News – Latest News

Businesses on Iron Range Work to Recover After Slower Summer Due to COVID-19

Businesses owners say they're keeping their heads up, while local officials say the Fall and Winter seasons look bleak.

VIRGINIA, Minn.- As it has everywhere, the pandemic has put a damper on business on the Iron Range this summer — a time when many businesses just began opening back up after three months shut down. “It’s hard to know what’s going to happen with the virus,” Brooke Forseen, an employee at Canelake’s Candies in Virginia said. “It’s really just…

Annual Dredging Helping with Eroding Beach Along Park Point

The project benefits the shipping industry in the port and also helps restore storm-damaged portions of Park Point.

DULUTH, Minn. – The annual dredging maintenance project has kicked off down by the Aerial Lift Bridge. The project benefits the shipping industry in the port and also helps restore storm-damaged portions of Park Point. Each year more than 100,000 cubic yards of material is dredged, but this year, 50,000 of those will be placed on the north side of…

Tourists Continue Summer Visits To Duluth

Throughout the summer, thousands of visitors come to Canal Park and come to enjoy the sights and sounds of the area.

DULUTH, Minn. – Throughout the summer, thousands of visitors come to Canal Park and come to enjoy the sights and sounds of the area. One local family we caught up with today from Minneapolis is here on vacation even during the pandemic. They say that they love walking by the water and watching the ships come in as well as…

Pregnancy Stress During Pandemic Can Have Impacts

Health professionals recommend at least 30 minutes of exercise a day can help improve your mood.

DULUTH, Minn. Stress can be a normal reaction to life changes. In the midst of a pandemic, pregnant women experiencing stress just might be too overwhelming. Pregnancy is supposed to be a happy time in a woman’s life. “I kind of felt like my part of my pregnancy taken from me,” said Dakota DeFoe. When the coronavirus pandemic hit the…

The Superior Spooktacular Goes On Despite Pandemic

The event starts October 24th and runs through Halloween.

DULUTH, Minn. – Halloween isn’t cancelled as of now, but it might look a little different. In just a few months, the Superior Spooktacular will take place downtown despite the global pandemic. This year, the Halloween event will have a variety of activities, including a drive-in movie night. The Spooktacular committee is also partnering with Grandma’s Marathon to put on…

“Bikes For Basketball” Fundraiser Looks To Provide Opportunities For Young Boys And Girls

  DULUTH, Minn. – The Rookie Basketball Association, which is a year-round basketball program for young boys and girls through the salvation army, is hoping to raise money to keep kids playing the game. One of the RBA players came up with the idea to host a fundraiser called “Bikes for Basketball.” More than a dozen bikes and tons of…

Itasca County Educators Stress Preparation Before School Begins

Parents and Caregivers Are Encouraged to Practice Masking Ahead of Return to the Classroom

ITASCA COUNTY, Minn. – Health and school leaders in Itasca County are urging parents to practice what local medical professionals are preaching to better help their children prepare for the upcoming abnormal school year. Officials stress the need for preventative action at home before students return to the classroom come September. Per Minnesota state guidelines, all students returning to in-person…

Shipping Up in Northland

Even the pandemic wasn't able to stop the shipping season.

DULUTH, Minn. – Even the pandemic wasn’t able to stop the shipping season. Three of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority’s four major bulk cargoes had month over month increases. Grain jumped 54% over June, coal by 49% while iron ore gained slightly. While May had experienced COVID induced lows, the tonnage totals continue to rebound. “July was a positive step…

New Emergency Department at St. Luke’s

The completion of phase one of a more than $37 million project for St. Luke's emergency department was celebrated today.

DULUTH, Minn. – The completion of phase one of a more than $37 million project for St. Luke’s emergency department was celebrated today. This 17-month project will triple the size of St. Luke’s emergency department as they will now have nearly 40 exam rooms in about 60,000 square feet of space. It will also include four trauma bays and behavior…

Source: Michigan Reaches $600m Deal in Flint Water Crisis

MICHIGAN (AP) – The state of Michigan has agreed to pay $600 million to compensate Flint residents whose health was damaged by lead-tainted drinking water. That’s according to an attorney involved in settlement negotiations. The attorney confirmed details to The Associated Press on Wednesday but requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak about it ahead of an official…

Midday Update 8-20-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, August 20, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist William Seay for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, August 20, 2020. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, Morning News, News, William Seay

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Thursday, August 20

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 67,308 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Thursday morning and 7 new deaths bringing the death total to 1,745 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 1,322,220 tests have been completed to date. There are 60,605 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 6,019 patients have required hospitalization…

Coronavirus Cases at Green Bay Prison Reach 57

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Fifty-seven people have tested positive for the coronavirus at the Green Bay Correctional Institution, according to state officials. All of the prisoners who have tested positive are being isolated and anyone who was exposed is being quarantined, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections said. All inmates and staff at the prison are in the process of…

Marketing, Baking Experience Help Kick Start New Company Based in Superior

Lift Bridge Baked Goods Operates as Home Based Cottage Food Business

SUPERIOR, Wis. – This week’s cooking connection features a new business to the Twin Ports, Lift Bridge Baked Goods. The company was founded by Riley Perrella and Dylan Holt, a young couple currently residing in Superior. Holt studied marketing and business in college, and Perrella has a unique passion for baking and creating edible works of art. Lift Bridge Baked…

Morning Update 8-20-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, August 20, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist William Seay for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, August 20, 2020. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, morning update, News, William Seay

Ex-Trump Adviser Steve Bannon Charged in Border Wall Scheme

NEW YORK (AP) — Former White House adviser Steve Bannon was arrested Thursday on charges that he and three others ripped off donors to an online fundraising scheme “We Build The Wall.” The charges were contained in an indictment unsealed in Manhattan federal court. Federal prosecutors alleged that Bannon and three others “orchestrated a scheme to defraud hundreds of thousands…

Iron Range Businesses Recognized by Chamber of Commerce with Awards Ceremony

The normal awards banquet scheduled this year was canceled due to coronavirus-related restrictions, but the chamber still found a way to honor Range businesses. 

VIRGINIA, Minn.- Businesses on the Iron Range were recognized for their contributions to the community at Olcott Park in Virginia Wednesday. The Laurentian Chamber of Commerce Honored them as part of this year’s award ceremony. The normal awards banquet scheduled this year was canceled due to coronavirus-related restrictions, but the chamber still found a way to honor Range businesses. The…

Sen. Tina Smith Calls on Postal Service During Pandemic, Upcoming Election

MINNESOTA– As more people will be looking to vote through the mail this November during the pandemic, Minnesota Senator Tina Smith is calling for more clarity from the heads of the United States Postal Service. The senator toured a postal facility in Eagan earlier this week, where resources like mail sorting machines have are declining, along with the blue mailboxes….

Fitger’s Bookstore Shows Support For Local Educators

Teachers can receive a discount at Fitger's Bookstore every day.

DULUTH, Minn. – The Fitger’s Bookstore is helping teachers get ready for the upcoming school year. Wednesday was dedicated specifically to show support to those educators. Twice a year the bookstore hosts a teacher’s day to help them learn more about the benefits of shopping at an independent bookstore. Some educators also had the opportunity to have a one-on-one shopping…

Duluth Costco Construction Begins

DULUTH, Minn.– Construction on the much anticipated Costco in Duluth has begun. Crews began working on the area by Haines and Arrowhead Roads in Duluth removing trees flattening the ground for the building. The Costco is estimated to add about 200 jobs to the area. The store is expected to be 160,000 square feet with more than 700 parking spaces….

UMD Staff Voice Concern Over COVID-19 Guidelines

DULUTH, Minn.– With the fall semester just around the corner for colleges around the Northland, some instructors at the University of Minnesota-Duluth are voicing their concerns with some of the safety protocols on campus. Department heads at UMD have been working all summer to prepare for this semester, and some faculty from around campus are asking for more insight before…

The Damiano Center Is In Need Of Donations

The center serves 19 meals a day to the people they serve.

DULUTH, Minn. – If you have any extra household items you no longer need, the Damiano Center in Duluth is asking to take them off your hands. The center is in need of variety of items such as men’s clothing, pots & pans, blankets, and winter coats that can be given to help the people they serve. The organization has…

Tech-Up Program Helps Give Laptops To Those In Need

The program has given out nearly 150 laptops.

DULUTH, Minn. – Community Action Duluth is hoping to narrow the technology gap one person at a time. The organization’s Community Tech-Up program aims to provide free laptops and wifi to those who may not be able to afford it. The program is geared towards giving those individuals more access to educational and employment opportunities. The digital divide has already…

Watch Live: Democratic National Convention Day Three

Harris Prepares to Make History With VP Acceptance Speech

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — Kamala Harris is poised to make history as the first Black woman to accept a spot on a major party’s presidential ticket. It’s a moment intended to galvanize Democratic voters heading into the fall campaign against President Donald Trump. The stakes on Wednesday night are high as Harris tries to unite the party behind its presidential…

Dance Studio Hosts Circus Camp

One local dance studio is hosting a unique camp this week even during the pandemic.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – One local dance studio is hosting a unique camp this week even during the pandemic. Sterling Silver Studio in Superior is hosting a circus camp where boys and girls learn about acrobatics, tumbling, theatre skills, and clowning. One of the things the studio has done in response to the pandemic is hosting its classes and camps in…

UWS Preps for Fall Semester

We are just weeks away from students returning for in-person classes around the Northland and today, we caught up with one university that has introduced some new protocols to keep students safe.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – We are just weeks away from students returning for in-person classes around the Northland and today, we caught up with one university that has introduced some new protocols to keep students safe. UWS has integrated safety and distancing measures throughout its school facilities to help ensure a safe and secure educational experience for both the staff and…

Affordable Housing Project in Works

The City of Superior is putting $350,000 in funding towards a future affordable housing project.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The City of Superior is putting $350,000 in funding towards a future affordable housing project. Superior is able to finance this fund through the closure of one of its tax increment districts. State statute allows the city to capture one final year of revenue when they close one of these districts and put it towards affordable housing….

Um-Duluth Faculty Threaten to Put All Classes Online

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) — Faculty at the University of Minnesota-Duluth’s largest college is threatening to put all their courses online if administrators don’t meet their demands to make better preparations to handle COVID-19 infections when classes resume this fall. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported Wednesday that Swenson College of Science and Engineering department heads sent a letter to Chancellor Lendley Black…

Minnesota Renaissance Festival Canceled Due to COVID-19

(Facebook/MN Renaissance Festival) SHAKOPEE, Minn. – The Minnesota Renaissance Festival has been canceled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Festival organizers made the announcement Wednesday on their Facebook page saying, “We worked hard the last five months to develop a plan and mitigation measures which we firmly believe would have resulted in a safe and healthy Renaissance Festival. However,…

Pelosi Says Postmaster Has No Plans to Restore Mail Cuts

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says President Donald Trump’s postmaster general has no intention of restoring mail equipment or paying overtime hours he cut despite public outcry the changes are undermining service before Election Day. Pelosi says she told Postmaster General Louis DeJoy in a phone call that his decision to temporarily pause any further mail service changes…

Cloquet Police Officer Placed on Paid Administrative Leave Following DWI Arrest

CLOQUET, Minn. – A Cloquet police officer has been placed on paid non-disciplinary administrative leave following his August 6 arrest for DWI. According to court records, officer Andrew Michael Murray, 34, was off-duty when he was cited for DWI by the Minnesota State Patrol in the city of Carlton. Authorities say Murray crashed his vehicle around 9 p.m. before fleeing…

Hermantown School Board Votes Unanimously for Hybrid Learning Model

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The Hermantown School Board voted unanimously on Tuesday to begin the 2020-21 school year with a hybrid learning model for students. According to the district’s learning models, elementary class sizes will be reduced by half and placed into two groups which will be based on households. Mondays will be distance learning for all students while Tuesday through…

Midday Update 8-19-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, August 19, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist William Seay for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, August 19, 2020. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, midday update, News, William Seay

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Wednesday, August 19

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 66,618 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Wednesday morning and 17 new deaths bringing the death total to 1,738 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 1,308,264 tests have been completed to date. There are 60,242 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 5,988 patients have required hospitalization…

Cast Iron, Stokke’s to Host Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northland Fundraiser

The Fundraiser is Happening Thursday, Aug. 27 at Cast Iron Bar & Grill

DULUTH, Minn. – The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting many local businesses financially, but also non-profit organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northland. Many of the organizations big donors are unable to make such contributions this year due to financial issues caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Thankfully, the Cast Iron Bar & Grill along with Stokke’s Meat…

Wildwoods Requesting Chokecherry, Raspberry Branches to Aid in Rehabilitation

Branches, Berries Help Teach the Birds How to Forage in the Wild

DULUTH, Minn. – The staff at Wildwoods Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Duluth is asking for the public’s support as summer comes to a close. If you have any chokecherry or raspberry bushes and don’t know what to do with your bounty, you’re encouraged to drop them off at Wildwoods. The berries are used to help retrain birds how to forage…

Morning Update 8-19-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, August 19, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist William Seay for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, August 19, 2020. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, morning update, News, William Seay

Democrats Nominate Biden for Epic Challenge to Oust Trump

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — Democrats have formally nominated Joe Biden as their 2020 presidential nominee. Party officials and activists gave the ex-vice president their overwhelming support during his party’s all-virtual national convention Tuesday. The moment marked a political high point for Biden, who’d sought the presidency twice before. Biden is drawing on a collection of the Democratic Party’s most experienced…

Pence to Visit Wisconsin Wednesday

JANESVILLE, Wis. (AP) — Vice President Mike Pence will visit Wisconsin Wednesday as the White House attempts to counter the headlines from the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee. Pence is due to arrive at the Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport in Janesville, with Air Force II touching down about 11 a.m. He’s scheduled to make remarks at an event in Darien….

Walz Administration Keeps up Fight Against Line 3

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz’s administration says it will appeal the latest approvals by state utility regulators for Enbridge Energy’s plan to replace its old and corroding Line 3 crude oil pipeline across northern Minnesota. The state Commerce Department faced a deadline of Wednesday for filing a request to ask the Minnesota Court of Appeals to take another look…

Bike Shops Experience Shortages

Bike shops throughout the country are experiencing a shortage in supply because of the high demand due to the pandemic.

DULUTH, Minn. – Bike shops throughout the country are experiencing a shortage in supply because of the high demand due to the pandemic. One local bike shop says that sales have been fairly flat compared to last year largely due to the fact that they can’t get bikes. Stewart’s Bikes, Sports and Trophies in Duluth says that they haven’t been…

City Gives Extension To Lake Superior Zoo To Pay Back Debt

Lake Superior Zoo has set a fundraising goal of 150,000 to help minimize its current deficit.

DULUTH, Minn. – As the Lake Superior Zoo continues to catch up from the impacts of COVID -19, the Duluth city council is throwing them a lifeline. The council voted on Monday to extend the deadline on a credit line that was scheduled to be repaid to the city by October. The extension will give popular tourist attraction an additional…

Indigenous History Mural Being Created in Lincoln Park

The mural, located on the Seafarers Center on the corner of 21st Ave. West and 3rd Street is set to be complete by the end of the month.

DULUTH, Minn. – Throughout the month of August, a group of artists have been working on a mural, funded by the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council and through a grant with the McKnight Foundation to showcase indigenous history. “It’s a story that’s been missing for a long time and so it’s kind of a reminder that we still exist and we…

Denfeld Hosts Back to School Event

DULUTH, Minn.– With the school year right around the corner, a group of schools in Duluth are trying to build relationships with families and the community. Students and families from Myers-Wilkins Elementary, Lincoln Park Middle School, and Denfeld High School came out to the football field at the high school. They got the opportunity to interact with school staff and…

Local Tattoo Shop Helps Collect Donations For Toy Drive Honoring A Child That Lost His Life Too Soon

"He was the silliest funniest little boy ever. His personality was so unique. It was honestly indescribable," said Tayteaona Boykin, Baby J's mother.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – A Twin ports tattoo shop is giving back by helping to collect donations for a toy drive honoring the memory of a child that lost his life way too soon. 13-month-old  Jamarr Harkins Jr., also known as Baby J, was born with a congenital heart defect. In his short lifetime, he fought to survive even after having…