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Coffee Conversation: Tig’s Smok’n Pig BBQ Third Annual Cancer Fundraiser

DULUTH, Minn. — Tig’s Smok’n Pig BBQ is preparing to hold its third annual cancer fundraiser to raise money for a Two Harbors woman, Tammy Churness, who is currently battling cancer. Owner Troy Fralich (Tig) and friend of Tammy, Brooke, joined FOX21 on the morning newscast to talk about the fundraiser and its purpose. The benefit is taking place on…

Minnesota And Wisconsin Red Cross Volunteers Helping In Hawaii After Wildfires

MINNESOTA/WISCONSIN. — More than 300 American Red Cross disaster workers are helping in Maui after wildfires struck the island, 10 of those from Minnesota and one from Northwest Wisconsin. When the fires started, volunteers immediately opened shelters and had supplies ready for people in need. So far Red Cross has provided around 28-thousand meals and over 4-thousand overnight shelter stays….

Coast Guard Trains On Lake Superior While Drifting Tubers Get Help To Shore

DULUTH, Minn. –  There was some confusion Wednesday for people looking out on Lake Superior from Duluth’s shoreline when they saw a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter hovering over the water with a Coast Guard vessel. Coast Guard training Wednesday A spokesperson for the Coast Guard told FOX 21 it was not a water emergency but rather a scheduled training exercise…

DOJ Investigating Fatal Shooting Involving Ashland County Sheriff’s Deputy

TOWN OF MORSE, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Justice is investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in the Town of Morse in Ashland County. The incident happened around 6 p.m. Tuesday in the 33000 block of N. Foley Road. Upon arrival, deputies with the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office witnessed a male assaulting two adult females with a “bladed weapon,” according…

Some Abortion Drug Restrictions Are Upheld By An Appeals Court In A Case Bound For The Supreme Court

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New restrictions on access to a drug used in the most common form of abortion would be imposed under a federal appeals court ruling issued Wednesday, but the Supreme Court will have the final say. The ruling by three judges on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans overturned part of a lower court ruling…

Small Minnesota Town Will Be Without Police After Chief And Officers Resign, Citing Low Pay

GOODHUE, Minn. (AP) — A small Minnesota town will soon be without a police department, an exodus spurred by low pay for the chief and his officers. Goodhue Police Chief Josh Smith and one other officer are still on the force, but only until their resignations become official on Aug. 23, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported. Smith submitted his resignation at a…

Rebate Checks For Minnesotans Begin This Week, Up To $1,300 Per Family

(FOX 9) – A prominent promise made by Gov. Walz last legislative session will begin to come to fruition for Minnesotans this week. On Wednesday, Gov. Walz will hold an event to announce that as families gear up for the back-to-school season, the one-time tax rebate payments of up to $1,300 per family will start being sent to tax filers. The legislation provides payments to…

Minnesota Nursing Homes Get Lifeline From State

DULUTH, MINN — On the last day of the Minnesota legislative session, the leaders of both parties got together and worked out an agreement to provide $300 million to help nursing homes across the state.  State Representative Natalie Zeleznikar, talked with FOX 21 about the agreement that likely saved many nursing homes. The first-term representative knows the issues, she’d been…

New Planning And Economic Development Director Announced

DULUTH, Minn. — The City of Duluth has appointed a new Planning and Economic Development Director. The brisk harbor winds ushered in a new era for Duluth Tuesday, as Mayor Larson announced the selection of Chad Ronchetti as Planning and Economic Development Director. He most recently worked at Kraus-Anderson. Chris Fleege, prior director, passed away unexpectedly in June leaving the…

Duluth Public Info. Meeting Wed. About ‘Armored Rescue Vehicle’ Purchase

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Police Chief Mike Ceynowa and his team will hold a community informational meeting Wednesday about the possible purchase of an Armored Rescue Vehicle. The meeting is happening from 5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Evergreen Senior Center. Chief Ceynowa told FOX 21 it’s time to invest in the life-saving tool and stop borrowing Superior’s Armored…

Duluth Bethel to Celebrate 150th Anniversary

DULUTH, MINN. — Duluth Bethel will be holding its third annual ’Concert for Recovery’ in early September and it will be a two-day event. This year marks the 150th anniversary of Duluth Bethel, it’s one of the oldest social service agencies in the state. The group helps people rebuild their lives as it works with people with drug or alcohol…

New Vacation Home Community Being Built in the City

DULUTH, MINN. — New housing development, designed specifically for Short Term Vacation Rentals is going up at the base of Spirit Mountain. Already three of the homes are built or being built. The area is known as River West, and while the first phase has just three homes, it’s planned that the second and third phases will add another 30…

Hawaii Officials Work To Identify 99 Confirmed Dead After Maui Wildfires As Teams Search Ruins

LAHAINA, Hawaii (Fox 9)- Hawaii officials worked painstakingly to identify the 99 people confirmed killed in wildfires that ravaged Maui and expected to release the first names Tuesday, even as teams intensified the search for more dead in neighborhoods reduced to ash. A week after a blaze tore through historic Lahaina, many who survived have started moving into hundreds of…

President Biden Travels To Battleground Wisconsin To Talk About The Economy A Week Before GOP Debate

MILWAUKEE (AP) — In a show of preemptive counter-programming, President Joe Biden on Tuesday traveled to Wisconsin to highlight his economic policies in a state critical to his reelection fortunes, just a week before Republicans descend on Milwaukee for the party’s first presidential debate. His arrival in Milwaukee comes on the eve of the anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act, major economic legislation that he signed into…

Local Non-Profit Receives National Award

DULUTH, Minn. — Udac received the 2023 Organizational Best Practice Award for their approach in supporting education and employment development for those with disabilities. Udac works with the Duluth Area Community Foundation and other partners to create a unique model of servicing those in need. Their approach involves working with companies to find opportunities for clients where support is offered…

Trump Indicted For Efforts To Overturn 2020 Presidential Election In Georgia

ATLANTA (AP) — A Georgia grand jury that has been investigating former President Donald Trump over his efforts to undo that state’s 2020 election results arrived at a frenzied conclusion late Monday, returning indictments even as prosecutors offered no clarity about who had been charged and for what. The existence of indictments became apparent around 9 p.m., when the Fulton…

Knowing Your Neighbor: PGA HOPE

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Nemadji Golf Course in Superior is teaching military veterans to golf through a six week long program called PGA HOPE. The program looks to improve veterans’ golf skills and wellbeing. PGA HOPE is a branch of the PGA Reach, the charitable foundation of the Pro Golfers Association. Throughout Minnesota and part of Wisconsin, PGA HOPE lessons are…

Duluth Firefighters Fundraising in Fill the Boot Program

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Firefighters Local 101 will be standing by heavily traffic intersections for this year’s Fill the Boot program. Each year firefighters collect donations one dollar at a time standing at numerous city intersections Monday through Wednesday from 3 to 5 p.m. All to raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, an organization that helps research, support, and…

Scottish Scramble Brings Golfers Out for a Good Cause

DULUTH, Minn. — People were taking their best swing on the greens Monday, all for a good purpose, at Ridgeview Country Club. The 2nd annual Scottish Scramble invited people to participate in an 18-hole match, accompanied with Scottish theme course and dinner. Each year the Duluth Scottish Heritage Association split funds halfway with the Minnesota Masonic Children’s Clinic for Communication…

Duluth Council Bans Smoking Pot In Parks, Fines Undecided

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth City Council passed an ordinance Monday night banning the smoking of marijuana and other controlled substances involving smoke from city parks, like cigarettes and vaping. This comes after the state of Minnesota passed a law legalizing adult recreational use of marijuana beginning Aug. 1. The smoking violation fines became a discussion Monday night between some…

Superior School Board Member Resigns Amid Election Fraud Charges

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Embattled Superior School Board member Steven Stupak resigned Monday morning amid election fraud charges against him. Board President Steve Olson confirmed the resignation at Monday night’s board meeting. It was not immediately known Monday night what the board’s process will be moving forward with the vacant seat. Stupak’s announcement comes just one week after former school board…

Body Of Canoeist Discovered In BWCA

Justin Sperl/Facebook COOK COUNTY, Minn. —  The body of a canoeist was found Monday in the Brule Lake area of the BWCA. The body was discovered by other canoeists who notified authorities, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. The remains have been identified as Justin Sperl, 32, of Marshall, Minnesota. “Sperl had been the subject of a missing person…

Duluth Investigator Cleared Of Charges In Feb. Fatal Shooting

Scene of February shooting DULUTH, Minn. — Charges will not be filed against a Duluth police officer who shot and killed a suspect earlier this year. The shooting happened Feb. 24, 2023 in an alley on the 1500 block of East Third Street during a felony arrest for threats of violence. Investigators said shots were fired after Zachary Shogren, 34,…

BB & Friends Preparing For Minnesota State Fair

DULUTH, Minn. — The company known as Bailey Builds is changing its name to BB & Friends and for the third straight year, the company that creates wood art will have a presence at the Minnesota State Fair. The company makes a big impression at the fair each year as they build their own building to display and sell their…

RFP Issued For Part Of Lester Golf Course

DULUTH, Minn. — The City of Duluth has posted a Request for Proposals or RFP for a Master Developer to plan, design and build a mixed-use development on part to what was the Lester Golf Course. The city is looking for proposals that include residential development for persons of all income levels and housing for families and seniors. Developers are…

Coffee Conversation: Duluth Public Schools Back-to-School Event

DULUTH, Minn. — For the second year, Duluth Public Schools will host “Unity in Our Community,” a back-to-school event at Bayfront Festival Park on Mon. August 21 from 4-7 pm. On Mon. August 14, Assistant Superintendent Anthony Bonds joined FOX21 on the morning newscast to talk about the event and its purpose. Food, entertainment, vendors, and a large backpack giveaway…

Hawaii’s Governor Warns That Scores More People Could Be Found Dead Following Wildfires On Maui

LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — Hawaii’s governor warned that scores more people could be found dead following ferocious wildfires on Maui, as search and rescue crews scoured neighborhoods street by street and prepared to comb through buildings charred by flames that galloped a mile a minute. The blazes, which consumed most of the historic town of Lahaina, are already the deadliest in…

Mixed-Income Housing Development Underway In Duluth’s East Hillside

DULUTH, Minn. — Construction is underway in Duluth’s East Hillside for 52 mixed-income apartment units. The property is located on the corner of 6th Avenue East and 4th Street. One Roof Housing and Three Rivers Community Action are developing the property. The site used to be a gas station, which was heavily contaminated, making the prime real-estate difficult to develop….

Work On Lincoln Park Housing Development Temporarily Suspended

DULUTH, Minn. — Construction work is temporarily suspended on a new apartment building in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. Merge Urban Development told FOX 21 there are two reasons for the delay in the Urbane218 project at the former Esmond and Seaway Hotel site. Engineers are making changes to the heating and cooling design per the request of the city’s building…

Downtown Duluth High Rise Delayed, City Optimistic For Completion

DULUTH, Minn. — The site of a proposed 15-story high rise in downtown Duluth continues to sit idle, but officials tell FOX 21 they are optimistic the project will happen. The site is located between the Sheraton Hotel and Essentia Health on the 300 block of East Superior Street, which is the former site of the Voyageur Lakewalk Inn. The…

Raleigh Academy Received $20,000 Grant for Outdoor Education

"Our kindergarten teachers are going to be totally reworking how they approach teaching the standards," said Katie Ruhland.

DULUTH, Minn. — As the kids get ready for the school year, one charter school is looking to bring students outside the classroom. Duluth Edison Charter School Raleigh Academy received a $20,000 grant from the MN Department of Education for outdoor education for kindergarteners. The Playscape will feature a sand pit, a water pump, and even a mud kitchen. Construction…

SHS to Participate in “Away for the Day” for 2023-24 School Year

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Starting on Sept. 1, Superior High School will be joining the rest of the Superior School District implementing “Away for the Day”.  During school hours, Superior High School students are expected to keep phones and other mobile devices such as smartwatches, tablets, and portable gaming systems in their lockers. The School District of Superior offers laptops to…

2 Local Wrenshall Farms Take On Sauerkraut Business

WRENSHALL, Minn. — Two local farms in Wrenshall are now the proud makers of sauerkraut. Northern Harvest Farm and Uff-da Organics took over Spirit Creek Farm after they had been growing cabbage for them for over a decade. Now they’re taking on the new task out of their Farmer’s Kitchen. Which means they’ll produce enough sauerkraut for around 70 stores…

Duluth Police Dept. Plans To Purchase Armored Vehicle, Stop Borrowing Superior’s

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Police Chief Mike Ceynowa is looking to make his biggest investment yet since becoming chief nearly one year ago – the purchase of an Armored Rescue Vehicle.  Ceynowa says it’s a safety tool his department should no longer be borrowing from the Superior Police Department, as FOX 21’s Dan Hanger reports. From schools, to supermarkets, to…

New Community Solar Garden Project Underway In Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Superior Water, Light, and Power is creating its first community solar garden. It’s located near Heritage Park in Superior. The garden contains nearly 1,300 panels large enough to power around 115 homes. The community solar garden is expected to produce energy by October. The project is currently subscribed to 80 customers. “The community solar garden is really…

Water Safety Awareness Beach Party Event At Park Point

DULUTH, Minn. — Thursday Duluth Parks and Recreation hosted a beach party, where the community could learn the importance of water safety while taking a splash in Lake Superior. Taking place at the Park Point Beach House, right on the edge of Lake Superior. Lifeguards and professionals were on hand to teach about rip currents, hypothermia, and other important information….