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Annual Noon Year’s Eve at Lake Superior Zoo

Parents and children celebrate the New Year

DULUTH, Minn.- The Lake Superior Zoo hosted its annual Noon Year’s Eve event for parents and children to celebrate the New Year. Everyone enjoyed a variety of activities like a scavenger hunt and a complimentary cider toast, even a ball drop with Lana the Tiger. The event was not only fun, but a learning experience for the zoo’s visitors. “We…

Woman In Custody After Man Stabbed Five Times

TOWN OF BASS LAKE, Wis. – A woman is under arrest and accused of stabbing a man at least five times in Sawyer County. The crime happened around 1:40 a.m. Dec. 16 in a home on Poppletown Lane in the Town of Bass Lake. The 27-year-old male victim was stabbed in the head, shoulder, back, chest and calf, according to…

Michigan Man Dies After Collision With Snow Plow

Man identified as 48-year-old Derek Tuomi of White Pine

ONTANAGON, Mich. – A man is dead after his car crashed into a snow plow truck in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Authroities in Ontanagon County, Michigan, have identified the man as 48-year-old Darren Tuomi of White Pine. Police say his Volkswagen Golf rear-ended a county truck Saturday night on M-64. The sheriff’s department believes speed and alcohol may have been factors…

Build A Community Of Snowmen!

Northland Gets Hit With More Snow, So Build A Snowman!

DULUTH, Minn. — In this week’s Active Adventures we are grabbing a handful of snow and rolling it into a community of snowmen across the Northland, one snowball at a time! Join Fox 21’s Brittney Merlot for her tips and tricks on how to quickly create the perfect snowman or snowoman! Send her your pictures after you’ve built yours, she…

Sobriety Field Tests With Minnesota State Patrol

Troopers Partnered With FOX 21 to Demonstrate the Effects of Alcohol

DULUTH, Minn- As New Year’s Eve approaches, people are going to be out drinking alcohol and having a good time, but do you know your limit? How many drinks can you have before you’re legally impaired, and should not get behind the wheel? Is it 2, 3… 4 or more? FOX 21 teamed up with the Minnesota State Patrol to…

Celebrating the “Noon” Year at Duluth Children’s Museum

Kids and families celebrate 2019, a day early.

DULUTH, Minn.- The new year came early for one group of Northlanders, or should we say ‘noon’ year? Over a hundred kids filled the Duluth Children’s Museum to celebrate the turning of the year with a balloon drop. The annual event, a favorite of museum employees, has been a tradition for several years. They say it’s the perfect opportunity to teach kids…

Uber and Lyft Drivers Ready Themselves for a Busy New Year

Drivers are expecting a late New Year's Eve night

DULUTH, Minn.- After a slow holiday weekend for Uber and Lyft drivers, those working for the shuttling companies know not to get too comfortable before the turn of the new year. New Year’s Eve is one of the busiest nights for Uber and Lyft. In the twin ports, a lot drivers with one of the services also work for the other….

Using Yoga to Reflect on the Past Year

Yoga North Helping Northlanders Meditate

DULUTH, Minn.- We all have our rituals to celebrate the fresh New Year. But how many of us take steps to reflect on the year that past? At Yoga North, they say this is another key part to having a successful year, that many overlook. Reflection is not something many of us consider day to day, but according to the yoga…

From Blacklist to Food Bank to Plate: A Business’s Contribution

Blacklist Accepting Donations for Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank

DULUTH, Minn.- The Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank just got a helping hand from a Duluth business. Blacklist Artisan Ales hosted a food drive for the food bank, giving customers a dollar off a pint with their donation. The brewery says, they feel it’s important to give back to the community. “You look at a lot of the businesses…

10 Days Later, Cloquet House Fire Survivor Speaks Out

Still Recovering, Thankful to Be Alive

CLOQUET, Minn.-Firefighters worked three hours to put out a house fire in Cloquet 10 days ago. Now, the woman who survived it all shares her experience. Terri Cordell now lives in the Super 8 Motel in Cloquet. Scattered around her room are the belongings she salvaged from the flames. Unfortunately, her health did not make it out unscathed. Her breathing,…

Early Morning Break-In at Iron Mug Coffeehouse

Burglar Stole a Few Items from Mike Letica's Restaurant

DULUTH, Minn.- Mike Letica, owner of the Iron Mug, awoke to a startling call at 2am. His restaurant had been broken into, the side door glass smashed to pieces. Initially, both Letica and the police found nothing stolen. He posted his unfortunate morning on Facebook, and got over 500 shares by midday. The outpouring of support even led some to…

Candlelight Vigil Honors Memory of Shooting Victim

Victim Shot in Gary New Duluth

DULUTH, Minn.-  Over two weeks have past since 35–year–old Kevin Weiss was shot outside a home in Gary-New Duluth. On Saturday night, the community turned out to honor Kevin with a candlelight vigil. After losing one of their own, the community as well as friends and family of Kevin John Weiss came out to celebrate his life, and bring awareness…

Minnesota Minimum Wage Hiking Up in 2019

Second Year Wage Goes Up With Inflation

DULUTH, Minn.- The New Year will bring some big changes for businesses, including an increase in the Minnesota minimum wage. Starting in January, the minimum wage will increase to $9.86 for large employers, and $8.04 for small employers. This will be the 4th year the wage has increased, but only the second where it has increased based on inflation, going…

Rock In the New Year at Silo’s Restaurant

Night of Live Music and Fun

DULUTH, Minn.- Silo’s Restaurant at Pier B Resort is gearing up for a night of jams and joy this New Year’s Eve. They will be featuring live music by rock group G.B. Leighton, as well as Country singer Shane Martin. According to the staff, it’s sure to be a rockin’ night. “The atmosphere that we build there, as the night’s…

Jay Cooke State Park Embraces the Weather, So Should You!

Jay Cooke naturalists say this is the perfect weather to enjoy the outdoors!

DULUTH, Minn.- The winter may be tough, but Minnesotans are tougher! Whether it’s a 20 minute walk or a one hour snow shoe, officials with Jay Cooke State Park say weather like this is the best time to get outside and enjoy nature as long as you prepare for it. Proper clothing and shoes are key to enjoying a Winter…

Ski Hut Welcomes the Winter with Open Arms

Employees at Ski Hut are glad Winter is finally here.

DULUTH, Minn.- Employees at ski hut are welcoming the much needed snowfall with open arms. Expecting an increase in business because of the snow, the company wanted to make sure people knew they were a place for more than just cross country skis and snow shoes. The business is ready to catch up after the warm streak earlier this month….

Alternative to Driving Drunk this New Year’s Eve

Twin Ports Joy Ride Program

    DULUTH, Minn.- According to officials, St. Louis County is one of the deadliest counties for impaired driving, And as New Year’s Eve approaches, the risk of DUI related fatalities increase, New Year’s Eve celebrations begin this weekend, which brings the opportunity for many to drive under the influence. The Twin Ports JoyRide program is helping the community to…

More US Police Officers die on Duty Than Before

144 Federal, State and Local Officers Have Died so far in 2018

WASHINGTON — More police officers have died in the line of duty this year in the United States than in 2017, according to data released Thursday. The most common cause of death was gunfire, and vehicular accidents claimed nearly as many officers’ lives. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund said in a report that 144 federal, state and local…

Minnesota Minimum Wage Rates to Increase as of January First

The Minimum Wage Rates Will not Apply to Minneapolis

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota’s minimum wage is set to be adjusted for inflation as of January 1. The new minimum wage rate will adjust to $9.86 an hour for large employers and $8.04 an hour for other state minimum wages. An estimated 219,000 hourly workers in Minnesota (not including jobs in Minneapolis) will earn the $9.86 or $8.04 state…

Wells Fargo Pays $575 Million to Settle State Investigations

Minnesota Will Receive $9.3 Million

NEW YORK – Wells Fargo will pay $575 million in a settlement with attorneys general from all 50 states and the District of Columbia that are investigating its banking practices, which have included phony accounts and manipulative sales practices. Under the agreement announced Friday, the bank will also be required to create teams to review and respond to customer complaints…

Man Wanted for Assault, Standoff Remains at Large

The man has Three Outstanding Felony Warrants

LITCHFIELD, Minn. – Authorities are looking for a man wanted for domestic assault and a lengthy law enforcement standoff in Meeker County. Sheriff’s officials say a caller who had fled from a home Harvey Township about noon Thursday said a man armed with a revolver remained in the residence. Tactical officers were called to the scene after the man refused…

Dangerous Snow Covered & Icy Roads: After Heavy Snowfall & Flash Freeze Overnight

Lake Effect Continues To Pile Up & Cold Air Surges In

DULUTH, Minn. — Overnight the Northland experienced a heavy dumping of wet snow as our temperatures dropped below freezing. All of the slush and water on the roads froze and became solid ice. Driving this morning was a headache to say the least and plows have been clearing the streets around Duluth, but travel is not advised on HWY 2…

Todd Eckart to Ring in 2019 at Historic NorShor Theatre

Todd Eckart is Proud to be a Part of the 2018 New Year's Eve by the Lake Celebration

DULUTH, Minn. – Lundeen Productions & Twin Ports Entertainment, in conjunction with the Black Woods Group, are proud to present New Year’s Eve by the Lake on December 31, 2018 in downtown Duluth. Venues will include Greysolon Ballroom, The Moorish Room at Greysolon, The Historic Norshor Theater and Black Water Lounge. Music and entertainment will be in full force throughout every venue,…

Set Standards, Not Resolutions for the New Year

Coach for Success Pam Solberg-Tapper Stops by FOX 21 Local News to Chat about Setting Standards, Not Resolutions in the New Year

DULUTH, Minn. – According to Tony Robbins, “Any time you sincerely want to make a change, the first thing you must do is to raise your standards.” This New Year, if you think you should lose weight, improve finances, stop procrastinating or be kinder this year set standards, not resolutions. A standard is a rule you set for yourself. It…

12-28-18 Closing and Delays

Closings and Delays Received by FOX 21 Local News for Thursday, December 28, 2018

Essentia Health, Deer River, Open at 10 a.m. Essentia Health, Grand Rapids, Open at 10 a.m. UMD Campus – 2 hour late start – Opening at 10:00 a.m. Cornerstone Preschool and Childcare Center – Closed Categories: Community, News, News – Latest News

Cross Country Skiers Excited for Snow

Snowflake Nordic Ski Center has been busy compacting snow on trails

DULUTH, Minn. – All the recent snow is a very welcome sight for cross country skiers. Staff at the Snowflake Nordic Ski Center in Duluth spent hours Thursday morning compacting the snow on their trails to make it ski-able. They tell us each trail was compacted multiple times. In total, staff went over more than seventy kilometers of snow on…

Lift Bridge Operator Retires After 30 Years

The family of Paul Thomas held up signs on the bridge to celebrate his last shift

DULUTH, Minn. – After about thirty years working as an operator on Duluth’s Aerial Lift Bridge, Paul Thomas is worked his last shift Thursday, December 27th. To celebrate his career, members of his family walked the bridge with signs encouraging passing drivers to honk for Paul. They say today is bittersweet. They’re happy for Paul but they will miss having…

Duluth Library’s Winter Job: Part Time Movie Theater

Movies in the Library Caters to Kids Home on Break

DULUTH, Minn.- Not all families can make it to the slopes for skiing. Parents with jobs, or lack of ski-lodge money can make it difficult to entertain kids on Winter Break, so the Duluth Public Library has got a free solution. Movies at the Library allows kids of all ages to come and watch a family friendly movie with other…

Duluth Says Bye Bye to Bentleyville

Holiday Attraction Packs Its Bags, and Unplugs the Lights

DULUTH, Minn.-That’s a wrap! Well, time to wrap up a lot of Christmas lights that is. Christmas only comes once a year, and unfortunately, so does Bentleyville Tour of Lights. Another year in the books for Duluth’s largest holiday attraction, as it unplugs its lights, closed for the year. On Thursday crews were seen packing up supplies and taking down…

When Snow Falls and Piles, the Northland Skis and Snowboards

Spirit Mountain Hectic with Skiers and Snowboarders on Break

DULUTH, Minn.-The flakes are falling, which means winter has officially arrived in the Northland, and no one is happier about it than the skiers and snowboarders of Spirit Mountain. Hundreds flocked to the popular winter destination on Thursday. Left and right, the “crunch” of boots trudging through snow, and the “choom” of snowboards wedging into the snow create a winter…

North Shore One of the Heaviest Hit During Snow Storm

Towns are optimistic for tourism possiblities

SILVER BAY, Minn.- A powerful snow storm continues to push through the north shore, and one of the hardest hit areas is here in Silver Bay, with about a foot of snow. A scenic town with a population of about 1,800 is overshadowed by the plumes of snow flowing across the area. Plows are pushing through the main roads and…

Evers Picks Assistant Schools Superintendent to Replace him

Evers Made the Announcement Thursday

MADISON, Wis. – Gov.-elect Tony Evers says he plans to appoint current Assistant State Superintendent Carolyn Stanford Taylor to replace him at the state Department of Public Instruction. Evers currently serves as schools superintendent, a position he’ll have to give up when he’s sworn in as governor Jan. 7. Evers announced Thursday he plans to appoint Stanford Taylor as superintendent…

Federal Grant Targeted for Untested Sexual Assault Kits

The Grant is $800,000 Short of the Amount the State Requested

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The state has been given a $2 million federal grant to begin testing a backlog of sexual assault kits that have been sitting on shelves for years. WCCO-TV reports there are more than 3,000 untested kits. Each one represents a victim that has endured a sexual assault exam. The grant from the Office of Justice Programs…

UPDATE: Victim Identified in Hibbing Homicide

This is an Active Investigation

HIBBING, Minn. – The Hibbing Police Department has identified the victims of the Christmas day shooting as 34-year-old Jeryel Octavius McBeth of Hibbing and 25-year-old Jamien Stukey also of Hibbing. Preliminary autopsy results show that McBeth died as a result of homicidal violence. Authorities responded to reports of a shooting around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the 2400 Block of Third…

Minnesota Grants Permit for Updated Red River Diversion Plan

The Permit Includes More Than 50 Conditions

Minnesota DNR LogoFARGO, N.D. — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has granted a permit for an updated plan of a Red River diversion project meant to protect flood-prone Fargo and Moorhead, Minnesota. The DNR in October 2016 denied a permit for the original project, leading a federal judge to stop construction that had started southwest of Fargo. The new…

MN State Patrol: 270 Crashes Reported

More Snow is Expected Throughout the day

photo: courtesy MnDOTDULUTH, Minn. – The MN State Patrol is reporting 270 crashes, 270 vehicle spin outs/off roads and eight jackknifed semis as of 7:30 a.m. Thursday morning. According to a recent Twitter post by the State Patrol 20 of those crashed involved an injury, but there were no serious injuries or fatalities reported. The Minnesota Department of Transportation is…

Cooking Connection: Corktown Deli’s ‘Hot Mess’ Breakfast

Corktown Deli and Brews in the Duluth Lincoln Park Neighborhood is Now Serving a Breakfast Menu

DULUTH, Minn. – Just months after opening, Corktown Deli and Brews is expanding their menu to include breakfast items. The menu ranges from hot items, to gourmet bagels and breakfast bruschetta. For this week’s Cooking Connection, FOX 21’s Brittney Merlot had the chance to cook up the ‘Hot Mess’ as it’s called with chef Conor Maki. This breakfast item includes deli…

911 Service Outage Affecting St. Louis County Landlines

An Update Will be Issued When Service is Restored

UPDATE: According to authorities the 911 landline issues have been resolved. DULUTH, Minn. – A 911 emergency call service outage is being reported by a Nationwide Century Link outage. The outage is affecting St. Louis County landlines sporadically. Authorities say all major cell phone companies appear to be working as they should. If you need to call 911, officials say…

12-27-18 Closings and Delays Due to Winter Weather

Closings and Delays Received by FOX 21 Local News for Thursday, December 27, 2018

Senior Connections – Closed (There will be no meals or transportation services) Lake Superior College – Closed Cloquet Area Alternative Education Program – Closed Animal Allies – Closed YWCA Cornerstone Preschool and Childcare Center – Closed Bubbling Brook Childcare Center – Closed Kidz Kollege Learning Center – Closed Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College – Closed UDAC Categories: Community,…