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Victim Fatally Shot At Mall Of America Was 19; Police Chief: ‘This Is Just Stupid, Stupid, Stupid’

Kerem Yücel/Minnesota Public Radio via AP BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (AP) — A teenager was killed during a shooting at the Mall of America on Friday that sent frightened customers at the nation’s largest shopping center racing into a lockdown just before the holiday weekend, police said. Bloomington Police Chief Booker Hodges said the victim was a 19-year-old man. A bystander’s jacket…

Think Ahead – Drive Safely

DULUTH, Minn. –Traveling Over the River and through the woods may be much more difficult this weekend. The low temperatures and the howling winds will be making driving difficult. State Patrol officers call this time, after a snow storm or after low visibility, the “stupid time”. Drivers had been driving more cautiously during those events, and driving much slower, However,…

Shoppers Inside at Miller Hill Mall

It’s the last full day to get your holiday shopping done and with today’s weather there was one place that stood out for people looking to complete their shopping. That place, he place to be on Friday was up the hill at  the Miller Hill Mall. We checked in with a few shoppers there to see what they needed and…

Is Fruitcake Getting a Bad Rap?

DULUTH, Minn. —  A 2016 online article has the headline “7 Reasons you should never eat Fruitcake” And the sub head that reads Throw it in the Trash.” That’s a pretty harsh sentiment for a traditional Christmas Sweet. ” Do you like Fruit cake – no, not a fan” Scott Johnson of Johnson’s Bakery says he generally makes two batches…

Final Preparations Underway For VFW Christmas Eve Dinner

DULUTH, Minn. — Potato peelers were peeling away Friday getting ready for the annual VFW Christmas Eve dinner. Throughout the week volunteers have been prepping 30 turkeys, 150-200 pounds of potatoes, and 150 pounds of sweet potatoes. And it’s not just prepping food, volunteers are even shoveling and getting tables decorated. One veteran drives 50 miles to help get the…

Duluth Police: Missing Woman Found Dead Outside

DULUTH, Minn. — A woman who recently went missing has been found dead, according to the Duluth Police Department. 71-year-old Diane Pool, who suffered from dementia was last seen around Mesaba and East 9th Street in Duluth, with no shoes or a jacket. Friday she was found outside, dead. Police say an autopsy is being done to confirm the cause…

Body Found On Road In Ashland, Alcohol And Exposure To Elements Possible Factors

ASHLAND, Wis. — A body was found on the road Thursday morning in Ashland. According to the Ashland Police Department, police and paramedics arrived at the scene around 8 a.m. on Junction Road between Turner Road and Sanborn Avenue. The body was a 25-year-old from Ashland and exposure from the elements and not being properly dressed for weather was supposedly…

Tips To Conserve Heat In Your Home During Dangerously Low Temperatures

(FOX 9) – When the weather outside is frightful, the warmth inside feels so delightful. During dangerously low temperatures, there are simple ways Minnesotans can conserve energy in their homes and body heat. “As cold as it is, it’s not even close to what we are prepared to do. We are prepared for when it’s -25 for three consecutive days,” said Ross…

Biden Signs Defense Bill That Repeals Troop Vaccine Mandate

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden signed a nearly $858 billion defense spending bill into law Friday despite his opposition to a Republican-backed provision in the legislation that repeals the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for U.S. troops. Biden had agreed with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s determination that lifting the mandate was not in the best interest of troops or the military,…

Jan. 6 Report: Trump ‘Lit That Fire’ Of Capitol Insurrection

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Jan. 6 committee’s final report asserts that Donald Trump criminally engaged in a “multi-part conspiracy” to overturn the lawful results of the 2020 presidential election and failed to act to stop his supporters from attacking the Capitol, concluding an extraordinary 18-month investigation into the former president and the violent insurrection two years ago. Trump “lit that fire,”…

Coffee Conversation: New Year’s Cluckin’ Eve Returns to Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — The Rubber Chicken Theater presents ‘New Year’s Cluckin’ Eve’ at Fitger’s Spirit of the North Theater. Ring in the New Year with comedy, sketches, prize giveaways, live music, and more. Brian Matuszak joined FOX21 on the morning show to preview the one-night-only gala. The event is taking place Saturday, Dec. 31from 7:30-9:00 pm. Tickets are $25. Categories:…

Volunteers Preparing For Annual VFW Christmas Eve Dinner

The VFW is still in need of dinner rolls for the event.

DULUTH, Minn. — The annual Christmas Eve dinner at VFW Hall is happening in Duluth on Saturday. But first to make the special event happen, volunteers spend the whole week before preparing. Turkey, gravy, vegetables, white and sweet potatoes, and pie will be served. Organizers are planning for 300 people but with the weather, they will happily feed whoever shows…

Elvis Visits the Northland for Kolar Auto’s Annual ‘Holiday on the Hill’ Event

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – Kolar automotive group held their annual Holiday on the Hill event. In conjunction with the Duluth, Hermantown, and Cloquet Chambers, the event is a festive holiday celebration put on to support the Boys and Girls Club of the Northland. Those who attended were able to enjoy food and drink from 14 vendors and entertainment from Travis Ledoyt,…

Airport Travel During the Holidays

DULUTH, Minn. – The arctic blast is disrupting air travel all across the U.S. More than 2,000 U.S. flights were canceled by mid-afternoon Thursday and 5,300 delayed flights. At the Duluth International Airport there has been only one cancellation Thursday, which is a flight from Chicago. Airport officials tell us the snow team has been busy cleaning the runways. As…

Family Freedom Center Hosts Holiday Party

DULUTH, Minn. – Family Freedom Center held their first annual Christmas at the Farm event. The event was supposed to take place at Freedom Farms but was moved to the Washington Center due to the cold weather. Those who attended were able to take pictures with Santa, enjoy food, make arts and crafts, as well as receive presents. Staff there…

Holiday Weekends Mean More Law Enforcement On The Roads

Don't Drink and Drive

DULUTH, Minn. — Holiday weekends such as Christmas and New Years are times when people are more likely to be celebrating, and where alcohol may be involved. The Minnesota State Patrol wants to remind everyone, if your plans include having a cocktail or two, especially over the next few weeks, you need to make plans to get home safely. In…

Local Reaction to President Zelenskyy’s Visit

DULUTH. Minn. — Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar was a member of the Congressional Escort Committee for Zelenskyy’s Visit.  She briefly met with Ukraine’s president and reiterated the United States support for Ukraine. The senator said “…congress is coming together before the end of the year to provide additional security and humanitarian assistance…” Tina Smith, Minnesota’s other senator said, “It was…

DPD Public Information Officer And Postmasters Reminding Residents of Front Porch Theft During Holidays

DULUTH, Minn.–‘Tis the season for giving and receiving. As packages get dropped of on front steps, you’ll want to avoid leaving them unattended if you can. With the holidays being a busier time of year for ordering packages, your porch may start to pile up. This can present and appealing scenario for porch pirates. Thieves that specifically wait to steal…

City Of Duluth ‘Prepared To Respond’ To Upcoming Storm, May Request Amsoil Arena As Warming Center

DULUTH, Minn. — The city of Duluth issued a news release around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday outlining how they are prepared for the upcoming storm. Phil Jents, the city’s communications and policy officer, said the city is particularly concerned about the extreme cold combined with the potential for wide-spread power outages from high winds. Jents said the city could be forced…

Senate Passes $1.7 Trillion Bill To Fund Gov’t, Aid Ukraine

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate passed a massive $1.7 trillion spending bill Thursday that finances federal agencies through September and provides another large round of aid to Ukraine one day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s dramatic address to a joint meeting of Congress. The bill, which runs for 4,155 pages, includes about $772.5 billion for domestic programs and $858 billion…

Zelenskyy’s Surprise Visit To DC Was Months In The Making

WASHINGTON (AP) — The idea of a daring wartime trip by Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Washington had percolated for some time before the surprise visit was revealed just hours ahead of the Ukrainian president’s arrival. During an October summit in Zagreb, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi discussed with her counterpart in the Ukrainian parliament the prospect of Zelenskyy addressing the U.S. Congress. Biden administration officials…

Cenovus Awards $50,000 to Student-Led Manufacturing Program

Spartan Manufacturing is a student-led curriculum focused on learning hands-on skills at Superior High School

SUPERIOR, Wisc.–Superior High School’s technical education program received an early Christmas gift Wednesday. They recently founded Spartan Manufacturing and got a big donation from Cenovus Energy. Established earlier this year, Spartan Manufacturing is a student-led curriculum focused on learning hands-on skills. It not only educates students about how to make things or weld, but encourages students to explore all their…

Gov. Walz Appoints Ida Rukavina As IRRRB Commissioner

  Gov. Tim Walz announced the appointment of Ida Rukavina as the next Commissioner of Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation. “I am excited to announce that Ida Rukavina will serve as the next Commissioner of Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation,” Walz said. “With extensive experience serving schools, townships, and cities on the Iron Range, she is dedicated to ensuring that…

‘Godfather’s Pizza Express’ Joining Northland KornerStores

KornerStore owner Derek Medved says pizzas will be made from scratch, just like at the restaurants.

DULUTH, Minn. – Godfather’s Pizza — a one-time beloved restaurant chain in the Northland — is returning in an express format. Duluth business owner Derek Medved has purchased the franchise rights to launch Godfather’s Pizza Express within his KornerStore locations in Duluth, Hermantown, Sturgeon Lake and Chisholm. Medved told FOX 21 Wednesday that sections of the stores will be modified…

Over $200,000 Donated To Local Organizations From Vatican Unveiled Exhibit

DULUTH, Minn. — Over $200,000 was raised during Vatican Unveiled, a historic collection of rare artifacts that was exhibited at the DECC this last summer. And the proceeds were presented Wednesday morning, just in time for Christmas. Vatican Unveiled is the largest collection of papal artifacts outside of Rome. A local priest from Duluth named Father Richard Kunst curated the…

Biden Tells Zelenskyy: ‘It’s An Honor To Be By Your Side’

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy paid a defiant wartime visit to Washington on Wednesday to thank U.S. leaders and “ordinary Americans” for their support in fighting off Russia’s invasion and to press for continued aid in the brutal months to come. President Joe Biden and Congress responded with billions in new assistance and a pledge to help Ukraine…

As Flu Rages, US Releases Medicine From National Stockpile

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration said Wednesday it will release doses of prescription flu medicine from the Strategic National Stockpile to states as flu-sickened patients continue to flock to hospitals and doctors’ offices around the country. This year’s flu season has hit hard and early. Some people are even noticing bare shelves at pharmacies and grocery stores when they make a…

US Sending Patriots To Ukraine Under $1.85B Aid Package

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration announced Wednesday that it will provide $1.85 billion in military aid to Ukraine, rolling out funding for a Patriot missile battery as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is arriving in Washington for his first known trip out of his country since Russia invaded in February. The White House announcement came just hours before Zelenskyy was expected to arrive. The…

Coffee Conversation: CHUM Homeless Community Vigil / Warming Center

DULUTH, Minn. — CHUM to hold Homeless Community Vigil on the steps of Duluth City Hall, Christmas Eve. It’s an effort to remember and honor the lives that have been lost in the homeless community, while also drawing attention to the ongoing homelessness crisis. CHUM Street Outreach Worker, Deb Holman, joined FOX21 on the morning show to talk about the…

Open House For New Youth Center In Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. — In Superior the Human Development Center hosted an open house showcasing its new youth center. The newly renovated space is now home to the “Project Reach Out” program, which supports youth and their families during difficult times. The center provides an area for youth to relax, with board games, movies, and even a new gaming system. After…

Minnesota Power, SWL&P ‘Ready To Respond’ To Second Multi-Day Storm In One Week

DULUTH, Minn. – With another major winter storm on the way Wednesday, crews with Minnesota Power and Superior Water Light and Power are once again on standby for whatever the multi-day storm will bring. A Wednesday arrival means crews will be back at it just three days since they wrapped up four days of power restoration for nearly 20,000 customers….

Women’s Care Center Celebrates The Holidays With Annual Open House Toy Giveaway

DULUTH, Minn. — The Women’s Care Center in Duluth was overflowing with gifts and holiday spirit during their annual open house toy giveaway Tuesday. Gifts for all ages were donated by the community in order to make this event happen. The Center serves their clients first and then opens their arms to the public by having people come in and…

Duluth Salvation Army Hosts Annual Christmas Distribution Event

DULUTH, Minn. — A generous donation event was happening in Duluth Tuesday, at the Salvation Army. The Duluth Salvation Army puts on an annual Christmas distribution event where toys are given to children and a full Christmas dinner is provided. 653 families will be served, and kids will get 4 toys each through Christmas. The Director of Development said as…

New License Plates Raise Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People

CARLTON, Minn.–Tribal leaders gathered at Black Bear Casino Tuesday to raise awareness for missing and murdered indigenous people in a unique way. New vehicle license plates have been designed using the symbol of a red hand, a logo nationally recognized to honor native men, women and relatives who have gone missing or have died. The Fond du Lac Band of…

Lester Park Elementary Students Deliver Holiday Joy

20th Year of The Giving Tree Project

DULUTH, Minn. — Sue Baker is a Kindergarten teacher from Duluth’s Lester Park Elementary School and she can tell you how the tradition of students delivering trees to hospital patients and others began. It was an idea her son had come up with 2o years ago. “He  (Robbie) was the one who came up with the project’ said Sue Baker.”…

Postal Service Pledges Move To All-Electric Delivery Fleet

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a major boost for President Joe Biden’s pledge to eliminate gas-powered vehicles from the sprawling federal fleet, the Postal Service said Tuesday it will sharply increase the number of electric-powered delivery trucks — and will go all-electric for new purchases starting in 2026. The post office said it is spending nearly $10 billion to electrify its…

Walgreens, CVS And Others Limiting Purchases Of Children’s Pain Relief Medicine As Respiratory Illnesses Rise

(FOX 9) — Pharmacies are limiting purchases of children’s pain relief medication as respiratory illnesses continue spreading throughout the United States, including the flu, RSV, and COVID-19. CVS Pharmacy put a two-product limit on purchases of all children’s pain relief products in stores and online. “We’re committed to meeting our customers’ needs and are working with our suppliers to ensure continued…

148th Honors With Salvation Army Toys

Father, Son and Husband Remembered

DULUTH, Minn. — The Christmas spirit was in the air at Duluth’s Salvation Army Headquarters Monday. The 148th Fighter Wing used ground transportation to deliver some Christmas cheer. Santa’s sleigh came in the form of a truck loaded with gifts that they’ve purchased as part of their annual Christmas toy drive. The presents were rounded up by the 148th family…

Coffee Conversation: Final Stretch of ‘Zoo Lights’ at the Lake Superior Zoo

DULUTH, Minn. — The ‘Zoo Lights’ holiday event is back for a 2nd year at the Lake Superior Zoo. On Tuesday, Caroline Routley joined FOX21 on the morning show to talk about the festive event. A glimpse of what you might find onsite: an expanded light display, Santa, free s’mores, hot cocoa, and giant inflatable animals. Not to mention, its…