Business

Mont du Lac Ready for Snow

All Machinery Will be Ready to go Next Week

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The winter season is fast approaching and that means local resorts are getting ready for the snowflakes to fly. At Mont du Lac in Superior, they are testing out the snowmaking machines already. The main reason for getting it ready so early is for safety reasons, along with keeping crews warm while they can. “It’s a great…

New Virtual Reality Tour Attracting Local Businesses

Video is Run by APEX Group

DULUTH, Minn. – The Area Partnership for Economic Expansion has created a new virtual reality tool in the hopes of attracting business to the Northland. Organizers say that it gives businesses an insight of what Duluth is like if they moved their business here. The experience lets the viewer see a 360–degree video of various spots that make the Twin…

Duluth International Airport Awarded Over $1 Million

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth International Airport has received over $1 million for safety improvements. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, along with Rep. Rick Nolan made the announcement Thursday. The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the airport with a grant of $1,084,668 for safety improvements. “Helping ensure our airports stay up-to-date makes for a common sense investment,” Klobuchar said….

Mayor Larson Meets With Morgan Park Residents

Talking About Sales Tax Increase

DULUTH, Minn. Duluth Mayor Emily Larson is continuing her speaking sessions across town focusing on her proposed 0.5 percent sales tax increase for 2018 to specifically fix roads and the infrastructure below. Mayor Larson projects $7 million would come out of this 0.5 percent sales tax increase if voters approve it in November and if the legislature gives the final…

Vision Jet Becomes Reality for Duluth Based Cirrus Aircraft

New Vision Jet by Cirrus Aircraft Proves to be Popular with Consumers

DULUTH, Minn. – A Duluth aircraft manufacturer, founded back in 1984, is now skyrocketing to new heights in the Northland. Cirrus Aircraft recently unveiled the company’s latest product and company officials say demand is already taking off. “There’s not a better place to be than up above the clouds,” said Matt Bergwall, Director of Cirrus’ new Vision Jet. Northlanders woke…

Sappi Mill Honored With Governor’s Award

Cloquet Mill had $170 Million Invested in it in 2015

CLOQUET, Minn.-A paper company in Cloquet received statewide recognition today. Sappi North America received an award from the governor’s office for all the work they do when it comes to investing in Minnesota. In 2015, the Cloquet Mill had $170 million injected into it, as the business there continues to get bigger. “We’ll be growing here in North America over…

EPA Rule Tough for Wood Stove Manufacturers

Business Leaders Held Roundtable Discussion About Regulation with Congressman Nolan

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Wood stove manufacturers are struggling to comply with a new EPA requirement. The rule was put in place to reduce particles in the atmosphere, but business leaders say it’s nearly impossible for them to make needed changes to their products fast enough. Manufacturers and retailers from across Minnesota talked with U.S. Representative Rick Nolan (DFL-MN). They discussed…

Benefit Dinner to be Held for Hurricane Victims

Benefit Dinner Will be Held Oct. 1

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Oliver Companies of Duluth, a local real estate business, and the local chapter of the Red Cross will be hosting a hurricane relief benefit spaghetti dinner and auction Sunday, Oct. 1 from noon to 6 p.m. at Barkers Island in Superior. Their goal is to raise $15,000. All proceeds from the event will go to the Red Cross….

Duluth Aldi Store to Open this Fall

No Precise Date for When it Will Open

DULUTH, Minn. – Construction is buzzing along at a new Aldi grocery store in Duluth. We don’t know the precise date it will open yet, but in previous discussions with the company, they did say it would open in the fall. Aldi is a discount grocer and will be located near the old K-Mart building which is by the Miller…

Pumpkin Stands Already Popping up in Northland

Pumpkin Season is Getting to Full Strength

DULUTH, Minn.-With the fall chill in the air, that means it’s pumpkin season. One pumpkin seller has already popped up in the Miller Hill Mall Parking lot. He said people can be pretty selective about the pumpkins they purchase, including little kids who fall in love with the fruit. “It’s so fun,” said Adam Jaros, of DC Produce. “I’ve done…

Timber Sales Increase at National Forest in Wisconsin

RHINELANDER, Wis. (AP) – A national forest in northwest Wisconsin expects to sell its largest amount of timber since at least the mid-1990s. The Associated Press reports the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest may sell 123 million board feet of timber by the end of fiscal 2017. That would mark the fifth annual increase in a row for the forest, which is…

Knowing Your Neighbors: Thousand Lakes Sporting Goods

COHASSET, Minn. — Grant Prokop has a love for the outdoors, for hunting, fishing, and appreciating what northern Minnesota is all about. Prokop owns Thousand Lakes Sporting Goods in Cohasset “Any outdoor enthusiast, whether you’re camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, doing anything outside, we want to be able to help you,” Prokop said. He grew up in the woods and on…

New Lock Proposed at Soo Straights

Locks Connect Lake Superior to the Other Great Lakes and Beyond

DULUTH, Minn. – The Soo Locks at Sault Ste Marie, Michigan connect the Duluth and Superior shipping industry with the rest of the world, but the aging locks haven’t been updated in decades. The locks at Soo Straights connect Lake Superior to the rest of the Great Lakes and beyond. The locks raise and lower ships so they can navigate…

Volunteers Needed for Bentleyville

Volunteer Work Begins this Weekend

DULUTH, Minn.-Bentleyville will be opening up in a few months, and that means volunteers are needed to help set it up. Preparations are expected to begin this weekend as volunteers flood into Bayfront Park. “We’ve had volunteers that have been returning for the ninth consecutive year down there,” said Nathan Bentley, event organizer. “People make friends down there. They become…

Touchstone Award Given to Three Local Non-Profits

A Total of Seven Organizations Were Recognized

DULUTH, Minn.-Those who give back were honored on Monday, for all they do. Three non-profits were given the Touchstone Award by the Duluth-Superior Area Community Foundation. The local chapter of the American Red Cross, the Scott Anderson Leadership Forum, and the Myers-Wilkins Community Collaborative were all honored. “We think non-profit organizations are doing really vital work in Duluth and Superior and…

Walker Signs $3 Billion Foxconn Bill into Law

MADISON, Wis.-Gov. Scott Walker has signed a $3 billion incentive package designed to lure a Foxconn Technology Group flat-screen plant to southeastern Wisconsin. Walker signed the bill Monday afternoon during a packed ceremony at a technical college in Sturtevant in Racine County, the most likely location for the plant. The bill provides nearly $3 billion in cash to Foxconn if…

Hermantown Mayor Encouraged By New Housing Development

Single-Family Homes Planned Near Future Home of YMCA

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – There is growing excitement in Hermantown as ground is now broken on a new housing development in a part of the city that’s seeing big changes. The nine single-family homes are adjacent to the future home of the new multi-million dollar YMCA wellness center. And as FOX 21’s Dan Hanger reports, Hermantown’s mayor believes the development tonight is…

DNR Opens 30-Day Public Comment for Several PolyMet Draft Permits

(KQDS) – The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has opened a 30-day public comment period on the draft PolyMet dam safety and public works permits. From Sept. 15 through Oct. 16, the public can submit comments on two draft dam safety permits and a draft public waters work permit for the PolyMet Mining, Inc. NorthMet mining project. The DNR dam…

Enbridge Protestors Arrested In Superior

Blockade Set Up Prevented Construction Workers From Working

SUPERIOR, Wis. Protestors hoping to keep Enbridge workers from getting into their construction site on the line 3 replacement project Thursday morning are now in trouble with the law. In a dramatic scene, several protesters were arrested Thursday in Superior. One has been charged with disorderly conduct during the incident while three others were booked for resisting arrest and trespassing….

Moving to the Music with Sterling Silver Dance Studio

In This Week's Active Adventures, Meteorologist William Seay Practices His Dance Moves with Sterling Silver Studio in Superior

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – In this week’s Active Adventures, FOX 21’s William Seay tackles the dance floor with Sterling Silver Dance Studio in Superior. The friendly staff taught William a few basic moves to the music, and from there, the rest was history. The crew rehearsed a short routine, and told William he was on his way to becoming a professional….

Winter Gear Already Hitting Store Shelves

Local Business Says This is the Best Time of the Year to Sell Skis

DULUTH, Minn.-After temperatures reached 80-degrees yesterday, the Northland will be hit with a dose of reality soon. We are getting very close to feeling that fall chill on our skin and local businesses are already getting out their winter gear. One we spoke to today, says now is the time to get your winter gear. “If you are in the…

Epicurean Has New Home

The Business Moved to Superior in January

SUPERIOR, Wis.-The business Epicurean has moved its headquarters to Connors Point in Superior. The business makes a variety of kitchen tools and cutting boards. The new 60,000 square-foot facility actually opened in January, but renovations were recently completed at the new site. The new building will allow the business to expand which means they will now have a factory outlet…

Historical Society Brings Past to Life within Cemetery

3rd Annual Living History Walk is Saturday

SUPERIOR, Wis. – This weekend the history of Douglas County is coming to life in a place reserved for the dead. The Living History Walk is Saturday, September 16 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. The walk will be at the Greenwood Cemetery, 8402 Tower Avenue Superior, WI 54880. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the gate, $7 Veterans, $5…

JJ Astor Makes Fall Favorites in Preparation for New Menu

Cooking Connection: JJ Astor

DULUTH, Minn. – JJ Astor, the revolving restaurant in the Radisson in Duluth, has hired a new Executive Chef and is creating an updated menu. The new Executive Chef and Director of Food and Beverage, Bob Boyd, joined FOX 21 in the kitchen for this week’s Cooking Connection. JJ Astor Restaurant and Lounge is located in the Radisson at 505…

City of Superior Releases Images Of Future Housing Development

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The city of Superior has released images of what a future housing development will look like when it is completed next year. The building is under construction at North 13th Street and Grand Avenue. It’ll include 54 one-and-two bedroom market rate apartments. All units will have a washer and dryer, dishwasher, air conditioning and a private balcony….

New West Duluth Business Owners Honored

Six Entrepreneurs Presented With a Certificate of Appreciation

DULUTH, Minn. – New business owners were honored by the West Duluth Business and Civic Club. Six entrepreneurs were presented with a certificate of appreciation. Their new businesses filled some empty storefronts in West Duluth and other business owners hope the new ventures will help the whole area do better. “It looks like a very vibrant area to come and…

Block Grants Available for Local Communities

Nearly $2 Million Available

PROCTOR, Minn.-Block grant funding has been instrumental in helping build up Saint Louis County since the mid-90s. It helps fund projects like the Vermilion housing project in Tower, created water and sewer infrastructure in six communities, and even helped supply meals through the Salvation Army. Today, a meeting was held in Proctor to discuss with area leaders what projects they…

50% of Millennials Would Give Up Their Right to Vote to Get Student Loans Erased

(FOX NEWS) – As the staggering national student loan debt tally sits at an all-time high of $1.33 trillion, according to the Department of Education, many Millenials say they would go to extreme lengths to wipe their slate clean. According to a new study from Credible, a personal finance website, 50 percent of all respondents ages 18-34 said they would…

Knowing Your Neighbors: Skyline Lanes

The Bowling Alley Is More Than Just Bowling

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — In this week’s Knowing Your Neighbors, we head to Skyline Lanes in Hermantown where it’s more than just bowling. “We have a variety of different activities from bowling. We do volleyball as you can see were standing out here on the courts. We also have bocce and bean bag leagues,” said Corey Kolquist, manager at Skyline Lanes….

City Looking at Helping Get More Business in Industrial Park

City Applying for Grant Worth $1.7 Million

DULUTH, Minn.-The Duluth City Council is all set to vote tonight on applying for a grant that could lead to an economic boom in western Duluth. The grant is for $1.7 million and would be used to connect Waseca Industrial Road with Highway 23 and Grand Avenue. City leaders believe this will allow for more business to be conducted in…

Local Leaders Seek Community Input on Future of Canal Park

Imagine Canal Park 2035

DULUTH, Minn. – Imagine Canal Park is a new initiative with the goal to make that area a spot for residents and not just tourists. In June, Duluth received a grant from the Knight Foundation to look at ways to further engage and create a common public space for residents to increase social interaction and connect with their city. The…

Wisconsin Businesses Struggle with Worker Shortage

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Economists, employers, and government officials say a growing worker shortage in Wisconsin is expected to increase over the next decade. The Wisconsin State Journal reports the worker shortage is due to many factors, including a low unemployment rate, an aging population, and Wisconsin’s poor record of attracting college graduates. Wisconsin had an unemployment rate of 3.2…

Lake Superior Zoo Gains Accreditation

Zoo's Accreditation Extended by Four Years

DULUTH, Minn. – There’s good news for the Lake Superior Zoo. The zoo’s accreditation was extended four years by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The AZA, which grants accreditation to less than 10% of the approximately 2,800 animal attractions licensed by the Department of Agriculture, praised the zoo for stabilizing its finances while developing a plan for sustainability. “We…

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is sending fudge for troops

Chocolate Factory is matching each pound of fudge purchased by customers

The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is teaming up with the Blue Star Mothers of America to help send some fudge to our troops overseas. Throughout the month of September, when anyone buys a pound of fudge from any of the stores, the factory will match that pound to be sent overseas. “It’s just fun to have something like fudge,” owner…

Equifax Breach: Criticism from Lawmakers, What People Can Do

(AP) NEW YORK (AP) — There’s no way around it: The news from credit reporting company Equifax that 143 million Americans had their information exposed is extremely serious. Crucial pieces of personal data that criminals could use to commit identity theft — Social Security numbers, birthdates, address histories, legal names — were all obtained. That’s information that cannot change. And…

Malware Incident at Tettegouche State Park

(Explore MN) The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reports that state IT security specialists discovered malware on state computers at Tettegouche State Park in Silver Bay in late August. While the MnDNR has no evidence that credit card numbers were accessed, out of caution, they are advising those who visited the park and charged items from Aug. 22-25 are asked…

Replica Of U.S.S. Duluth Turned Over To City

Model Sized Boat On Display At The Depot

DULUTH, Minn. Crew members that once served on the Navy’s U.S.S Duluth battleship, had the chance to relive their glory days on Thursday, with a model sized replica of the ship. The scale model ship was hand crafted to look just like the battleship. It took over a year to build, and one crew member tells FOX 21 that he’s…

New Duluth Fitness Center Features “9 Rounds”

9Round is Latest Kickboxing Gym to Open in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – A new fitness center has opend in Duluth. 9Round Fitness is a kickboxing gym. It features a nine round, 30 minute workout to help clients get a good workout in during a short amount of time. The workout is a for the entire body, and trainers are on hand to guide clients. The fitness center also offers…

Duluth Pack Celebrates Grand Opening After Remodel

The event included free beer and pizza

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Pack celebrated its grand opening today after finishing up some remodeling of their store in Canal Park. The store hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Duluth Chamber of Commerce. The event included free pizza, free beer, and Duluth Pack giveaways. It was all to celebrate the company’s place in Duluth’s outdoors culture. “We are aware…

Power Companies Answer Questions About New Plant

Proposed Natural Gas Power Plant Should be Operational by 2025

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Representatives from two electricity suppliers met with residents Thursday to answer questions about the Nemadji Trail Energy Center natural gas power plant. These informal open houses gave residents a chance to learn what the plan will mean for the city. For Minnesota Power, using natural gas to create electricity is another step towards cleaner, renewable energy. In…

Equifax Announces Social Security Numbers Stolen from More than 143 Million Americans

ATLANTA – Equifax says approximately 143 million U.S. consumers’ social security numbers and other information were stolen during a data breach. Unauthorized access occurred from mid-May through July 2017. The company says information stolen includes social security numbers, birth dates, addresses and, in some instances, driver’s license numbers. In addition, credit card numbers for approximately 209,000 U.S. consumers, and certain dispute documents with personal identifying information for…

Hair Stylist Giving Back to Harvey Victims

All Donations Going to Charity

DULUTH, Minn.-One local hair stylist at Vain Salon is trying to help out Hurricane Harvey victims. All of the money she makes today cutting hair is being donated to Harvey Victims through the charity Matthew 25 Ministries. She told us, that even her tips and some funds she gets from selling hair products will also be donated. “I just felt…

Superior Choice Collecting Supplies for Local Shelters

Donations Accepted at All Branches Thoughout September

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Northlanders’ response to Hurricane Harvey relief was overwhelming, but a local credit union reminds people there’s need at home as well. Throughout September, Superior Choice Credit Union is taking donations of household supplies for area emergency shelters. Each branch has shopping lists so members know what shelters need. Organizers say giving is important all year not just…

Minnesota Prepares to Fight for Amazon’s 2nd Headquarters

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota is joining the chase to land Amazon’s second headquarters. The e-commerce behemoth based in Seattle announced Thursday it’s seeking to build a second headquarters, setting off a nationwide race. Dozens of cities and states are expected to compete. The company says it will spend $5 billion and could bring up to 50,000 jobs. Amazon already…

Chipotle Adds Queso to the Menu, Yes It’s Extra

DENVER (AP) – Chipotle hopes its new queso dip will satisfy its customers’ cravings — and help reinvigorate sales that have been hurt by food scares. The Mexican food chain said it will begin offering all-natural warm queso in restaurants nationwide next Tuesday. Chipotle marketing director Mark Crumpacker had said earlier this year that company research showed the top reason why…

Larson Meets With Residents To Discuss The State Of City Streets

Meeting Was Held At Grant Recreation Center

DULUTH, Minn. Duluth Mayor Emily Larson continues to meet with voters hoping to persuade them to vote yes for a half percent sales tax increase to better the city’s roads. The city of Duluth controls 450 miles of streets. Studies show that 55 percent of those streets are in poor condition. Tuesday Mayor Larson met with residents at the Grant…

Another Great Year For The Great Northern Classic Rodeo

Sunday Marks An End To The Yearly Event

SUPERIOR, Wis. It was all about bull riding and calf wrangling in Superior this weekend. The Great Northern Classic Rodeo wrapped up their 3 day weekend today. Starting in 1991 the rodeo was originally held in Duluth, with several hundred spectators. Two years later the rodeo moved across the bridge to Superior and has been held at the Head of…

Black Hat BBQ Gives Back To Youth Rodeo

Funds Raised Goes Towards The High School Rodeo Foundation

SUPERIOR, Wis. It wouldn’t be a rodeo without southern style BBQ. Supporting Minnesota’s high school rodeo foundation, Black Hat BBQ can be found at many of the surrounding rodeo events. Portions of the proceeds made at each event is given back to the rodeo scholarship fund. Owners say raising funds is easy to do with favorites like their baby back…