News – Latest News

Crow and Loon Deaths Linked to West Nile Virus

While common for crows this time of year, wildlife experts are keeping watch of loons.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Minnesota DNR and wildlife experts are on the lookout for birds sick with West Nile Virus. This comes after two recorded deaths of loons in Northeast Minnesota earlier this month, and a handful of crow deaths this past year, all linked to West Nile. Crows and loons are more susceptible to West Nile Virus, as they are…

Damiano Center Needs Volunteers for Community Kitchen

Volunteers are needed for multiple shifts for every weekend in August and September

DULUTH, Minn. – The Damiano Center’s Community Kitchen serves nearly 400 people every weekend, which means they could always use more helping hands. The Community Kitchen is looking for volunteers to help with prepping and serving food during each meal, as well as cleaning up afterward. The Damiano Center typically asks for two volunteers for each meal but more are…

Duluth Animal Shelter Overcrowded with Cats

Donations for blankets, toys, and money to help spay or neuter animals are always welcome.

DULUTH, Minn. – Summer is normally a busy time for The Duluth Animal Control Shelter to take in stray animals. But this time around it’s a little bit busier. The shelter is at its capacity due to an overflow of cats. And now they are on the hunt to find forever homes for these furry friends. The cages at the…

St. Luke’s Partners With St. Scholastica Hosting Scrub Class For Medical Students

Students from St. Scholastica got training needed for the intimidating situation the operating room is

DULUTH, Minn.- St. Luke’s has partnered with St. Scholastica to offer a scrub class for students wanting to become a Physician Assistant. The fifteen students getting the training today were shown how to properly scrub, gown, and put gloves on before a procedure. Then, students got their chance to scrub in and even practice the sterilization techniques. Those putting on…

William A. Irvin To Begin Restoration Process

Starting Thursday, work will begin on the Irvin ten months after leaving Minnesota Slip

DULUTH, Minn.- Starting Thursday, more than ten months after the William A. Irvin was move from it’s home in the Minnesota Slip during reconstruction there, work to restore the Irvin will begin. Back in September, Duluth Entertainment Convention Center officials said the Irvin would be moving back to the Minnesota Slip this spring in time for tourism season. But, when…

Kids Attend “Weaving Joy” Day Camp in Cloquet

Camp at Zion Lutheran Church focused on finding happiness for yourself and others

CLOQUET, Minn. – With schools still on summer vacation, kids are going to day camps across the Northland. At Zion Lutheran Church in Cloquet, about thirty campers are attending a program about finding happiness called “Weaving Joy.” Church leaders say it’s tough to get kids to attend church in the summer and this helps keep them engaged. “I think there’s…

Minnesota man Sentenced for Leaving 5-Year-old son in Woods

The boy was Found Walking Along a Highway

ST. PETER, Minn. (AP) – A Minnesota man has been sentenced to up to a month in jail for leaving his 5-year-old son alone in the woods as punishment. Thirty-two-year-old Gregory Allan Wilson of St. Peter was sentenced for gross misdemeanor child neglect Tuesday. Wilson pleaded guilty in May, and additional charges of domestic assault and malicious punishment of a…

Senate Confirms Kelly Craft as US Ambassador to UN

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Senate has confirmed Kelly Craft to become the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, ending a more than seven-month vacancy in the position. Craft was confirmed despite Democratic concerns about her inexperience and conflicts of interest. Craft is a longtime GOP activist from Kentucky who is currently U.S. ambassador to Canada. She and her husband,…

Remains Found in Missing Wisconsin Brothers Case

The Remains Have not Been Officially Identified

SHAWANO, Wis. (AP) -Authorities say human remains have been found on a northwest Missouri farm that has been the focus of a search for two missing Wisconsin brothers. Clinton County Sheriff Larry Fish announced Wednesday the remains were found on a farm near Braymer. He says the remains have not been officially identified. No cause of death has been determined….

Charges Filed Against Individuals Arrested in Hermantown Drug Bust

HERMANTOWN, Minn. – The four individuals arrested in connection to a drug bust Monday morning in Hermantown have now been formally charged. According to court records, Walter Charles Johnson, 48, has been charged with Fifth Degree Possession of a Controlled Substance while the other three suspects Bobbi Sue Nesgoda, 35, Sidney Spendler, 30, and Alex Leskey, 31, all face one…

Authorities Identify man Who Drowned Near Duluth Ore Docks

The Incident Remains Under Investigation

DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office has identified the 46-year-old man who drowned Saturday near the Ore Docks in Duluth as James Autero Leavell. According to reports, officers responded to a call of a man who had been trespassing on CN property near the ore docks around 2:16 p.m. Saturday. The man was reported to be exhibiting…

US Plan to Allow Prescription Drugs From Canada

The Announcement was Made Wednesday

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Trump administration says it will set up a system allowing Americans to legally access lower-cost prescription drugs from Canada. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar made the announcement Wednesday morning. Azar, a former drug industry executive, says U.S. patients will be able to import medications safely and effectively, with oversight from the Food and Drug…

Nine People Charged So Far From Wisconsin Rape Kit Backlog

Only 101 Kits Have yet to be Tested

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Charges have been filed against nine people so far as a result of the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s work to test thousands of kits containing evidence collected from sexual assault victims. Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul said in an interview Wednesday he expects that number to increase as more tests are completed and prosecutors review evidence….

William A. Irvin to Move to Dry Dock Thursday

DULUTH, Minn. – The William A. Irvin is set to head into dry dock on Thursday to continue restoration efforts which include exterior repair of its hull. Fraser Shipyards says the restoration is expected to take four to seven weeks. DECC officials say they have not yet determined a date that the Irvin will return to the Minnesota Slip, but…

Gifts To Those Fighting Cancer

Cancer patients received blankets and messages of hope Tuesday morning to offer a sign of hope

DULUTH, Minn.- Cancer patients and their family members received blankets and messages of hope Tuesday morning at both Northland hospitals. It’s all part of the program through the Miller Hill Subaru Group and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society that helps those battling the disease. Local leukemia survivor Melissa Rock who was pregnant wit her daughter at the time while also dealing…

GOP Lawsuit Challenges Wisconsin Governor’s Veto Powers

The Move Could Reverse More Than Four Decades of Precedent

(AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, file) MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A conservative law firm is asking the Wisconsin Supreme Court to dramatically scale back the ability of governors to change the intent of lawmakers through partial budget vetoes. If successful, the move would reverse more than four decades of precedent. The Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty filed the lawsuit Wednesday…

Black Super New Moon Coming Tonight

North America Only - Rest Of World Waits Until August 30th

NORTHLAND — A first since 2016, an astronomical event called the ‘Black Moon’ occurs tonight. What exactly is it? Well, you’ve heard of a ‘Blue Moon’ – right? It’s the second full moon within one month. And a ‘Black Moon’ is the second new moon of the month. This is something that rarely happens and is just as uncommon as a…

Pilot Suspected of Drinking Arrested at Twin Cities Airport

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A Delta Air Lines pilot suspected of drinking before his flight at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport has been arrested. A report by airport police says the pilot had an “alcoholic container” in his possession and was suspected of being impaired. He was scheduled to fly to San Diego, California Tuesday morning. The Star Tribune reports the pilot,…

New $10 Million Maintenance Facility Coming to Barnum

Building will be addition onto current Barnum shop

BARNUM, Minn. – A new $10 million maintenance facility is coming soon to Barnum. The new building will be an addition onto the current Barnum garage. More space means another repair shop can be used by workers. Plus, plows can now be kept on trucks overnight, without having to be removed. “So they’re down in the Barnum pit putting on…

Great Outdoors: Great Lakes Aquarium Camp

This week's topic is Birds, Buckthorn, and Butterflies and allows campers to understand how invasive species are negatively impacting the world around us.

DULUTH, Minn. – Protecting Lake Superior from invasive species continues to be an important issue an this week Great Lakes Aquarium is teaching kids how they can help. Kids eight to eleven years old are getting hands on experience with our ecosystems this week with the Great Lakes Aquarium Wildlife Field Course. This week’s topic is Birds, Buckthorn, and Butterflies…

Superior Councilor Proposes Smoking Ban at Parks

He says he does not want smokers to keep non-smokers from visiting public parks like Barker's Island.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Superior City Councilor Brent Fennessey has asked the Parks and Recreation committee to come up with a draft of an ordinance to ban smoking at all city parks. He says he does not want smokers to keep non-smokers from visiting public parks like Barker’s Island. “I think if you’re at a park like this and someone is…

Yoga Practice at Glensheen

Classes are taught by an instructor from the studio Yoga North and are held on the lawn showing off beautiful views of Lake Superior.

DULUTH, Minn. – This summer, Tuesday nights are Yoga nights at Glensheen Mansion. Classes are taught by an instructor from the studio Yoga North and are held on the lawn showing off beautiful views of Lake Superior. The instructor, Dan Rowell, says these views can be beneficial for the mind during practice. “I find a lot of centering and balance…

Renovations Happening at Fond Du Lac Tribal and Community College

A $1.15 million project and separate $853,000 project are bringing improvements to campus

CLOQUET, Minn. – Big renovations are happening at Fond Du Lac Tribal and Community College. A $1.15 million project will remodel classrooms, update the kitchen, and create an outdoor classroom. Meanwhile, another $853,000 project will install a new staircase and create a custom-designed floor. “There’s some Ojibwe floral design work in it and the college has five cultural values, and…

St. Louis County Announces Treatment Of Opioid Use In Jail

The program will create a plan with local healthcare providers to offer medication-assisted treatment for people in, or recently released from county jail

DULUTH, Minn.- It’s an effort designed to eliminate the high numbers of opioid addictions in St. Louis County. Recently, the county became just one of fifteen counties chose for a new program to treat opioid use disorder in jail. The program will create a plane with local health care providers to offer medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for people in, or recently…

Loophole Allows Families to get aid Meant for Needy Students

An Independent Watchdog is Recommending a Change to Close the Loophole

(AP) – The U.S. Education Department is being urged to close a loophole that has allowed some wealthy families to get federal aid meant for low-income students. Federal authorities have been notified that some parents in Illinois were transferring guardianship of their children to friends or relatives to make it appear they came from poorer backgrounds, making them eligible for…

Wisconsin Sheriff Draws Parallel With Closs Case

German Killed Three of his Family Members and a 24-Year-old Woman

CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. (AP) – Authorities in Wisconsin say a man suspected of killing four people may have been imitating the abduction last year of teenager Jayme Closs. Sheriff Jim Kowalczyk said Tuesday that investigators may never know exactly what led to the Sunday attacks. He says Ritchie German Jr. killed three of his family members and later killed a…

Three Adults, Three Children Rescued in Iron County

There Were no Reported Injuries

IRON COUNTY, Wis. – Three adults, three children and a dog were rescued by the US Coast Guard early Tuesday morning after becoming stranded on the shore of Lake Superior in Iron County. The Ashland County Sheriff’s Office contacted the Iron County Sheriff’s Office at approximately 5:45 a.m. Tuesday on reports that the six individuals were stranded on Marble Point….

Suspect in Virginia Shooting Charged With Attempted Murder

The Victim Remains Hospitalized for his Injuries

VIRGINIA, Minn. – 30-year-old Luke Mathias Erkkila has been formally charged with attempted murder for his involvement in a shooting that happened on Friday in Virginia. According to court documents, Virginia police responded to the report of a shooting on the 800 Block of 6th Avenue South shortly after 7:00 p.m. on Friday. When officers arrived on the scene they…

Minnesota Wild Fire GM Paul Fenton After one Season

Fenton was Hired From Nashville

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A person with direct knowledge of the decision tells The Associated Press the Minnesota Wild have fired general manager Paul Fenton after just one season. The person spoke to The AP on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the team had yet to make the formal announcement. The Athletic first reported the news. Fenton’s lone year on the…

Two Duluth Men Sentenced for Trafficking Teenage Girl For Sex

Mathis Took the Girl After she ran Away From a Treatment House in Duluth

DULUTH, Minn. –Two Duluth men were sentenced on Monday for trafficking a 15-year-old girl for sex. A jury found 44-year-old Amos Kiprop Koech guilty of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of a minor and sex trafficking of a minor on January 24. Koech’s alleged co-conspirator, 33-year-old Andre Mathis Jr., pleaded guilty to sex trafficking of a minor on January 10….

Capital One Target of Massive Data Breach

The Breach Will Cost Capital One up to $150 Million

SEATTLE (AP) – Capital One says a hacker broke into a database containing details likes home addresses and birth dates. The bank reported the breach is affecting 100 million people that tried to open credit cards. Investigators say 140,000 social security numbers have been compromised and 80,000 bank account numbers were also stolen. The company claims that based on their…

Wisconsin Conservatives Back Away From Redistricting Rumors

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A leading conservative attorney says he has never heard anyone in the Legislature say there were plans to circumvent Democratic Gov. Tony Evers to enact redistricting without his approval. The comment Tuesday from Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty leader Rick Esenberg comes a day after he was quoted in a story by the liberal online…

Musician Shows Educators how to Involve “Play” in Their Teaching

Jim Gill teaches "Joyous Way to Learn" workshop at the Duluth Public Library.

DULUTH, Minn.- The Duluth Public Library had a joyous afternoon filled with music and teaching educators fun new ways to help children learn and grow. The Joyous Way to Learn workshop involved singing and dancing games to show childcare providers how to interact with kids through “play.” Musician Jim Gill, who led the workshop, says kids use play to learn and…

Fox 21 Goes to Summer Camp

Sam Ali and Alexandra Burnley stopped by UWS in Superior for the Little Yellow Jackets Summer Camp. The educational summer camp is wrapping up their eight week adventure. The kids were able to learn about how the sports and news departments work. Counselors say, planning different activities like this allows the kids to learn about the different opportunities they have…

Kids Discover Their Voices at Singing Camp

DULUTH, Minn. – About 30 second through six grade kids discovered their voices during the Lake Superior Youth Chorus camp at First Lutheran Church today. This year’s camp theme is inspired by the award winning film The Greatest Showman. The kids get an introduction to musical skills and practices. But they don’t sing all day long. They also get to…

Filling the Boots for Muscular Distrophy

Monday kicked off the boot filling on six busy streets around Duluth.

DULUTH, Minn. – For 13 years now Duluth firefighters have been on busy street corners filling the boot once a summer in support of the Muscular Distrophy Association (MDA). Monday kicked off the boot filling on six busy streets around Duluth. Each year the Duluth Fire Department raises on average $40,000 from the boot fillings. Along with organizations statewide, money…

Prep Work Begins For St. Louis County Fair

Rides, tents, and even food vendors begin setting up shop Monday afternoon ahead of the festival

CHISHOLM, Minn.- Preparations have begun at the Northern St. Louis County Fair as it begins on Thursday in Chisholm. Tents are being set-up, while rides for all ages are arriving, organizers of the event say their fair serves a bigger purpose than most because of all the familiar faces you will see. “It’s kind of a gathering point in summers…

Slow Drivers Clogging Left Lane Could Face Fines

Fine could reach up to more than $100.

DULUTH, Minn. – Have you ever encountered a “slow poke” in the passing lane that just wouldn’t get out of the way? Well you’re in luck. You might get some relief from those “slow pokes” thanks to a new Minnesota law. The “Left Lane” law targets those drivers clogging up what is supposed to be the passing lane by driving…

Hibbing Community College Receives Upgrades

An 11 million dollar project wrapped up at the college recently

HIBBING, Minn.- Recently, Hibbing Community College completed an eleven million dollar project of much needed upgrades to buildings on campus. A project ten years in the making is finally completed to better meet the needs of those attending the college. A brand new library, a modern student service area right when you walk into the building, and even a bookstore…

Man Pleads Guilty to Threats of Violence at Duluth East High School

Sentencing is set for September 23

DULUTH, Minn. – A man accused of threatening to shoot up Duluth East High School earlier this year has pleaded guilty to one count of Threats of Violence and one count of Possession of a Machine Gun Conversion Kit. 35-year-old Travis Busch was arrested on April 5 after texting an acquaintance threats which included shooting police with machine guns and…

Superior Police: Two Squad Cars Involved in Crash, Severely Damaged

No Other Vehicles Were Involved in the Crash

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Two Superior Police Department squad cars were severely damaged after crashing into each other while responding to a possible drug overdose on Sunday evening. According to the Superior Police Department, three officers in separate squad cars were responding to the East End neighborhood around 10:10 p.m. when two of the squad cars crashed into each other. Authorities…

Midday Update 7-29-19

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Monday, July 29, 2019

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Brittney Merlot for a local look at news and weather making headlines Monday, July 29, 2019. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, brittney merlot, community, Headlines, Local News, midday update, weather