News – Latest News

Community Grabs ‘Coffee with a Cop’ at UWS

Officers get to know Superior residents over a cup of joe

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Superior police officers met with the community over a cup of coffee at UWS. It was all part of the “Coffee with a Cop” program. Officers interacted with people of all ages and even taught them how they can join the Superior Police Department. One officer told us the event is all about getting to know the…

Twin Ports Officials Discuss Possibility of Local Bomb Response Team

SUPERIOR, Wis. – A bomb scare outside Superior Fire Department headquarters is raising some questions about why there’s not a local bomb response team in the Twin Ports. It’s a topic brought up again after a Wisconsin bomb squad came from hours away in response to the potential threat in Superior. Superior Police Chief Nicholas Alexander and Mayor Jim Paine…

Duluth Police Officer Case Could go to Supreme Court

Huot has not Asked to Return to his Position

DULUTH, Minn. – The City of Duluth has decided to petition the Supreme Court to review the case of the former Duluth police officer who was fired for dragging a handcuffed man through a downtown skywalk in 2017. Last month, the Minnesota Court of Appeals affirmed an arbitrator’s 2018 decision to reinstate Huot stating it did not violate public policy….

OSHA Opens Investigation in Response to Fatal Water Emergency

OSHA Has Six Months to Complete an Investigation

DULUTH, Minn. – An investigation has been opened by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration in response to Monday’s fatal water emergency on Lake Superior. 68-year-old Donald Sarter of Sturgeon Bay died on Monday after the boat he was working on capsized at the end of Park Point. Two other people also in the boat Sarter,…

Power Restored at Miller Hill Mall

There is no Word on What Caused the Outage

DULUTH, Minn. – Minnesota Power says crews have restored power to Miller Hill Mall. In a series of recent tweets, Minnesota Power said crews were working to restore power to the mall and expected to have it back on by 4:00 p.m. Power has been restored to the Miller Hill Mall in Duluth. — Minnesota Power (@mnpower) October 2, 2019…

Feds: Minnesota Paid for Care for Dead Medicaid Recipients

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – A federal audit estimates that Minnesota made $3.7 million in unallowed payments to managed care organizations from 2014 to 2016 for dead people who had been enrolled in Medicaid. The inspector general at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said in a report Wednesday that the unallowed payments happened because the state didn’t…

Midday Update 10-2-19

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Brittney Merlot for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, October 2, 2019. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, brittney merlot, community, Headlines, Local News, midday update, weather

Local Author Releases New Book, “Urban Legends from Space”

Author Bob King will be Doing a Book Signing at Barnes & Noble Saturday, October 19 from 12 - 3 p.m.

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth author Bob King is the creator of Wonders of the Night Sky and Night Sky with the Naked Eye. His latest publication is Urban Legends from Space: The Biggest Myths About Space Demystified. From chem trails to black holes and supernovas, misinformation about space travels faster than the speed of light. In the book, King explains…

Hayward Business a Total Loss After Tuesday Fire

HAYWARD, Wis. – A business in Hayward was deemed a total loss after a fire broke out around 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday. According to officials, multiple fire departments responded to the blaze at Hidden Bay Graphics on Highway B. The business employs 17 people and had just moved to the Highway B location in January. Hidden Bay Graphics co-owner Becky…

UMD Student Toxicology Report: Alcohol, Marijuana and Ritalin ‘Significant Conditions’

DULUTH, Minn. – Toxicology results for UMD student Jacob Lavoie were released by Anoka County officials on Tuesday. The results indicate the cause of death as drowning and alcohol, marijuana and Ritalin as “significant conditions.” Lavoie’s body was pulled from the Minnesota Slip in Canal Park on September 9. The UMD student was last seen leaving Grandma’s Sports Garden around…

Wisconsin Lawmakers to Vote on Suicide Prevention Funding

Funding had Been Approved as Part of the State Budget

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – A suicide prevention hotline could receive a boost in funding from the Legislature’s budget committee under a vote scheduled to take place after a bitter partisan fight. The Republican-controlled budget panel was expected to approve the $110,000 annual grant on Wednesday. The vote was scheduled a week after a Republican-led suicide prevention task force recommended releasing…

Bernie Sanders has Heart Procedure, Cancels Campaign Events

Sanders Experienced Chest Discomfort on Tuesday

WASHINGTON (AP) — Bernie Sanders’ campaign says the Democratic presidential candidate has had a heart procedure for a blocked artery. The Vermont senator is canceling events and appearances “until further notice.” The campaign says the 78-year-old Sanders experienced chest discomfort during an event Tuesday and sought medical evaluation. The campaign says two stents were “successfully inserted” and that Sanders “is…

All Natural, Eco-Friendly Grooming Service Opens in Superior

All Natural Canines is Located at 1308 Tower Avenue in Superior

SUPERIOR, Wis. – Dogs, cats, rabbits, and even birds. It sounds like a handful, but for one business owner in Superior, it’s her clientele. Some could say there are new doggies in one window along Tower Avenue in Superior. “Dogs are my main passion,” said Amy Mundt, owner of All Natural Canines Pet Grooming in Superior. The longtime resident of…

Morning Update 10-2-19

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Brittney Merlot for a local look at news and weather making headlines Wednesday, October 2, 2019. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, brittney merlot, community, Local News, morning update

Walz Willing to Consider Paying College Athletes

Walz Says Athletes Have a Right to Agent Representation

(courtesy: Office of Gov. Tim Walz) ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Gov. Tim Walz says he’s willing to look at legislation that would allow college athletes in Minnesota to hire agents and make money off endorsements, like the law just signed in California. Walz says he’s always been fairly uncomfortable with NCAA rules that prohibit athletes from earning endorsements. California’s…

Enjoy The Multi-Color Vibrant Views Of Fall

GREAT OUTDOORS: Jay Cooke State Park Colorful Fall Foliage Hike, Places To See That Are Less Visisted Within The Park

CARLTON, Minn. — In this week’s Great Outdoors, Fox 21’s Meteorologist Brittney Merlot takes on a hike through the fall foliage of Jay Cooke State Park. “The colors seem to be peaking a little faster than we’ve historically had in the past few years.” explained Assistant Park Manager Ty Gangelhoff. It’s said to be an “un–leaf–able” sight to explore the…

Superior Recognizes October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Superior Police responded to more than 650 domestic violence related calls.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The City of Superior is now recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Center Against Sexual and Domestic Abuse and other members of the community gathered at the government center in superior to kick off the month by talking about the impacts of domestic violence on the area. One woman says it was important for her…

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Used to Instantly Calculate Road Damage Estimates

Students at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College studying GIS with goal of pursuing in-demand career

CLOQUET, Minn. – Damage estimates on roads from events like floods are now calculated instantly for Carlton County with the help of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). It’s all part of a collector app that gives officials information digitally that normally took days to figure out on paper. At Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College in Cloquet, a program is…

Best of Area Orchestra Members Show Off With Honors Concert

The theme of the concert was the four seasons with performances of pieces by Vivaldi, Bach and Eric Whitacre.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- The Thorpe Langley Auditorium at UW-Superior showcased the talented high school string students. Those students got to rehearse for one day, before hitting the stage as one to perform in front of family and friends. UWS Orchestra Director Erin Aldridge says it’s a great opportunity for the kids to show off their talents to a large audience. “What…

Area Businesses Impacted by Superior Bomb Scare

Businesses told by police to lock all doors and move to the back of the building.

SUPERIOR, Wis.- Superior Police said the area surrounding the possible improvised explosive device on Tower Avenue was fairly easy to control because it was a business district. Nearby businesses were still disrupted this morning as authorities investigated the device and had to close down the roads. The scene was officially deemed safe around 2:30 this afternoon, when the Marathon Oneida…

Bent Paddle Approaching ‘Growler Cap’

Bent Paddle has a strategic plan that hopes to allow them to sell growlers for at least two more years

DULUTH, Minn.- As Castle Danger Brewery in Two Harbors hits the cap on growler sales for this year, bent paddle is also approaching the cap, mandated by the state. It’s all because of a Minnesota la that says once a brewery produces more than 20,000 barrels in a year those breweries are prohibited from selling the 64 ounce growlers to…

Bomb Squads Investigate a Possible Explosive Device Outside Superior Fire Department Headquarters

The device has also been removed and is no longer a threat to the area.

SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Marathon County Bomb Squad and Superior Police are still investigating a tube that was deemed a possible explosive device, found near the new fire department headquarters in Superior. But they have now determined it was an inactive device, with no wires or firing device inside, other than some unknown grainy residue, which will be sent out…

St. Mary’s Hospital in Superior Reacts to Bomb Threat at Fire Department Headquarters

SUPERIOR, Wis. -St. Mary’s hospital sits next door to the Superior Fire Fepartment. Hospital leadership was worried about the hospital’s proximity to the suspicious device, but authorities assured them everyone was safe. Staff say if the incident was more severe than it actually was, they were ready to take action. “We have a process in place that we kind of…

Flooding Washes Away Roads in Carlton County

$80,000 in damage has been assessed so far, with some townships still calculating damage

CLEAR CREEK TOWNSHIP, Minn. – Multiple roads are washed out and closed in Carlton County, including County Road 8, which also washed out during last year’s flooding. Stony Brook rose feet in a matter of hours, carrying the entire gravel road downstream. “When you get it that quickly it has no place to go slow,” said Milt Hagen the Assistant…

Minnesota House to Open Mini-Session on Wednesday in Winona

WINONA, Minn. (AP) – Members of the Minnesota House will gather in Winona and other southeastern Minnesota communities Wednesday for a three-day mini-session. More than 100 lawmakers from both parties have registered. They’ll participate in tours and informational field hearings on a wide range of topics. No votes will be taken. It’s the first time the House has held a…

Update: Suspicious Device Removed From Tower Avenue, Roads Reopened

UPDATE: According to the Superior Police Department, its has been determined the possible explosive device found near the new Fire Department Headquarters was inactive. The device was described as having no wires or firing mechanism inside. Authorities did say that there was some unknown grainy residue inside the device which will be sent out for further testing. SUPERIOR, Wis. –…

Suspect Allegedly Cut Father With Knife After Trying to Steal Son’s Toys

VIRGINIA, Minn. — According to the Virginia Police Department, a father was allegedly cut on the finger by a man named Aaron Hendrickson who was trying to steal his son’s toys. The incident happened on September 26th on First Avenue South in Virginia. The victim explained to police that his eight year-old son had told him that his toys were…

Synagogue Fire Suspect Arrested in Superior

Amiot Was Arrested Without Incident

DULUTH, Minn. – The homeless man charged with starting the Adas Israel Synagogue fire last month was located and arrested Monday night in Superior. According to reports, a Superior police officer responded to a McDonalds on Tower Avenue where Amiot was inside speaking with a probation officer from the Arrowhead Regional Corrections. After receiving confirmation that Amiot has an extraditable…

Minnesota Regulators Restart Line 3 Pipeline Review Process

(AP Photo/Jim Mone, File) ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – Minnesota utility regulators have unfrozen the approval process for Enbridge Energy’s plan to replace its aging Line 3 crude oil pipeline across the state. The Public Utilities Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to direct the state Commerce Department to conduct a further environmental review on the potential effects of spills in the…

Midday Update 10-1-19

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Brittney Merlot for a local look at news and weather making headlines Tuesday, October 1, 2019. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, brittney merlot, community, Headlines, Local News, midday update, News, weather

LIVE: Mayor Paine: Credible Bomb Threat at New Superior Fire Hall

UPDATE: According to the Superior Police Department, a possible homemade explosive device was found on the sidewalk in the 3000 Block of Tower Avenue just north of the Superior Fire Department Headquarters around 9:13 a.m. Tuesday morning. The Superior Police Department’s Tactical Technology Team responded to the area with a remote controlled robot that could safely approach the device to…

Federal Judge Rejects Challenges to PolyMet Land Swap

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A federal judge has rejected challenges by several environmental groups to a land swap needed for the planned PolyMet copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota. U.S. District Judge Joan Ericksen dismissed the four challenges late Monday. She ruled that the groups lacked the necessary legal standing to block the land exchange between PolyMet and the federal government. She…

Iron Range Pasty Festival Coming to Mt. Iron Community Center

The First Annual Iron Range Pasty Festival is Happening Saturday, October 5

MOUNTAIN IRON, Minn. – Pasty lovers, rejoice! The First Annual Iron Range Pasty Festival is happening at the Mountain Iron Community Center on October 5  from 3:00 – 9:00 p.m. There will be food, music, rutabaga bowling, a scavenger hunt and more family fun. Guests will also have the chance to play Green Cheese, the region’s favorite original call-in trivia…

Evers to Move Date of Wisconsin’s Special Congressional Vote

Evers Spokeswoman Says the State and Federal Law Conflict With Each Other

MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers plans to change the date of the special election for an open congressional state after being alerted by the U.S. Department of Justice that the dates he set last week violated federal law. The election is to replace Republican Sean Duffy, who resigned last week. Evers on Sept. 23 set the special…

Morning Update 10-1-19

Local News and Weather Making Headlines Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Join FOX 21’s Brett Scott and Meteorologist Brittney Merlot for a local look at news and weather making headlines Tuesday, October 1, 2019. Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News, News Update Tags: Brett Scott, brittney merlot, community, Headlines, Local News, weather

Essentia Health Purchases Five Downtown Duluth Properties

The $800 Million Project is Now Underway

DULUTH, Minn. – Essentia Health has purchased five downtown Duluth properties located near its downtown medical campus. According to a recent press release, Essentia purchased two duplexes, one triplex and two small apartment buildings in the 300 Block of East First Street. The hospital says the properties were purchased to make room for a new parking ramp linked to the…

Police Arrest Mother in Wisconsin Counterfeit Vaping Case

Huffhines Faces Charges Including Possessing and Manufacturing THC

KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) – Authorities have arrested the mother of two Wisconsin brothers accused of illegally manufacturing vaping cartridges with THC oil. The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office says 43-year-old Courtney Huffhines faces charges that include possessing and manufacturing THC, but details of her alleged involvement have not been disclosed. The sheriff’s office says more information is being released Tuesday. The…

Knowing Your Neighbors: The Benefits of Himalayan Salt Right in Cloquet

Himalayan Salt room at Epic Nutrition.

CLOQUET, Minn.- Kept in the back room of Epic Nutrition is a little piece of the Himalayas right here in the Northland. “It’s a really cool different thing that’s here in Cloquet,” said Epic Nutrition Manager Heidi Pack. “The closest salt room is actually in like Roseville, Minnesota.” “Y’know you don’t wanna drive all the way into Duluth all the…

Check Presented to Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge

Founders of Breezy Point 5K present large check to Challenge.

DULUTH, Minn.- Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge received a large donation from the founders of the Breezy Point 5K race to aid in their efforts to help people suffering from addiction in the Northland. $47,000 was donated by Stevie and Sandy Paulson. They donate a portion of the race’s proceedings every year and with 375 participants, this year’s check was…

“Christmas for the Homeless” Event needs Donations

Christmas is more than 60 days away. Organizers behind the “Christmas for the homeless” event are now looking for donations to help the less fortunate, who usually don’t receive much around the holidays. A full list of donations such as warm clothing and essential items are currently needed. Organizers are also looking for possible drop off locations for those donations….

Reconstruction Wrap-Up and Other Big Events to Happen in Duluth in October

Superior Street Reconstruction and Catalyst Content Festival overlap in October.

DULUTH, Minn.- Among several construction projects just getting started in the Northland, phase two of Superior Street reconstruction is getting ready to enter what should be its final month. The project is supposed to wrap up between mid and late October, but with other big events happening downtown, there are some wishing it would finish up sooner rather than later….

Castle Danger Brewery Hits ‘Growler Cap’

Growler sales at Castle Danger in Two Harbors came to a halt Monday

TWO HARBORS, Minn.- Growler sales are coming to a halt for the rest of the year at Castle Danger Brewery in Two Harbors. It’s all because of a Minnesota state law that says once a brewery produces more than 20,000 barrels in a year those breweries are prohibited from selling the 64 ounce growlers for customers to take home from…

Super One Customers Can Grab Groceries and Get a Flu Shot At Participating Store Locations

Essentia expects to give about 100 shots at each clinic.

Essentia Health is partnering with super one foods to offer in–store flu shots at locations throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin. Customers visiting super one on Oakes Avenue in superior had their chance to get a flu shot. Anyone 19 and older can stop by to get the vaccine. We’re told most insurances are accepted. Customers who do not have insurance can…

Scott Walker’s son Decides Against run for Congress

Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald is the only GOP Announced Candidate

(photo: Twitter/Matt Walker) MADISON, Wis. (AP) – The 25-year-old son of former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has decided against a run for Congress. Matt Walker posted on Twitter Monday that he would not run to replace retiring Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner in Wisconsin’s 5th Congressional District. Walker has never run for office and he was among several Republicans eyeing…

Former UMD Coach Shannon Miller Accepts Reduced Award

The Reduction is in Addition to the $1.2 Million Awarded in Lost Wages and Benefits

DULUTH, Minn. – Former UMD women’s hockey coach Shannon Miller has accepted the reduced monetary award of $750,000 in emotional damages. Miller was awarded $3 million in emotional damages earlier this year but U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz cut that award by $2.25 million saying in his decision that the amount was extremely excessive for a one plaintiff case. The…

Multiple Agencies Respond to Lake Superior Water Rescue

There is no Word on the Condition of the Boaters

DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Fire Department responded to a water emergency Monday morning after a small motor boat capsized in Lake Superior. According to reports, Marine 19 and Marine 1 were dispatched to the Minnesota side of the Wisconsin entry just after 11:00 a.m. after learning one individual was missing in the water. Two of the three individuals on…

Third Suspect Charged in Fatal West Duluth Shooting

Bail was set at $100,000

DULUTH, Minn. – A third person has been formally charged in connection to last week’s fatal West Duluth shooting. Amber Rose Louise Forrest, 29, has been charged with one count of Aiding An Offender as an accomplice after the fact. According to the criminal complaint, Forrest admitted to taking a backpack and two BB guns from the residence of Christopher…

CVS Stops Sale of Heartburn Drugs With Suspect Contaminant

Customers Can Return Zantact Products for a Refund

(AP) – CVS has halted sales of popular heartburn treatment Zantac and the store generic version after warnings by U.S. health regulators. CVS is the latest retailer to pull the heartburn tablets from store shelves. Earlier this month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned consumers about a potentially dangerous contaminant in prescription and over-the-counter versions of Zantac. In its…