News – Latest News

DECC Hosts FIRST Robotics Competition

DULUTH, Minn. — The Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament Section Finals aren’t the only major events happening this week. The DECC is also buzzing with excitement as it hosts 108 teams for the kickoff of the FIRST Robotics season. Fox 21 Photojournalist Adam Jagunich captured all the action.     Categories: Minnesota, News, News – Latest News

Local Instructors Meet for 12th Annual Lake Superior Summit on Teaching of Writing

DULUTH, Minn.– As the world continues evolving, so do the methods teachers use in the classrooms. For 12 years now The Lake Superior Summit on Teaching of Writing and English as Second Language has been gathering teachers from 6 different institutions for this collaborative event. The topics covered included teaching and learning with disabilities, communication, and workshops. Every year they…

Regional Psychology Clinic Networks to Enhance Mental Health Access in Northern Minnesota

DULUTH, Minn.– Regional psychologists spent the day networking and collaborating to broaden their resources. The event was held in response to what mental health professionals are calling a “pressing need for improved mental health services” Twin cities based Mental Health Systems partnered with H.P. Psychological Associates from Hermantown to gain insight to services like telehealth. The “Dialectical Behavior Therapy” training…

Charges: Park Point Burglary Suspect Carried Hammer

There were no injuries reported from the incident

DULUTH, Minn. – Charges say a man entered a stranger’s home on Park Point with a hammer and pliers. Around 6:20 p.m. on Wednesday, Duluth Police responded to a residence on Minnesota Ave on Park Point for reports of an intruder with a weapon. When officers arrived, they were able to identify the suspect as 42-year-old Brian Adam Burba of…

Hear From Candidates in the Race for Superior’s 6th District

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – There are only two contested races in this year’s Superior City Council elections. FOX 21 interviewed District 2 incumbent Jenny Van Sickle, and her challenger Sarah Anderson last week; but this week the focus shifted to the other contested race in District 6. Tylor Elm has held District 6 since 2017 and now faces contention from first-time…

1 Dead, 1 Rescued After UTV Falls Through Ice In Bay Along St. Louis River

The scene is near Billings Park

SUPERIOR, Wis. — A top law enforcement official confirmed with FOX 21 Thursday evening that a body was located in the water along the St. Louis River after the UTV they were in fell through the ice. The body was located within the vehicle 14 feet below the surface in Kimballs Bay near Billings Park, according to the official. The…

Spring Career Fair at UW-Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin – Superior held its annual Spring Career Fair today. Attendees had the opportunity to explore careers, network with potential employers, and get professional headshots. They also welcome students from all of the local colleges as well as alumni and community members. Seventy-five employers were there including many regional health care providers and law…

Duluth Salvation Army Food Drive Beginning Soon

DULUTH, Minn.– Starting March 1st, the Duluth Salvation Army donations will be proportionally matched by the Minnesota Food Share Program. They’re looking to collect the usual shelf stable items. The Duluth Salvation Army is the only location in the state that has a medical food shelf for special diets. During the drive, they’re hoping to get foods that are gluten free,…

Duluth Airport Seeks $56M Toward Replacement Of Outdated Air Traffic Control Tower

DULUTH, Minn. — $56 million is still needed to replace the country’s third-oldest air traffic control tower at the Duluth International Airport. So far, the Duluth Airport Authority has been awarded $16 million from the Federal Aviation Administration. The airport is now requesting $14 million from the state of Minnesota. Airport officials say the state dollars will help leverage additional…

Work begins on Bardon Peak Overlook area

DULUTH, Minn. — Crews have started to improve an area of West Skyline Parkway at Bardon Peak Overlook. The project spans Skyline Parkway from the Magney-Snively Natural Area trailhead parking lot. It will focus on replacing over 30 culverts, doing some restoration work on the retaining wall, installing a historical marker at the overlook, and removing graffiti from the area. “There’s…

‘One in Four’ Beer Supports Local Domestic Violence Shelters

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Coming up in March, Earth Rider Brewery will be unveiling a new brew that looks to support local domestic violence shelters in the Twin Ports. It’s being called the ‘One in Four’ beer. The new brew is a collaboration between Earther Rider Brewery, Safe Haven Shelter and Resource Center, and CASDA. According to the National Domestic Violence…

Woman Airlifted After Fingertip Bitten Off During Aurora Assault

The woman's current condition is not known by law enforcement

AURORA, Minn. – Police say a woman’s condition is still unknown after having her finger bitten off in a midday assault, this past Monday. According to charging documents, East Range Police were called to the Iron Gate Apartments in Aurora around 12:30 p.m. on Monday for reports of an assault. Officers said that when they arrived, they found 29-year-old Madusu…

New Condo Development Planned for Woodland Avenue

DULUTH, Minn.– A new condo development is in the works along Duluth’s Woodland neighborhood. The development will include two 30-unit buildings, and they will be located along Woodland Avenue adjacent to Hartley Nature Center. Developer Brian Forcier of Titanium Partners is behind the project, and he’s working alongside the City of Duluth to accomplish this. He told FOX 21 the…

Two Harbors Man Found Guilty of Sexual Assault

TWO HARBORS, Minn. — A Two Harbors man has been found guilty of sexually abusing his underage female family member. This comes after 45-year-old Michael Brian bailey previously pleaded guilty in 2020 to sexually assaulting a different underage female family member. The newest allegations came to light in 2023, by the victim. She said she was 5 years old when…

‘Grace Sushi’ opens in Virginia

VIRGINIA, Minn. — There is finally a place to get your sushi fix in Virginia. It’s called ‘Grace Sushi.’ On the menu, alongside sushi, they also offer dumpling rice bowls. Some of their specialty rolls are inspired by the Northland, with names like “Lake of the Woods” and “The Big Pine.” Since this is the first sushi restaurant in the…

Superior Middle School holds its first Young Writers Conference

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Aspiring authors in Superior had a chance to learn more about writing from local authors today. Superior Middle School held its first Young Writers Conference. Middle school students were given a chance to submit a piece of writing. Fifteen submissions from each grade were chosen to attend. At the conference, students got to hear from a published…

Beargrease releases statement in regards to new starting point

MINN. — Another weather obstacle for the John Beargrease sled dog marathon, as “rapidly deteriorating snow” is forcing a change in this weekend’s starting location. This announcement comes after a lack of snow and icy conditions postponed Beargrease from Jan. until this Saturday, March 2nd. The race was set up to begin at Billy’s Bar in Duluth, but it will…

Government Services Center Unveils Century Old Time Capsule

VIRGINIA, Minn.– Excitement was on today in the city of Virginia for the unveiling of a 100-year-old time capsule. City leaders, the public, and even some school kids came out for the big reveal. The capsule was removed a few years back from the former century-old Northland Office Building. It was recovered when the building was demolished to make way for…

Fentanyl found during traffic stop in Carlton County

CARLTON COUNTY, Minn. — Carlton County Deputies say they found nearly half a pound of suspected Fentanyl under the hood of a car during a traffic stop on Thursday. The sheriff’s office was informed by other law enforcement officers to be on the lookout for a vehicle driven by 45-year-old Johnny Glendale Williams. According to the charges, Deputies learned there…

Beargrease starting point moved to Two Harbors

MINN. — The John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon is moving its starting location from Billy’s in Duluth to Two Harbors, MN, due to unseasonably warm temperatures and snow loss. The race will now begin at the first checkpoint in Two Harbors, ensuring a safer trail for participants. Organizers are urging volunteers to step up and help with this last-minute change…

Duluth City Council evaluates the future of the skywalk system

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth City Council met on Monday and concluded that the city will conduct an evaluation into “the long-term future of the downtown skywalk system.” In a 9-0 vote, councilors approved a resolution that will direct the city administration to work with the council in evaluating the best future for the downtown skywalk. The skywalk, its businesses,…

KYN: Coop’s Pizza Welcomes in Both Local and Global Regulars

HAYWARD, Wis. — Coop’s Pizza, down the road from Main Street is known to be a Hayward staple. The restaurant unsurprisingly specializes in pizza, alongside many other things. “So, pizza is our main thing. But then we have pasta and burgers and subs. A great salad bar. Appetizers, if you name it, we probably got it,” said Lora Hills, the…

Duluth City Councilors Share Mixed Opinions Regarding Pledge of Allegiance

DULUTH, Minn.– The opinions of two Duluth city councilors are coming into light, and it involves whether the Pledge of Allegiance should be part of city council meetings. The topic began after a member of the public spoke at a recent council meeting. The gentleman who stayed seated during the Pledge of Allegiance said removing the pledge from the council…

Public Radio Icon Paul Damberg Passes

NORTHLAND — A Northland icon of public radio and supporter of local news Paul Damberg has passed away last on Friday, February 21. Damberg spent 34 years of his career working in public radio and nonprofit fundraising. He graduated from Macalester College back in the late 80’s with a degree in sociology, but it was his college job of public…

Gov. Evers Discusses Budget Plans in Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. –Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers made a visit to Superior Monday, discussing his plans to lower costs for Wisconsinites and working families. In a roundtable discussion at Thirsty Pagan, Evers highlighted his new efforts to lower every day, out-of-pocket costs, including providing nearly $2 billion in tax relief. Superior officials and other community members met with the governor to…

18th Annual Women’s Expo This Weekend

DULUTH, Minn.– The Women’s Expo is returning to the DECC this weekend. And for the 18th year of this event, they’re bringing in some new exciting additions. The DECC will be filling up with over 150 vendors for the women’s expo happening this Saturday. The booths cover everything related to health, beauty, as well as shopping experiences. In addition, there…

Lake Superior Zoo Becomes a “ZANE” Partner

DULUTH, Minn.– The Lake Superior Zoo is now getting a lot more accessible, since they’re the first facility in the state to partner up with the “Zane” Program. ‘ZANE’, or Zoos and Aquariums for Neurodiverse Ecosystem Program is a nonprofit that equips zoos with resources to better understand those needs. Earlier this week, it was announced the Lake Superior Zoo…

6 Arrested in International Falls in Drug Bust

*This article was updated with the names of those charged.* INTERNATIONAL FALLS, Minn. — A drug bust in Koochiching County  lead to the arrest of 6 people and the recovery of approximately 9.5 ounces of suspected methamphetamine. On February 18, the Koochiching County Deputies executed a search warrant on a vehicle and their occupants on the 1500 block of 1st…

Interim President of Northland College Speaks About Campus Closure

ASHLAND, Wis. — The Interim President of the soon-to-close Northland College is talking about the difficult decision that the university is in. On Wednesday, the college made the unexpected announcement that the 133-year-old college is shutting down at the end of this academic school year. The news came just five months after northland college officials said they received donations to…

72-Year-Old Killed in Crane Lake Snowmobile Crash

CRANE LAKE TOWNSHIP, Minn. — A 72-year-old man from Glenville, MN, has died after a snowmobile crash in Crane Lake Township. According to the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, emergency crews responded at 9:15 P.M. on February 20th, 2025, after reports of an injured rider. The man, who was riding with friends, veered off the trail and struck a tree….

Man Arrested for Child Sex Crimes, After Initially Claiming he was Assaulted by Juvenile

FOND DU LAC RESERVATION – Police say they responded to a call from man in his 60s claiming to have been assaulted by a juvenile; but further investigation into the incident led to child sex crime charges against him. Fond Du Lac Police arrested 62-year-old Phillip Alexander Petite Tuesday on charges of criminal sexual conduct with a child. The arrest…

Beloved Birkebeiner Weekend Returns To Downtown Hayward

HAYWARD, Wis. — Hayward is home to one of the biggest ski races in the nation — the American Birkebeiner.  The week-long event welcomes in thousands of participants from at least seven different countries. And with last year’s race missing out on the Main Street grand finale because of weather, organizers are thankful for this year’s quick turnaround. “It’s such…

Online Investigation Leads to Child Pornography Charges Against Superior Man

SUPERIOR, Wisc. – Investigators say they located multiple examples of child sexual abuse material when searching devices found in Patrick Anthony West’s room. In early January, the Wisconsin Department of Justice passed on a “CyberTip” to Superior Police from the Nation Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). According to a criminal complaint, the NCMEC said suspected child pornography had…

Duluth Council Meeting Now Starts at 6 p.m.

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth City Council has a new start-time for it’s twice-a-month council meetings. Starting February 24th the council meeting will begin one hour earlier at 6 p.m. instead of the tradition 7 p.m. start time. Councilor Arik Forsman tells Fox 21 the earlier time is simply more convenient for councilors, city staff, and the public. Start earlier,…