News – Latest News

Global Rising Coffee Prices Being Felt Locally Amid Tariffs

DULUTH, Minn. — Tariffs and global issues are forcing coffee houses, including local shops like Duluth Coffee Company, to raise their prices for your morning cup of joe. “Duluth Coffee Company is going through unprecedented times in the purchasing and selling of coffee, not only because of tariffs, but because all of the raw coffee that we buy is connected…

UMD Seminar Explores AI Deep Fakes

  DULUTH, Minn. — The University of Minnesota Duluth hosted an online seminar regarding the potential threat of artificial Intelligence leading to an “info-pocalypse.” The meeting featured two professors of philosophy from Northeastern University who spoke about how digital fakes, fake news, and bots posing as humans have the potential to confuse people to the point of not knowing if…

Duluth Right to Repair Hosts Labor Rally

DULUTH, Minn. — Local labor unions stepped out in support of tenants and the “Duluth Right to Repair” initiative that’s on the Nov. Ballot. The ‘Duluth Right to Repair’ gives renters a tool to get timely fixes for common repairs such as bathroom fans, leaks, cabinet doors, and appliances. The cost of the repair would not exceed $500, and then…

‘Twin Ports Trailer Trash’ Hosts Free Mattress Drop-Off Event Oct. 22

A winter clothing drive is also part of the event

DULUTH, Minn. — Twin Ports Trailer Trash is hosting a free mattress drop-off event Wednesday, Oct. 22, in Duluth while also hosting a winter clothing drive. The drop-off location for both causes is 215 S. 37th Avenue West from 8 .m. until 4 p.m.  There is a limit of two mattresses or box springs. “I’m constantly trying to just figure…

Man charged with stalking, accused of sending Wisconsin’s chief justice intimidating emails

Jill Karofsky MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Prosecutors have charged a Wisconsin man with stalking after he allegedly sent liberal state Supreme Court Justice Jill Karofsky a series of intimidating emails. Ryan Thornton, 37, of Racine was charged Monday with one felony count of stalking. He faces up to 3 1/2 years in prison if convicted. His attorney, listed in court…

Annual Energy Expo Brings Community and Resources Together

It’s Energy Awareness month and the Annual Energy Expo kicked off to help inform the community about the resources available to them. The expo was designed to inform attendees what resources are available to them. OneRoof, Ecolibrium3, Citizens Utility Board, and many other representatives were there. They had a free hot lunch, the opportunity to sign up for energy assistance,…

Truck collides with school bus in Hermantown

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — A truck collided with a school bus Tuesday morning in Hermantown. According to officials, at 8:15 a.m., they responded to the crash at the intersection of Stebner Road and Mpale Grove Road. A pickup truck traveling North on Stebner Road rear-ended the bus while they were approaching a red light at the intersection. Officials say the driver…

Former Wisconsin Rep. Angie Sapik Releases New Memoir

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Former Wisconsin Representative Angie Sapik joined FOX 21 live Tuesday, Oct. 21, to discuss her new memoir, sharing insight into her time in office, the “political machine,” and a decision she says she made “for the good of the party.” Sapik, who represented District 73 from January 2023 to January 2025, reflects on her accomplishments in Madison…

Minnesota Attorney General to run for re-election

Keith Ellison ST. PAUL, Minn. —  The Minnesota Attorney General has announced that he plans to run for re-election. Attorney General Keith Ellison announced Tuesday that he plans on running for a third term. “I’m running for re-election to keep Minnesota a fair place, where rule of law prevails over power and privilege,” said Ellison. “Since Minnesota elected me seven years…

Hermantown Council Approves Rezone for Potential Data Center

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — The Hermantown City Council has voted 4-0 to rezone land for a potential data center, officially changing the property from residential to business and light manufacturing. While the vote marks a major step forward for the proposed project, city leaders say it’s a rezone only and does not approve the data center itself. The decision came just…

Blatnik Bridge Project Update Meeting Held In Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. — The Minnesota Department of Transportation held a public meeting in Superior to present community members with updates on the Blatnik Bridge project. The presentation, which took place in front of a packed house at the Superior Public Library, gave Twin Ports residents the chance to hear some of the updates on the long awaited project and see…

Minnesota Millionaire Raffle is back with 20,000 prizes

ROSEVILLE, Min. – Tickets for the Minnesota Lottery’s annual Minnesota Millionaire Raffle go on sale Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at approximately 5:00 a.m. For the first time, 20,000 prizes are up for grabs. There’s a new $20,000 prize tier. You odds of winning a prize are now 1 in 50.00. One million Raffle tickets will go on sale. Each ticket costs…

Business dealings listed within Hog Wild BBQ and Smokehouse Restaurant arson case

Steven W Kastern Covering Surveillance Camera SUPERIOR, Wis. & SOLON SPRINGS, Wis. – In the indictment of Steven and Kimberly Kastern for the fire at Hog Wild BBQ and Smokehouse Restaurant, there were a number of business dealings mentioned.  The was a fire at the establishment on June 10, 2025. The couple were arrested on October 17, 2025 and were…

6th Avenue East Re-opens with Safety in Mind

DULUTH, Minn. — 6th avenue east is officially open now. The resurfacing project added vegetated medians, reduced the lanes to 3, updated crossings for ADA compliance, and replaced lead water service lines. These changes make walking and crossing 6th avenue much safer for pedestrians. According to the project webpage, 20% of Duluth’s Pedestrian deaths in the past ten years have…

Owner of Hog Wild BBQ covered surveillance camera prior to fire at the business: Indictment

  SUPERIOR, Wis. & SOLON SPRINGS, Wis. – Surveillance video allegedly shows Steven W. Kastern taking steps to cover-up the alleged arson of the Hog Wild BBQ and Smokehouse Restaurant on June 10, 2025. A DVR system in the office stored surveillance recordings from, “approximately 14 cameras throughout the establishment” was key in the indictment. The indictment claims, “DVR footage showed…

Amazon cloud computing outage disrupts Snapchat, Ring and many other online services

LONDON (AP) — A problem at Amazon’s cloud computing service disrupted internet use around the world early Monday, taking down dozens of online services, including social media site Snapchat, the Roblox and Fortnite video games and chat app Signal. About three hours after the outage began, Amazon Web Services said it was starting to recover from the problem. AWS provides behind-the-scenes…

Supreme Court will consider whether people who regularly smoke pot can legally own guns

  FILE – The Supreme Court in Washington, June 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File) WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court said on Monday that it will consider whether people who regularly smoke marijuana can legally own guns, the latest firearm case to come before the court since its 2022 decision expanding gun rights. President Donald Trump’s administration asked the justices to revive…

2 injured in Aurora rollover

AURORA, Minn. — A serious single-vehicle rollover accident in St. Louis County left two injured. The crash sent a 38-year-old Eveleth man to the hospital and airlifted a 52-year-old Aurora woman to a hospital in Duluth. Officials say the crash happened around 5:30 p.m. Saturday evening in the 5800 block of Highway 100 south of Aurora. One of the victims…

Sheriff: Arson Investigation at Hog Wild BBQ in Solon Springs Leads to Arrest of Owners

SOLON SPRINGS, Wis. — An arson investigation is underway after a June fire at Hog Wild BBQ & Smokehouse in Solon Springs.  And the suspects are the owners. On Friday, Douglas County Sheriff Matt Izzard told FOX 21 that Steven and Kimberly Kastern, the owners of How Wild, were arrested for the fire at their establishment.  Also on Friday, Dist….

Pumpkin Train Forced to Strike Vehicle at Duluth Crossing

DULUTH, Minn. — The North Shore Scenic Railroad’s (NSSR) last Pumpkin Train of the season got an unexpected delay Sunday after a driver ignored safety signals and ultimately got clipped by the train in Duluth’s Lakeside neighborhood, according to train officials. “Always assume that there is a train coming. Stop fully. Don’t go to a soft stop, stop fully. Look…

‘Dance TV’ Performs Halloween Edition at Zeitgeist in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. — The heat was on, the music was turned up and the competition was fierce Saturday night at Dance TV’s Halloween edition at Zeitgeist in downtown Duluth. Dance TV produces live theatrical productions that take you behind the scenes of a fictional hit television show, Dance TV. The audience serves as the live studio audience and is immersed…

Thousands Attend ‘No Kings’ Protests in Duluth, Cities Across Northland

NORTHLAND — Thousands of protesters gathered at rallies in the Northland Saturday for the “No Kings” demonstrations against what they see as the government turning into authoritarianism under President Donald Trump.   In Duluth, thousands filled the courtyard outside City Hall, the St. Louis County Courthouse and the Federal Building.  Click the video above to see an drone’s view.  Click the…

Haunted shack bringing fall screams

CARLTON, Minn. — The Haunted Shack is back for its 32nd season, to bring spooky activities to the Twin Ports. The haunted attraction is located on a working farm that is transformed each year to bring people from around the Midwest out for some fun. The festivities include the haunted shack, corn maze, haunted hay ride, petting zoo, and outdoor…

All aboard! Great Pumpkin Express brings Halloween magic to the Northland

DULUTH, Minn. — What’s better than picking out the perfect pumpkin? How about arriving to the pumpkin patch in style. Each year the Lake Superior Railroad Museum and North Shore Scenic Railroad bring a little magic to MEA weekend with the Great Pumpkin Express. “When everybody’s in town enjoying the fall colors and the wonderful weather we’re having, what we…

Trump says he has commuted sentence of former US Rep. George Santos in federal fraud case

George Santos WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Friday he had commuted the sentence of former U.S. Rep. George Santos, who is serving more than seven years in federal prison after pleading guilty to fraud and identity theft charges. The New York Republican was sentenced in April after admitting last year to deceiving donors and stealing the identities of…

Expect delays on Lift Bridge next week

Aerial Lift Bridge DULUTH, Min. – Both drivers and pedestrians could be facing minor delays with bridge inspections. Starting on Monday, October 20, 2025 the Aerial Lift Bridge and Minnesota Slip Bridge will undergo inspections. The inspection work is expect to last throughout the week. The inspections will require frequent and slow lifts of the bridge Aerial Lift Bridge to allow…

Man accused of assaulting Essentia nurses has history of nurse assault

Joseph Minowanigogezhig Legarde DULUTH, Min. – The man accused of assaulting two nurses at Essentia’s St. Mary’s Emergency Department had previously been convicted of assaulting Emergency Department staff. The recent assault allegedly happened at approximately 3a.m on Thursday, October 16, 2025. Duluth Police tell FOX21 he is accused of assaulting two female nurses. In November of 2017, Legarde was arrested…

New information on assault in Essentia Emergency Department

Joseph Minowanigogezhig Legarde DULUTH, Min. – Joseph Minowanigogezhig Legarde has officially been charged with two counts of assault from his alleged action in the Essentia St. Mary’s Emergency Department.  It happened on October 16, 2025. According to charging documents Legarde was in a emergency room and activated his call light. When a nurse responded to the call light, Legarde allegedly…

Large Turnout for MN State Fire Chiefs Association Conference

DULUTH, Minn.– The DECC is seeing quite a large turnout for its annual Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association Conference. Over 540 fire chiefs from around the state are gathering to network and develop connections and strategies. It’s also an opportunity for the attendees to learn about new technology, leadership skills, and resiliency. With the conference, it gets all of the…

St. Louis County Launches Shutdown Update Webpage

DULUTH, Minn. — St. Louis County has launched a website where you can track the impacts of the federal shutdown. The page also highlights resources for help. Currently, the page is updating for Snap, The Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), and WIC. Those programs help families and individuals access healthy food and other resources. For Snap and MFIP, funding for…

Essentia Health Mammogram Trucks Seeing Trend of Success

CLOQUET, Minn.– October is known as breast cancer awareness month. And Essentia Health has been bringing opportunities for testing in rural communities. For the past three years, Essentia health has introduced a fleet of trucks traveling to rural and tribal areas. It began with three locations, but now they have over twenty stops. Thursday alone, Cloquet’s stop was booked up…

New District Court Judge named for Duluth

Nathan Lacoursiere DULUTH, Min. – Governor Tim Walz has announced the appointment of Nathan LaCoursiere as District Court Judge in Minnesota’s Sixth Judicial District. LaCoursiere will replace the Honorable Eric L. Hylden and will be chambered in Duluth in St. Louis County. In making the announcement Gov. Walz said, “Nathan LaCoursiere will be a remarkable judge… What makes him so…

St. Louis Co. Board Chair Talks NDAs, Public Comments, Commissioner’s Words on Minneapolis’ FOX 9

St. Louis County Commissioner Chair Annie Harala responded to concerns Thursday over elected officials signing non-disclosure agreements regarding a proposed data center project in Hermantown. She also addressed a video that shows a confrontation between Commissioner Keith Nelson and the Duluth Monitor’s Publisher, John Ramos, who pressed the commissioner on the topic during Tuesday’s board meeting. Click the video above…

First Indigenous Coast Guard Unit Inducted in Grand Portage

GRAND PORTAGE, Minn.– A ceremony on Wednesday in Grand Portage celebrated a new beginning for the reservation and surrounding areas. They’ve been hard at work to bring in additional support for marine safety, patrol, and rescue. The first ever Indigenous Coast Guard unit was officially inducted in Grand Portage. After the Grand Marais coast guard unit discontinued back in 2022,…

University of Wisconsin- Superior Hosts Undergraduate Research Symposium

SUPERIOR, Wis. — On Oct. 14, student researchers gathered at the University of Wisconsin-Superior’s Yellow Jacket Union as the university hosted its undergraduate research symposium. The event provided students with an opportunity to showcase their academic work and share innovative projects with the campus community and the public. More than 30 students from a wide range of disciplines presented research…

Minnesota Disenrolling Inactive Medicaid Providers

DULUTH, Minn. — Inactive Medicaid providers are being removed from the Medicaid program.  This only applies to providers who have not billed Medicaid for services in the past 12 months. It’s designed to reduce fraud and ensure Medicaid resources are focused on active providers. Roughly 800 providers were disenrolled in the first round of removals on Oct 15th, with more…

Jebeh Edmunds Releases Liberian-Inspired Novella “The Orange Blossom”

DULUTH, Minn. — Educator, cultural-competency leader, and now author Jebeh Edmunds joined Fox 21 live to share her new book, The Orange Blossom. Published by Hezzie Mae Book Publishing, the novella draws inspiration from Liberian culture, weaving themes of identity, heritage, and resilience. The Orange Blossom is now available through Hezzie Mae Book Publishing and select retailers. Categories: Coffee Conversation,…

SNAP Benefits Being Impacted by the Federal Government Shutdown

DULUTH, Minn. — Starting tomorrow, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP is being impacted nationwide due to the Federal Government Shutdown. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program helps low-income individuals and families afford food during tough times; however, starting Thursday, the program will be temporarily frozen nationwide because of the Government Shutdown “After today, we will not be able to…