News – Latest News

No Injuries From Apartment Building Fire in Carlton

CARLTON, Minn. – Multiple families are without their homes after a fire at an apartment building in Carlton. The Carlton County Sheriff’s Office says the 911 call was made at 3:41 p.m. on Friday, October 28, 2022, at 218 Chestnut Avenue.  The caller said an electrical fire had started on the second story in the multi-family apartment complex. When emergency responders…

Chum Warming Center to Open Despite Recent Staffing Concerns

DULTUH, Minn — Chum Warming Center set to officially open after staffing concerns. Winter in the northland is a different kind of beast, especially for those experiencing homelessness. Up until recently, Duluth’s warming center in Lincoln Park had concerns that it would not have enough staff to operate. The Chum Warming Center is an overnight shelter for people to escape…

Solar Plant in Mountain Iron Expanding

MOUNTAIN IRON, Minn.–I started just 13 months ago, and on Thursday people gathered on the Iron Range to celebrate it’s finish. The Heliene Solar Plant in Mountain Iron was unveiled today with a ribbon-cutting. The newly expanded plant will manufacture solar panels in a facility described as the newest and most automated in the country. It’s named after a long-time…

Salvation Army Thrift Store in Superior Hoping to Avoid Closure

With donations rolling in by the truckload, and only three employees, the store needs more volunteers to help put things on the shelf. 

SUPERIOR, Wisc.–A thrift store in Superior, Wisconsin may have to close it’s doors for good, simply due to a need for more customers and volunteers. The Salvation Army Thrift Store is located on Belknap St. in the heart of Superior. Staff tell us they have a consistent clientele of older adults that come in, but they’re really aiming to target…

4 Buildings Could See Future Redevelopment In Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — Four buildings in Downtown Duluth have been targeted to be a future redevelopment site, including one damaged by a fire last month. The Duluth Economic Development Authority passed a resolution this week to declare the buildings on the 500 block of East Fourth Street, “Structurally Substandard.” That includes Lake Superior Medical Equipment, which had a fire inside…

Wisconsin Appeals Court Won’t Block Ballot Spoiling Ban

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin appeals court is refusing to block a lower court’s ruling banning the practice known as ballot spoiling, which allows voters who already submitted an absentee ballot to void it and vote again. The 2nd District Court of Appeals decided Thursday against hearing an appeal of a Waukesha County circuit court judge’s ruling this month in favor of a…

Barack Obama Gets A Midterm Do-Over To Help Boost Democrats

ATLANTA (AP) — Barack Obama is trying to do something he couldn’t during two terms as president: help Democrats succeed in national midterm elections when they already hold the White House. Of course, Obama is more popular than he was back then, and now it’s President Joe Biden, his former vice president, who faces the prospects of a November rebuke. Obama begins a…

Minnesota Sees Spike In Aircraft Hit With Lasers But Pilots Rarely Fully Document Exposure

(FOX 9) – While it may seem like a harmless prank, pointing a laser at planes and other aircraft mid-flight can put pilots, passengers and the people below in danger. Laser strikes involving aircraft in Minnesota more than doubled in 2021 from the previous year. However, at least one government watchdog agency claims not enough is being done to tackle the problem….

AP sources: Pelosi’s Home Targeted In Attack On Husband

WASHINGTON (AP) — Paul Pelosi, the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, was attacked and severely beaten by an assailant with a hammer who broke into their San Francisco home early Friday, according to people familiar with the investigation. Pelosi, 82, suffered blunt force injuries to his head and body, according to two people who spoke to The Associated Press on condition…

Coffee Conversations: Sweet Exchange Donates Treats to Northwood Children’s Services

DULUTH, Minn. — Sweet Exchange Owner Lisa Quarles, along with Morgana Kolenda of Northwood Children’s Services, joined FOX21 live in-studio for caramel apple making. That’s not the sweetest part — Quarles is donating the caramel apples to the Northwood kids for Halloween. Quarles says its important to give back to the community, especially the kids. Categories: Coffee Conversation, Minnesota, News,…

St. Scholastica Celebrates New Learning Center With Ribbon Cutting

DULUTH, Minn. — The College of St. Scholastica celebrated a new learning opportunity for students with a ribbon cutting Thursday. The Center for Experiential Learning is a way to connect students with internships, study abroad options, and service-learning opportunities. They’ll be working with partners across the Northland and have already teamed up with the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce. The…

MDH Ending Vaccine Clinic At The DECC

DULUTH, Minn. — The Minnesota Department of Health is closing its vaccination site on November 14th. It’s been open on Sundays and Mondays. You can still have free COVID tests done at the DECC, as the Minnesota DHS offers PCR and rapid tests there with no plans to shut it down anytime soon. Categories: Health, News, News – Latest News

51st Annual Ski and Snowboard Swap

DULUTH, Minn. – Team Duluth hosted the first day of the 51st annual ski and snowboard swap to raise money for their upcoming season. Held at Spirit Mountain, the swap is the largest and longest running fundraiser for the organization. At the event, equipment and clothing donations are made and resold with proceeds going towards season expenses. Thursday was the…

Duluth Art Institute Hosts Annual Gala

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Art Institute held their Masquerade Gala tonight, the biggest fundraising event of the year for the organization. The annual event is put on to raise money for programs that are run through the D.A.I., assisting artists and art learners. There was a silent auction, drag performers, a heads and tails game, as well as a…

Damiano Center Hosts Donna Howard Community Connect to Help Those in Need

DULUTH, Minn. — The Damiano Center on West 4th Street hosted the Donna Howard Community Connect as a way to help those who are in need get ready for the cold of winter. The event was a one-stop resource opportunity that involved community organizations such Safe Haven, Life House, and the Salvation Army. Organizers handed out free winter clothes like…

Speed May Have Been A Factor In Wis. Sen. Bewley Crash

Information taken from the Ashland Daily Press.

Photo by Wisconsin State Patrol, via Ashland Daily Press ASHLAND, Wis. — Speed may have been a factor in the fatal car crash involving Wisconsin State Senator Janet Bewley that killed a mother and her daughter back in July. According to the Ashland Daily Press that pulled from police records, Alyssa Ortman was traveling at 100 mph, in a speed-limit…

Duluth Police Department Announces Updated E-Reporting System Is Ready

DULUTH, Minn. — Thursday, the Duluth Police Department announced they have updated their E-Reporting system. E-Reporting is a way for people to send in crimes through a system that do not require police to respond right away. The police department says people can choose from a variety of incidents such as scams, theft, or lost property. You will be asked…

More Kids To Ride In ‘Clean’ School Buses, Mostly Electric

WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly 400 school districts spanning all 50 states and Washington, D.C., along with several tribes and U.S. territories, are receiving roughly $1 billion in grants to purchase about 2,500 “clean” school buses under a new federal program. The Biden administration is making the grants available as part of a wider effort to accelerate the transition to zero-emission vehicles and…

US Economy Returned To Growth Last Quarter, Expanding 2.6%

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economy grew at a 2.6% annual rate from July through September, snapping two straight quarters of contraction and overcoming high inflation and interest rates just as voting begins in midterm elections in which the economy’s health has emerged as a paramount issue. Thursday’s better-than-expected estimate from the Commerce Department showed that the nation’s gross domestic product —…

City: Reconfigured Parks Fund Referendum Critical, Equals $94 Annually For $200K Home

The Parks Fund levy referendum would replace the current levy from 2012 and will be voted on at the ballot Nov. 8.

DULUTH, Minn. – The November 8th election is just around the corner, and Duluth residents will be voting on whether to approve a new Parks Fund levy that would replace the current levy that took effect in 2012. Jim Filby Williams, the city’s Property, Parks and Libraries director, told FOX 21’s Dan Hanger Wednesday that many of Duluth’s 120 invested…

Family Freedom Center And Neighborhood Youth Services Will Host Third Annual Trunk-Or-Treat

Trunk-or-Treat takes place at the Lake City parking lot in Canal Park from 12-4 p.m. on Saturday.

DULUTH, Minn. — The third annual Family Freedom Center and Neighborhood Youth Services Trunk-or-Treat event is happening Saturday. This spooktacular day is free and kids are able to show off their best costumes while grabbing candy from decorated trunks. The event is becoming more well known in the community and has grown from around 30 trunks to close to 60….

Duluth’s Best Bread Incorporates Charcoal Flour For Spooky Treat

DULUTH, Minn. — Earlier this month we told you about a 17-pound pretzel that was made by Duluth’s Best Bread. Now their creative geniuses are baking up something spookier for the Halloween season. “Spooky Rolls” as they call them get a dose of activated charcoal to turn them pitch black. The Cinnamon rolls are topped with candied oranges made in…

3 Men Convicted Of Supporting Plot To Kidnap Gov. Whitmer

(AP) — Three men accused of supporting terrorism in the plot to kidnap Michigan’s governor were convicted of all charges Wednesday in a trial that focused on paramilitary drills and fierce contempt for government ahead of the 2020 election. Joe Morrison, his father-in-law Pete Musico, and Paul Bellar were found guilty of supplying “material support” for a terrorist act as members…

With Americans Feeling Pinched, Biden Targets ‘Junk Fees’

NEW YORK (AP) — With time running out before the election, President Joe Biden highlighted his administration’s push to crack down on so-called junk fees that banks and other companies charge their customers. The announcement comes after months of high inflation has eaten away at Americans’ savings and made the economy the top issue for voters. Biden was joined by…

Man Convicted Of Killing 6 With SUV In Christmas Parade

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin man was convicted Wednesday of killing six people and injuring dozens of others when he drove his SUV through a Christmas parade last year, ending a trial in which he defended himself erratically and sometimes confrontationally. It took the jury a little over three hours to find Darrell Brooks guilty of all 76 charges, including six…

Trump Backs Jensen For Minn. Governor; Democrats Pounce

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Donald Trump has endorsed Republican Scott Jensen for Minnesota’s governor, the second statewide race the former president sought to influence this week as the campaign nears a finish. Trump said in a social media post late Tuesday that Minnesota won’t have “any more fiery takeovers of police precincts” if Jensen is elected, a reference to a Minneapolis police station…

Coffee Conversation: Duluth Chamber Works to Move Business Forward

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce Vice President, Daniel Fanning, joined FOX21 in studio talking all things happening for the business community. We discussed several things that the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce is working on, including the 152nd Annual Dinner taking place Wednesday, November 2. Along with the chamber’s work regarding policy and advocacy at the city,…

Coffee Conversation: Musical Artist Todd Eckart Previews Halloween Performance

DULUTH, Minn. — Musical Artist Todd Eckart joined FOX21 live in studio to preview his upcoming Halloween performance. The event kicks off Tuesday, October 26 (7-11pm) at the West Theatre in Duluth. Tickets are $15 and you can purchase them at readertix.com. Jim Cooper, George Ellsworth, and Matthew Groom will also be performing.   Categories: Coffee Conversation, Minnesota, News, News…

Scarium Returns to the Aquarium

DULUTH, Minn. – Scarium at the Aquarium is back for some boo-tastic fun at the Great Lakes Aquarium. Tuesday was the first of three days full of trick or treating, craft making, a chance to check out Scooba divers carving pumpkins in the big tank, and even a space to join in on a dance part. It’s a Halloween tradition…

Turkeys Out, Hams In For CSS Thanksgiving Buffet At DECC

Supply chain issues are to blame for sidelining the turkeys.

DULUTH, Minn. — Imagine Thanksgiving without a turkey and only ham. Well, that is the reality for this year’s Thanksgiving Day Buffet at the DECC. Organizers say supply chain issues are to blame for pushing the birds to the curb. The traditional turkey buffet has been put on by the College of St. Scholastica for more than 30 years, serving…

Demolition Preparations Underway for Astoria Building

DULUTH, Minn.–A vacant building in the heart of downtown Duluth is getting closer to demolition to make way for future development. Fencing and concrete barriers are now set up around the ‘Hotel Astoria’, on the corner of East Superior Street and First Avenue. The sidewalk in front is blocked off. An antique store, gift shop, and Chinese restaurant were once…

Superior Fire Department Receives Big Donation From Elks Lodge #403

Picture taken from the Superior Fire Department’s Facebook page. SUPERIOR, Wis. — Elks Lodge was feeling generous Saturday and gave the Superior Fire Department a big donation. The Superior Elks Lodge #403 presented the department with a $4,000 check. The funds will go towards their car seat safety program. The program helps to make sure people are putting their child’s…

Wisconsin Law Enforcement Reminding Parents of Halloween Safety Tips

WISCONSIN — Wisconsin Law Enforcement wants to remind the public to stay safe this Halloween weekend. The Wisconsin Department of Corrections is encouraging police and sheriff’s offices around the state to drop by sex offenders’ homes to remind them that they are absolutely not allowed to answer the door to trick-or-treaters. Offenders are banned from having Halloween decorations, handing out…