News – Latest News

Free Pop-Up Bike Shop Held in Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis.– At Wade Bowl Park in Superior, Galleria Bike Shop and Ski Hut held a pop-up bike shop for free basic repairs. People from around town showed up to get basic repairs done on their bikes. Free bike helmets donated by Essentia Health were also given out to those who need them. With more people using their bikes during…

Montessori School Looking to Bring Program to Duluth

TWO HARBORS, Minn.– Montessori schools offer a specialized form of learning for young students and as demand grows, even more expansion is happening in the Northland. Renaissance Schools was founded in 2017 in Sandstone with the goal of establishing more Montessori schools in northern Minnesota. And after setting up other schools in the area, they are looking to bring one…

Jury Trials Are Slowly Starting To Return Across The State

TWO HARBORS, Minn. – The global pandemic put a pause on jury trials and in-person court proceedings in Minnesota. These trials are slowly beginning to resume across the state including in the Northland, as courts are taking precautions to ensure everyone’s safety. The last time there was an in-person hearing with a jury at the Lake County Courthouse was back…

Watch Live: Republican National Convention Day Four

WASHINGTON (AP) — With crises brewing beyond the White House gates, President Donald Trump is about to stand on the South Lawn to accept his party’s nomination for president. He is presenting himself as the last barrier protecting an American way of life that’s under siege from radical forces. Facing a fraught national moment, Trump is expected to paint an…

Duluth’s Best Bread to Host ‘Unofficial Minnesota State Fair’

State Fair Style Foods will be Severd for a Limited Time Only -- Eight Days!

DULUTH, Minn. – With the cancellation of the 2020 Minnesota State Fair, the creative minds at Duluth’s Best Bread couldn’t let Northlanders go without their favorite fair flavors before summer winds down. The locally owned company is thrilled to present the first ‘Unofficial Minnesota State Fair’ of 2020. For eight days, Duluth’s Best Bread will offer hungry customers state fair…

Rice Lake Road Construction Complete

One local road is now open after being closed for construction.

DULUTH, Minn. – One local road is now open after being closed for construction. Rice Lake Road reopened at the top of the hour after more than three months of construction. The construction re-did more than half a mile of the road, widened the intersection of Arlington Avenue and Arrowhead Road, and improved Technology Drive. The project will improve traffic…

Duluth and Superior Partner for Virtual Cleanup

Two cities in the Northland are partnering together to host a virtual clean-up. The effort is encouraging people to take care of their surroundings for the sake of cleanliness.

DULUTH, Minn. – Two cities in the Northland are partnering together to host a virtual clean-up. The effort is encouraging people to take care of their surroundings for the sake of cleanliness. Duluth and Superior: two neighboring cities working together to keep the Lake Superior watershed litter-free. On Saturday, September 26th, you can pick up litter at your favorite waterway,…

Superior Sammy’s Closed

The Sammy's on Tower Avenue in Superior has closed permanently.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Sammy’s on Tower Avenue in Superior has closed permanently because of health concerns with leadership and the impacts of COVID on the business. The local business made the announcement yesterday on Facebook in a message to its current patrons. There are Sammy’s locations throughout the Northland, including in Duluth, Hermantown and Cloquet. Categories: Coronavirus, News, News…

Laura Carves Destructive Path Through Louisiana; 4 Dead

LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) — One of the strongest hurricanes ever to strike the U.S., Laura barreled across Louisiana on Thursday, shearing off roofs, killing a least four people and maintaining ferocious strength while carving a destructive path hundreds of miles inland. A full assessment of the damage wrought by the Category 4 system was likely to take days. But…

NFL Teams Cancel Practice in Response to Blake Shooting

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Several NFL teams canceled practice in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man, in Wisconsin. The Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, and Washington Football Team all decided to not take the field Thursday. Blake was shot by police, apparently in the…

National Guard Activated After Downtown Minneapolis Unrest

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The governor of Minnesota activated the National Guard on Wednesday night to help quell unrest that broke out in downtown Minneapolis following what authorities said was misinformation about the suicide death of a Black homicide suspect. Gov. Tim Walz declared a peacetime emergency in Minneapolis and said he was mobilizing the Minnesota National Guard but did not…

Private Wisconsin College Cancels Pence Commencement Speech

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A private Milwaukee college has canceled plans to have Vice President Mike Pence deliver a commencement address this weekend, citing unrest in nearby Kenosha where police shot a Black man, Jacob Blake, and two people were killed during protests that followed. Wisconsin Lutheran College said Thursday that “after further review with careful consideration of the escalating events in…

Midday Update 8-27-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, August 27, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist William Seay for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, August 27, 2020. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News

Zesty Lemon Layer Cake with Lift Bridge Baked Goods

Lift Bridge Baked Goods Operates as a 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…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Thursday, August 27

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 72,390 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Thursday morning and 13 new deaths bringing the death total to 1,806 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 1,427,347 tests have been completed to date. There are 64,876 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 6,326 patients have required hospitalization…

Sammy’s Pizza in Superior Permanently Closes Its Doors

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Sammy’s Pizza in Superior announced on Wednesday that it is closing its doors for good citing the COVID-19 pandemic as one of the reasons behind the closing. In a recent Facebook post, the restaurant wrote, “Due to on-going health concerns with the restaurant’s leadership and also adverse business effects due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s with heavy…

Morning Update 8-27-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, August 27, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, August 27, 2020. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update

3 MLB Games Postponed, Players Decide After Kenosha Shooting

(AP Photo/Ben Margot) MILWAUKEE (AP) — Three Major League Baseball games were postponed Wednesday as players across the sports landscape reacted in the wake of the weekend shooting by police of Jacob Blake, a Black man, in Wisconsin. Games between the Cincinnati Reds and Brewers in Milwaukee, Seattle Mariners, and Padres in San Diego and the Los Angeles Dodgers and…

DECC Interim Exec. Dir. Roger Reinert Wants To Innovate Venue’s Use During Pandemic

Bringing a local brewery's outside beer garden inside the DECC is just one idea Reinert is looking into.

DULUTH, Minn. — Roger Reinert — known in the world of politics in Duluth and St. Paul after stints as a city councilor, state senator and representative — is the new interim executive director of the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center – replacing Chelly Townsend whose contract was not renewed for reason not disclosed by the board. Reinert is not new…

Drive-Thru Experience, No Experience Among Options For 2020 ‘Bentleyville Tour of Lights’

DULUTH, Minn.  — The DECC is hopeful Bentleyville Tour of Lights will return again this year but Bentleyville’s owner told FOX 21 Wednesday that nothing is for sure at this point. One idea being thrown around is a drive-thru version of Bentleyville at its usual location at Bayfront Park. Owner Nathan Bentley says his team is discussing a variety of…

Spirit Room in Superior Sets Up ‘Wine Stand’ Every Wednesday Outside

You can order a cup or bottle of any of their wines with a cheese and olive plate and take it to-go or enjoy it at any of their outdoor tables. 

SUPERIOR, Wis.- One Superior cocktail bar is interacting with its neighborhood and selling products in a unique way every Wednesday. The Wine Stand outside the Spirit Room on Broadway Street is like a lemonade stand, but with something a bit stronger for adults. You can order a cup or bottle of any of their wines with a cheese and olive…

Northland Red Cross Sends Volunteers to Help with Hurricane Laura Relief, Seeking More

Officials with the Northland Chapter of the Red Cross in Duluth say so far more volunteers are needed for medical, logistics, and other roles.

DULUTH, Minn.- As Hurricane Laura nears landfall on the Gulf Coast, the American Red Cross is gearing up to dispatch their response teams to the hardest hit areas ready to pick up the pieces from what is projected to be a devastating hurricane. One nurse from International Falls just landed in Houston Wednesday, and four more volunteers from the Northland…

Watch Live: Republican National Convention Day Three

WASHINGTON (AP) —A speaker who had been expected to deliver remarks on the third night of the Republican National Convention has been unexpectedly removed from the program hours before airtime. Another speaker’s appearance is up in the air. The campaign confirmed that Robert Unanue, the president and CEO of Goya Foods, will not be speaking Wednesday night, citing a “logistical…

Duluth Library’s Curbside Pickup Gains Popularity

The main Duluth library's curbside pickup program has doubled its amount of users since the start of the pandemic.

DULUTH, Minn. – The main Duluth library’s curbside pickup program has doubled its amount of users since the start of the pandemic. The Duluth Public Library system has been shut down since mid-March for in-person service. But they are still finding a way to serve their patrons through their curbside pickup program. Adam and Alex Albright came to the library…

Masks Wanted For Singers

One Northland choir director is asking for people to make singer-friendly masks for her choir students.

CLOQUET, Minn. – One Northland choir director is asking for people to make singer-friendly masks for her choir students. The director for Cloquet middle and high schools found it was difficult to sing through a typical cloth mask. But now, she’s found a design for a mask suitable for signers. She has the pattern for it and is asking those…

DTA Announces Upcoming Service Changes

DULUTH, Minn. – The DTA announced upcoming services changes on Wednesday which includes pausing two routes to Park Point and West Duluth. On Wednesday, the DTA said they would be pausing routes #4 and #15 until further notice due to “current staffing realities, and the operational approach required to deliver a safe and reliable service level to the public.” Dial-a-ride…

Boycott: NBA Playoff Games Called off Amid Player Protest

(Kevin C. Cox/Pool Photo via AP) LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — All three NBA playoff games scheduled for Wednesday have been postponed, with players around the league choosing to boycott in their strongest statement yet against racial injustice. Called off: Games between Milwaukee and Orlando, Houston and Oklahoma City, and the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland. The NBA said…

Fatal Duluth Hillside Apartment Fire Deemed Accidental

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Fire Marshal’s Office says a fatal fire that broke out earlier this month in Duluth’s East Hillside neighborhood has been deemed accidental. In the early morning hours of August 11, Duluth fire crews responded to reports of an apartment building fire. When crews arrived on the scene they found smoke coming from the first and…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Wednesday, August 26

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 71,236 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Wednesday morning and 14 new deaths bringing the death total to 1,793 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 1,406,007 tests have been completed to date. There are 64,374 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 6,274 patients have required hospitalization…

Midday Update 8-26-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ryan Johnson for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, August 26, 2020. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, midday update, News, ryan johnson

Laura Now Forecast to Be a Catastrophic Category 4 Hurricane

GALVESTON, Texas (AP) — Forecasters Hurricane Laura is now expected to rapidly power up into a ‘catastrophic’ Category 4 hurricane — an even stronger storm than previously expected — as it churns toward Texas and Louisiana, gathering wind and water that now covers much of the Gulf of Mexico. Satellite images show that Laura has become “a formidable hurricane” in…

Twin Ports Community Honors Four-Legged Soldier Lost Too Soon

Sarge Was an Honorary Member of the Superior Honor Guard

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Man’s best friend can impact humans in a unique and lasting way. On Friday, Aug. 21, the residents in the Twin Ports community took time out of the day to honor a four-legged soldier leaving a lasting impact on many in the region. This type of somber ceremony happens once in a blue moon at the Richard…

Former State Senator, Duluth City Councilor Named as DECC Interim Executive Director

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Entertainment Convention Center board has formally nominated former state Senator and Duluth City Councilor Roger Reinert as the Interim Executive Director. The decision was made during a Wednesday morning virtual meeting about the DECC’s status and plan for the remainder of the year. Reinert has acted as the interim liaison for the last two months…

Morning Update 8-26-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ryan Johnson for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, August 26, 2020. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Local News, morning update, News, ryan johnson

DEED Commissioner Steve Grove Visits Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. – Small businesses in the Northland have been taking huge financial hits due to the global pandemic. The Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner visited Duluth on Wednesday to hear first-hand stories from some of those business owners and how grant funding has helped them rebuild. India Palace in Duluth has been serving traditional Indian cuisine to…

Mentors Needed To Help Support Students During The School Year

DULUTH, Minn.- A local non-profit is searching for mentors to help provide additional support to families as they navigate through the upcoming school year. Mentor North in Duluth is a one on one community based mentoring program. The organization is launching its new academic mentoring program to be a positive re-enforcement as many students and their families may be facing…

Northland School Districts Switch Plans To Safely Resume Academic Year

The first day of class is September 8th for both Duluth and Proctor Public Schools.

NORTHLAND – COVID-19 cases are continuing to spike across the northland. Now several schools in the region are making adjustments to plans originally put in place for the start of the academic year. Minnesota schools were given three options to choose from to safely resume the 20-21 school year. Many Northland school districts had planned on implementing a hybrid model,…

DECC Board Parts Ways With Executive Director, No. 2 Leader To Retire

Chelly Townsend DULUTH, Minn. – A major shake-up is underway at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center as the DECC’s board is parting ways with its executive director, and the No. 2 person under her has decided to retire. All of this comes as the DECC is virtually empty and facing a serious financial challenge during the pandemic. Chelly Townsend told…

Firefighters Battle Hours-Long Fire at Historic Downtown Hibbing Building

The cause of the Moose Event Center fire is still unknown and under investigation.

HIBBING, Minn.- No one was injured fighting an inferno Tuesday that collapsed the roof of the Moose Event Center on Howard Street in Hibbing, according to fire officials. But what does hurt to the small town, is the loss of a building that houses many businesses and memories. “As I stood outside and watched it just kept, no matter how…

Virtual Roundtable Held on Fuel Standards

Local legislators met earlier today with advocates to discuss climate change's impact on Minnesota.

DULUTH, Minn. – Local legislators met earlier today with advocates to discuss climate change’s impact on Minnesota. Some of the top concerns addressed include how fuel standards for passenger cars and light-duty trucks will benefit Minnesotans, arguing that clean car standards could help protect the environment along with our health while also helping grow the economy. “I’m very concerned about…

World’s Oldest Hockey Player Mark “Sertie” Sertich Passes Away

Sertie became the Guinness World Record-holder for oldest hockey player at age 95 and still played at the Heritage Center multiple times a week.

DULUTH, Minn. – Sad news to report as Duluth native and the World’s Oldest Hockey Player Mark “Sertie” Sertich passed away on Monday morning. Just last month, friends and family surprised Sertich with a drive-by birthday parade to celebrate his 99th  birthday. “His popularity he has is just amazing. Everyone that meets him just instantly likes him and they admire…

North Shore Adventure Park Gives Visitors a Thrilling Challenge

North Shore Adventure Park has been open for a little over a year and has multiple courses for anyone to try.

SILVER BAY, Minn. – North Shore Adventure Park is challenging people of all ages. “It’s about climbing in the trees, it’s about challenging yourself. “We have a little rascals playground for kids 3-6. It’s enough for them to practice and it’s only about 6 inches to a foot off the ground. I’m 69 and I challenge any senior out there…

Cook County Leaders Address Issues of Racial Inequity

GRAND MARAIS, Minn.– Leaders in Cook County are addressing the issue of racial inequities in the county and how they can do better. The Cook County Joint Powers Group met virtually Tuesday night to talk about what each organization is doing or planning to help resolve racial inequities. One topic brought up was creating a land acknowledgement with members of…

Watch Live: Republican National Convention Day Two

WASHINGTON (AP) — The people closest to President Donald Trump — his family — are starring on the second night of the Republican National Convention as the GOP works to reintroduce the president to American voters in the midst of the campaign and pandemic. Tuesday’s program is designed around the theme of “Land of Opportunity.” Beyond the president’s family, the…