Community

UMD Students Help Connect Hillside Residents to Healthy Food Sources

Organizers say they hope to take steps in improving food security in the Hillside neighborhood which has direct impacts on health and life expectancy.

DULUTH, Minn.- UMD students hoped to connect some residents of the Steve O-Neil Apartments in Duluth with healthier food options at their Land Lab near Jean Duluth Road, for Healthy Lives Day. Growers from local farms joined families in touring the UMD farm. They hope to improve those families’ access to healthy food from local sources. Organizers say they hope…

Haunted Yard in Cloquet Raises Money for County Seat Theater, Donations for Food Shelf

CLOQUET, Minn.- One man in Cloquet decked out his yard for a fun trick-or-treat destination, while also raising funds for the County Seat Theater and donations for the local food shelf. FOX 21 Photojournalist Marcus Asmus takes us to the Nicholson Haunted Yard. Categories: Community, Entertainment, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News Tags: Bil Nicholson, Halloween, Halloween Decorations, haunted yard

Haunted Barn Bringing Frights, Funds for Rice Lake Fire Department Saturday

Organizer Katie Engen says her older daughter wanted to help after seeing the fires up north.

DULUTH, Minn. –  If you were looking for a Halloween activity Saturday a bit more out of town, one family is continuing their tradition while also helping out first responders. The Haunted Barn at 3974 Hicken Road in Rice Lake Township is back this year, free for kids. Donations are encouraged, which go towards the Rice Lake Fire Department. Organizer…

Law Enforcement Prepared For Busy Halloweekend

DULUTH, Minn. –The Minnesota State Patrol is not messing around this Halloween. Normally a pretty busy night for them, they want to make sure the holiday doesn’t contribute to the record-breaking number of traffic deaths the state’s seen so far this year. Last year they reported 318 arrests state-wide, averaging three per hour on Halloween. A Lieutenant with the State…

Trick Or Treat At Lowell Elementary

DULUTH, Minn. — Lowell Elementary School invited students and families to come for a trick or treat hike through the school grounds this afternoon. Kids dressed as animals, super heroes, or their favorite Disney character, took a walk through the woods of Lowell Elementary to collect candy from their teachers and different treats from staff. This is a PTA event…

Duluth Parks and Rec Hosting ‘Halloween Hunt’ in Lincoln Park

There Are 20 Halloween Symbols Hidden Throughout Lincoln Park Along Miller Creek

DULUTH, Minn. – If you’re looking to gorge yourself on festive fun this weekend while enjoying the nice weather, Duluth Parks and Rec has an opportunity for you. They’re hosting a Halloween Hunt in Duluth’s Lincoln Park. All weekend long, families and all hikers are encouraged to trek along Miller Creek in the park, looking for 20 Halloween-themed symbols in…

Fire Officials Encourage Safety First This Halloween Weekend

Children Should Have Bright Colored Costumes, Reflective Material While Trick-or-Treating

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Fire Department wants to make sure everyone enjoys treats, not tricks this Halloween weekend. They’re looking to remind parents and children of the potential dangers associated with trick-or-treating. After COVID-19 practically sidelined festive fun last year, they’re encouraging parents to have a talk with kids before heading out to collect candy. It’s important to stay…

Halloween Marks 30th Anniversary of 1991 Blizzard

The storm dumped over 30 inches of snow in the northland during a three-day period.

DULUTH, Minn. — Weather forecasters are looking back at an even more scary holiday as Sunday marks 30 years since the 1991 blizzard in Minnesota. The storm dumped over 30 inches of snow in the northland during a three-day period. It broke records that still hold up decades later. Experts at the National Weather Service in Duluth say technology back…

Vintage Hideaway Market Brings Out Christmas Decor

With eight vendors now using the new space, they wanted to make sure they get their holiday products out early for crafters.

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — Is it too early to be thinking about Christmas? One local shop in Hermantown doesn’t think so. Vintage Hideaway Market has already set out a variety of Christmas items as they anticipate a busy holiday season. With eight vendors now using the new space, they wanted to make sure they get their holiday products out early for…

Lakewood Elementary Students Participate in Halloween Parade

Staff hope they can continue the tradition of going outside next year.

DULUTH, Minn. — Little ghouls and fairies paraded around Lakewood Elementary School in Duluth for their annual Halloween parade. With more than 200 students in the school, most of them were dressed up in their costumes for the end-of-the-day parade. A new element was added this year, where the students would be able to go outside and walk around the…

Spooktacular Fun Planned in Superior This Weekend

Events Kick off Friday with the Fun Wrapping Up on Halloween Night

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Calling all ghosts and goblins! If you’re looking for spooktacular fun, head to the City of Superior this weekend. The annual Superior Spooktacular celebration begins Friday at 3 p.m. with Trick-or-Treating in the Business Improvement District. There will then be a drive-in movie at World of Wheels, and the free ‘Massacre on Hammond’ walk-thru display at 7…

Eyes On The Prize: Archery Courses Offered at Chalstrom’s Range

Chalstrom's is Located at 5067 Rice Lake Road in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – In this week’s Active Adventures, Meteorologist Ken Slama channels his inner Robin Hood at Chalstrom’s archery range – minus the bycocket and tunic. The knowledgeable and helpful staff was able to get him dialed in and hitting the center of the target in no time. They are open 7 days a week if you want to head up…

Morning Update 10-29-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Friday, October 29, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Friday, October 29, 2021. Have a great day! Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, News, weather

Trick Or Treat At Fairlawn Mansion

SUPERIOR, Wis. — The Fairlawn Mansion in Superior opened its front doors for a Halloween trick or treat event Thursday and Friday. Kids and families can go up the front steps and get candy, while being able to wander the first floor and look around the mansion. Staff says the front doors aren’t opened often to preserve their history and…

Duluth East Performs Freaky Friday Through Weekend

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth East is showcasing its first all in-person theater production, starting Thursday and through the weekend. The cast is performing Disney’s Freaky Friday, which has been in the works since auditions back in May. They say building the set was a challenge with lumber being expensive through the pandemic, and there have been quarantine interruptions with the…

Costco Hosts Grand Opening In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. —  “I think they will be impressed with their first time at a Costco,” Duluth Costco General Manager John Kuzas said Thursday. The wholesale retail store is now officially open in Duluth. “There was a lot of excitement this morning we had people lining up at about seven o’clock,” Kuzas said. One of those people was Myra Cloud…

Duluth Marshall to Start Nature-Based School

The school will officially open in the fall of next year.

DULUTH, Minn. — Excitement is building for a new nature-based school on the campus of Duluth Marshall. The Forest School will serve 4-year-olds up to 4th graders. The goal is to increase academic achievement, social skills and self-management skills. Students will use Duluth Marshall’s campus, which sits on 40 acres of trails, fields and creeks — making for a natural…

Local Mother Brings Nutritional Smoothie Options to Duluth

Cooking Connection: Banana Bread Smoothie with 'Oh So Smoothie'

DULUTH, Minn. – In this week’s Cooking Connection, Meteorologist Ken Slama meets up with Katie Dague of ‘Oh So Smoothie’ to see what smoothie creations she has to offer. Stepping away from more traditional smoothies, Katie combines fresh ingredients to whip up a banana bread smoothie. If you like banana bread, then you will find this smoothie to be delicious,…

Midday Update 10-28-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, October 28, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, October 28, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News, weather

Morning Update 10-28-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, October 28, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, October 28, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, News, weather

Curling Olympic Trials Underway at Curl Mesabi

The last time Northern Minnesota held a trials was for the men’s and women’s curling team in 1998, but this is the first time a Mixed Doubles Olympic Trials has been held.

EVELETH, Minn. — The US Olympic Trials for Mixed Doubles Curling is going on this week in Eveleth, and teams from all over the US are here vying for a spot on the US National Team as they get ready for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. The trials started Tuesday with 10 teams, playing a round robin tournament till…

Outfitters Preparing for Winter Camping

The business' manager says there's nothing quite like winter camping at the BWCA.

ELY, Minn. — Camping became more popular as people changed up their hobbies and habits during the pandemic, and that includes even camping in the cold. The Piragis Northwoods Company in Ely is one of the few outfitting companies in the area which continues to draw in campers during the winter time. The shelves are stocked with everything they need…

Zup’s Opens In New Location

Store owners say they have added 30 employees giving them 90 total. 

ELY, Minn. — Folks in one part of the Northland have a brand new option for buying groceries. After closing their old location in mid-October, Zup’s has now officially opened a new store in Ely formerly occupied by Shopko. “They needed to expand, and they did. It’s a wonderful location,” Ely Resident James Stone says. While it’s still on the…

Midday Update 10-27-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, October 27, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News, weather

Preparations Underway for Chum Warming Center; Organizer Seek Volunteers

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Louis County officials say preparations have started once again to offer a warming center this winter for people experiencing homelessness in the Duluth area. As part of the preparations, organizers are looking for volunteers and donations so they can be ready when the first cold night arrives. While CHUM staff is always on-site when the warming…

Morning Update 10-27-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, October 27, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, News, weather

‘The Amazing Kreskin’ Coming to Duluth’s West Theatre

The Show is Happening Wednesday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m.

DULUTH, Minn. – If you’re into mind-blowing entertainment, you’ll want to head to the West Theatre in Duluth Wednesday, Oct. 27. First rising to fame back in the 1970s, the Amazing Kreskin is still going strong, performing across the world at the age of 83. Kreskin is making a stop in Duluth Wednesday and needs your support to witness his…

Chester Bowl Gearing Up for Winter Season

They are also starting to fit people for their winter equipment.

DULUTH, Minn. — As the warm weather winds down ski hills in the area are making the transition to their winter season. “The winter transition really happens at the end of spring we start doing our annual chairlift maintenance we start planning for the upcoming winter,” Chester Bowl Programs & Operations Manager, Sam Luoma says. Right now, Chester Bowl and…

Officials Hope ‘WICsconsin Enrollment Week’ Helps More Sign Up For Assistance

WIC provides info on health nutrition, breastfeeding, and more, as well as money for certain nutrient-rich foods.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- This week across the state of Wisconsin, community agencies are helping expecting and current mothers, and other legal guardians of kids under five sign up for the Women, Infants and Children, or “WIC”, assistance program. WIC provides info on health nutrition, breastfeeding, and more, as well as money for certain nutrient-rich foods. Eligibility and the amount of money…

Scarium at the Aquarium Back with Fishes and Frights at Great Lakes Aquarium

Just like last year, masks are required at the three-day event, already sold out at 750 tickets.

DULUTH, Minn.- For the next few days the fish at the Great Lakes Aquarium have something new to look at, as folks are coming by in their Halloween costumes for Scarium at the Aquarium. “It’s enrichment for the animals too to see folks in costumes, something a little out of the ordinary,” said Alexis Berke, Director of Learning and Engagement…

Statewide Virtual Manufacturing Fair Takes Place Thursday

Most manufacturing jobs only need a high school degree and on-site job training.

DULUTH, Minn. — Minnesota Gov. Walz declared October Manufacturing Month in the state in an effort to get more people into the field. The average salary in the industry is more than $70,000 a year in Minnesota, which is 10 percent higher than other industries in the state. Right now, there are more than 8,000 job openings in Minnesota manufacturing…

Duluth Vacation Rental Cap Increases from 60 to 70 Units

  DULUTH, Minn. — The city of Duluth will soon be allowing more vacation rental properties to pop up in neighborhoods, including short-term rental options while occupied by the homeowner. “We are trying to make sure that the kind of regulations that we have function well in the community and most specifically in our single-family residential areas where you have…

Midday Update 10-26-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, October 26, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Tuesday, October 26, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News, weather

Morning Update 10-26-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, October 26, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Tuesday, October 26, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, News, weather

New Gift Shop Moves into Former Lake County Chronicle Building

Fuzzly's Gifts Opened on Sept. 1 of 2021

TWO HARBORS, Minn. – “It’s a great feeling to see the accomplishment. We did all of the work ourselves,” said April Whitt, owner of Fuzzly’s Gifts. The past year and a half have been a whirlwind for Whitt and her husband Mark. “We decided that the purchase of the building was meant to be, and there was a reason behind it,…

Update: Names Released Following Fatal Small Plane Crash Near Ashland

Courtesy: Ashland Daily Press via AP MARENGO, Wis. (AP) – The brother and sister who died when their small plane crashed into a house in a tiny, northern Wisconsin town were known to the homeowners, who escaped injury. The single-engine plane went down Saturday afternoon in the Ashland County community of Marengo, home to about 400 residents located about 80…

YWCA Duluth Receives Grant

The program is designed for girls in grades 3 through 8 and it gives them opportunities to work on schoolwork, STEM programming and leadership development.

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth YWCA received a large grant from the AT&T Foundation to improve some of its programs that will help girls in the community. The organization has a “Girl Power” program that had to pivot to less in-person services during the pandemic that it’s now bringing back. Each program is designed for girls in grades 3 through…

Stores Gearing Up for Hunting Season

Northwest outlet in Superior received their hunting clothing items a few weeks ago.

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — Clothing stores are getting their gear in for hunting season. Northwest outlet in Superior received their hunting clothing items a few weeks ago. They are seeing people come in to purchase their blaze orange clothing, cover scents and more as hunting season approaches in Minnesota and Wisconsin. “We never know if it’s going to be 20 degrees…

Harbor House Crisis Shelter Receives Large Donation

Harbor House Crisis Shelter still needs more donations such as diapers, laundry detergent, pillows, winter clothing and more.

SUPERIOR, Wisc. —  The Harbor House Crisis Shelter received a big donation last week courtesy of several businesses in Superior. Serenity Spa and Salon, Beauty by Jolene and Twin Ports Laser and Cosmetic Services LLC all share a building on Tower Avenue. Together the three businesses donated diapers, hygiene items, and luxury hair care products. In total, the donation was…

Warming Centers Preparing to Open

In January, it's moving over to a bigger facility in Lincoln Park.

DULUTH, Minn. — A few shelters in the twin ports say the need to help the homeless community is growing as both supplies and space to house more people are continuously in-demand. The new executive director of CHUM, John Cole, says Duluth’s homeless population is only getting bigger. The Rainbow Center, which CHUM oversees, is going to open as a…

Midday Update 10-25-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Monday, October 25, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Monday, October 25, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News, weather

School Board Resignations Triple in Minnesota

Nearly 70 Board Members Have Resigned in 2021, Triple the Number of Resignations in a Regular Year

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Contentious disagreements over COVID-19 policies and critical race theory have caused a significant increase in the number of local school board resignations in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota School Boards Association, nearly 70 board members have resigned from their positions this year, triple the number of resignations in a regular year. The association says that equates…

New This Year: Nominations for ‘Best Christmas Ever’ Due by Monday, Nov. 1

More Than 150 Families will be Chosen to Receive the 'Best Christmas Ever' in 2021

DULUTH, Minn. – The clock is ticking! Nominations for this year’s Best Christmas Ever are coming to a close. Northlanders have until Monday, Nov. 1 to nominate a family in need this holiday season. Don Liimatainen, founder of Best Christmas Ever, says the organization plans to surpass its goal of helping more than 150 families this year. Each year from…

Morning Update 10-25-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Monday, October 25, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Monday, October 25, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update

DuluCon Blasts Through 2021 in New Space at Miller Hill Mall

The Convention was able to spread out their main stage and videogame tournament, panelists, vendors, and more end-to-end throughout the mall.

DULUTH, Minn.- DuluCon has gone through quite a few evolutions in its three-year history. From starting out just at the Encounter Youth Center downtown in 2019 to going virtual during the pandemic last year, the event came back in full force in 2021. “This was a very experimental year. It was, briefly, it was a success,” said Josh Effinger, member…

CASDA Holds Bowl-A-Thon To Raise Awareness About Domestic Violence

SUPERIOR, Wis. — CASDA  held ‘No Time To Spare’ bowl-a-thon at Village Lanes in Superior to raise awareness about domestic violence, and to support the services that help adult and children survivors of it. October is domestic violence awareness month, and the center against sexual and domestic abuse holds multiple events during it to bring attention to the issue of…