DULUTH, Minn.– A first of its kind project using hydrogen-based energy is in limbo after a federal pause on grants loans took place but was quickly revoked. That first of a kind project is called ‘Green Iron Project’, and it centers around the conversion of iron into steel using a hydrogen energy plant. The Minnesota Natural Resource Institute has a…
MINNESOTA — The unseasonal weather of the last year could bring both positive and negative impacts onto farmers this upcoming growing season. In a typical year, Minnesota sees lighter, fluffier snow from December to February, and heavy, wet snow between March and May. So far this season, snowfall totals are below the 30-year average, but total precipitation is near average…
ELY, Minn. — Former President Jimmy Carter teamed up with the Friends of the Boundary Waters during his administration, to help back up his efforts around the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness. “There’s been a lot of sacrifice, a lot of victory too, and not all of those sacrifices accumulated into what we have today,” said Riley Smith. Riley Smith…
ELY, Minn.– Following the death of former president Jimmy Carter, he left behind quite the legacy for the Boundary Waters. After his recent death back in December, Friends of the Boundary Waters are looking back at his impact fondly. During Carter’s presidency, he teamed up with the Friends of the Boundary Waters. Together they passed numerous bills and acts promising…
DULUTH, Minn.– The winter season is feeling a bit more seasonal this year, because some freezing cold temperatures are on the horizon. The Northland is bracing for a cold stretch, lasting through next Wednesday. With temperatures falling well into the negative teens and ’20s. Temps that low matched with windchill are especially dangerous, because frostbite can occur in as little…
DULUTH, Minn. — Click the video above to watch FOX 21’s coverage at 9 p.m. Wednesday of the raging, fatal wildfires in the Los Angeles area. Plus, Meteorologist Rusty Mehlberg gives a perspective of what the size of the fires over Los Angeles would look in Duluth and other parts of the Northland. It’s a perspective that really opens your…
DULUTH, Minn. — As many anglers are excited to get out onto the ice now that the cold air has moved in. But the U.S. Coast Guard in Duluth is getting ready for ice rescues. Currents still flow underneath the ice and weaken areas that may seem safe. To prepare for the unexpected, Coast Guard members regularly practice ice rescue…
Duluth Minn — Duluth Public Schools are finalizing plans for two new solar projects on district property. One project will be installed near Lincoln Park Middle School. The other at the school’s district office. The solar power will not only help provide cleaner energy but also helps offset the costs of the energy they currently use. Students assisted in advocating…
DULUTH, Minn.– You’ve heard stories of people rescuing stray animals like dogs or cats, but how about two owls in one day! Lake Superior Zoo Employee Annabell Whelan played a big role in saving both a great grey owl and a snowy owl in the same day. “So, I kind of went along with my day, and thought, that was…
DULUTH, Minn. — What was supposed to be a stroll through Bentleyville Tour of Lights in Bayfront Festival Park Monday evening turned into quite the rescue of an owl. Annabell Whelan, guest experience manager at the Lake Superior Zoo, spotted the owl stuck in the grill of someone’s car in Bayfront parking lot as she was leaving Bentleyville. Whelan said…
DULUTH, Minn. – During the summer, the “lake side” of Park Point attracts thousands to its beaches; but during the winter months, the “bay side” is the place to be. While the temperature is expected to climb in the coming days, ice fishermen have been back on the bay thanks to an early season freeze. Today’s ideal temps drew a number…
DULUTH, Minn. — A litter of five puppies was found in a bin on the side of the road Tuesday evening near Animal Allies in Duluth, and the shelter is asking for help in what they called a “holiday miracle.” While the caretakers at Animal Allies called the initial finding “devasting,” they said it’s a miracle someone stopped to check…
VIRGINIA, Minn. — A $1.3 million dollar project is now complete for the City of Virginia. The Silver Lake Walking Trail initially started in 2019. The bridge was a multiple phase project all to create a different way to get to schools, parks, trails, and other areas in Downtown Virginia. Part of the idea is to reduce carbon footprint allowing…
MINNESOTA — The Minnesota DNR is introducing a new eagle camera, that will go live for the first time this Thursday. The new camera will feature a new breeding pair of eagles. The original camera will be in the area as well, occasionally seeing the previously featured pair that lost their nest in 2023. That same pair made a new…
A multi-county, multi-week search for Brad, the daring sheep on the run from city to city, came to a safe end Tuesday with one story to tell. Midway Township sighting Monday “Oh God. I don’t even feel like it’s real. I don’t think it’s real, but it is,” said Shana Roberts, a volunteer at the Lake County Humane Society in…
SANDSTONE, Minn.– Lately, there’s a lot to be excited about at the Wildcat Sanctuary in Sandstone. The Wildcat Sanctuary recently expanded from 80 acres to 200 acres, when they were able to buy 120 acres of additional land. The Wildcat Sanctuary does not have any plans for the new space. They are using the additional land as a buffer for…
DULUTH, Minn. — Our friends at FOX 9 in Minneapolis had some fun today talking about Brad, the missing sheep, that’s been on the run for at least two weeks now — from Two Harbors to Proctor. Click the video below to watch the segment with Anchor Amy Hockert and Senior Producer Amber Milner. Click here to watch FOX 21’s…
DULUTH, Minn. — Scientists, students, and professionals from several states gathered at the DECC on Wednesday to discuss invasive species this week. The biannual upper Midwest Invasive Species Conference offers an opportunity for those researching invasive species to share their findings with a wide range of colleagues. And learn from one another, on how to best manage the threats certain…
VIRGINIA, Minn.– St. Louis County’s landfill got a new first-of-its kind technology in the state that creates new energy from garbage. A ribbon cutting was held today in Virginia at the site of the landfill’s new 10-acre geo-thermal field. The field has a specialized liner with coils at its base. Heat produced through decomposing garbage will now be captured in…
SANDSTONE, Minn. — The Wildcat Sanctuary in Sandstone is expanding its footprint by 120 acres. The adjacent land has always been on the eyes of executive director Tammy Thies. So, when she saw the for-sale sign pop up recently, she immediately made an offer. Thies says the new land will act as a natural buffer between wild animals and the…
DULUTH, Minn. — An event for outdoor recreation enthusiasts took place at the DECC on Friday. The Duluth Area Outdoor Alliance hosted the Great Lakes Outdoor Summit. The summit draws in people from across the Upper Midwest, allowing for businesses, advocates and other organizations to connect, build community and learn more about the great outdoors. The summit had 12 engagement…
SUPERIOR, Wis. — Superior Mayor Jim Paine believes the proposed Nemadji Trail Energy Center, or NTEC, is officially not going to be built along the Nemadji River. But Minnesota Power says that is not the case. Paine’s conclusion comes after Minnesota Power and its NTEC partner, Dairyland Power, recently withdrew their air permit to build the natural gas-powered plant near…
LUTSEN, Minn. — Every fall, thousands of people flock up north to take in the beauty of Northern Minnesota. “We had 5,000, this past weekend. We’ve had a lot of people coming up here, our hotels have been totally full,” said Zak Trimble, Chief Operations Officer for Lutsen Mountains. And they all show up for the same reason. To check…
GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. — An event surrounding a big hairy mythical creature is taking place this weekend in Grand Rapids. The 5th annual Minnesota Bigfoot Conference is all about spreading awareness of the education and protection of the creature. It is put on by the Minnesota Bigfoot Research Team who have been working together for 24 years now. The event…
Courtesy of Heidi Beal, Zoo’s Staff Photographer DULUTH, Minn. — A pair of critically endangered animals have been born at the Lake Superior Zoo. The cotton-top tamarin twins were born on Sept. 15. These types of monkeys live in close-knit family groups and are joined by 2 siblings, along with their mom Mira and dad Deno. Cotton-tops are protected under…
DULUTH, Minn. — One couple, who were born and raised in Superior, Wisconsin, are breathing a sigh of relief after their Florida home is narrowly missed by Hurricane Helene. Tom and Cindy Fennessey watched from thousands of miles away, as the Category 4 storm bypassed their costal home. The couple resides in Englewood, Florida, which is about an hour south…
SUPERIOR, Wis. — It’s the second annual Wisconsin Stormwater week. The week is all about spreading awareness of the sources of stormwater pollution. Wisconsin Land and Water is hosting webinars. And Tuesday they held one on road salt, commonly used to clear ice during the winter and its effects on the environment. Wednesday they discus ponds, and Thursday they will…
CHISHOLM, Minn.– A new and improved way to enjoy the Minnesota Discovery Center is finally complete. Crews had to fix over forty years of wear and tear to restore it. And now, it’s looking better than ever. “It’s very exciting. This has been a project that’s been a long time in the works. We started working on this several years…
GRAND LAKE TOWNSHIP, Minn. — For a year now, the Earl Hanson soccer field has catered to the disc golf lovers, and the soccer players alike. But now, there is a hidden gem discovered within those fields. A new public hiking trail is being unveiled to join the park. This was made possible by local businesses and volunteers. The disc…
Minnesota Power is expanding its solar footprint with plans to build two large solar projects in northern Minnesota. The Regal Solar project will be built near Royalton with 255,000 solar modules on about 800 acres. The Boswell Solar project will include 180,000 solar modules on about 600 acres. The two sites will have a combined capacity of around 204 megawatts….
BAYFIELD, Wis.– Despite the Bayfield Apple Festival happening right around the corner, apple orchards are taking advantage of the fall season in the meantime by opening their doors for guests. Before the Apple Fest, guests can check out their gift shop and sample their bakery. The family business has served the Bayfield community for over one-hundred years. Owner and…
DULUTH, Minn.– This well-known birding spot is kicking off their most popular weekend of the year! Hawk weekend is catering to the bird enthusiasts in the Northland by celebrating one of the busiest migration weeks. Specifically, the arrival of broad-winged hawks will be highlighted this weekend. Hawk Ridge has been participating in research and education programs for over 50…
DULUTH, Minn. — 5th graders got the chance to learn all about the outdoors for National Forestry Day. Students learned about tree identification, safe hiking practices, and more. Twelve schools were in attendance across three local parks. We caught up with the groups at Upper Spirit Mountain. The other locations were Lester and Chester Parks. Each park was set up…
A wildfire in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) is now 27 acres and 25 percent contained. The fire ignited Sept. 10 on an island in Wood Lake, which is about 14 miles northeast of Ely. Some recreational areas nearby are shut down for now. Officials with the Superior National Forest said the fire is “human caused.” For more…
SUPERIOR, Wis. — An exciting new addition to the Lake Superior family made its way to the waters. At Wisconsin Point, Lake Superior Reserve deployed their first buoy into the water. The device is solar powered, and they’re eager to introduce this new research opportunity to the Northland. The team positioned the buoy to monitor where the St Louis River,…
DULUTH, Minn. — State lawmakers from the Great Lakes region are on a mission to plant 250 million trees along the Great Lakes by 2033. Four of those trees were planted Monday in Duluth, across from Pier B along Railroad St. The ceremony included Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois lawmakers. Local officials like Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert were also there. The…
DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert said on Sunday that he has directed internal leadership to review all procedures and training to figure out how 1.7 million gallons of treated drinking water got into Tischer Creek in August, ending with the killing of more than 1,000 fish. Reinert took to social media Sunday to say the city’s drinking water…
DULUTH, Minn. — Bayfront Park was the place to be this weekend for the 30th annual Lake Superior Harvest Festival. The grounds were packed Saturday with people enjoying everything from live music to home-goods and produce shopping. There was also an energy fair to explore. A local farmer and his family have been selling at the festival for years. Here’s…
SUPERIOR, Wis. – Residents in Superior are invited to a public hearing Monday involving rate increases proposed by Superior Water Light and Power (SWL&P). The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin is hosting the public hearing at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Government Center in Superior, room 270. The overall proposed increase is 5.9%, or about $7.3 million. This…
MINNESOTA — Cooler air is just around the corner and with that comes the beautiful fall colors in Minnesota. The Minnesota DNR shares what to expect this season. Experts say fall colors typically peak in mid-to-late September through mid-October. This year’s growing season has been wetter which is better for the trees. But with that comes fungal leaf diseases that…
DULUTH, Minn. — Fall migration season is in full swing at Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory in Duluth. The non-profit has been counting birds for over 50 years. They work with other Hawk watches across North America to understand populations and how birds are doing. They also have staff around to educate visitors on different species. Birds come from all over,…
SUPERIOR, Wis.– A once polluted Woodstock Bay in the St. Louis River is now restored for swimming and outdoor recreation. The new bay features the only boat launch within the 44-00-acre Superior Municipal Forest. This 1.4-million-dollar project encourages visiting the wetlands in the urban setting. Woodstock Bay is home to unique scenic outlooks, a pavilion, and a canoe landing. Superior…
DULUTH, Minn. — There is an update on the fish kill that happened in July in Duluth’s Tischer Creek. State officials say the amount of drinking water released into the creek was much larger than first reported by the City of Duluth. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says the initial report was 500,000 gallons from the Woodland Reservoir. The City…
WISCONSIN. –Residents of Wisconsin are voicing their concerns about the proposed Line 5 reroute project. Enbridge is proposing to relocate a 41-mile-long portion of its existing Line 5 pipeline. Line 5 transports over half a million barrels of crude oil and natural gas to Wisconsin each day and creates the propane that comes directly to Northern Wisconsin. The pipeline currently…
A possible wolf-dog hybrid has been spotted in northern Minnesota that has researchers baffled. Video from the Voyageurs Wolf Project shows what appears to be a mix of a wolf and large dog hanging with two adult wolves. The animal has dark fur with light-brown legs and a short bushy tail. Researchers with Voyageurs also wonder if it’s a wolf…
SUPERIOR, Wis. — Did you know baby birds “graduate” into adulthood? Every August, young birds mature into their full-grown state as they prepare for migration. And in Superior, people celebrated the start of migration as birds make their way down south. The “Anyone Can Bird” event is a series of birding adventures where everyone is welcome. The event aims to…
Click the video above to see some or your fantastic shots of the Northern Lights from Sunday night! Categories: Environment, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News
DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Broadcasters Association has declared this week as “Broadcasters Week of Kindness.” The goal is for local journalists to get out into their communities and volunteer. Earlier this week, FOX 21 Reporter Emily Halling visited Wired Whisker Cat Cafe in Duluth. And on Thursday, FOX 21’s Maria Vollom, Rusty Mehlberg and Dan Hanger headed out to…
DULUTH, Minn. — The city of Duluth says it is cooperating with regulatory agencies after more than 1,000 fish were found dead last week in Tischer creek. The DNR confirmed that hundreds of brook trout, minnows, crayfish, and aquatic bugs were among the dead. Field crews from the DNR and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MCPA) collected fish and water samples…
DULUTH, Minn. — Under mysterious conditions, residents along Duluth’s Hunters Park neighborhood woke up Thursday morning to dozens and dozens of dead fish along Tischer Creek. According to the Duluth News Tribune, about 250 brook trout, minnows, crayfish, and aquatic bugs were dead. The DNR and Minnesota’s Pollution Control Agency crews have taken samples of the aquatic creatures and water…
