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Childen’s Mental Health Focus of Conference in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. –The DECC was the site of the 27th annual conference of the Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health. There were 85 different breakout sessions covering issues children are facing.  Three days of educational opportunities offered time to hear from, and talk with, others who work with children and discuss the issues they face. The Communications Director for the…

Sellers of Drugs Arrested in Man’s Death

SUPERIOR, WISC. — After a six month investigation by the Superior Police Department into the overdose death of a 45 year old man, two women have now been arrested and charged. The Superior Police Department says the two women have been charged with being Party to a Crime and Reckless Homicide. Police say the two were responsible for the sale…

‘Suspicious Device’ Found At UMD Left Intentionally

UPDATE (Tuesday, 4:20 p.m.) — There is new information regarding the suspicious device that was determined non-threatening at UMD on Monday. Campus police tell Fox21 that someone intentionally placed the object to cause alarm. The following statement is from the UMD Police Chief, Sean Huls: Yesterday, we released a SAFE-U alert after learning of a suspicious device at the research…

Recreational Marijuana Bill Passes Minnesota House, Heads To Senate

(FOX 9) – Recreational marijuana is a step closer to becoming legal under state law in Minnesota, with lawmakers passing the marijuana omnibus bill by a vote of 71-59. “We know Minnesota’s current cannabis laws are doing more harm than good,” said Rep. Zack Stephenson (DFL-Coon Rapids), the bill’s sponsor. “Over the last three years, DFLers in the Legislature have worked and listened to build…

Twin Ports Spay/Neuter Reopening In A New Location

DULUTH, Minn. — Twin Ports Spay/Neuter is reopening in a new location with appointments starting May 1. The small privately owned clinic was forced out of their old location in January after being there for 13 years. It now has a new place on Grand Avenue in Duluth. The clinic made a soft announcement through social media last Thursday and…

Coffee Conversation: UMD Students Look for Support of Humanitarian Project in Kenya

DULUTH, Minn. — Students of UMD’s Engineers Without Borders chapter turn to community members for support of their well and water distribution system project in Nyansakia, Kenya. Alison Olson-Enamorado, Cody Barrett, Yohanis Hundessa, and Allicia Petrich joined FOX21 on the morning show to talk about the project and its purpose, along with an upcoming fundraiser. The well and water distribution…

Biden Announces 2024 Reelection Bid: ‘Let’s Finish This Job’

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Tuesday formally announced that he is running for reelection in 2024, asking voters to give him more time to “finish this job” and extend the run of America’s oldest president for another four years. Biden, who would be 86 at the end of a second term, is betting his first-term legislative achievements and more than 50 years of experience in Washington…

‘Dancing With The Stars’ Judge Len Goodman Dies At 78

LONDON (AP) — Len Goodman, a long-serving judge on “Dancing with the Stars” and “Strictly Come Dancing” who helped revive interest in ballroom dancing on both sides of the Atlantic, has died, his agent said Monday. He was 78. Agent Jackie Gill said Goodman “passed away peacefully” on Saturday night. He had been diagnosed with bone cancer. A former professional…

Student Brings Loaded Gun To Superior High School, No One Hurt

SUPERIOR, Wis. — The School District of Superior is investigating after a student brought a loaded gun to the Superior High School Monday morning. According to a press release from the school, another student had reported the gun to the school’s administration. The Superior Police Department along with school administrators immediately confiscated the weapon and removed the student from campus….

Ex-Officer Who Fatally Shot Breonna Taylor Hired As A Deputy

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A Louisville police officer who fired the fatal shot that killed Breonna Taylor has a new job in law enforcement in a county northeast of the city. The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office on Saturday confirmed the hiring of Myles Cosgrove, who was fired from the Louisville Metro Police Department in January 2021 for violating use-of-force procedures and failing…

Minnesota Officer Who Mistook Her Gun For Taser And Killed Daunte Wright Released

SHAKOPEE, Minn. (AP) — Kim Potter, the former Minnesota police officer who said she mistook her gun for a Taser when she shot and killed Daunte Wright in 2021, was released from prison early Monday. The Minnesota Department of Corrections said Potter was released at about 4 a.m. “out of an abundance of caution” for Potter’s safety. The department confirmed Friday she would…

Victims In Fatal Duluth Apartment Fire Were Mother, Son; Firefighters Union Releases Statement

DULUTH, Minn. — We’re getting a new look at just how intense the flames were for firefighters and residents of an apartment building early Saturday morning in Duluth that killed two people and injured two firefighters. The fire victims were a mother and son who lived together, and that son, according to family, actually helped save lives in a 2020…

Last Twin Ports Grizzly’s To Close, ‘Boulder Tap House’ To Replace

SUPERIOR, Wis. — After 25 years in its Superior location, Grizzly’s Wood-Fired Grill is closing later this year to make way for a new eatery that owners hope will be just a popular, or more popular for the locals for years to come. Grizzly’s co-owner Rick Lampton told FOX 21 the 1969 building is starting to fail structurally. He said…

Therese Wisocki Joins List Of Candidates For Duluth City Council

DULUTH, Minn. – Another candidate has announced her run for the Duluth City Council. Therese Wisocki told FOX 21 on Sunday that she’s a retired telecommunications professional who has never run for political office before. Wisocki said she’s hoping to focus on improving public safety downtown and bringing new development there. Rising property taxes and low wages are also on…

DPD Opens Doors for Recruitment Open House

DULUTH, Minn.– The Duluth Police Department held an recruitment open house on Sunday for anyone with an interest in law enforcement to go behind the scenes. Those who took part had a guided tour of the Public Safety building in Duluth and had the chance to learn more about other opportunities that the Duluth Police Department has to offer. “This…

People Take a Step Forward for Autism Awareness Month

HERMANTOWN, Minn.– One in 36 kids is affected with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Over the years autism has had a bad reputation from being a highly misunderstanding neurological condition that affects millions world-wide.  “So autism is a spectrum. Our main goal is to raise awareness and acceptance for kids no matter where they fall on that spectrum,” said co-organizer of Autism…

Bloody Mary Festival Returns for a 2nd Year

HERMANTOWN, Minn.–Bloody Mary’s have been becoming quite popular in the Northland with another Sunday brunch dedicated to the tomato-y drink. Polished Pineapple Events held a Bloody Mary festival at the AAD Shrine. Bloody Mary makers from around the Midwest and one from Florida gathered for a casual day sampling all the different mixes. “The interesting thing about this event is…

The 34th Fitgers 5K Run

DULUTH, MINN. — The 34th Annual Fitger’s 5K was held this morning. Literally, hundreds of people took part in the event. In the Men’s division, Scott Behliing won for the fifth time in the last eight years. He finished the 5K in 15:56 – 20 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor. In the women’s division, a first-time winner of the…

Fire in Duluth Kills 2, Injures 2 Firefighters

DULUTH, Minn. — A fire at an apartment building in the Hillside neighborhood at 631 E 3rd Street Saturday morning left two people dead and two firefighters injured. When firefighters arrived on the scene at about 6:30 a.m., they saw smoke coming from the building and began work to fight the fire and rescue people inside. The name of the…

Duluth Denfeld Robotics Team Enjoying Houston

HOUSTON, TEXAS –The Denfeld Robotics team continues to enjoy its time in Houston at the World Robotic Championships. The team competed both yesterday and today. However, they won’t know if they compete on Saturday until Saturday. The whole team and the driving team gathered outside the convention center for a group photo. We heard from Sarah Shaffer a junior who…

Gary-New Duluth Rec Center Raising Money Through A Rummage Sale

GARY-NEW DULUTH, Minn. — The Gary-New Duluth Rec Center is hosting a rummage sale in West Duluth Friday and Saturday. The rummage sale is open and affordable to everyone. Prices are not marked on the items. Instead, people can pay whatever they are comfortable with. Thanks to the generosity of the surrounding community the Rec Center has received many donations…

Special Olympics Minnesota Hosts Unified Indigenous Games At Cloquet High School

CLOQUET, Minn. — A fun event took place at the Cloquet High School bringing students of all abilities together by playing games. Special Olympics Minnesota hosted the Unified Indigenous Games combining students with and without disabilities to play, learn, and grow together. The traditional indigenous games come from all over the world and have always been adaptable and accessible to…

Loons Are Falling From The Sky In Wisconsin

ANTIGO, Wisconsin (FOX 9) – Atmospheric conditions at high altitudes are causing ice to build up on migrating loons’ bodies, causing them to land in dangerous situations, according to the Raptor Education Group. The Raptor Education Group, located in Antigo, Wisconsin, near Wausau, says they’ve received several calls this week of people finding loons stranded on the ground. A photo the group shared on Facebook shows a…

Coffee Conversation: Local Musicians Austin Castle & Cole Mikel

DULUTH, Minn. — Two local musicians, Austin Castle and Cole Mikel, joined FOX21 on the morning newscast (Friday, April 21) to talk about an upcoming album release and play some tunes live in-studio. Castle was on the morning show back in November 2022 to talk about his album, “Northwoods.” This time around, Castle enlisted the help of his friend and…

Woman And Child Dead After Crash On Highway 169

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn. — A woman and a child are dead after a car crash that happened around 4:30 p.m. Thursday in Vermillion Lake Township. The Minnesota State Patrol says 35-year-old April Pecchia from Eveleth was driving northbound on Highway 169 and Tarkman Road when she lost control and went into the southbound lane hitting a truck. Pecchia was…

High School Robotics Teams in Houston

HOUSTON, TEXAS — High school students from three area high schools are in Houston taking part in the World Championship for Robotics. The team from Denfeld has been sharing some video and photos of what they’re seeing and experiencing in Houston. There are more than 450 teams from across the country taking part in the competition. You can get an…

School Closings, Delays, E-Learning: Friday, April 21

Friday, April 21, 2023: Deer River School Dist.: 2-hour delay East Range Academy: e-learning Floodwood School Dist.: 2-hour delay Grand Rapids School Dist.: 2-hour delay Greenway Schools: 2-hour delay Hill City Schools: 2-hour delay Littlefork/Big Falls: 2-hour delay Nashwauk-Keewatin School Dist.: 2-hour delay Northern Lights Community School-Warba: 2-hour delay Northland Community Schools of Remer: 2-hour delay Southridge Schools: 2-hour delay…

Man Accused Of Online Threats That Put Twin Ports On Alert Is Charged

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth man accused of Facebook threats earlier this week that put the Twin Ports on alert has been formally charged. Trevor Billings, 30, is facing two counts of Threats of Violence. Trevor Billings Each felony charge comes with a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The criminal complaint says Billings used a Facebook page called…

Zenith Digital Marketing Conference Brings in Hundreds of People

DULUTH, Minn. — The 10th Annual Zenith Digital Marketing Conference in Duluth Thursday brought in hundreds of marketers and business people from across the country. Over a dozen professionals spoke about marketing practices and other business topics, but the big subject was the development of Artificial Intelligence. The conference focused on effects of A.I on businesses and jobs. Speakers reassured everybody…

UMD Students Host ‘Be the Match’ To Help Boy Avoid Terminal List

The students will host another swabbing event on Monday from noon until 8 p.m.

DULUTH, Minn. — A Be the Match recruitment event was held at the University of Minnesota-Duluth to help those who are fighting blood diseases. UMD’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) helped organize this event to help patients looking for a blood stem-cell transplant find their match. Thursday’s event was for almost 2-year-old Ari Chambers.  Ari has not been able to find…

Minnesota’s Unemployment Rate Down Slightly In March

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – Minnesota’s unemployment rate was down slightly in March to 2.8%, according to data from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. DEED says the private sector lost around 6,100 jobs, while the government gained around 400. Labor force participation stayed flat month-to-month at 68%. The five supersectors in Minnesota that lost jobs, according to DEED, were: Construction lost…

9 Men Trying To Enter US From Canada Treated For Exposure

U.S. Border Patrol agents and multiple local emergency agencies rescued a group of nine individuals in distress after exposure to harsh weather conditions near Warroad, Minnesota. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) WARROAD, Minn. (AP) — Nine men who entered the United States illegally from Canada were rescued from a sub-freezing bog and given medical treatment for exposure to the cold,…

Wisconsin GOP Lawmakers Working On Medical Pot Legalization

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — After years of opposition to any form of marijuana legalization in Wisconsin, Republican lawmakers are now working privately to build support for a medical cannabis program that could win bipartisan backing and be enacted into law later this year, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos told The Associated Press on Thursday. For now, the group of lawmakers — whom Vos…

Coffee Conversation: California Musician Jonathan Foster Performs in Northland

NORTHLAND — Award-winning songwriter Jonathan Foster from Redding, California is currently on his Ten Year Sabbatical Tour and made two stops in Minnesota. Foster joined FOX21 on the morning newscast Thursday to chat about his career and give the northland a live TV performance. The artist performed in Grand Rapids, MN on April 19 and will take the stage next…

New Bicycle Tour Event To Honor Late Minnesota Senator David Tomassoni

EVELETH, Minn. — The late Minnesota Senator David Tomassoni who died last year from ALS is getting a new ALS fundraising tour named in his honor. ALS nonprofit Never Surrender Inc. is launching a new bike riding event called the “Tomassoni Tour, Cycle for ALS.” The announcement was made Wednesday at the Mesabi Station in Eveleth. The tour will happen…

2022-2023 Duluth Winter Officially Snowiest on Record

DULUTH, Minn. — At 5 A.M. this morning, the National Weather Service measured 2.0″ of snow, bringing our total snowfall for this winter to 137.1″. This breaks the previous record of 135.4″ set during the winter of 1995-96. This all started back on October 14 when we received the first snowfall of the season, getting 2.0″.  December brought 44.9″ of…

Mayor Again Asks Duluth Council To Avoid Budget Cuts, Use ‘Rescue Plan’ Funds

DULUTH, Minn. – Mayor Emily Larson is speaking up — through an email to councilors — about this year’s $383,000 in city wide budget cuts. She’s urging them to avoid the cuts by using American Rescue Plan funds. The $383,000 handles the one-percent levy cut the council made last December in Larson’s proposed property tax levy increase, which she said…