annual Dragon Boat Festival. On a…

Group Encourages Keeping the Wrecking Ball Away From Historic Structures

DULUTH, Minn. — There was a call today to save many of Duluth’s buildings from the wrecking ball before it is too late. Outside of the New Garrick Building, built in 1923, the Duluth Preservation Alliance unveiled this year’s Ten Endangered Places List. The goal is to highlight buildings whose future may be uncertain. The group says eight buildings have been…

Preservation Group Says More Duluth Historic Buildings In Danger of Being Demolished

Preservation Alliance Lists "Ten Endangered Places"

There was a call Friday to save many of Duluth’s buildings from the wrecking ball before it is too late. Outside of the New Garrick Building, built in 1923, the Duluth Preservation Alliance unveiled this year’s “Ten Endangered Places List.” The goal is to highlight buildings whose future may be uncertain. The group says eight buildings have been torn down…

Construction Work Continues For Brighton Beach In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — Construction continues to be underway at a well-known park along Lake Superior. Brighton Beach work for picnic areas, landscape and memorial benches will be completed this fall. The City of Duluth’s Senior Parks Planner says the project has been divided into 4 components that are trail work, road construction, shoreline, and park improvements. Each of those has…

Barker’s Island Getting Ready To Host Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Event organizers are busy getting the grounds ready for racers and spectators to go to the Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival. The 2-day event at Barker’s Island in Superior is a free family fun event. All money raised will go towards rotary clubs and the charitable partner this year, 23rd Veteran. There are 51 teams that will…

Welcome Week Starts At UMD

DULUTH, Minn. — The dorms are filling back up at UMD as it is welcome week! The time has come for students to leave home and start their new college journey. UMD officials say there are about 2-thousand new faces this year on campus. The college also has a few new academic programs including a project management undergrad certificate and…