Education

Legacy Project Ribbon Cutting Held at LSC

New Projects Includes a Sidewalk and Benches

DULUTH, Minn.-A student legacy project is shaping up at Lake Superior College. Today a ribbon cutting was held to celebrate a new sidewalk and park benches, which is headed up by the school’s student senate. The hope is over the years, that other generations of students will add to the program. “They really enjoy doing it,” said Pat Johns, president…

First Witness Kicks Off ‘I Stand With Kids Month’

Child Abuse Continues to be a Problem in the Northland; Community Members Work to Make a Difference

DULUTH, Minn. – Child abuse is big problem in the Northland, and that’s why First Witness Advocacy Center in Duluth is working year round to investigate child abuse, provide services and education. Now, they’re looking to reach out even more as they kick off a monthlong campaign. Safety is something many of us take for granted, but for many children…

Parenting Again, Raising a Second Generation

Preregistration Required for the Course; If Enough Support is Gathered, Winter Classes Could be Offered

PROCTOR, Minn. – Many communities across the Northland are seeing a rise when it comes to parents abusing drugs and alcohol. Children are being taken from homes and grandparents are stepping up to care for their grandchildren. It’s why one Duluth woman has chosen to develop a new program known as parenting again. The class, specializing in raising a second…

CSS Fall Classes Begin

College Has Increased Enrollment and a New Physician's Assistant Program

DULUTH, Minn. – College of Saint Scholastica students started their fall classes today. College officials are excited to have their largest incoming class in the last five years, including thirty students in the school’s brand new Physician’s Assistant Master’s program. “Especially in under served areas, whether rural or urban, these physician assistants can supply that health care that’s needed and…

Campus Buzzing as Classes Begin at UW-Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. — The day after Labor Day is a big day for college students at several Northland colleges. It’s the first day of classes at the University of Wisconsin Superior. The Yellow Jacket Student union was buzzing with activities, as students are set to return to the classroom. Emily Lakanen, an incoming freshman from Proctor, says she came to…

Multiple K-12 Schools Start Class

School is Back in Session for Many Northland Students in Northern Minnesota

DULUTH, Minn. – After nearly three months off thousands of students in school districts across Northern Minnesota returned to class on Tuesday. As back-to-school photos flood social media, many students are resting well after heading back to the classroom for a year of new adventures. The day of excitement and nervousness started bright and early at Piedmont Elementary in Duluth….

Students Host Produce Sale on First Day of Class

William Kelley Elementary 5th Grade Teacher Tom Frericks Spends Much of His Summer in the School Garden

SILVER BAY, Minn. – Fifth grade students from William Kelley Elementary School in Silver Bay were back to the books Tuesday morning and they’ll have a fun lesson to kick the year off. For nearly seven years, teacher Tom Frericks has spent his summer growing plants and vegetables of all kinds in the school garden. From onions to squash, peas…

Boat Tour Offers Fun, Educational Ride Along St. Louis River

Coffee Conversation: St. Louis River Alliance

DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Louis River Alliance is once again heading out on the water to educate Northlanders about the estuary. There will be a boat tour on the Vista Star Thursday, September 7 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Boarding will begin at 5:30 p.m. The river alliance will highlight clean-up projects, successes and future vision of the estuary….

Backpacks Given Away to Students

200 Free Backpacks Handed Out at Metro PCS in West Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – Students grabbed some free back to school gear at Metro PCS in West Duluth. Backpacks were given to the first two hundred students who came to the store. Families could also get their faces painted and enjoy free ice cream treats. “We want to give back to the community and we figure that school supplies are really…

Northlander’s Visit Large Lakes Observatory

Boat Teaches About Science Related to the Lake

DULUTH, Minn. – Today, Northlander’s got to learn all about the science connected to Lake Superior. The University of Minnesota Duluth hosted an open house of sorts for their boat the Blue Heron, which is part of its Large Lakes Observatory program. Leaders of the program told us they do these events to help explain more about the program. “People…

Making Incoming Students Feel Welcome at UWS Move-In Day

SUPERIOR, Wis. — It’s that time of year again – move in day at our local universities, and today the University of Wisconsin Superior welcomed droves of new students on campus. Upperclassmen and campus staff members formed a crew to help new students with everything they need. Crew members were there to help move all the incoming students’ belongings into…

Pick a Seat at William Kelley School Auditorium

Staff, Students, and Community Members Raise Funds for New Auditorium Seating

SILVER BAY, Minn. – Big changes are coming to a decades old school along the North Shore. Silver Bay’s William Kelley School auditorium will soon have new seating options, but staff, students and community members are looking for financial support. A campaign has kicked off, allowing anyone to purchase a new seat for $200. There are currently 700 seats that need…

Duluth Public Schools Host Open House

Back To School We Go

DULUTH, Minn. It’s down to Labor Day weekend to get in those summer activities. The back to school buzz was in the air Wednesday, as several Duluth Public Schools held open houses. Parents along with their kids packed schools across the Northland. Schedules are passed out back packs are full kids are excited to start the school year. “Probably going…

Wisconsin Schools Close to Receiving Additional Funding

If approved, the Superior School District says it would just break even for its yearly budget.

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – Superior schools and other K–12 schools in Wisconsin could see a spending increase over the next two years. On Monday, the state legislature’s budget–writing committee voted to include a $639 million funding increase over the next two years. The heart of Gov. Scott Walker’s education funding proposal would raise per–pupil aid by $200 this year and $204…

Friends Set Up Memorial For 15-Year-Old Drowning Victim

Flowers, Cross Put At Last Place Will Schlotec Was Seen Alive

DULUTH, Minn. – Heavy hearts continue for friends and family of 15-year-old Will Schlotec who drowned over the weekend in the popular swimming hole known as The Deeps. People close to Schlotec have begun to build a memorial at the site of the accident. On Monday, friends showed up with flowers and comforting words for one another as the new school…

Classes Start For WITC Students

Monday marks the start of the new school year for WITC students

SUPERIOR, Wisc. -Wisconsin Indianhead Techical College students in Superior are back for the semester. Classes started on Monday for those students seeking an Associates Degree or technical diploma, to get that first step towards a new career. “It doesn’t matter if you’re 18 years old and coming here, or you’re 45 and coming here,” WITC VI of Academic Affairs Bonny…

Wildcat Welcome Held for New Lincoln Park Sixth Graders

Eighth Graders Helped Show New Students Around the School

DULUTH, Minn. – Students were welcomed to the sixth grade at Lincoln Park Middle School on Monday. The Wildcat Welcome had selected eighth graders serve as Pride Leaders and show the new sixth graders around the school. The orientation helps new students make friends, learn where they’re going, and feel comfortable as they transition from elementary to middle school. “On…

UMD Fall Classes Begin

Students Are Back on Campus Getting Back into the College Flow

DULUTH, Minn. – Fall classes started Monday at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Students are back on campus after more than three months off for summer break. They spent today being handed syllabi and getting back into the college flow. “I’ve sat here in Kirby in between classes, hanging out with friends that I haven’t seen in a while and good…

Japanese Students Compete in Dragon Boat Race

Sister Cities Commission from Ami Machi Japan Teamed Up With Local Students for Race

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Dragon Boat Festival is one of the biggest events in Superior each year. Students from Superior’s sister city in Japan got to experience dragon boat racing first hand. Competing in a dragon boat race takes hard work., but more importantly it takes well executed teamwork. “Despite the fact that the course doesn’t look that long, it’s…

New Cloquet Middle School Nears Completion

Crews wrap up finishing touches before students return

CLOQUET, Minn. – Crews are wrapping up the final days of construction on the new Cloquet Middle School before students return for the school year. After two years of planning and about 15 months of construction, the 180,000 sq. ft. building is nearly complete. “The construction has been just amazing in terms of what they’ve been able to accomplish in…

New Housing Facility at Vermilion Community College

Housing Project Cost $6 Million

ELY, Minn. – Just in time for the new school year, Ely’s Vermilion Community College has unveiled a new $6 million housing project. The 120-bed facility is a four-unit townhouse which sits next to the existing dorm. Needless to say, the campus is buzzing with excitement with the new digs. “It was a big deal for us,” said Shawn Bina,…

Driven to Discover at the Minnesota State Fair

Exhibit Offers Fairgoers the Chance to Learn More About Research and Studies by the U of M

FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. – The Driven to Discover Research Facility was launched in 2014 to bring University research and researchers into closer contact with the Minnesota community. Nearly two million people visit the fair each year from across the state. The exhibit allows fairgoers to participate in research in a fun, innovative, and convenient way. Most studies take under 20 minutes. Driven…

Duluth City Council Candidates Talk Transportation

Zeitgeist Host Event For The Public

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth City Council candidates hit the stage Wednesday to answer questions about improving transportation equity in the city. The forum held at Zeitgeist was organized by local nonprofits and research groups who say, transportation is a vital necessity to be able to access employment and income, education and grocery services among other daily needs. But those necessities…

Duluth East High School Holds Registration

Students Could Pick Up Schedules and Have Their School Picture Taken

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth East High School opened their doors to students today before classes begin this fall. East students could pick up their schedules, get their locker assignments, and have their school picture taken. They could also learn about all the school clubs and activities and reminisce with friends. “I think it’s fun to see everyone because you haven’t…

Northland 4-H Groups Prepare for Minnesota State Fair

10th Grader Landen Dahl will Travel to the 'Great Minnesota Get Togehter' to Showcase Mason Bee Research

DULUTH, Minn. – Happening now through Monday, September 4, dozens of Northland 4-H youth will make way to the Minnesota State Fair, eager to share their projects, research, and livestock with other 4-H members. In this week’s Animal Answers, Duluthian Landen Dahl visited FOX 21 Local News alongside Tim Caines, Program Coordinator for South St. Louis County 4-H. Dahl will…

Local Businesses Happy to Have College Students Back

Many Businesses Rely on Student Customers During the School Year

DULUTH, Minn. – A lot of business owners and managers are excited to have college students back this fall because they rely on their business during the school year. Crooked Pint Ale House in Duluth has only been open for a few months, but they expect returning UMD and Saint Scholastica students to come check them out this fall. “That’s…

Active Shooter Response Exercise Held in Superior

Douglas County Sheriff's Department Partnered with Local Fire Departments to Complete Training

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Douglas County first responders held a training exercise Tuesday in Superior. The training is designed to help prepare agencies if there was ever an active shooter at a school. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Department teamed up with the Town of Superior and the Town of Oakland fire departments for an active shooter training exercise at Four Corners…

A New Year Starts at FDLTCC

College Celebrates 30th Anniversary This Year

CLOQUET, Minn. – Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College celebrated the start of a new school year Tuesday. The campus was buzzing with students making their way to and from classes.  One student we spoke to says he loves FDLTCC’s sense of community. “Teachers are willing to help, along with classmates, even people you don’t know are willing to…

Guard and Reserve Vets See Improved Education Benefits

Minnesota Sen. Al Franken Helped Write the Legislation

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Veterans headed to college recently saw changes to their G.I. Bill benefits, changes which really help National Guard and Reserves veterans. Under the Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act, Guard and Reserve members will get $2,300 in additional G.I. Bill benefits, if they were on active duty less than a year. Plus, vets can now use their benefits…

Classes Begin at Lake Superior College

This year the college is starting its first Private Pilot Ground School to train future pilots.

DULUTH, Minn. – Monday was the first day of classes for students at Lake Superior College. The school’s fall semester officially started with many students visiting the campus book store to pick up required textbooks and laptops. This year the college is starting its first Private Pilot Ground School at LSC’s aviation center. Students back on campus tell us they’re…

New Accreditation for FDLTCC

College is Only School in U.S. Accredited by WINHEC

CLOQUET, Minn. – Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College is celebrating a new accreditation. FDLTCC was recently accredited by the World Indigenous Nations Higher Educatiuon Consortium (WINHEC). The accreditation lasts 10 years and makes the college a full voting member of the WINHEC. Fond du Lac is the only college in the United States accredited by the WINHEC. Categories:…

Annual Bubble Festival Returns Sunday

Duluth Children's Museum Hosts 9th Annual Bubble Festival

DULUTH, Minn. – This weekend bubbles will be filling the air as the 9th Annual Bubble Festival Kicks off. It’s taking place on Sunday, August 20 from noon to 4:00 p.m. at Clyde Park. Clyde Park is located at 29th Ave. W. and Michigan St. At the festival, there will be a bubble so large kids can stand inside it,…

Men As Peacemakers Thanks Volunteers With Picnic

Organization Officials Say Their Programs Would Not Be Possible Without Volunteers

DULUTH, Minn. – Men As Peacemakers held a picnic today to celebrate all the work done by their volunteers. The organization serves over 1,000 community members every year through programs that promote equality and try to end violence against women and children. Men As Peacemakers officials say that work would not be possible without their volunteers. “Volunteers are really like…

Kids Cafe Employs Local Youth

Program Helps Disadvantaged Get Fresh Meals

DULUTH, Minn.  – Kids Café has been around for 15 years at the Damiano Center in Duluth but this year’s program has a little twist. This summer nine teenagers were employed through the program with the hopes they would build up job employment skills. During their stay with the program, the teens learned all about nutrition, gardening, cooking, and distributing…

A Moment of Solidarity in Downtown Duluth

Standing Up Amid The Violence In Virginia

DULUTH, Minn. – It was an overflow of solidarity at the Jackson, Clayton, McGee Memorial Tuesday night, as Duluth stood up against white supremacy and racism amid the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia. People of all ages and backgrounds came out holding candles to honor the lives lost in the fight against racism and white supremacy. Categories: Community, Education, News, News…

Minnesota Officials Draft New School Achievement Plan

Duluth Public Schools plans to focus more on student attendance under the updated plan

DULUTH, Minn. – At the state and federal level schools current rely solely on test scores to measure student achievement. Minnesota officials have drafted a new plan that would look at more ways to assess performance in the classroom. The plan calls for evaluating schools based on state test scores, the number of students who move up a level on…

Canadian Based Oil Company Buys Out Calumet

A Deal Worth Nearly 500 Million Dollars

SUPERIOR, Wis. – One of Superior’s largest employers, Calumet Oil Refinery, is being sold to a Canadian company. “This is a key wonderful addition to our asphalt business into our integrated corridor in North America.” Jerry Miller, U.S. Refining, Vice President The new owner, Husky Energy tells Fox 21 they plan to keep the roughly 180 workers at the refinery. “We’ll…

Registration Begins for UMD

Classes Begin at UMD Aug. 28

DULUTH, Minn.-Today new students for UMD’s Fine Arts Department registered for classes and got advisement from campus counselors. It’s all done with the goal of making the students feel more comfortable on campus. “It’s important because everyone gets to be in this space, meet each other, said Asher Carlson, lead student advisor. “We’re all kind of in the same boat…

Nature Classes Begin at Boulder Lake

Classes Focus on Natural History and Conservation

BOULDER LAKE, Minn.-At Boulder Lake Environmental Learning Center, the classroom will be outdoors this week. A 40-hour hands-on course began today at their facility that will focus on the Northland’s natural history and conservation. It’s also teaching some local educators about how they connect better with their students. “I am a special education teacher and I think it’s important to…

UMD Unveils Antique Computer

Only Five Remaining in World

DULUTH, Minn.- The University of Minnesota Duluth’s Computer Science Department unveiled an antique of sorts today. The department painstakingly restored a nearly 50-year-old computer called the P-D-P 12 which a retiring professor owned. This is all part of project by a students who have been researching and restoring the machine which is quite rare. Computer Science Professor Peter Peterson said…

Mighty Machines Event Gives Kids Unique Experience

The 10th Annual Mighty Machines Event was held outside Superior Middle School

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – Kids and parent got an up–close look at some heavy machinery today. The 10th Annual Mighty Machines Event was held outside Superior Middle School. Agencies and service groups in the community were all on hand to give families the opportunity to explore many different types of machines. From SWAT vehicles to school buses, professionals spent the evening…

Nonprofits Want State Gambling/Gaming Taxes To Lower

Some Say The State Gets To Much Already

Duluth, Minn. Each year billions of dollars are spent on charitable gaming across the state of Minnesota. Sounds like a lot of money, but with increasing state taxes on gaming and the states percentages getting bigger and bigger. What’s left over for the charities that rely on their slice of the pie? Nonprofits across Minnesota including Duluth are feeling the…

Carlton School District Looking At Next Step After Referendum Fails

Residents rejected both items on the $23.6 million referendum, which included renovating South Terrace Elementary School and building a new high school

CARLTON, Minn. – Voters in Carlton made their voices heard during a special election Tuesday night, shooting down some major proposed changes to the town’s high school and elementary school buildings. Residents rejected both items on the $23.6 million referendum, which included renovating South Terrace Elementary School and building a brand new high school. The superintendent for the Carlton School…

UMD Continuing Education Department Has Moved

Program Is Now Downtown in the University's Center for Economic Development

DULUTH, Minn. – The University of Minnesota-Duluth’s Continuing Education Department has moved. The program is now housed downtown in the University’s Center for Economic Development in the Technology Village on East Superior Street. University officials say the move will help Continuing Education and the Economic Development Center work better together. “We’ve just been developing some programs around entrepreneurship and to…

Technology Specialist Talks Back-to-School Gadgets

DULUTH, Minn. – Summer vacation is coming to an end in a few weeks and students will be heading back to school. Verizon Wireless Solutions Specialist Rachel Agurkis visited FOX 21 this morning to talk about must-have technology for students. Google Home: Students can ask the device homework questions. Fitbit Alta: This is a great accessory for student athletes. Track…

Fond du Lac Band Asks For Answers; What’s Next?

Ancient Burial Ground Unearthed By MnDOT Road Project

Duluth, Minn. This Spring, Native American grave sites were disturbed at a MnDOT Highway 23 work site. The Fond du Lac band called for some kind of resolution. Tuesday MnDOT held an open house for the community members affected by the issue to speak out. Months after the department of transportation mistake the construction site remains at a standstill and…

Fuse Duluth Takes Networking Outdoors

Young Professionals Group Hosts First-ever Disc Golf Tournament

DULUTH, Minn. – This week Fuse Duluth is taking networking outdoors. The organization, designed by the Duluth Chamber of Commerce to attract and retain young talent to the area, is hosting a disc golf tournament on Thursday, August 10. This is taking place at the Miller Creek Disc Golf Course from noon to 5 p.m. Each of the course’s nine…

“Wolves At Our Door” Teaches Minnesotans Wolf Facts

The Traveling Outreach Program Stopped in Two Harbors on Monday

TWO HARBORS, Minn. – People in Two Harbors had the chance to learn all about wolves at the International Wolf Center’s program, “Wolves At Our Door.” The traveling outreach program helps Minnesotans understand wolves and the problems associated with them so they can learn to co-exist with the wild canines around them. “This is the animal that lives near me…