News – Latest News

The US Is Moving Quickly To Boost Israel’s Military. A Look At What Assistance It’s Providing

WASHINGTON (AP) — Within hours of the horrific attack by Hamas, the U.S. began moving warships and aircraft to the region to be ready to provide Israel with whatever it needs to respond. A second U.S. carrier strike group departs from Norfolk, Virginia, on Friday. Scores of aircraft are heading to U.S. military bases around the Middle East. And special operations…

5 Officers Shot In Benton County, Minnesota

GLENDORADO TOWNSHIP, Minn. (FOX 9) – Five officers were shot in Glendorado Township, near Princeton, while serving a warrant Thursday morning, authorities tell FOX 9. A suspect has since been taken into custody. The officers, from different agencies, went to a house to serve a warrant before 8 a.m., authorities told FOX 9. While they were there, a man inside — the suspect — started…

$1.765 Billion Powerball Jackpot Goes To Lucky Lottery Player In California

ST. LOUIS (AP) — A player in California won a $1.765 billion Powerball jackpot Wednesday night, ending a long stretch without a winner of the top prize. The winning numbers were: 22, 24, 40, 52, 64 and the Powerball 10. The winning ticket was sold at Midway Market & Liquor in Frazier Park, according to the California Lottery. Phone calls Wednesday…

Duluth Housing Development Stalled For 2nd Month At Former Seaway Hotel Site

DULUTH, Minn. – It was in the middle of August when FOX 21 broke the news about construction temporarily halted on a new housing development in Duluth’s Lincoln Park. Now two months later, the structure remains just a frame of wood. Merge Urban Development is behind the 45-unit apartment building (Urbane 218) on the former West Superior Street site of…

Alison Ward From ‘MANIA: The Abba Tribute’ Talks About Upcoming Show At DECC

DULUTH, Minn. — Do you like the musical “Mamma Mia”?  How about the 70s?  Well, in about a week, you can mix the two together for a two-hour concert called “MANIA – The ABBA Tribute!” The excitement takes the stage at the DECC’s Symphony Hall Friday, Oct. 20th. The show is a recreation of one of Abba’s most memorable concerts,…

Birds Soar In Chalk Art

Art brightens sidewalks and gives birds colorful look.

When we’re looking for birds, we usually look up in the sky, but in Duluth’s Lakeside you might want to look down at the sidewalk. That’s where the birdwatching–and bird drawing–was going on Wednesday. The chalk drawings are colorful, but by their nature, also temporary. The goal is to brighten up the neighborhood, and also draw attention to birds and…

As Strikes Devastate Gaza, Israel Forms Unity Government To Oversee War Sparked By Hamas Attack

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a leading opposition figure on Wednesday created a war-time Cabinet overseeing the fight to avenge a stunning weekend attack by Hamas militants. In the sealed-off Gaza Strip ruled by Hamas, Palestinian suffering mounted as Israeli bombardment demolished neighborhoods and the territory’s only power plant ran out of fuel. The new war-time Cabinet establishes…

104-Year-Old Chicago Woman Dies Days After Making A Skydive That Could Put Her In The Record Books

(AP) — Dorothy Hoffner, a 104-year-old Chicago woman whose recent skydive could see her certified by Guinness World Records as the oldest person to ever jump from a plane, has died. Hoffner’s close friend, Joe Conant, said she was found dead Monday morning by staff at the Brookdale Lake View senior living community. Conant said Hoffner apparently died in her sleep…

Former WI Congressman Dave Obey Announces Wife’s Passing

Joan Obey1938 – 2023 (FOX 21) Former longtime U.S. Representative Davey Obey, 85, who served northwest Wisconsin’s 7th District for four decades, announced late Tuesday that his wife, Joan Obey, died peacefully Sunday morning at the age of 85. Courtesy: Facebook Obey, who was honored in 2022 for being the longest-serving Wisconsin congressman, posted on social media shortly after 9…

Advocates Call Duluth’s Homeless Crisis An ‘Emergency,’ Ask For Public’s Help

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth’s homeless advocates and the non-profits they work for say chronic homelessness has hit crisis proportions, and they need help to turn the problem around. “Shelters are overrun and as a consequence people have to be outside,” said John Cole, executive director of CHUM. Cole said there’s not enough affordable housing in Duluth to meet the demand…

Duluth’s 148th Fighter Wing Makes A Twins Game Flyover

The Minnesota Twins unfortunately lost to the Houston Astros Tuesday, but either way, the Twins got one big salute during the National Anthem. As part of the pre-game ceremonies, the Minnesota National Guard’s 148th Fighter Wing conducted a flyover with two F-16 Fighting Falcons at Target Field. Click the video above to see the Falcons in action! Categories: Minnesota, News,…

St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office Announces First Citizens’ Academy

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn. — The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office announced they are offering their first ever Citizen’s Academy. The class is a way for the public to get an inside look as to how the sheriff’s office operates. Topics will include jail, rescue squad, and emergency response team and tactical operations, as well K-9 demonstrations. Those involved will…

New Hermantown Fire Chief Announced

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — Zach Graves has been hired as Fire Chief. He served for over 20 years in the International Guard as Chief. He has been with the Hermantown Fire Department for 12 years as a volunteer and is the current Deputy Chief of the Department. Graves says the most important and challenging work to do is staffing. Public Safety…

Superior Police Chief Nicholas Alexander To Retire

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Superior Police Chief Nicholas Alexander, who has been with the police department since 1998, is preparing to retire from the department. Alexander was just 26 when he joined the department as a police officer before climbing the ranks as captain of investigations and taking the chief position in 2015. Under Alexander’s leadership, he had a lot of…

DECC Board Releases Detailed Statement: ‘We Need A New Model, We Will Get Through This’

DULUTH, Minn. – The board of directors at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center released an extensive public statement Monday on the DECC’s website explaining the entertainment venue’s financial situation, the responsibilities of the board and how they plan to move forward. The statement also provides a ‘question and answer’ section to help the public understand the challenges and successes at…

Powerball Jackpot Grows To $1.55 Billion For Monday; Cash Option Worth $679.8 Million

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Powerball jackpot has climbed to an estimated $1.55 billion for Monday night’s drawing after no one matched the game’s six numbers for the giant prize Saturday. The $1.55 billion prize is for a sole winner who is paid through an annuity, with annual checks over 30 years. Most jackpot winners opt for cash, which…

What Is Indigenous Peoples Day? A Day Of Celebration, Protest And Reclaiming History

(AP) — From Alcatraz Island to a park in New York City, Native American people will celebrate their centuries-long history of resilience on Monday with ceremonies, dances and speeches. The events across the U.S. come two years after President Joe Biden officially commemorated Indigenous Peoples Day. An increasing number of states and cities have also recognized it — pivoting from a…

What To Know As Israel Declares War, Bombards Gaza Strip After Unprecedented Hamas Attack

JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli government promised Monday to hunt down Hamas fighters and to punish the Gaza Strip following a surprise weekend attack killed more than 700 people in Israel, including at least 260 at a crowded music festival that became the scene of one of the country’s worst civilian massacres. A day after formally declaring war, Israel’s military worked to…

Sen. Klobuchar Calls Hamas’ Attack On Israel ‘Unconscionable’

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar is condemning Hamas’ attack on Israel, as the death toll rose into the hundreds Sunday. “This was a planned, coordinated attack by Hamas, which is a terrorist organization, which is affiliated with Iran. And this has been Israel’s biggest fear because they are a democracy in a really tough neighborhood,” said Sen. Klobuchar. Klobuchar said Americans…

‘Democratic Socialists Of America’ Backs Palestine Amid Gaza-Israel Conflict; Duluth DSA-Endorsed Candidates Respond

DULUTH, Minn. – The Twin Ports Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), which has endorsed three Duluth city council candidates for the upcoming November election, is calling for support to “take to the streets to join a protest for peace and against funding the Israeli state.” The DSA released the following statement Saturday: “DSA is steadfast in expressing our solidarity with…

City Of Duluth’s Largest Employee Union Passes On Mayoral Endorsement

DULUTH, Minn. – AFSCME Council 5, the city of Duluth’s largest bargaining unit representing employees like plow drivers, librarians and utility workers, has chosen not to endorse any mayoral candidate for the upcoming November election. In a statement to FOX 21, AFSCME said: “While our union members have endorsed in this race in previous election years, our members have decided…

DECC Board ‘Charged With Fiduciary Oversight And Governance’; Board Members Chosen By Mayor, Governor

DULUTH, Minn. — There’s been a lot of attention on the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center over the past couple weeks involving financial troubles and job eliminations, like 28-year employee Jeff Stark. DECC Exec. Dir. Dan Hartman, who has been on the job for 2.5 years, has said expenses are too high when it comes to increased wages and replacing failing…

ATV Passenger Killed By Tree Branch To The Chest

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn. – A woman was killed over the weekend after being struck by a tree branch while riding on a side-by-side ATV. The accident happened around 7:40 p.m. Saturday on an ATV trail located south of Hibbing, according to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office. The 38-year-old woman from Meadowlands was struck in the chest by the…

Essentia St. Mary’s Boosts Security

DULUTH, Minn. — Essentia St. Mary’s announced Friday that it is implementing visitor badges beginning next Tuesday When entering the new facility on Second Street, you will need to stop at the Reception Desk. There, you will need to present a photo ID in order to receive the visitor badge. The badge is good for that day only and needs…

Superior Fire Department Making Changes for Future Needs

SUPERIOR, Wisc. —  The Superior Fire Department is looking forward to upcoming changes that will help prepare the department and its facilities for the future. Fox 21’s Pat Brink has the story. The Superior Fire Department is taking to heart Mark Twain’s comment that ‘to stand still is to fall behind.’ Camron Vollbrecht, the man who became Superior’s Fire Chief…

Auto Workers Stop Expanding Strikes Against Detroit Three After GM Makes Battery Plant Concession

DETROIT (AP) — The United Auto Workers union said Friday it will not expand its strikes against Detroit’s three automakers after General Motors made a breakthrough concession on unionizing electric vehicle battery plants. Union President Shawn Fain told workers in a video appearance that additional plants could be added to the strikes later. The announcement of the pause in expanding the strikes…

Fatal Car Crash on Martin Road Near Duluth

Sheriff says car was making U-turn when it was hit by a truck.

RICE LAKE, Minn. — Authorities say a passenger in a van was killed Friday morning when the vehicle made a U-turn on Martin Road in Rice Lake. The fatal victim has been identified as 78-year-old Paul Larson of Duluth. The incident happened about 8:45 a.m. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s office said the van he was riding in was traveling…

Coffee Conversation: Chum’s Golden Gala Commemorating 50th Anniversary

DULUTH, Minn. — Chum will host a Golden Gala on Tuesday, October 17 at the DECC commemorating 50 years of assisting those experiencing homelessness. Chum Director of Communications and Marketing Bradley Zwagerman joined FOX21 live on the morning newscast to talk about the event and its purpose. There will be a gourmet dinner, silent and live auctions, inspiring stories, and…

Coffee Conversation: North of Nashville Fall Festival

SILVER BAY, Minn. — North of Nashville is coming to the Silver Bay Reunion Hall on Friday, October 13 for a Country Music Fall Festival. Musician Bo Allen joined FOX21 on the morning newscast Friday to talk about the event and play some tunes live in-studio. North of Nashville is the Midwest’s connection to premier country music, talent, and entertainment….

City To Break Ground On DECC Seawall-Waterfront Reconstruction

DULUTH, Minn. — The summer season has past and so has another delay in a major seawall-waterfront reconstruction project behind the DECC.  But, FOX 21 confirmed Thursday that construction is officially getting underway later this month. Rendering of what the area will look like come 2025 Jim Filby Williams, the city’s director of public administration, said all federal and state…

DECC Exec. Dir. Addresses Job Cuts At Struggling Entertainment Venue

DULUTH, Minn.– DECC Exec. Dir. Dan Hartman found himself in the spotlight Thursday after news broke Wednesday night that he was cutting DECC expenses in the hundreds of thousands, including layoffs and eliminating positions. “So, the DECC has been definitely between a rock and a hard place. I think I talked about this with the City Council a couple weeks…

28-Year DECC Employee Among Positions Eliminated Amid Financial Struggles

DULUTH, Minn. – FOX 21 has learned that multiple job eliminations have begun at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC), just one week since Executive Director Dan Hartman asked and received a $1 million emergency line of credit from the city council. DECC Exec. Dir. Dan Hartman during an interview with FOX 21 Sept. 24 Hartman said at the time…

UMD Faculty Union Rallies Amid Contract Negotiations

DULUTH, Minn. — Job security, research restrictions and increased teacher workload among concerns voiced Thursday (Oct 5) at a rally held by University of Minnesota Duluth union faculty members. This as contract negotiations continue with UMD administration. Duluth members of the University Education Association (UEA-Duluth) along with staff, students and a few city representatives rallied at UMD’s Kirby Plaza Bus…

US Adds Another Option For Fall COVID Vaccination With Updated Novavax Shots

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. regulators on Tuesday authorized another option for fall COVID-19 vaccination, updated shots made by Novavax. Updated vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna began rolling out last month, intended for adults and children as young as age 6 months. Now the Food and Drug Administration has added another choice –- reformulated Novavax shots open to anyone age 12 and…

Man With Handgun Seeking Governor Arrested In Wisconsin Capitol, Returns With Assault Rifle

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A man illegally brought a loaded handgun into the Wisconsin Capitol, demanding to see Gov. Tony Evers, and returned at night with an assault rifle after posting bail, a spokesperson for the state said Thursday. The man, who was shirtless and had a holstered handgun, approached the governor’s office on the first floor of the Capitol…

Coffee Conversation: Bill Hinden Presents “The Great Jewish American Songbook” at Temple Israel

DULUTH, Minn. — Temple Israel will host a live presentation and performance by Bill Hindin of Songs and Stories of the Jewish Composers of Popular Music of the 20th Century. Temple Israel Board Member Jack Seiler joined FOX21 on the morning newscast Thursday to talk about the event and its purpose. Hindin uses multi-media, jokes, piano playing and song to…

Update on Lead Water Pipe Removal

DULUTH, Minn. –In May of his year the city began work on replacing all lead water pipes in the city. A pilot project was started on Eighth Street, running between 7th Avenue and 14th Avenue. An update on the pilot project was given on Wednesday. Jon Maruska, the Senior Engineering Specialist on the project, said so far, about 85 of…

Superior Solar Garden Unveiled

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — There may have been some clouds in the sky, but that did not stop a solar celebration today. It was for the community solar garden in Superior. It will use the sun to generate enough power for about 115 homes, according to Superior Water Light and Power.  Customers were able to buy shares of the solar garden…

Food Trucks In The Northland

DULUTH, Minn. — Northland temperatures are cooling as we ease into fall, but the food truck business is hotter than ever. And Kelsey Auran would know, she has worked for The Rambler for six years and says it was always in owner Jonathan Reznick’s heart to own a food truck. The Rambler was one of the first food truck businesses…

What To Know About The Emergency Alert Test Hitting Your Cellphones And TVs

WASHINGTON (AP) — “THIS IS A TEST”: If you have a cellphone or are watching television Wednesday, that message will flash across your screen as the federal government tests its emergency alert system used to tell people about emergencies. The Integrated Public Alert and Warning System sends out messages via the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts. The Emergency Alert System is a national…

Former Duluth Vineyard Youth Pastor Accused Of Criminal Sexual Conduct

DULUTH, Minn. — A now-former youth pastor at The Vineyard Church in Duluth is charged with 10 counts of criminal sexual conduct involving five girls. Jackson Gatlin’s mugshot The criminal complaints against 35-year-old Jackson Gatlin say the victims were 12 to 16 years old at the time of the offenses. The complaints say Gatlin was between the ages of 19…