News – Latest News

Greenwood Fire Grows to Over 19,000 Acres Tuesday

ISABELLA, Minn.  – The Greenwood fire has grown to approximately 19,493 acres, according to the National Wildfire Coordinating Group. As of Monday evening, the fire was zero percent contained and was expected to jump over Highway 1 causing new evacuation orders for those in the fire’s path. The fire had also broken out in two new areas, one on the…

Duluth Fire Department: “Residents Should Keep Windows Closed” Due to Smoke

  DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Fire Department issued an advisement early Tuesday morning due to heavy smoke in the area. According to a Tuesday news release, “The Duluth Fire Department is issuing an advisement that early this morning around 0420, a wind switch from the approaching weather front has brought smoke from the wildfires north of Duluth to our…

Morning Update 8-24-21

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Tuesday, August 24, 2021. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update

‘Get Ready’ Notifications Issued For Portion Of Gunflint Trail As Wildfires Grow

BWCAW –  The Cook County Sheriff’s Office and Gunflint fire personnel are alerting people along a northern portion of the Gunflint Trail to “get ready” for potential evacuations because of growing wildfires in the BWCAW. The pre-evacuation alert is for property owners from Seagull Lake to the south end of Loon Lake. Sheriff Pat Eliasen posted on social media Monday…

Knowing Your Neighbors: UpDawg Switching Up the Traditional Hotdog

Owners welcome creativity and unique flavors when customers craft their hotdogs. 

DULUTH, Minn.- A new food truck in the Twin Ports is pushing the boundaries of what goes on the hotdog.  “Hotdogs are fun. You can just put anything on a hotdog,” said Cory Netland. “We just have a book full of recipes and ideas.”  So, what’s UpDawg?  It’s the newest food truck in the Twin Ports launched by Netland and…

Finland Evacuation Site Moves to Babbitt as Wildfire Shifts

FINLAND, Minn.– The Red Cross’ evacuation site at the Finland Community Center relocated today to Babbitt, as demand for services has shifted with the greenwood fire. Forest Service officials tell us the weather patterns today were volatile, pushing the fire to move more North West. The new evacuation site in Babbitt is providing food and water, medical help, and in…

Mouth of Lester River Dries Up

DULUTH, Minn.-The mouth of the Lester River heading into Lake Superior has dried up. The recent drought conditions are causing the unusual sight. Some tourists are seeing the bright side to all of this, however, as it makes for easier agate picking. “It’s strange, my little agate hunter here was hoping to find some agates in the stream since it…

Fall Semester Begins at Multiple Northland Colleges

DULUTH, Minn.-The fall semester has begun at Lake Superior College and it includes in-person classes. Currently masks are required on campus to help reduce the amount of COVID cases. One student we caught up with says he’s happy to be back for the fall semester, as he works to get his associate of arts degree. “I just want to make…

Authorities Find Body in Missing Fire Chief’s Truck

HAYWARD, Wis. (AP) – Authorities have discovered a body in a missing fire chief’s truck. The Eau Claire Leader-Telegram reports that Arcadia-Glencoe Fire Chief Jeff Halvorsen and his vehicle were reported missing on Friday. The Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office found the truck on Sunday in a remote wooded area near Hayward. The sheriff’s office said a body was inside the…

University of Minnesota Mandates COVID-19 Vaccinations

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The University of Minnesota will require all students to get vaccinated against COVID-19. President Joan Gabel and Jakub Tolar, dean of the university medical school, issued a news release Monday hours after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration fully approved the Pfizer version of the vaccine saying shots will be mandatory and students will receive an email…

New Evacuation Orders Issued Due to Greenwood Fire

FINLAND, Minn. – New evacuation orders were issued Monday afternoon due to the growing Greenwood fire. The U.S. Forest Service posted on their Facebook page Monday, “The Greenwood Fire is expected to cross State Highway 1 near the intersection of Lake County Highway 2. It has also moved to the northeast into the vicinity of McDougal Lake, requiring fire and…

Capitol Police Officer Who Fatally Shot Ashli Babbitt Formally Exonerated

WASHINGTON (FOX 5 DC) – The U.S. Capitol police officer who shot and killed Ashli Babbitt during the Jan. 6 riots has been formally exonerated. The exoneration of the officer, whose identity has not been released, was the last step in wrapping up the investigation into the incident. “USCP’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) determined the officer’s conduct was lawful…

Authorities: No Injuries in SUV vs. Train ‘Minor Crash’ in Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Authorities say there were no reported injuries after an SUV was involved in a crash with a train in Superior Monday morning. According to the Superior Police Department, the accident happened around 9:52 a.m. in the area of North 12 Street and Poplar Avenue. Authorities say the incident was considered a “minor crash” According to reports, the…

US Forest Service Provides Update on John Ek, Whelp Fires in BWCA

(US Forest Service) DULUTH, Minn. – On Monday, the US Forest Service provided updates on the status of the John Ek and Whelp fires in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. According to officials, no fire-fighting crews have been sent directly to the fires due to difficult access, limited aircraft resources, and safety concerns. Instead, crews will focus on fuels…

Pentagon to Mandate COVID-19 Vaccine, as Pfizer Is Approved

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Pentagon says it will require service members to receive the COVID-19 vaccine now that the Pfizer vaccine has received full approval. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby says that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is making good on his vow earlier this month to require the shots once the Food and Drug Administration approved the vaccine. Kirby said the…

US Regulators Give Full Approval to Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine

WASHINGTON (AP) – The U.S. has given full approval to the COVID-19 vaccine made by Pfizer. The Food and Drug Administration’s decision on Monday may help lift public confidence in vaccinations as the nation battles the most contagious coronavirus mutant yet. The FDA has never before had so much evidence to judge a shot’s safety. More than 200 million doses…

$2.5 Million Park Point Home Estate Sale, Proceeds to Animal Shelters

DULUTH, Minn.– One of the biggest houses on Park Point has been sold for $2.5 million dollars, and the homeowners are continuing to auction some remining items with proceeds going to several animal shelters. DeBora and Charlie Bernick have lived on park point for 26 years and they have collected an assortment of items that have helped define their beautiful…

Local Actor Stars in New Movie, CODA

DULUTH, Minn.– Daniel Durant, a native Duluthian, paid a visit to the West Theater in Duluth with his family and friends this past Thursday for a private screening of his newest movie, CODA. This film is of a girl named Ruby who is the only hearing member in her deaf family in Gloucester, Massachusetts, who run a fishing business. While…

Officials Update Greenwood Fire Mapping, Plan Public Meeting For Monday

FINLAND, Minn. — A public meeting is scheduled for Monday at 6 p.m. where officials will provide updates on the Greenwood Fire, as well as the fires burning in the Superior National Forest which have caused the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to close. Presentations will be given by the Forest Service, the Incident Command Team, and the local sheriff….

Radio Host Who Regretted Vaccine Skepticism Dies Of COVID

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A conservative talk radio host from Tennessee who had been a vaccine skeptic until he was hospitalized from COVID-19 has died. He was 61. Nashville radio station SuperTalk 99.7 WTN confirmed Phil Valentine’s death in a tweet Saturday. Valentine had been a skeptic of coronavirus vaccines. But after he tested positive for COVID-19, and prior to his hospitalization,…

BWCAW Closed for One Week Due to Multiple Wildfires, Limited Resources

Crews haven't seen a full closure of the BWCAW in more than 40 years.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Superior National Forest closed the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) Saturday, due to active and increasing fire activity, extreme drought, and limited resources. The closure will be in place for seven days and may be modified or extended as conditions allow. “A full-on, a full closure of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness that is, that’s…

Duluth Art Institute Welcomes Community Back into Lincoln Park Location

All ages could stop by the institute to shop art supplies and take-home pieces, enjoy food from the Updog food truck, and make some art to take home inside.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Art Institute held a grand re-opening of its Lincoln Park building Saturday with an in-person day of community art. All ages could stop by the institute to shop art supplies and take-home pieces, enjoy food from the Updog food truck, and make some art to take home inside. Staff said after a year with only virtual…

Art in Bayfront Park Returns

DULUTH, Minn.– More than 100 art vendors set up their pieces for the 11th annual Art in Bayfront Park today after its cancellation last year. This two-day event features different unique pieces like canvases, photographs, and other types of hand crafted art lining the walkways of Bayfront Park. This event showcased some of the best work from local and regional…

Update: Greenwood Fire Nears 10K Acres, Containment Remains at 0%

The fire received minimal precipitation Friday night. Crews anticipate that winds capable of producing active fire behavior will continue. 

Photo: Superior National Forest SOUTH OF ISABELLA, Minn.- Crews continue battling the Greenwood Fire as it grew to 9,062 acres Saturday morning after minimal precipitation and high winds overnight, according to the U.S. Forest Service-Superior National Forest. On Saturday, operations staff will reinforce the southern line of the fire in the area of Hwy 2 and the McDougal Lake area….

Area Police Departments Raise Funds for Special Olympics

Law enforcement in the area are also part of the Minnesota Law Enforcement Torch Run.

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Police Department was out in full force today helping support the Special Olympics. The Coffee of Champions event at Dunkin Donuts is geared towards raising funds and awareness for Special Olympics in Minnesota. It also helps families with costs for sporting events. Anyone who made a contribution received a free donut with the hopes of…

North Shore Handball Tournament is Back

DULUTH, Minn.- Champion four-wall handball competitors in the upper Midwest came to the YMCA in downtown Duluth for today and tomorrow’s North Shore handball tournament. Eight players are competing in the tournament for the first-place prize of $200. The best of the best came from as far as Illinois to compete. “Yeah, meeting all the players, some I haven’t seen…

Community Organizers Welcome Kids for Back-to-School Event

DULUTH, Minn.- Several community organizations, including AICHO and CHUM, are working together for next Tuesday’s back-to-school event. School supplies, medical checkups, food, and other community resources are available to families and kids of all ages. Essentia Health is also providing COVID vaccines to eligible kids and adults. “Back to school is stressful for families anytime, especially during the pandemic,” said…

Volunteer Fire Crews Help Greenwood Fire

DULUTH, Minn.- The Lakewood fire department is one of the many volunteer fire crews going out to help tackle the Greenwood fire. Several volunteer fire service crews from across the state have been going out to Lake County throughout the week to help monitor the blaze. “It’s tremendous that to the community, to the fire service,” said volunteer Chief Kurt…

Carlton County Fair Continues

BARNUM, Minn.-It’s fair season across the Northland as the fall approaches. Above check out Fox 21 photojournalist Adam Jagunich’s story from the Carlton County Fair. For more on the fair, click here. Categories: News, News – Latest News

U.S. Forest Service: More Evacuations Due to Greenwood Fire

FINLAND, Minn. – The Lake County Sheriff’s Department is evacuating more residents due to the Greenwood Fire. (U.S. Forest Service) According to the U.S. Forest Service Facebook page, the fire has jumped over to the west side of Highway 2 just north of Stony Lake. Deputies were on-site and evacuating residents in the area of Sand Lake and Stony Lake….

Minor Injuries Reported in Accident Between Bus, Pedestrians in Lincoln Park

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth police say two pedestrians were involved in an accident with a DTA bus Friday afternoon in Lincoln Park resulting in “minor injuries.” The accident happened in the area of West Michigan Street and 27th Avenue West around 2:09 p.m. According to police, both pedestrians sustained minor injuries in the crash and were treated by Duluth Fire…

The Latest: US Keeps Ban on Nonessential Crossings to Canada

WASHINGTON – The U.S. government is extending a ban on nonessential travel along the borders with Canada and Mexico to slow the spread of COVID-19. That’s despite increasing pressure to lift the restriction. U.S. border communities dependent on shoppers from Mexico and Canada and their political representatives have urged the Biden administration to lift the ban. Canada recently began letting…

Biden to Address Chaotic Kabul Evacuation, Flights ‘Paused’

WASHINGTON (AP) – President Joe Biden plans to speak Friday about the chaotic evacuations in Afghanistan. He’s facing a torrent of criticism, including from some U.S. diplomats over the effort to evacuate U.S. citizens and Afghans who helped the U.S. during the 20-year war. The pace of evacuations picked up some overnight, but flights from the Kabul airport had stopped…

Walz Extends Minnesota’s Welcome Mat to Afghan Refugees

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is extending a welcome mat for refugees from Afghanistan. In a letter to President Joe Biden on Thursday, Walz, and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan offered to work with the federal government to continue Minnesota’s history of welcoming refugees by assisting with the resettlement of people fleeing Afghanistan. They wrote that Minnesota…

Greenwood Wildfire Could Threaten Homes as Winds Shift

(Alex Kormann/Star Tribune via AP) FINLAND, Minn. – U.S. Forest Service officials are warning home and cabin owners who fled a wildfire in northeastern Minnesota that the winds could shift this weekend, putting their properties in danger. Dozens of people got the warning at a public meeting Thursday evening in the small town of Finland. Minnesota Public Radio reports that…

Mike Richards out as ‘Jeopardy!’ Host After Past Scrutinized

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Producer Mike Richards stepped down as host of “Jeopardy!” after a report about past misogynistic comments surfaced this week. Richards was chosen last week as the successor to Alex Trebek, but his selection was seen as divisive from the beginning after the show embarked on a broad search that included actors, sports figures, journalists, and celebrities….