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Community Rallies to Help Volunteer Firefighter Fight Against Cancer Diagnosis

  CROMWELL, Minn. — The community of Cromwell is helping out one their volunteer firefighters’ fight against cancer. Tim Smith of Cromwell, Minn., was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer and has already underwent major surgery following his diagnosis. Smith has been a EMT/firefighter for Cromwell-Wright Volunteer Fire Department for over a decade. A GoFundMe page has been set up to…

Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management Announces the Approval of Cannabis Rules

  MINNESOTA — The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) announced Monday that the rules governing Minnesota’s adult-use cannabis market have been formally adopted and are in effect following their approval by a judge, according to a press release from the OCM. This was the final step in the process of setting up the cannabis market in Minnesota, and means…

Diane Desotelle announces plans to run for City Council

  DULUTH, Minn. — With Mike Mayou stepping down as Duluth’s District 2 Representative, former city employee Diane Desotelle is looking to step-up. She announced today that she is running for the district 2 seat on Duluth’s city council. As a former civil engineer and natural resource planner, Desotelle feels she has the knowledge and experience to do right by…

St. Louis County Celebrates Achievements in Public Health

  DULUTH, Minn — Four individuals were recognized for their work in public health by St. Louis County today. Dr. Jan Baldwin, Christina Trok, Mel Alvar, and Nathan Kesti were each given a Public Health Achievement Award. Each has shown leadership and commitment as they worked to address a variety of public health concerns. Those include perinatal substance use, birth…

One Man Behind Bars After Making Threats of Violence to Ex-Wife & Kids

SUPERIOR, Wis. — One suspect is in custody after making threatening statements to his ex-wife and kids in Superior. The Superior Police Department received a call on Monday, April 14, right after 8:30 p.m. from a woman worried about the safety of herself and her kids. The woman told officers that her ex-husband was calling and texting her making threatening…

Coffee Conversation: Denfeld High School Presents “Legally Blonde the Musical”

DULUTH, Minn. — Theater students at Denfeld High School are preparing to take the stage for their final performance of the year: Legally Blonde the Musical. Cast members Reagan Kern and Jacob Waechter were on Fox 21’s morning newscast Tuesday to talk about the upcoming show. Legally Blonde the Musical will be performed April 17, 18, and 19 at the…

DPD Asking for Public Assistance in Identifying Shoplifting Suspect

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Police Department is seeking the public’s help in identifying an individual who shoplifted from JC Penny last week. This event happened last Tuesday, April 8. The shoplifting suspect is described as a white female with red hair wearing a black vest, blue sweatshirt, and black leggings. The DPD is encouraging the public to call 911…

Community Comes Together for Local Coach & Gymnasts Battling Breast Cancer

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. — The community of Grand Rapids is coming together to build a community garden for a beloved gym coach battling terminal breast cancer. Andrea Hassel started the Grand Rapids Gymnastics Academy over 20 years ago. She helped many gymnasts grow and develop into competitive college athletes. The community is hoping to fundraise $35,000 for a memorial garden…

Wrenshall School District Closes 5th Grade Enrollment

WRENSHALL, Minn. — Wrenshall Public School District closes enrollment for their 5th grade class for the upcoming 2025-26 school year. The school district has seen a rise in student enrollment in recent years. This school year, the district had to split up their kindergarten and 4th grade students into two separate classrooms. The Wrenshall Board of Education and teachers collaborated…

CSS Students Showcase New Innovations in Trade Show

DULUTH, Minn. — Students from the College of St. Scholastica held a trade show to showcase new inventions that students have been working on during the semester. Students from the college’s new product development and the integrated marketing communication courses team up for the trade show. The students were tasked to develop a plan and practice their sales-pitch it to…

St. Louis County Legacy Dump Damage Reversal Project in the Works

CANYON, Minn.– Around 250 closed dump and landfill sites across St. louis County is being addressed with a proposed project. These sites are unlined and ultimately contaminating ground water. To try and solve this, there’s a multi-million-dollar plan to help reverse the centuries-long damage at those sites. The project is called the “St. Louis County Integrated Solid Waste Management Campus.”…

Stolen Vehicle Located, Minutes After Police Appeal to Public for Info

DULUTH, Minn. – Minutes after appealing to the public for information, police say they recovered a stolen vehicle that originally fled from them Saturday night. In a press release Monday afternoon, Duluth Police asked the public for information to help locate a stolen vehicle. Police said the “vehicle that fled from officers on Saturday, April 12 around 3 a.m. in…

Jordon Johnson Announces Campaign for Duluth City Council Seat

DULUTH, Minn. — A candidate has announced his run for Duluth city council at-large. Jordon Johnson, was born and raised in Duluth. He is the former executive director of Life House. In 2024 he ran for Minnesota House District 8A. Johnson says he would bring accountability and transparency to the council, with a focus on fair and accessible housing, economic…

“Purple Up” Day Highlights Children of Military Families

Children of military families in Minnesota are being recognized this month for their sacrifices to our country. Organizations like Duluth’s 148th Fighter Wing, the American Red Cross, and even the UMD Bulldogs took part Friday evening in “purple up” day to celebrate local kids from military families. It’s part of the “month of the military child” as it is known…

Coffee Conversation: Final Performance Nears for UMD Percussion

DULUTH, Minn. — April is here, and that means the school year is coming to a close — but not before one final performance. That includes the talented musicians of the UMD Percussion Ensemble. Students from the University of Minnesota Duluth, along with Assistant Professor of Percussion Ryan Loken, were on Fox 21’s morning newscast Monday for an interview and…

Chisholm Man Dies In Motorcycle Accident

CHERRY TOWNSHIP, Min. – A Chisholm man was killed Saturday afternoon after authorities said he lost control of his motorcycle in Cherry Township. The accident was reported around 4:30 p.m. on Highway 5 near the intersection of Herman Road, which is about five miles east of Hibbing. Witnesses told the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office that the 46-year-old man failed…

Egg-Splosion Event Held in Lincoln Park

DULUTH, Minn. — With Easter right around the corner, the 10th annual Egg-Splosion event was held in Lincoln Park. Northern Expressions Arts Collective hosted Egg-Splosion at the Harrison Community Center on Saturday. The Easter event welcomed community members to have fun with games and crafts. With the rising price of eggs, this year the event was budget friendly as wooden…

Investigation into Drive-By Shooting Report on FDL Reservation

FOND DU LAC RESERVATION, Minn. – Authorities are investigating after reports of a drive-by shooting Thursday night on the Fond Du Lac Reservation. Cloquet and Fond Du Lac Police were called to the 300 block of Brookston Rd around 9:10 p.m. on Thursday, for reports of shots being fired from a passing vehicle.  No injuries were reported. As of publishing,…

True North Goodwill Saw Packed Grand Opening for New Hermantown Location

  HERMANTOWN, Minn. — True North Goodwill held a packed grand opening for their new Hermantown location . It was packed grand opening today for new Hermantown flagship location after construction for the store took 8 months. The 8000 square foot store front offers a wide selection of household items, clothes, books, toys at competitive prices. The new store was…

Wisconsin and Minnesota Spring Turkey Season Nears

  MINNESOTA/WISCONSIN — Spring turkey season is approaching fast, with both Wisconsin and Minnesota seasons starting on April 16. Historically, it would have been odd to see a turkey this far north in Minnesota as they’re usually more accustomed to agricultural land in the southern side of the state. With the uprise in turkeys in the north, the spring and…

National Weather Service & St. Louis County Work Closely Together

  ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn. — The National Weather Service (NWS) and St. Louis County work hand-in-hand together to give better response to severe weather events. The two agencies have a long history of working together. Last year, the NWS Duluth office received the second highest number of weather support requests for Search and Rescue Operations out of any NWS…

Governor Walz Visits Duluth to Address Numerous Infrastructure Projects

DULUTH, Minn.– Minnesota Governor Tim Walz visited Duluth today to address two different infrastructure projects. The first stop was for a groundbreaking ceremony at the Sofidel paper plant in Duluth. The company announced a 200-million-dollar expansion for the facility. With this expansion it will allow the facility to not only produce and package products but ship them out under the…

Duluth City Councilor Mike Mayou Will Not Seek Reelection

DULUTH, Minn. — ​Duluth’s Second District City Councilor, Mike Mayou, has announced he will not seek reelection this November. Mayou explained his decision to not seek reelection, citing the need to focus on his family, including his wife, recently diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, and their infant child. Elected in 2021 at age 23, Mayou has served on multiple commissions, including…

Coffee Conversation: UMD Planetarium Debuting New Projector at Astronomy Day Event

DULUTH, Minn. — The University of Minnesota Duluth Planetarium is getting ready to debut its brand-new projector—and it’s all taking place during their Astronomy Day event this Saturday, April 12. Planetarium Director Jessica Rogers joined Fox 21 on the morning newscast Friday with the details. The family-friendly event runs from 6 to 9 p.m. and will feature hands-on activities indoors, free…

Anti-Human Trafficking Bills Announced with Bi-Partisan Support

Two U-S senators, including Minnesota’s Amy Klobuchar, are working across the aisle to combat human trafficking. Senator Klobuchar, a democrat, has co-sponsored three bills with Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn, a republican. They held a virtual press conference today to announce their newest bill called “The Combating Trafficking and Transportation Act.” This act aims to provide federal funding toward a public…

Lack of Federal Funds Effects Spongy Moth Treatment

NORTHERN MINNESOTA — Federal funding delays is impacting the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and their response to limiting the spread of spongy moths. Spongy Moths are an destructive invasive species in our area that threaten our area’s forest. The MDA uses federal funding for their Btk (Bacilius thuringiensis var. kurstaki) treatment which slows the spread of spongy moth caterpillars in…

Minnesota Nurses Association Contract Talks with Essentia Health St. Mary’s

DULUTH, The Minnesota Nurses Association is about to begin new contract negotiations with Essentia Health and Aspirus St Lukes in Duluth, as well as the Twin Cities Metro Area. The goal is to reach an agreement before the current three-year contract expires in June. The MNA contract represents 15,000 nurses total. But in Duluth, 2,500 nurses are involved. The nurse’s…

Superior Fire Department Holds Swearing In & Awards Ceremony

SUPERIOR, Wis.– There were lots to celebrate and recognize today at the Superior Fire Department for the swearing in and awards ceremony. The Superior Fire Hall welcomed friends and family to celebrate accomplishments from their loved ones. The ceremony swore in four new firefighters to join the Superior Fire Department team. It also acknowledged promotions to the Captain, Assistant Fire…

Miner’s Inc. Presented $23,000 Check to Habitat for Humanity

DULUTH, Minn. — The Western Lake Superior Habitat for Humanity (WLSHFH) getting a big check, on Wednesday, thanks to customers at SuperOne Foods. During the month of March, over 34,000 people from SuperOne stores in Duluth and the surrounding area donated at the register. Now, over $23,000 will go towards the non-profit’s mission to build and finance new homes for…

Tornado Siren Tests Part of Severe Weather Week

MINNESOTA — With severe weather awareness week happening through Friday you may hear some warning sirens around 1:45 p.m. today. Participating counties and townships were asked to test their outdoor tornado sirens for Tornado Drill Day. The sirens are being tested twice, on Thursday, in the afternoon at 1:45 p.m. and again at 6:45 p.m. Schools and the public are…

Duluth Depot Foundation Announces New Executive Director

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Depot Foundation announced a change in leadership with Jason Young being promoted as the executive director. Young started working at the Depot Foundation in March of 2023 as their development director. In the last two years, Young changed the Depot from a private foundation to a public charity. Young also had a history of working…

Tara Swenson Announced Reelection for Duluth City Council District 4 Seat

DULUTH, Minn. — Tara Swenson announced bid for re-election for the Duluth City Council District 4 Seat back in March. Swenson tells FOX 21 that she would focus on ensuring residents and visitors feels safe, by supporting first responders. Continuing to invest in infrastructure is another goal, citing her work with turning West Skyline near Enger Park into a one…

Terese Tomanek Announces Reelection Plans for Duluth City Council at Large Seat

DULUTH, Minn. — Wednesday, Duluth City Councilor at Large, Terese Tomanek, is seeking reelection this fall. The announcement coming at a press conference today at Duluth City Hall. There, Tomanek reflected on her efforts leading up to her current position. More specifically, her work involving the COVID-19 pandemic, as following her recognition for a Public Health Achievement Award. Tomanek also…

‘Library Passport Program’ Returns to Northern Wisconsin

SUPERIOR, Wis. — More than 30 Libraries across Wisconsin are partnering up again in a special challenge to promote each other. It’s called the ‘Northern Waters Library passport program.’ The goal is to encourage people to visit as many northern Wisconsin libraries as possible this summer. At each location, library-goers will receive a stamp. Once a person reaches ten locations,…

‘Animal Torture’ Case Leads to Charges Against Hibbing Man

HIBBING, Minn. – Authorities say they arrested a Hibbing man “for (the) charge of animal torture” after multiple people came forward as witnesses to the alleged abuse of the man’s young dog. Hibbing Police arrested 35-year-old Trevor Michael Ross on Friday for one felony count of animal cruelty amounting to torture and one misdemeanor count for deprivation of food or…

Duluth Police Investigate Downtown Stabbing

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth police are investigating a stabbing downtown. The incident happened around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday in the 100-block of East 3rd Street. A police spokesperson said a 33-year-old man was stabbed in the arm while walking. The victim was taken to the hospital for treatment. A suspect was identified Tuesday, and their vehicle was towed for evidence. Investigators…

Students Learn Life Saving Skills at Red Cross Day

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — It’s Red Cross Day once again at the University of Wisconsin Superior! This event happens each semester. Students get a chance to learn hands-only CPR. What’s new is students could also learn to administer Narcan. This training gives people a chance to save lives. “It’s important for healthcare workers like Josh and myself as nursing students to…

Knowing Your Neighbor: ‘Kindred Heart’ Introduces Unique Community Outlet

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Tower Avenue in Superior is filled with traffic. And after listening around, one can quickly become overwhelmed with the sounds of everyday life. But since Kindred Heart has opened it’s doors, customers are able to hone in on a peaceful, quiet, and calm atmosphere. “I do astrology, tarot and chakra work. I’m a registered holistic therapist. But…

HDC Clinic Introduces ‘Queer Community Connections’

DULUTH, Minn. — The Human Development Center Clinic in Downtown Duluth is giving Queer, Trans, and Nonbinary members a space to connect. For three months now, HDC has been providing a weekly meeting to get queer clients together. The closed group is giving clients the chance to get back into the community, and hear each other’s stories and experiences. ‘Queer…

Duluth Fire Department Promotes Severe Weather Awareness for Spring

DULUTH, Minn. — This week, the Duluth Fire Department is educating the public for severe weather awareness week. Twice a year Homeland Security and Emergency Management collaborates with the National Weather Service to sponsor severe weather awareness weeks in Minnesota. With spring starting out on an unseasonal note, the DFD is informing the public on what to do during severe…

Superior Public Library Recognizes ‘National Library Week’

SUPERIOR, Wis. — The Superior Public Library has branded itself as a welcoming communal space for hundreds of years and for National Library Week, the centuries long commitment has a spotlight. The gathering today featured numerous speakers recognizing the impact the library has brought since 1888. With the world of digital media, the Superior Public Library is still standing as…

Coffee Conversation: Festival of History & Veterans Memorial Hall Re-Opening

DULUTH, Minn. — The Twin Ports Festival of History will be held on Tuesday evening, featuring a celebration of the grand re-opening of the restored Veterans Memorial Hall at the St. Louis County Depot. Veterans Memorial Hall Program Assistant Jay Hagen joined Fox 21 on the morning newscast Tuesday to talk about the event and its significance. The staff and…