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…
DULUTH, Minn. — The Canadian Snowbirds swooped into Duluth Wednesday evening for a free show over Lake Superior — the Duluth Air Spectacular. People were able to watch the show from the Lakewalk, the Rose Garden, at Fitger’s, and in Canal Park. Nine aircraft from the Canadian Snowbirds showed off some impressive displays. The city of Duluth was selected as…
MASON, Wis. – Living up north means living with some of America’s most beautiful creatures, like gray wolves, which are on the endangered species list. But for a farming family in Mason, Wis., they say the growing wolf population has become a serious problem for their livestock and even their beloved pets, as FOX 21’s Dan Hanger reports. Growing up…
MASON, Wis. – Coming up Tuesday night on FOX 21 Local News at 9, a special report from Mason, Wisconsin, involving a recent wolf attack. You’ll hear from life-long residents of northern Wisconsin who say the wolf population is out of control, killing livestock and even and 11-year-old Labrador just feet from its house. “I know that wolves, they’re a…
DULUTH, Minn. — Community members stepped on deck to learn all about the Blue Heron research vessel in the Duluth. UMD’s Large Lakes Observatory hosts the Science on Deck event in the Duluth Harbor near Pier B Resort. There are three days of tours offered this summer. Scientists and staff are on hand to give tours, talk about their recent…
SUPERIOR, Wis. — Mont du Lac Resort in Superior is welcoming back Bowfest all weekend long. Fox 21 photojournalist Adam Jagunich shows us the World’s Largest Outdoor Archery and Music Festival. Categories: Community, Environment, News, News – Latest News
SUPERIOR Wi. — Veterans are taking a nature trip to celebrate serving our country. A handful of veterans are heading out on a weeklong getaway to the Boundary Waters in Ely. The participants will do activities such as fishing, canoeing, and playing cards. This free annual trip has been going on for eight years now, and each time, the participants…
SUPERIOR, Wisc. — Volunteers and workers from the St. Louis River Alliance teamed up to remove debris from the Piping Plover habitat on Wisconsin Point. The sun was beating down on the sand along Wisconsin Point, but that didn’t deter the crew working to clear the Piping Plover Site. They chopped and burned logs and wooden debris that washed ashore,…
DULUTH, Minn. — For decades now, the over 500-acre site commonly referred to as the St. Louis River Site contained pollutants from the former US Steel facilities. Today, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and members of US Steel confirmed the portion surrounding Spirit Lake is now contaminant free. Over the last three years, crews have worked on removing polycyclic aromatic…
DULUTH, Minn. — At the end of the month, UMD’s Large Lakes Observatory will be hosting an event, spreading knowledge on research happening on Lake Superior. The first ever Freshwater Discovery Day will take place on July 31. The all-day event will kick off with a cruise on Lake Superior. Scientists and UMD students will share their findings and stories…
HERMANTOWN MN. — Tucked away in the basement of the World of Fish building, The Snake Pit is a hidden gem for reptile enthusiasts. Guests can get to know animals like snakes, geckos, skinks, tarantulas, tortoises, and even an alligator. Just to name a few. For Snake Pit owner Roger Hill, this hobby, and business, has been a lifelong passion…
DULUTH, Minn.– Folks paddled on down for this Boundary Waters fundraiser Friday Afternoon. There was a good turnout for the 2nd annual Paddlin’ For The Boundary Waters fundraiser in Duluth. Bent Paddle Brewing welcomed local food vendors, and businesses. During the party, Dave Simonett’s band ‘Dead Man Winter’ put on a concert for guests. There was also a chance to…
(AP) — A railroad bridge collapsed during flooding in the Midwestern U.S. that has forced water rescues, led to evacuations, caused at least one death and brought additional misery during a vast and stubborn heat wave. The bridge connecting North Sioux City, South Dakota, with Sioux City, Iowa, collapsed into the Big Sioux River late Sunday, an emergency manager said….
Some areas of the Northland had stalled cars, washed out roads and flooded basements. It other places, the earth literally opened up. That was the case along a portion of the Mesabi Bike Trail near Biwabik, with a gaping cave-in between Giants Ridge and Highway 135. Tuesday night emergency crews were called into the rainy darkness to deal with a…
NORTHLAND – Severe storms brought plenty of disasters in northern Minnesota Tuesday night. The National Weather Service reports 1.5 to more than 7 inches of rain have fallen within just a few hours. Tornadic wind speeds brought reports of a waterspout spotted outside of Tofte at 5:19 p.m., a confirmed tornado outside of Cotton, and funnel clouds spotted over Moose…
DULUTH, Minn.– The Lake Superior Zoo is celebrating a special week. A week celebrating an important part of nature. Pollinators are responsible for keeping the ecosystem alive and thriving. The Lake Superior Zoo kicked off the week with pollinator day, where they highlighted the keystone species. “Coming to the zoo, you can learn about pollinators and learn about native and…
DULUTH, Minn.– A new exhibit made a splash Friday morning at the Great Lakes Aquarium. The Oceans Alive made its debut. The goal with this new exhibit is to represent how our oceans, climate, and local habitats are all connected. The project combines both freshwater, and saltwater enclosures in one area. They are welcoming a giant Pacific octopus, along with…
It’s been quite the week of animal sightings in the Northland. A homeowner’s doorbell camera caught a cougar taking a prowl in Hermantown. In Virginia, at least one horse was caught on camera galloping along Highway 53. And also in Virginia, a mama bear and her four cubs explored the deck of Virginia Deputy Chief Chad Nickila. Click the video…
