News – Latest News

Former Boxing Coach Launches Summer Boot Camp

SUPERIOR, Wis. – A new work-out program, Building Champions, is launching to box your body into shape this summer in Superior — and you don’t need to be a professional boxer. It’s called “Building Champions Boxing Boot Camp Workout.” Former boxing coach, John D’Auria, is behind the new venture, offering a 12-week boot camp at the Salvation Army’s basketball gym….

Official: Missing Cliff Diver’s Body Recovered Near Gilbert

6/6/25 UPDATE: The identity of the cliff diver near a Gilbert mine pit has been identified. The victim has been identified as 27-year-old Axel John Jurva of Virginia, MN. Yesterday, Authorities recovered the body of a missing cliff diver. The victim’s friend on-scene reported seeing Axel resurface, but then disappearing back into the water. ORGINIAL STORY: Authorities recovered the body…

Person missing in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Police are attempting to locate 41-year-old David Storbakken. Police say Storbakken was last seen on Monday, May 5 in the downtown Duluth area. He is described as being a Native American male, 6 foot, 160 pounds, with a faded eagle tattoo on the back of his left hand. If anyone has any information on his whereabouts, you’re…

Flowers Fill Downtown Duluth Planters

DULUTH, Minn. — Downtown Duluth and Canal Park are a bit more colorful now. Volunteers were out planting flowers in the streetscape planters. This is part of Downtown Duluth’s yearly beautification project. Hanging baskets with complimentary flowers will be installed closer to Grandma’s Marathon Weekend. About 70 planters were filled over the past two days. “It’s so great to see…

First Lottery Held for Cannabis License Applicants in Minnesota

MINNESOTA.–The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management held its first cannabis license lottery on Thursday. The lottery determines which applicants can move forward in the states adult-use cannabis licensing process. Nearly 800 applicants were vying for 249 licenses in Thursdays lottery. The license types include cultivator, manufacturer, mezzobusiness and retailer. The competition was high as the lottery saw general applicants and…

Coffee Conversation: Glensheen Mansion Announces Full Lineup of Summer Fun

DULUTH, Minn. — Glensheen Mansion is gearing up for an exciting summer season, with free events, specialty tours, and scenic experiences on the shores of Lake Superior. Marketing Manager Mike Mayou joined FOX 21 to share what’s ahead, including the return of the popular Concerts on the Pier, celebrating its 10th anniversary this July and August. Starting June 4th, Glensheen’s…

Minnesota Nurses Push for Safer Staffing as Contracts Near Expiration

DULUTH, Minn. — The Minnesota Nurses Association, the union representing around 15,000 nurses across the state are pushing to ensure safe staffing. This push comes as the current contracts between the MNA and seven hospital systems across the state come to end, including those of Aspirus St. Luke’s and Essentia Health nurses. “In 2022 nurses fought hard to win some…

Duluth City Council at Large Candidate: Asher Estrin-Haire

DULUTH, Minn. – A local business owner is making another run for Duluth city council at large. Asher Estrin-Haire, the owner of Stitchcraf Quilt Factory in Lakeside, is making his second run for Duluth City Council. Estrin-Haire is running for one of the two ‘at-large’ seats that are up for election in November. The small business owner said he would…

Wildfire Arson Charges for Suspect in Eveleth Overlook Blaze

EVELETH, Minn. – A wildfire at the Leonidas Overlook in Eveleth was intentionally set, charges allege. ‘Wildfire arson’ charges were filed Wednesday against 59-year-old Daniel Dean Kruse, accused of starting a Jun. 3rd fire at the Leonidas Overlook in Eveleth. According to the criminal complaint, Eveleth police received a call around 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday for reports of a “large…

Hundreds of Wildfire Firefighter Students Learn the Ropes

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn.– More than 400 students are attending the Wildfire Academy this year. It’s located at Minnesota North College Itasca Campus. As for the drive to join this line of work, it’s different for everybody. “Well, living in northeastern Minnesota, there’s a lot of fire, and there’s a need for support. I work for Superior National Forest, and I’ve…

First Tee Program at Enger Golf Course

  DULUTH, Minn. — Enger Golf Course has partnered with First Tee Minnesota to start some summer programming. First Tee Minnesota is a non-profit youth development organization. The goal is to teach life skills and develop self-confidence through golf. These sessions are for kids ages six through seventeen and broken into age groups. This program is beginner friendly; clubs and…

MnDOT Begins Highway 37 Upgrades, Closes Fraser Road Access Through July 2

DULUTH, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has launched a project to improve intersections along Highway 37, focusing on County Road 137/Spirit Lake Road and County Road 661/Fraser Road. The work includes widening the highway to add dedicated left and right turn lanes at both intersections. As part of the construction, access to County Road 661/Fraser Road from…

Garfield Avenue On-Ramp to I-535 Blatnik Bridge Closingfor Construction Access

MnDOT/Facebook DULUTH, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has announced that the Wisconsin-bound on-ramp from Garfield Avenue to the I-535 Blatnik Bridge will close beginning at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, June 11. The closure is part of ongoing work to complete the Garfield interchange and is intended to improve construction access and ensure the safety of workers on-site….

Crews Continue Fire Suppression Efforts on Jenkins Creek, Horse River Fires

A National Incident Management Organization (NIMO) team is overseeing operations on the Jenkins Creek and Horse River Fires in northern Minnesota, with public and firefighter safety remaining the top priority. The effort is being carried out under a full suppression strategy. As of Wednesday, the Jenkins Creek Fire is 94% contained and has burned 16,091 acres. A total of 207…

“Sidewalk Days” Renamed “Downtown Duluth Days,” Returns July 9–10 with Festivities

DULUTH, Minn. – The popular Sidewalk Days event in downtown Duluth is getting a fresh new name. This year, it will be called “Downtown Duluth Days.” Local businesses will take over Superior Street on July 9 and 10, offering a variety of deals, entertainment, live bands, and food. The event promises to be a lively celebration of the community and a…

Viking Ship Anchors at New Duluth Seawall, Marking Major Waterfront Milestone

DULUTH, Minn. – Tuesday evening marked a milestone for Duluth’s waterfront as the Viking Great Lakes cruise ship departed the port after arriving early Tuesday morning, anchoring for the first time along the newly constructed seawall behind the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC). The new seawall is part of a multi-million dollar investment aimed at revitalizing the shoreline to create a…

Coffee Conversation: LOON Celebrates 20 Seasons with “Die Fledermaus”

DULUTH, Minn. — The Lyric Opera of the North is raising the curtain on a milestone—its 20th anniversary season—with a new production of Die Fledermaus. Conductor Dirk Meyer and star baritone Lee Gregory joined Fox 21’s morning newscast Wednesday to share more about the upcoming production. The operetta, filled with bubbles, waltzes, and masked ball mischief, holds special meaning for…

Zeitgeist Hosts Comedy Play Fest and Willy Wonka Screening in Early June

DULUTH, Minn. –  Zeitgeist is hosting a short play fest and Willy Wonka during the first week of June. This week, Zeitgeist is teaming up with Renegade Comedy and Hucklebeary to create multiple events for locals to enjoy. They will be hosting Barrel of Laughs, a short play festival centered on comedy, in the teatro. This will be the first time…

City of Superior Honors Loved Ones with Trees and Benches at Annual Ceremony

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — The City of Superior held its annual tribute tree and bench ceremonies. Mayor Jim Paine and members of the Urban Forestry Tree Board visited the locations around town and personally thanked the Tribute Tree Donors and Memorial Bench Sponsors. One memorial tree was in memory of Ed Minter, a city employee for over 30 years, and there…

Duluth Children’s Museum Honored for Outstanding Practice in the Field

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Children’s Museum was honored for Outstanding Practice in the field. The Association of Children’s Museums chose Duluth Children’s Museum because of its ‘Discovery for All’ initiative. That initiative provides free access to the museum for those one EBT, WIC, or Medical Assistance. The award helps them to continue funding and expanding on their outreach to…

Burke Center Moves from Northland College Under New Name

ASHLAND, Wis. — After the closure of Northland College, the Mary Griggs Burke Center for Freshwater Innovation found a new home under a new identity. The Mary Griggs Burke Center for Freshwater Innovation has now transformed into the Burke Center for Ecosystem Research. The non-profit research facility has expanded to allow non-water research, allowing some Northland faculty to join the…

Minnesota Schools Win Grants to Build Homes, Train Future Construction Workers

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – A new program is helping students learn valuable construction skills — while also tackling Minnesota’s housing shortage. Minnesota Housing has awarded over half a million dollars to six school districts for affordable housing projects across Greater Minnesota. The $560,000 in funding comes from the newly launched Housing Challenge Funds for Schools. The grants support school-led initiatives…

Essentia Health names Samuel Moose Director of Tribal Government Relations

Essentia Health DULUTH, Minn. — Essentia Health is announcing a key new hire this week — Samuel Moose has been named Director of Tribal Government Relations. In this new role, Moose will act as the primary liaison between Essentia and tribal governments across Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. His mission: to strengthen partnerships with Indigenous communities, support culturally responsive care,…

Company in charge of old Central High School development gets warning letter

DULUTH, Minn. – The group in charge of Incline Village, a proposed complex with apartments, condos and retail on the site of the old Central High School, has received a warning letter saying it is not lived up to some of its agreements with Duluth Economic Development Authority (DEDA). DEDA Executive Director Tricia Hobbs sent the letter to Luzy Ostreicher…

Coffee Conversation: Local Entrepreneur Makes Bug Repellent Stylish

NORTHLAND, Minn. — Mosquito season has arrived, but one local entrepreneur is adding a fashionable twist to bug repellent. Barb Owen-Boerger, founder of Getaway Kimonos, joined FOX 21’s morning show to showcase her stylish solution for keeping insects at bay. Click here for more information. Categories: Coffee Conversation, Minnesota, News, News – Latest News

30th Kolar Toyota Fishing Tournament Raises Record $315,000 for ALS

DULUTH, Minn. – The 30th annual Kolar Toyota Fishing Tournament on Island Lake raises $315,650 to help people living with ALS. The Kolar Toyota Fishing Tournament on Island Lake has brought anglers out for 30 years to ‘cast for a cure’ for ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) also known as ‘Lou Gehrig’s disease.’ This year, the tournament reeled in a record…

Wildfire Smoke Prompts Statewide Air Quality Alert

DULUTH, Minn. — An air quality alert has been released across Minn. as wildfire smoke makes its way throughout the state. Due to wildfire smoke drifting from Canada, the entire state of Minn. has been issued an air quality alert by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. This alert will remain in effect until noon on Wednesday, June 4, as the…

Minnesota issues first ever “Maroon” Air Quality Alert

DULUTH, Minn. & ST. PAUL, Minn. – For the first time ever the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued a “Maroon Alert” which means hazardous air quality. The alert is issued from Monday, June 2, through Wednesday, June 4, 2025. The Maroon Alert is for Northwest Minnesota including the areas generally from Red Lake to the north and west including…

Union Gospel Mission Continuing Plans to Relocate Facility

DULUTH, Minn. — Union Gospel Mission is in the process of a three year plan that aims to transition its services to a new space. The future Mission Engagement Center would be constructed across from the St. Louis County Government Center. The new location would include hygiene and laundry facilities and a much larger dining hall and kitchen. Currently the mission…

Snively’s Lounge Hosts Grand Opening

DULUTH, Minn. –  A new cocktail lounge opens its doors to the public in downtown. Snively’s Lounge held its grand opening today in Duluth’s historic city hall, inviting locals in for craft cocktails and a first look at the elegant new space. Bartenders were there to serve up signature drinks as guests mingled at this downtown venue. “We’re opening Snively…

Wired Whisker celebrates success with drinks, music, and adoptable cats

DULUTH, Minn.– Wired Whisker has been the cat’s meow for the Duluth area, and tomorrow, there’s lots to celebrate. From 10 Am to 4 PM, they will be joined by 18 vendor and rescue partners for a maker’s market. Throughout the year, the business has seen quite the success. And for one of the workers, she told FOX 21 seeing…

‘Project Search’ graduates celebrate 9 months of impactful internship experience

SUPERIOR, Wis.– A handful of graduates are walking the stage today, celebrating 9 months of hard work and ton of impactful job experience. The internship caters to members of the working force with disabilities. And it gives them the opportunity to experience rotations throughout the Superior Essentia. It was there they got to learn how to be a good coworker,…

Gov. Walz Announces Recovery Efforts as Wildfires Dwindle in Northern Minnesota

ST. PAUL/BRIMSON, Minn. — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and other state officials announced recovery efforts are now underway for areas affect by wildfires. These efforts will be worked on simultaneously across the state like repairing infrastructure, roads, and telephone poles. So far this fire season, Minnesota has seen nearly 1,100 fires that burned more than 48,ooo acres, which is well…

Essentia Health to Take Over Ownership of Virginia Location from City

VIRGINIA, Minn. — After a vote by the city council, Essentia Health will officially take over ownership of the Essentia clinic building in Virginia. The facility was previously only leased by Essentia, but the City of Virginia will eventually transfer its ownership. Essentia will be committing around $8 million towards repairs of the building over two years. The agreement includes…

Hibbing School Board Pursues a $2.6 Million Referendum

HIBBING, Minn. — The Hibbing School District is addressing a $2.6 million shortfall, which the school board has approved a motion to pursue a referendum. The Superintendent of Hibbing Schools Richard Aldrich says that the increasing costs and lowering enrollment numbers has led the district to this shortfall. This year to address the $2.6 million in reductions Hibbing Schools had…

Iron Range Hells Angels Members’ Kidnapping Charges Dismissed by Prosecutor

The St. Louis County Attorney said "victims are either unwilling or unable to testify"

EVELETH, Minn. -The St. Louis County prosecutor dismisses charges against four Hells Angels members accused of kidnapping and assault in 2023. Four members of the Iron Range Hells Angels had their charges dismissed on Wednesday. Jerand Paul French, Eric Anthony Newman, Paul Anthony Debelak, and Jake Douglas Novaczyk were cleared of charges for a kidnapping and sexual assault that allegedly…

Mayor’s State of City Address: Superior Aiming to Continue Growth and Address Old Issues

SUPERIOR, Wis. – At Superior’s ‘State of the City’ address, Mayor Paine said he is hoping to continue the city’s growth but wants to address lingering issues. Superior Mayor Jim Paine spoke to members of the public on Thursday for his annual ‘State of the City’ address. Mayor Paine highlighted the addition of new businesses and community involvement in planning…

Duluth East Students Fundraise for National History Day Competition

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth East students held a project showcase to help raise funds for their trip to Nationals On Wednesday, May 28, local high school students hosted a fundraiser at the Karpeles Manuscript Museum, showcasing their state and national history day projects. The event aimed to raise money to support their upcoming trip to Washington, D.C., where they will compete…

Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center Announces Summer Programming

DULUTH, Minn. — The Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center has announced its summer programming. They’ll have events for Lake Superior Day in July and National Lighthouse Day in August. The Tall Ships Fest is also returning this July. These events and others help bring in more visitors to the museum and promote the mission of the center. “A lot of people…