Education

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…

Studies Show ‘Babies Need Boxes’

Studies Show Finland has one of the Lowest Infant Mortality Rates in the World

DULUTH, Minn. – For year, babies have been falling asleep in boxes. Closer to home, one Minnesota mother caught onto the trend back in 2015. Since then, proper education of the practice has been spread to various communities across the country. “I think it would have been fantastic,” said Lori Sawnson, St. Luke’s Birthing Center Nurse Manager. Helpful hands, for…

New Strategies In Place For Missing Duluth Couple Case

Command Center And Agencies State Wide Are Now On The Case

Saturday August 5th, It was day 8 of the missing Duluth couple Ron and Mary Tarnowski. Saturday hundreds gathered at the Tarnowski home in hopes that a search party would bring them home. “We are not giving up hope. We’re keeping our heads held high, we’re going to be strong, and we’re going to bring mom and dad home. But…

Lighthouse Days shows off historical importance of the unique structures

The Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center has many activities to celebrate lighthouses.

DULUTH, Minn. – This weekend, The Lake Superior Maritime Museum celebrates lighthouses. Several days of activities are planned for the weekend, designed to teach visitors the role lighthouses played in keeping mariners safe on the water. “As technology has progressed, more and more lighthouses are being decommissioned and we don’t want to loose that important history,” museum director Denise Wolvin…

Walking For Epilepsy

Park Point Hosted Hundreds For A Walk In Supports

Duluth, Minn. The epilepsy foundation of Minnesota hosted their annual Rise Above Seizures Walk this afternoon. The nasty weather didn’t stop hundreds from showing up in support of the cause. The walk is to raise awareness for the 225,000 Minnesotan’s with epilepsy. We talked to two of those who suffer from the seizers who say they appreciate the support for…

Stuff the Bus School Supply Drive to Help Low Income Students in Two Harbors

The drive will help the 40 percent of students in the Lake Superior School District who qualify as low income

TWO HARBORS, Minn. – With the school year fast approaching many kids will be heading to the store to buy school supplies, but for many low income families these expenses can be too much, leaving students at a disadvantage when classes begin. The Head of the Lakes United Way is teaming up with other local organizations to help kids start…

The Snake Pit Slithers into FOX 21

In This Week's Animal Answers, The Snake Pit Brings a Few Friends into the FOX 21 Morning Show

DULUTH, Minn. – Established in 1992, The Snake Pit offers educational opportunities for Northlanders to take part in. From birthdays to classrooms or any group event, owners Sarah Glesner and Roger Hill make a dynamic duo sharing knowledge of their pets. In this week’s Animal Answers, Glesner brought in a Western Hog Nose Snake named Foxy. She is used as an education…

‘Adopt a Backpack’ Drive Underway

ISD 709, CHUM, Union Gospel Mission Partner to Collect School Supplies

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Public Schools, CHUM, and the Union Gospel Mission want to send kids back to school prepared. These groups have partnered for another ‘Adopt a Backpack’ drive. Between now and August 15th you can drop off school supplies at CHUM’s food shelf in Downtown Duluth to help families in need. Organizers say going back to school on…

Helping Parents With Autistic Children

Giving Tips After A Stressful Day

Duluth, Minn. The Duluth Regional Care Center is helping parents learn how to help children with autism. Thanks to a 950,000 grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services the group can now put more resources towards helping parents understand more ways to help their child while also learning tips to help themselves after a stressful day. “I think it’s…

Robotics Camp Teaches Kids Engineering and Problem Solving

Duluth East Daredevils Teach Robotics at the Boys and Girls Club

DULUTH, Minn. – Custom built robots zipped through obstacle courses at the Boys and Girls Club of Duluth this summer. “I think it’s fun,” says Rodrick Campbell, a robotics camper. “I like to play with remote control cars and how to see how they work and I like to play with my drones.” It was all part of the second…

Duluth Alternative Schools Alumni Hold Reunion

Every Five Years, Graduates From Every Class Get Together

DULUTH, Minn. – Alumni from Duluth alternative schools got together for a reunion today. Ever five years, grads from every class at Unity, Hillside, and Skyline alternative schools get together to reminisce while enjoying food and games. “Nobody’s putting on anything for alternative schools in this area,” says John D’Auria, who graduated from a Duluth alternative school in 1989. “Nobody…

Affordable Housing Problems In Duluth

Panel Discusses Solutions To Solve Problem

Duluth, Minn. Duluth is working towards solutions to address our own affordable housing crisis. Tonight a panel full of organizations like loafs and fishes and the Salvation Army were on hand for a discussion on housing issues as they pertain to local, state and federal levels. The event was to shed light on issues and potential solutions to work together…

Morgan Park Historic Tour

Local Amerature Historian Takes Folks On Walk Around Morgan Park

Morgan Park, Minn. A group walked Morgan Park tonight to learn more about the unique past of the town. Local amateur historian Bob Berg walks to former and current sites and gave the rich history of each building. Here’s a fun fact, Known as the “company town”, Morgan Park was built alongside the site of U.S. Steel. Until 1940 the…

‘Wednesday Night at the Races’ Keeping Kids Active

Kids 14 and younger got to race against others in their age group

DULUTH, Minn. – A popular summer tradition that keeps kids active has started back up. Wednesday Night at the Races kicked off at Duluth East High School’s Ordean Stadium. Kids 14 and younger got to race on the track against others in their age group. Grandma’s Marathon puts on this free event each year through its Young Athletes Foundation to…

Lego Robotics Camp at Duluth Boys and Girls Club

Campers Design and Build Their Own Robots

DULUTH, Minn. – Kids in Duluth are building robots this week at a special camp taught by the Duluth East High School Daredevils Robotics Team. Each camper designs and builds their own robot made out of Legos that can complete a series of tasks. If the robot can’t finish the special course, students make changes to their robot and try…

Transgender Toolkit to be Used in Minnesota Public Schools

ST. PAUL, Minn.-The Minnesota Department of Education will begin distributing a new guide for schools on dealing with transgender and gender non-conforming students. Department deputy commissioner Charlene Briner says the toolkit of resources and best practices isn’t meant to be a mandate for schools, but rather to help administrators and others deal with issues that may be uncomfortable, both for…

MN Supreme Court Rules For-Profit Schools Issued Illegal Student Loans

FOX 9 - KMSP

(KMSP) – The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that Globe University and the Minnesota School of Business issued illegal loans to students. Now, Attorney General Lori Swanson is going back to court to ask a judge to cancel the loans. Swanson also sued Globe several years ago for offering police training classes that were not accredited. The university ended up shutting down that criminal justice…

Girls Have a Blast at Space Camp

Camp at UWS was Designed to Teach Girls About Careers in Aeronautics

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Girls from local high schools wrapped up a couple days of learning about space travel Tuesday at the University of Wisconsin-Superior. This aeronautics and space camp hosted by UWS’ Transportation and Logisitics Research Center taught the kids about opportunities for women in the space program. They even took time to launch homemade rockets Tuesday. And State Senator…