Community

Three 148th Fighter Wing Members Earn Minnesota Airmen of the Year Honors

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Three members of the Duluth-based 148th Fighter Wing have been selected as part of this year’s Minnesota National Guard Airmen of the Year. Five members of the 148th and the St. Paul-based 133rd Airlift Wing were selected by their Command Chiefs and the State Command Chief based on their job performance, leadership, community involvement, and personal achievement…

Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women

DULUTH, MINN. — Friday was a day to remember missing and murdered Native American women. Family, friends, and advocates gathered at City Hall to help bring awareness to the issue, and to the women themselves. One goal is to focus national attention on it at all levels of government. Rene Goodrich of the Native Lives Matter Coalition says, “Together here,…

Pancake Day At The DECC Thursday

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Lions Club is all set up and ready to go for Thursday’s 64th annual Pancake Day at the DECC. Organizers are hoping the popular fundraiser can attract 10,000 hungry kids and adults. It kicked off at 6 a.m. Thursday and will go through 7:30 p.m. Volunteers will be pouring batter and flipping flapjacks on the…

Northland Community Reflects Canadian Singer-Songwriter Gordon Lightfoot

DULUTH, Minn. — We pay our respects Tuesday to Canadian Singer and Songwriter, Gordon Lightfoot, who passed away Monday. Lightfoot had recently just canceled his 2023 concert schedule due to health issues a month before his passing. He was best known for his song “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” which is the haunting story of the Lake Superior shipping…

Gary New Duluth Thanks Community for Skateboard Park Effort

Excitement builds for push to complete the project

GARY NEW DULUTH, Minn.–The Gary New Duluth community could not wait to celebrate the coming of spring Monday. Part of the celebration included a great meal as a way to acknowledge everyone who has worked so hard to make a skateboard park a reality. “It is so important to get everybody together for something like this. So many of the…

Community Action Duluth Month

DULUTH, Minn. — May 1st marks the start of Community Action Month in Minnesota. Community Action is a non-profit organization that supports low-income households. During the month they offer community events such as a Car Care zoom Class, Tree planting, and Gardeb Bed Raising. They are also having their first block party foundation to help those in need. “Our mission…

Duluth Playhouse Announces Upcoming Productions

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Playhouse has announced their list of productions for the 2023-2024 season. These shows are for the Main Stage and start mid-September. They vary from new to classic productions. The list is below: Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein Book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan Music and Lyrics by Mel Brooks September 15-October 1, 2023 The Sound…

Legal Aid Service Of Northeastern Minnesota Hosts 5k Fundraiser In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — It was a cold one Sunday morning as people participated in the Law Day 5k fundraiser. The Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota hosted its second 5k fundraiser Sunday morning. Participants raised money through donations and raffle items to help provide funds for the Legal Aid Service. This fundraiser will help them provide legal support to low-income…

Duluth Native Curlers Secure Historic USA Gold Win Over Japan

DULUTH, Minn. – Two Duluth native curlers of Team USA have taken a historic gold win over Japan. Korey Dropkin, 27, and Corey Thiesse, 28, secured USA’s first mixed doubles curling world title Saturday in Gangneung, Korea. This is the same arena Team USA took home the gold in 2018. Team Coach Cathy Overton from Winnipeg and National Coach Phill…

Homegrown Music Festival Kicks Off For 25th Year

DULUTH, Minn. — Music is officially taking over Duluth for the 25th annual Homegrown Music Festival. Mayor Emily Larson kicked off the eight-day festival Sunday with a proclamation and toast at Hoops Brewing. Zeitgeist Teatro, Blacklist, Carmody Irish Pub and Pizza Luce are among the 36 venues supporting 171 sets through Sunday. There are dress-up themes every day. For more…

Arrest Made In Minneapolis Mosque Fires That Rattled Muslims

Fire crews at The Mercy Islamic Center in Minneapolis last Monday. (FOX 9) Minneapolis police have arrested a man suspected of setting two fires that damaged mosques in the city last week as part of what the police chief called “an attempt to inflict terror onto our Muslim community.” Police Chief Brian O’Hara announced the arrest of 36-year-old Jackie Rahm…

BMSE Community Day Free Kids Camp Returns for Second Year

The camp is this upcoming Wednesday, May 3. It is scheduled from 4-6 PM at Malosky Stadium. No registration necessary.

DULUTH, Minn.- Next week, mark your calendars, the annual Community Day Free Kids Camp presented by the Black Men Serving Excellence group returns for its second year. Next Wednesday, May 3, all kids across the Northland are welcome to participate in outdoor games and activities at Malosky Stadium. There will be fun friendly competition, group games, personalized paint-your-own t-shirts and…

Superior YMCA Hosts Earth Day Event

  SUPERIOR, Wis. — A collaborative event took place at the Superior YMCA Friday in honor of Earth Day It was to teach students ways to prevent pollution and live a healthy lifestyle. Groups that were there to teach elementary school students from around the area included the Northwest Wisconsin Lung Health Alliance and Superior’s Environmental Services Division, among others….

Duluth Celebrates The Life Of Judge Sally Tarnowski

A day of fond memories, professional achievements, and deep friendships

DULUTH, Minn. — A Duluth born-and-raised attorney and judge was remembered by friends, family and colleagues Thursday during a memorial at the DECC. Judge Sally Tarnowski died unexpectedly in March when she was struck by a vehicle while jogging on vacation in Florida. Tarnowski was 63 years old. Thursday’s reflections included her Duluth public school roots, her going to law…

MN House, Senate Pass ‘Northern Lights Express’ Funding In Transportation Bills

DULUTH, Minn. — For the first time ever, the Northern Lights Express project now has financial backing from the Minnesota House and the Senate. The Senate has approved $50 million toward the passenger rail service between the Twin Ports and Minneapolis. This comes after the House Transportation Committee set aside full funding for NLX in its omnibus bill and was…

Duluth YMCA Celebrates Afterschool Professionals

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Area YMCA celebrates its afterschool professionals for national afterschool appreciation week. This week is about appreciating and advocating for those who work with this communities’ youths during out-of-school hours. The Duluth Area YMCA is making a comeback after the Covid Pandemic. With 140 staff members and growing, they are able to provide care to 1,000…

Brother, Sister Of Fire Victims Thank Duluth Firefighters, Community

DULUTH, Minn. – A brother and sister who lost their sister and nephew in a weekend apartment fire in Duluth are thanking the firefighters who tried to save their relatives and for the outpouring of community support with the unexpected funeral costs. Fatal fires are not common in Duluth, especially fires that take the life of more than one person….

Task Force to Improve Downtown Duluth Reports Progress

Increasing concerns had prompted a search for solutions

Concerns about downtown Duluth’s future and its direction prompted a task force last fall to look at the issues. Monday, members said they feel good about what has happened so far. The task force said progress has been made in several areas, including dealing with the issues of mental health resources, selecting businesses for improved lighting, a meeting in May…

Therese Wisocki Joins List Of Candidates For Duluth City Council

DULUTH, Minn. – Another candidate has announced her run for the Duluth City Council. Therese Wisocki told FOX 21 on Sunday that she’s a retired telecommunications professional who has never run for political office before. Wisocki said she’s hoping to focus on improving public safety downtown and bringing new development there. Rising property taxes and low wages are also on…

Gary-New Duluth Rec Center Raising Money Through A Rummage Sale

GARY-NEW DULUTH, Minn. — The Gary-New Duluth Rec Center is hosting a rummage sale in West Duluth Friday and Saturday. The rummage sale is open and affordable to everyone. Prices are not marked on the items. Instead, people can pay whatever they are comfortable with. Thanks to the generosity of the surrounding community the Rec Center has received many donations…

Special Olympics Minnesota Hosts Unified Indigenous Games At Cloquet High School

CLOQUET, Minn. — A fun event took place at the Cloquet High School bringing students of all abilities together by playing games. Special Olympics Minnesota hosted the Unified Indigenous Games combining students with and without disabilities to play, learn, and grow together. The traditional indigenous games come from all over the world and have always been adaptable and accessible to…

UMD Students Host ‘Be the Match’ To Help Boy Avoid Terminal List

The students will host another swabbing event on Monday from noon until 8 p.m.

DULUTH, Minn. — A Be the Match recruitment event was held at the University of Minnesota-Duluth to help those who are fighting blood diseases. UMD’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) helped organize this event to help patients looking for a blood stem-cell transplant find their match. Thursday’s event was for almost 2-year-old Ari Chambers.  Ari has not been able to find…

“No Hit Zones” Hope to Prevent Spanking of Children or Hitting Others

Staff members in certain public spaces will intervene.

It is child abuse prevention month, and part of that includes an effort by some to get parents to move away from spanking children. Thursday, supporters of that effort gathered at the YMCA in Hermantown to promote an area coalition that is establishing and increasing the number of “No Hit Zones.” The zones will be spaces and agencies where others…

New Bicycle Tour Event To Honor Late Minnesota Senator David Tomassoni

EVELETH, Minn. — The late Minnesota Senator David Tomassoni who died last year from ALS is getting a new ALS fundraising tour named in his honor. ALS nonprofit Never Surrender Inc. is launching a new bike riding event called the “Tomassoni Tour, Cycle for ALS.” The announcement was made Wednesday at the Mesabi Station in Eveleth. The tour will happen…

Mayor Again Asks Duluth Council To Avoid Budget Cuts, Use ‘Rescue Plan’ Funds

DULUTH, Minn. – Mayor Emily Larson is speaking up — through an email to councilors — about this year’s $383,000 in city wide budget cuts. She’s urging them to avoid the cuts by using American Rescue Plan funds. The $383,000 handles the one-percent levy cut the council made last December in Larson’s proposed property tax levy increase, which she said…

Duluth Fire Department Busy in 2022, With Some Ups and Downs

Overall runs were up, but actual fires down. Code enforcement was up.

DULUTH, Minn. – Wednesday the Duluth Fire Department presented a picture of what calls were up and which were down in 2022. In 2022, the department made 478 more runs than the year before. That’s an increase of 3.2%. over 2021.  There were twenty-four fewer fire calls. There were also 18 water rescues, down by 21 from the year before….

Spring Allergy Season Right Around The Corner

DULUTH, Minn. — Although it may not look like spring outside right now, allergies are still a concern for many. Trees will be pollinating soon, and the pollination affects those with allergies causing runny noses, congestion, and watery eyes. Fox21 spoke with an expert at the Allergy and Asthma Center of MN in Duluth on what to do when spring…

Sleeping Bags, Tents Wanted As Duluth’s Warming Shelter Closes For Season

DULUTH, Minn. — The CHUM drop-in shelter in Duluth is asking for donated sleeping bags and tents as more of the homeless population will be out in the elements with Duluth’s Warming Shelter closing for the season on Monday. This comes as CHUM and MnDOT are planned to clean up a growing homeless encampment in Duluth sometime this week. The…

CJ Ham’s Fourth Annual Youth Football Camp Open for Registration

The camp is set for July 8 at Public Schools Stadium on the campus of Duluth Denfeld.

DULUTH, Minn.- Summer is nearing and one of the most popular events of the season is back for its fourth year. Former Denfeld Hunter and Vikings fullback, CJ Ham’s Annual Youth Football Camp is now open for registration. The camp is set for July 8 at Public Schools Stadium on the campus of Duluth Denfeld. The camp includes one on…

Homeless Encampment, Debris Grow Near Bayfront Park; Cleanup Effort Planned Next Week

DULUTH, Minn. — A homeless encampment across the street from Bayfront Park has grown into a public health hazard, and a CHUM official confirms MnDOT will be cleaning the property sometime next week. There are two growing sections along Railroad Street with about five tents and other items across from Playfront Park next to I35. The second section that’s most…

Dept. By Dept. Breakdown Of 2023 Duluth Budget Cuts, City’s Reason Why

DULUTH, Minn. – FOX 21 has gathered new details involving city wide budget cuts in Duluth worth $383,000. City administration says the cuts involve this year’s status-quo budget. The Duluth Police Department, which has the largest portion of the city’s budget, is being asked to cut $98,402. The Duluth Fire Department holds the city’s second-largest portion of the yearly budget….

Memorial Blood Centers Bloodmobile Stops By Lake Superior College

DULUTH, Minn. — The Memorial Blood Centers Bloodmobile stopped by Lake Superior College Wednesday. Almost 30 students and faculty signed up to give blood, as blood donations are urgently needed. The Bloodmobile stops by many businesses and schools going all the way up to International Falls, down to Hinkley, and some spots in Wisconsin. The driver of the bus says…

Duluth Business Owners Helping Each Other

West Duluth Business Club Working to Make Things Happen

A group of Duluth business owners is welcoming new members as it works to help the area prosper. Members of the West Duluth Business Club gather the second Wednesday of every month at Mr. D’s. Wednesday was no exception. There is usually a guest speaker, and this month it was Amber Burns with the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation. One…

Erbert & Gerbert’s Reopens After Berquist Imports Fire In Cloquet

CLOQUET, Minn. — After fire ripped through Berquist Imports in Cloquet in February, it’s neighboring business Erbert & Gerbert’s is now reopen. The owner of the sandwich shop tells Fox 21 suffered extensive smoke and inventory damage from the nearby fire worth $40,000, but everything is back now. Meanwhile Berquist’s remains heavily damaged. A new post on its website says…

Pump It For Parkinson’s At Benedictine Living Community In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — The Benedictine Living Community was promoting exercise Tuesday through a “Pump it for Parkinson’s” event. NuStep and the National Institute for Fitness and Sport are behind the program. They’re trying to get senior communities across the country reach a total of 1 million steps in. Benedictine had a goal of 30,000 steps and ended up doubling it….

Duluth Marshall’s Anna Hron Pursues Dreams of Playing Baseball

Catch the full story Wednesday night for this week's Northern Star. 

DULUTH, Minn.- Baseball season is finally coming around in the Northland and one local high school team has welcome a new player to their roster, one that says she’s proud to play like a girl. Anna Hron, a sophomore at Duluth Marshall, has always had a passion for baseball but felt softball was the only route for her. Now, Anna…