Community

Duluth’s ‘Kingdom of Smelt’ Welcomes Spring with Magic Smelt Run Parade’s Return to Lakewalk

The event came back to paint the Lakewalk silver after a two-year hiatus.

DULUTH, Minn.- The glint of silver on the Lakewalk means one of the most Duluth experiences of the year is back, signaling the end of winter with the Magic Smelt Run Parade. “And bring some great cheer, for the magnificent Smelt Queen will soon be here!” bellowed King Neptune, Jim Ouray in Canal Park. Who else could part the clouds…

Engwall Flowers Busy for Mother’s Day Week

Starting Tuesday florists say they were doing 200 to 300 deliveries daily.

DULUTH, Minn.- Business was in full bloom this Mother’s Day week at Engwall Flowers. Starting Tuesday florists at the store on Matterhorn Drive by the Miller Hill Mall say they were doing 200 to 300 deliveries daily. They say this year they saw a lot more people wanting their flowers delivered early. Of course, things slowed down today but they…

Homegrown’s Kickball Classic Pits Friday Musicians V. Saturday Musicians

After 7 late nights of rocking live music, organizers say this was the perfect event for all ages to chill out.

DULUTH, Minn.- Homegrown continued Saturday with a tradition not entirely all about music – but about kickball. More than 100 people came out to watch the Homegrown Kickball Classic at Chester Bowl Park. The game was between the Friday Homegrown musicians and those that played Saturday. After 7 late nights of rocking live music, organizers say this was the perfect…

Twelve Holy Apostles Orthodox Church Gyro Sale Returns

From noon until 5 the church turned out hundreds of gyros, Greek salads, baklava, and more.

DULUTH, Minn.- Well if you wanted a little taste of Greece Saturday, the Twelve Holy Apostles Orthodox Church in Duluth’s Hillside had your fix with the return of their gyro sale. From noon until 5 the church turned out hundreds of gyros, Greek salads, baklava, and more. Organizers said proceeds will be used to benefit local charities from the Damiano…

North Country Ride Celebrates 40 Years With Derby Gala

DULUTH, Minn.- North Country Ride celebrated 40 years of horseback riding-driven therapy for the special needs population with a Derby Gala at the Buffalo Junction in Duluth. The non-profit organization held a silent auction and dinner. And while the Kentucky Derby was happening Saturday, they also had their own run for the roses. North Country Ride uses horseback riding as…

Mayor Larson Releases New Lighting Policy for Lift Bridge, Enger Tower After Public Scrutiny

Duluth’s Lift Bridge DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Mayor Emily Larson says the lights on the Aerial Lift Bridge once again will change colors for specific holidays in her updated lighting policy. It comes after she faced heavy public scrutiny two months ago for the previous policy that did not accept any special requests to light the bridge in different colors….

Hartley Nature Center Expansion

DULUTH, Minn. — We got an inside look at the new multimillion dollar building expansion of Duluth’s Hartley Nature Center. This $2.9 million dollar project was outlined in the 2014 Hartley Park Master Plan. It features new restrooms, community gathering centers, parking, and park-wide signage. The classrooms will also be upgraded to help nurture the educational component of their operations….

Grandmothers for Peace Call for End to Ukraine War This Mother’s Day

DULUTH, Minn. — As Mother’s Day approaches and the war in Ukraine rages on local activists with the Grandmothers for Peace want to call on women across the world to unite and re enforce the importance of peace. In 1870, a writer, Julia Ward Howe wrote the ‘Mother’s Day Proclamation’, which was a call to action asking mothers to come forward…

Coffee Conversation: Oasis Del Norte To Expand To Restaurant In Duluth’s Lincoln Park

DULUTH, Minn. – The owner of Oasis Del Norte, Eduardo Sandoval-Luna, talked to FOX 21’s Dan Hanger about the success of his food trailer and his plans to expand the brand into a restaurant in the Lincoln Park Craft District. Click the video above for that conversation, and click here to find out where Oasis Del Norte will have its…

Coffee Conversation: Barbara Reyelts Talks New Book, Journalism, Retirement

DULUTH, Minn. — Barbara Reyelts, who retired from broadcasting three years ago after spending nearly 40 years as an anchor, investigative reporter and news director at KBJR-TV, stopped by FOX 21’s morning show Friday to talk to Dan Hanger about her new book, “Dying To Live.” The book is about an elderly medical scientist who awakes in a hospital to…

MMIW National Day of Awareness

DULUTH, Minn. — For the first time in two years, a group was able to march down to the water in honor of National Awareness Day for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, girls, and two Spirit The ongoing issue of violence against indigenous women and girls in some cases are fatal, and in others, loved ones go missing. Dozens of…

Local Photographer Highlighting the Northland and Beyond

Joe Polecheck is a passionate and local photographer who uses a combination of DSLR's and drones to capture the many scenes of the Northland and beyond.

SUPERIOR, Wis. — The Northland offers so much beautiful scenery for photographers to take advantage of, and one local artist is showing us the view through his lens and how a local business is helping showcase it. Joe Polecheck is a passionate and local photographer who uses a combination of DSLR’s and drones to capture the many scenes of the…

Coffee Conversation: Tickets Available For North Country Ride’s Derby Gala Saturday

The non-profit in Esko helps people with special needs live their best lives through interactions with horses.

DULUTH, Minn. – North Country Ride’s Derby Gala is happening this Saturday, May 7, at the Buffalo House Junction, and one of the non-profit’s board members joined Dan Hanger, who is emceeing the gala, on the morning show to talk about what to expect.  Click the video above for that conversation. For ticket information for the Derby Gala, click here….

Superior Officials, Mental Health Service Providers Connect with Residents at Mental Health Awareness Night

Mayor Jim Paine announced he's proposing to devote $50,000 in federal funding for therapy in high schools.

DULUTH, Minn.- Superior Mayor Jim Paine announced he’s proposing to devote thousands in federal COVID relief to help address mental health among young people, as service providers hoped to keep the conversation going at the Mental Health Awareness Night. Dozens of resources and service providers gathered at the Belgian club on East 2nd Street in Superior, kicking off Mental Health…

Report: Husky Refinery Knew About Issues Before Blast

WPR secured nearly 1,300 pages of documents from OSHA that shed new light on what those officials knew in the days leading up to the explosion at the refinery in Superior.

SUPERIOR, Wis. (AP) — Officials at a northwestern Wisconsin oil refinery knew about equipment issues years before a 2018 explosion there, according to Occupational Safety and Health Administration documents obtained by Wisconsin Public Radio. WPR secured nearly 1,300 pages of documents from OSHA that shed new light on what those officials knew in the days leading up to the explosion at…

Ursa Minor Among Businesses Excited to be Part of Homegrown’s Comeback Track

Roughly double the staff prepared were ready to serve the bar-hopping music lovers who packed it in starting at 6:15 p.m. Monday.

DULUTH, Minn.- After an exciting first verse of Homegrown Music Festival’s comeback track Sunday the music kept flowing through the Lincoln Park Craft District Monday. And businesses like Ursa Minor Brewing again couldn’t be more excited. “It’s hard to remember a packed hall it’s been a few years you know,” owner Ben Hugus said. “But it was a different experience…

Filmmaking in the Northland: Lost 40 Studios Wraps Up Production of Canusa Street

CHISHOLM, Minn. – “It has been an incredible process. Filmmaking should not be this smooth, I have kept waiting, when is the second shoe gonna drop, when is some like chaos moment going to happen. But, it’s been an incredible shooting experience,” Canusa Street Writer and Director, Zack Morrison says. Canusa Street is a half hour TV comedy pilot about…

Proctor Golf Course Open to Public

The Proctor-Esko vs. Hermantown match is the first event hosted at the Proctor Golf Course this year.

PROCTOR, Minn.– It’s officially tee-time in the Northland again, as golf courses are opening back up for those eager to back out on the green. The Proctor Golf Course officially opened today, with high school golf teams competed in their first match of the season. The Proctor Golf Course manager tells us that the course is about a month behind…

Public Joins Friends, Relatives in Mourning Sean, Riana, Shiway, Sadie Barry

Grief and laughter were brought out in the Marshall School Auditorium Sunday.

DULUTH, Minn.- Hundreds from the Duluth area and beyond joined relatives of the Barry Family at their Funeral Sunday as they shared their memories, paid their respects, and said farewell to Sean, Riana, Shiway, and Sadie. “I’d just like to thank everybody. The last 10 days, have been hard,” said Sean’s younger brother, Brian, holding back tears. The two parents,…

Labor Unions, Community Hold International Worker Solidarity Rally

Organizers said the number of people present showed that workers’ rights are a priority for the community.

DULUTH, Minn.- Around the world, the first day of May is celebrated as May Day, which represents International Workers’ Day. At the Harrison Community Center in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, roughly a dozen different labor unions and community organizations came together for the 2nd annual International Worker Solidarity Rally. City Councilor Azrin Awal read a proclamation by Mayor Emily Larson…

24th Year of Duluth Homegrown Music Festival Returns

DULUTH, Minn. — The homegrown music festival not only brings people together and highlights local talent during a week of wonderful music but the kickoff to the 24th year of it celebrates more than just that. “Oh it’s so exciting we’ve been honestly like preparing for months for this show,” Diona Johnson “Afrogeode” of Afrogeode and the Gemstones said. This…

Relatives Encourage Community to Join in Celebrating Lives of Barry Family at Funeral Sunday

According to the Council President, the family plans to Livestream the funeral as well, and you can catch it on FOX 21 News at 9 Sunday.

DULUTH, Minn.- The community is asked to once again come together, this time to celebrate the lives of Sean, Rianna, Shiway, and Sadie Barry before they are laid to rest. The family is urging the public to join them for the funeral service Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Marshall School Auditorium. Duluth City Council President Arik Forsman, who was…

Families Get Active for 30th Healthy Kids Day at Duluth YMCA

DULUTH, Minn.- Saturday was the 30th Anniversary of the Duluth Area YMCA’s largest one-day event, celebrating healthy lifestyles for families and kicking off the Y’s Summer Schedule. FOX 21 Photojournalist Owen Zagrabelny takes us to Healthy Kids Day. Superior Douglas County Family YMCA will hold their Healthy Kids Day Event Sunday from 11-3. Categories: Community, Education, Entertainment, Health, Minnesota, News,…

Yarn Harbor Celebrates 5th Annual Local Yarn Shop Day

According to Kathy Thomas, owner of Yarn Harbor, it's important to celebrate brick and mortar yarn shops in all communities.

DULUTH, Minn.- Knitting enthusiasts got all tied up in the 5th annual Local Yarn Shop Day at Yarn Harbor in Duluth. The store featured special limited yarn shop day supplies and free patterns with your yarn purchase. According to Kathy Thomas, owner of Yarn Harbor, it’s important to celebrate brick and mortar yarn shops in all communities. “It’s a lot…

JDRF Walk Brings Awareness, Support for Those Suffering with Type 1 Diabetes

DULUTH, Minn. — Saturday morning brought out over a hundred people to the Gichi-Dde’ Akiing park for a walk that raises awareness about type one diabetes, and shows those who have it, that they are not alone. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, or JDRF, partnered with Essentia Health to bring this walk back to Duluth. Teams spent the 3 to…

Rally Kicks off Return of Dragon Boat Festival

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The long ore-driven Dragon Boats are back racing in Lake Superior this summer, and Superior citizens celebrated their return Friday at a kickoff event. The Dragon Boat festival is the largest charitable event the city of Superior has to offer. It was called off the past 2-years, last year partially due to the closure of the Canadian…

Mayor Larson: New Lift Bridge, Enger Lighting Policy To Be Released Week Of May 1

Duluth’s Lift Bridge lit for Ukraine DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Mayor Emily Larson told FOX 21’s Dan Hanger on Friday that she’ll be releasing her updated lighting policy sometime next week after getting heavy scrutiny from the public two months ago over the previous policy that did not accept any special requests to light the iconic Lift Bridge different colors…

Twin Ports Dermatology Talks Annual Skin Checks, Protection, Cancer Treatment

DULUTH, Minn. — Melanoma Awareness Month starts May 1, and health experts are taking extra steps to inform people about their skin health. FOX 21’s Dan Hanger talked to Heather Smith, owner of Twin Ports Dermatology, which has been serving the Duluth area for more than seven years now. Smith talks about the importance of annual skin checks, the proper…

Duluth Task Force Helping Address Safety Downtown

DULUTH, Minn. — Downtown Duluth has so much to offer from the bar and restaurant scene, to live performances at different venues, and Mayor Larson has assembled a task force to continue developing downtown with four main areas of focus: safety, activation, investment and vision. The announcement of the task force comes at the perfect time as it falls during…

One-On-One: Duluth Pack CEO Talks 140 Years Of USA-Made Company

DULUTH,  Minn. — Homegrown Duluth Pack is the oldest canvas and leather bag/pack maker in the USA, and the company is celebrating its 140th anniversary with a limited edition Legacy Pack. FOX 21’s Dan Hanger recently chatted with Duluth Pack CEO Tom Sega about the new product and the company’s long success. Click on the video for that conversation and…

Second Harvest Receives $20,000 Donation from Miller Hill Subaru

DULUTH, Minn. – Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank will be able to provide around 60-thousand meals thanks to a donation from Miller Hill Subaru. The dealership picked them as the latest local recipient of their annual “Share the Love” campaign.  When a person purchases or leases a vehicle through them, the dealership will donate $250 to one of five charities…

Live Interview: New Incentives Offered To Recruit, Retain Duluth Police Officers

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Police Lt. Steve Ring, who has been on the department for more than 20 years, stopped by FOX 21 during the 7 a.m. hour to talk to Dan Hanger about new incentives being offered to recruit and retain Duluth police officers.   Click the video above for more on that conversation, and see below for a press…

Superior Fire Dept. Looks Back On Husky Refinery Explosion 4 Years Later

From coordinating evacuation to the response on-scene, Superior Fire officials say valuable lessons were learned from an event they hope they never have to respond to again.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The nearly 30,000 people who had to evacuate their homes in Superior will never forget April 26, 2018 – when the Husky Refinery exploded and shook the city, putting first responders to the ultimate test. “When people see a big cloud of black smoke I’m sure people get reminded of that incident that happened that day, ‘oh are…

Bus Bike Walk Month Underway in Twin Ports

DULUTH, Minn. – Earth Day was the start of the annual Bus Bike Walk Month in the Twin Ports. For over a decade Zeitgeist and their partners have been hosting a number of activities focused on these three modes of transportation. “We’re able to offer a whole bunch of different fun activities for people of all ages and abilities,” says Andrea…

Local Rotary Club Member Returns from Work with Ukrainian Refugees in Poland

Rotary Clubs in Poland, coupled with others across the world, have helped raise $150,000 of the $300,000 needed to start a mental health center.

DULUTH, Minn.- A member of the Duluth Skyline Rotary Club returned from Poland to continue raising money to establish a mental health center for Ukrainian refugee kids caught up in the turmoil of Russia’s invasion of their country. Bob Sherman traveled to Poland in March to see firsthand the needs of the millions of Ukrainian refugees who fled there. It…

Hoops Brewing Owner Dave Hoops Talks Beer Industry, Community, His Legacy

DULUTH, Minn. – Dave Hoops, owner of Hoops Brewing in Canal Park, is one of a select group chosen to judge the World Beer Cup in Minneapolis next month. In the meantime, Hoops talked to FOX 21’s Dan Hanger about the beer industry, community and his legacy.  Click the video above for the conversation. Categories: Business, Coffee Conversation, Community, Entertainment,…