News – Latest News

Wild State Cider Collects Apples For Community Cider

DULUTH, Minn. – Wild State Cider is working on creating this year batch of “Duluth People’s Cider”, which is being made from backyard apples. Community members dropped off their donations of apples on Friday. This is the second time the cidery has created this community-based beverage. Every year the flavor comes out differently due to the multiple varieties of apples….

Cloquet Airport Gets Financial Support To Build on Emerging Aviation Industry

CLOQUET, Minn. – The Carlton County-Cloquet Airport is receiving some extra financial support to help it continue to be a valuable asset to the community. The U.S. Economic Development Administrations is awarding the county a $1 million grant to establish a new aviation workforce training center. The aviation industry is rapidly growing in the region and the EDA recognizes investing…

St. Louis County Reports Its Highest Daily Increase Since Beginning Of Pandemic

DULUTH, Minn. – 50 new COVID-19 cases have been confirmed by the St. Louis County Public Health Division… This the largest day increase in the county since the start of the pandemic. 40 of those cases being reported in the Duluth area alone, while the rest are confirmed from communities throughout the county. More than 60% of the people diagnosed…

Former VP Biden Meets Gov. Walz, Mayor Larson in Canal Park

DULUTH, Minn.-Former Vice President Joe Biden has had a busy day in the Northland. After the Democratic presidential nominee went to Hermantown, where he met with local carpenters, he visited Canal Park to meet with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Duluth Mayor Emily Larson. Later, he also visited a local fire station. We’ll have more on his entire trip, tonight…

Superior Cluster Brings in Participants Despite Pandemic

As the pandemic continues, it still hasn't stopped one local dog show from happening in Superior albeit with some new protocols in place.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – As the pandemic continues, it still hasn’t stopped one local dog show from happening in Superior albeit with some new protocols in place. The Superior Cluster is bringing in people from all over the country to participate in its dog show happening all weekend at the Head of the Lakes fairgrounds. “I just think that when they’re…

Pumpkin Season Is Finally Here

As the air is feeling crisper, pumpkin season is finally here.

DULUTH, Minn. – As the air is feeling crisper, pumpkin season is finally here. DC’s Best Produce’s pumpkin patch on Central entrance is selling a variety of pumpkins, from jack o’ lanterns to white ghost pumpkins along with corn stalks and squash. One worker we talked to said it’s nice to be able to provide pumpkins, especially during the pandemic….

Six Students in Esko School District Test Positive for COVID-19, 35 Quarantined

ESKO, Minn. – A week after Esko High School confirmed its first case of COVID-19, the school district says more students have now tested positive for coronavirus. In total, district officials say six students in the district have tested positive and 35 students are in quarantine. One of the students that tested positive is in elementary school while the other…

Wisconsin Secretary Resigns Amid Unemployment Claim Backlog

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The state Department of Workforce Development’s top leader resigned Friday after failing to find a way to address a massive backlog of unprocessed unemployment benefit claims sparked by the coronavirus pandemic. Gov. Tony Evers’ office said Caleb Frostman stepped down after the governor called for his resignation. Evers, a Democrat, has been taking intense criticism for…

Canada Extends U.S. Border Restrictions to Oct. 21

TORONTO (AP) — Canada is extending the agreement to keep the U.S. border closed to non-essential travel to Oct. 21 during the coronavirus pandemic. Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said Friday they will continue to base the decision on the best public health advice available to keep Canadians safe. The restrictions were announced on March 18 and have been extended…

Minnesota Begins Early Voting as Candidates Visit the State

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The battleground state of Minnesota began voting in the presidential election on Friday as polling stations opened in every county and local elections officials began mailing out absentee ballots. Dozens of voters lined up early in the morning outside the early voting center in Minneapolis, where officials said 44 people had voted in the first half-hour after…

Midday Update 9-18-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Friday, Sept. 18, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Friday, Sept. 18, 2020. Have a great weekend! Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update, News

Armed Residents Confront COVID-19 Testing Team in Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A team of health workers conducting random COVID-19 testing was recently confronted by armed residents in a Minnesota community. State officials have not said when or where the incident occurred. Minnesota Department of Health spokeswoman Julie Bartkey said the team did the right thing by leaving the situation. Health officials are doing random testing of households in…

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Friday, September 18

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 87,807 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Friday morning and 8 new deaths bringing the death total to 1,950 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 1,791,680 tests have been completed to date. There are 80,221 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 7,091 patients have required hospitalization…

Us Bans Wechat, Tiktok From App Stores Citing Security Risk

AP – The U.S. Commerce Department said Friday it will ban Chinese-owned TikTok and WeChat from U.S. app stores on Sunday and will saddle the apps with technical restrictions that could seriously limit their functionality in the U.S. The order, which cited national security and data privacy concerns, follows weeks of dealmaking over the video-sharing service TikTok. President Donald Trump…

Morning Update 9-18-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Friday, Sept. 18, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Friday, Sept. 18, 2020. Have a great weekend! Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, News

2 of 3 Plane Crash Victims Identified, Search Continues

GREY CLOUD ISLAND TOWNSHIP, Minn. (AP) — The Washington County Sheriff’s Office has identified two of the three people who died when their single-engine plane crashed into a water-filled quarry last weekend. The bodies of 60-year-old Larry Schlichting, of Eagan, and 24-year-old Lucas Knight, of North Mankato, have been recovered from the quarry on Grey Cloud Island near Cottage Grove….

Ballot Question Asks Superior Citizens About Potential Part-Time Mayor

Mayor Paine says he is voting "no" because citizens deserve to be able to vote for the people who are leading their community.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – As ballots are going out to people in Superior this week, Mayor Jim Paine has announced he will be voting against potentially making future mayors part-time and hiring a city administrator. Mayor Paine says he is voting “no” because citizens deserve to be able to vote for the people who are leading their community. This is on…

Trees Planted on Duluth’s Arbor Day

New ironwood and cherry chokes now have a home along a stretch of greenspace on Nashua Street after the city cut down declining black ash trees a year ago.

DULUTH, Minn. – The city of Duluth observed its own Arbor Day by planting some trees on a boulevard in West Duluth on Thursday. New ironwood and cherry chokes now have a home along a stretch of greenspace on Nashua Street after the city cut down declining black ash trees a year ago. The city plants around half of its…

Little League Coaches Hit Dingers in Home Run Derby

Normally, the year-ender would have meant a massive party, but COVID-19 only allowed the coaches to gather.

DULUTH, Minn.  – Duluth Little League coaches celebrated the end of a summer season with a home run derby on Thursday. Normally, the year-ender would have meant a massive party, but COVID-19 only allowed the coaches to gather. It was the coaches’ turn to launch some dingers into the stands as a thank you to them after coaching during an…

Unarmed Man Shot by Duluth Police Lawyers Up as Investigation Continues

DULUTH, Minn. – An attorney in Duluth is now representing the unarmed man shot by Duluth police over the weekend during a domestic assault call. Attorney Andrew Poole sent a letter to local news outlets Thursday saying Jared Fyle, 23, of Duluth “is fortunate to still be alive” after being shot in the shoulder by police while standing behind his…

Pres. Trump, Joe Biden to Each Visit Northern Minnesota Friday

DULUTH, Minn.– The national spotlight is ready to shine on northern Minnesota tomorrow as both presidential candidates plan to make appearances, with one of them in Duluth. President Donald Trump will be in Bemidji. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden will be somewhere in the Duluth area not yet announced by the campaign. While the two candidates will hold their campaign…

Free COVID-19 Testing Event Planned in Itasca County

Free Drive-Thru Testing is Happening Sept. 23 at the Itasca County Fairgrounds from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn. – COVID-19 continues to take a toll on employers and employees across Minnesota. Thursday during a weekly update from Itasca County Public Health Department, local health officials and management from area companies expressed the importance of communications between employees and employers when it comes to COVID-19 cases in the workplace. Employees are encouraged to brush up on…

St. Luke’s Participates In COVID-19 Study Conducted By CDC

DULUTH, Minn. – St. Luke’s hospital is one of six national healthcare organizations and the only in Minnesota taking part in a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The study is an opportunity to learn more about COVID-19, which could be beneficial for the treatment of the virus. There are still many questions surrounding the coronavirus,…

LSC Makes COVID-19 Case Numbers Public Through Database

DULUTH, Minn.- Lake Superior College is one of many Northland higher education institutions choosing to keep the public informed of its COVID-19 case numbers. LSC along with other schools like Fond Du Lac Tribal and Community College have signed on to report case numbers to a public database. Every Wednesday, the colleges and universities will report their status and the…

Early Voting Begins On Friday In Minnesota

DULUTH, Minn- There are six weeks left until the general election, but early voting starts on Friday in Minnesota. As the global pandemic continues to create concerns, election officials for the City of Duluth are encouraging residents to vote by mail. The city has also implemented many safety protocols including frequent sanitizing practices, to still allow those who prefer to…

Shipping Season Update: Slow-Down in August

After a strong start to the summer, the port of Duluth-Superior experienced a slow-down in August.

DULUTH, Minn. – After a strong start to the summer, the port of Duluth-Superior experienced a slow-down in August. When compared to 2019, the total amounts of tonnage was down by 31%, specifically with dips in coal and iron. The pandemic also negatively impacted industrial facilities and reduced demand for electricity and steel. However, there were some bright spots in…

Mural Painted at Armory

Local artists are now contributing to a mural at the historic Duluth Armory.

DULUTH, Minn. – Local artists are now contributing to a mural at the historic Duluth Armory. The main portion is being painted by local artist and writer Ed Newman. The mural is inspired by a performance by Buddy Holly in Duluth in 1959 at the historic site and what makes the performance so unique is that Duluth native Bob Dylan…

Lake Superior Zoo Hosts Event During Pandemic

Boo at the Zoo. A family-friendly event that celebrates animals and families alike during the fall season.

DULUTH, Minn. – Boo at the Zoo. A family-friendly event that celebrates animals and families alike during the fall season. The event is held over two weekends and only one day per weekend. However, this year, Boo at the Zoo will be over three weekends, switching it to both Saturday and Sunday so six total days, and now there will…

‘Cheer’ Star Jerry Harris Arrested on Child Porn Charges

CHICAGO (AP) — Jerry Harris, the star of the Netflix documentary series “Cheer,” was arrested Thursday with producing child pornography, three days after twin boys filed a lawsuit alleging he sent them sexually explicit photos of himself and cornered one of them in a bathroom and begged for oral sex. According to the complaint, Harris admitted during an interview after…

US Judge Blocks Postal Service Changes That Slowed Mail

SEATTLE (AP) — A U.S. judge on Thursday blocked controversial Postal Service changes that have slowed mail nationwide. The judge called them “a politically motivated attack on the efficiency of the Postal Service” before the November election. Judge Stanley Bastian in Yakima, Washington, said he was issuing a nationwide preliminary injunction sought by 14 states that sued the Trump administration…

Minnesota Embarks on 4-Week COVID-19 Testing Push With Free Tests, Regardless of Symptoms

(FOX 9) – The Minnesota Department of Health is embarking on a four-week push to increase access to “no barrier” COVID-19 testing in response to an increase in community spread of the disease across the state. For each of the next four weeks, free COVID-19 testing will be offered in several different communities for anyone who feels they need to be tested,…

$300 Weekly Federal Boost to Minnesota Unemployment Benefits Likely Over

(FOX 9) – The $300 a week federal boost to unemployment benefits for Minnesotans who were laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic is likely over after six weeks, state economic officials say. During a press conference Thursday, Economic Commissioner Steve Grove said the last payout for the extra boost in unemployment benefits was the first week of September. “We believe it’s done,” Grove told…

Duluth Police Investigate Wednesday Night Shots Fired Incident

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Police say they are investigating another shots fired incident that was reported Wednesday night in the Central Hillside neighborhood. According to police, officers responded around 8:00 p.m. to the alleyway in the 100 block between East 4th Street and East 5th Street to the report of shots fired. When officers arrived at the scene they found…

Midday Update 9-17-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, midday update

Updated COVID-19 Numbers: Thursday, September 17

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota health officials reported 86,722 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state Thursday morning and 9 new deaths bringing the death total to 1,942 in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Health website, 1,763,735 tests have been completed to date. There are 79,878 patients who no longer require isolation. So far, 7,050 patients have required hospitalization…

Gourmet Fair Foods from Ledge Rock Grille at Larsmont Cottages

Cooking Connection: Ledge Rock Grill Creates Unique Version of State Fair Foods

TWO HARBORS, Minn. – With the cancellation of the Great Minnesota Get-Together (Minnesota State Fair) this year, many people were disappointed they’d miss out on fair food favorites. However, the creative chefs at Ledge Rock Grille at Larsmont Cottages in Two Harbors came up with their own unique spin on fair food staples. In this week’s Cooking Connection, Executive Chef…

Northland Newborns 9-17-20

FOX 21 and Essentia Health Team Up to Showcase Newborn Bundles of Joy Across the Northland

Every Thursday morning on FOX 21 Local News from 7 – 9 a.m., we’re teaming up with Essentia Health to showcase Northland Newborns. If you would like to submit a photo with a description of a newborn in your life, click here, or email fox21morningcrew@kqdsfox21.tv. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update, Northland Newborns Tags: Brett Scott, community, Essentia…

Pence Returns to Upper Midwest After Trump, Biden Visits

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (AP) — Vice President Mike Pence returns to the upper Midwest next week following visits this week by President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden, the Trump campaign announced Thursday. Pence will start a bus tour next Thursday in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where he will speak at the building materials company Midwest Manufacturing Inc. before traveling…

Morning Update 9-17-20

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Ken Slama for a local look at news and weather making headlines Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, community, Headlines, Ken Slama, Local News, morning update, News

Utah Aviation Company Eyes Abandoned Duluth AAR Hangar

DEDA will vote on a resolution allowing the company Borsight to submit a bid to the US Air Force, to lease out the former AAR building to service aircraft for one year. 

DULUTH, Minn.- There’s growing certainty that a new aviation company will move into a Duluth maintenance hangar that AAR abruptly abandoned earlier this year, forcing people 300 people to lose their jobs. This Friday the Duluth Economic Development Authority (DEDA) will vote on a resolution allowing the company Borsight to submit a bid to the US Air Force, to lease…

UMD Black Male Athletes Rally Hundreds to March Against Police Brutality, Racism

It's the first protest of its kind in the University's history, organized by a group called Black Men Serving Excellence (BMSE)

DULUTH, Minn.- Hundreds of UMD students, staff, and community members organized by Black male athletes at the school marched nonviolently Wednesday, with a loud and clear message spanning the whole campus to end police brutality and racism. “We are gathered here today to come together as people, we are gathered here today to fight for equality,” said UMD Defensive Backs…

The Lincoln Park Solar Garden Takes Shape

DULUTH, Minn. – The first two solar panels from the new Lincoln Park Solar Garden were lifted as part of the initial phase of the ongoing project. Last year, Ecolibrium3, a non-profit organization that works to create renewable energy programs, received a 50,000  grant from Minnesota Power to build the new solar garden. The 40-kilowatt energy resource will provide power…

City of Duluth Employee Celebrates 50 Years on the Job

An employee with the City of Duluth is being honored today after working for the city for 50 years.

DULUTH, Minn. – An employee with the City of Duluth is being honored today after working for the city for 50 years. Robert Asleson is the assistant city attorney for the city and has been working there since the early 1970s. He says he’s worked under seven mayors over the years and has worked on projects including the origination of…

Park Supervisor Reveals the Underrated Trail for Seeing Fall Colors in Pattison State Park

DOUGLAS CO., Wis. — The best time to see the fall colors at the Pattison State Park just south of Superior is beginning right now and will last for the next three weeks, according to a park supervisor with the Wisconsin DNR. Pattison has about four to five miles of trails for visitors to hike, but the natural resource property…

Duluth YMCA Gives Free Meal Kits for Families

DULUTH, Minn.– The Duluth Area YMCA gave out 30 free meal kits for families. It’s funded through a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education. Meal kits came with recipes and the ingredients to make tacos and spaghetti. Each kit has enough for a family of four to have two full meals. The kits will be given out every Wednesday…